Four Years Ago Today…

After about 10 minutes of quiet…she started to cry… no scream!  The nannies from the orphanage helped us calm her and soon had her saying mamma and baba (daddy in Chinese).  After signing a few papers, we left the Civil Affairs office with our sweet baby girl and went back to the hotel.  It was a magical wonderful day.  The adoption process takes two days and the next day we went back to the same office for more paperwork and fees.  By the next day she  only wanted us and clung tightly to us and that was just fine by us. 

When we got her back to the hotel we introduced her to her sisters and other family members via a set of web cams Misty had set up for us to use before we left.   Then it was time for a bath.  It may have been her first bath…honestly…I think they mostly just wipe them off.  That set off another round of crying and screaming but soon she was calm again and took a nap while Ronnie went out to buy bottles and other supplies we did not know we needed.  Hope was still taking formula and in diapers at age three.   I believe the formula was the only thing that kept her going back then  she was so very skinny (19 pounds).  After we started removing the layers of clothing we were shocked at her size. Sleeping safe and sound with her new doll and the blanket her grandma sent with us to keep her all snug and warm. 

 

We are so blessed to have this precious little girl in our lives.   If you have ever considered adoption and think God might be leading you in that direction…just go for it… !   Hope has been a joy and beautiful presence in our family for the past four years and we are so very thankful we listened to that still small voice that led us to China.

We love you Hopie…with all our hearts!!!

Sunday Snapshot

I really wish I had gotten down on her level to get this shot but alas I did not…we were in a hurry running late for Sunday School.  Anyway these are the prettiest Morning Glories on the place this year with the drought these have survived only because they are close to the  pan where we water the dogs, oh and the reason the have grown up the wall there is because someone left the rake propped up there.  I told everyone do not move that rake until after the first frost!!!.  Next year I plan to put some chicken wire up to encourage more growth on this side of the house.   I just love these flowers.  They are kinda like me very perky early in the day and very tired by sunset!   It’s finally cool enough to break out Hope’s favorite fall dress…Zebras ... one is a girl and one is a boy.  How do we know that?  The one on her left is wearing a pink bow!!!  She thinks they must be in love.   Have a wonderful Sunday, enjoy your family today.

To see a lot of cute Sunday Snapshots visit the blog below.  Enjoy!

 

First Grade

Hope is in First Grade.  It seems like just yesterday we brought her home.  I suppose when you miss the first three years of a child’s life the next three just fly by.   She is so precious.  She is very sweet and kind.   She has packed a lot into the past three and one half years.   She mastered the English language without any structured teaching,  we worked with her but mostly it was just her curiosity and life with her nephews and nieces.   Being an Aunt at age three is full of fun.   Our grandchildren love her so much and have been blessed by her presence in our family just as her sisters and parents have.   We love you Hope Marie.   By the way she has already been chosen “Best Citizen” of the week by her teachers this year actually the first one of the year.  Last year she was Citizen of the Year for her class.   Listen to the song I have on the playlist here on this blog.  It is the perfect song for this sweet little girl.   I am so very thankful God decided to bless me with the pleasure of being  Mom to this precious angel.  I’m so glad we heard His voice when He asked us to begin this journey.

A Visit With Cousins

We visited with my cousin Ben earlier this summer.  Ben and his wife Carla adopted a little baby girl from China and brought her home about two months before we brought Hope home.  She is a cutie pie and the girls acted like they had known each other forever even though they have only met a few times.  Lily is now four years old and will be five soon.  Hope is six.  Lily is very outgoing and sweet.  Here are a few pictures from the visit.

Hope and Lily had lots of fun.  We enjoyed our time with the whole family Ben, Carla, Marley, Luke and Lily.   We just cannot wait until the next time!!!!!!!!!

Summertime Fun 2011/Haircut/July 4th

Here are a few pictures of some of our summer fun.  Busy Busy Busy this time of year.  I love it.  Hope has really had a good time during her first summer vacation from school.  I’m so proud of her for the way she took to school and then right back into summer freedom without a pause.  I love my girl. 

 

I should have made a separate post for each these but I’m so far behind now so here goes…BeforeDuring…

After…

Hope really did need a haircut and she wanted to send her hair to “Pink Heart Funds” so that is what we did.  It meant a little bit shorter cut than I wanted but it was what she wanted that mattered.  We sent TEN inches of hair that will help to make a wig for a child who needs it because of medical treatment for cancer. I’m proud of my girl and she really looks cute in shorter hair and I just keep telling myself “it will grow…it will grow.”

 

The 4th of July was busy and fun as usual.

Even Malcolm got in on the fun.Heath and Audrey enjoyed the little pool and put on a show with their sunglasses and smiles!READY…SET…GO !!!

Bradley having a little fun on the scooter…hey Mom and Dad this guy need some real wheels!

I have a lot more Summer Fun to share, when time allows.

Becky