SIX FLAGS! MORE FLAGS...MORE FUN!

Almost the whole gang...minus Amanda and Anna on the Train.












Grandpa bought everyone six flags season passes for the summer. Thank you, Grandpa! Jailynn had a blast and loves all the big rides. She was not afraid of anything and felt very insulted if she could not ride the roller coaster because she was too small. We all had a great time, except for the hot Texas weather!

Life with Jailynn

We are enjoying our life with Jailynn. She is spirited, determined, loving, fun, and full of life. Jailynn is not afraid to tell us when she is mad...more like show us...she is always the center of our attention...she loves exploring her new home and playing with her brother, sisters, and pets! Jailynn is a joy to be with and we are all happy to have her with us. Not to say life is all peaches and cream...we have had adjustments to make and still making some adjustments. Adopting an older child is an adventure and it is important to consider the childs perspective when dealing with behavior issues. Asian children are not taught the same as American children when it comes to social skills. They are not always taught to wait thier turn, share, respect others, boundaries, ect..ect.. Growing up in an orphanage environemnt also has a big impact on behavior issues. Then add a huge communication and culture barrier, taken away from the only home the child has ever known and you can have a recipe for disaster. The important thing to remember is to keep a certain perspective in mind when issues come up and have a sense of humor and relaxed attitude, giving lots of love and limits and it is posible to get through to the child. Jailynn is making huge strides and she is adjusting to our family. She is speaking some English and learning fast. Jordyn is adjusting well to being with her sister, but she has had to realize that we are Jailynn's parents and she is her sister. In our house, we can have to many chiefs running around and not enough indians. Jonmarc, Jordyn, Amanda, and Jailynn all try to be the boss! Then we have a lot of chaos!! To say the least...we have a very interesting time...and try to add fun. I hope this makes sense...I just wanted to share a little from my heart. Adopting an older child takes work, effort, commitment, love, and understanding. My heart breaks when I hear of an adoption being disrupted or not working out because of the issues involved. When we have a bad couple of hours or day...I think about Jordyn and how far she has come. Jordyn went through a hard time because she was afraid and grieving and did not fully understand what was happening. Now, Jordyn is such a sweet, loving child. She has adjusted to our family and dearly loves her family. She is so attached to us and to her famiy. I know that Jailynn will continue to attach to us and bond with us.

Jailynn's First Trip to the Beach

We were blessed to spend the weekend with my sister and her family at the Galveston Bay in Sea Brook. My sister lives right on the Bay and we could just walk down to the beach. We had loads of fun bonding together at the beach. Jailynn loves the water and the waves. The second day we played in the sand and built sand castles.

Homecoming Pictures! Jailynn is Finally Home!

The longest flight ever! Jailynn handled it very well and comforted her sister.

Finally meeting DiDi!

Awe....I hope the love and bonding continues!

Jailynn loves her Daddy and Didi!

Loving her Daddy!

meeting big brother Joey

Joey, Kym, Phoenix meet Jailynn

Mommy, Daddy,JonMarc, and Jailynn at JonMarc's Birthday party!

Jailynn hadfun at the party playing games.

JonMarc is 7 yrs old!

Jailynn and jordyn loved dancing at ChuckieCheese

Happy Birthday to JonMarc!

More Birthday Fun!

Playing with Big Brother

More Dancing fun!

Two princesses aslpeep in their princess bed and pink room. Warms a Mothers heart!

Visit to the Guanzhou Zoo

We decided to be brave and take our own taxi to the Zoo. The bravery paid off and the girls had a wonderful time at the zoo. This was Jailynn's very first time to visit the zoo and she loved it. Her favorite animals are Lions and Tigers. She loved them and kept calling out to them. The weather was very hot and humid which is why Jordyn was not to into getting her picture taken. Then we found the fountains and they could not resist to play in the water. I even ran through it a couple of times because we were so hot. The onlookers got a laugh out of us. THe picture of the blurry animal is a Huge Panda Bear. He was taking a nap and reminded us of Kung Fu panda. I wish that we had a better picture. We had a great day and Jailynn passed out in the taxi on the way home. Thank the Lord that the taxi had air condiion!

Fun at the Park on Shamian Island

Remembering our time in Changsha

Saying Goodbye to our guide Amy. She was wonderful and we will miss her!

Our last lunch together in Changsha...Anna and Jailynn

Jordyn is tired and hungry.

Mommy and her girls in front of the Museum.

Random people like to take picture with American family...They think Anna is very beautiful and that she is.

Not for the faint of heart...this is a 2000 yr old mummy lady that was discovered in a tomb in 1972. Her scientific autopsy revealed she had recently eaten watermelon before she died....very good to know. People ate watermelon 2000 yrs ago.

This is her robe from 2000 yrs ago. Everything was well preserved in the tomb because of the way it was buried. We now know how this special family lived. Interesting info.

This is a replica of what she may have looked like. This was an important family perhaps a govenor of the region.

Jailynn thought she was very beautiful.

Anna, Jailynn, and Jordyn in front of the museum.

More pics in front of the Museum.

Anna gives Jailynn a piggy-back ride.

Jailynn and our friend from the Dolton Hotel. We remember him from when we adopted Jordyn. We called him the Hi, Hello, Goodbye man because that is what he always said to us.

Meeting Susan Ma at the Hotel. Susan Ma is a very special family friend and we enjoyed meeting her. We have sent many emails to Susan and she has been very helpful to us. Thank you Susan and we hope to meet again someday.

Amy and Jordyn at breakfast.
Anna found this kitten at the amusement park and wanted a picture. The poor thing looked too young to be away from it's momma.

Again...the next pics are not for those with weak stomaches....Jordyn enjoyed eating authentic Chinese food again.

This is the fish we ate. yummy.

more pics of the food we tried. We were brave and discovered that we actually liked some of it. There is a very distinct flavor in the Hunan Province and some foods are very spicy.

Anna eating the vegtables.

More fish. MMM.

More pics of the food. This was pork and it was very good.

This is what the fish looked like before it was on our plate.


Jordyn and Jailynn's first meeting each other again. They were so happy and still are.

Ok...in case you did not see enough of the food...here is some more.

Jordyn cannot wait to eat.

Anna and Jailynn at dinner.

Jailynn and Jordyn

Walking hand in hand....which is what they do everywhere we go.

Jailynn and Anna

Anna took this pic of her new dress. She had fun shopping in Changsha.


Awe...true sisters at last in every way!

Fun on the Bumper cars! Jordyn and a sweet little boy that wanted in on the fun too!

Jailynn and Anna

Jordyn and Jailynn loved riding the rides together.

Fun on the bumpy cars!

We rode the scary roller coaster! JAilynn and Jordyn were brave girls.

Entrance to the Park

Jailynn loves ANNA

Mommy and Jailynn

How to entertain a bored 7 yr old?

Bubble kisses of course!

And Pics with her sister

Asleep after a busy day....too tired to make it to the bed.

So sweet and beautiful!