Zai Jian... we are heading out!

In just 4 short hours, the Carozza clan will be starting a new chapter in our lives! We leave for Norfolk airport at 4:15 am with 15 suitcases, 8 carry-on bags, a double stroller, 2 kids, and lots of hope for a great start in Shanghai. I'm not looking forward to the Chicago to Shanghai flight... 14 1/2 hours! I sure hope the IPods hold out, LOL!

I will try and update with pics of our new place and city as soon as I can. We expect we will have internet by next Wednesday or Thursday.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers:)
Love to you all!

Jasmine's Urology Appointment

Jasmine had her yearly testing done this past week, and unfortunately, her kidney/bladder issue (vesicoureteral reflux) has not resolved. The doctor explained that each year we should be seeing some improvement, but at this point Jasmine is still a grade 3 on the left side and grade 4 on the right. If she doesn't show some improvement next summer, she recommends that we consider a surgical procedure next summer. In the meantime, we had to stock up (1 year supply) on her macrodantin meds and added another medicine for her to take daily. My carry-on is filled. Hopefully the new meds and cutting out some foods in her diet will help us see some improvement at her appointment next July.

Life's a Beach!

The kids LOVE going to the beach! Playing in the sand, hopping over the waves, splashing in the water all make for a great summer morning. On this visit, they were able to catch a crab, a fish, a sea horse, and lots of little waves. Hopefully they will get one more sunny morning beach blast before we fly out on Saturday.

Traveling at the Speed of Fright

Busch Gardens is always tons of fun. This year was especially fun as Sean was finally tall enough to ride one of the big roller coasters, the Big Bad Wolf (a suspended swinging coaster with a 1oo ft drop that sends riders barreling down at 50 mph and swooping just above the river below). During the time we were standing in line, I asked him (more than once) if he was sure that he wanted to ride this one. I told him that this was a LONG roller coaster ride, unlike the Elmo rollercoaster seen above (which by the way is much faster than I thought it would be). When we were next in line, we waved goodbye to one train of cars as they started their ride and another train of cars pulled in. Sean looked at me and said, "Mommy, that is NOT a very long ride!" It was so funny! It was our turn to board, he held on, and LAUGHED the entire time even down the huge drop. It was great! We also enjoyed lots of other rides, shows, and yummy food. We hope to hit Disneyland in Hong Kong in the fall.

The Harvest

I can hardly believe that we are just 9 days out. There is still so much to do, but I guess it will get done. The kids have enjoyed harvesting veggies from the garden every few days with Lolo! We have had a fantastic crop this year... tomatoes, grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, hot peppers, yellow squash, and our new addition this year, snap peas. These snap peas are DELICIOUS... much better than any fresh snap peas we buy at Kroger. Anyway, we have had fun picking veggies from the garden and cooking them for dinner.