A day at the zoo

We had such a great weekend!!! We had decided to meet up with some of our travelmates, Mike, Gina and Olivia this past weekend at the St. Louis Zoo, our other family was not able to come (we missed you). It was so nice to get together with them again. After spending two weeks in China together, there will always be that special bond and we hope to keep in touch so that they girls will grow up knowing that special bond they share as well. The day was kind of warm and humid, our first stop was the childrens zoo where they had a petting zoo, the girls really enjoyed petting the goats, we had passed the water going in but decided to leave that for the end of the day. We didn't see too many of the animals most were hiding in the shade away from the heat and sun. The girls enjoyed the birds but got most excited over the penguins!!! It was so much fun to see how excited they got each time the penguins dived in, they girls were right at eye level and Lily was really letting out some screams of her excitement, it was so funny!!!!! They really enjoyed the monkeys as well, we ended the day back at the water where they girls got to cool down. They did really well considering the water was freezing and there were alot of older kids running around, but thankfully no collisions!!! Even though the girls are really too young to play together yet, we did get Lily to give out some hugs to Olivia, not sure Olivia was thrilled, but it was so sweet to see. Thanks for a great weekend guys!!!!!

Memorial Day

We had a good time Memorial Day, even though the weather wasn't very nice it was fun to see the kids play together. This was really the first time that Lily and Sophie had a chance to run around together. As you can see in one of the pictures it looks like Lily is blaming Sophie for something. It is going to be neat watching them grow up together.

Sad News

Such tragic news of the death of Stephen Curtis Chapmans youngest daughter Maria who was killed on Wednesday evening. My heart just breaks for that family right now, please keep them in your prayers and extra special prayers for their son.

Our decision to adopt was made after attending one of Stephen's concert back in November of 2004 and we will be forever grateful that God used him to plant that seed in our hearts. He has such a huge passion for the orphaned children of China and has done amazing things through his Shaohannah's Hope Organization. They have set up a memorial fund for Maria on their site https://secure2.convio.net/ccsh/site/Donation2?idb=1366927205&df_id=1560&1560.donation=form1&JServSessionIdr007=0o5f5p0tx4.app14a they have also set up a family blog which shows a small glimpse of the amazing spirit of sweet Maria. http://chapmanchannel.typepad.com/inmemoryofmaria Again, I cannot image the loss and pain they are feeling right now, all we can do is pray that God will continue to carry them through this unimageable time.

Silly Stuff!!!

Ok, so the last few days have had me a bit down so I decided it was time for some silly photos. Last Saturday my sister and I had a rummage sale and Miss Lily found these pom poms, she loves them and even tries to jump, her knees bend but her little feet don't leave the floor, but she tries. LOL Next, I had my womans Bible study tonight and when I walked in the door there was evidence there may have been brownies made, then I saw the photos, daddy let her lick the bowl. LOL Let's just says it's past her bedtime and she is running around like a wild woman, daddy is staying awake til she winds down tonight. LOL

Earthquakes

As the days pass since the devistating earthquake that hit China, I find my heart still very much attached to my daughters birth place. My heart grieves for those who have lost loved ones and for those still waiting to hear any news about their loved ones. Please keep them in your prayers. It's hard to explain but I feel a connection to them and when I see the photos of the little ones I see my daughter and my heart is so thankful she is here safe with me. Many of the orphanages are needing supplies such as water, formula and diapers, if you feel lead here are 3 links to organization sending supplies over, http://www.halfthesky.org , http://www.lovewithoutboundaries.com/earthquake.cfm , http://www.ocdf.org

I talked with a gentleman at our local Chinese restaraunt, I commented I had not seen his wife in a while, he said she had gone back to China, my heart sunk, he smiled and said don't worry, she is fine I talked to her last night, I was so thankful.......

Mother's Day weekend!!!

Other then the weather being cold, rainy and very windy we had a great Mother's Day weekend. I am so truly thankful for the wonderful mother I had growing up, and for my three wonderful children God has blessed me with.

Sophie!!!!!!

Well Julie and Mike have Sophie and will be coming home on Wednesday, we cannot wait to meet her. Isn't she just adorable, and she has her ears pierced too!!!!!!! She looks so happy and I am sure she will love meeting her little brother Samuel and big brothers Jordan and Jacob.

New Pictures

Well we have been having problems with our internet downloading pictures lately but think we got it fixed tonight, thank goodness. These are just a few pictures from the last month, we have a couple of our Easter Egg Hunt we had will our small group that meets once a month, it was alot of fun. The weather has finally gotten warmer and Lily loves being outside, she also loves daddy's new toy, the riding lawnmower, there is one picture of her and Nick together, she screams when it's time to get off. LOL We also have been taking Lily to the ymca and she loves just being able to run, her brothers were in a dodge ball league and she loved running around with a ball in her hand, she thought she was pretty big. I have also been thinking about Mommy and Teddy Bear Tumble class, as you can see she loves standing on her head, scares me to death!!! Her big brother Blake is in an apprenticeship program for the carpenters union, his first week of schooling one of the things they did was make this awesome rocking horse, Lily loves it. The thing is heavy and will last for many many years, thanks big brother!!!! And last is one from Sunday morning before church she loves for Nick to let her up at the computer desk to listen to music, she starts shaking her bootie and throws her head around, it is a hoot and of course Blake and Nick get quit a kick out of it too. What a blessing she has been to our family we can't imagine life without her:)

They have dates!!!!

My sister and her husband will be leaving on May 3rd to get Sophie, their consulate date is May 5th and they will be coming home on May 7th, just in time for Mother's Day!!! What an amazing blessing to have 2 new additions for a Mother's Day gift, praise God.

Sophie

Here is the latest photo of Miss Sophie who should be coming home very soon. She has cleared the courts and they are just waiting on the papers to get done, hoping to hear something very soon about a consulate appointment. I know it's been a long wait but as Mike and Julie already know these blessing are so worth the wait, just look at Samuel's cute little smiling face.

Florida trip

Here are a few pictures from our recent trip to Florida. We had a great time, the time went too fast but it was great to get away and get a taste of some warm weather. Amy now, I have to say we had a rough start to our trip, Lily had a double ear infection, sinus infection, sore throat in addition to getting 5 new teeth 3 days before we left. We felt after 3 days on antibiotic she would be better, but Friday we were calling the doctor from Georgia needing something else her fevers were non stop and just in obvious pain. Lily started feeling better by Wednesday, we went to the beach Thursday which she loved even though the water was very cold she didn't seem to mind and walked right in. The place we stayed at had a lazy river there and 2 days in a row she fell asleep, guess that is why they call it "lazy"!! LOL She loved being outside and just running, we also went to Fun Spot, they have go-carts and they has become a tradition when we go to F lorida. I have always loved go-carts and usually foot to the floor the whole time, but this new one, had me terrified, I once couldn't see at the top followed by a huge drop off and more screaming, but it was FUN!!! Lily got to ride on some smaller rides, we weren't sure how she would be but in the first pictures you see a tear in her eye, that is not from fear, that was because we tried to take her off the ride. The young boy was very nice and let her ride for about 15 minutes and of course when he went to unbuckle her she threw herself back and started to cry!!! Overall the trip was great, just wish Lily had not been so sick the first few days, poor baby. She is feeling great and more onry then ever.

World of Adoption

This is something I have been thinking about alot lately. These last three years from the paper chase to now have been amazing. Never did I imagine a group of people, total strangers even would pull me through my down days, be there through the joy and even now months later still be there as a friend. To be honest up until the adoption I never used a computer other then work, so during the paperchase I was on my own but once I found the yahoo world, things definatley changed. From the bond that is created within the travel group, your agency group to that DTC group and of course Rumor Queen, all I can say is how very, very thankful I am for each and everyone of you!!!!! I have to say I LOVE Blogger Land, to follow along as these precious children blossom is so rewarding, I have received so much more then I ever imagined and for that I am forever thankful.

Big Brother

Well big brother Blake is pretty much wrapped around Lily's little finger. Walked through the mall after eating Chinese and Lily decided she did not want to be in the cart, so Blake climbed in so Lily could push him around. LOL He also recently got a tatoo!!!! Something he has wanted to do for a while and being almost 20 you don't need your parents permission. So as you probably guessed he got Lily's name in chinese, think he is in love with his little sister?? He has already told me a few times if he has biological children fine, but he really wants to adopt from China someday, my hope is the program is around for a long time.......

Mommy's Big Girl

Here is just a few pictures, Lily's new favorite thing is to help mommy in the kitchen, she has her chair pulled up and likes to help cook and finish with the dishes. We have tried to help load but usually end up standing on the lid and pulling out knives so we stick to the sink for her. She loves her babydolls and little kitty, which will always be stuffed, she just sways back and forth with them giving them hugs. The pigtails are daddy's first attempt to 2 pigtails, he did great!!! He has mastered the one on top and is now getting ready for the summer, he says the key is to contain her in the highchair, I on the other hand chase her around the house trying to get a bow in!! LOL We also have a new look, the corporate eyebrow or attitude, whichever works???

Sophie is Coming!!!

We are so happy that Sophie as cleared pgn court and is now just waiting for pink slip and birth certificate and then she will be heading home!!!!! Looks like they will be leaving around the first of April to get her. YIPPY!!!!!!