An invisible red thread

**An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break."

Chinese Proverb

Marc's lunch with Alex in the school cafeteria today...

No, if I guess their name....they will not mow my lawn
If I don't guess their name, I owe them a dollar (nobody won thank you very much!)
Elijah takes a helicopter to school in the morning!
Zach wants to know if I would like to hear a tall tale that's true! (sure, fire away Zach)
Who here is practicing swimming? Everyone
- I'm already can
- I'm faster
- No you are not
- I can swim with one hand
- you aren't doing it right
Who here is practicing reading? Everyone
- I already can
- Yeah but you can't read this word
- So
Who here is practicing riding without training wheels? No hands. Then one. Then all hands
- I have a race car!
I heard you all had a boring day yesterday in school doing nothing
- NO, WE WENT TO A FARM!
- No we didn't we went to Dick Nichols
- Oh yeah, and we went swimming
- No, it was a seal with water in its mouth shooting out
- That's swimming
- No it's not. Swimming means underwater.
- What if you breathe in the pool?
- That's different. Half your body has to be in water.
- No.
Alex's daddy has a story! Who wants to hear????????
ME ME ME ME ME ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well......Alex's mommy & daddy are going to China to adopt a little sis......
- WE KNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOwwWWWWW!!!!!!! We know already. We already heard like a zillion times
Did I mention Elijah takes a helicopter in the morning?
- What is wrong with Malia's lip? (apparently they've seen photos)
- Will it hurt when they fix it?
- My daddy cut his finger!
Would you like to hear another tale tale Alex's daddy? (sure Zach, fire away).
Can you guess my daddy's name?
Can you guess my daddy's name?
Can you guess my daddy's name?
Eliza has been talking the whole time to nobody and nobody can hear her and she's ok with that.
Elijah takes a helicopter to school in the morning.
Check please.

http://movieclips.com/LhGa7-kindergarten-cop-movie-theyre-horrible/

I think starting the movie clip at the 1:16 marker sums it up....................

Alex Drew this Train in Perspective

Alex's Kindergarten teacher (Mrs. Necak) was so impressed, she laminated it and took Alex and his drawing to show to two of the school's art teachers. It is now proudly hanging in our kitchen.

MS 150 Bike Ride from Houston to Austin

Marc, whilst thinking he didn't have enough on his plate with the adoption process, work, and being a dad, biked from Houston to Austin with his little brother, Gavin. They got two flat tires each, but they persevered and made it! Way to go guys. And way to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis funding and research for a cure.

New Pictures of Malia

Ann at http://redthreadchina.com/ got some new pictures and emailed them to us this morning. We weren't sure if Malia had already had the lip revision in China since the last pictures, but as you can see, she has not. You can really see Malia's spunk. She is gorgeous and we can't wait to get her.
Conducting the Philharmonic Orchestra
















Shhhh! This is Symphony Number 5!

While you are up, could you get me an organic milk, please?





























Hand signal to turn right. I know how to drive this thing!

Our letter to Malia's (Huai Xu Li) care givers at the orphanage

Dear Wonderful Care Givers of Huai Xu Li of the Huai SWI,

My husband and I have been matched with Xu Li (date of birth: August 5, 2010), and we are thrilled beyond belief that we are about to have such a wonderful and beautiful daughter!! We have so much to be thankful for, and mostly we are thankful for the wonderful care she has and continues to receive at the Huai SWI. We have heard such good things about the staff there and the big hearts and love for all the kids. It makes us feel so much better hearing all the praise for the care givers at the Huai SWI.

We live in Austin, Texas, USA. Xu Li will also have two sets of grandparents who live close to us and can't wait for Xu Li to get her so they can love her too. We have been waiting for Xu Li for many years, even though she is just 8 months now. It feels like it was always meant to be her, and that's why we had to wait.

Xu Li will have a big brother who is now in Kindergarten. He is sweet and very lovable. His name is Alex, and he likes math, piano, soccer and art. He is looking forward to being Xu Li's big brother.

We hope to be there in late May or June. We only have three pictures of Xu Li, and we are guessing they were taken in January. We hope to get some updates about her and maybe some pictures of her and the staff with her and pictures of where she lives now. We will keep any notes and pictures from you in a keepsake album that will be very special and shown to Xu Li as she grows up.

Thank you very much and we give you our deepest appreciation.

Sincerely yours,
Dianne & Marc Parrish

Sending a gift to Malia

I just sent a gift to Malia through redthreadchina.com. I got her the PJ Care Package which includes a disposable camera (hoping we'll get some new pictures), one set of girl's pajamas, a blanket, candy for the staff, a letter for the staff that will be translated, and a doll. I'll post something if we get anything back (letter, updated medical file, new pictures) before we leave.

Malia's New High Chair

My wonderful friend, Kelly, is giving Malia this fabulous high chair. Her precious daughter, Emelia, just grew out of it. How fortunate for us! Thanks guys! Kisses and hugs.

Formal Approval today!!

The Letter Seeking Confirmation came TODAY!!! It's OFFICIAL!! I'm off to pick up our packet from China so we can pour over the documents, get them signed, and send them back. Now I can post pictures of Malia. We think the pictures were taken in January when Malia was 5 months old. She's 8 months old now. Isn't she beautiful?!
We will probably be going to China in 4 to 6 weeks! Gotcha Day will be on the 2nd day there. Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yay - no government shutdown!

Marc's passport is at the passport office getting renewed. Now we don't have to worry about passport limbo. Whew!!!

Malia's crib

A friend of Marc's colleague at work no longer needed this crib and heard about Malia. She is graciously giving it to us. How wonderful! I love it! Thank you Laura and Judeene!