Enjoying Our Little Hopie

Baseball Season Again...we have really looked forward to Hope experiencing the fun and excitement of all the kids playing baseball this spring!!
Going for a walk my Sissy and my Jei Jei

Can you tell I like my Jei Jei (Chinese for Big Sister, Hope cannot say Bethany yet)

Flip-flops on a blacktop country road.

Caleb is my Buddy

Sissy is lots of fun.

I finally looked at the camera after about 20 takes...

Sunnie and Hope wore their matching

Chinese dresses to church.

What a sweetie pie!!

I'm finding very little time to be at the computer lately. Hope keeps us very busy and very tired. She is so full of life and fun. The last 3 months have been wonderful. During the 2+ years of waiting for her referral I tried to imagine what life would be like after we had her home. Not one scenario I imagined can compare to the real thing. She is such a joy to be around and so very much fun. I love everything about having her in our lives. She is so precious. Right now she is sleeping in my lap at 4:50 in the afternoon. I usually try to not let her nap after about 3:00 but she has been very very active this afternoon...her niece and 3 of her nephews were here and all I can say is it was FUN. She is beautiful and sweet and lovable and precious. Do I sound like a proud Mom?

I thought I would post a few more pictures of Hope...She is changing every day and we are watching a real transformation before our eyes. The little girl the referral papers described as timid and introverted certainly does not fit that mold now!!

If anyone reading this is considering adoption from China or anywhere else my advice to you is if you love children and have the resources (both financial and emotional) to raise a child then... just do it! After our visit to the orphanage and now seeing how Hope has blossomed into such a happy little girl, we would really consider adopting again but since the rule changes were put in place we do not fit the age requirements anymore. I saw so many little children in the orphanage who need homes and am somewhat puzzled that it take so long when there are so many children needing forever families.

Becky