Brent has been interested in joining the Navy when he gets older. He'll be 14 in about 4 months. He was navigating around on the Navy website, and discovered that there is a Navy program called Navy Sea Cadets, for teenagers up to the age of 17. We checked it out and this is a superb program for young adults who are interested in learning about the Navy, self-discipline and military skills and drills. There are 4 drill centers in NC, and we're only 35 min away from the one in Charlotte. We visited yesterday and also attended the banquet. Brent was SO thrilled and wanted to sign up, so we did! He spent the weekend at the drill center, as this is what he will do every few weeks (spend the weekend there). He'll be learning many things and he will also be completing required courses. He'll go to a 2 week boot camp in early June (out of state). He has a lot ahead of him. If he's still interested in joing the Navy when he's older, he'll go in as an E3 if he is an accomplished Navy Sea Cadet. That'll put him ahead about a year & a half. One cadet we met is soon traveling to Australia on a 2 week assignment. There's also exchange cadet programs with other countries. We don't know everything about it yet...but one thing we do know is this, we are very proud of him and he seems to be in his glory !!
We're so excited for Brent...
Briella's been home 4 months today..
November 22, 2009
I decided to take a little photo shoot of Briella. She's such a lovely young lady, home only 4 months and it feels like she's been here forever. Here's some fun facts about Briella... her english is outstanding (already), she's very smart, she's kind to others and loves to smile, she loves school, she likes to write in mandarin with Ben, she loved being on a soccer team w/Lidia & Ben, she learned how to swim, if I blow dry her hair - she giggles the whole time, she trys all new foods (and likes everything),the battery toothbrush that I sent in her care package to China got used by all the girls at the orphanage!, she learned how to swing on a swingset...very cautious at first...then giggled like crazy learning how...and now she's a pro, she loves going to church, she loves her grandma's and grandpa's, she's learned how to pick out a new outfit everyday (in China, she wore the same clothes for many days, and she had no clothes of her own or a dresser), she still needs to learn how to ride a bike, she's taught Brinley and Bayla some chinese children's songs (so cute!) and she loves when I kiss her on her forehead or cheek. She smiles real big when she gets a kiss & told me that nobody had ever kissed her before in China. No wonder she giggles and smiles when she gets a kiss :o)
She is such a gift to our family.
Coming Home...
Briella Xiyao was so excited to come home! She loved the flights and had plenty of energy, even after such a long 30 hour trip. Mike and the kids showed up at the airport at midnight to welcome us. What a wonderful memory for our family :o)
