Testosterone and TuTus

An Angel in Beijing

2012-02-11T19:31:00.000-08:00

I am getting excited! We only have one full day in Beijing this trip and it is going to be a great day. We only know one couple in China and we met them here in the states. She was actually stranded here as a single mom and unable to fly back to China 3-1/2 years ago with her group because the airlines said she was too far along pregnant. A lady in my Bible study told our group about her because she was a dula and this lady found her in the yellow pages because she needed someone to deliver her baby before she could fly home. Crazy story...my heart broke for her and I asked if we could throw her a baby shower. This lady (now my friend) was overwhelmed that people in a country far away that didn't even know her would bestow that kind of kindness and love upon her. I got to explain to her that was Jesus! We began to email after she returned home and I shared the Lord with her and she began to know him and ask about him more. It has been a very cool journey. When we found out our Grace was in Beijing I wondered could there be a crazy chance my new friend was close, could this be a true connection by God. Remember we can't out give God...I poured out on her, well guess what she lived 10 minutes from Angel House and she poured out on Grace and the Angel House.

She visited again last year and we connected again, she came saw Grace for the first time out side of her foster care home and was overwhelmed with tears. She even went to church with us and loved it, nothing like that in China. She could not believe our Grace singing, dancing and worshipping God - hands in the air and all. Yes she took out her video camera in church and videoed Grace worshipping God and said I have to take back to Angel House and show them!

Now we are going to her world in 5 more days! She will pick us up Saturday and we are going to:
1. Visit Angel House and all the women who loved Grace and thank the Director, Eva who took a chance on our Grace and saved her life. Oh what a emotional moment this will be. I know heaven in this moment just might invade earth.
2. Our friends are going to show us around a bit
3.Then to dinner at the Beijing Hotpot See the picture below. She said it is a typical food from Beijing which is over 1700yrs of history! Cool huh!

4 Our final spot - Chinese Kung Fu Show (my boys are so jealous!)
5. Time for good-byes and a good night sleep because we head off the next morning for another big day.....fly to Zhengzhou...yes that is where our Olivia is waiting!

So I am excited about our 1 full day in Beijing. Our friends there (who also have a boy Grace's age) - (and are only people we know in China)

Our China Schedule is Final

2012-02-09T21:44:00.001-08:00

Well we had our travel call today and our itinerary is final. See below if you want to follow along on our journey. We will do our best to update the blog regularly. Keep in mind we will be 13 hours ahead of you so these dates are China dates and for you will be occurring the night before while you sleep! So wake up in the morning to hopefully posts about our day! So for example when we get Olivia on the 20th, will most likely be when you are heading to bed on the 19th, so check email when you wake up!

Daily CHINA TRAVEL Schedule

February 16th ~ Leave For China!

February 17th - Arrive in Beijing

February 18th ~ Meet with LC (my friend who lives in Beijing); visit Angel House (where Grace lived in China (gonna be emotional I get to meet and thank the woman in person who saved her life!); go to Chinese Kung Fu Show

February 19th ~ Fly to Zhengzhou

February 20th ~ We get OLIVIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

February 21st ~ Adoption Registration

February 22nd ~ Travel to Jiaozuo to finish paper work & notary

February 23rd ~ Free Day!

February 24th ~ Leave Zhengzhou and fly to Guangzhou

February 25th ~ Olivia's Physical & Visa Photo

February 26th ~ Free Day!

February 27th ~ Free Day!

February 28th ~ Consulate Appointment

February 29th ~ Receive Olivia's Visa Packet {so we can come home} - Head to Hong Kong

March 1st ~ Arrive Home at 5:05pm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE ARE GOING TO CHINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2012-02-01T20:15:00.000-08:00

This is the post I have longed to type now, well since the beginning when I knew Olivia was our daughter, WE ARE GOING TO CHINA TO BRING HER HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We got our Consulate appointment on Tuesday and have spent the last couple days getting our airline tickets booked. We are all set now with this major hurdle out of the way. We will leave on February 16 for China and return home on March 1 - exactly 2 weeks. I know that is long, but honestly shorter than trip to Grace so I am happy about that! I know my boys are well taken care of with my mom but I will miss them so much!

Please keep praying that God prepares Olivia's heart as he has ours for her. I know that I know Jesus is comforting her and bringing her peace when she is alone and pondering all this in her heart. I am thankful for that.

So now all the planning, packing and preparations begin....I will be a crazy woman for a couple weeks but it will be so worth it!

Stay tuned....

No Consulate Today, But More Pictures....

2012-01-30T11:02:00.000-08:00

God is so sweet, we did not get our Consulate Appointment today so I was very sad about that (hoping for tomorrow, 1/2 came in today) but I did get more pictures. Donna at Eagles Wing is so great to update their blog with photos from the Chinese New Year celebrations. Olivia's last one in CHINA! Don't you love that beautiful smile.

Eating dumplings

Celebrating with friends

Pushing her friend in the lantern races

Kites in the park

Beautiful all the kites for the Chinese New Year

My Heart Is Overwhelmed!

2012-01-28T21:17:00.000-08:00

I can not begin to express what is going on in this momma's heart. I am overjoyed that God would send such an amazing woman to be there for Olivia and to help prepare her the huge life change she is about to experience in about 3 weeks! I think about what it would be like for one of my children at the age of 5 to be taken for the only world they know. I know we will be very happy together and this is of God but our poor little girl doesn't understand all that right now. I am going to share with you some of what Olivia was told about us and her reaction (what a gift this is to get) but prepare your self and grab a tissue just saying...I've been weeping and can't stop...but oh now we know how to pray for our little girl...will you join us?

Donna, the lady who is with Grace, held back some of the gifts from her care packages and put them in a bag and also the letters and the photo album until the day she told her about us and her new family in America!

"I have talked to Gao Jing about being adopted and going to America. At first she said she didn't
want to, she was scared. So I just let the idea sink in, but of course I did not give her the option of not being adopted, that is not a decision for a 5 year old! She did not want to look at the family photos, but I had some of the other things you sent in a shopping bag and let her "explore". She
loves dress up things so the necklaces were a big hit. And she loved taking photos with the camera! She used up the whole camera taking photos of me and her friends. (Don't worry you will get plenty of photos) She quickly returned to her happy self and did sit with me and go through the photo album after a bit."

(okay folks I was bawling...to think of her being so scared , and not even wanting to look at us...broke my heart, but I understand and I love how patient Donna was with her and how Olivia came around. The pictures I have attached are her exploring the bang..that made me smile)

"In the last couple of weeks she has become very happy and excited about going to America.
She enjoys looking at the photos and can tell who everyone is. When I was at her house a few days ago she was excited to show me her book and tell me about the photos. (SMILE) During the New Year camp last week, she was putting her name on a picture she had colored and I asked her if she wanted to know about her Meiguo mingxia (American name). I wrote it on a page for her. She did not want to know. She told me her name is Gao Jing. I told her that is just fine. (No
pressure) Shortly after I saw her carefully copying O-l-i-v-i-a. She has been writing it fairly often and is getting good at it. I hope this gives you some insight into how she adjusts that will help as you help her transition."

"So I think the adjustment to the idea of leaving here is going well. I don't doubt there will
be some sad moments as this is the only home she has known. She has many
friends and is well loved. I think it has been a happy life for her. We know
that what lies ahead is even better, but she doesn't understand that fully."

"Gao Jing has asked several times when she is going"

Oh my heart breaks at some of her comments, pain, fear and swells with joy at her embracing the thought of her very own family and the excitement and pride she is showing in us and her new life as well. Please please please pray for our Olivia. I can not imagine this kind of a change for a 5 year old.

Exploring the bag with all the gifts we sent pjs, chapsticks, and the necklaces are a hit - remember they were on in the Chinese New Year photos !
She is gonna love the V-tech camera I got her and am bringing to China - it actually communicates with her V-tech tablet I got her so she can download them too.

Oh how this melted my heart!

Hold on sweet girl, and oh God please prepare and protect her heart, take her fear and replace it with joy oh God and an excitement, let her see our love for her, let her know it in her spirit Lord.

Grace and Lily Love the Trampline

2012-01-28T09:14:00.000-08:00

We had Lily over for a play date. These girls have missed each other while Lily has been in China. They had a lot of fun on the trampoline.

She could also enjoy sitting playing with the pine needles that fall when she needs to catch her breath from all the jumping

Lily LOVED it!

Blurry - but oh the joy on the face

Grace and the ENT

2012-01-26T12:23:00.000-08:00

Well our adventure continues with our little girl. If she doesn't get approved for speech (which I guess is a good thing - she is doing so great!) it was a method to finding a problem.

The good news is Grace passed her hearing test!

The bad news is her ear canals are so tiny and the wax builds up so quick and doesn't flush easy because of that. So even after a month we had to go through the horrid task of the dr. cleaning out her ears, the right being the worst. We will have to continue this monthly for now. As she gets older the ear canal will grow and they should flush better. So no fun, but needed.

There is also fluid behind her ear. The fluid is clear and not causing infections which is great but we can't leave it there long term or it will get infected. So for now we watch it and see if it starts to drain and if in a few months still there we will need to look at tubes so that it doesn't get infected.

So not a great report but something we needed to hear and address so in that I am giving thanks.

Olivia Making Dumplings

2012-01-25T19:53:00.000-08:00

Found picture of Olivia on The Eagles Wing blog - love it, she is making dumplings for Chinese New Year. She has on the t-shirt we sent in her Christmas care package and some of the necklaces we sent her too so that made me smile . Won't be long now....

WE GOT TA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2012-01-23T19:24:00.000-08:00

What an amazing Chinese New Year it has been! No we do not have our Olivia home yet to celebrate but we did get our TA - Travel Approval today! Which makes today even more super special!

Our agency has requested our Consulate appointment based on us leaving around February 15-17 as our first choice.

The U.S. Consulate is closed from January 22-28 due to the Chinese New Year. We should hear early-middle of next week with our confirmed travel dates! Then the real fun begins as we get ready to travel to bring home our daughter!!!!

Happy Chinese New Year

2012-01-23T18:30:00.000-08:00

What an amazing night we had tonight celebrating the Chinese New Year with family and friends. There were 28 of us at a local Chinese Restaurant which included my parents, and 5 other local families who adopted from China (one being my sister, and another family who lives about 30 minutes away but we met in China!) This was a shot of Grace before we left...silly thing that she is.
A little more serious for us

Getting some love from her PawPaw

Braelyn and her daddy, Marc

Jaidyn giving Guy a big hug

Lily's response, that is my Uncle Guy and gave him a big squeeze. She has been sharing her Mommy and Daddy with her little brother for almost 3 weeks, she is not sharing her Uncle Guy!

Taylor and Christian, playing on the phone

Grace and Logan being silly

Jaidyn loves to give hugs, and Grace's face says all, "oh my gosh, here she comes"

"I knew it! Somebody help!"

Grace says to Marc, "I want to hold you " aka, "hold me"

Because she knows that means "this" , needless to say Marc ended up giving a lot of little girls rides.

Grace and her good friend Braelyn and Braelyn's daddy Marc

Caiya and Logan, these two have always had a special bond...her mom , Amy, and I are already talking arranged marriages...

Logan and Caiya

The gang, Grace (really another picture), Caiya (OMG!), Taylor (pretty smile), Jaidyn (hiking up that dress), Braelyn (oh yeah baby!), Laim (what the heck is up with all these girls!) and Lily (really, you guys can't be serious)

In the Midst of Basektball Season

2012-01-22T07:49:00.000-08:00

Logan is our only one playing basketball this season. I have yet to take my camera to a game, but this Saturday I thought I would. It was a great game to do so because he was playing against friends. There are 5 boys in the neighborhood that you always see hanging together. Logan and one of the boys is on one team, and two of the other boys on another. The fifth boy was there to watch Saturday. This is Logan above with one of his friends, Christian.
Logan shoots and watches to see if it goes in - swoosh! Issac his other friend watches too and Mason his cousin who is also on Logan's team. Funny just noticed Logan and Issac have the same number.

Love it...Grace insists on running across the court at 1/2 time to see her daddy who is one of the coaches.

And some peek a boo on the side line with her brother Christian

Love the intensity on his face

Headed down the court

Cool picture right, as the timer is about to buzz and he makes the wild throw from a far from the goal - no it did not go in, but hey great photo!

Liam Is Home!

2012-01-21T19:07:00.000-08:00

My sister, brother in-law, niece Lily and new nephew Liam arrived home from China this afternoon. Look at the joy on Kelly's face when she saw her kiddos and the rest of us there to greet them full of expressions of love!
Now look at that beautiful face that stole my sisters heart!

These two girls so missed each other, can you tell? Pure joy! Simple laughter!

Grace so happy to have her cousin Lily home!

Adorable, just adorable, he wanted to particpate in Grace and Lily's craziness but thought to watch from a distance for now is just as much fun!

Gosh I am going to pinch his face off!

He has stolen my heart!

TA Has Been Mailed!!!!

2012-01-20T17:24:00.000-08:00

Well we wont' get our Consulate Appointment and travel dates confirmed before the Chinese New Year, but praising God that we did get an email from our agency tonight saying that our TA, travel approval , has been mailed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This means that our agency should have it by Monday.

So what does that mean? It means they will request a consulate appointment but we won't hear back until January 30 at the earliest of our confirmed consulate appointment due to the Consulate being close from Jan 22-28 for the Chinese New Year.

Our first option for travel they are going to request is leaving between Feb 15-17 and returning around Feb 28-March 3.

Our second option (if no consulate appointments during first option for travel) is to leave between February 22-24 and return between March 7-10.

Praying for the earlier dates because 1) we are ready to bring our daughter home and 2) the ministry I started in 2011 is putting on its first women's retreat March 30-April 1 and really need as much lead time when get back as possible as well as time for Olivia to settle in. Check out oaksofrighteousness.info.

Lady Bug Stickers

2012-01-18T17:02:00.001-08:00

This is what happens when you leave a 17 year old boy and a 3 year old girl alone with a package of lady bug stickers

A Blessing All the Way from Australia!

2012-01-18T06:48:00.000-08:00

Well today we received a blessing. An email from the lady who has sponsored and loved our daughter Olivia since she was a tiny tot. She even spent a month with her at Eagles Wing and said it was her best vacation ever! This woman lives in Australia. Isn't God amazing he has no boundries when it comes to reaching out for "one"! She was so hapy that Olivia will soon be with her forever family. She said Olivia is the dearest, most wonderful litle girl.

Now come on TA..we are counting on you in the next couple days oh please....

Girls Room Complete

2012-01-16T17:54:00.000-08:00

Grace and Olivia's room is now complete....so I think we can say we are ready for TA. Bedroom and bathroom updates -check, Shopping for Olivia and Travel -check. Now I am going to sit back and wait not so patiently for our TA....praying it comes this week before the Chinese New Year along with our CA so we can make our travel arrangements!

Chinese New Year Celebration

2012-01-14T14:52:00.000-08:00

We had a Chinese New Year celebration today with many of our friends from our local group of families who have adopted from China, Little Pandas, and enjoyed food and great performances by local Chinese artists.
Grace and Jaidyn (these two actually came home from China together in 2010. We live maybe 30 miles apart and met a world away!) They don't see each other that often but have a definite connection.

Grace, Taylor and Jaidyn

New Photos of Olivia - We Got An Update

2012-01-13T11:27:00.000-08:00

Is that just not the most beautiful face? We got an update on Olivia today and two beautiful pictures. I can't wait to meet her. Won't be long now!!!! This is gonna be Guy's favorite birthday present by far.

Happy Bday To My Hubby!

2012-01-13T08:59:00.000-08:00

We are celebrating Guy's bday today! Cookie cake with the kids and a date night for us! Wahoo!

Kids are in the throw of exams at high school, two this week and two next week. So lots of studying going on around here.

My sister is still in China. She got her little boy Liam on Monday and he is well precious! Check out her blog at journeytolilymarie.blogspot.com.

We have officially been waiting 2 weeks today for TA! This means any day now....praying we get before Chinese New Year!

Visas - Check; Sister Off to China - Soon

2012-01-05T12:14:00.001-08:00

Well our Visas came today and I was able to put the last of all our documentation together for travel to China. Big accomplishment.

Day 6 of our TA wait....

My heart is so full of emotion...I am so excited for my sister! She and Fred and Lily leave today for China to get their precious little boy Liam. We travelled to China to get Grace and Lily and it was super special, God so blessed us with that. But this time God says you travel separate. Gulp! We know it is God and we know our going separate is necessary this time, but our flesh is crying out for each other. Pray for us, but pray for Kelly more! Pray that she feels God's peace and is wrapped in his love and that time stands still in the amazing moments with Liam where her heart is pounding out of her chest in excitement or melting in a puddle of love with the tender touch of her son. Pray that time moves fast in the hard times and that God brings them all home as the family they were destined to be from the beginning.

Olivia Loves to Dance!

2012-01-01T18:26:00.000-08:00

I was blessed by Alicia when she provided me yet another set of videos she took of Olivia while in China. My girl loves to dance, but not only that can you tell she is also a little type A - check out how she puts the kids in order...so funny.

Bowling

2011-12-30T19:45:00.000-08:00

It was a fun night. I took the kids out bowling. It was Grace's first time and she had a blast. What made it even more fun was I met my best friend Kelly and her girls there too. Kelly and I have been best friends since we were 11 years old. We had a lot of fun. The whole gang is above. Ciera had my heart from the beginning, her oldest because she was the first one born of this gang. Savannah and Jonathon are only 10 weeks apart. Jonathon was actually at the hospital when Savannah was born because I was still nursing and I was in the delivery room when Savannah was born and was blessed to be able to cut the cord so you can imagine we are pretty tight too.
Grace's first bowling experience

We Are Officially Waiting for TA!!!!!!!!!!

2011-12-30T13:00:00.000-08:00

Today came with great news. The Guangzhou staff of our adoption agency has picked up our Article 5 and mailed it to Beijing so it can be delivered to the CCAA. This is our preliminary approval of our immigration file by the US Consulate and is required by the CCAA in order to issue our travel approval.

This is a huge milestone because now we just wait for our TA (Travel Approval). This can take 2-4 weeks. Chinese New Year begins January 22 and China is shut down for a week, so we are praying we get our TA before then so we can have our travel dates set and can begin planning for our travel to get our daughter. As soon as we get our travel approval our agency can request a Consulate appointment and we can receive confirmed travel dates for our family's trip to CHINA!

Ski Trip!

2011-12-29T19:15:00.000-08:00

The boys and I had a great time the past 3 days skiing! We went to Winterplace Ski Resort in West Virginia. There weren't as many slopes open as we wanted but we still had a great time. The season has been so warm so far. Enjoy some photos of the boys. Jonathon and Christian look very similar in these shots... Jonathon is above

Jonathon

Logan

Logan and his friend Christian (aka Little Christian)

Christian

Christian and friend Teddy

Christian

Thing 1 and Thing 2

2011-12-26T16:18:00.001-08:00

A perfect gift for these two girls since Kelly and I are always calling them Thing 1 and Thing 2...usually it is Grace in the lead (thus Thing 1) but Lily right behind her (Thing 2) and Lily is always running so her shirt is perfect. Can't wait to dress them in their shirts for an official photo, but the pictures below give you a glimpse of the special bond these two girls have which we believe will last a lifetime...such a blessing.

The Shots the Men/Boys Dread

2011-12-26T15:54:00.001-08:00

Yes we must take family shots and anything about organized photo shots the men/boys always dread but they comply. After all we don't do it that often.

Me, Mom and Kelly
My parents

Guy and I

Brandon and his girlfriend, Maggie

The grandparents with all their grand kids

All the grand kids

Our family (at least for another 2 months, til we bring our Olivia home)

Christmas with My Side of the Family

2011-12-26T15:21:00.001-08:00

We had a lot of fun as always with my family. As you can see from these photos we all have a good time. You can also tell Grace loves the whole "receiving of gifts". Her expressions made it all worth while. This was a large Elmo puzzle.
Patiently waiting under the tree

Our Yankees fan

Another Yankees fan, with his new Yankees phiton

Cars from her Aunt Crystal - score!

A touching moment for Mom when we gave her a shirt we ordered with Kelly and I's new ministry logo and retreat logos on them

My beautiful niece - Morgan

My boy of little emotion this year (has an image to up hold and that includes looking cool at all costs this year) so snap every time I got a grin.

Only in our family...my nephew Mason scored the Fart game

Remote control firetruck, Lily got the school bus - kept these girls occupied for a long while

You know it...Cars laptop

Boys, need I say more

So Blessed...

2011-12-26T13:11:00.000-08:00

It started here about 18 years ago and who would have known...
We would be blessed to raise these four children (and Brandon and Olivia who are not here)

Logan

Jonathon

Christian

and Grace!

Praying blessings for all this Christmas! Giving God thanks for his Son and all he has bestowed upon us this year. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Morning - Oh the Joy of Christmas!

2011-12-26T11:48:00.001-08:00

Christmas morning was so fun this year. Grace could hardly wait. This year she was all into Christmas. I think it is the last year our Logan will "believe" and our first year of true "magical" moments with Grace.

Grace's face when she saw all Santa left under the tree

Grace had two requests of Santa...1) Chuggington

and 2) Cars, she got several of both

And one of Grace's most favorite things to do is anything related to "art" so this bag you can tell she tore into was full of all kinds of art supplies

Logan's face when he got his Razor Pogo stick. One of his requests along with his number one item on the list a Nook - he was elated with that one too.

Christian being Christian...yes he asked for this. Should come in handy when we go skiing this week. His big request was a pair of Sperrys but he had plenty of big ticket items on his list, the age I think gifts get pricey

Jonathon didn't have as many big ticket items, he was a bit indecisive this year, so he got a lump sum of money put in his bank account....as you can see that made him very happy. He did get plenty of other stuff though and a pair of those funky toe shoes he has been wanting.

Brandon as you can see was very excited over this pair of Sanuk shoes he asked for (since he forgot he had mentioned he wanted them)...lol

The look of pure joy on her face...priceless

Looking on over a Turtle Beach headset - boys and their gadgets

And these two boys scored LCDs for their room. They were thrilled! Girls we thought would be taking over the playroom so boys needed a haven in their room (Jonathon already set up with LCD in his)

And then the big surprise for all of them, was the trampoline. The look on Grace's face was great. She loves gymnastics and the trampoline is her favorite. The boys have been asking for years...we broke down.

And Logan's face....loving it!

Of course she had to head out and try it out

And Logan did the same with the pogo stick.

We also surprised the boys with a ski trip. Guy doesn't ski, so he will stay home with Grace. The boys and I will head out tomorrow for 3 days. We are all very excited. We are going with my good friend Missy and her 2 boys so we should have a blast! My last get away with special time with the boys before we head to China with the girls!

Christmas Eve with the Fishers

2011-12-26T08:52:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas Eve tradition is lunch with the Fisher side of the family, Christmas Eve Service at Church, a visit from Santa and then kids to bed and get ready for the big day!

Enjoy some pictures of the day.

Our handsome boys
And our beautiful girl

Gosh I love this girl

A little snack, pretzels dipped in white chocolate, yummy

A dance on the feet of her big brother, Brandon

Jonathon and his Maw Maw

Logan surprised when he got the video game he realized a couple days before he forgot to tell Santa he wanted so was bummed he wouldn't get....gotta love it!

Steelers for Jonathon of course

PawPaw in his overalls

Christian being well...Christian, enjoying a bowl of his favorite dessert - banana pudding

Grace got a Baby Alive. I remember having one as a little girl and so this was a must. She was very intrigued with her and that she can actually feed her. She actually tried to dialog with her - so cute.

Precious right...

But this was what blew her mind the most. When baby told her she went poo poo, Grace rushed to change her diaper...her reaction after seeing the results ....."That's nasty!"....gotta laugh.

Grace and her Paw Paw, she was cooking him breakfast with her new play dough breakfast station. This kept her busy a long time. This girl loves play dough.

Winding down for the night but not before Logan and Grace headed out to put out some reindeer food for Rudolph and the other reindeer.

And the big hit that Guy and Brandon could not start putting together in the backyard til 11:00 when all were in bed was the trampoline. Took them til 1:30am. Well worth it though. Hope to have Christmas photos up later today.

Santa has come, in a few short hours it will look very different around here.

Cookie Decorating...And Eating!

2011-12-25T20:47:00.000-08:00

We squeezed in some cookie baking and decorating on Friday - between all our sickness. Grace and Logan had the most fun with it.
Of course they each wanted to eat them as soon as they decorated them.

yummy

Not the most artistic expression of Christmas cookies, but seems they were most concerned with just covering the cookie with icing and then licking it off....

And then Christian decided to spell out his names. Jonathon wasn't in for the decorating at all oh well. They had fun and enjoyed it in their own way.

What a Week...

2011-12-22T15:50:00.001-08:00

Yes this week I have been seen a doctor 8 - yes I said 8 times!!! That is for sure a record in our home, one I hope we never break. So let's see...

Monday:

Call from school nurse at Logan's school, he is complaining of stomach ache and nausea
Followed 15 minutes later by a phone call from school nurse at Jonathon's school saying he fell in Weight Training doing springs and hit his face on the bleachers and was having symptoms of a concussion
Thus I spent a good part of the day in the ER assessing Jonathon for a concussion and having CT scan - good news he got the all clear!

Tuesday:

Grace goes to the ENT because she has rash all over her ear and nose and want to make sure not reacting to the Debrox she is using for couple weeks....looks like Impetigo but can't explain the red prickly rash all over her face...calls in antibiotic ointment for Impetigo and says you need to see her pediatrician
So I call pediatrician as soon as get to car at 4:45 and ask to please let us come now (5 minutes away) and they agreed (they are so good) and confirmed Impetigo and rash think somehow related but put her on oral antibiotic as well as ointment. (side note: she is drying up - and Logan just clearing up from Impetigo she he shared. We keep the ointment on hand with him - major picker he is!)

Wednesday:

So I start having sore throat Monday night and by today figure I better go get it checked since pain was pretty bad - yep are you already ahead of me - strep for me!

Thursday:

Christian goes to orthopedic. Just followup thank goodness and he is healing good and being released to normal activity (minus the contact sports for a couple months) but a go on the baseball so he is so excited! Already out in the yard with the bat
Christian goes to orthodontist. Again follow-up an thrilled to get big chains off since he is doing good.
Jonathon - pediatrician for 1) follow-up on his fall Monday. Released to normal activities next Monday after 1 week from fall and symptom free-today was first day with no headache and 2) check for ...come on guess....strep because he started complaining of sore throat on Tuesday and after my results figured best check and yep he came back positive too. I said funny he is my 17 year old and the one who comes the closest to me - ironic huh.

Now the good news..hopefully we are done and all on the mend in time for Christmas! But whew don't want to do a repeat of this week again.

Logan's Class Christmas Party

2011-12-21T10:30:00.000-08:00

Grace and I popped in for some time with Logan at his Christmas party. As you can see it was pj day too. Grace helped Logan with his many crafts.

The display of his crafts

Grace watching on...this girl loves crafts

Olivia's Prayer Quilt Finished

2011-12-18T16:00:00.000-08:00

Prayer quilt finished. It love it! This is the centerpiece. I really wanted to tie in Isaiah 40:31. It has been a scripture I felt was for her from the beginning. Then I found out she was at Eagles Wing. Well I won't repeat the story you can read it again if you want in our entry we did back in July of this year . So the lady who did our quilt also embroidered this quilt square in the middle as her contribution! I love it!
A closer look at the centerpiece

The entire quilt (almost a King)

Thanks to all of you who helped make this possible! I have put her fabric pieces and prayers from each of you in a book for her. One day when she is old enough it will tell a powerful story of the love that she was enveloped in and prayers covering her and words of encouragement spoken over her life even before people knew her, some of these people who contributed may never even meet her they were simply inspired by who she was and her story!

The Best Santa Pictures EVER!

2011-12-17T17:34:00.001-08:00

So Santa was a Village Park too and you could take your own photos. Grace loves Santa this year and it was the sweetest thing to watch the two of them chat and be able to snap my camera to catch the magical moment.

My little one is slick. So she said to Santa "What you getting me for Christmas?" He laughed and said that's not how it works honey, you tell me what you want. I was so laughing. She is such a trip.

One of my favorites as they intently look in each others eyes

But this one is my absolute favorite!

An Evening at Village Park - I Love Christmas!

2011-12-17T17:17:00.000-08:00

We went to see the Chipmunks Shipwrecked this afternoon and then went through Village Park which was all done up for Christmas. It was great family time!

Grace loves the animals

Ornament painting

Grace decided to do a blue turtle

The train exhibit inside had Grace in awe

The singing bears well her face tells how much she enjoyed those

Sweet Logan bundled up for the train ride through Village Park all lit up

Me and my sweet Grace - she was so excited about the train ride!

Logan is getting so big on me

And Christian is bigger then me now

My kiddos minus Jonathon who was working - we missed him!

New Photos of Olivia

2011-12-17T10:26:00.000-08:00

Donna, the lady who runs Eagles Wing took some of the kids from Olivia's wing to another wing for dinner and decorating. Isn't she just adorable?
The tag line on this photo was "she wants to get it just right" - really another type A personality...lol

My pretty girl! I can't wait to bring her home!

Grace and Lily Before Santa

2011-12-16T20:53:00.000-08:00

Girls were so excited about seeing Santa. Kelly got this shot while we waited on Santa to show up from lunch break (girls both got their dogs on our trip to Ikea earlier in the morning). Glad she got a shot before Santa, since Lily not to found of him up close and personal

Girls Bedding Picked Out!

2011-12-16T11:26:00.000-08:00

Here is the bedding I picked out for the girls. I love it! Next on the list, to find two twin beds. Grace has a double bed now, so that will go in storage with her bedding until one day when they have their own rooms. I love Grace's bedding now and her bed, but we will save it and this is also so cute and will be fun to get the room setup for 2 girls!

Grace and Santa!

2011-12-15T18:27:00.000-08:00

Kelly and I took the girls today to see Santa. Grace could hardly wait. She was so excited and made a dash to his lap. She tried to convince Lily to join her but no such luck. Lily was not thrilled with the whole Santa thing. Grace popped up there told him she wanted "prizes" and of course "Cars" and "Chuggington" - that's my girl! She gave hugs and melted his heart. Hoping next year Lily is a little more thrilled with the idea.

We Got our NVC Letter!

2011-12-15T17:36:00.001-08:00

Okay so we cleared another hurdle today! We received our NVC letter from the National Visa Center (NVC). This means they reviewed our petition to adopt Olivia and have forwarded it the US Embassy in China that will issue her visa and where our adoption interview will take place. Our agency has a rep in China who will walk our visa papers and payment for Olivia to the US Consulate tomorrow. We are so pleased to get this before Christmas!

Now we wait again. This time a couple weeks. We should have our Article 5 by end of the year, or right after New Year. Praying to have by year end! Our Article 5 is when the US Central Authority approves our adoption! Then you guessed it, we wait on our approval from China to travel to get Olivia! We are almost there folks. Still tracking for February....

Let the Christmas Parties Begin!

2011-12-12T09:24:00.001-08:00

Today we celebrated Christmas at Grace's school. She was the last one up from the table. Chick fla chicken nuggets are always a hit for her. Grace and her friends
I was to bring juice boxes and those of you who know my Gracie she loves "Cars" so her order was for Cars juice boxes of course.

And cupcakes..yumm, of course she only licked the icing off!

Mrs. Sharon updated me on Grace a little today when she gave me a picture she had made. She said this girl fine motor skills are incredible. She would cut and glue and paint all day long. They just let her do her thing. She said rarely can the kids hold the paper and cut at this age but not this girl, she's got it ! Loved to hear how well she is doing! Warmed this momma's heart.

I-800 Provisional Approval

2011-12-09T13:55:00.000-08:00

Okay so our agency received our I-800 Provisional Approval today from the NBC (National Benefits Center). It was then sent by our agency along with our documents for Olivia's Visa to their office in Guangzhou.

Next step....I will contact the National Visa Center middle of next week to make sure that they got our paperwork and that it has been uploaded for the US Consulate in Guangzhou. They will then issue me an NVC letter. It then goes with all the other paperwork to the US Consualte for our Article 5. That will be our last step before we official get TA - Travel Approval from China to come get our girl!

We are getting there folks! It is a long tedious pape filled process. I will update you next week when I hear we have cleared the next hurdle (just 4 more to go before we are China bound!). Still hoping for February!

Santa

2011-12-08T08:23:00.000-08:00

Saturday, Guy's work had a Children's Christmas Party for employees with food, gifts and Santa of course. Grace was much more excited about Santa this year. She wanted Logan with her but she wanted to see Santa, talk to him and tell him what she wanted. My little girl loves the Cars Movie and anything related to it and Chugginton - funny right? She can be all girl, but funny what her two favorite things are right now. So she asked for Cars and Chuggington. She will whisper when asked about Santa and what he is gonna bring her, it is so funny. Her voice drops and she says "prizes". So cute!
Then Santa pulled Guy on his lap ...too funny!

The Painting of the Room- Steelers of Course!

2011-12-07T08:37:00.000-08:00

Okay so here are the pictures I promised to post. We painted Jonathon's room with yellow and black per his request. It was a surprise for his birthday. When he caem home from work Sunday his room was all cleaned up and PAINTED! He loves it!

I-800 Provisional Approval

2011-12-06T10:59:00.000-08:00

Okay so I emailed USCIS and found out that we were approved yesterday - 12/5- Jonathon's Bday - a double good day! Our papers are going in the mail today and we should have within 2 days, so hoping for Thursday! So we can move along to the next step....will keep you posted! This will just leave 4 more steps til travel...still looking like Februrary.

Jonathon Turns 17!!!

2011-12-06T06:37:00.000-08:00

I am still in shock my oldest turned 17 yesterday. He got his room painted in "Steelers" colors - yellow and black...it was a surprise after he got home from work Sunday and Guy had spent the whole day in his room painting. (will post pictures later) It looks great! Then yesterday he got an envelope with some cash which is always a very welcomed thing for a teenager!

We ended the day wtih dinner with the family (all of us my sister and her gang and mom and dad). Tsunami of course, Japanese seems to be a bday tradition around her. The kids love it. At the end of the meal Fred (Jonathon's Uncle) said he would give him $10 to eat a big wad of wasabi (gross!) and then if he could do 50 pushups with it in his mouth and then swallow it he would up that to $50. Jonathon was in. Above is his face with the wasabi.

Let the push ups begin...yes it doesn't matter where we go we seem to draw attention to ourselves. He completed the task in hand and walked out with an extra$50. We walked out with a cramp in our side from all the laughing.
In the meantime Grace noticed all eyes on Jonathon so she moved right over to the birthday cheesecake we ordered for Jonathon and helped herself...too funny.

Grace did save Jonathon a little of his own cake!

Grace's New School Photo

2011-12-05T14:19:00.000-08:00

Video of Olivia Counting in English and Chinse...Yes I said Olivia!

2011-12-05T07:07:00.000-08:00

OMG folks this will bless your socks off! This is a video I put together of two of my favorite videos I got of Olivia. You are gonna love these. She is for sure a FISHER!

Another Couple Photos

2011-12-02T13:31:00.001-08:00

I know I still need to put the videos I got out here but for now, here are 2 more photos I saw on the Eagles Wing blog...this is one happy momma!

A Connection Made By God - Leads To A Mom Whose Cup Overflows!

2011-11-30T14:13:00.001-08:00

Where do I start? Thanks to the amazing young woman above pictured with my daughter Olivia I sat in a puddle of tears this week with a heart overwhelmed by the goodness of God. I have to admit this time around has been hard not seeing as many photos as I did with Grace. But this day God over did himself. This young lady and her mom found me on a yahoo group. Alicia is her name and she just came home this month from spending 6 weeks at Eagles Wing with you guessed it, my daughter Olivia! She was about as excited as me to connect with Olivia or as she knows her Gao Jing's momma. Alicia connected with my little one right away and found it hard to leave so to come home and find out who her forever family was had her overwhelmed as well. Truly a God thing!

Not only did she live with and love on and play with and spoil my little girl she was also the photographer during September and October so has photos and videos that she has shared with me...I tell you photo after photo that I saw and video after video my heart was swelling folks! I was falling more and more in love with her.

So let me share with you some of the photos and then I will share the videos later and a little bit more about the personality of my little Olivia through the eyes of Alicia, one of God's angels sent this side of heaven!

This is Olivia wearing the outfit we had in her Halloween Care Package. Alicia got to give it to her. Olivia does not yet know she has a mommy and daddy. She thinks this was from her American sponsor and was very excited opening it. About a month before we travel, Donna at Eagles Wing, will tell her all those boxes that came were from her mommy and daddy that are coming for her. She will also read her the letters we wrote her and share with her the photo album. Donna can't wait for that day, but her best interest right now is for Olivia (she is another one of Olivia's angels) and knows to tell her too soon would be too confusing and cause her to be too anxious.
Alicia took Olivia and a couple other kids out for ice cream. It was tough to find in China but she was determined. From the looks of Olivia's face I would say she liked it!

Is that a beautiful smile or what?

My silly girl

I would say she is gonna fit right in our family wouldn't you?

Beautiful - and I think she likes that bear

Look at that gorgeous smile!

Of course it wouldn't be a picture from China without the peace sign and a bowl of mystery food

Crazy, silly girl

Jiaozuo Orphanage

Our Ministry Is Now Up and Running

2011-11-27T19:49:00.000-08:00

I wanted to let you know that our ministry website is now complete and I wanted to
invite you to go check it out, take a look around. You have heard me share my
heart, passion and what I believe God’s call on my life is related to reaching
out with a message of hope. I pray it will touch you in some way and speak to
you right where you are at.

www.oaksofrighteousness.info

We will have our first women’s retreat March 30-April 1, 2012. We are so excited about it
and all God has in store. If you are interested or know someone who would be
blessed by it, please sign up or encourage others to sign up soon. You can now
register and pay through pay pal via our website to hold your spot. We are
wanting the retreat to be personal, intimate time and are therefore limiting
registration to 22 women. We will also be doing a second retreat later in the
fall, October 2012.

Let me know if you have any questions as you take a look around and please be praying for us
we embark on this journey of faith.

Blessings,
Dawn Fisher

Its Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

2011-11-27T12:55:00.000-08:00

Well I actually took NO pictures at Thanksgiving, instead I just enjoyed the time with family and it was great! I so enjoy this holiday because we just get to "BE" with each other. Then me and my mom and sister hit the stores on Black Friday at 5:00am. It is annual tradition and we have so much fun. We enjoyed shopping, good food and ended our afternoon with pedicures to tend to those tired feet. We also laugh til it hurts! I love my family. Even managed a girls night out Saturday night with a good friend who was in town from Florida so us girls had to take advantage of that. Our weekend is coming to a close but not before we did our decorating for Christmas. The Fisher house is now all decorated. We get to sit back and just enjoy it now - my most favorite part! I will tell you though this year was the first time I didn't put any, did you hear me - NOT A ONE - ornament on the tree. The kids did it all themselves! Grace was very into it this year - it blessed this momma for sure. And Guy did a great job of getting all the lights up outside. I love this time of year!

Jonathon was the one who started it all when he asked if he and Grace could decorate the tree - of course was my response!
The he even went outside and helped dad

One of Grace's favorite parts - putting the hooks on the ornaments and handing them off to be hung - Jonathon loved this because we hate to put hooks on.

Her response here - the sun is in my eyes - (when the flash went off)

Oh course what is decorating the tree without taking a candy cane for yourself

About half way in Christian decided he would help

And right before they were wrapping it up Logan joined as well

Not to shabby I would say they did very well....

Final Care Package On Its Way

2011-11-20T09:27:00.000-08:00

Olivia's final package is all together and will be on its way to her this week just in time for Christmas! Next time we bear gifts we will do it in person! Wahoo!

It has been a busy second half of the week with all our LOA papers and the second set of papers for Travel. So all documents are completed there and notarized. Now just to get our certified check this week to wire our orphanage fee and doctor to complete form releasing Grace to travel with us and these will be mailed to our agency this week too!

Still seems a little weird to me that my oldest, Jonathon, is working. All his training is complete and he is officially flying solo. He really seems to like it, but I am not seeing him so much. He has worked all weekend and was in bed by 8:30 last night exhausted and knew he had to get up and do it again today. He likes life guarding though and is really excited about earning the money and it gets him out from behind the xbox with all that spare time so think it is a good thing. Just missing him some...

Can you see three little, but amazing letters - L-O-A!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-11-16T13:16:00.000-08:00

WAHOO! Today is an amazingly wonderful day! We got a call this afternoon from our agency and we got LOA! Wahoo, big celebrating here. This is one HUGE milestone in our waiting journey for Olivia. This was a 56 day wait from being logged in to China on Sept 21 to today, formally receiving our LOA!

What this means is that China is officially accepting us to be Olivia's parents!! For those that are unfamiliar with the process, this is one of the biggest steps in this process.

So at this point it looks like we should travel to China in February. Less than 3 months away!

A MUST WATCH!

2011-11-14T08:36:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otUn6LmXYd8&feature=player_embedded

Watch this video please. It will touch the depth of your heart I guarantee you. It was shot at Eagles Wing where Olivia is at. It is a message of hope. I am so thankful God has placed her at such a wonderful place to wait for us. I am so thankful even now he has called forth his destiny, his hope and his TRUTH over her!

An Oldie But Goodie..

2011-11-14T08:24:00.000-08:00

Eagles Wing where Olivia is, just got through raising money to provide Christmas for all the eaglets. Each child will get called by name to come sit on Santas lap and talk to him and then will receive a gift picked out just for them based on their interests and needs. This was a shot they posted of Olivia last year after receiving her baby stroller. I can't wait to have her home! I am so thankful though until then she is receiving the love of the ladies like Donna at Eagles Wing.

Congratulations Logan on Making A/B Honor Roll

2011-11-12T16:38:00.000-08:00

Logan was so excited and worked so hard this quarter so A/B Honor Roll was well deserved. He was actually only 1 point away from A honor roll with a 92 in Math. Way to go Logan! It was also a nice short week for the boys with two days off, Election Day and Veterans Day.

It was a very busy week. Mommy celebrated a birthday (the 7th, I was born on election day so my Mom always thought I would be a politician....sorry mom, it just wasn't in the cards!)

Logan is fighting impetigo...this kids is killing me with his picking and picking and picking..did I mention he was a picker. It lands this boy infections like impetigo and staff infections. Any suggestions for how to stop a 10 year old boy from picking I mean from scabs, to bumps, to his nails and a thumb sucker still so hands are all the time in mouth...bless him if we could break this it would be some real celebrating!

Christian went for 2 week followup on his broken collar bone. It is healing, but still not healed of course. we are looking at 8 more weeks until restrictions are released. He is dying to get out on that baseball field again. It will take 2-3 years for that collar bone to be healed completely - crazy!

So yes we have had our fair share of doctors appointments and orthodontist visits and so on and so, life as we know it.

Jonathon has finished his training and Great Wolfe Lodge and will formally be flying solo as a lifeguard this week. He seems to really like it. He is my control freak, bossy child - the oldest. Not sure where he gets it from...ha! So anyway this is the perfect job for him. I said oh my you get to pace the place and call people out all day and blow the whistle and tell them what to do - perfect job for you. You get paid to tell people what to do and to require them to obey the rules. He laughed oh yeah, I have power and I like it...oh my!

Basketball season has started and Logan had his basketball clinic this morning. So won't be long and we will be on the sidelines cheering him on.

And yes we are STILL WAITING ON LOA FOR OLIVIA...TODAY IS DAY 52 OF OUR WAIT.....I just know it has to come this week. Stay tuned you will know as soon as we do...believe me I will be letting out a big scream!

11-11-11 - God Bumps

2011-11-11T20:24:00.000-08:00

So if you will remember in a post a couple months ago I talked about how God had shown me 11-11 everywhere on the clocks, you name it for a bout a year and half. I didn't know what it meant but knew as long as it was it had to have some significance. I let it go and resolved that if God wanted to tell me he would in his timing.

Fast forward to a couple months ago as I set down to write Olivia's prayer out for her prayer quilt square. As I began to type I heard God say, "are you ready for me to tell you the significance of 11-11". Are you serious of course I am? He told me to flip to Isaiah 11:11. To summarize it says "I will stretch my hand out a second time to the land to reclaim the remnant of my people". Okay here this....he knew I needed to know that I know that I know that Olivia was ours and that she was part of God's plan. He needed me to know that I know that I know. But he couldn't' reveal it to me then it would have made no sense. Hear that "word" a second time to the land - our second adoption to China...Now a remnant I knew meant a small piece. I thought oh a small piece of our family we are claiming her, He is bringing her home. God so oh no honey, look up remnant...aer you ready for this? It means 1/6th. She is our 6th child!!!! I was literally weeping like that big cry where you can't breath, totally overwhelmed at the goodness of God.

So here we are today 11-11-11. I knew this but for the moment had forgotten. It was today that Kelly and I went to the fabric store to get the reset of the fabric I needed to bring to the quilter for Olivia's quilt. We are picking out fabric and I go to get it cut and pay and the notice wow it gotten crowded and a line up here quick, I said something to the lady at the counter as she was ringing me up. She said yes it is 11-11-11 oh yeah I remembered. Interesting I thought the day I buy the rest of her fabric for the prayer quilt...I just smiled. She said and you are buying the fabric at the 11 o'clock hour - wow I said, (she had no idea the significance) and we are doing a sale for anyone who buys fabric on 11-11-11 in the 11 o'clock hour - they get 11% off. Are you serious? God has such a sense of humor. Of course I shared our story, she was overwhelmed with what she called goosebumps, I call Godbumps.

Finally Getting Around to Posting the Rest of Halloween Photos

2011-11-06T11:05:00.000-08:00

So Grace celebrated her first Halloween as a pre-schooler with friends. She enjoyed lots of goodies and a fun time. You can tell below the story is "interactive"!

Halloween we enjoyed with a couple friends. She loved the whole concept.

Grace Has A Crush....

2011-10-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

So Grace adores one of Christian's friends, Chris. She saw the boys on the couch watching a movie and texting (of course). So she goes and gets an old phone, sits down between them and joins in. She cracks me up. Watch the looks she gives Chris. I think she is quit smitten with him. And though at 14 he may never admit it, I think you can tell he is quit smitten with her too.

A Day of Halloween Festivities!

2011-10-29T19:27:00.000-07:00

We enjoyed an afternoon at our church's harvest festival. Grace rode a pony, played games, did trick or trunk (trick or treat out of the trunks of cars), ate carmel apples, popcorn, cotton candy, hotdogs...it was a funtime!

from the facial expression you can tell she is not a fan of the cotton candy

then home to decorate and carve pumpkins. Grace was so excited to see the cars kit I got her to do her pumpkin. She is all girl, but loves CARS...this was a hit

Lightening McQueen our little pumpkin

Mason (Logan's cousin) and Logan gutting the pumkin

Logan thought he could just pour our the guts - not that easy

so more scraping....and Grace decided to join the fun

I'm not afraid to get dirty let me do it

Daddy I want to help

Sharing the love as the light up the big pumpkin!

It was a good day!

Halloween Fun Begins

2011-10-28T11:48:00.000-07:00

The Halloween fun has begun! Grace was able to dress up at gymnastics this week and the Family Fun Night at Preschool.

Isn't she a precious lady bug?
Notice at gymnastics how the costume slowly peels away - lost our tights here....needs to be bare foot (forgot about that piece)

Now we have shed the antennas and the wings

only at 3 can you sport the panties showing and still look cute

Straddle jumps on the tumble track...too funny

oh no my skirt is tearing up in the marshmallow pit

you guessed it so let's shed those too

One of my favorites!

And the other..her smile melts my heart!

Decorating her shakers at Family Fun Night

And yes of all the books at the book fair my girl picks the "Cars" book of course with a big monster truck "Matar" on the front .....

Good and Bad...

2011-10-27T20:00:00.000-07:00

Well I must say this week started out a little rough....I ended a long day in the office with a call on the way home from Guy saying Christian was in a dirt bike accident and needed to go to ER. So of course this sends a mothers heart reeling and I could not get home quick enough. I scooped him off and we spent the next 4 hours in ER. He was at a friends house. He was thrown from the bike and the bike landed on top of him. He has a pretty bad broken collar bone. He is very lucky that is all he has honestly. Praise God he had on his helmet or we could be looking at some bigger injuries. God really did protect him when I think of what could have happened. He is pretty sore. His other arm is bruised up and burned from the tire spinning on him and rubbing his skin off until the bike was pulled off of him. He did go back to school Wednesday. He is a real trooper. This boy is so much heart. He is pressing through the pain and making the best of it, knowing he has about an 8 week recovery. The biggest disappointment for him is he can not play next month in the Cal Ripken Baseball Tournament at Myrtle Beach and was not able to play the final tournament with his High School team this week. He is trying to remain optimistic, he will be ready for conditioning the first of the year and to be on the field spring season. For this boy it all comes down to baseball!

On a good note, Jonathon got his first job! He will be life guarding at the Great Wolfe Lodge. Pretty cool first job huh?

Some Baseball on A Beautiful Fall Day...

2011-10-22T19:20:00.000-07:00

Christian is winding down his fall season of baseball with the high school metro team. Managed to catch the morning game today. He got some pitching time this morning which he always loves! Enjoy some of Christian's favorite picks from some shots I got.

Oh course his number one fan was there. Sporting those "Cars" glasses. Her favorite, the girl likes what the girl likes

And she is off, time to hit hte open field behind her for some play time herself

Come on Dad

Oh yeah I got the foul ball

Come on Christian!

Enjoying this Fall Weather

2011-10-16T11:55:00.000-07:00

Just enjoying life and this fall weather....these were some cute shots taken at the baseball field of Grace wooing her daddy ....."aren't I cute"
You know I am can you resist me, come on ....

Please come here daddy, oh please..

Isn't this water fountain amazing, but I need your help to reach...

Scrore!

Fun at Patterson Farm!

2011-10-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Kelly and I took Grace and Lily and Logan and Mason to Patterson Farm Sunday to get pumpkins and enjoy all the fall fun! It was a beautiful day in the mid 70's perfect! The corn pit was a blast. As you can see Logan burying Mason and the two of them can't stop laughing.
Grace took her first pony ride! She loved it. She told me to move she wanted to do all by herself...really now.

Oh course they had to do the cow ride, pulled by the tractor around the farm...

These two are a trip. They kept rolling pumpkins beside each other and sitting on them, then when the stem poked their bottom they would jump up and crack up.

Lily and Grace with the scarecrow

These two love each other!

Duck races

Horse swing of course was a must

More corn pit

Tomato sling shots. They had a target way out in the field. Logan shot it really far, missed the target but one time hit a goat out in the field.

Here piggy piggy

This slide was super fast and they loved it!

She shot out this slide

Pumpkin time

Hayride - a wonderful day!

Fall Fun With Friends

2011-10-09T19:25:00.001-07:00

We had such a great time Saturday night with friends. My accountability group and our families got together to just enjoy time hanging out with each other. We had 7 families who could make it and and 17 kids ranging from 1 years old to 16 years old. We had so much fun. One of my dear friends Michelle has the true gift of hospitality and hosted us all. Everyone had so much fun. We had a great dinner we just ordered bbq from local restaurant and brought other goodies to go along with it. As you can see Grace just as much enjoyed playing with guns as she would any other frilly girl thing!

Me and Grace about to enjoy a hay ride (minus the hay). We had a trailer hooked to back of a pick up truck and we all loaded up with our blankets and Nelson drove us around the neighborhood. It was a lot of fun.

The older boys rode dirt bikes and go carts and followed along behind us. Christian is above hoping on the back with his friend Bailey. My boys love going over to their house because they have land and dirt bikes and go carts and they love it! As for me makes me a little nervous but the had a lot of fun.

Part of the gang about to head out on the ride

Then we came in and the younger ones enjoyed some crafts

We closed the night out with The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown outside under blankets using a big sheet hung over the balcony as the screen. The older kids played man hunt (hide and seek in the dark) and the men played corn hole and chilled by the fire.

Grace made it over herself to the fire and roasted her first marshmallow for a smore. I think honestly she just decided the chocolate was best by itself

And as we were headed out we looked out and found Grace and Lily had jumped aboard the go cart...uhhh negative girls!

A Great Day for Some Baseball

2011-10-08T19:35:00.000-07:00

Christian had some great field time today - a little outfield, some second and some pitching time.

It was a beautiful day today and I was able to catch Christian's morning game this morning . He struggled a little at bat but did pull off a single. Of course this isn't his usual at bat so he was not a happy camper this afternoon when he got home. Luckily he shakes things off pretty quick and by time he had some time a lone and a shower he was good. Baseball is such a mental game so much of the time, as much so as skill I think, it will make or break you out there.

Grace Has Learned to Ride Her Bike!

2011-10-08T12:25:00.000-07:00

Annual Visit to Baptist...

2011-10-04T09:21:00.001-07:00

This morning Guy and I took Grace to her 1 year follow-up with her specialist at Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem. She is doing as he would expect (which is great to us!). We have learned what will be Grace's norm after living together for a year. She will have periodic flare ups on her tongue causing swelling and the cysts to fill with blood and bleed on occassion when her body is fighting something off. Obviously we wish she did not have this to deal with but this will be her "norm' and at least doesn't impact her day to day and we will help her deal with it the best we can when the flare ups do come. She is such a trooper really and doesn't let much slow her down!

We will see him again in a year. Annual check-ins should be all we need just to ensure no change. The things we would watch for if the lymphangioma got larger on her tongue and impacted her sleeping (sleep apnea) or her speech. If all goes as it has (which we are claiming!) and her tongue doesn't ever get larger we should be fine. Otherwise we look at surgery of the tongue which is not ideal so we aren't going there.

For now, we are going to set Grace up for appointment with speech pathologist just to see if she is doing what a 3 year old shoudl be, if there is annunication they can help with or if they feel her tongue is impacting her speech at all. If that is the case, what Grace has is so rare may not be someone that knows how to deal with that specifically..but hey God has already gone before us right..and we are trusting in that .

Grace's Passport Received

2011-10-03T18:23:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post. We receied Grace's U.S. passport today. It came real quick. We are strongly considering taking her to China with us. So this was a must in case we do.

A Day at the Park...

2011-10-03T11:05:00.000-07:00

She said move Mommy, Daddy swings me higher!

Guy and I had a fun day with some 1:1 time with Grace at the park today. Her preschool had a family day. The kids all got to play and then we enjoyed lunch together. It was nice Guy took a vacation day and she had mommy and daddy all to herself. She made sure I knew that if I talked to any of the mommy's.
Grace and her friend Morrision thought it was fun to kick these balls and the wind didn't help with that, as they laughed and run all the way to the parking lot with us chasing behind them.

Oh yes Nana bough the "Cars" sunglasses, notice them and the all pink outfit. This girl loves "cars".

Grace and Olivia's Bathroom Complete

2011-10-01T18:49:00.000-07:00

So I have begun the prep work for Olivia coming home. My first project get Grace's bathroom to also look like Olivia's bathroom. First step if we have a "G" on the wall, we must have an "O" right? Funny their initals speall GO!
A few knick knacks for the shelves which I had yet to fill since Grace had been home. Grace and I hit Hobby Lobby and had no problem filling it...even have a photo of each of them up there.

Shower curtain...no change here. We really did minimal, just tried to make it feel like it was their bathroom to share.

So that meant Olivia needed monogrammed towels up too. Her's actually turned out really good.

These are Grace's she has had since she came home, her momogramming not as bold as Olivia's but it's all good.

Princess plaque of course!

And lastly they now each have a cross with their name.

Check, bathroom done...so next on the list is get Olivia some clothes. That is my project for this month. I am in the midst of going through all the kiddos closets and seeing what they need for the fall/winter and will be shopping for everyone in the coming weeks. Boy this one will hit the pocketbook hard with 5 kiddos!

Grace Meets Scooby Doo

2011-10-01T17:34:00.001-07:00

We enjoyed a fun afternoon at my cousin Matt's little girl, Layla's, 2nd bday party. Grace loved the noodles can you tell?

But an even bigger hit was Scooby Doo! She has never watched Scooby Doo before but loved him! So after bath tonight we pulled out one of the boys old Scooby Doo movies and she loved it.

At first she wasn't too sure about getting up close in personal, just wanted to watch him from a distance.

But she creeped a little closer, not taking her eyes off of him.

And finally got a little closer!

And Some Counting

2011-09-29T18:35:00.000-07:00

She was on a roll tonight. Counting as she put away the yogurt. She is growing up so quick!

Grace Saying Her Blessing - So Stinkin Cute!

2011-09-29T18:30:00.000-07:00

Too bad I can figure out how to trun it, guess next time I can't hold camera that way - duh!

Prayer Quilt for Olivia - Need Your Help!

2011-09-27T07:18:00.000-07:00

I know many of you have said you wanted to contribute to Olivia’s prayer quilt. If you have not already gotten your squares to me please do so by the end of this month, which is the end of this week. I know the days get away from us quickly. We are planning to meet with the quilter first part of October to plan out her quilt and pass along the squares so that we can have it back before Christmas. It would bless us tremendously for you to be a part of this! Instructions can be found below, simple though one 8x8 square of fabric and one prayer or blessing for her with a swatch of the fabric attached.

100 Blessings Quilt

Some of you may remember and even contributed towards the 100 blessings quilt we did for Grace. It now hangs in her room and is gorgeous! We did receive our 100 quilt squares and it made into a beautiful King Size quilt! I can’t wait to one day tell her the story behind it and show her all the prayers from each of you!

With that said, we would like to bless Olivia with one as well. While we are waiting to bring her home, we are working on this project and we would be honored to have your help with it.

To welcome and celebrate a new life, there is a tradition in the northern part of China to make a Bai Jia Bei, or "100 Good Wishes Quilt"….what we are calling a “100 Blessings Quilt”. It is a custom to invite family and friends to contribute a square patch of cloth. The patches are sewn together into a quilt that contains blessings from all the families and friends who contributed a piece of fabric. The quilt is then passed down from generation to generation.
If you would like to contribute to this project, we would love it! Here is what we would like you to do:

1. Choose ANY 100% cotton fabric that you like. It can be a design and color that you like or you think represents Olivia. It could be a bit of fabric that you've used to create something else wonderful for your family.
2. Cut one 8X8 square from the fabric for each child. Also, cut a scrap piece of that same fabric that you can attach to your blessing card for each child.
3. Include your "blessing note" and attach the scrap piece of fabric. Be as creative as you would like. It can be as simple as on a piece of paper, or you can make it like a scrap book card. On the card please write your blessing, prayer or word of encouragement you feel the Lord is leading you to speak to Olivia. We will place all your blessings in a scrapbook. One day when she is older we will share them with her.

Ideas for selecting fabric squares:
*Select a fabric that is meaningful to you.
*100% cotton fabric is best, as it washes and wears well.
*If there are several members in your family, please feel free to send more than 1 set of fabric per child. It would be so special to include blessings from all members of your family!! In China, these quilts were originally made from garments of family and friends, which would surround the child with blessings.

Ideas for blessings note:
Well... what would you pray for a child to have in his life? Keep in mind that they will read your note numerous times during their life.
Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedules to help us create this very special keepsake. This is something that they will cherish for the rest of their lives.

Much Love,
Dawn and Guy Fisher
You can mail them to us at
1817 Park Grove Place
Concord, NC 28027

We would like to have all the quilt squares by September 30. This way we can get them to the quilter before the holiday rush with Christmas she is always busy.

Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Lion and an Eagle - Part 3 of 3

2011-09-24T08:05:00.001-07:00

So God began to reveal to me the identity of my girls, their kingdom purpose and I was overwhelmed.

Grace is my "Lion". So fitting really. When you think of a lion you think of strong willed, independent, decisive. A lion will equally destroy and save. They are brave in battle (Joel 3:16). They will destroy evil and are champions of light and life! This is my Grace for sure so in the natural I thought of yeah she is a lion alright. She even loves lions. Lion King, Lion King 1-1/2 two of her favorite movies and she is very taken by the baby lion who gets taken away by the Hunters, very concerned and worried. I have a shirt that has a lion on it and she went crazy for it, crying she wanted it. That night she literally slept with it. The next day I promised we would go find her a lion shirt. At her build-a-bear party...you guessed it, her pick a lion!

Olivia is my "Eagle". This was very fitting as well since she is at "The Eagles Wing" foster care home and the quote from their website is their hope is that children would rise on “eagles’ wings” high above the storms of life to reach the potential they were meant to. I am reminded of this scripture from Isaiah one of my favorites. An eagle sees things with an eye like no other. They fly into the storm not away from it. They are extraordinary nurtures and meticulously develop their young. Job 39:27 says they are responsive to the voice of God. They are messengers. Powerful bird, but tender to its young.

So I knew this but what did it really mean? I knew there was more significance then even this alone. Well I met with a good friend, who was our Executive Pastor at our church for several years and has now stepped out starting his own ministry and was updating him on the adoption over lunch last week. I told him I knew my girls were a Lion and Eagle in God's kingdom though wasn't sure exactly what that meant. Well this man of God has much wisdom and discernment and God spoke a powerful message to me that day through him.

He said Olivia was a hope bringer....let's stop there that was the first name God told me I would give Olivia (it is her middle name) before we even decided for sure we would adopt again or had chosen Olivia as our daughter! He told me she would be a hope bringer and I that would be part of her name! WOW! Then he said she will soar and see things with the eye of an eagle. (I about fell out of my chair I told him, part of her Chinese name was Gao which meant "to soar" and I knew I was to include that in her name. Hope-Gao) Crazy right! He said she will be able to see from a long ways off (from above, have the Father's perspective). She will see a far ways out, not so much what is near, becasue she is getting a different picture. Eagles have 20/10 eye sight, that is what fighter pilots have. This little girl Olivia Hope-Gao Fisher - her name means Anointed Hope Bringer who will Soar! I love that I get to call out her identity in Christ when I call her name!

So then he went on to say you have a prophet and an apostle. Two of the Five fold ministry in the church (the other 3 are teacher, Evangelist and pastor). Ladies we are founded on the apostels and prophets with Jesus being the cornerstoen.

Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity
captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some,apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists;
and some, pastors and teachers;

Folks I was BLOWN AWAY!

He said yes in the kingdom the lion represents the apostle. Paul was an apostle. The apostle is the first headship of the church given the right and authority to touch every member of the body of the 5-fold ministry. He is a man "anointed" to go and establish churches and ministry, as the Apostle Paul did. The apostle does many things but is a true missionary and does the work.

The Eagle is the sign of the prophet. A prophet brings a word from God and usually it was correction, and such, showing tremendous miracles. A prophet is an encourager.

Then it gets even better I am receiving some more quilt squares and blessings for Olivia as we approaching our deadline end of this month. One I got from someone who knew NOTHING about any of this was one simple scripture and it was this:

Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a PROPHET to the nations.

Are you kidding me, I began to weep. Oh God, I am overwhelmed!

Thank you Craig Luper and Lori Davis for bending an ear, hearing God and speaking into the life and destiny of Olivia!

I am blown away, simply blown away. I dare you to ask God who your children are, you will be in awe as he begins to speak, after all why wouldn't he tell us. Don't you think he wants to, don't you think he is dying for us to ask. We are the perfect ones when they are at such a young age to help call them forth and speak into their destiny.

Now I think I will inquire of my boys, you knows maybe I have a pastor, an Evangelist and a teacher......how cool would that be. But whatever God shares, I know it will be perfect!

LID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-09-23T11:12:00.001-07:00

So we got notice today we have our LID - LOG IN DATE! This means our dossier (all our paperwork) has officially been logged in to the CCCWA (China Center for Children's Welfare and Adoption). So glad this came so quick!

Now we wait on our LOA...Letter of Acceptance from China. This is taking about 6 weeks right now....come on come quick...speed up, move fast...we are ready to bring our little girl home. I think this is the last long wait we do the rest of the steps should move more quickly.

Come on LOA!

Another great day, last Friday DTC and this Friday LID....love it!

God Finishes What He Starts - Part 2 of 3

2011-09-22T11:15:00.000-07:00

So to pick up from yesterday, not only does God see but he promises to finish what he started in each of us. You see he doesn't just "see" us he "sees us" if you know what I mean.

Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Nothing was going to keep God from carrying out this good work in Grace and Olivia - nothing! How their life began does not dictate where it is going! Can I get an Amen!

Now our God has plans for these little girls

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

I knew this, I mean I knew it deep within me. I held to the promises of who God was and I had a lot of peace and have carried it with me through this adoption as well because God is a big God and is capable of doing big things. If adoption taught me nothing else it taught me this.

I encourage any of you out there in the wait to hold on to this truth and to inquire of God. Ask him who your children are to him, and who they are in his kingdom. I believe he has much he wants to tell us about our children, so we are better equipped to help them walk it out. After all isn't that part of our call and our responsibility as parents.

Stay tuned tomorrow for how God answered this for me with our two little girls.

The God Who Sees - Part I

2011-09-21T09:16:00.000-07:00

I must say I love those moments when God takes our breath away. You know when you get this overwhelming revelation that you know is God because it is grounded in his Word, has a punch of pure truth, is encouraging to the depth of your spirit and you are find yourself hardly able to stand underneath the outpouring from your Abba, the one who can call "Daddy". Well God has been telling me about my girls and who they are in Him. For Grace this has been going on obviously a little longer but more revelation in here recently. I want to share with you and on the pages of this blog that tell much of their story. I think I am suppose to tell this in two or three parts so today I share Part I.

These precious little girls, once orphans, given up, walked away from, their own parents turned their back for whatever reason; I chose to say out of love for a better life, but still non the less they were abandoned. A thought to those of us who have have been called to adopt that causes the hair on the back of our neck to stand and our hearts to break. When we at times allow ourselves to go there and imagine our precious one left alone in that moment, life before they were home in the arms of their forever family. We don't want to think about it, but yet we can somehow not allow ourselves to ever forget.

The good news is that God never ever ever took his eyes off of them. Remember we serve the God who sees "El Roi". They were never alone, and I cling to the fact that maybe just maybe they know God better than I could ever know him, because in that moment he held them.

The name “the God who sees” (El Roi) was a name given to God by Hagar. An Egyptian slave, cast out by Sarah and Abraham into the desert, she epitomized rejection. She knew what it felt like just like our girls to be tossed to the side, left alone. But here is the good news my friends. God noticed her plight and came to her aid. In thanksgiving she reaches into her pagan background and ascribes a name to this God who saw her struggles. God accepts this name just as he accepted the rejected and dejected Hagar. Just as he accepts us and these precious little girls. Her story is woven into our story of faith – her name for God one of the brief glimpses we have of the nature of God. The one I cling to today. The one that allows me to get through each of the days as I wait to bring home our little one, Olivia, still a world away from us, but not out of sight of our God.

I pray this day if you are like me "waiting" to hold on to your child a world away that you rest in the truth that God sees them, he notices them and he will come to their aid.

Care Package To Go Out This Week!

2011-09-18T12:26:00.001-07:00

We decided to mail Olivia another care package. We sent her one after we were first approved to be her parents back in June so it has been a few months. We wanted to send her a package with some Halloween stuff in it and tell her about this fun holiday here in America that she will get to be part of next year! We also talked to her about the Autumn Moon Festival they are celebrating now in China and that we will celebrate that next week.

We have decided to tie our packages around our holidays here because it gets pricey with the purchasing of items and mailing them on top of all the other adoption expenses. Otherwise I would send one every month!

I sure hope this blesses her! We love her so much already and can't wait to meet here. Here are the goodies we are sending.

We are DTC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-09-16T16:14:00.000-07:00

What a great way to close out our day. We just got an email and we are DTC. This means our dossier was sent to China! Finally the paperwork trail has come to an end and all our papers have been gathered, notarized, certified, authenticated, approved, translated and on their way to China!!!!

Now we wait again. It is the name of the game in the adoption process. You gather papers....you wait...you celebrate a milestone and then you do it all over again.

So now, we wait for our LID. This stands for Log-In-Date. This is the date we are officially Logged-in in China. The say 4-6 weeks for this, but I am going to be hopefully optimistic because it seems it has been taking more like 2 weeks lately and that is what I am claiming. I will keep you posted.

A Night of Baseball

2011-09-14T11:56:00.000-07:00

Christian was thrilled to get out on the field for his first game with the high school metro team. As a freshman on a team with kids from all 4 grades playing along side sophmores, juniors and seniors, he was thrilled to get some play time even if was outfield or short (he primarly plays third) but it made his night when they put him on the mound (the other position he loves to play). He did great! We were very proud. Dad said I could be distracting him with the flash so I put the camera up, but Christian later said no I wasn't so more pictures to come at future games.

An Update on Olivia!

2011-09-08T20:17:00.001-07:00

What a blessing today our documents out the door and then an update! Wahoo! Isn't she beautiful!!!!!!!!!!

We even got updated information on her and photos!

She is 3feet 5 inches tall and 39 lbs.

She is healthy and can sing, jump, run and do crafts.

Her speech is clear.

She is potty trained.

She knows red, yellow, green, blue

Her personality is outgoing

Isn't she adorable and check out those painted nails!

Peace of course! I can't wait to squeeze her.

Thank God The Paper Chase is Over!

2011-09-08T13:00:00.001-07:00

I am taking a big sigh of relief today. All our documents were received back from Washington - all documents gathered, notarized, certified and authenticated and off to our adoption agency. Wahoo!

Hoping to say we are DTC by end of next week (meaning our documents have been translated and sent to China).

Grace's First Day of Preschool Was a Hit!

2011-09-07T15:40:00.000-07:00

Today was Grace's first day of preschool. She was so excited! I am not sure if she was more excited about going to a new school or the panda lunchbox. I had no idea what to expect. She loves going to the playhouse at the Y but she always goes with Lily. She knows her brothers go to school but not sure she understands they aren't all going to be at her new school together. And we did have open house last week and she had a great time so I just didn't' know. I had never left her other than the playhouse, Sunday school or with my mom or sister but this girl did GREAT!!!!! She walked right in her class, took her teachers hand and off she went. Not even sure she realized I wasn't behind her anymore when I turned and left. When I picked her up she said she had fun! I am so blessed this went so well. I can't wait to hear the teachers report because I didn't get to talk to her in the pick up line. I think I might even try the drop off line Friday since today went so well and not walk her in. She never ceases to amaze me! Enjoy some shots before we left for her big day!

Mom this bag is so heavy!
Oh yeah I'm going to school!

My personal favorite shot...the joy is in that face!

Can You Believe Grace is Three?

2011-09-04T20:55:00.003-07:00

This week Grace had her 3 year old photos made. We managed to get some decent photos of her but it was not easy. She is very head strong and after the first photo said "I'm Done". She was not at all into the photo session. Maybe next year she will be better. She is my princess none the less and I still see her as beautiful. Enjoy some of my favorite shots.
We did this in a black and white, cropped it and blew it up - it is gorgeous!

Grace's Open House for Preschool

2011-09-04T20:23:00.001-07:00

I can not believe it but Grace will start preschool 3 mornings a week starting next Wednesday. We went last week to open house. She was so excited. All she knows is her brothers have been back at school a week now and now she was getting to go to school.
Sporting her back pack which right now was full of toys

She loved the little man out there that cautions drivers of the kids at play

First Kids Rocks! Logan attended her for 3 years and we couldn't imagine sending Grace any where else.

At first, Grace wouldn't even hold my hand walking in, she was a bit unsure and overwhelmed I believe not really understanding what all was going on. She insisted I carry her. Once in the classroom she hung a little close at first and we played some together showing her around the room. In no time at all she was playing on her own as I talked with the teachers and parents. She even let one of the teachers take her potty while I was talking. I think she is gonna be just fine. She loved the horses, a for sure hit.

The bucket of animals kept her entertained for a while as well.

Grace with her teacher Mrs. Sharon. Logan had Mrs. Sharon for 2 years and she is the main reason Grace will be at First Kids. I know Sharon will love Grace for me.

The boys are all settled in with school as well. They have officially been in school 7 days!

Document Scare But God Prevails!

2011-09-04T19:59:00.000-07:00

So this week was crazy. We sent off our documents on August 26 to Raleigh for certification. I probably should have just drove there like I did with Grace and wait on them (and that would have closed the 24 day gap between Kelly and I some) but didn't think of it really. Just followed Kelly in the next course of action. With her a little ahead of me she helps keep me on task. Anyway, when our documents were not here after several days I started to worry. Yep the thing we all dread in the paperwork chase happened...our documents lost! Raleigh says they were picked up by UPS on August 30. UPS says never picked them up and there is not tracking information. Both working with me but both swearing it was the other one with the problem. By Thursday I was to tears over it all. After a lot of time on the phone with UPS and two supervisors trying to figure this thing out - nothing! In fact I was told by one of the supervisors I have never seen anything like this before and I have been her 12 years...I see it is showing tracked now but there is only a label and no package and our system did not generate this. Really????? So at this point I had the lady in Raleigh going to meet me early Friday morning and redo my papers. I was off to go meet a notary and re notarize documents and head to Raleigh. I was not allowing this process to stop for another day!

Folks I hit my face in prayer, literally on the ground and said God I know you can bring me those papers I am not sure I believe you will but I give you my mustard seed of faith to move this mountain. But God if this is not your hand but Satan at work, I will not cower in fear or despair but press in and on and move forward in re doing my documents. And finally Lord if this is pride in me that has to go because I hate to follow anyone I like to lead (yes I am confessing it right here...because if it is not in Jesus I don't' want it in me either) take it! I will follow with a humble heart right behind Kelly.

Friday morning I dropped Grace off to Kelly and I headed out to Raleigh. I decided before I turned out her neighborhood to call UPS one more time just in case something happened during the night...guess what? The supervisor had my documents in her hand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I started to cry on the phone and said I am sorry I am overwhelmed, you are an answer to prayer. I did not have to drive to Raleigh, instead to the local UPS store and then this time went FEDX to Washington for authentication! Documents arrived Saturday and we hope to have back in hand next Thursday!

I sure will be glad when this part of the process is over...but God can do a work in us even through the horrid documentation nightmare of adoption.

The Birthday Fun Continues

2011-08-27T08:47:00.000-07:00

After the party we enjoyed dinner with the family, including my parents and my sister, Kelly and her family and then let the girls ride carousel. Grace always picks the zebra. I think because of the movie Racing Stripes.
And finished up with a train ride

Yes that made us ride too...

And back home to open her presents from Nana and PawPaw and from us. Nana and PawPaw got her a bike and she loved it! She hoped right on and went for a ride, but the pedaling isn't happening yet ...work to do there.

Nana and Pawpaw with Grace and her new bike! And yes she put her tiger in the back seat.

So cute

Mommy and Grace

Her other grandparents got her this scooter. She was thrilled. She calls it her skateboard.

And a big bag of goodies from Mommy and Daddy. Funny how $1 Pez can be such a hit!

Tons of little figurines which she loves to play with Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse, Toy Store, My Little Pony.....

It was a great day! Happy Birthday Princess!

It's Time For A Birthday Party

2011-08-27T08:19:00.001-07:00

We celebrated this year's birthday at Build A Bear! It was the perfect choice because Grace loves stuffed animals. She loved the party! Her pick...a tiger. She loves lions and tigers!!! No surprise she is a little lion herself. She even roars from time to time....Layne Bailey who does photography here locally and is a friend of ours we met in China took a couple great shots and this is one one of them. Blowing out her candles on her teddy bear cake.
Another amazing shot caught by Layne. Lily insisted on helping Grace and about burnt her little chin. Precious right. These two really love each other.

enjoying blowing her blower as we setup for the party

Mommy and Grace

Daddy and his little girl

Grace's speed quickly changed when Lily arrived and they went to chasing each other around one of the tables

Grace stuffing her lion, amazed at the whole stuffing concept

Grace and her friend Braelyn (who came home from China one month after Grace) giving their animals a bath

Then Jaidyn joined Grace at the tub (Jaidyn is Layne's daughter). Grace and Jaidyn met in China!

The gang...

Love it, check out the grip she has on her cousin Mason's neck

and the cheek she turned for a kiss

Holding up the lion...she loves him!

The teddy bear birthday cake

Cupcakes of course...love a cupcake cake!

Grace and Jaidyn giving hugs before they say good-bye

It was a great party with great friends!

The Birthday Girl!

2011-08-27T07:53:00.001-07:00

Doesn't the laugh and joy on her face make you smile! Our Grace has turned 3!!!! It is so hard to believe, she is growing up so quick before our eyes. She is so beautiful, so much fun. Enjoy some photos of her before we headed out for the birthday festivities. Her facial expressions kill me, she has so much personality. This little girl will keep you laughing. Thank you God for the gift of Grace and the priveledge of celebrating her life! Enjoy the "faces of Grace" below and her little priss pot posing. Gotta love her.

Received I-797C Today - OH YEAH!

2011-08-25T11:33:00.000-07:00

So excited today to received our I-797C. This is the last form we were waiting on from USCIS(Immigration) for our dossier (paperwork that goes to China). We received it on Grace's 3 year old birthday so that makes it an extra special day too!!! I had hoped to get it notarized and mailed off to Raleigh for certification today but, that will have to wait until tomorrow morning because after all this is Grace's day!!!! We are off to Build-A-Bear to celebrate with her family and friends this afternoon, but first thing in the morning these papers will be notarized and on their way to Raleigh for certification!!!!! We hope to have them back from Raleigh by end of next week so we can put in the mail to Washington, DC for authentication, the last step before we can send to our agency for packaging to China!

A Trip to Atlanta and A Day With Friends

2011-08-21T18:11:00.000-07:00

This weekend was full of fun! Christian and Guy took a trip this weekend to Atlanta. It is a tradition for him to take each of the boys for a guy's 1:1 trip to discuss well "guy" stuff before they go off to high school, with the help of some James Dobson cds. Oh course they tied in some fun too of course. Christian picked Atlanta for his location. They went to Centennial Park (and threw baseball of course), went to Coca- Cola Factory, the Aquarium as well as the Braves game. They had a lot of fun

A highlight for Christian was seeing this fool run out on the baseball field and walk off in cuffs.

Another highlight, two home runs in a row for the Braves

Coca Cola Factory

The rest of us enjoyed a fun time this afternoon at a end of summer pool party with other local families who also have adopted from China. Here are a few shots of Grace who stayed in the pool the ENTIRE time!

I think this is my favorite! This is so Grace and Lily.

My Grace went to the doctor this week for her 3 year old check up and 1 year follow-up from China. She has gained 5 pounds and grown 3 inches since we have been home. Still 75% in height and 50% for weight. Can't believe in 4 more days our baby will be 3 years old!

The Finale

2011-08-14T17:51:00.003-07:00

We had a gorgeous tree outside our villa at the beach which was a great place for some photos
Christian

Love that smile

Christian had Lily and Grace laughing so hard, isn't this precious!

This shot kills me it is like please Christian stop I can't take it any more you are killing me!

And this one Lily still laughing, and Grace turns to Natalie all serious with a look like "you talking to me" - love to know what they were talking about

Precious - just precious - all the girls, Amy, Lily, Grace and Natalie (minus Morgan, not sure where she was)

My most favorite picture of all - all our kiddos - it was a great time!

Grace Fell Hard Twice!

2011-08-14T17:37:00.001-07:00

So although Noah was the little one that is Grace's age that we met in China. It was Ben who is 4 who first stole Grace's heart. He too is from China. Ben won her heart on the first day when he brought the whale back to her after taking it from Noah. Then fed her gummies. Next thing we knew they were hand in hand headed to the lazy river. They later enjoyed dinner at Calabash sitting in the same chair, watching Cars on the Itouch, playing with cars and eating seafood. But......this all changed by Saturday. By Saturday her heart began to beat for Luke who is 6. Now the funny thing is Luke is all boy and from what Emily his mom says he will have nothing to do with girls of any age so as you will see from some shots I captured this weekend this all changed too as he adored Grace! It began with sitting on the lap and tugging on his ear. Notice Luke wasn't too comfortable with the closeness her, tehis was all new to him, but this was all about to change...Ben wasn't to happy about it either, he tried to bring her a necklace to the beach and even tried the way back to her heart through food again and offered her a cracker. But no luck, in fact when he handed her the cracker, she threw it down on the ground and stepped on it...cruel right? Poor Ben
Later they enjoyed a snack on the beach together, check them out as the gaze at each other .....so precious! Hummm, Luke must be thinking she's not so bad after all

By the end of the day they came over to feed the ducks with us and Luke grabbed Grace's hand and took her off to feed the ducks..yes he took her hand!

By the evening well he even embraced the hug and posed for us and the smile and their face tells all

Adorable right?

The Story of the Whale

2011-08-14T17:16:00.001-07:00

Okay so this was hysterical, I must tell you this story of the whale......We made a trip to the store our first night and Grace insisted on getting the whale you see above. The next day as we headed out to the water park to meet the Adcox's Grace brought her whale and Noah was very found of the whale as you will see. So above the kids enjoy a snack in the pool (probably against the rules I know) and Noah notices the whale. Grace seems okay with him petting the whale....
oops as she enjoys a pretzel he snags the whale, but she has not yet noticed

oh wait does he have my whale? Lily looks on with the pretzels content as can be, but knows her cousin well this could get ugly fast and she has her snack for the show

excuse me but I believe that is my whale....

If we could read their minds it might go something like this Noah:"oh come on Grace, I really like it will you share, after all I am really adorable aren't I?" Grace: "Ugg....are you kidding? No!"

Check out Noah's pitiful face...now check out Grace slipping the whale under her leg so he can not grab it again! Really Grace, if you aren't going to hold it please share it with Noah.

Fine, I will hold it then

What's wrong Noah do you want my whale?

Sike! Here you go Lily says have a pretzel I know she can be so mean sometimes. Notice at this point, Grace has even turned her back on the situation.

Let's just say we were hysterical watching them

The Pond Was A Lot of Fun Too...

2011-08-14T16:39:00.000-07:00

Christian and Grace feeding the ducks
Grace loved the turtles even more than the ducks and would tell the ducks they were mean when they took the bread she wanted the turtle to have

The gang...minus Lily who was still napping

Christian and Morgan at sunset

Would have loved this photo ...if Jonathon's eyes were open!

Christian and Grace...sweet

All the ducks

The beautiful black swan