CUTE PICS

Jia and Parker went to see Bolt yesterday. Anna and Katie were the chaperones. Here are some cute pics of Anna, Jia , Bennyfoo and Josie.

TWISTED THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS

Bennyfoo is hoping for a seat at the table

We never get the whole family at one time

The Parnham Women!

Jia said "I'll just wait here so I don't
break anything" Wise beyond

her years!

Jia and her turkey candles

Earlier in the day, Bennyfoo doesn't
mind if it is cooked or not.

Katie was totally unsuspecting!

Next year, maybe it will be Dad's turn!

Jia doesn't have a clue!

We are not mature people in our 40's and I think that is a good thing. We do silly things that we think are hilarious but most people will probably think are odd. So be it....

When Anna and Katie were about 2 we started the raw turkey tradition. Every Thanksgiving morning Drew picks an unsuspecting victim to sneak up on and put the turkey on them! The victim is usually scared and angry and the rest of us laugh like baboons.

This year we had two recipients, first of all, the unsuspecting Jia, who was not amused, and then we got Katie who was so immersed in a game of "Mario Kart" she didn't even see us coming (that's what she gets for gluing her eyes to the tv for too long!)

A more normal tradition is watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and waving like crazy at Santa who is at the end of the parade bringing in the Christmas season. Jia is convinced that Santa was waving directly at her!

Later we took our Christmas pictures, I think they came out really well, but with such beautiful subjects it was a sure thing.

We had the traditional turkey dinner, but had to wait until the Jonas Brothers sang at half time of some football game (for those that aren't 14, or haven't spoken to Anna lately, they are her equivalent of Elvis or the Beatles)

During our blessing this year, Jia was able to contribute what she was thankful for--her family! HEY! that's us...WhooooHooooo! We also get a little silly with the food, Jia made Orphan Annie eyes with her biscuits and I had a huge stuffing mustache. We also set some napkins on fire (accidentally or on purpose...hmmmmm....)

We completely understand that most of you had a much more dignified dinner tonight, but please don't think for a moment that we aren't all aware of the huge blessings Our Lord has bestowed upon us....

Please pray for Parker's Daddy, Mark, who is my friend Diane's husband. He was in a serious motorcross (?) accident and has a number of broken bones, a punctured lung and other assorted injuries.

BTW: Parker did call Jia today to tell her he loved her, too cute.

Much love to you all,

Introducing Bella Blue Skye

Okay, most people think we have too many animals, and I won't even admit to a number. But this is one of my "things" providing a home for God's little creatures. So in honor of our beloved Skye Blue, we (okay I did it) rescued Bella Blue Skye from the Broward Animal Control which is a "kill shelter". God Bless our Skye and little Bella too.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM ALL OF US

We have so very much to be thankful for!

BIRTHDAY PT. 2: OUT WITH THE OLD FOLKS

Last night we went out on the town! Okay, as much as the Parnham's South venture out into the world. We took Anna and Katie out to Benihana for their birthday dinner. No one had ever been there except for me (I'm such a party animal!!) All three girls loved it. The chef was very animated and did tricks for Jia. We had Banana's Foster for dessert and everyone sang Happy Birthday in both English and Japanese. I think it's safe to say a good time was had by all!

Sweet 14 Part One-The Weekend Begins!

Tonight was THE night that young teens everywhere have been waiting for-the opening of the movie TWILIGHT!!!!! It just happened to coincide with Katie and Anna's birthday bash. Tonight the girls took their friends Olivia and Katrina to the movie, then Coldstone, and now they are spending the night.

Tomorrow Anna has back to back soccer games after which we will have a family celebration at Benihana. On Sunday, the big day itself, the girls will open presents and have birthday cake.

I don't remember my birthday being a three day "blow-out" back in the day....do you?

NO MORE BLUE SKIES...

Our beautiful Skye was famous. I snuck Skye Blue into our household one summer when my family was in Calgary. She tamed us all and made sure we were at her beck and call. I've never had an indoor/outdoor cat, they always stay inside, but Skye was having none of that. There were lizards to catch and great adventures to embark on. Besides, she had to walk the dogs with Drew every night.

Skye thought she was a person, a panther, a dog, and an extremely intelligent being. And she was...she had fur so gray that it was blue and eyes the color of emeralds. She like to talk to whoever would listen and everyone in the neighborhood knew her name. Several times she crawled into cars with neighbors who then realized she was there half way to their destination so they then had to turn around and bring Skye home. No one ever complained.

Two nights ago Skye went on an adventure that she would never return from. A speeding car...an adventurous little beast. Our hearts are broken. But our little Skye did something very few do--she lived her life in full and I would like to think she had no regrets...

Tiger, Tiger, burning bright
In the forest of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
-William Blake

OUR FUTURE'S SO BRIGHT WE GOTTA WEAR SHADES!

Today was a big day for Anna, she played her first two high school soccer games. It was HOT!! One game was at 10:00 and they won 2-1 then we took her for a quick lunch and she played again at 2:oo. This game was against one of the best teams in the county and they tied 1-1. It was a great beginning to the season. Unfortunately my camera doesn't have much of a zoom so it is virtually impossible to get a picture of our soccer star in action.

We are also proud to announce that our big girls got their first report cards and even though they are not in the same classes they got the same G.P.A. --4.375---WOW!!!!

Speaking of school--I PASSED MY CLASS!!!!! Now I am finished with the course work and I apply for my gifted certification. I am already teaching the gifted students, but I had 2 years to get the courses done. I am so relieved...

We celebrated all of our accomplishments this evening by going to an authentic British pub where we had fried pickles, fish and chips and pot roast with mashed potatoes. This is Anna's favorite place to eat.

Don't forget to take a look at Jia's last website entry if you get a moment:

myadoptionwebsite.com/journeytojia

PEACE, LOVE, HOPE & HOMECOMING

TWIN DAY-THEY REALLY DO LOOK ALIKE

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE THEY DRESSED ALIKE

NOT SURE ABOUT THIS

SILLY POSES-TIME WARP DAY

VERY GROOVY!

FLANAGAN SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY

JIA IS READY TO GO ON HER FIRST FIELD TRIP

ALMOST DONE

YES WE DID!!!!!!!!

This was a busy, but fun week for the girls. It was homecoming week at Flanagan High School and each day had a different theme. The twin day theme worked well in our household! It was the only time in years that I was able to get Anna and Katie to dress even remotely alike. And who knew that those "thing one" and "thing two" shirts would be so well used. The girls also dressed up for "Time Warp" day and were quite impressed that I knew how to tie dye shirts, we won't even talk about the ugly laundry accident Drew had the next day. We also have pictures from Flanagan Day, the girls dressed up in their school colors which are green, black and white. Anna was very proud to be able to wear her soccer jersey.

Jia went on her very first school field trip. The Kindergarten at Lakeside Elementary went to the park to "Safety Town" where she met a police officer, learned how to stop, drop and roll and the most exciting of all, rode in a yellow school bus. The whole class wore "under the sea" theme tee-shirts that their teacher made for them (wow!) .

This was the last week of my gifted class from h*** . It has been awful, more work than a regular college course, very hard, ambiguous directions and now I am anxiously waiting to see if I scored the overall 80% that I need to pass. If I did (please God) I will be able to finally apply for my gifted certificate. I have been working on this non-stop since Jia was in her cast, five classes total, salary increase: 0 dollars......

In closing, what can I say about Tuesday night? I cried like a baby. Our country had immediate hope and pride again. (A note about John Mc Cain; what a gracious, wonderful speech he gave on Tuesday night. A good man, I think, in a no-win set of circumstances). Speaking of good men, did you watch Obama? Did you see his first press conference? What an intelligent and dignified man. I am impressed by the way he thinks things out and then carefully answers the questions at hand. I am so very happy that America did the right thing. YES WE DID!

BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD...ghandi

Election Day. It's my blog I can say whatever I want to right?

I feel like I do on my insomnia-ridden Christmas Eve; I've been to church, wrapped the presents, kissed my girls and put out Santa's midnight snack. In other words, I have done all that I can do and now I must sit back and wait (I don't do this easily).

We have campaigned, made a small contribution, hung up signs, and voted. (The girls voted at Florida's Kids Vote site).

DID YOU VOTE?
If you didn't we can't be friends anymore....j/k. But if you are one of my many, many Republican friends (some very conservative), I hope you voted too, and I respect your beliefs even if we differ--wouldn't things be boring if we all believed the same things?

WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT TO ME?
All the usual reasons--the war (i want it to end, right now), the economy (drew and I work hard for our money and will never be wealthy), opportunity (the girls deserve a college education), love (i think all kinds of love are positive and that the more people you have that love you, the more blessed you are).....and no matter his color, I firmly believe that Obama is the candidate that will protect my beliefs and work hard for people like me.

MY CHILDREN AND A HISTORY LESSON...
For those that don't know our family, our twin daughters are biracial-just like Obama. Me, I am a middle aged white woman who grew up in segregated South Florida. I was truly blessed to be taught the truth by my parents-that NO ONE should be judged by the color of their skin. Obvious now, but a radical idea from two people from small town Pennsylvania living in a state that was segregated well into the 1970's. I was desegregated in the 5th grade and bused to a school across town. Some kids were taken out and put in private school. My Mom cried for them- and I went to school, where I made many new friends, was in the school play and took guitar lessons...in seventh grade I had a slumber party and invited one of my best friends who happened to be African American, three other girls canceled, they weren't allowed to stay at my house, because she was there, this time I cried for them.

Now, this is not marching in the street, protesting, being discriminated against, but it affected me. I also try to see the world through my daughters eyes and I am hyper-vigilant that they are not discriminated against in anyway. I am aware and I care.

MODERN HISTORY
Four years ago I taught kids that were at a severe risk of dropping out of school at a middle school in one of the most disadvantaged areas of Broward County, predominately African-American. Drugs, arrests, violence, crime, missing parents and poverty were all an everyday part of these kids lives. While teaching there I got one of the highest, albeit, most round about compliments of my teaching career....A girl in my class said "Mrs. P. you are just a black woman trapped in a white woman's body" to me this meant--she gets it, she understand me...and with all my heart I try.

THANKS TO GOD
I get teary-eyed when I thank God that my sweet girls, growing up in the same place as I did are living in a very different world. A place where they attend school with many students of all races and backgrounds, where they feel no hatred or prejudice and in a world where a "person of color" like themselves can be PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

I have a dream that my children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
-DR.MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS!

How will I ever sleep tonight?

Our Drama queen--pirate

Soooo excited!

Do real pirates wear Converse?

Partners in Crime

Parker and Jia meet the Cat in the Hat

'I AM FAIRLY CERTAIN THAT GIVEN A CAPE AND A NICE TIARA, I COULD SAVE THE WORLD!"

Friday was a fun-filled day for the Parnham girls! Jia started the day off with her school Storybook Parade. Jia and Parker were Thing One and Thing Two. Drew was able to attend the parade, his job and his school are wonderful in that it gives him the flexibility to do these little things that mean so much.

After school Jia one again turned into SUPER JIA and Anna was her beautiful pirate sidekick. They caroused the neighborhood and had a great time except for the fact that because of her height many people thought that Anna was an adult so she got way less candy than Jia. In my opinion, there was loads of candy for everyone concerned.

Katie has never really liked Halloween so she volunteered to hand out candy here at home, she made 150 treat bags, and gave them all out, so we had quite a turnout!

I was sick again on Friday, totally lost my voice and had a horrible headache that caused much anxiety. I unfortunately had to spend the day at home and missed some of the festivities. I am hoping that my health improves when I am finished taking my last Gifted class. This is week 8 of 8 and I have A LOT that is due. I have taken 5 classes total and this by far is the most difficult, the most time consuming and the Instructor is extremely exacting. If this had been the first class I took, I am afraid would have given up.

Anna just completed her first deadline for the yearbook, she was in charge of the 9th grade candid page and shared responsibility for the "green" page. She really loves it, and Katie is considering joining her in the class next year.

So, the fall goes on, Anna and Drew are playing/coaching soccer day in and day out, Jia is learning and growing and bossing everyone around, Katie is reading and baking and immersing herself in her PETA projects.

We have the day off on Election Day, hope you do too!