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The simplicity of wooden toys

Sage 's orphanage mate stopped by the enjoy lessons with us hard.  These two girls love math.

Playing a game of math they made up... their idea.  What lucky parents!

We had a busy weekend scouring  flea markets, cleaning,  laundry , snoozing and baking Zuchinni bread for some new neighbors several acres away.  The delicious aroma filled the house as we worked and we enjoyed a slice warm and fresh from the oven.  It was a beautiful weekend and we are already enjoying this week with a  bit of rain which we needed badly. 

A simple brown bowl filled with colorful threads and an old schoolhouse picture.  I do love old things.

tiddly winks

Looking for treasure!

Zuchinni Bread

Always time for practicing

and snoozing...

We read this morning from 1 John.  Isn't it astounding that no matter how many times you read the scripture the Lord reveals something new to you?  Verses 17-18 say "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has not pity on him, how can the love of God be in Him?.... let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth"    I so often become engrossed in my own life and fail to lift others up to Him.  Loving others through selfless acts shows them the love of Christ and let His light shine through us.  I long for my children to be keepers of the faith... to grow in Him every day.  It is important to keep our children's hearts and show through our example Christ's love.  I pray He helps me to be a better witness through acts of kindness. 

On another note... our cat had kittens about 5:30 in the morning.  The girls are absolutely enthralled with these new little delights.  I have to admit, they are darling.

The Blue Ridge mountains are a beautiful place to live.  The mountains are majestic, the weather cool (ok today was 76 -whew) , the air crisp and you get such a sense of peace up here.  Here are a few shots of what we see each time we go down our road....enjoy

A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life.  Proverbs 13:7 (msg)

We celebrated Piper's 4th birthday and had a wonderful time!  I feel so blessed by the Lord's gifts.

Future equitation rider!           The Ferris Wheel which I made daddy ride with the girls. :)

               I didn't do it.                                  The Sage sache'.

                 Birthday fun!                                                         Is my cake done yet?

. 

In today's world it isn't always easy to live a simple life.  With all the injustice in the world it can also be difficult to live a Spirit filled life.  Our world is full of delicious temptations and in America we are bombarded with a triple portion. From microwaves and ATM's to credit cards and fancy new cars complete with GPS's we have become enticed into always wanting more.  The desensitizing of America is cause for great concern.  People are expendable and elderly parents a nuisance.  Murder is just a common word and everything is acceptable.  If it feels good it's o.k.  Even the word "Christian' has been tarnished to where many people believe as long as you try to be good and help others you are a Christian.  It is the Christian thing to do... what about Christ? 

I have to be careful in my daily living not to become completed ensnared by the world, even when it is the popular "thing".  It is hard being set apart and living set apart from the world.  I do find this easier trying to live simply... and believe me, it's hard. (no pun intended) I am so tempted with wants!  There is so much available to us.  Satan is always looking for ways to coax us away from God.  He continuously seduces us with new gadgets and fads.  Anything to draw our attention away from God....  Decorating our homes, new clothes, Internet, cell phones, large paychecks, new cars, parties.... we always seem to want more.  I am striving to be content and live a simple, but it can be difficult. 

 We are using Geo Matters "Trail Guide to World Geography" and absolutely love it.   It is an interesting, simple and repetitive course with one or two daily questions and end of the week activities.  This guide also has different levels so is good for  three years or more.   It has really made geography interesting and fun for the girls and it goes well with The Mystery of History which Sage adores.  Everyday she ask can we do Mystery of History?   wow.

While most take a break for the summer we don't!  We actually enjoy schooling all year around.  We do take more field trips however and spend much more time out doors.  I have already gotten most of our curriculum together for this year and am excited about getting started!  Piper will have a larger course load as she will be four soon.    She loves to read and enjoys hands on activities.  I found this wonderful site @ Early Childhood Printables and she  is already having fun with some of the folder games and activities.    I will also be using the curriculum Little Hands Toward Heaven by Carrie Austin, Heart of Dakota Publishing.  It is a delightful biblically based program.  Piper is not as advanced as Sage was at age four and this is right up her alley.  If she progresses quickly she can go on to Sonlight.  she will also be participating in The Mystery of History with Sage as well.     Speaking of the Mystery of History --- this is one of the things we will be using with Sage for 1st grade.  She will also be using the Journal and Language Arts Program from Love to Learn, Inc.   This is an amazing program and has a strong writing program.  We will also still be doing Classical Conversations.  This was such a blessing to Sage and me last year!!  Thank you so much Julianna!  You're amazing.  We are using Pathway readers and workbooks and when Sage is finished with her math she will be moving on to Saxon.  As for science, I am not sure yet what we will be dong but for now we  having plenty of Earth Science activities and books to learn from such as the Christian Liberty Nature books.   A few other things :  A Reason for Handwriting, Draw Write Now, and tons of games.  Sage is also doing an on line program called Time 4 Learning.  This helps her learn computer skills while learning math, language arts, science and social studies.  Sage also helped me with a CD called Chinese Children's Stories and Proverbs which will hopefully be released by August.  (more on that later...)   I am just thrilled to be blessed with such a rich life! 

Elise, Wee Baby calf, Piper and Sage

We went on a field trip with some other home schoolers to a vet clinic and a cattle farm.  It was rainy and muddy but the students were able to meet an little calf who was being bottle raised.  The vet also let the high school age students observe an operation on a dog.  Welllll  anyone who knows Sage knows she loves all things medical.  She kept asking to go back to view the surgery but one of the assistants said  "Oh honey you too young"  finally she relented and said she'd go back with her and see how she did.  A few seconds later she returned and said "Your right, she's lovin' it and is fine!"  So my little five year old stood with the high schoolers watching with great interest and thoroughly delighting in being able to observe another surgical procedure.

Sage M.D.  with patient patient Puff.

Go Appalachian State University!  The future cheerleaders for ASU supporting their big brother. 

Is this little one adorable or what?  Mei Ling may be big but she is only a few days old and needs your prayers.  She is the precious granddaughter of a friend and a beautiful gift from God but she is having a few problems right now.  Could you take a second to cast a prayer up to the Lord for this wee one? To learn more about little Mei Ling visit   http://morningramble.blogspot.com/  and read about her progress in NICU.  May the Lord give you strength and health  little one!

Sage has done so well with her reading.  What a dream child!  She has already moved up to the next grade in reading has picked it up quite well.  She also has really been into drawing as of late constantly drawing and doodling little scenes with fairies, her family, God and animals.  She uses so much paper I am going to have to invest in the paper stock market.

February 18th is the beginning of  Chinese New Year and we will be celebrating with many other families at a CNY party.  We also have begun Chinese Language Classes and are looking forward to learning with other families as I feel this adds interest when learning another language.  I also want to teach the girls Latin or Greek.

I find it  hard this time of the year to stay on track.  We seem to slack off  and get behind....  I am trying to nip it in the bud early this time by staying on track with the three R's which are the staples of learning.    Each day we do reading, arithmetic, writing and of course Bible stories and discussion. Then each day of the week has one of the other subjects assigned.  Monday- History, Tuesday-our day out with Classical Conversations, Violin and Dance, Wednesday - Science, Thursday- Art and Friday-Music.  We may not always cover everything and sometimes only the basics, but as long as we are covering those three R's and Bible, I feel we have accomplished much.  Of course we also do other things such as last week when we did book binding, bread making (which we do weekly), card making - for Valentines and Chinese New Year etc.    Character training is a part of daily life., being implemented in daily tasks.    Accountability is essential in homeschooling.  One must diligent to do their best in everything they do so as to glorify the Lord.  I pray I can do better this year as it shows in our witness to others.

Christmas and the Holidays are busy with all the hustling and bustling, visiting, parities, shopping, events, music, food and festivities.  Our lives can become quite chaotic during this time of  year so much so that I actually begin to crave the sense of security our regular routine brings.  I  miss the monotony of a regular day and the normalcy it brings.  We are all looking forward to this week when we get back on track.  The Lord needs to be able to trust us in the small things of everyday life.  Mothering, laundry, teaching, praying, even doing the dishes.  This is what keeps the world going.  So welcome to the New Year of 2007.  I am glad you are here and look forward to getting back to our everyday normal day in and day out life.

Piper doing a bit of reading

Psalm 102:6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am like an owl of the desert.

In Classical  Conversations Sage dissected an Owl Pellet.  Do you know what an Owl pellet is?  Nope.  It's not poo.  An owl hunts small mammals like rodents, birds and invertebrates. They cannot digest bones, teeth, fur, feather, scales or insect skeletons but only  the soft muscles and organs of their prey they swallow their prey whole.  But what happens to the parts they cannot digest?  This material is formed into a pellet by the gizzard muscles and passed back up the esophagus about 10 hours later.... in other words they regurgitate it.  Thus you have the Owl pellet.  These pellets can be found at the bottom of a tree which the owl has perched and provides scientists information about owl diet and habits.  Sage's Owl  appeared to have eaten a small bird and rodent.  Scientists can determine what owls are eating at different times and locations. So interesting!  The girls also made paper plate Owls.  You can find virtual owl pellet disecction at Kid Wings.  You can also purchase them for about $3.00 each.

Sage is learning about plants and how they grow as well as the names of the parts of a plant.  How amazing it is for a young child to see God's hand at work in nature.

    For information on growing your own bean like Sage visit Lifecycle of A Bean!

This month the girls began Classical Conversations classes which are held once a week.  Although only Sage is really enrolled her teacher, Mrs. Burgess, kindly allows Piper to participate.  Mrs. Burgess is absolutely wonderful and the girls love her!  Sage is in the Foundations Program for K-6th grades which provides classes based on the Classical education.  They meet once a week and learn about History, Geography, Math, Science, Latin and Grammar.  Memory work is used to help these young ones learn facts about subjects.  they also have fine arts and science projects and give an oral presentation on a pre determined subject each week.

We having been thrilled with these classes and look forward to them each week.

I am finding out that raising daughters is quite different than raising sons.  Boys are just young, rugged outdoors men. If they ever get bored, just give 'em some dirt and water and they will be busy for hours. 

Boys don't hold grudges.  They can be mad as hornets at each other one minute and the next they're planning a camping trip. 

Boys don't get their feelings hurt easily and if they do they get over it quickly.  If I fussed at one of my sons and hurt his little feelings he would go upstairs and shortly after return asking "Hey mom! What's for dinner?", like nothing ever happened.  I think God puts these very unique traits in males because He  knew they would need them! 

Now on the other hand,  females are quite different.  They are like elephants.  They never forget.  And whine.  Goodness do little girls whine.  And talk.  Talk, talk, talk.  My five year old daughter goes to bed jabbering and wakes up jabbering.    Quite honestly I've never heard anything like it.  My boys were just.... active.  They jumped on furniture and ran around all day long. Just feed 'um and they're good.   Girls are constantly speaking.  Just the other day Sage was making two sticks talk to each other.  "Hi, mine name is Emily, what's your name?"  "I'm Jade".  Sticks! Sometimes you have to wonder if they're (were) touched.

If they ever get their feelings hurt -- lord have mercy.  It goes on and on..... Are they sensitive or what?  My two year old hurts my five year olds feelings for looking at her the wrong way.  But oh, how I am enjoying my little girls!  We picked blueberries the other day and had such fun. (The boys would have ended up throwing berries at each other and me)  We cook together, clean together, scrapbook together, sew together, snuggle together.... I am in heaven.  

Yesu ai wo wo zhidao  Yin you ShengJing gaosu wo

Xiao xiao haizi zhu ai hu  Wo sui ruan ruo Zhu gangqiang

How Yesu ai wo  How Yesu ai wo How Yesu ai wo

You ShengJing gaosu wo.

People who know little are usually great talkers, while men who know much speak little. --- Rosseau

Sage was too excited to wait for kindergarten to begin so we went ahead and started.  We are really enjoying the Sonlight curriculum this year.  Of course we have already read through the entire BoxCar Children #1 book which was suppose to last more than a couple weeks.....  I am thankful she loves reading. 

Her first spelling test included the words:  sat, mat, cat, hat and the bonus word "is".   I let her use a small dry erase board because it is more fun.  I don't worry about lines on this board right now.  I was actually shocked she could spell these -- she wanted to keep going. Dream child..... 

"The only fool bigger than the know it all,

 is the one who argues with him."

The Little Violinist

Sage had her first violin recital today...  She was so excited and cute as a button with her little 1/16th violin.  She gave a twinkle twinkle demonstration.

It's really hard to get pictures of Piper... she is constantly moving and does not like to have her picture taken .  After the recital these two little country girls kicked off their shoes and went rollin' in the grass....  in their white dresses. Three guesses what I'll be doing.

Boy, have things changed since when my boys were young and homeschooled.  The choices were few when it came to curriculum.  BJU was one of the most obtainable.

But now....now... there are so many educationally rich materials available it can be quite overwhelming!  I must say, I am in heaven.  I just want to order everything and try it! 

When someone is interested in homeschooling one of the first things they ask is "What curriculum do you use?"  In the past we used mostly BJU (Bob Jones University Press) and Saxon math.  But as I realized each child has a different learning style we had to change because what worked for one, did not work well for the other.  Besides BJUP, we've used Abeka, Konos, Key to series, Saxon (which my sons absolutely loathed so we switched to BJU Math), Video Text Algebra (we were one of the first to use this!), LLATL, Unit Studies, college courses, Easy way to Grammar, Veritas Press, Teach your child to read in 100 days, various Bible studies .... the list just goes on and on.

I had been implementing preschool activities with my daughter since she was two but soon Sage was hungry to learn more.  So, I scoured the catalogs and Internet for a fun educational program and ended up buying Sing, Spell, Read and Write.  As we got into it I found that it just wasn't enough for my progressive, eager to learn little student.  (Please note I am in no way saying it is a bad choice!  I actually liked much of it.)  I decided to add Sonlight's K4 program which she devoured since she is a child who absolutely loves to read (& be read to) but the K4 wasn't advanced enough for her so I included Abeka K4 to get her started with phonics. But, the Abeka K4 was so classroom structured it just didn't work well for us.  

I also used various workbooks and really started implementing the Charlotte Mason approach with her as I began to realize the type of learner she is.  I've read much of her stuff in the past and really feel this is the most well rounded, fun way of learning for a child.  Real books!!  There is an online group called Ambleside Online which is a free curriculum based on the Charlotte Mason method of teaching.  I gleaned much information from this site and list! 

Thursday we got our official kindergarten curriculum in from Sonlight.  After looking through everything available I again felt this was the best choice-- I just went with advanced readers this time!  Sonlight is rich in literature and history.  My 71 year old mother happened to be here when we were opening the boxes --- oh what fun that is!!--- when she commented "Well goodness, these are books I would be interested in reading."  Sage, my parents and I excitedly pulled out book after real book.  Even Piper grabbed on to a nature book and scurried up into my father's lap.  

I chose Songlight's K5 program but used the Level 1 advanced readers.  Sonlight is rich in real books, adventure in learning through reading and can be personalized to suit your child (example: choosing level 1 readers instead of K readers) You can also chose your own math and handwriting programs etc... and all this is laid out for you!  I really felt I needed this as it takes so much time to plan everything out.  With Sonlight you choose a four or five day course of study and they have it all written out for you.  You just open a page for Week 1 and start.  Art and PE are also included.  It also came with a calender and historical time-line.  Even the science course has the supplies we need in a nice box as well as the math manipulative's which came in a plastic storage case.  sigh...  I'm a happy girl and Sage is excited!  There are just too many advantages to this program to list here but you can visit them at  www.sonlight.com and either scour the site or order a catalog.   Now, they are pricey, but you get what you pay for.  

Other resource books  and reading books we use are McGuffey readers, notebooking, Handbook of Nature Study,  Christian Liberty Nature Readers, What your _____ needs to know - series,  Excel Math, Horizon Math & Singapore Math (Sage is good at math),  Explore the Code & Mind Benders.  

Sage also takes dance as well as violin lessons

There is so much available out there now.  It can be a bit overwhelming but once you discover your child's learning style everything will fall into place.  A child should enjoy learning and want to get up in the morning and "do school work" as Sage says.  

If a child begins to dread learning everyday something needs to change.

An Afternoon Tea was served yesterday.  Daddy and even guh guh Jack attended.

The dainty social began when a Mandarin Orange tea was served along with dainty finger sandwich's, cheese, water crackers, and a creamy strawberry dessert all of which Mistress Sage assisted in preparing -- since it was her tea.  The table was set with a fine linen tablecloth and napkin set from China (guess it's almost an antique since it was mine when I was young  and we lived in the Philippines).  The delicate meal was served on the finest china from Japan (also from our years of living in Asia) and a lovely spray of baby blossom and a lilac scented candle graced the center of the table. 

Young Mistress Sage and Mistress Piper were dressed in their finest and Mistress Sage was a most gracious hostess.

Hey, she took this very very seriously!  It was truly the event of the year!  Well, maybe the week.... at least for Sage as you can tell from the picture that Piper was only there for the snacks.... notice the tea bag in her teeny tiny tea cup....

Mistress Sage and Mistress Piper taking Afternoon tea.

I recently purchased The Burgess Bird Book For Children by Thornton W. Burgess thinking this would be a good way to glean some facts about wild birds --  an area in which I sorely lack knowledge.  What a surprise when I began reading a chapter to my girls.  This is a delightful book for young ones!  Instead of just giving a bunch of facts - which younger children don't enjoy listening to-- this book teaches gentle lessons of birds and wildlife.

Mr. Burgess has given life to the wildlife in an interesting dialog of conversation.  For example, in chapter 5 Peter Rabbit learns something new about Winsome Bluebird and Welcome Robin.  Winsome Bluebird has arrived to welcome in Mistress Spring.  Peter adores his two bird friends and is quite surprised when Jenny Wren mentions how much the cousins look alike.  Peter didn't realize Winsome and Welcome are cousins, both part of the thrush family!  "Tut, tut, tut Peter!" exclaims Jenny Wren.   Peter still doubtful goes to ask his two friends if this is true.  "Yes" Winsome chuckles.  "Welcome and I may not look much alike, but we are cousins just the same.  Don't' you think Welcome is looking unusually fine this spring?" 

"Not a bit finer than yourself, Winsome," replies Peter....

And so the story continues with an absolutely delightful dialog of these characters.  This book is rich in real information and I can't wait to purchase others by Mr. Burgess.

On April 29th Sage was in her 5th ballet production held at ASU.  She was a little pixie who danced and fluttered around Snow White - who was quite beautiful.  They even sprinkled pixie dust on her before she went on stage. Sage was so excited to actually get to meet and dance with Snow White.... ssshhhh  Hey,this is serious stuff!

I love having three sons!  They were so good and such fun growing up.   They went through a lot with me/because of me and have turned out to be fabulous men.  I am so proud of them.  What more could a mother want?

David - 24

David, my first born.  Sigh....  Any mother knows the immense joy of having their first child.  When you give birth your motherly instincts kick in and you are overcome with the intense desire to protect this beautiful little being from all harm.  You are also enveloped by fear knowing that you have been chosen by the Lord to not only nurture and shield this child but to also shepherd him throughout his life (no pressure).  The first born is the guinea pig. You don't know what the heck you're doing and can only hope with the Lord's guidance he turns out alright!  They have to tolerate your experiments and failures of parenthood.  And if you are young (as I was) when you have your first child he is subjected to your own growing up.

  My Paul David  (which by the way means Little Beloved One)  has the biggest heart of any person I have ever known.  He will always be the apple of my eye. I need only to look at him for my heart to melt for he is truly one of the most wonderful people I have ever known. 

This is Jack - honorable second son...   Ain't he precious.  Jack is 21 and attends ASU.  He is a river guide.... wouldn't you like him to be your guide?

Jack is a such a nice guy and can sing like crazy.  He is a devoted Christian and has a comical nature.

He 's also a brat.

My baby. William is 19 and enjoys life like no other.  He is a free spirit, athletic, constantly moving and doesn't let things keep him down. Children absolutely love him.  At 6'4"  he is my tallest son. William was the only one who didn't get sick during dissections when I made them take Anatomy and Physiology. Yep, we dissected sheep brains, cow eyeballs, liver, kidneys .... you get the idea.  

I love my William.

Yesterday we read "Laura's Ma" by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  Ma had a specific chore assigned to each day of the week.  Laura's favorite was butter making day when Ma would take fresh milk and turn it into delicious creamy butter by hand churning it with a dash in a crock.  We decided we just had to make butter!  The girls were vigilant in shaking their jars... well Sage was.     I admit I cheated by using the Kitchen Aid.  We also just had to make homemade bread to go with it.  What a delight to have little girls.

    Piper & Sage with homemade butter and bread

Sage kneading the dough

Mom! You cheated by using the Kitchen Aid!

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.  God sets the lonely in families..."  Psalm 68:5,6

Adoption:  To take into one's family through legal means and raise as one's own child.   To take up and make one's own

Adopting our daughters was one of the best decisions I have ever made.  I honestly believe it is the Lord's will to provide homes for children without them.  This is scriptural.  It is also not convenient for many.  It takes a lot of our time.... and money.... we have other things we could be doing.... or maybe people say we are too old.  There are all kinds of excuses why "we" just can't do it.  Some people may not want to hear it - but it is a believers obligation to care for widows and orphans.   James 1:27 tells us, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..." 

Galatians 2:10 encourages us to "remember the poor." And in Matthew 19:14, Jesus declared, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."   There is obviously a special place in the Lord's heart for children!  

Exodus 22 and 23 tells the Israelites to help the aliens, widows, orphans, and the poor. 

Psalm 82:3 says Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy.

He is defender of the fatherless... Deuteronomy 10:18, Psalm 10: 18, Psalm 68:5, Psalm 40:17.

It is not comfortable to look upon those who are so needy such as the poor and orphans who do not have homes or hope.  It takes us out of our comfort zone.  It would be nicer to avoid these things altogether.  It is easier to just pray for them and hope for the best, I mean someone is bound to help....

               The famous British Christian author C.S. Lewis writes...                         "Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea."  (The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey)

"Anyone will be cursed who is unfair to foreigners, orphans, or widows." Deuteronomy 27:19. 

Are we not being unfair and unjust by just ignoring them? 

It is the responsibility of every Christian to help orphans (and widows) whether by adopting or helping a family to adopt, giving money to orphanages, volunteering or sponsoring a child.  When a Christian family adopts they demonstrate God's love to everyone.  When you go home to your nice decorated house with heat and air conditioning, sit down to a lovely dinner of fresh food, take a nice hot bath and snuggle up in your bed with fluffy pillows think of these children who have absolutely nothing.  I say this not to judge but to cause one to think.

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers you did it for me.” Matthew 25:40

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

I John 2:15.

Have you ever wondered why the majority of homeschoolers are Christians?  For many of us it is because we have chosen to be set apart from the world.  Not meaning necessarily to dissociate from the world but to not live in the world or love the things of this world.  This is difficult for non-believers to understand as they have not been given insight from Holy Spirit.  Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn't talk to you as I would to mature Christians. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life. 1 Corinthians 3:1.  So many times we hear the remark "But how will you children ever learn how to live in the real world!?"   Just as you wouldn't take a preschooler and place him in a high school class so he could learn to live in the real world we don't want to place our children in certain environments until they are spiritually mature enough.   I had to feed you with milk and not with solid food, because you couldn't handle anything stronger. 1 Corinthians 3:2. 

We have chosen to raise up our children to glorify the Lord,  to love Him and put Him first. And as with other Christian homeschool families our children will go out into the world prepared with the shield of God. 

I can't begin to express in words the blessings of having two beautiful daughters of China.  The immense joy my daughters have brought to me is immeasurable.  I thank God for allowing me to be their guardians and am so humbled he entrusted this privilege to me.  How lucky I am to have five beautiful, healthy children!

Sage

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Yep,  This truly shows my Piper's personality.  Spunky, Fiesty and Spirited!  No posing needed for this two year old. 

Piper was born in Wuhan, Hubei China in 2003.  She was found in front of a hosptial at one month old.  In 2005 we were lucky enough to adopt her and she is now home.

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Winter is going out with a BANG this year! 

Oh how I long for spring....

I do so enjoy the beautiful snow the Lord gives to us up here in the

Appalachian Mountains but am ready for that new season which brings the warming sunshine. I am ready for more time spent outdoors, to plant a garden and enjoy playing in the dirt with my girls.  So come on spring!

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