Surprise Baby Shower by the Fourth and Fifth Graders!!

On Wednesday at 10:15 am, I walked into the fourth grade to teach them Language Arts and was greeted by a SURPRISE! Then my fifth graders came walking in shouting SURPRISE! too. I was definitely shocked and surprised!! When I looked around there were 41 smiling student faces, about 10 happy parents, teachers, a table full of beautiful cupcakes that said, Baby, with punch, and another table full of gifts for Jinnae.

I was so overwhelmed and thankful for the generosity. I started to cry after opening the gifts. The baby shower was such a kind and loving thing to do. My car's trunk and entire backseat were full of gifts. I cried again on the way home because I was so touched that my students and their parents were so kind to Rick, Jinnae and I.

My students had kept this secret since the Friday before. They did a great job - I was clueless. When I look back, I couldn't figure out why the fifth graders were so chatty during writing that day - now I know why - they were so excited about their surprise for me after recess.

My friend Lisa, asked me to cover her recess duty that morning because she said, she needed to meet with a parent about a math question. I really didn't want to cover her duty because I was going to work on report cards - but I said I would. I had parents hiding and the principal watching me go outside so they could sneak in. They did well - I didn't notice anything. It was a fun morning! Thank you students, parents and staff!!

Travel Date!

Rick and I will be leaving to China on May 15, 2008 to pick up Jinnae. Yea!

We are ready! Thank you for all your prayers, we will be holding Jinnae soon!

Jinnae's room complete

Rick has worked so hard this past week on Jinnae's room. It is now complete except for the curtains. My mom is sewing them right now. Notice the daisy and Imagine sign on the wall? Rick made those too. He is so gifted.

I came home from the store yesterday and wondered where Rick was. I looked for him in the normal places: garage, backyard, lazy boy, computer room, looking in the fridge and finally found him in Jinnae's room. He was whistling and making Jinnae's bed. He was being so careful and tying perfect bows on the bumper.

He is going to be the best dad ever.

First Baby Shower

Today I had my first baby shower for Jinnae. The staff at my work took me to the Olive Garden and presented me with many special gifts for Jinnae.

It was a very nice time. I am very blessed to have a job I love with great people to work with. I was also able to visit with my good friend, Dawn whom I used to work with. Dawn now teaches at Grand Haven Christian which is closer to her home.

My work friends gave us a gift certificate for free admission for a year to John Ball Park Zoo. We plan on spending much time there. It is nice that the zoo is only 15 minutes down the road. They also gave us a beautiful framed picture that was drawn by one of my previous students, Sarah Landstrom. Sarah is now in the eighth grade. The picture is beautiful and special.

We received many cute outfits and toys as well. I opened the toys when I got home and put them in a toy box for Jinnae. I know they won't always look this neat, but they make me excited to have Jinnae crawling around here soon. No exact travel dates yet - still waiting and praying that it will be very, very soon!

Don't you just love the pink chair?! Our friends Phil and Missy bought the chair for Jinnae.

Thanks for the special day, friends.

Rick, Jinnae and I are very thankful for all your kindness, thoughts and prayers.

By the way, Rick has been cranking away on the nursery every night this week. Pictures of the finished nursery should be this weekend. I hear the sander now!

Jinnae's room in progress

Rick is working hard on Jinnae's room.

It will be awesome when it is done.

The colors will be pink and brown.

His goal is to get it taped off and the crown molding up tonight.

The nursery should be done by Friday.

Mom's Cooking

Sorry Jinnae, you have not been blessed with a mom who can cook. I was so excited about making this thin crust pizza for your dad too! Oh well.

I can bake, shop, do hair and make up so we will have lots of fun.

And don't worry, your daddy can cook. He is a great chef!

Baskets and Reading

Today Rick and I sent a goody basket to Jinnae and her foster parents. We included a camera so we hope to get lots of pics of the things we are missing. We also sent a picture of ourselves and a letter (translated in Chinese). She will probably slobber all over the picture, but maybe she will recognize us when we get there. My friend, Tanya, suggested I not send a pic of Rick with his shirt off - she didn't want Jinnae to be scared! :)

We are keeping busy with baby showers, decorating the nursery, final doctor appts. for Hep. A and Hep. B shots and saving more money.

We also are reading together the book, Parenting with Love and Logic by Foster Cline MD and Jim Fay. It is interesting and helpful.

It is hard for both of us to concentrate on work these days. Hopefully the time flies until May or we may be surprised and leave earlier. We'll see!