Clare's First Easter!!!

Lent and the Easter season is our favorite time of year. We are so thankful that God sent his Son to live among us and to die so that our sins may be forgiven! He is risen!!! Clare has eagerly participated in this holy season. She received ashes on Ash Wednesday, abstained from meat on Fridays, prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Rosary, attended Mass on Holy Thursday, communion and veneration of the cross on Good Friday, and the 3-hour Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. She was able to witness the baptism of 5 people, and we explained to her that she too would be baptized soon. Thank you God for guiding us as we help Clare learn more about you and your Church!!

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church

Jim was a lector at the Easter Vigil.

Clare's first Easter basket

We celebrated Easter with the Ventrescas.

Daniela and Brycie play Mario Kart

Angelo is so attentive to Clare!!

Visit from Darcy, Uncle Dave & Aunt Jan

Clare's cousin Darcy flew in from Illinois in late March so that she could meet Clare and visit Grandad. Aunt Jan and Uncle Dave drove in the next day. Clare enjoyed her time with Cousin Darcy!!

Darcy and Clare made a red velvet cake.

Clare decided it would be fun to have a dot of red batter on her nose!

Grandad's lookin' good at 92!!

Which one's the China girl?!?!

Aunt Jan, Grandad, Daddy & Clare

Carson's 8th Birthday

On March 23, we went to Carson's house to celebrate her 8th Birthday. Clare's sister, Kelsey, made a wonderful Italian supper, and we got to visit and play Wii!! Kelsey appliquéd a fleur-de-lis on t-shirts for Carson's birthday. Carson gave one to Clare, and she loves it!! Thanks for a great time!!!

Carson picked out 2 special cookies - Elmo for Carson & the ladybug for Clare - Yummy!!

Goofy girls in their pretty t-shirts

Bret

Carson & Kelsey

"Spontaneity" is the Word of the Day!!!

Off to the store in Angelo's convertible

We'll be back in a jiffy

Grillin' the summer squash and mushrooms

Playing "pat your head, rub your tummy."

"I think I've got it."

The "shrooms" are fab!

Neighbor Brittany

Neighbor Randy (Brittany's dad)

Neighbor Pam (Brittany's mom)

Spontaneity is the word of the day around here. All we need is a nice evening, a trip to the store, 3 minutes of planning, and we have an evening picnic in the driveway with good friends and neighbors.

Congratulations Mui & Portia!!!

Mui, Portia, Brycie, Clare & Jim at Portia's school

Portia and Mui - look how this precious mother adores her beautiful daughter!

Mui & Brycie - instant sisters

We have just learned that our dear friend Mui and her daughter Portia were featured in the March 13, 2009, Wall Street Journal. It is a touching article about a single mother's adoption of a baby girl. We would urge all of our friends and family who have been faithfully following our blog to read this article at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123683410215005161.html. We feel so fortunate that Amy Eldridge of Love Without Boundaries assisted us in connecting with Mui when we were in Shantou visiting Clare's orphanage.

Mui and Portia, we love you!!!!!

Clare's Buddy, Angelo

Sandra and Angelo stopped by last night. The last time we saw Angelo's jeans, they had a big hole in the knee. He explained that while he was putting them on his toe got stuck turning this one pant leg into shorts. Obviously, he couldn't leave it this way, so he had Clare help him make a pair of shorts! Clare loves Angelo!!

"We need to cut right here."

"Angelo, you get it started."

"Okay, I'll help."

"All done!"

"Makes a good hat, huh?!!"

"We can even make 2 hats!"

"Angelo, can you do this?"

"And this?"

Love Without Boundaries Foundation "Born in my Heart" Art Auction 2009

The 2009 "Born in my Heart" Art Auction sponsored by Love Without Boundaries will be held April 23-28. All proceeds will be used to fund heart surgeries for Chinese orphan children. There will be items such as paintings, photography, sculpture, quilts, gift baskets, China-related books, heirlooms, and jewelry. We will provide much more information soon. You can access the LWB Art Auction webpage at http://www.lovewithoutboundaries.com/borninmyheart2009.cfm We will be donating some of our photographic images from our adoption trip.