More Disney!

Sophi took many selfies on the trip down.  We'll just share one of them:)

We stayed overnight in St. George.  Christi's sister has a wonderful mother- and father-in-law who let us crash at their house.  They have a great dress-up selection for their grandkids:)

The Tower of Terror lives up to its name:

After a couple of times on the same ride, you get to know when the pictures are taken.  Love the poses!

Nice, Park!

A Bug's Life kiddie rides:

Up in Tarzan's treehouse.  It's crazy to think these boys first came here at ages 1 and 2!

If you take selfies on Dad's phone, know that they may end up on the blog:)

Taylor's favorite Disney food has always been the pretzels:)

On the Carousel:

Somehow Parker always manages to situate himself next to the pretty princesses.  Hmmm...  Coincidence?  I think not!

Lots of pumpkins at Disney in October!

Lunch with the princesses at Ariel's Grotto:

Way too cool!

At Duke's restaurant in Huntington Beach.  You don't go away hungry!

Conner's (and Dad's!) favorite Disney food:  The turkey leg.

Good-bye Disneyland!  We'll miss you!  Hope to visit again!!!

Disneyland!

Sometimes it takes us awhile to blog significant events.  This is often because there are so many pictures and so much to share that we get overwhelmed at the thought of sitting down for so long to journal that part of our lives.  So I'm going to break up our Disneyland vacation into at least a couple of posts.

Last October over fall break, we decided to make the trek down to Southern California!  What an exciting trip for all of us:)  Elli does not travel well, nor does she do well with crowds, so she stayed with Christi's parents while we were gone.  Thanks, Dean and Larita!  We left on a Saturday and drove to St. George, where we stayed with Christi's sister.  It's always fun to see the cousins.  We arrived in Los Angeles on Sunday, where we checked into our hotel.  We had two rooms, each with two double beds and a hideaway.  They also had a refrigerator and microwave, dishes and a dishwasher, so we were set!  The space was cozy, but sufficient.

We were able to spend time at both Disneyland and Disney's California adventure, and we also spent a day at Huntington beach, playing in the sand and the surf.  It was a fantastic trip and a fun adventure for all of us:)  Here are some pictures and video.


Loaded and ready to go:

Proof that Parker doesn't always look good.

On the tram:

When we first arrived, we went to the desk for assistance with special needs.  They were SO helpful and sweet.  Among other things, they helped us get in to see Elsa and Anna.  All of the characters were amazing with our kids.  They let Lexi and Conner feel their outfits and their faces.  Disneyland is the best!

Taylor and Parker don't look too sad to be with these princesses ;-)

In the Disney Jr. Playhouse:

With Sophia the 1st:

Sophi continues to be convinced that Jake from "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" has a crush on her:)

Conner and Xander with a statue of Mr. Disney himself:

Again, Minnie was so sweet with Conner and let him feel her ears and arms:

Brave Sophi!

Sophi's new shoes:

Sophi is such a brave girl:)  She tackles the challenges in her life with an indomitable spirit.  I look forward to seeing how she continues to impact the world as she grows up.  WE LOVE YOU, SOPHI!

-Mom and Dad

I Dare You To Find Anything Cuter Than This...

The best part about this is that these two received NO coaching from us.  They were excited about being "twinners" (both  freshly bathed and in braids).  Sophi called out to Christi, "Mom, can you video us?"  This is the result:



So charming!

-Jer

PS.  Can you guess which of these two takes the lead in this sisterly relationship?

PPS.  Dad:  Can you believe these are the same two girls we brought home from China four years ago?

Amazing

This amazing man is an inspiration!  There seems to be no limit to what people can achieve.

Sophi's movie review

In case you wondering whether to see the new Cinderella...

Sophi-isms

Taylor's high school band concert was tonight.  Taylor is the first chair trombone and played very well.  It has been fun to hear his progress through the years.  After we came home, most of the kids were getting ready for bed, so it was just Sophi, Taylor and me in the kitchen.  Both kids were wanting a bedtime snack.  Sophi asked for a glass of milk, which I got for her.  When I set it down in front of her, she said: "I LOVE milk!"

I love to tease the kids, so I asked her, "Do you love milk more, or Taylor more?"  (I know, I know.  What kind of a dad asks such an awful question.  I suppose I should start thinking before I open my mouth!)

Sophi thought for a short second, then responded with a grin, "I love TAYLOR more!"

Taylor quipped:  "Good job, Soph!"

Sophi's grin grew larger and larger and she excitedly asked, "Did I answer the test???"

Yes, Sophi, you passed with flying colors:)

------------------------------

Jessica is one fantastic human being.  She is a joy and a light in our lives.  She has some very unique and quirky ways of interacting with others.  She often wants to communicate through sign language.  Not actual ASL kind of sign language, but her own made up variety.  On her first attempt to explain something this way, it's kind of cute.  When she decides she's not going to use words despite a 5+ minute "failure to communicate," it can get a bit tiresome.  Another way she likes to get her point across is through handwritten notes.  Sometimes these notes are written left to right, top to bottom like normal English.  But if she runs out of room, they may just float around the page wherever she finds room.

This morning I was making lunches.  Jessica was eating breakfast at the bar.  She said, "Today you don't have to ask if I want home or school lunch.  You can just look!"  As she said this, she pointed at the refrigerator, where the school lunch calendar was posted.  I walked over and looked at the calendar.  Today's menu was ravioli.  I wasn't sure whether that meant home or school.  I asked her to clarify.  Again she pointed at the fridge.  No words.

"Jess, I don't understand."

She points down.

"I look at the floor."

She deigns to verbalize.  "Look under the calendar."

I look below the calendar.  Aha!  A handwritten note:

I turn it over:

So I look at her meanu [sic].  I get that the snack is popcorn (no idea what is in the first set of parenthases) and see that it is from last night.  The fruit is mango.  Dessert is girl scout cookies (mint kind).  The drink is a quarter.  And the main dish is...potato chips?  As you look at this menu, you may think, "don't you need something substantial?  A sandwich perhaps?" Well, in addition to Jessica's quirky communication, she has a patently persnickety palate!  Trying to find food she is willing to eat can be quite the chore.  Sandwiches of any kind definitely do not fit the bill.  I asked, "Are potato chips really your main dish?"  She takes the note and points to the long arrow.  I stare blankly.  She points to the long arrow and gives me a very intense glare.  Perhaps an attempt at mind control?  I continue to stare blankly.  Finally I say, "Jess, I don't understand."

Unimpressed with my lower-than-average intelligence, she rolls her eyes and says, "The arrow is going both ways.  That means they are switched.  POPCORN is my main dish!  Two handfuls."  (Now I see what the first set of parentheses says.)  Gotcha.  And potato chips are the snack.  I try to explain that popcorn, girl scout cookies and potato chips don't constitute a very healthy meal.  "Well, I do have mango."  Back and forth we go.  This entire exchange is taking far too many valuable before-school minutes.  I become a bit frustrated, let out a loud sigh, lean back against the counter and slump down with a look of exasperation on my face.

Sophi, who has witnessed the entire conversation from her perch at the bar, smiles sweetly at me and, in her most patronizing-because-I'm-talking-to-a-kindergartner voice says, "Dad.  Where's your happy face?  Let's put a smile on!"

Thanks for the reminder, Soph.  Life does go on!  I can't even remember what ended up in Jesi's lunch, but I'm pretty sure the chips got nixed.

-Jer

PS.  Jen-A little alliteration with your favorite word to get your morning started right ;)

Our Star!

Taylor always gets out of Sunday dinner clean-up by baking the bread/rolls.  Tonight, Parker asked if he could get out of it too by playing us a song.  Parker is usually so, so shy about playing/singing, so we jumped at the chance--telling him it was a deal if he let us record and share.  I can't believe he said yes!!!  We're proud of you, Park:)

-Christianne

PS.  Loved the way Graci spontaneously went to share the experience with sweet Lexi.  Grace is an AMAZING big sister!!!

Special Kids

Christi and I were asked to speak for a missionary preparation class today.  We shared a message about how working through challenging times can help us grow and develop spiritually.  As part of the presentation we showed this video that Christi put together.  We've posted a version of this before, but this has been updated:

Beautiful Cali

Last night I heard Cali upstairs singing this song over and over so I snuck up to take a little video. To my surprise, she kept singing even when she realized I was there-- a huge feat for our shy girl. I love this beauty of mine and thought this was such a fitting song for her to sing as she is beginning to become a confident young woman. "Take your make up off, Let your hair down, Take a breath. Look into the mirror, at yourself Don't you like you? Cause I like you"  -Christianne

Courage

The other day I saw a quote that really hit me.  It is from John Wayne:

"Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway."

What a great concept!  I'm not ashamed to let you know that multiple times every day I feel scared to death.  Sometimes it's on an evening when Christi is gone and I have to get the kids dinner, help with homework and get them to bed all on my own.  It may be the thought of having enough resources to feed, clothe, school, and everything else we'll have to provide for our 10 children over the next many years.  Sometimes just the morning alarm clock can trigger a veritable panic attack:)

But for the past couple of weeks, I've thought of this quote.  When these moments hit, I think to myself, "OK, Jer.  Time to saddle up!"  Another lesson I've learned in life is that things usually aren't as dire as they seem.  If I just saddle up and start riding, I can make it through a lot.

The other night, Christi and I watched "The Good Lie,"  a movie about the lost boys of the Sudan.  Seeing the incredible trials that others have gone through is always a good way to re-focus on the blessings in our own lives.  And we truly are blessed.  So when tomorrow's challenges start to scare me, I'll just saddle up and get moving!

-Jeremy

Find Me

Over two years ago, we were contacted by a filmmaker who was creating a documentary about Chinese adoption. They were interested in showing the backstory of adoption and specifically wanted to follow an adoptee traveling back to visit China. I think it was more than a mere coincidence that we were just getting ready to leave on our trip to adopt Cali and had already planned on bringing Graci along to visit her wonderful foster family. The director of the film, David Peters, specifically wanted to film her "finding place" aka the place where she was abandoned. I didn't know what to think about that at first, but it ended up being one of the most special things I have ever done in my life. Standing there in the place that we knew her biological father had been with her for the last time was something I can't describe, and I felt like I was walking on holy ground. I admit, having cameras following us around for several days was not exactly "my thing" (I'm always self-conscious on camera) but I am SO grateful we took part in this and were able to have those experiences with Graci, as well as our adoption of Cali, beautifully documented by such wonderful people. We have come to know and love each of the families featured in the film and will be forever grateful for such a neat opportunity. "Find Me" Find Me - the documentary will be be making its Utah premier on March 26th at 6:00 p.m. at The District in South Jordan. We will be doing a question/answer session following the film for whoever is interested in staying. If you have ever contemplated adoption, been interested in China's culture, or just want to see a beautiful film about the workings of God in our lives, I think you would love this film. Click HERE to view the trailer.  Tickets are on sale now and you can purchase them HERE.  If you are wanting to come, we'd suggest you buy tickets now, as we are not sure if there will still be tickets available if you wait until that day!  We are not trying to promote our family-- but we ARE trying to promote adoption!  (:

--Christianne

The Princess

A few weeks ago I was at church.  I was talking with a sweet couple that lives up the street from us.  They have three young children of their own.  The mom shared something that brought tears to my eyes.  Their oldest child, a girl about three or four years old, says the cutest thing every time she sees Elli at church:  "There's the Princess!"

I was confused as to why the little girl would think that Elli was a princess.  The mother explained.  Every time this little girl saw Elli, Elli was in a dress, twirling in circles.  Of course she's a princess!  Who else would constantly perform pirouettes?

I was grateful for this little girl's ability to see beyond a lack of sight.  To see beyond loud screeches and pop songs sung during the sacrament.  This little girl saw the princess inside of Elli.  And what a princess she is!

Spy Kids

Graci is a fantastic big sister.  She plays so many games with her siblings.  She tells stories and plays make-believe and is basically a best friend to Sophi, Lexi, Jesi, and Xander.  They all love her so much.  One of the games that she and Jessica play is "Spy."  Both of these girls tend to be a bit camera shy (Jesi, sadly, is learning that particular trait from Grace:(, so getting footage of them playing this game was quite the feat.  I had to stand in the kitchen and pretend I was talking on my phone while I was actually taking video.  That's why the camera is sometimes at an angle.

My favorite quote is this (starting at about 35 seconds):

Graci:  "J07"

Jessica:  "Copy"

Graci:  "Um, the butterfly is landing."

Jessica:  "K"

Graci:  "That means...help...K?"

AWESOME spy code!

-Jer