Finally...A Little Christmas Cheer

I feel like I've totally missed out on the Christmas season this year because I was gone for so long.  I hate that.  I was really looking forward to doing lots of fun things with the girls this year.  That list has been cut down to just a few. 

All of these pictures are awful!  They are either at night or inside where I am horrible...SO frustrating!!

We took everyone to a local house here who goes all out for Christmas.  They've been setting out a huge display longer than I've been alive!  I remember going to the Messengers when I was a little girl.  Wesleigh was so excited she could hardly stand it. Gracie, on the other hand, is still nervous with anything having to do with Santa. She does NOT want Santa coming to her house :) It's a good thing we didn't have our Santa party this year!

Then last night was the girls' Christmas program at school. Gracie missed 2 weeks of practice so I was a little concerned she would turn into a clown. She did the opposite, and cried the whole time! She can definitely turn on the waterworks when she wants to! She would stop and sing for a while and then look over at us and start all over again. Wesleigh, on the other hand, loved every second of it and sang every song. She was adorable and only lifted up her dress about 100 times!

I am so disappointed with this picture!! UGH!!!

This was taken when they were walking in. We were on the 3rd row and she started to come in the row to me. I had to fuss and tell her "no". Everyone around me thought that was pretty funny :)

This next picture about sums it up!

She is so stinkin' cute! After it was over I asked her if she heard Gracie crying. She laughed and said, "Yes, Gwacie cwying...Dediegh singing"

Cade got to see his 4yr. old pre-school teacher last night. How cute is she?? Cade is taller than she is!! She is the sweetest thing ever and I'm planning on both girls having her next year :)

OK...that's all I can do tonight. I can't bear to look at any more bad pictures tonight!!

Go check out my friend, Jennifer's blog!  They're in China!!  If you missed her story, a couple of years ago, she googled "brick floors" and it brought her to my blog.  God planted the seed of adoption in their hearts AND THEY'RE IN CHINA!!  They've got Molly, who is just precious, and I am thrilled!!

Military Ball 2011

Last night was Bryce's Navy Sea Cadet Military Ball.  You might remember that I was in charge of decorating and had been working on it for the past month.  Gracie and I got home at 2:00am and I was setting up for the ball at 10:00.  I have been looking forward to it for months and am just glad we were back in time. 

Our venue was outdoors, so I was really worried about the weather.  Turned out to be a beautiful night.  It was pretty cold at the end, but I had decided to trade in my dressy sleeveless number for a cozy sweater dress and boots.  It was the right decision :)

Bryce brought his friend, Mattie. She is adorable and such a good sport to sit through all the awards. They looked super cute together too!



Me and my scruffy husband :)


The cake turned out amazing!!  I ordered it from the same girl that did Bryce's birthday cake.  She is so talented!!


The most exciting part of the night was when Bryce was presented with the Theodore Roosevelt Youth Award.  He was the only one who received it and we couldn't be more proud.  It is for his service and dedication to the program.   




After the awards, the dance started.  They all had a great time! 



So proud of this boy!  And always love seeing him in his dress blues!  SO handsome!!

Little Grandma

Yay!  We are almost on our way home!!  We had our last appointment at Cincinnati Children's this morning, and our flight leaves at 7:00 tonight.  We do not land until 11:30 home time (12:30 our body time).  Please pray that Gracie sleeps!  If she doesn't, I'm quite sure the entire plane will hate us when we arrive.  Either way, though...we're going home!!

We have been here almost 2 weeks and have had such a wonderful place to stay.  Arlene (little Grandma) opened her heart and her home to us and we have come to truly love her.  I really do not know what we would have done without her.  I can't even imagine being in a hotel room with Gracie for the last two weeks!! 



Gracie adores her. She gives Arlene hugs and juicy kisses every time she goes to sleep or leaves. I hope Little Grandma enjoyed our visit as much as we enjoyed her!!

Since we've been here, Gracie has fallen in love with Frosty. Arlene has this stuffed snowman and bought Gracie her very own DVD of Frosty! She was so excited!! How cute is this??

Yes...I'm aware that she really shouldn't be inches away from the screen, but it sure made a cute picture :) lol...

I have decided that I'm going to share more about Gracie's special need and what we've been doing here in Cincinnati.  I know it's helpful for those who are in the decision making part of adoption to hear others' stories.  I will put a post together in the next few days.

Tomorrow, I will wake up in my own bed, and speed off to decorate for Bryce's military ball.  I am excited to do that for him and can't wait to see him dressed up in that military uniform tomorrow night!!

Another Special Visit

The Lord must have known that I would need a little extra encouragement this second week away.  Gracie is doing great, but we are both ready to come home!  One more day!!

One of my oldest and dearest friends, Rachel, lives about 4 hours away from here.  She came to meet Miss Gracie for the first time and spend some time with her old friend :)  We had a great time catching up and just hanging out.  She is an amazing blessing in my life.  Her visit definitely helped me get through these last few days.



I found a couple of pics that I didn't post when Emme was here. The girls took naps together and were so sweet. Of course, I started out in the middle of them both and slithered out when they were asleep.




My kiddos at home seem to be doing just fine.  We skyped last night and made funny faces at each other.  I think they will be happy when we're all together again.  I know I will be! 

A Special Meeting

When Gracie was 18 months old, she was entered into a program named Pearl River Outreach.  When she was 2 1/2, the founder of this organization, Christina, traveled to China and was able to spend a little time with Gracie and her foster mother.  Yesterday, Gracie was able to meet Christina for a second time and I was able to meet her for the first time.  It is because of PRO that Gracie was able to spend 2 years of her life in a loving foster home, and it is because of PRO that I saw Gracie's picture in the first place.  I just love how God puts the pieces of the puzzle together....even when they make no sense to us. 

Here is a picture taken from Christina's trip to China. She is the blonde sitting next to Gracie and her China mom.

And....here we are today!

I was so happy to meet Christina and her precious family while we are away from home. I am forever in her debt because she listened to the call of God and helped me find my Gracie. Here are some more pics from the day:

Five adorable miracles from China.

If you want to help an orphan have the same opportunity to live with a loving family instead of an orphanage, please visit HERE and participate in the amazing giveaway they are having today. You can also visit HERE to learn how to sponsor a child. Someone sponsored my Gracie Joy for the months before I found her. What a difference their small sacrifice made in the life of my child and our family! Please consider being that person for another precious child!!

Diana left today. The ride back from the airport was so sad. I was already emotional and Gracie cried the saddest cry ever. She wanted to get on the airplane and go home :( She is doing so great, and we are really enjoying our time together. She's getting some 1 on 1 attention that she needed, but we're ready...we want to go home!  It looks like her medical issues are going to be taken care of with 2 over the counter medicines!! Thank you, Lord!!

I have another BFF coming tomorrow to spend a couple days with me so I'm looking forward to that. God knew that I would lose my mind without some sweet friends to share my time with!

CUTE!

As promised, here are some more pics of us yesterday with our amazing bows!! Diana had my amazing bow lady from home make these fabulous bows as a surprise for us. I LOVE them!!

Sweet Emme Jade. Gracie has started calling her either Jade or Emme Jade. So cute! We are having a great weekend. We met up with "the" Pearl River mom today, so I'll have some fun pics to share of that. Hope you're having a great weekend!!

It's Party Time!

Di and Emme flew in yesterday for the weekend. I am staying with her mother-in-law, so it makes perfect sense. I was thrilled to meet Miss Emme for the first time and Diana got to meet Miss Gracie. Diana, you remember, knew Gracie before I did when she was in the Pearl River program. She's been waiting a long time to meet my cutie. Gracie and Emme have been having a ball. They run around like little crazies, then fight over toys and then sit and play for a while. Here's a collection of shots we have so far:

I read the two cuties our favorite book.

Gracie being a ham for Di.


Are these tops not the cutest ever??  Di brought them for the girls.  I wish Wesleigh was here to wear hers!  Our favorite designer, Ms. Lori B. outdid herself on these.  You should see the bows that came today to match!!  I'll post a pic of those a little later.




So what's going on at home??  Today, Cade and Bryce were in the local Christmas Parade.  Bryce was marching with the band and Cade was riding a float with his playoff team.  Cade was so excited to do it.

Are you wondering what Wesleigh has been wearing while I'm away?  I have had Richard sending me pics each day because I want to know too :)  I did layout quite a few outfits and put sticky notes on each one telling him what shoes match each.  The hair, however, is on him.  I have to say, the pictures make me smile everyday :)  They were at the Christmas parade today.  Here are a couple of pics they sent me.


Cade was so excited to be in this parade today.  I am sad I missed it, but this picture is the cutest thing ever!  He is handing this treat to Wesleigh.


I have more adorable pics, but I'll have to post them later.  Off to enjoy our besties!