Ahhhh...

...Home.

No other place quite like home in this whole big world!

So thankful for the safe trip, the terrific hospital staff and talented surgeon.

Surgery went well.

The (hot pink) spica casting did what it was supposed to.

Maggie did just great.

God is so faithful!

We go back for follow up in a couple weeks, and the second surgery will follow shortly.

We are all looking forward to settling in after a sleepless night at the hospital.

Thank you for your prayers-they have been felt at every step!

The forecast...

Surgery has been scheduled for 1:20pm on Wednesday.

The weather forecasters have issued a winter storm warning,

with 4 to 6 inches of snow expected this evening, and

ice to finish things off before the storm passes on.

We arrived safely, and are hunkered down close to the hospital.

Waiting. Patiently. Anxiously.

And oh so Hope-fully!

Sunnier skies are just around the corner...

Thanks for the prayers and good wishes.

Please also remember precious Audrey and her family in prayer.

(see link on sidebar)

"Remember this: God may not do what you want, but He will do what is right...and best.

He's the Father of forward motion. Trust Him. He will get you home. And the trials of

the trip will be lost in the joys of the feast."

- Max Lucado- In the Eye of the Storm

Peace...

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.

Tell God what you need,

and thank Him for all He has done.

Then you will experience God's peace,

which exceeds anything we can understand.

His peace will guard your hearts and minds

as you live in Jesus Christ."-

-Phillipians 4:6-7 NLT-

We are so grateful for His peace that has enveloped us.

Trusting...in His mighty and miraculous ways.

Seeking...His guidance and wisdom...

Praising...Him...for all He has done and what He can and will do!

We are prepared to go to Columbus tomorrow.

Winter weather may lengthen the trip there, as there are

predictions of a winter storm on its way.

We will know more about the schedule for Wednesday later tomorrow,

and will try to post as those details are revealed.

Thanking you for your prayers...

and His peace!

Xin Nian Hao!

...meaning "Happy New Year"...in Chinese.

Tomorrow starts the fifteen day Chinese Spring Festival (aka Chinese New Year).

The most important of the traditional Chinese holidays, the Spring Festival

begins on the first day of the new moon in the new year, ending with the full moon

15 days later. The fifteenth day culminates the celebrations with the Lantern Festival.

There are many traditions, taboos, and superstitions surrounding the Spring Festival.

Such as...if you cry on this day, you will cry throughout the year; therefore children

should be tolerated and not spanked, despite their mischief.

Flowers, such as narcissus, symbolize rebirth and growth. Lucky is the home with a plant

that blooms on New Years Day.

Oranges and tangerines symbolize abundant happiness.

Chicken symbolizes prosperity (served with head, tail and feet.)

Here's a couple tried and true dishes we are enjoying for our celebration.

Mandarin Orange Salad
For salad greens, use romaine and spinach –
Top off with sliced green onions, sugar-toasted slivered almonds and 1 can mandarin oranges (drained)

Dressing for Mandarin Orange Salad:
½ tsp salt
Pepper to taste
1 Tbls Parsley
1/4C canola oil
2 Tbls vinegar
2 Tbls sugar
Tabasco- to taste

My Sister Gail’s Oriental Chicken
(Sans head, feet and tail -prosperity will have to wait)
1 ½ C Rose Wine
½ C Olive oil
½ C Soy Sauce
4 T brown sugar
½ t oregano
1t ginger
2 garlic cloves- minced

Best to marinate this overnite….then bake at 350 for 1 hour or so…I bake it covered then pull the foil off at the last…

A place of refuge...

Most wintertime days around here,

you can find our furry family members retreating to their favorite spots of sunshine.

A warm retreat from the cold and gray,

offering a chance to rest and soak in some fleeting afternoon rays.

A pretty wise way to spend a cold winters day, don't you think?

The devotion I read this morning reminded me of this.

It talked about the concept of retreating to advance,

and that one of the most important and urgent things we

can do is get away to a peaceful and anointed spot.

That Jesus did this many times during His life on earth,

especially before and after major decisions.

When we retreat to a quiet place of rest and peace,

we can be refreshed and renewed.

Further, the devotion specifically mentions that,

"Silence is an environment in which great ideas are birthed."

Silence?!

For most of us, a rare luxury,

afforded only during rem sleep.

And even then, Barney and Big Bird infiltrate my dreams.

Still, it's something to work on around here.

Perhaps a little less morning or evening news.

Moments of peace...a place of refuge...

Hoping you find some too.

"...only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength..."

-Isaiah 30:15

Just a number...

It's Baba's big day today.

There was dinner for two

at our favorite local restaurant last night.

(Our first time out as a couple since "Maggie day" last March!)

A birthday breakfast with some birthday prizes this morning.

A comfy place on the couch reserved especially for Baba during all football games today.

Since Chinese New Year is quickly approaching,

I thought it would be fun to find out a little about our

Chinese Zodiac signs...

Baba is a Horse-Your capacity for hard work is amazing. Your are your own person-very independent. While intelligent and friendly, you have a strong streak of selfishness and sharp cunning and should guard against being egotistical. Your sign suggests success as an adventurer, scientist, poet, or politician.

Maggie and GeGe are both Roosters-The Rooster is a hard worker; shrewd and definite in decision making often speaking his mind. Because of this, you tend to seem boastful to others. You are a dreamer, flashy dresser, and extravagant to an extreme. Born under this sign you should be happy as a restaurant owner, publicist, soldier or world traveler.

Mama is a Snake-Rich in wisdom and charm, you are romantic and deep thinking and your intuition guides you strongly. Avoid procrastination and your stingy attitude towards money. Keep your sense of humor about life. The Snake would be most content as a teacher, philosopher, writer, psychiatrist, and fortune teller.

"The best thing about the future...

...is that it comes one day at a time." -Abraham Lincoln

Those little green, alien-like Narcissus sprouts recently planted offer a glimpse of things to come.
Winter has set in firmly here.
The ground outside,
brown, hard, and frozen.
Busy squirrels and birds scampering about
the pine tree just outside the window,
foretell the forecast for snow.
Frosty air swiftly rushes in
with each door opening.
Inside,
the familiar clanking of the radiator pipes
signal warmth and comfort.
The aroma of strong, hot coffee hanging in the kitchen air.
Once only imagined,
a joyful noise
now filling the corners of this house...
the sound of paper being torn off of crayons,
delightful singing intermixed...
the rapid movement of little feet, seeking new adventure...
curious questions, tenacious requests,
bubbly laughter.
Breath-taking moments...
...one glorious day at a time.

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself."
- Matthew 6:34-

Coming clean...

So, the Madison Avenue marketing mavens have most of us pretty well-pegged.

We are creatures of habit.

And comfort.

Every year, right at the beginning, they tout all kinds of cure-alls for our

holiday overindulgences.

Retail stores are stacked with organizational tools to help us put away the clutter,

(until next Christmas)exercise equipment, and fitness wear.

Health clubs lure us in with the promise of losing those extra pounds.

Grocers take extra care to put healthier options on the end caps...

...out with the party trays -in with the citrus fruits and whole grains.

It's time to get serious.

Afterall, that's what one does in January.

Time for a "cleansing", so to speak.

Oprah and Martha are doing it, so it must be so.

Dr. Oz says we better.

So, being a creature of habit,

I went and purchased "Mr. Health-O-Meter".

A kind of obnoxious magic 8 ball of cleansing, if you will.

Instead of mystical phrases, he gives not-so-magical numbers.

Never really been into numbers too much.

Mr. Health-O-Meter is not changing that for me.

Mr. Health-O-Meter repeatedly spouted

some numbers off today that were, uh,

well, just downright wrong.

I am certain of it.

The problem is, Mr. Health-O-Meter

has a memory,

and so each time I stepped on him,

those same wrong numbers

annoyingly blinked.

Impossible. Can't be. No Way.

Then again...

Numbers don't lie, do they?

Sigh...

Resolutions...

Making toast for Miss Prissy

One of my resolutions was to read more.
I love to read, but the time I have to read books has

been greatly diminished by one very busy little girl.

For Christmas, I purchased this book as a

gift for Baba from that same very busy little girl.

Proving that it is, indeed better to give than to receive,

I finished reading it last night.

(I started it the night before.)

Powerful, tender, honest, and deeply thoughtful...

really, it's that good!

(And in my humble opinion)...should be required reading

for all China adoptive parents- those considering,

those who may be waiting, and those who are home.

Now get thee to the library!

Another resolution was to eat breakfast.
(I tend to drink mine...with loads of flavored creamer, sugar,
and, of course, whipped cream.)
So, with that resolution in mind,
here's a hearty breakfast casserole recipe to try
one of these cold, wintry mornings.
Today, I had yogurt with fresh fruit...
... a feeble effort to salve my conscience
after eating the leftovers of this casserole...

Hearty Breakfast Casserole

1 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
1 lb breakfast sausage (ie Bob Evans Hot)
1 pkg frozen hash browns,
6 eggs lightly beaten
2 Cups shredded cheddar
1 1/2 Cups small curd cottage cheese
1 1/4 C shredded swiss cheese
Freshly ground pepper
Salt

In a large skillet, cook sausage and onion until done, and drain. In a bowl, combine the eggs, hash browns, cheeses and salt and pepper. Stir in sausage/onion mixture. Transfer to a greased baking dish (13 x9). Place crumbled bacon on top.
Bake in oven at 350 until lightly golden brown and bubbly on top- I bake mine covered for about 45 minutes - then take the foil off and bake uncovered remaining time.
Enjoy!