Decorating Christmas Cupcakes

I know its January and I am just now getting around to posting our Christmas pictures but honestly I haven’t had enough time to get them on here. I don’t know how people blog on a daily basis. I hope that when I’m home full time (after May 1st) I’ll do better. Unfortunately, I’m home sick with what I think might be the flu, fortunately I can get the blog up to date. Check back often as I’ll be posting pictures over the next few days.

To start the holidays off my mother had the grandchildren come over and decorate cupcakes. They had a really great time and as you can tell Laurie Alice really loved the icing. Also, my mother broke her arm (although she didn’t know it was broken when the pictures were taken, she only thought it to be a very bad sprain) so she is not holding her hand like that because she thinks it’s cool. She was in some serious pain that day but she insisted we still get together.

My nephew Grady also has a broken arm. Notice his cute little caste.

LWB Video

I saw this video on a fellow adoptive mom's blog and wanted to post it here as well. I know economically it's going to be a lean year for all but I would just ask that you pray about giving to Love Without Boundaries and see if the Lord puts it on your heart to give or to pray for this organization.

Baking Cookies

It has been such a busy December that I decided Saturday we wouldn't leave the house. We didn't have any commitments and I was determined to spend some time with the girls. We had a great day. They made cookies and I let them "have at it". Originally we were going to make a gingerbread tree I found at A.C. Moore's but Gracie decided she rather decorate the individual cookies instead. I'm sure I cleaned more icing off Laurie Alice than were on the cookies but I didn't care. My mom came over and later that afternoon we ALL took naps. It was the perfect lazy day. I'm also posting a few pictures of the girls dressed up before church this morning. I just have to post about my great deal. I got LA's dress off ebay for $8.00. It's a Kelly's Kid but had a pen mark on it so got it super cheap. I haven't found the mark yet. Also, there's a cute picture of LA in a red tutu. She had a fit to wear it after cleaned her off from the cooking making.

All I Really Want for Christmas

I heard this song for the first time two years ago and can hardly listen to it without crying. I am so thankful that Gracie and Laurie Alice have a family to celebrate with. Please pray for and remember the orphans here and overseas.

Phillips Family

We meet this wonderful family in Chongqing in May when we adopted Laurie Alice. They have the most amazing testimony about their adoption for their daughter Hope. Please take about 13 minutes and watch this video. Also, check out their blog. You will see their blog listed under "My Favorites" on the right side.



tustin river from t phillips on Vimeo.

Favorite Aunt

It is a known fact that my sister Laurie is the favorite Aunt on my side of the family. My sister Alice and I are totally okay with her title. I mean please, how could we ever compete with this........

My girls spent the night with Aunt Laurie on Friday and for breakfast they had green and red pancakes with red syrup and sprinkles and green sprite with green bubble gum. You can see she even had red candles lit.

Actually, my girls have three very wonderful Aunts who are super good to them although you gotta admit red & green pancakes are a little hard to beat!!

Happy 7 month Gotcha!

This was our trip to the Panda Zoo in Chongqing

I can't get over how much both of my girls have changed in just 7 months.