Birthday Party Fun

Katie was invited to 2 birthday parties last weekend and she had a blast at both of them. Saturday was Kira's 2nd Birthday party. Kira was as sweet as can be. Katie had a blast dancing, giggling, and chasing after all the kids. It was a "Garden Party" theme and the party was perfect. Check out Ivy's blog for her sweet post about her sweet girl. Thanks Ivy for allowing us to share in Kira's day. We all had a blast.


Birthday girl Kira

Jade, Lia, and Katie dancing

Jade and Katie having a blast

Ivy and Kira. Happy Birthday sweet Kira!



Sunday we celebrated Neve's 4th Birthday at BounceU. Neve lives across the street from us right next door to Karen and Jeff. Katie loves Neve. She looks forward to playing with Neve. Katie is constantly looking out the window to see if Neve is home. Katie will report to me "2 cars in the driveway Mommy, Neve is home. Can I play with her ?." Neve's party was a Blast. Katie had a great time. Thanks Neve.

Katie going down the slide


Neve and Katie after getting there faces painted


I had to join the fun


Katie and Bailey


Birthday girl Neve

Inaugural Ball

We went to our Elementary School's Inaugural Ball last Friday night. We went with Jeff, Karen, Bailey, and Brady. It's Bailey and Brady's School. This is the school that Katie will start in 2010. Most of our neighbors were there. It was a fun night. They had a Uncle Sam on Stilts. Katie was freaked out by him. Our local Congressman Patrick Murphy came to the Ball to speak. Then they had a DJ. The kids had a "Ball" dancing and running around the gym. At the end of the night they released Red, White, and Blue balloons from the ceiling. I spent most of my night helping Karen at the refreshment table.


Uncle Sam


Karen and I working the refreshmant table


Congressman Patrick Murphy


Katie dancing with the kids


Our Family


Bailey dancing with her friends


Balloon ready to drop


Brady waiting for the balloons to drop


Balloons


Katie with her balloon


Of course President Obama was at the Ball

100th Post and it's all about me!

I started this blog almost a year ago. It was right after Katie's 3rd birthday. My friend Kate was having a wonderful time blogging. I was alittle intimated at first because even though I have alot to say, I am not a great writer. I wanted a way to journal about Katie and so I started this blog. It has become more that just a journal for Katie. It is also a journal about our lives as a family. It about our wonderful friends. It about connecting with new people through the land of blog. I had NO idea that when I started this blog that I would "meet" so many amazing people. Even though I have not met most of them in person, I consider them friends. I care about there lives and families.

I have read other people's blogs and on there 100th post they write 100 things about themselves. This was not an easy task but her is what I came up with. Now remember I never claim to be a good writer but I am writing from my heart.

Thanks for all that follow my blog and here is to 100 more posts on Katie Min Min.

1. I was born on Dec 17th 1973
2. and named Jennifer Lynn Flannery
3. to Patricia and Frank Flannery
4. I am older sister to Joey
5. I have lived in the same area my whole life
6. My Grandmother(Mom's Mom) and Great-Grandmother moved in with us when I was 10 yrs old
7. I loved coming home from school and spending time with my Grandmom. She would make the best tuna fish and I would eat it on crackers while we watched General Hospital.
8. I met my Best Friend Karen in Elementary School. We went to Walt Disney Elementary. We stayed Best Friends all through High School. We did everything together and still do. I am so thankful for Karen. It is one amazing friendship.
9. Karen and I are 2 weeks apart exactly.
10. She is older.
11. I danced from age 7 to 13. I loved it. Tap was my favorite. I was NO ballerina.
12. I played tee-ball and softball. I was horrible at both. I did catch the winning ball in the play off game. I was always stuck in the outfield. The ball was coming towards me and I stuck my glove in the air and got lucky that the ball landed in it.
13. I quit dancing to join the Marching Band in 9th grade. I was a Flag Girl(they called it the Flag Corps). I was the Captain of the Flag Corps my senior year. Karen was in the Flag Corps too.
14. My freshman year the Marching Band traveled to China. We performed on the Great Wall.
15. I dated the same boy all through High School and Nursing School(looking back that was dumb).
16. I graduated from High School in 1991
17. I went right to Nursing School and Graduated in 1994
18. I was an RN at the age of 20.
19. I worked as an Oncology/Chemotherapy Nurse for 9 yrs.
20. I work in the ICU/CCU for 4 years
21. I now work part time in a Cardiologist office doing outpatient stress tests and loving it. Karen also works at this office. She is a Nurse too.
22. I met Dan at a funeral on Feb 6, 1997.
23. Our first date was Valentine's Day
24. I have the same birthday as Dan's Mom Kathleen who passed away when he was 7yr old.
25. Dan's Aunt is married to my Mom's cousin. It was my Great Aunt's funeral that we met at. Dan's Aunt's Mother in Law. Get it???????
26. We are not related.
27. But we share cousins....I am Bill and Eddie's third cousin on there FATHER'S side. Dan is there first cousin on there MOTHER'S side. Am I confusing you yet?
28. I am 9 months older than Dan
29. We got married on Oct 2, 1999
30. We tried very hard to have a family. We had many disappointments and many losses.
31. I am grateful for that time. It brought us closer and lead us to our daughter.
32. I prayed for answers and I got them.
33. On Feb 7, 2006 Kathleen JiaMin was placed into my arms.
34. We were in love
35. We were parents.
36. We enjoyed every moment with Katie in China.
37. We continue to enjoy every moment with her everyday.
38. We named our daughter Kathleen(after Dan's Mom) and JiaMin for her middle name. Her Chinese name was Qi Jia Min and we were told she was called Min Min. So we call her Katie Min Min.
39.I am happy, and grateful, and blessed
40. I have a wonderful, loving, and supportive husband
41. I love watching Dan with Katie. He is a wonderful Dad. He is in awe of her as much as I am. He loves to laugh and joke and act like a goof ball. I love that about him.
42. I grew up with 4 generations of woman living in one house
43. My Great Grandmother passed away when she was 100 yrs old in the year 2000
44. My Grandmother passed away when were in China adopting Katie.
45. This broke my heart. I knew she was dying. She suffered a massive stroke and was non-responsive when we left for China to adopt Katie.
46. I was able to say goodbye.
47. She was able to see Katie's referral picture before her stroke. She was so happy for me. She adopted my Mother and related with me on how bad I wanted to be a Mother.
48. I wish she held Katie. I know she is smiling down on us.
49. I know Dan's Mom Kathleen is too.
50. I am grateful to have many friends. My friendships are so important to me.
51. I love being a friend
52. I love living across the street from my Best Friend Karen and her family. Did I mention that we drive the same Mini Van?? Yes we are big dorks. For the record they are different vans, different years, and different colors.
53. Karen's family is my family.
54. I have many imaginary cyber friends. I learn from them everyday.
55. I am lucky enough to have the support of some of the most amazing woman. I met these woman through Katie's adoption. We have created our own local adoption group. These families have become my family. Katie sees other families just like hers all the time. Some of the girls were adopted the same day as Katie. A couple of the girls are from the same Province. One is from the same orphanage as Katie. This group has been so special to our family.
56. I love to read. Right now I am reading "Twilight"
57. I love to dance around the house with Katie.
58. I am a daughter. I love the relationship that I have with my Mother.
59. I am a sister. My brother and I don't always see eye to eye but I pray for the best for him.
60. I have learned that family is who you make it.
61. I have wonderful neighbors and I am thankful for the beautiful neighborhood that I live in.
62. I am the God Mother to 2 wonderful boys. My Best Friend Karen's son Brady and my cousin Bill's son William.
63. I am an Aunt.
64. I love being a Nurse and caring for people. It is what I was meant to do.
65. I am compassionate
66. I have held my patients hands when they have died. I have cried with their families. I have gone to their funeral's.
67. I asked my co-worker's to describe me and this was the answers..
68. FUNNY
69. BUBBLY
70. LOUD
71. I am loud but I can't help it. I get shushed by the one doctor I work for. They put another door up at work outside of the lunch room because I am too loud. I am just having fun.
72. I AM A MOMMY!! I waited a long time to say that.
73. We are adopting from China again. Our LID is 10/10/07
74. We have been waiting 15 months and have alot longer to wait.
75. I love to sew and make beautiful things.
76. I love to embroider my beautiful things.
77. I love to take pictures. I am trying to learn our camera but that is really Dan's thing.
78. I am addicted to blogging.
79. I am addicted to facebook and it is taking up my blogging time.
80. I am on a diet.
81. I have lost 12 lbs.
82. I love sweat pants and could live in them.
83. I love comfy PJ's and warm fuzzy socks.
84. I have to sleep with a pillow between my knees. I rub the end of my pillow at night and flip my feet back and forth to fall asleep.
85. I love sleep.
86. I love rocking Katie to sleep.
87. I love the beach. My perfect day is my feet in the sand and a book in my hand. Katie playing at my feet.
88. I love to laugh. Loud and hard!
89. My favorite dinner is chicken parm with spaghetti and a big slice of Italian bread with butter. I love french dressing the orange kind. I love to dip my bread in the dressing(now you see why I need a diet).
90. I love to talk
91. I love to listen
92. I was Nurse of the year in 2001
93. I still watch General Hospital after all these years.
94. I was in Soap Opera Digest magazine comparing a real life Nurse to "Bobbie Spencer, RN" on General Hospital.
95. My hair is curly but I wish it was straight.
96. I take an Adult Tap class and I have been in the recital in a ridiculous costume for the last three yrs.
97. I love spending time with my family and friends. I love learning new things about people.
98. I love having Thursday's off from work to spend with Katie.
99. I am in awe of my daughter. I am amazed by her everyday. I am thankful for her.
100. I try to live everyday to the fullest. I love to LIVE, LOVE, and LAUGH. I am truly blessed.

Thanks for reading! I just rambled. Some of my thoughts jumped around and are no particular order ;)

Jen

I have been tagged...

I haven't been great about following along with the tags. Gals who tagged me over the last few months...sorry....I had every intention of playing along but it got lost on my to do list.

I was tagged by Diana last week and I thought this was a fun easy tag to follow.

With this tag the rules are....you pick the 4th picture in the 4th file in the photos section of your computer. I was really curious to see what I would find and this was it.....

This picture is of Katie and Stephanie. We were over our friends Mark and Diane's for Stephanie's birthday. She was wearing the dress we brought her back from China. It was taken in April 2006. Katie is 13 months old. She was home 2 months at this time. She wasn't even walking yet!!!

I would like to tag my friend KATE. Since she has such amazing photos, I would love to see what her picture is!!!

Also, this is my 99th post!!! Don't I need to tell 100 things about myself for the 100th post???? What are the rules on blogland?????

I better start thinking. I am not sure I can come up with 100 things.

Congratulations Steelers, Nice try Eagles!

We had a GREAT weekend in Pittsburgh. We arrived Saturday afternoon and checked into the William Penn Hotel. It was very nice. We walked to PRIMANTI BROS for sandwiches. I laughed when I read your comment Kate because we had already been to Primanti's. It was my first time having a primanti bros sandwich. I got the hot capicola and cheese. The sandwich comes on fresh sliced Italian bread with capicola, cheese, coleslaw, lettuce, tomato, and FRENCH FRIES! It was so good(and so bad for my diet). The rest of the day we walked around Pittsburgh and went to a few different sports bars to get into the football spirit. We ended the night with a delicious dinner at Buca di Beppo.



Sunday~GAME DAY! Wow Steelers excitement was in the air. I am so used to being in EAGLES country in my part of PA. Dan and I were definitely out numbered in our Eagles gear. The Steelers fans didn't have any problem making comments or booing us either. They really tortured the poor Ravens fans. We went to MCFADDEN'S to watch the Eagles game. Our poor Eagles lost. We then headed to HEINZ FIELD for the Steelers game. It was really great to be there and watch the Steelers win the AFC Championship. The excitement at HEINZ FIELD was unbelievable. Jeff was thrilled. Dan was alittle sad about the Eagles but happy for his friend.

We headed home on Monday morning. I got a "Terrible Towel" and I will get on the band wagon and root for the Steelers for the Super Bowl.

It was so great to spend a weekend away with our Best Friends. No matter what team won or lost, we had a great time just being with each other.

Off to Pittsburgh

We are going on a unexpected weekend trip to Pittsburgh with our Best Friends and NO kids. We haven't been away together without kids in YEARS! Not my idea of romance...Pittsburgh, but spending time with just the four of us will be great anywhere.

Jeff is a HUGE Steelers fan. We are Eagles fans. Jeff got 4 tickets to the Steelers play off game. We are leaving now. They are waiting for me as I type. We will return Monday.

Katie is spending the weekend with Mimi. I am sure they will have a GREAT time.

GO EAGLES
GO STEELERS.

It going to be COLD!!!

Bailey and Katie 2006 in the outfits of the teams there Dads love.

Katie watching the Eagles game with Dan in 2006.

First New Year Project done.

I have many things that I want to accomplish in my home this year. We have been in this house 5 years. I finally have a dining room set. I have many projects that I want to complete over the 6 months(I would love to have them all done my summer). Some of them are small like hanging pictures on the wall, some of them are big like making curtains for the family room, dining room, Katie's playroom. I also want to get organized! So, I made myself a list of house goals room by room. Each week I want to pick a room to work on and get my house decorated and organized the way I want it. I started this week with the living room since it has the least to do. I replaced our lampshade in the living room. I embroidered the fabric with a "M" for our last name and then covered the lampshade with fabric and trim. I think it came out pretty good. It's one small project down.







I am not crazy about the silver thing sticking out of the top. We needed to convert the lamp base to fit this lampshade and that is holding it on.

Go Eagles!!!!

We are very happy here in the philly area with our Eagles win today. We had a blast at Ruck and Robin's house watching the game.

E-A-G-L-E-S.....EAGLES!!!! YEAH!

Well the diet has begun.....

I know I am not supposed to be calling it a diet. I was told this by one of the Mom's at Dancing School. I was sitting in the waiting room Monday night talking to one of my friends about my diet. This woman jumped up and started telling me not to call it a diet. It's a life change, bettering my health, etc. I know all these things but it feels like a diet to me. I LOVE food. I love to go out to eat. I love bread with butter dipped into my spaghetti sauce....yum....Well now I am torturing myself because I am drooling thinking about it. I was also writing down what I ate and keeping track of my calories. She started hitting my book..."No, no do not write it down" she said. "It's NOT a diet". I thought give me a break lady, this is hard enough without you sticking your nose in my business.

We started a "Biggest Loser" competition in my neighborhood. I am determined to lose weight and WIN! I am the heaviest that I have ever been. I can't fit into my clothes. I feel very uncomfortable. Both of my parents are overweight and are type 2 diabetics. I do not want to become diabetic. I am a Nurse and work in a Cardiology office doing stress tests everyday. I know better. I need to lose weight for my health. But, I love food. I think I mentioned that......

I am going to do it!! I want to lose at least 30 lbs. If anyone has any tips or recipes they want to share, that would be great.

I am following a 1500 calorie a day diet. I am drinking alot of water. I gave up diet coke and coffee. I had a major headache for 2 days. I am getting some caffeine from crystal light ice tea. I know I can have coffee but I like mine with a lot of french vanilla creamer. So I will treat myself on the weekend with a coffee and creamer.

I wanted Dan to take a picture of me in a sports bra and shorts but I will spare you that sight.

Happy Birthday Brady

Happy Birthday Brady!!! I can't believe you are 8 years old already. You are such an important person in my life. I am honored and thankful to be your Godmother. Looking forward to celebrating many more birthdays with you!

Love, Aunt Jen

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I am very behind on blogging. We had a wonderful Holiday. But, it was very busy and very exhausting. I just took a break from taking down the Christmas decorations to finally blog about our holiday.



Katie helping me wrap gifts at the last minute on Christmas Eve


We started Christmas Eve at my Grandmother's house for a visit with my Gram, Dad, Step-Mother, and Step-Grandmom. We had been doing this for several years and then going to Church with my Grandmom.


Katie, Gram, and me


Then off to Karen and Jeff's for there annual Christmas Eve open house. Karen out does herself every year. We have a wonderful time relaxing with family and friends.


Family Photo at Karen and Jeff's House


Mimi and Katie

Best Buds Katie and Neve

Katie enjoyed leaving cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. Katie said goodbye to Kelsey the Elf. I told her she will see Kelsey again next year.


Dan carrying Katie down the stairs Christmas Eve


Cookies for Santa


See you next year Kelsey


Ready for bed and ready for Santa

Christmas morning was a BLAST! Katie didn't wake up until 8am...yeah! I was able to sleep in. Katie was so sweet. She took her time opening her gifts. Asked us if we wanted to help her. Loved everything she got and was so happy.


Santa came!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Katie as a Nurse just like Mommy

Aunt Karen and Uncle Jeff called about 10am and said breakfast was ready so we dashed across the street and had a WONDERFUL breakfast.

After breakfast, I helped Katie open all the pieces to her doll house and Daddy got dinner ready. We spent the rest of the day playing dollhouse and cooking dinner.

Karen, Jeff, Bailey, Brady, and Mimi, Leigh, and Grandmom Pat,Two-Pop, and Mom-Mom Maureen came to our house for dinner.


Tired out from all the fun. Katie fell asleep on Aunt Karen right before dinner


Christmas dinner





It was a wonderful Christmas.

The Friday after Christmas we went to Dan's Aunt Dolores and Uncle Ed's for our annual pollyanna party with Dan's family.


Katie opening her gifts from Aunt Dolores and Uncle Ed


Watch out Hannah Montana


Dan and his cousins

Saturday, we went to a Christmas open house at our friends Mark and Diane.


Katie and the kids at Mark and Diane's


Katie opening her gift from Uncle Tom and Aunt Mel


Having fun at Mark and Diane's. I am always like amazon woman next to these little Italian woman.

New Year's Eve we went to Philly to Reading Terminal Market for lunch and then off to the Please Touch Museum for a few hours. We arrived just in time for the count down to New Years. The Mummers were there playing and they dropped beach balls for all the kids. It was alot of fun.


Katie and Dan after the beach balls dropped



Katie having fun at the Please Touch Museum

We spent New Year's Eve night at Karen and Jeff's. We had appetizers and a nice dinner and then watched a movie. Bad idea because I fell asleep on the couch. I woke up at 11:55pm just in time to ring in the New Year. After a Happy New Year wish to everyone we walked across the street and went home and went to bed.


Katie playing her new V Motion game from Aunt Karen and Uncle Jeff on New Year's Eve.


Happy New Year everyone!!!!