Here's some great advice for new parents - tuck it away for future reference....
Most of America 's populace think it improper to spank children, so I have tried other methods to control my kids when they have one of 'those moments.' One that I found effective is for me to just take the child for a car ride and talk.Some say it's the vibration from the car, others say it's the time away from any distractions such as TV, Video Games, Computer, IPod, etc.Either way, my kids usually calm down and stop misbehaving after our car ride together. I've included a photo below of one of my sessions with my son, in case you would like to use the technique.

I think this will work with grandchildren, nieces, and nephews as well.

Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

Jet lagged and jazzed, we have returned from China with our beautiful little daughter, Joanna Mei. The pic was taken at Orlando Airport where JM entertained our welcoming friends for about an hour. Our entire journey has been journaled on our blog http://joannamei.blogspot.com/ - what an incredible event in our lives! Our family is complete!
We've been homenow for 2 days and jet lag is doing a real number on all of us - we don't know what time to eat or sleep. Hopefully, we'll have recovered by Monday - SW visits Friday for initial adoption follow up.
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Ringo Starr

You'd better dial 911 - I'm naming the light fixtures in Joanna's room - I must be losin' it during this wait - first, I'm naming the gopher tortoises on my daily walks in the park with Diva - now, I'm naming light fixtures. Oy!

On a recent trip to IKEA

(Be is going to issue a restraining order keeping me at least one mile from IKEA),

I saw the star light pictured above. I'm a Beatles fan, and somehow, the ceiling light, in the shape of the sun, became "Good Day Sunshine".

The moon light became known as "Mr Moonlight", a lesser known Beatles song.

So, it's only natural that the most recent addition be named "Ringo Starr".

Get this guy to China and back quick before his head explodes!

Wonder what those doo-dads on the electric cords are?

Electrician alligator clips with stars and moons super glued on.

Answer to the Mystery Item

Another IKEA find .........

The product information says .......

A colorful cushion with pockets that can keep a child's feet warm.

We howled when we saw it and had to have it for Joanna Mei.

Nifty Gifties for the Nannies

The purchase of the obligatory gifts for care givers and such has been accomplished.

Looks like they'll get Mickey Mouse soaps.

I've seen pictures of the presentation of the gifts to the different adoption personnel and

it appears that they are set aside and pooled amongst the recipients.

One official was pictured surrounded by red gift bags with tissues flowing out the top of each,

as she signed off the docs.

OK - it's time that the whole journey sees it's end and Joanna Mei is in her

new home. I'm getting a bit tired of all this red tape.

Take a Guess - What is It?

We bought the item pictured on the left for Joanna Mei.
We laughed out loud when we saw it and realized what it was.
Any guesses?
We'll reveal the true identity and use for the object in question on July 14.

Thank You

.....to all who made it posible!

Another Adoption Meet-Up

We were SSOO jazzed to have the opportunity to meet up with Brian, Dawn & Courtney Mei at EPCOT this past weekend. Their China adoption travel group had a reunion at the park and we were invited to have dinner with the families. What a hoot! It was hotter than fish grease outside but it was sure a cool bunch of people.
Don was able to meet the trio back in April when he passed through their hometown, so it was a treat for Be.
In addition, we met other families with beautiful little girls adopted from China and have already started planning to hook up with a family from the Tampa area from their group.
Click here for more of Dawn & Brian's pics from the event.