Gracie's Care Package

I haven't sent her package off yet, but I hope to get it sent tomorrow (I guess that is today, it is 1:15 in the morning). I still need to put some more pictures in her book and label everything. I haven't been able to fit what I want to send in a regular size shoe box, so I'm going to use Paul Paul's size 13 box and hope that she gets it. Since there is no way of knowing.

We're sending her a blanket (that I slept with for 2.5 weeks), a hat and pair of gloves, a dress with a pair of leggings and a par or shoes, a Minnie Mouse doll, a Disney cell phone, a disposable camera and her photo book. I'm also enclosing some candy for the nannies and children.

What a Great Day

The weather is horrible, extremely windy and wet, I've got a million things to do. A family Christmas dinner to attend. But . . . . . . . . .

I recently joined another Yahoo group. It's one for Tianjin families, well I recently posted an introduction for us and when I got up this morning I received an email from a very nice lady who used to work in the TJ orphanage. She is now living in southern China and has seen many referrals but ours is the first one that she remembers the child.

She remembers Ming Ming (more on that in a minute) as a baby waiting to go in for surgery. She was such a happy HAPPY (her typing) baby, very well loved. She said after surgery, she went to foster care and she doesn't remember seeing her again. This was enough to brighten my heart just a little today. The stress I've had lately is unreal, and this gift is one I really needed.

Ming Ming. She explained the naming system to me. All the kids that entered the orphanage during the summer of 04 was given the surname of Lu. All the little girls were given the middle name of Xin. So the only unique part to her name is Ming. Ming Winge, oh poor child. We'll figure something out.

Hope everyone has a great day.
Mom to "Ming Ming"

Prayer Request

There is the sweetest little girl on our agency's website. Please pray that she finds her perfect forever family.

Happy Birthday Destinee

My cousins little girl that we've been keeping just turned two on the 12th! Talk about a handful! You wouldn't think something so petite and tiny could be anything but sweet, HA! You cant really tell, but her hair is in pigtails, every chance I get I put her hair in pigtails. PaulPaul keeps telling me I will NOT be putting Gracies hair up that way. Boy is he in for a surprise, just as soon as she has enough hair!!!!!!

AH!!!! 2 Days before we set sail. I am so ready for a vacation, we have not been on a real vacation in some time. I cant wait to have some quality time with my DH.

Here's an update of whats going on.

First, my son got his letter for ROTC at school!! Time to get that jacket now!

Second, he had a fender bender in his daddy's truck the other day, he's a little sore, but more upset about the truck. While we were there waiting on the cop to fill out the paperwork, guess what I found: In case you cant tell, its a ladybug (I took the pic with my cell phone)

Third:

Happy Birthday Ashlee Gail
Her birthday is Sunday, but her mom and I took her and 3 of her friends to Myrtle Beach. She wanted to go to build a bear and then have dinner at Planet Hollywood. It was a really nice night. Here she is building Gracie's first build a bear!

Yes I know, Gracie really didn't really NEED this, but it made her mommy feel better to get it for her, so what ever helps in this long wait. While we were there, there was a little girl, most likely 6 or so, who was most likely adopted from China, it made my heart skip a beat. When Ashlee said grace at dinner, she also said a little prayer for Gracie to come home soon, I thought I would cry, she is such a sweet girl.

I thought she would look perfect in Gracie's Room!

Fourth:

We'll be LID for 3 months this coming Friday, 05/11/2007! Referrals are in through Nov 1, 2005!

Today started out not so great, I had to call the eye doctor, my vision has changed and I've had alot of bad miagrains. Everything is ok, just need bifocals. Dont I feel old now! Went home afterwards, couldnt see anyway. Good thing I've got a good boss. Vision was back to normal around 3.

OK, the day gets better now.

We have 42 days until our ship sails out ` guess what was in the mail today ` Our Docs!!!! They have been filled out, our luggage tags are done, we've completed our funpass and I am ready! Just need to pack.

All filled out and ready to go!

Today is ONE month being LID!!!!!!! Only God knows how many of these we will have to endure. My heart is set on her coming home next January. Now I know in the China adoption world, that may not be right, but that's me!!!!!!! One day at a time baby girl!!!!!!

Today is also my parents 40th Wedding Anniversary!!!!!!! They are coming over for dinner tonight.

Happy Anniversary Momma and Daddy!!!!

Well its official! Lets Sail Away Together!


We can mark one more thing off our list. Paul Ray and I have planned our little getaway before our Baby Girl comes home. Our last adult vacation, by the time this one is grown, we'll be too old to travel.


I'm so excited, I love to cruise, just put me on a ship, doesn't matter where it's going!

We're leaving out of Port Canaveral on May 7 aboard the Elation.

Tuesday is at sea, Wed is Grand Turk, Thur is Half Moon Cay, Fri is Nassau and back home on Saturday.

Something else we love to do is ride horses, check out the excursion we will be doing in Grand Turk! Yes! How cool is that. You ride along the beach then into the water you go.

This is a song on "Third Day"'s new Christmas CD! It will make you cry!

Merry Christmas

by Third Day

There's a little girl trembling on a cold December morn

Crying for mama's arms

At an orphanage just outside a little China town

Where the forgotten are

But half a world away I hang the stockings by the fire

And dream about the day when I can finally call you mine

It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone

So tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in His arms

And tell you from my heart

I wish you Merry Christmas

As I hang the tinsel on the tree and watch the twinkling lights

I'm warmed by the fire's glow

Outside the children tumble in a wonderland of white

And make angels in the snow

But half a world away you try your best to fight the tears

And hope that Heaven's Angels come to carry you here

Christmas is the time we celebrate the Holy Child

And we celebrate His perfect gift of love

He came to Earth to give His life and prepare a place for us

So we could have a home with Him above

It's Christmas time again and now you're home

Your family is here so you will never be alone

So tonight before you go to sleep

I'll hold you in my arms

And tell you from my heart

I wish you Merry Christmas

I know that most likely Gracie is not even born yet, but the thought of her being alone just breaks my heart. I pray that God will bring her home soon, with his help maybe she can be home for Christmas next year.

On the picture above, do you notice how many stockings are hanging?

When Love Takes You In

by Steven Curtis Chapman

I know you’ve heard the stories

But they all sound too good to be true

You’ve heard about a place called home

But there doesn’t seem to be one for you

So one more night you cry yourself to sleep

And drift off to a distant dream

Where love takes you in and everything changes

A miracle starts with the beat of a heart

When love takes you home and says you belong here

The loneliness ends and a new life begins

When love takes you in And somewhere while you’re sleeping

Someone else is dreaming too Counting down the days until

They hold you close and say I love you

And like the rain that falls into the sea

In a moment what has been is lost in what will be

When love takes you in everything changes

A miracle starts with the beat of a heart

And this love will never let you go

There is nothing that could evercause this love to lose its hold

When love takes you in everything changes

A miracle starts with the beat of a heart

When love takes you home and says you belong here

The loneliness ends and a new life begins

When love takes you in it takes you in for good

When love takes you in

Gracie,

We cant wait to bring you home!

When I read this, it stirred so many emotions, and its just so true. It will now be my mission to go out and find this song: Words/Music by Three Four One

Someone is Waiting For You

Somewhere, someone is waiting

Though I can't see your face I know your heart

'Cause God has knit us together

Even though we're far apart

And until you can be here safe in my arms, I will trust

That somewhere, someone is holding you close

And keeping you warm.

My thoughts, my prayers are for you

Father, love her, protect her....I know you do

And until that perfect timing

When our hearts and eyes will meet

I will rest knowing that You are there, I will trust

That somewhere, someone is holding you close

And keeping you warm.

If time could stand still, Our love would bridge the ocean

But know that until then, that even an ocean,

can't keep me from you

Hold on, little one, hold on....

And until you can be here safe in my arms I will trust

That somewhere, someone is holding you close

And keeping you warm.

The wait is not easy, but I know that in the end it will be worth it. You already have my heart, baby girl.