8/20 San Diego

We capped off a long summer of travel and adventure by going to San Diego. Since I had to go for a convention anyway, we decided to go as a family. It was Jen's first trip to California and we were blessed to see and do a lot of special things. We visited Sea World, the zoo, went sailing and saw the sights. We were especially blessed to visit another of Jen's "sisters" from the orphanage.

Jen wanted to get splashed by Shamu

But he kept getting out of his tank


So we finally got her good and wet on the roller coaster/log flume

Jen and Daddy are proud as penguins

Who would've guessed that a little girl from Wisconsin would grow up one day and be a mom to a little girl from China

Jen got to steer the sailboat

This young lady went out of her way to be kind to Jen

Swimming in the bay with new friends

Jen is blessed with a mother who loves her deeply...just what the doctor ordered. Kristy comforts a Lab that was a little scared out on the bow

Dreaming about Shamu

8/20 Miss a post?

Just in case you missed it, I wrote a post about our July reunion with one of Jen's friends from Zhuhai. It ended up back a few posts -- entitled "Our Day by the Sea".

8/19 Jen's first birthday party

A few weeks ago, we celebrated Jen's birthday and had a small party with some close friends. This was a first for Jen -- as best as we can tell they didn't celebrate or acknowledge birthdays at the orphanage. In April, we bought a pinata for her in San Antonio and finally the time had come to put it up. Here are a few pictures. Enjoy!!





Jen's first birthday cake with 11 candles!!

Every girl ought to feel like a princess

Pinning the tail on the burro

Blowing out her very own candles

Thanks for coming...it was great!!

8/12 For Jen

At night when sleep has flown from me
I rise to walk beside the sea
And think about the days to come
Of how to spend them til they're done

One night and not so long ago
While gazing down and stepping slow
I happened on a starfish rare
Among some shells -- and resting there

For long had been its travels sore
Cast up on this far distant shore
From crashing seas it came to rest
Just footsteps from my door

The ebbing tide had slipped behind
And left it there amidst the brine
Its arms outstretched beneath the stars
Which glimmered far above

Then stooped did I to view the star
With markings strange and from afar
This one that gleamed as I walked past
Bore an Oriental cast

I could not leave this little star
That rode the waves and travelled far
To rest on this forgotten bar
Just beneath my feet

And thinking of the tank at home
Which sat all empty and alone
I clutched it up unto my chest
And raced into the night

The life which ebbed has now returned
Inside my tank the star does turn
And bends and moves as starfish do
This one with an Oriental hue

At night when sleep has flown from me
I rise to walk beside the sea
And comb the sands beyond my door
Wondering if there will be more...
Waiting there for me