The Magical Moments of the Poko Pack

GOSH

2012-01-18T22:06:00.000-05:00

It's feast or famine around here isn't it? Either there's lots of posts or none for weeks... We're off to Orlando tomorrow afternoon to house hunt. Of course we'll be staying on property at WDW...I guess it'll be our last hotel stay since we'll be living there :( That's a depressing thought, the hotel is my fav. part of the vacation!

COMMENTS

2012-01-18T21:47:00.000-05:00

I wondered why no one was leaving comments, especially my fav. followers. My sister told me tonight she wasn't able to leave a comment. I went in and checked... Somehow I had made a big boo-boo and shut off the comment part of my blog. It's fixed now. Please, comment away, I love, love, love knowing somone is reading this stuff!

In case you wondered

2012-01-18T21:42:00.000-05:00

Why the OLDEST DRAGONFLY comment... Our 2004 DTC group was called the Dragonflys and Meg was the oldest child referred, she was 8. Our 7 year adoption anniversary is coming up so I posted her pic. Isn't she lovely? Inside and out. She is such a treasure.

the OLDEST DRAGONFLY

2012-01-18T11:51:00.002-05:00

2012-01-05T23:20:00.009-05:00

HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY

PEYTON SNOW

XOXO

GRANDMA & GRANDPAP

NEW YEARS EVE 2011 BLOCK PARTY

2012-01-04T10:33:00.000-05:00

I'm going to miss this neighborhood when we move. This was our last block party.

As you can see, Holly already found a "friend" in the neighborhood

and Meg is never far from her texting friends.

The littles had a blast.

2012-01-01T02:45:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Our niece was married Dec. 30th

2012-01-01T02:44:00.000-05:00

Congratulations

Brittny & Brian

2011-12-30T11:15:00.000-05:00

Holly's adoption was finalized yesterday. When Mike got home at 9 PM we celebrated his 65th Birthday and Holly's adoption with Chinese food, always a big hit, and Birthday cake from Publix, the best bakery in town.

2011-12-30T01:36:00.000-05:00

Lunch in Mexico

2011-12-30T01:19:00.002-05:00

I can't believe she ate the whole thing!

2011-12-30T01:15:00.000-05:00

2011-12-30T01:12:00.002-05:00

2011-12-30T01:05:00.002-05:00

WHERE DO I BEGIN?

2011-12-29T23:24:00.060-05:00

MERRY

CHRISTMAS

HAPPY

NEW YEAR!

We have been crazy busy around here the last 8 weeks and I have missed posting. We took the pack to Disney the week before Christmas. Too much, I had to cut our vacation short because I needed more time to finish Christmas shopping. I'm hoping to be more organized next year, but...I've had decades of practice and still end up shopping the morning of Christmas Eve, what makes me think next year will be any better? I think I'll start shopping in the summer and wrap as I buy. It's the wrapping that kills you!

I got a new laptop a few weeks ago (my first) and can't get used to it. I don;t like the keyboard. I miss my old dinosaur computer.

HAPPY

65th

BIRTHDAY

to my sweetie

What a great dad he is, he spent his 65th birthday much like his 60th, alone on a plane completing an adoption.

5 years ago today Mike left Vietnam with 15 month old Austin and brought him home while I stayed behind and waited for 3 month old Paisley's paperwork to be completed. Today he spent his 65th birthday on a plane completing our final adoption.

WE HAVE A NEW DAUGHTER!

She is 15 yrs old and from China. What a little sweetheart she is. We are all in love with her.

2011-11-08T11:37:00.001-05:00

WHHHAAAAAAA :(....

It's getting worse.

What a MESS!

I hate packing

Moving!!!

2011-11-06T07:25:00.002-05:00

OH! what a mess we've made.

My house looks like a bomb went off. NO PHOTOS!! I guess there's no turning back now. We're committed! (maybe that should read we NEED committed)
We're at 15 extra-large boxes and counting just in the playroom. Ya think they may have too much? It's mostly the girls dolls...I did throw ONE away. Of course that's not counting the 6 big plastic containers the boys have for Thomas trains and LEGOS! And I have to pay someone to move all this junk "somewhere".
There are 20 boxes of varying sizes staring at me from the foyer. I guess they won't pack themselves.
Time to get the kids dressed for Sunday School.

2011-11-05T11:38:00.002-04:00

Lot's of irons in the fire right now.
Nothing I can post about, but BIG changes are coming for the Poko Pack. We're packing up Halloween decorations today along with "other" stuff. The girls toys, which are multiplying like mad are getting packed too. Santa is coming so we can box up lots of things and get rid of the clutter. This house is just WAY TOO SMALL!
Christmas shopping has started and I have no where to hide it ;( Gotta make some room.
The big girls are decluttering their rooms. My goodness the junk we found in the closets. Lots of games with missing pieces bit the dust last night just in time for garbage day.
Laundry, Laundry. Laundry...a never ending supply. It's Saturday and I have helpers today.
I hear Mike calling so I better run or he will sit down and start watching SyFy Channel and that will be the end of packing.

NOT TO BE OUTDONE BY LITTLE KIDS

2011-11-01T11:00:00.002-04:00

MAMA'S LOOT

oh how I love

TARGET

after a Holiday!

2011-11-01T07:01:00.002-04:00

WOO-HOO! YEAH! YIPPEE-SKIPPEE! THANK GOODNESS! YEE-HAA!

It's

NOVEMBER

time to start

decorating

for

CHRISTMAS!

Let the music begin!

2011-10-31T23:19:00.002-04:00

The big girls decided they needed some candy too. Megan thought she was too "mature" to Trick or Treat and stayed home to pass out candy...boy was she rethinking THAT decision when she saw what the girls brought home...and we all know they won't share!

Emma's Loot

What could be better

Candy & Boys

ummm watch it Mary

Dad says NO BOYS

2011-10-31T23:13:00.000-04:00

And the LOOT

2011-10-31T23:11:00.000-04:00

RYAN

My Stormtrooper

and his best friend David

....David is a LEGO

2011-10-31T23:07:00.001-04:00

I GOT A ROCK:(

Austin

refused to go to any scary house

AKA

if they had decorations

Poor baby

got half the candy

the rest of the kids did.

2011-10-31T23:02:00.002-04:00

My Little Pretties Amy
Hannah

Paisley

2011-10-31T22:55:00.002-04:00

I got them all corralled at the front door before they terrorized the neighborhood.

2011-10-31T22:48:00.002-04:00

The Small Squad came over and the kids had dinner together before Trick or Treating tonight

2011-10-30T18:33:00.001-04:00

The

POKO PACK'S

PUMPKINS

2011

2011-10-30T18:30:00.001-04:00

Paisley

loved her

Pumpkin

2011-10-30T18:20:00.002-04:00

Austin

was attacking

his

pumpkin's guts!

2011-10-30T18:15:00.001-04:00

Amy

was really into

pumpkin cleaning

2011-10-30T18:12:00.001-04:00

Ryan

loved the

mess

2011-10-30T18:06:00.000-04:00

Hannah

didn't like

cleaning

her pumpkin

2011-10-30T18:00:00.002-04:00

Getting ready

to carve the

PUMPKINS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2011-10-25T14:12:00.002-04:00

Amy

Oct. 21

Oct 22

2011-10-25T13:29:00.001-04:00

I know you would all rather see photos than read what I have to say...so, enjoy some pics of our summer in Disney.

2011-10-25T13:23:00.000-04:00

2011-10-25T13:19:00.000-04:00

2011-10-25T13:16:00.000-04:00

2011-10-25T13:12:00.000-04:00

2011-09-27T17:26:00.002-04:00

Our summer in

DISNEY

We had a great time

We spent 3 weeks there

and the kids can't wait to go back!

2011-09-25T13:06:00.001-04:00

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

TO US!

41 YEARS

AND

STILL IN LOVE!

7 DAYS AND COUNTING

2011-06-26T08:28:00.004-04:00

4TH OF JULY IN DISNEY!

LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN

After a 3 year absence ( Oh the Mickey withdrawals!) and 3 new additions to our family, Emma, Mary-Katherine, and Juliet, we're finally going back. Meg was 11, but the others were much younger the last time we were there, Ryan 5, Amy 3, Austin 2, and Paisley 1 . Only Meg and Ryan remember the trip so we're really in for some exciting experiences, and I'll bet a lot of CHAOS too! We leave in 7 days and will spend the 4th with The MOUSE!

5 days in Disney then on to North Carolina to visit our girls Betsy and Wendy. We can't wait to spend some time with the grandkids again!

HAPPY CHINESE CHILDREN'S DAY!

2011-06-01T10:33:00.000-04:00

3 Little Angels at Sunday School

2011-05-23T12:31:00.000-04:00

HAPPY SUNDAY

2011-05-01T13:06:00.000-04:00

HE IS RISEN

2011-04-24T08:46:00.003-04:00

HE IS RISEN INDEED!

HAPPY EASTER

Kindergarten Field Trip

2011-04-12T22:56:00.002-04:00

Today was my 3 kindergartner's field trip. They saw several plays, Fancy Nancy was one of them. Mike chaperoned as usual. He's loving retirement because he gets to spend so much time with the kids and get involved with their school activities, something he regrets he didn't have time to do with our first 5 daughters. So here they are, Austin, Juliet, and Amy.

My little ETHIOPIAN Princess....

2011-04-07T14:11:00.002-04:00

Laura

And her Tag-a-long, Paisley

Laura had her hair braided by my daughter Michelle's friend Gina last night.

Today we went to Michaels and bought the beads...Ethiopian Flag colors :)

It took me 2 hours to put those beads in, and worth every minute. She was so excited, and grateful, and she feels Beautiful. Oh the hugs and kisses I got!

Then Miss Paisley needed braids and beads too. Hers don't look quite the same, but she feels beautiful too!

2011-04-03T19:21:00.001-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

LUCI

XOXO

Grandma & Grandpap

After Sunday School

2011-04-03T12:51:00.002-04:00

Yes, the Small Squad is still here so Sunday school is it! NO WAY am I taking this crew into church! Well, maybe I will have to take them all with me next Sunday if they are still here. Kathleen is ill in China with new brother and sister and can't fly home just yet. Hopefully they will be home this week! PLEASE COME HOME!!! It's been fun but I am TIRED. As you can see, Emily was NOT having her picture taken no matter what! She was pouting because she didn't get to finish her artwark in Sunday School. Ryan and David have become best buds over the last month.

RYAN

2011-03-27T21:11:00.002-04:00

THANK YOU

Dr. Stelnicki

you're a miracle worker

my son now has a beautiful face Now if we could just

CUT THE HAIR

The Boys having fun in the nice clean pool

2011-03-27T21:04:00.001-04:00

Ready for Sunday School

2011-03-27T10:24:00.001-04:00

Mike had a BUSY week

2011-03-27T09:38:00.000-04:00

LAST SUNDAY

2011-03-27T09:34:00.002-04:00

On their way to Sunday School. Good thing my girls have lots of extra clothes and shoes. Don't they all look cute?

Girls just wanna have fun..boys just play with LEGOS

2011-03-16T11:51:00.000-04:00

S'MORES~~BAD IDEA

2011-03-16T11:44:00.000-04:00

2011-03-16T11:41:00.001-04:00

Some actually fell asleep last night...but you see that little one with her eyes open? She came out and sat on "daddy's" lap for HOURS! along with the spoiled Paisley who NEVER sleeps

Juliet's new glasses

2011-03-16T11:38:00.000-04:00

BUSY~BUSY~BUSY

2011-03-16T10:49:00.003-04:00

This is what we've been up to the last week, that is, besides 2 kids having surgery....My friend Kathleen is in China adopting her 2 little cabooses ( ya, we've ALL said that before haven't we?) and Mike and I are watching 5 of her 6 children. They came ALL the way from California! Let's see, 4 yr old twins from Vietnam, 8 & 10 yr old girls from Ethiopia, and a 7 yr old bio boy, that about rounds out our pack for the next 3 1/2 weeks. I told her I feel like I'm on a hamster wheel...
Breakfast, laundry, lunch, laundry,dinner, baths...do you know how long it takes to bath 10 kids???? TOO LONG! then bed...ya right, try getting them to sleep, too many giggles from the girls and just plain old carrying on from the boys.
Last night I threatened the boys with no wii, they went right to sleep, sort of. I must say, they are very well behaved children and no one has cried for mommy YET.

2011-03-14T17:50:00.002-04:00

It's been a busy few days around here. First Juliet, now Ryan. My little man had surgery again today. Poor little guy, he's had more than his fair share. Today was supposed to be just exploring for a nasal obstruction because he can't breathe thru his nose, but it ended up being more. Our great surgeon had extra time and did Ryan's nose repair too! Thank goodness! Now Ryan doesn't need to have that surgery this summer. So, obstructions were found and taken care of, and my handsome little man now has the CUTEST little nose!!! He's such a trooper. Only a few tears.
He's home in bed now being pampered. Doesn't he look so much older now?
Like his "hairdo"?
He wants his hair to grow long like his cousin and nephew. I hope summer comes soon because I'm sure his teacher thinks I'm a nut for not having his hair cut.

2011-03-12T19:57:00.002-05:00

Juliet had surgery yesterday to repair a hernia. She did great and it's been hard to keep her from running with the pack today.

2011-03-05T17:15:00.003-05:00

Our Princess Juliet needs glasses. She apparently needs them so badly the MD said we won't have any trouble making her wear them all day long, which she must. He said she will see so much better she will gladly put them on as soon as she wakes up. In 10 weeks if one of her eyes doesn't respond (apparently it isn't working much at all), he will start patching. FUN, just in time for summer swimming

Here are the frames she chose, aren't they cute?

2011-03-01T11:35:00.003-05:00

Just one of the things I'm dealing with.

At 15 you would THINK she would know better!

NO, this is NOT the way to curl your hair.

YES, she thought it was FUNNY!

That hair WAS 15 inches long

2011-03-01T11:22:00.002-05:00

Did you notice Paisley's "bangs"? She didn't have any 2 weeks ago.. She was coloring and said her hair got in her way so she took scissors and clipped it off, right in the middle of her forehead!

2011-03-01T11:05:00.003-05:00

It's been way too long since I've posted. My computer isn't cooperating so it's just a hassle I don't have time to deal with. I know all of you with large families can understand. So, my pics will be posted separately from now on, or until we buy a new computer...like THAT will ever happen :(
SOOO.....I'll be paying more attention to my lonely little BLOG from now on. Ryan turned 8 on Feb 16 and Mary Katherine was 15 on Feb 13.
We will be super busy for the next 5 weeks. Tune in for the FUN!

2011-03-01T10:59:00.000-05:00

President Hu Jin Tao of CHINA and our daughter

2011-01-19T20:56:00.007-05:00

Isn't this amazing? Mary Katherine Yang Li met with President Hu Jin Tao on Feb. 1, 2006 when he visited her orphanage in Xining, China. She remembers that he brought food and clothing for the children of her orphanage and made it possible for the children, Yang Li included, to have the surgeries they needed. She said he took her to lunch and dinner and she was also on TV with him. What a Small World. Here she is living in America, and here he is visiting President Obama.

2011-01-18T11:57:00.000-05:00

2010-12-27T00:12:00.003-05:00

Sandra,
That was Paisley when we got her in Vietnam Christmas 2006

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2010-12-26T22:31:00.000-05:00

TODAY IS...Paisley's Adoption Day & Megan's Referral Day Anniversaries!!!

2010-12-13T11:30:00.004-05:00

SO PERFECT

2010-12-04T23:29:00.003-05:00

YouTube - Becky Kelley - Where's the Line to See Jesus - OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

HAPPY SUNDAY

2010-11-07T13:01:00.002-05:00

What a beautiful

Sunday Morning

Thank-you

God

for your many blessings!

EIGHT IS ENOUGH

2010-10-25T16:24:00.005-04:00

It's Official!

Our Caboose

has

rolled into the station

****

today was

Adoption Day

for

Emma Sophia Alejandra Poko

aka

"Molly"

It was a LONG time coming

more than 2 years

but today she belongs to us

and we belong to her

Forever & Always

****

We love you Emma

xoxo

Mommy, Daddy,

Sisters & Brothers

****

LET THE FUN BEGIN!

Oct. 25, 2010

Ft. Lauderdale Beach

Our wonderful Attorney

"Mr. Paul"

The Poko Pack

(Meg's taking the photo)

2010-10-24T23:08:00.001-04:00

BIG DO'INS TOMORROW!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2010-10-22T00:07:00.000-04:00

TO ME!

2010-10-21T23:39:00.003-04:00

5 years ago today we were in Guatemala celebrating Amy's 1st birthday and packing to leave for home with our little Mayan beauty the next day, MY birthday, because Hurricane Wilma was barreling towards South Florida, and the US Embassy allowed us to leave a few days early to prepare our home for the storm. I know I say it with every passing birthday or adoption day, but my goodness how the time has flown by. I remember Amy's referral day like it was yesterday, and what a wonderful adoption experience it was. 5 months from the day we sent our dossier to picking up our beautiful little Guatemalan beauty. I can't believe she is SIX!

5 of our girls looking for cute boys in the yearbook :)

Amy, Meg, Michelle, Molly, & Mary Katherine

Amy wouldn't take off the

Birthday Crown

her teacher made for her

today in school

AMY thru the years

2010-10-21T00:19:00.002-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

AMY

YOU'RE

XOXO

MOMMY &DADDY

Amy's pre-school teacher at graduation

dinner is coming

2010-09-26T15:47:00.001-04:00

WAITING FOR FOOD

2010-09-26T15:44:00.001-04:00

WAITING FOR FOOD

2010-09-26T15:44:00.000-04:00

OFF TO THE BEACH

2010-09-26T15:40:00.000-04:00

AUTUMN MOON FESTIVAL on SOUTH BEACH

2010-09-26T15:34:00.000-04:00

2010-09-25T11:34:00.003-04:00

Today we celebrate our

40th

Wedding Anniversary

And how appropriate

to be celebrating

TET

CHINESE MOON FESTIVAL

tonight

South Beach

with our FCC group

2010-09-18T19:23:00.001-04:00

HAPPY 20th BIRTHDAY

JASMINE NOEL'

XOXO

Grandma & Grandpap

2010-09-18T12:29:00.003-04:00

Juliet

aka

Hannah Juliet Fang Ying

She has decided she likes the name Juliet better and that's what she wants us to call her.

2010-09-14T22:24:00.003-04:00

A day in the life of the Poko Baby's Birthday

Wake up

open a gift

go to CHILI's for lunch

have dinner

open more gifts

hit a Pinata

Have CAKE

go to bed...maybe

2010-09-14T10:22:00.001-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

PAISLEY JANE

YOU'RE 4 !!!
XOXOXO
MOMMY & DADDY

2010-09-11T19:06:00.000-04:00

2010-08-25T13:48:00.001-04:00

UPDATE SOON

as soon as I can get a minute!

We're SO lucky to be alive!

2010-07-21T17:22:00.001-04:00

2010-07-20T13:50:00.002-04:00

Just a quick update.
Hannah is doing GREAT. Her re adoption was yesterday in Jacksonville. We decided to continue on to Raleigh to visit our daughters Betsy and Wendy. We were 2 hours away when the 18 wheeler in front of us had a blowout! Right into our windshield!!! Thank GOD for FORD SUVs!! The windshield held together as best it could, It came in about 9 inches, and I was showered in glass, but I have a face and a life and the kids are all OK. Shaken up and crying, but OK. As for my beautiful Excursion, that seats 11, that's another story! It's being towed here today, some 150 miles from where the accident was. GIECO has been wonderful. We're now trying to find a van or something big enough to haul all of us around until repairs can be made, which make take up to 2 weeks! What a Vacation so far!!!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE~~~~~

2010-06-28T00:16:00.000-04:00

We have TWO new China girls!

Meet

Mary-Katherine Yang Li

originally from

CWI Xining City, Qinghai, China

age 14

Finally, all our children are home!

Mary-Katherine & Hannah

and

Not to drag this out...

as of

6/23/2010

Mike is officially

RETIRED

Let the projects begin

and the

FOR SALE

sign go up!

As much as we love South Florida,

living on the sun has seen better days!

It's time to go.

After 33 years here

it might be nice to experience seasons again!

Oh! the thought of

PUMPKINS

not rotting on the front porch within 2 days!

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

wearing hats and gloves

OPENING WINDOWS!!!!

Wearing jeans and Sweatshirts!

I'm not asking for much.

But what about the real estate market?

Will I be able to unload this house?

I doubt it :(

I live in

SOUTH FLORIDA

the

FORECLOSURE CAPITAL

we've lost 50% of our home value

and it keeps dropping by THOUSANDS

each month :(

Oh well, what can you do?

We'll sit back and watch GOD'S plans unfold

and see what HE has in store for this next chapter of our lives.

This is going to be

EXCITING!!

Stay tuned

2010-06-27T14:30:00.001-04:00

Do you want it all in one piece?

little by little?

LOCKS OF LOVE

2010-06-24T23:41:00.000-04:00

What a sweet girl we have.
Meg has always wanted LONG hair. In her orphanage in China she wasn't permitted to have long hair. It was always cut short like a boys. She has been growing her hair for 5 long years now, and it's beautiful. At Christmas she decided she would donate it to LOCKS OF LOVE, but she wanted to keep her hair long for her trip back to China. She had so many compliments about her beautiful hair that I thought she may want to keep it, but being the girl she is, 42 hours after arriving home, she was sitting in a chair at Sweet & Sassy having her hair cut. And she's just as beautiful with her new shorter hair. Next year she's planning on donating again.

2010-06-24T23:07:00.001-04:00

HAPPY 14th BIRTHDAY

WONG CHEEN CHEEN

we'll love you forever

mommy & daddy

2010-06-21T23:14:00.001-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WENDY

xoxo

MOM & DAD

Father's Day and he put them to work...

2010-06-20T23:28:00.000-04:00

The Magical Moments of the Poko Pack

GOSH

COMMENTS

In case you wondered

the OLDEST DRAGONFLY

NEW YEARS EVE 2011 BLOCK PARTY

Our niece was married Dec. 30th

I can't believe she ate the whole thing!

WHERE DO I BEGIN?

NOT TO BE OUTDONE BY LITTLE KIDS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

7 DAYS AND COUNTING

HAPPY CHINESE CHILDREN'S DAY!

3 Little Angels at Sunday School

HAPPY SUNDAY

HE IS RISEN

Kindergarten Field Trip

My little ETHIOPIAN Princess....

After Sunday School

RYAN

The Boys having fun in the nice clean pool

Ready for Sunday School

Mike had a BUSY week

LAST SUNDAY

Girls just wanna have fun..boys just play with LEGOS

S'MORES~~BAD IDEA

Juliet's new glasses

BUSY~BUSY~BUSY

President Hu Jin Tao of CHINA and our daughter

MERRY CHRISTMAS

TODAY IS...Paisley's Adoption Day & Megan's Referral Day Anniversaries!!!

SO PERFECT

HAPPY SUNDAY

EIGHT IS ENOUGH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

AMY thru the years

dinner is coming

WAITING FOR FOOD

WAITING FOR FOOD

OFF TO THE BEACH

AUTUMN MOON FESTIVAL on SOUTH BEACH

We're SO lucky to be alive!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE~~~~~

{{SHOCK~N~AWE}}

LOCKS OF LOVE

Father's Day and he put them to work...