Group 92 - one year later

Our travel group (aka Group 92 from our agency) recently got together right before our 1 year anniversary together. We are so blessed to have this common bond we share of our daughters from Leping. Maddy is starting to remember the girl's names and is so cute when we say one of the names (like Bri), she will recite everyone else's.


Here are pictures from the Red Couch last year :

And these are from our recent get together, we were hard pressed to recreate the Red Couch, but managed to get a couple of pictures-

Merry Christmas!

We hope this Christmas finds you healthy, joyful & blessed beyond measure. There have been so many sad years leading up to this year that it's hard to express the joy that we feel this Christmas. Joy that comes from not just the gift of a child but the gift of seeing things in a new light through the eyes of a child.

Please take time this season to ponder the greatest gift of all- the Christ child sent to a lowly set of parents to raise Him up to fulfill one of the greatest missions of all- saving the world.

For our friends that still wait for their blessing from China ( or any other place), hang in there & know that there is hope. Just when things seem at their bleakest, there will be a light that will glimmer through to help urge you on and not give up. Even though we are back from China almost 7 weeks, we are still on the sidelines to cheer you on and walk along with you.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Sometimes sleep costs $3 a gallon

With sleep being a precious commodity at our house lately, we have come to appreciate the times that Maddy falls asleep in the car. The key is to make it into the house & putting her in the crib without waking her up. It reminds me of the recent MasterCard commercials:

1 Pink Winnie the Pooh snowsuit= $ 25
1 Car seat = $150
1 gallon of gas = $3
1 hour of non-stop sleep = priceless!

We have been getting the house already for Christmas, little by little. Maddy helped us decorate the tree and has suprisingly stayed away from it for the most part. We have been visitng great grandparents and going into our work places. It has been a busy couple of weeks.

The time is going by too fast before I return to work! Only 4 weeks from Monday until the big day. I am hoping before I return to post some China travel tips for those of you still waiting for baby. Nap time is almost over, gotta go!



Decorating the tree

Thanks Auntie Janita!

Hanging with my grandparents (& greats)

3 weeks today since we met Maddy

It was 3 weeks ago today that our daughter forever came into our lives. Last night we were watching the video from that day & are amazed at how much has changed in 3 short weeks. The video showed a scared little girl that was unsure of these 2 people making a fuss over her compared to today where she just expects it from us & makes quite a stink if she doesn't have our undivided attention. We are able to make her laugh now where as that night she really didn't even want to crack a smile. We are amazed every day at this beautiful blessing that God has bestowed on us.

We have pretty much gotten over the jet lag but are still working getting a little more sleep at night. Hopefully that will come in time. Maddy has picked up crawling like a pro and is getting herself into all kinds of stuff. She is a great eater & loves mashed potatoes. In fact she likes them so much when we ran out the other night we had a major dinner time melt down! She has really taken to the cat & dog, both of which have been great sports when it comes to her going after them with a vengeance.

There is a family which many of you may have heard about in Michigan that I ask you to keep in your prayers. The husband died while they were in China shortly after the adoption of their daughter was finalized. She is now faced with coming home & not only burying her husband but also starting life with a new baby alone. This couple had been married for 19 years & had been wanting for a child for a long time. Our hearts & prayers truly go out to this family.

I am attaching a few pictures of visitors & life @ home (including a new use daddy found for the recalled Bumbo).