One Year Already!

This was the first glimpse of our baby girl, Lu Xin Ming! Dec 07

I prayed for a little girl, and God blessed me beyond my dreams.

A bundle of nerves long before we reached this spot.

GOTCHA

03/31/2008

With the Orphanage Director

Our little Grace was so brave. She never shed a tear that afternoon. I am so thankful for her foster mother. She prepared Grace so well. Our little lady, she stole our heart, more than her Baba was prepared for.

That first car ride, her Baba got the very first smile out of her! He would get alot of first.

Hong Kong

Arrived Safely in Charleston, as a US Citizen

Our first trip out! We had to go to Walmart and down to Granny's & Granddaddy's

May 2008
Tea with Daddy! Who would have thought this man would be having tea.
Sleeping with Big Brother, Brandon

Loving her brother, Paul Paul

Sept 2008

Nov 2008


Dec 2008

Feb 2008

March 2008

One Year "Gotcha" Day Anniversary.

We had "China Chicken" as Grace calls it. And I made her a choc cake.

Paul Ray and I want to thank everyone who followed along on our journey, our family and friends who stood by us. You made this journey so much easier.

I had given up on having a little girl years ago. Little did I know that God did in fact have other plans for our family. This very special beautiful little girl who has blessed our lives a million times over. People say how lucky she is, I'm hear to say, not nearly as lucky as we are for getting her. It took a loss in our family for my husband to know this was our path in life. I've always said Grace reminds me of Devan, and she does.

I've had this child with me for the most part of this year. We've been apart one night, and could probably count on less than 2 hands the number of times we've not been together. She still at times sleeps with us when she needs to, and I think because of this she has bonded really well. I've been blessed to have a great boss who has allowed me to bring Grace to work with me. She will continue to stay with me until school gets out, and then she'll stay with Ashlee Gail. I cant believe she'll start school in August. How can it be time already, she's only been home a year. Can someone please slow down time. It seems like yesterday my boys started school and we all know how big they are. I miss going to the football games to watch Brandon play in the band, and he'll be getting married next year. My baby boy Paul will be graduating high school this year. I just want time to slow down a little.

And another thing, is it age or me? But I find I cry at the drop of a pin, how will I ever get through raising a daughter without being a blubbering fool.

Here you go Lynds. She didnt think I would put this on the blog, and I wasnt going to. The icing didnt want to come out right at first.

Has it been that long already?

It seems to be an emotional day today. I didn't really expect it to be. One year ago today, I was running around with a million things to do. My very best friend in life, Bonny, was at the market downtown getting me candy to add to the gift bags. Later that night she would come help me pack, and then unpack because I had too much stuff.


I cant believe the time has flown by. Can you believe its been that long already?????

Just a sneak preview

Grace got her dance outfit today at dance class. She had to come home and show her daddy.

Would you just look at that smile!

Warm Weather

This past weekend was really nice, but the weather is crazy. I think we hit the 80's over the weekend, tomorrow the temps start going back down.

What do you see here?

Well if you guessed Paul Paul is cleaning his truck, you would be right. Now mind you, I have to beg to get it to wash my car! His dad came and got me Sunday evening and told me to come look.

I think the boys uses a toothbrush to clean this truck (which once upon a time was mine). He is actually under it pressure washing the inside of the tires.

We need to go get him a tux, his prom is coming up. Wont be long and both my boys will be done. My oldest played in the band, oh how I loved to watch him march on the field, I miss those days. Anyway, this is (knock on wood) PaulPaul's last year and Miss Grace will start next year (still no word on when her testing is, I'm getting a little beside myself there - I really need to pray about it, I had and thought everything was good, I don't know) I'll keep you posted. Sorry, back to the tux, I need to find him a tux with a camo vest and tie, YES you heard me, he is wanting a camo tux, as hard as I tried, he wont change his mind. So if anyone in Chas knows who has one, please let me know.

Cool Tshirts

I just found this really cool site (thanks Chelsea). They are giving away free stuff until April 15, so head on over for your chance to win! Just click on the button below to go to their site.

Balloons and Flowers

Mr. Tom on Wednesday told Grace if she slept in her own bed, ALL night long she could have 2 big balloons. That's Mr. Tom, always thinking!!!

That night, she made it until 2:30 am. The following night, Thursday, she made it the whole night, she was so proud of herself.

So when she woke up, she was so proud of herself (as were Momma and Daddy) so we had to stop by the store on the way to work and get her two balloons and a flower. She has been wanting flowers for awhile now. ???

So she was one happy camper! And I'm happy to report, the big girl slept in her bed again last night, we may be on to something.


On another note, I talked to the school last week, they have scheduled K4 testing for the 21st. She said she would be calling me this week to schedule Grace. So lets pray she does well. She loves to learn, so I know she will catch up quickly.

Have a great weekend! This is the first one in awhile, where I don't have anything to do. However I do have more Work work to do this weekend, I need to have it done by Monday. And I still haven't done our taxes. Maybe we can get that done tonight.

Traveling Pants

Back in Jan (first few days) we sent Helen a pair of Jeans, we kept waiting and waiting, and she never got them. Guess what we got in the mail on Thursday. Yep! Them pants have traveled to Beijing and Back!!!!!

Her birthday is in April, we'll add to it and try it again.

Can I tell you, I've said I don't want any more kids, my life was complete. But when I watch these video and see these kids without parents it just breaks my heart and tugs a little. If Paul & I were younger, I'm sure we would go back. China will ALWAYS hold a very special place in my heart, but Paul Ray ages out this year. Once Paul Paul moves out, and Grace is a little older, we look forward to having a exchange student from China.

We attended a Half the Sky Fundraiser last week. We were able to sit with Paul & Chelsea, which we really enjoyed. Chelsea posted how they were going to sponsor a child, and everyone should think about it. Trust me, its been on my mind all week.

Paul and I talked about it, we've already started cutting out the extras, since Grace will be starting school this August, and lets just be honest, that's another car payment right there, but this little angle of our deserves the very best that we can give her. I think somehow we need to add this to our budget, I think we should all do what we can to help a child. I just don't understand, how someone can be okay with a child not being loved, or having a home, it breaks my heart. As I sit here a blubbering fool this morning I hope that everyone will think about sponsoring a child, and if your heart is not in China, then find somewhere does that spark a cord with you.

Teen with a tude

This is my third attempt at this post! It keeps dissappearing.

I live with a teenager with an attitude. A major attitude.

I made him take his sister to dance class today. He gets out of school early and I have alot going on at work this week.

So by the time he got to the office his face was in a very ugly frown and his attitude was beyound nice. I had a few choice words.

His dad on the other hand, said "you know he's not used to not being the baby in the house". Hummmmmmm, I still think he needs a good swift kick you know where.

But being the good mother that I am, I stopped by the mall and got him one of these>>>>>>>>>

Well lets say his outlook changed a little, lets see how long it lasts!

You know he can eat one of these by himself, just ask Brandon!

This was an email I got today, and thought I'd share it! It was too good not to pass on.


>
> *God's Busy *
>
> *If you don't know GOD, don't make stupid remarks!!!!!!! *
>
> *A United States Marine was attending some college courses between
> assignments. He had completed missions in Iraq and Afghanistan .. One of the
> courses had a professor who was an avowed atheist . *
>
> *One day the professor shocked the class when he came in he looked to the
> ceiling and flatly stated, 'God, if you are real, then I want you to knock
> me off this platform. I'll give you exactly 15 minutes.' The lecture room
> fell silent. You could hear a pin drop. *
>
> *Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, ' Here I am God. I'm
> still waiting.' It got down to the last couple of minutes when the Marine
> got out of his chair, went up to the professor, and cold-cocked him,
> knocking him off the platform. The professor was out cold. *
>
> *The Marine went back to his seat and sat there, silently. The other
> students were shocked, stunned, and sat there looking on in silence. The
> professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the Marine and
> asked, 'What the heck is the matter with you? Why did you do that?'
> The Marine calmly replied, 'God was too busy today protecting American
> soldiers who are protecting your right to say stupid stuff and act like an
> idiot. So, He sent me.' *
>
> *THIS IS GOOD. KEEP IT GOING *
>
> *And all God's people said--AMEN! *