Thursday, February 19, 2009

Random Photos

I'm at work and thought I would post some random photos I have saved on my computer. Most of them will be of Gracie since the majority of my photos of Laurie Alice are on the home computer. I've also added the music. Tell me what you think. Leave or delete?











Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Happy Gotcha Day Gracie!!!

Six years ago today I met the second love of my life! Oh how we waited in anticipation in that hotel room in Changsha. We woke early that morning and went to breakfast in the hotel but I could barely eat a bite. I watched the other new families eating together and thought in just a few hours we would be just as happy as they were.

The plan was for the families to wait in their rooms until 10:00 when the babies would be delivered to each family’s room. At 10:15 we got antsy and I could hardly breathe so we decided to stand in the hall. I heard one of the moms in our group say “they're here, they're here” at which point the Nanny’s went into the first room and our guide motioned for us to go ahead and go in that room to get Gracie. I left our room door wide open and could have cared less if someone had stolen everything we owned. I walked into the room and there she was!!! She went right to me and was so happy to see me. If she could have talked I think she would have said “I’ve been waiting for you”. She laughed and bounced and played with the necklace I was wearing with her name on it. She never cried or shut down or went through any of the things that some babies do when they meet their families for the first time. It was love at first sight.

A couple weeks ago Gracie expressed some concern that maybe I loved Laurie Alice more or that Laurie Alice was more special to me. I told her with tears in my eyes that there was a time when I never thought that I would know what it was like to have a child. On February 17th, 2003 my prayers were answered and she made me a mother. She would always be special because she was the desire in my heart. I feel so lucky and so blessed to have her in my life.

Happy Gotcha to Emily and Jada, Gracie’s Chinese sisters.

(The pictures are in random order)















Saturday, February 14, 2009

Happy Valentine!!

Laurie Alice had been begging all morning for a Valentine cupcake. After breakfast I sat her at the kitchen table and let her eat one while Gracie and I sorted through clothes someone gave her. I guess we got too engrossed in what we were doing and I kind of forgot about my three year old at the table and I also kind of forgot that the other cupcakes were within an arms reach. When Rusty walked in the kitchen this is what he found.



Yes, I would say she has a bad case of Pinkititis!!! At least her fist Valentines Day is a good one. Gotta go stick her in the tub!









Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Please Pray

We met a really nice family from Virginia while in China adopting Laurie Alice. Malia is having surgery probably as I type this to lengthen her palate. Please pray for her, the doctors and her parents. This is her first surgery since being home and I know Sandy, her mother, is on pens and needles right now. Please pray that Malia will have a speedy recovery and no discomfort.

This is the only picture I could find of Sandy and Malia. It's funny that Malia is crying because I think this was the only time I ever saw her shed a tear. She had such a sweet and quite little disposition in China and I think she's still the same way now.



Monday, February 9, 2009

Circus

Sorry but I have no picture for today. I’m so bad!

I took the girls to the Circus this Saturday (Rusty had too many things going on) and they really had a great time. I was pleasantly surprised that Laurie Alice wasn’t scared to death. Of course the big bag of cotton candy she consumed may have helped her through any fears she had. Of all the performances Gracie’s favorite was of the scantly clothed girl who was able to magically change the color of her outfits when her male assistant draped a cloth around her. She talked about it all the way home and all day yesterday. She now wants to be in the circus and do that same act. Remember when childhood dreams were fun?


It was also great because I finally got to meet a fellow blogger, Beth, who was also at the circus with her boys. It’s a long story how we connected but we email occasionally and follow each other’s blogs but have never actually met. She recognized us from pictures and came over to where we were and introduced herself. She has a little girl from the same town as Laurie Alice. I’ve always thought our girls eyes and hair were very similar and Beth confirmed it after meeting Laurie Alice on Saturday. Laurie Alice doesn’t even have to talk much because her eyes say it all. As soon as I’m home full time I certainly hope Beth and I along with our families can get together.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Sing and Dance with Mei Mei

For Christmas the girls received the Sing and Dance with Mei Mei video. They watch it at least twice a day. Laurie Alice watches it even more because this is the video she chooses for our ride to and from work. I got a little video of them performing last week before Gracie left for school. I don't think Gracie is pronouncing the Chinese words exactly right but then it's hard to do that when you are as Southern as she is. She comes pretty close to it though. As usual, when I video or take pictures it seems the house is in a mess. Hmmmm, could it be that maybe my house IS messy all of the time?