Happy New Year!!!!

Today is the beginning of the Chinese New Year for the year of the Ox. To celebrate, we went to eat at P.F. Chang's. We will have another celebration on Saturday with our local FCC Group.

taking it easy

The New Year has been pretty uneventful, which is not a bad thing. Maggie continues to be doing great and we can't imagine being without her. We had a pretty busy weekend after two weeks of relaxing and taking it easy. Barbara has begun to pick up Rachel after school most days, so Maggie has had fun playing with her. Rachel's dad used to work with Barbara at Averitt Express and they have been so good to Maggie.

Barbara's cousin Julie stayed with us on Friday night on her way from Florida to Iowa. We went to eat with Barbara's mom and aunt and came home to watch The Dark Knight.

On Saturday afternoon, we took Maggie to Sesame Street Live. She really enjoyed it, as she is a big fan of Elmo. It was not as big an event as Disney on Ice, but it was worth going just to see the smile on Maggie's face. On Saturday evening my friend Steve and his family came by for dinner. His daughter, Jenna, had a cheerleading competition in town and it was great to see them.

Today was a holiday so I had the day off. I got to go see Maggie's gymnastics class followed by lunch with Mia and her family and a trip to Playworld Down Under. Maggie had a great day, and was exhausted by the time we got home.

Next weekend Barbara and I plan to go to the movies while Maggie stays with Barbara's mom and aunt. It will be the first time Maggie has been away from both of us at the same time and she has promised us that she won't cry. The following weekend is our Chinese New Year celebration with other local families with children from China. We have been to the celebration the last two years, but this is the first we'll go to with Maggie. She will have a great time. We are also planning a vacation to Disney and the Tampa area in February or March, so we have much to look forward to.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

It's been quite a busy week and a half in our lives, and I finally have some down time to write about our wonderful experience.

On Christmas eve, Barbara's dad drove down from Murfreesboro and spent the night with us. Barbara's mom also came over as did Barbara's cousin Beth and her family. We had a dinner of appetizers and had such a wonderful time visiting. Maggie was so excited during this whole time and really seemed to enjoy these times.

Before Maggie went to bed on Christmas eve, we made sure to put some reindeer food in our yard so that Santa Claus wouldn't miss us. We set out an abundant amount of christmas cookies for Santa along with a big glass of strawberry milk (Maggie's favorite). Maggie fell asleep quickly after our company left, and we followed shortly after. Santa had ample time to visit our house, and boy did he visit.

Maggie woke up at her normal 7ish on Christmas morning and was so excited to see what Santa may have brought her. We went down the stairs in a hurry, and to Maggie's amazement, in plain view were her kitchen, mickey mouse clubhouse, a mickey mouse tent, and a mini indoor trampoline! Maggie was speechless and overwhelmed for several minutes, and it was so touching to see her sweet face react to what she saw. The moment lasted just long enough before she was playing, smiling, laughing, and really enjoying herself.

A short time later, Barbara's mother arrived, at which time Maggie was able to open her presents from Mommy and Daddy and everyone else. She got alot of fun things, and had a great time opening presents. She had to assist each and everyone of us with our opening as well.

My mom came by a short time later that morning and we had a wonderful Christmas meal and visit. My mother spent the night with us and had lunch with us on Friday.

On Sunday, Barbara, Maggie and myself, along with Barbara's mom and aunt drove to Baltimore, MD to visit Barbara's brother and his three daughters. We had a great time, although it was a short visit. Maggie really enjoyed playing with her cousins, and didn't want to leave. We spent Monday at a local mall with lunch at the Rainforest Cafe, and we went to Washington D.C. on Wednesday for a visit to our Capitol. On Wednesday, we hung around all day and enjoyed a fabulous meal prepared by her brother, and rang in the new year unspectacularly (Maggie was asleep by 10, and I followed soon thereafter). Barbara was the only one of us to watch the ball drop. We left her brother's at about 8 AM on New Year's day and spent our day traveling. Maggie was such a good girl in the car. She slept a little, watched a few dvd's, and not once complained. She amazes us more every day. Today we were able to unwind and relax, while putting away our Christmas tree and decorations. Maggie wasn't happy that Christmas has ended, and still goes around saying "Ho! Ho! Ho!. Maggie fell asleep at 7 AM tonight, so the trip did tire all of us.

2008 was amazing in the Haimelin household, and 2009 will be great as well. We wish everyone happiness for the New Year and look forward to spending more valuable time with our family and friends.

Referral anniversary

On December 6th, 2007, Barbara and I laid eyes on the most beautiful girl we have ever seen. It was the day we received Maggie's referral. From the moment we saw her, we knew our family would be complete. This year has been the most amazing of my life. We have seen Maggie grow so much, and have already created such wonderful memories.

Thanks to everyone who has embraced Maggie and ourselves during this amazing time in our lives. We are so lucky to have such amazing friends and family.

an early Christmas

Last night, Barbara and I decided to let Maggie open one gift a day until Christmas. We received Maggie's present from my Uncle Bob and Aunt Barbara just after Thanksgiving, and Maggie has done so well to leave it alone for such a long time. She was thrilled that we let her open it last night. She got three learning books, and we had to read each one of them immediately. She loves them! (Thanks Uncle Bob and Aunt Barbara!)

Today we received a box of gifts from Barbara's cousin Tracey's family, and allowed Maggie to open one of the gifts they sent. The one she opened had a beautiful hat, scarf, and doll. Each were homemade by Tracey and the girls and are BEAUTIFUL! The hat and scarf will come in handy for our trip to Baltimore next week. Thanks!

We are already having an amazing Christmas!

Christmas with Mia

We had Mia and her parents over Saturday night for dinner and for the girls to exchange Christmas gifts. Mia gave Maggie a large Mickey Mouse (she LOVES it! and has had to sleep with him every night) and a chef's hat, apron, and spoon to use when she cooks. Dinner went great and the girls had a blast. I think they enjoyed playing in the large gift bag more than anything. They are so good together and played and played and played. We all adore Mia!

ornament exchange

Last Sunday we had several families from our local FCC (Families with children from China) group over for an ornament exchange. It was Maggie, Ellie Lu, Maya, and Mia and their parents. The kids had a great time doing a craft and exchanging ornaments and the parents enjoyed getting together as well. For those who missed it, we may have to do it again next year.