New Blog

After I get the pictures of our journey home posted, our blog will be moving. For those that wish to follow along as our Princess grows up, you may do so here: http://everydaylifewithgrace.blogspot.com/

I want to have the other book put into a book form for Gracie, so that she will always have that as a record of events.

Hopefully, I'll have the pics downloaded in the next day or so. I don't get to do much while she is awake.

I hope you all have enjoyed our journey. What an amazing time it has been, What a great and amazing gift that we have received.

Much Love to all of you! May God bless you as he has blessed us.

The Winge's
Paul Ray, Peggy, Brandon, PaulPaul and Gracie

Sorry, still no pics

Dear Hubby still hasn't downloaded the last of the pics yet, hopefully I'll get that done by tonight.

Lets see. We left the airport in our very nice car (you can recline the back seats) the driver was very nice, he looked like my grandfather. Got the airport and checked in, we didnt have alot of time once that was done before we boarded. Enough to ride the escalator SEVERAL times.

Once on the plane, we got comfortable, well as much as one can, I guess. We put Grace in the middle and gave her some books and different toys, she did very well I must say. She however, did not get much rest on this flight. AFter her first visit to the potty, she was upset by the flushing in the toilet. Daddy took her the first time, he just keeps amazing me. Still ok, hours later when she had to go again, we flushed and it was then she decided no more. She wrapped her arms around my legs and it took work for us to get out of that very small room. It is smaller than a phone booth. MUCH. Another two hours and she got quiet, I knew she had to go, but she kept saying no and shaking her head, there was the first melt down. After five minutes, I told paul she had to go and I made her. I carried her all the way to the back, as she was crying very upset. I kept promising I would not flush with her in the room, which was hard because she was clinging on real good, but I did manage to get her out, set her down and go back to that. We still had to force her the rest of the trip. This flight was hot, the first one over, we froze, go figure.

We made it through that flight, we only had a 2 hour layover in Newark, and we had to go through customs. Our gate was changed twice, but we finally found it, our plane was delayed so we did have about 20 minutes to sit before boarding our final flight home. She slept through that flight.

In customs, I was wanting to see what all was in that Brown Envelope. Nope, I handed it to the guy and he was like "what is this" well that made me nervous. I told him it was for adoption and he said for who, we picked her up so he could see her. He said, Oh Congrats, and then had to take the envelope else where, I'm sure for instructions. He came back processed Paul and I. Then he opened it, stamped the page on the outside and said you're good and put the envelope in a pile to the side. I thought we would get that back, but nope.

After landing in Charleston, It Felt So Good to be home. I changed Gracie into her pretty smock dress with our flag on it and we made our way. We had a group waiting on us: my mom, pauls parents, chris, erin and the boys, donna and the kids, my bf bonny and ashlee, her parents mr & mrs craven and stacey nicole, liz, betty ann and willie, the lady from newspaper, and most importantly, my boys, PaulPaul and Brandon and lyndsey!!!! I missed them sooooo much. They had balloons and bears and an easter basket, it was nice to see everyone. Some of them came back to the house, and I'm sure we'll see everyone else over the next week.

Gracie did really well on the drive home in her carseat. She does NOT like the dogs and her feet will not touch the ground if she can see them. She likes her bed, but slept with us of course. Her and her baba are napping at the moment. When they get up, we'll venture out to walmart, there is not much food here.

I'll post pics later, and life with Gracie begins.


LOVE
Peg

We got TA!!!!!!!!!

Well we finally got our TA after a very, very, very long wait. What an exciting day. Even though we were expecting them, it was still a thrill to get that phone call. It took my breath away.

Who would have thought two words could mean so much. TRAVEL APPROVAL!!!!

Congrats to the other ladies who got their TA's today. Stephanie, Heather, Marilyn and Patricia, I am SO Happy for you. They will all be leaving in the next week. Wish I were going with you, but I'm still thrilled for you. Where we are going, the government will not expedite Gracie's passport and you have to be there X amount of days, and with that Tomb Sweeping Holiday, it just wouldn't work out.

I need to start getting quotes on airlines, but still cant confirm anything until we get our CA appt. (Consulate Appointment) That could be the 9th, 10th or 14th! We're hoping for the 9th of course. So our trip looks something like this.

Leave around the 26th for Beijing. Onto Tianjin on the 30th, GOTCHA day on the 31st (Cant wait to hold that sweet baby). We're there until the 7th and then off to Guangzhou until I think she said the 11th or 12th. We'll then leave there and (thanks to my dear sweet hubby) its off to Hong Kong for one night for a little sight seeing before heading home with our sweet baby girl.

It wont be long now baby girl!!!!!! About 18 more days until your momma and daddy come get you.

It's been one busy weekend. I left work early on Friday to get some stuff done, Friday night we went out with our boss. We went to a charity event, it was a great night, we had a really good time.

Saturday, it was up early, I had to get my brakes done :( and I had a list of things to do. I got Gracie a pair of keds, I hope they fit her. I got electrical adapters, although I don't have a clue if they are the right ones. I kept my nephew Noah for the first time, he was so good.

Sunday, we went to church, then breakfast and then to Wally World (walmart) I sure wish they would make HOSPITALITY a requirement to work there, because they really need it. We got Gracie a toy cell phone for the trip.

From there we were off to Donnas. We were celebrating Payton and Devans birthday. They share the same birthday, what a very special day that is. So in honor of Devan, Donna always has balloons for everyone to write a note on and then we release them up to heaven. I forgot my camera so I didn't get a picture this year. Twice a year the Winges get together to do something for Devan, her memory and her beautiful smile will always be with us. There is not a day that we dont think of her and miss her. I know she is smiling in Heaven, and I know we'll see her again. I wish she could have met Gracie.

Happy Birthday Devan, I love you and miss you!

Our Perfect Day, NOT!

Well I had this perfect day planned, or perfect in my head anyway. Little Man is 3, it's time to teach him to skate. I love to skate, I taught my boys to skate. I envisoned a wonderful time. Well, he was all excited. We got inside, first he saw the video games, and wanted to play them, I told him no, we would do that later.

So off to the skate room, Uncle Paul Ray helped him get his skates on, while PaulPaul and myself got ours.

To say he was a little unsure of what we were doing, would be a fair statement.

He got this look of fear about the time we hit the floor. He decided right then and there, he wanted no part of this nonsense. There went my perfect day.
We put him back on the carpet.
He got the hang of falling, just right.
And landing on his butt! Oh, and do you see that mark under his eye, that is from running into the tree. Thanks PaulPaul.

Well I made it up to him by taking him to Chucky Cheese, he was happy with that. What was I thinking, that place is wall to wall of nothing but kids! I like them in small doses.

OK, I put one of the videos on you tube of him trying to skate. Not sure why the link came out like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M26AXUTod_0

Ladybugs Everywhere!

My best friend Bonny gave me a baby shower last Saturday, (sorry it's taken me a week to do this). I cant thank her enough. It turned out great and I think everyone had a good time.

From the time you drove up, there were lady bugs, (which I missed at first)

Here is a shot of the gifts laid out. It is a sea of Pink! I love it. Gracie got such nice things, and such pretty dresses, oh and she got two pair of pants also. And yes, that is a fishing pole you see, thank you Willie very much. Her daddy thinks she should wear her camo home (off the airplane), Now Ms Liz and Ms Betty Ann I love them very much, but she needs something a little more approiate for the event. I may have to hide those (like I had to hide PaulPauls hat when he was a newborn because his daddy said his head looked funny and always wanted him to wear that hat - sorry, got off track). Anyway I want to thank everyone for coming and being so generous, I know that Gracie will love you all so much.

I really can not wait to dress this little beauty up in all these clothes.

How cute is this picutre frame. Mrs. Craven got this, I love it, thank you. And thank you for helping Bonny with the shower. Her sister in law Debbie also came and video taped it for me, I still havent had a chance to watch it yet. Her neice Stacy Nicole also help, thank you, you know I love you.
Her is me with my very excited mother about having a granddaughter.


Stacy Nicole made this, it's very appropriate, because my dream is coming true.

here is me with Ashlee Gail (Bonny's daughter)

My mom bought this dress, it has a matching doll dress, how cute.

These match her bedroom set.


Can you tell the stroller has ladybugs on it.

I was trying to download some more, but blogger decided to act up.

Anyway, Bonny, thank you so much for the shower and all the wonderful gifts you got us. I cant wait for us to take Gracie for tea.

Thanks to everyone for everything, I am truly blessed to have such great people in my life.

Gracie, it wont be long now baby girl.

Parties / New Puppy / Registered

Happy Birthday Hunter Boy!!!! He just turned 2, and to say this little fellow is obsessed with Thomas Trains would be an understatement. Every gift he got had to do with Thomas the Train.

His chair and Little Mans Chair

You may think he wants the cake, but he wants the train on the cake.
Hmmm, but the cake was good to.
And Yes, he is using his train as a spoon.
Nope, not ours. Chris & Erin finally got the boys a puppy of their own. They love dogs. Meet Tana (Short for Hannah Montana). She is a sweet dog.


Now, I finally got registered for my upcoming shower which is on 02/02 (my Daddy's birthday)I don't know how long Bonny and I were in the store, the day was wet and cold. We thought we'd be the only person in the store on that kind of day, WRONG, but you could say I was the only mom registering that didn't look like she was ready to pop!



Some things on the list I plan on getting myself (the big things) but it took me so long to pick those out, I had to make a decision and be done with it, so when I go back I can just order the furniture and not look anymore. Do you know how many choices you have in a store like that. Whew!


Babies R Us

http://www.babiesrus.com/ControllerServlet?registryNumber=71411773&target=search





I need to get to the store and get some books to get started on her baby (life) book and her quilt book. I was hoping to have her quilt done before the shower, but that's not gonna happen. I need to start that. I was hoping to have some time to breathe before we go get her, but I don't see that happening. Hopefully I'll be able to take a week off before we go to China, but we'll see.



Paul Ray starts his new job tomorrow, lets everyone say a little prayer for him. I know he'll be happy there once he learns his way around.



Now, I've really got to start exercising and loosing some weight!



Have a great week.

Mardi Gras at the Omar Shriners Ball

Last Saturday, we attended the Omar Shriner Ball. Paul's Uncle Roy was installed as the Potentate and my best friends Bonny's brother was installed into the Divan. I think everyone had a great time, I know we did.

Paul and I.
Chris & Erin
Best Buds! Peggy And Bonny

Bonny's sister in law Debbie took these pics, she did a great job. We also took pics there with Chris & Erin, so I'll post those when we get them. This was most likely my last "nice night" out before our Gracie comes home. I'm going with Bonny, Ashlee and Stacy Nicole tomorrow to register for my baby shower. I'm really excited.

Today is also that dreaded birthday, I must say it has not really bothered me too much! Paul Ray is taking me to dinner tonight, maybe even a movie but I wont hold my breath. I'll have our traditional breakfast with Bonny tomorrow and Sunday night my mom will cook my favorite!

Oh I almost forgot!

Happy Birthday Hunter Boy

Lots of Hugs and Kisses to you

His birthday was the 15th and his party is Sunday at noon!

Hunter Boy with his Thomas, he LOVES Thomas. He just kept pushing the buttons, I think he really liked it.

Uncle Paul picked this one out. Here is Little Man with his dad. He got a shotgun (no its not real) he loves to go hunting with his daddy. This one kinda favors the Benelli his dad has.
Little Man opening his baby brother, Noah's gift. He got his backpack and a camo bottle and pacifier. Little man thought that was too cool, a "hunting pacifier".

Christmas at our house

We got some luggage tags with Gracie's pictures in them, along with a small travel pillow and blanket. Thanks Santa.
Paul Ray looking at the gift Brandon gave him. I think Brandon gave him that to annoy me!

Brandon and Lyndsey, she spent most of Christmas with us. We love having her.
My baby with his letterman jacket. They haven't finished putting everything on it yet.

Paul Ray gave me a leather backpack for our trip. Granny gave me a very nice Lady Bug charm that when you open it up, it has an angel in it. My mom gave us a new camera. We have been so blessed this year.

Christmas for Gracie

I didn't expect Gracie to get anything for Christmas, well other than what I had for her. I was wrong, besides Linda's package. My mom gave her a inchworm and a Lilly the frog (it teaches letters, colors, etc).

Then when we got to Granny's, she got the following:

From Aunt Donna, Uncle Matt, Adam and Payton

• A book, Every Year on Your Birthday
• A bear that tickles, it sounds so cute. Paul Ray would like to make it quiet
• A jewelry box, you know that kind that we all had, when you open it, the doll turns

Granny gave her 2 dolls from Russia, they are very nice and will be put up out of her reach.

Next Christmas, we will have our little Princess with us. I can not wait to bring her home.

Thanks everyone for the great gifts.