Happy (1 day late) Chinese New Year!! It is year of the RAT. My kids are thrilled b/c they LOVE Ratatouille (by Disney). And at this age.. that is cool :O)
We started the celebration out by having the children making lanterns this year. They made beautiful ones (wouldn't a mother say that?!!) and on Saturday we are meeting up with several other families in the communtiy to have a Chinese dinner celebration. These famiies look just like us - formed by Gods amazing love with children from China. We always have a great time with them. The entire family comes and we just have fun!

So, Gung Hay Fat Choy - ya'all!! meaning = peace and prosperity

also, you will need to mute the regular music :O) to hear the video music

Our Adoption Video at BOTTOM..

Our daughter's video is at the bottom (not the ones on the side) of the blog...
I for the life of me could not figure out how to put this video anywhere else and have it fit so you could view the entire screen... except at the bottom...
There are a few photos missing that I really want in there.. so I am working on that.. plus there are several more songs that I am working on.. I am a bit sick with a cold and snuggled up in my easy chair what a better way to pass the time.. plus I have been trying to grab some video off our cameras for someone (Tonya!) and still can't figure it out... I don't have the correct cable so I am told...

S1 has been home for 3+ years.. about time I started working on her video!
let me know what you think...this is for her and the Glory of God!

Half the Sky HELP

I am asking for you to help and pray for the caregivers and orphans and people in China. They are having extreme weather right now. Please visit this site, http://www.halfthesky.org/work/littlemouse.php
or you can go to their main site of Half the Sky Foundation at www.halfthesky.org
If every person gave 1 dollar, or 5 or more.. we could make a difference.. these children need us.. the caregivers need us... I trust this organization completely.

Please at the very least go to the site and find out how you can pray for them.
thank you so very much,
J

is it a book no a truck... no a book...

That truck is a book. Isn't that the neatest thing! S1 picked it out for D1. :O) It folds in and out. It also can go flat to make a mat for your cars to ride on the road.. I bought it at the local "ollies" for FOUR DOLLARS :O) double bonus. the kids love it.
What a beautiful night.
I have to go to sleep but wanted to post these couple photos.. I have many photos to post from the last month. I will try to catch up this weekend!
blessings,
J-

Happy birthday Chelsea and Elizabeth (on the 31st)!!

HAPPY FAMILY DAY D1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We can't believe it has been ONE YEAR since we have officially became a family of FIVE. What a year it has been. God has blessed us, stretched us and shown us who we are in ways that at times.. I really didn't want to see! And in the end, so thankful He showed me this little boy across the world and that little boys are NOT scary! Little boys are darling. Little boys are fun, sweet and never ending bundle of energy. D1 has shown me more into my relationship with my husband. God has used D1 to show me more about me - both as a mother and a wife. I am so thankful.
Today we woke up and baked cupcakes.. D1 said it is my birthday!! I love cupcakes and Chinese food! I told him, well you do get both of those but it is not your birthday but it is your special day and our special day today together as a family. It has been a whole year that you have been a Shelton and we are celebrating God bringing us together. He is so happy.
About a month ago, it finally set in that I, as his mother, was not going any where. It finally set in that I, as his mother, was permanent. As a mom, this broke my heart that he didn't understand I was around for the long haul like it or not :O) but b/c we have been foster parents we were familiar with this concept..how heartbreaking.. However, we understood this was not to take it personally it would just take time and lots of love and patince.
So that has been our hurdle over this past year. D1 was in foster care and they moved him quite a bit back and forth to the orphanage to foster care in preparation for us (doesn't make sense to us either). We know God protected him. This child is so sweet and caring. We are so thankful for all the caring females in his little life until God united us. He bonded well and adjusted perfectly. He is a cuddle bug loves to be with me.. he just didn't think I was going to stick around...
Last month, he came up to me in his little 3 1/2 year old voice and said "you are my pretty princess. please don't leave." I said, I am not going anywhere d1 - I am your mommy- i love you. He then said." we are a family you don't leave me" " i said, no buddy, I am not leaving. I sometimes go on dates with daddy, or to the store or to bible study at church but I will come back. I will never leave you (and under my breath begging God to never take me from this child and let me live all my days to be my son's mother!) D1 started to cry and he was so serious he then held me and of course I was crying at this point!
B came home from work that day and D1 walked straight up to him and said, my pretty princess mommy is my family and she is not leaving. I love her. She loves me."
B looked at me and I just wept. B said whoa - looks like we had a major break through today!
And since then... the real bonding between mother and son has begun.. the trust and the love has begun..
I can not wait for what is in store for for the up coming year and the years to follow...
please pray for my family when you think of us. :O)
Tonight, we will be joyful and celebrate our Gotcha Day/Family Day.. and remember our time in China one year ago today...
J-