Joy and Sorrow

"Joy and sorrow are inseparable. . . together they come and when one sits alone with you . . remember that the other is asleep upon your bed."
— Khalil Gibran

We have had our share of joys. I post often about them. We have been blessed with so many wonderful things in our lives. The girls bring unbridled laughter into each day. For example, this conversation overheard at bedtime between the girls in their room:

Shanna: My baby's leg hurts.
Megan: My baby's leg hurts, too.
Shanna: No. Your baby's TUMMY hurts. My baby's LEG hurts.
Megan: (slight pause) So...... can your baby walk- or what?
Shanna: No. My baby's leg is broken.
Megan: Ohhhh.

These conversations go on ALL day and sometimes into the night!! We smile around corners as they ponder the ways of the world.

Another conversation on the road (Megan- looking at the addresses on a plaza of buildings while we are stopped at a red light):

Megan: Look, Shanna! Number 1!
Shanna: Number 1, Megan???
Megan: Yes, Number 1!
Shanna: How 'bout Number 2, Megan?
Megan: (sadly) No, no Number 2.
Shanna: How 'bout 3?
Megan: No, no 3.
Shanna: How about 4 or 5?
Megan: No, Shanna. Just number 1 and  number 7!
Shanna: Oh! Number 7! Wow, Megan!


Now, who wouldn't laugh at that?

They are like two peas in a pod and their love affair grows daily. Two days ago marked the 4th month of us meeting Shanna for the first time. They love to wear matching outfits and do the same things. Sometimes, one wants to be different and we encourage them that "that's okay!"

Painting time!

Big hugs!

I ordered another baby carrier for Megan and she was thrilled!

They are working on using their knives properly. Switching hands seems so needless to them! We are making great progress!

They are like puppies, always curled up together.

Cindy, Look! Yoga! Shanna showed us these moves.

She told me one of her friends from Shantou does this (Teri--It's Emily)!

In love with my sister.

So now for the sorrow, which apparently was asleep on our bed.

Marion, my sweet mother in law has been diagnosed with cancer. It is devastating news. Apparently, growing silently in her lungs and moved to her brain. The doctors are very hopeful and she is receiving aggressive radiation and drug therapy. She is the epitome of a Cancer Warrior; facing it head on with a positive attitude and a brave mindset. As she does with everything in her life, she does not feel sorry for herself, but rather takes action. She becomes informed and does what it takes to succeed. I am praying everyday that the medication does its work and that she heals. She is tired from her treatments, but she is taking care of herself. We love her so much.

She & Tom came for dinner last weekend.

Megan is sporting Gramma's new wig.

Shanna & Ye Ye Grandpa Tom

We think Gramma looks great in her wig!

I saved a few miscellaneous pictures so that I don't end on a sorrow:

This is Shanna's ESL Teacher

This is her 2nd grade teacher. Right now she is bridging between Kindergarten and 2nd grade.

Remember the 100 good wishes quilts we made for the girls? Well, we are doing another one for Sofia Bao, Megan's friend/sister from her orphanage. I am sewing a few minutes at time every few days/weeks and it's coming along nicely. I think the fabrics are so pretty.