Balloons for Devan

Today is my niece's birthday, Devan and Payton. Payton is three and her party is on Sunday. Devan, is now in Heaven, this would be her 25th birthday. Her mom started the balloon tradition the first year she was gone. So every year after Payton's Party we write on balloons and release them to Heaven. We wont be able to stay for the balloons on Sunday so we released ours today.

Devan was such a beautiful girl, with a beautiful soul. She had a huge life about her, and was always the center of the room.

I tried explaining Heaven to Grace, but it is too much for her to understand. She sang Happy Birthday to Devan, and let her balloon go. She yelled fly away balloon, fly to Devan's House.

I wish Grace could have met Devan.

We let two go earlier and then when Paul Ray got home we let the last two go.

So, Happy Birthday Devan!!!! You're still so much a part of our thoughts. We miss you, love you and know we'll see you again one day.

Goofing Off with her big brother

Sunday, talking with Helen. Grace took this picture.

Brandon & Lyndseys House Warming

My oldest son, Brandon, his fiancee and a Friend of their recently got a townhouse. They had everyone over for a party on Saturday. It was really a nice day. For Christmas they got three fondue pots, THREE! So the theme of the party was fondue. I forgot to get any pictures, I thought about it as I was leaving, so these are the only ones I have.

The day turned out nice, they had a house full. I'm very proud of them.

Saying goodby to Granddaddy.

Gracies first night away from us

Turned out ok. When it came time to go, she got very clingy and didn't want me to leave, but after about 20 minutes I calmed her down. At this point I wasn't sure we would make it all night.

Our wait for a table was one hour!!!!!! I did talk to her once or twice more that night. By the time she got up this morning and was calling me, we were pulling into the drive way.

She had a good time. Her PaulPaul and Caleb went to Walmart where she got her Ka-Lin movie. They then went to Ryan's to eat dinner with some Friends. Paul said she woke up around midnight, but went back to sleep.

So it all worked out really well.

Hope everyone had a very Happy Valentines Day!

Love

Peggy

Happy Chinese New Year/School/PaulPaul

Yes I know this has already passed. We took Grace to the local FCC (Families with Chinese Children) Chinese New Year Celebration last week (At least I think it was last week).

Grace Ready to go.

It was held at a local Chinese Restaurant. I did finally get to meet Chelsea and Anne who also have adopted. It was so nice talking to them. I recognized Chelsea and her crew immediately. Those kids are just as cute as they are in their pictures. Claire is doing so well walking.

The Gour Family Signing In

The Craft Table

I loved seeing all the little girls there from China, they were all so beautiful. Paul asked me if I had plans to go back for a sister for Grace. UH NO! I don't think we could afford another one. We can and will take her back when she is older, but adopt another one, I don't think I have the strenght or health for it.

When we told Grace we were going, her first question was "Are you going to leave me" so that tells you, my sweet little girl does still have concerns over being left again. Poor Baby. Once I assured her again, that she was stuck with me and her Daddy, that this is her home FOREVER and EVER, she seemed ok, she then wanted to know if she were going to school. No Baby, not yet.

However once we got there, she would not sit at the craft table. Here is a picture, so you can get the generally feel she thought about being there.

Grace's Craft! She was very proud of it.

We did win a door prize. They were waffle sticks. And they were very good.

Grace was asleep on the way out the door, they even gave all the kids a red envelope with a dollar which is a tradition in China for the new year.

School Note
I did finally talk to the school, they will be doing testing the first couple of weeks in March. So please pray that Grace gets in. She is good with the Capital letters but not the lower case. She can count but does not recognize all of the numbers. Work to be done over the next two weeks.

Do you ever wonder what your kids are doing when you are not around. Well I downloaded my pics from the camera (oh and FYI, I have pics of mclaurns party on my camera, the stooge that I am didn't have my card in the camera so they are on the hard drive and I cant locate the cord, it was a DUH moment!!) sorry back to Paul Paul. I downloaded the pics and look here!

A boy and his truck (well not his yet)

On another note, we've been invited to attend an upcoming fundrising dinner for Half the Sky at the Daniel Island Club on March 1st. I'm very excited.

Happy Valentines Day

Well today is Valentines. Gracie has already received three cards in the mail, and a big stuffed pig (I think its a pig)

We all know how excited she gets when she gets mail.

Here is Wednesday, Day One, First Card is from Granny (Please note, I think Gracie is getting her fashions styles from her daddy)

Day Two, Aunt Bonny, Uncle Brian, Mikey and Ashlee sent her a card.
And the the third Day, ????? Her Daddy!!!!!! You should have heard her, For Me, My Daddy!!!!!! Needless to say that the key to his heart is locked safely inside this little girl.

On this day her brother had dressed her. It was Friday and he didn't have school, I let her stay home with him. I fed her before I left and told her not to let him sleep all day. I got a very unhappy phone call at 8, wanting to know WHY she was at home. I had told him he didn't have to watch her, so he dressed her and bought her to the office. I said Jeans and a nice shirt. It was cold outside and nothing on her arms. Not sure what he was thinking, he did brush her teeth though.

And then last night, her mama came down with money and a stuff animal.

When she got up this morning, her daddy gave her a heart shaped box of candy.

I hope everyone has a very Happy Valentines! We're planning our first night away from Grace, we'll see how it goes.

Love
Peggy