Friday, September 30, 2011
Random Photos!! Hope you enjoy!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Happy Fall!!
Wow! Where do I begin? The Thornley Family has been quite busy over the past 5 months.
In March, we welcomed Juliana to our family. She is an au pair (nanny) from Manizales, Colombia that will be staying with us for a year and hopefully longer. :) She is a wonderful person that is not only good with the kids but is a wonderful Christian girl with a great personality and good morals. It has been great having her help with the kids and household duties...especially with George traveling quite a bit for his work. George and I have actually had more one-on-one time with the kids since her arrival.
We spent a week in June at Disney World. This was Thomas's (Baishi's) first time going. We went with my Dad and Terry, both sisters and their families, as well as, my step-brother/sister and their families. It was a great time...something we do at least every other year. Juliana kept the girls one day for George and I to take Thomas to Universal. We spent a lot of time at the resort pool which is always fun and relaxing.
Juliana and I also took the kids to New York City for a few days at the beginning of July. George was working in Lakehurst, NJ for the week but was able to drive up one night. We had purchased tickets much earlier to take Thomas to see SuperMan on Broadway for his 11th birthday! It was amazing and we had a great time. We also went to the Wax Museum, Ruby Foo's, Toys R US and much more.
On July 16th, we welcomed our beautiful daughter, Carlee Rose, into our family. She was 5 pounds 14.2 oz and was 18 1/2 inches long. George and I started the domestic adoption route Jan. 18th of this year. We requested an infant any race and gender. We were matched with a birthmother in upstate New York at the end of Feb. We immediately hit it off and she had our support for the duration of her pregnancy. We made it to 3 of her Dr. appts..which in my opinion is pretty good considering we are so far away. We were actually able to be at her 30 week ultrasound where we found out that we were having a girl. :) She is now 2 months old and weighs 9 pounds 8 oz. She is such a joy and we are so blessed to have her in our family. George and I loved the name Carlee and her birthmother requested her middle name be Rose after her grandmother.
Another addition to our family is our grandaughter, Ellis. George's son, Chris, and his wife, Alison, welcomed a daughter on June 22nd. She is precious!
Anna started her Sophomore year at The College of Charleston. She is not sure of her degree yet but I am sure she will figure it out soon. She is working part-time at a retail store and also works Sunday at the church nursery. She is a member of Zeta Sorority and has the title of Sorority Chaplin. She stays busy but we see her as ofter as we can.
We switched the kids from a public school to a private Christian school. We are extremely pleased with our decision. Academically the public school was phenominal but was obviously missing the Christian component. All four children attend and they all love it.
Bella turned 4 in July. She is such a high energy child with attitude. :) She is in the Pre K program. She goes to school 5 days a week..3 full days and 2 half days. I enjoy spending time with her on the half days before picking up her older siblings. She is doing well at school. She is learning basic Math, Bible and Phonics. She has to memorize a bible verse every week and is doing a great job. She is on the soccer team which meets once a week and is a fast runner and a go getter.
Li-Li and Maura both started the 1st grade this year. They are in the same class (since the school is small and only has one :)) and it is working out very well. They both enjoy to learn and help each other out. Maura is also playing soccer once a week. She is one of the fastest ones out there. We joke with her and tell her, "You do know that the kids with the same color shirt as you are on your team"? Li-Li takes Chinese class once as week, as well as, piano lessons on Saturday mornings. She is our girly girl and DID NOT want to play soccer.
Thomas (he decided he wanted to be called Thomas instead of Baishi...which is rally screwing us up) is in the 4th grade. He is doing a great job and has come so far in only a year. He is involved in Soccer (one day a week) and karate on Friday afternoon. He also attends Chinese School on Sunday for 2 hours...this is very important since he can lose his Mandarin so quickly. We are still working on eye contact, obeying mommy when George is out of town and respecting authority but overall his adjustment has gone quite well. He has made several new friends this year and just had his first sleepover. Thomas also decided on his own that he was ready to be baptized. He was baptized in May and then we had a celebration for him at The Harbour Club with a wonderful turn out from friends and family.
George is still loving his job. He is actually in Croatia as we speak. He is either working in Philadelphia, Lakehurst, NJ or Charleston. On average, he is only gone 9 nights a month. The weeks that he is home he only works on Tuesday and Thursday. It is nice to have so much time together on those weeks. In his spare time, he works quite a bit in the yard, It is looking wonderful and is finally at a point that he is happy with. He also bought two antique cars that he hopes to work on once his yard work dimishes in the winter.
Life is great for me! I love being a wife and mother. Even though challenging at times...it is quite rewarding. I attend a Bible Study weekly and hope to get back to scrapbooking real soon!
The Lord has definitely blessed The Thornley Family. We are all healthy and happy and thank the Lord everyday for all that he has done for us.
Thomas (11) with Anna (19)
Thomas with his cousins Kyle and Michael
Many more pics to follow but I have to head to Target!! :)
In March, we welcomed Juliana to our family. She is an au pair (nanny) from Manizales, Colombia that will be staying with us for a year and hopefully longer. :) She is a wonderful person that is not only good with the kids but is a wonderful Christian girl with a great personality and good morals. It has been great having her help with the kids and household duties...especially with George traveling quite a bit for his work. George and I have actually had more one-on-one time with the kids since her arrival.
We spent a week in June at Disney World. This was Thomas's (Baishi's) first time going. We went with my Dad and Terry, both sisters and their families, as well as, my step-brother/sister and their families. It was a great time...something we do at least every other year. Juliana kept the girls one day for George and I to take Thomas to Universal. We spent a lot of time at the resort pool which is always fun and relaxing.
Juliana and I also took the kids to New York City for a few days at the beginning of July. George was working in Lakehurst, NJ for the week but was able to drive up one night. We had purchased tickets much earlier to take Thomas to see SuperMan on Broadway for his 11th birthday! It was amazing and we had a great time. We also went to the Wax Museum, Ruby Foo's, Toys R US and much more.
On July 16th, we welcomed our beautiful daughter, Carlee Rose, into our family. She was 5 pounds 14.2 oz and was 18 1/2 inches long. George and I started the domestic adoption route Jan. 18th of this year. We requested an infant any race and gender. We were matched with a birthmother in upstate New York at the end of Feb. We immediately hit it off and she had our support for the duration of her pregnancy. We made it to 3 of her Dr. appts..which in my opinion is pretty good considering we are so far away. We were actually able to be at her 30 week ultrasound where we found out that we were having a girl. :) She is now 2 months old and weighs 9 pounds 8 oz. She is such a joy and we are so blessed to have her in our family. George and I loved the name Carlee and her birthmother requested her middle name be Rose after her grandmother.
Another addition to our family is our grandaughter, Ellis. George's son, Chris, and his wife, Alison, welcomed a daughter on June 22nd. She is precious!
Anna started her Sophomore year at The College of Charleston. She is not sure of her degree yet but I am sure she will figure it out soon. She is working part-time at a retail store and also works Sunday at the church nursery. She is a member of Zeta Sorority and has the title of Sorority Chaplin. She stays busy but we see her as ofter as we can.
We switched the kids from a public school to a private Christian school. We are extremely pleased with our decision. Academically the public school was phenominal but was obviously missing the Christian component. All four children attend and they all love it.
Bella turned 4 in July. She is such a high energy child with attitude. :) She is in the Pre K program. She goes to school 5 days a week..3 full days and 2 half days. I enjoy spending time with her on the half days before picking up her older siblings. She is doing well at school. She is learning basic Math, Bible and Phonics. She has to memorize a bible verse every week and is doing a great job. She is on the soccer team which meets once a week and is a fast runner and a go getter.
Li-Li and Maura both started the 1st grade this year. They are in the same class (since the school is small and only has one :)) and it is working out very well. They both enjoy to learn and help each other out. Maura is also playing soccer once a week. She is one of the fastest ones out there. We joke with her and tell her, "You do know that the kids with the same color shirt as you are on your team"? Li-Li takes Chinese class once as week, as well as, piano lessons on Saturday mornings. She is our girly girl and DID NOT want to play soccer.
Thomas (he decided he wanted to be called Thomas instead of Baishi...which is rally screwing us up) is in the 4th grade. He is doing a great job and has come so far in only a year. He is involved in Soccer (one day a week) and karate on Friday afternoon. He also attends Chinese School on Sunday for 2 hours...this is very important since he can lose his Mandarin so quickly. We are still working on eye contact, obeying mommy when George is out of town and respecting authority but overall his adjustment has gone quite well. He has made several new friends this year and just had his first sleepover. Thomas also decided on his own that he was ready to be baptized. He was baptized in May and then we had a celebration for him at The Harbour Club with a wonderful turn out from friends and family.
George is still loving his job. He is actually in Croatia as we speak. He is either working in Philadelphia, Lakehurst, NJ or Charleston. On average, he is only gone 9 nights a month. The weeks that he is home he only works on Tuesday and Thursday. It is nice to have so much time together on those weeks. In his spare time, he works quite a bit in the yard, It is looking wonderful and is finally at a point that he is happy with. He also bought two antique cars that he hopes to work on once his yard work dimishes in the winter.
Life is great for me! I love being a wife and mother. Even though challenging at times...it is quite rewarding. I attend a Bible Study weekly and hope to get back to scrapbooking real soon!
The Lord has definitely blessed The Thornley Family. We are all healthy and happy and thank the Lord everyday for all that he has done for us.
Easter Sunday at Narberth Presbyterian Church near Philly
Li-Li (6) Thomas (10), Maura (6), Bella (3)
Monday, April 4, 2011
2011 Academy of Country Music Awards - Darius Rucker - Music from the Heart
This is an amazing video! Please take a moment to view~
Monday, January 31, 2011
Finally Updating!
 |
| Baishi (10), Maura Genet (6), Li-Li (6) and Bella (3) going to church! |
 At Aunt Nat's  |
| Li-Li's artwork |
Li-Li started Kindergarten this year. Since starting in August she has already learned to read level one books as well as journal and write simple sentences independently. We are so proud of her. She continues to be our sensitive, kind hearted child with such a happy spirit. Last semester she and MAura Genet took a Little Gym class together. They really enjoyed it but we opted for Li-Li to start piano this semester instead. Li-Li also takes private Chinese lessons every Thursday. She started taking lessons up in Philadelphia and absolutely loves it. She has been taking for about 3 years. We had her in a Chinese School here in Charleston but it was way too intense for her. We were doing 3-4 pages of Chinese homework a night plus her Kindergarten work . The private one on one lessons are working out very well. She had a perfect report card and seems to enjoy learning. She has also learned to ride her bike without training wheels and is very proud of herself.
Bella...oh Bella. The wild and crazy one. She is in preschool three mornings a week and enjoys going to school like her sisters and brother. Last semester she also took a Little Gym class that she enjoyed thoroughly. This semester she is taking a dance class that she LOVES. She is one of the best listeners in the class and really has some rhythm. I enjoy my one on one time with Bella while the other kids are at school. She goes to bible study with me every Tuesday and sits there quietly playing while we do our study. She loves playing barbies and playing "house" with her sisters. She also loves to sit in the rocking chair on the front porch with Daddy and learn about the birds that fly by! :)
Maura Genet is doing great. It is hard to believe that she had such a tough transition into our family to see her now. She is in Kindergarten also (but not in the same class as Li-Li). She not only had a perfect report card but was also the Terrific Kid of the month for January. She enjoyed Little Gym last semester as well. This month she will start swimming lessons. She loves the water and is looking forward to it. She is seen 3 days a week by the ESL (English as a second language) teacher as well as twice a week by the speech therapist. She has a little bit of trouble with the TH sound. She is actually getting braces today on her top 4 front teeth due to the huge gap between the two front teeth. She actually has some tongue thrusting and we think it will help her speech to get that corrected now. She is a happy child and really enjoys telling us stories about Ethiopia and about her birth family. We are writing down everything she says and encourage her stories so we can keep those memories alive.
The Thornley Family sold our house in downtown Charleston mid November. We had one week before our house on Wadmalaw Island would be ready so we headed to Folly Beach for a week. It was a lot of fun and the kids enjoyed looking at the water. We are so happy now that we have made our final move. I have to admit, it was quite a transition for me to move from downtown Charleston to Center City, Philadelphia to 50 acres in the country. I was used to the helicopter pad right out my window, the city lights and the honking of the crazy city drivers horns. I LOVE PHILADELPHIA but it is not practical to raise four children in the city. I have gotten used to the country and enjoy the quietness. I love when all the kids have gone to bed at night and I go outside to let out Oatmeal and Molly (yes, we have 2 dogs now) and look up at the sky. I think this is the first time ever that I have seen the sky without the city lights. What a beautiful sight!
We had a wonderful Christmas! We took the kids to Banner Elk, NC for a few days after Christmas. George and I have been going to the same place since 2003. There was plenty of snow and the kids had a great time attempting to build a snowman. Then we headed to the Great Wolf Lodge in Charlotte, NC. It is a huge indoor water park...with warm water. The kids, as well as, mommy and daddy had a blast. We spent 5 straight hours in the water the first day. They had a kid friendly party for New Years Eve and the kids made it to 11:40 pm and then konked (is that even a word) out!
George is still loving his job. When he is not traveling to Philadelphia, he works out of an office in North Charleston. He is planning on working for at least 4 more years or until he starts getting bored. He keeps getting new projects and really enjoys what he does. He spends his spare time running kids everywhere, as well as, working in his yard. He LOVES living on Wadmalaw and has his house looking like he has always wanted.
I am adjusting to being back in the SOuth. I never knew that I could move to a place for 2 years and grow to love it so much. One of my best friends from Charleston moved to NC one week before I moved back. That was hard. I have become great friends with a couple of people from church so that has helped. I also have my best friend from college here as well. I am involved in a Bible Study at my church on Tuesdays and will be joining the Kiwanis Club as well. My stepmom is a member and I went to a luncheon with her last week and really enjoyed learning about their mission. I also stay busy volunteering at the kids school.
 |
| Country Boys |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)