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Monday, December 22, 2008
Tissues Please...
Last year as we waited patiently (not really) to get our dossier to China, I came across this song. I listened to it over and over with tears in my eyes longing for the day when I would have Mylee in my arms. From the moment I saw her picture, I knew she was my daughter. She was the daughter I had longed for for so many years. I immediately formed an attachment to her. Seeing her picture that very first time was like having each one of my biological children placed in my arms for the very first time. I don't know how to explain it any other way. So, last year at this time I felt like a piece of me was missing. This year, my heart is so full. I have been Blessed with an amazing husband, 4 amazing kids, and amazing family and friends. Each one of them has helped in some way to make this my best Christmas ever. THANK YOU. Last year I cried through the beginning of the song, this year I am smiling from ear to ear as I focus on the ending.
"It's Christmas time again and now you're home,
Your family is here so you will never be alone.
So tonight before you go to sleep, I'll hold you in my arms
And tell you from my heart, I wish you Merry Christmas."
Make sure you turn off the music at the right before hitting play on the video.
"Merry Christmas" by Third Day
Mylee is home with her family this year for Christmas. She is warm, safe, loved, and happy. Bot more importantly, she has a HOME for Christmas, a FAMILY, and JESUS! Because without him, none of us would be here today. He gave his life for us and our sins, and it was HIM to walked silently beside Matt and I this last year. It was because our FAITH in HIM, that Mylee is HOME.
This year as sit around you Christmas trees and enjoy watching your kids, please say a prayer for ALL the orphans around the world who may never know what it is like to be safe, warm, happy, loved, or to know Jesus. There are millions of orphans around the world that need homes. Adoption is not for everyone, just as parenting is not for everyone. But, if you do feel adoption tugging on your hear, I urge you to PRAY, because HE hears everyone of our prayers.
I don't know how much I will be able to post over the next few days, so Merry Christmas to you all.
"It's Christmas time again and now you're home,
Your family is here so you will never be alone.
So tonight before you go to sleep, I'll hold you in my arms
And tell you from my heart, I wish you Merry Christmas."
Make sure you turn off the music at the right before hitting play on the video.
"Merry Christmas" by Third Day
Mylee is home with her family this year for Christmas. She is warm, safe, loved, and happy. Bot more importantly, she has a HOME for Christmas, a FAMILY, and JESUS! Because without him, none of us would be here today. He gave his life for us and our sins, and it was HIM to walked silently beside Matt and I this last year. It was because our FAITH in HIM, that Mylee is HOME.
This year as sit around you Christmas trees and enjoy watching your kids, please say a prayer for ALL the orphans around the world who may never know what it is like to be safe, warm, happy, loved, or to know Jesus. There are millions of orphans around the world that need homes. Adoption is not for everyone, just as parenting is not for everyone. But, if you do feel adoption tugging on your hear, I urge you to PRAY, because HE hears everyone of our prayers.
I don't know how much I will be able to post over the next few days, so Merry Christmas to you all.
Christmas Blessings...
Last Thursday our Nanjing playgroup got together. As always, everyone had a great time. The kids had a great time playing with each other, and us moms had a great time talking. We ordered pizza, ate Christmas cookies, and enjoyed watching our girls play together. Unfortunately, Miss Millie did not make it this time, but we are all hoping she will make it next month.
These girls are such Blessing to each one of us. Christmas this year is definitely going to be different than last year for each one of our families. As much as I enjoyed being with family, and watching the kids open gifts, at the same time, I was crying on the inside for my daughter that was not here. I remember trying so hard not to think about her and enjoy the moment. My heart ached for Mylee last Christmas. I kept telling myself that next year was going to be so different. Well, next year is FINALLY here, and I simply cannot wait to see all FOUR of my children bounce down the stairs on Christmas morning. I love seeing their faces the moment they see that Santa came and left presents under the tree. I love hearing their excitement as they unwrap gifts. But this year, more than anything I am going to love seeing 4 kids around the tree. I am really looking forward to seeing Christmas through Mylee's eyes.
Below are a few pictures taken when the girls were here last week. Enjoy!
Mylee, Ava, Elsa, and Clara
Our attempt at a picture of 4 of the 5 girls.
These girls are such Blessing to each one of us. Christmas this year is definitely going to be different than last year for each one of our families. As much as I enjoyed being with family, and watching the kids open gifts, at the same time, I was crying on the inside for my daughter that was not here. I remember trying so hard not to think about her and enjoy the moment. My heart ached for Mylee last Christmas. I kept telling myself that next year was going to be so different. Well, next year is FINALLY here, and I simply cannot wait to see all FOUR of my children bounce down the stairs on Christmas morning. I love seeing their faces the moment they see that Santa came and left presents under the tree. I love hearing their excitement as they unwrap gifts. But this year, more than anything I am going to love seeing 4 kids around the tree. I am really looking forward to seeing Christmas through Mylee's eyes.
Below are a few pictures taken when the girls were here last week. Enjoy!
Mylee, Ava, Elsa, and Clara
Our attempt at a picture of 4 of the 5 girls. On a cooler note, this is what we awakened to Friday morning. As cold and slick as it was, it was beautiful outside. I could not resist taking some pictures. I think this is the first time I have ever seen anything like this. I was in awe. The kids were especially excited. Because of the ice storm, their Christmas break started a day early.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Merry Christmas
Before you click play, remember to turn the music off at the right.
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Wednesday, December 17, 2008
I'm Back
WOW, it seems like forever since I last blogged. December is such a busy month for us. We have had Christmas parties and get togethers every weekend and they will continue through New Years. It's really nice to spend time with family and friends especially those we don't see very often. But, I am looking forward to a weekend of having nothing planned.
Anyway, this past weekend we got together with Matt's side of the family. Every year we get together. We have a potluck dinner, visit, and Santa even comes with gifts for the kids. Every year I enjoy going there, but this year was a bit more exciting we were able to share our newest addition with everyone. This was also Mylee's first experience with Santa. She was a bit skeptical at first. She watched patiently as the other kids sat on his lap and opened their presents. But once she realized that Santa was giving our candy canes, her patients began to wear a little thin. Mylee LOVES candy, any kind, and will do just about anything to get some. Once she realized candy was involved, she was all about sitting on his lap. Not only was this her first time to sit on Santa's lap, but this was her first gift to unwrap as well. The whole time she was on Santa's lap, she kept peeking into his bag of candy canes. She was so cute. Blake, Emma, and Gabe sat on Santa's lap as well, and you can see from the pictures below, Blake was the most excited about it. Because of the age difference in him and Mylee, Matt and I told him that he will have to sit on Santa's lap every year until Mylee doesn't believe anymore. It took him a minute, but he realized that he would be about 16 and still sitting on Santa's lap. Let's just say that he wasn't all that enthused. He's a pretty good sport about things like that though. I wonder what the chances of getting him to wear festive colors next year???
This whole week I have been studying for my finals. I had my last final today, and it is the one I am most worried about. MATH. I am not a huge fan of math, in fact, I am completely math illiterate. I cannot wait until next semester is over and I have taken my last college math test. I think I may throw a party. Anyway, I have no idea how I did on it, but am looking forward to see what my grades are this semester. And I am definetly looking forward the the next 3 weeks of NO SCHOOL (for me that is)!
Enjoy the pictures, and hopefully I will be able to update more frequently now that I don't have my nose in math and psych books.
Anyway, this past weekend we got together with Matt's side of the family. Every year we get together. We have a potluck dinner, visit, and Santa even comes with gifts for the kids. Every year I enjoy going there, but this year was a bit more exciting we were able to share our newest addition with everyone. This was also Mylee's first experience with Santa. She was a bit skeptical at first. She watched patiently as the other kids sat on his lap and opened their presents. But once she realized that Santa was giving our candy canes, her patients began to wear a little thin. Mylee LOVES candy, any kind, and will do just about anything to get some. Once she realized candy was involved, she was all about sitting on his lap. Not only was this her first time to sit on Santa's lap, but this was her first gift to unwrap as well. The whole time she was on Santa's lap, she kept peeking into his bag of candy canes. She was so cute. Blake, Emma, and Gabe sat on Santa's lap as well, and you can see from the pictures below, Blake was the most excited about it. Because of the age difference in him and Mylee, Matt and I told him that he will have to sit on Santa's lap every year until Mylee doesn't believe anymore. It took him a minute, but he realized that he would be about 16 and still sitting on Santa's lap. Let's just say that he wasn't all that enthused. He's a pretty good sport about things like that though. I wonder what the chances of getting him to wear festive colors next year???
This whole week I have been studying for my finals. I had my last final today, and it is the one I am most worried about. MATH. I am not a huge fan of math, in fact, I am completely math illiterate. I cannot wait until next semester is over and I have taken my last college math test. I think I may throw a party. Anyway, I have no idea how I did on it, but am looking forward to see what my grades are this semester. And I am definetly looking forward the the next 3 weeks of NO SCHOOL (for me that is)!
Enjoy the pictures, and hopefully I will be able to update more frequently now that I don't have my nose in math and psych books.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Catching Up
So, it's been awhile since I updated the blog, sorry to those who follow. This past couple of weeks have been super busy. The weekend before Thanksgiving we decided to put up our tree and outside lights since it was going to be so nice. Mylee was mesmerized by the tree. Once it was up, she stood beneath it looking up in amazement. We immediately told her not to touch, so now whenever she or someone else goes near it, she says "don't touch." Blake, Emma, and Gabe had fun decorating the tree as always. Emma and Gabe especially get so excited to hang their ornaments. Each year we buy the kids a new Hallmark ornament, so there are several ornaments on our tree that have specific meaning to each child. As much as I would love to have a "mall tree," I love the fact that every ornament on our tree has specific meaning. We have some from Korea, Hawaii, Disney World, and lots that the kids have made themselves. Someday I may get my "perfect"tree, but for now, I love listening to the kids hang their ornaments and telling the story of each one, and where they came from.
Mylee's first glimpse of the tree
The kids hanging their ornaments
Thanksgiving was full of family this year. Matt and I have been married for 13 1/2 years, and for the very first time I got to spend Thanksgiving with his maternal grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. His grandparents usually went to Texas during the winter, but for the first time this year, they have decided to stay in Indiana. We were very excited and thankful to be with them this year. We also spent the evening with Matt's paternal grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. We spent the evening cyphering through the "Black Friday" ads making our lists of the places we were going to go to.
So yes, I was one of the crazy people that got up in the middle of the night (3:00 a.m.) to venture out for a bargain. My mother in law picked me up at 3:30 a.m. and we were off. We met my sister in law around 4, and we shopped, shopped, and shopped until almost 7:00 p.m. Needless to say, we were exhausted, and still are. I am still trying to catch up on sleep. Regardless of the lack of sleep, we had a great time. Sorry, no time to take pictures of the lines and lines of shoppers, we may have missed something.
On Saturday, Emma's dance class performed in the Festival of Trees again this year. She was in two dances this year. The dance was tap and it was to "Frosty The Snowman." The second was ballet and it was to "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies." She did such a great job and they all looked so cute in their costumes (I made them so I am a bit bias).
Mylee's first glimpse of the tree
The kids hanging their ornaments
Thanksgiving was full of family this year. Matt and I have been married for 13 1/2 years, and for the very first time I got to spend Thanksgiving with his maternal grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. His grandparents usually went to Texas during the winter, but for the first time this year, they have decided to stay in Indiana. We were very excited and thankful to be with them this year. We also spent the evening with Matt's paternal grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. We spent the evening cyphering through the "Black Friday" ads making our lists of the places we were going to go to.
So yes, I was one of the crazy people that got up in the middle of the night (3:00 a.m.) to venture out for a bargain. My mother in law picked me up at 3:30 a.m. and we were off. We met my sister in law around 4, and we shopped, shopped, and shopped until almost 7:00 p.m. Needless to say, we were exhausted, and still are. I am still trying to catch up on sleep. Regardless of the lack of sleep, we had a great time. Sorry, no time to take pictures of the lines and lines of shoppers, we may have missed something.
On Saturday, Emma's dance class performed in the Festival of Trees again this year. She was in two dances this year. The dance was tap and it was to "Frosty The Snowman." The second was ballet and it was to "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies." She did such a great job and they all looked so cute in their costumes (I made them so I am a bit bias).
Enjoy the update and pictures, I am hoping to update more frequently once this semester is over (December 12). I have finals next week, so I don't know how much I will be posting.
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