Noon Year's Eve Party

Then and Now

Pretty sure Faith is her favorite since Faith really LOVED hearing Chinese during her last visit 3 years ago (right after Faith came home)

Cousins

My cousin and his family drove about 15 hours to come by for a quick visit tonight. Love visiting with my Chinese relatives! So neat for my girls to have cousins that look like them. I know it sounds weird, but trust me as I know it means a great deal to my girls. So thanks guys for taking the time to visit. Wish you all lived closer for sure!!

Won't Be Easy

There is another family currently adopting an 11 year old from Ian's orphanage right now in China.  As you can read on their blog here, things aren't so easy.  I don't expect things to be easy when we get there for Ian either. 
Ian also does NOT want to be adopted or move to America.  Who would really?  Think about putting yourself in his 8 year old brain.  Why on earth would you want to agree to go with people you have never met, to go to a far away country you have never seen?  It would be like me telling Travis that next month someone is coming to get you to move you to Australia.  You won't ever see us (like Ian's nannys), or your home (Ian's orphanage), or your brothers and sisters (Ian's friends) ever again, but you will have a better life, we promise.  WHAT?!?!

I would hope that Travis or Ian wouldn't just agree to go.  This tells me that Ian does have feelings and true emotions and connections there at the orphanage.  Unfortunately a lot of kids who are raised inside an orphanage, don't have emotions-ANY emotion.  I would much rather see Ian "feeling" right now, than not to "feel".  This tells me that there is hope that one day Ian will be able to feel our love for him, and maybe even Ian feel love for us :)

No, it won't be easy.  It will take work.  There will be a lot of tears shed (from everyone).  But I have faith that God didn't send me on this journey to fail.  Praying for wisdom when the time comes to finally meet my son.

"God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called" 

Falcon Fan

Yea, Shelby received her asked for Falcon shirt from Santa. We have no idea why she wanted one as we never watch sports in our house, but it was number 2 on her list! I guess she must have some of Betty's spirit in her (our neighbor and avid Falcon fan).

I will admit she makes an adorable fan!

Reason For The Season

Merry Christmas

It's Here!

Christmas Almost Here

Cookie Time

Two of a Kind

My cousin just sent me this pic of myself about the same age as Faith is now.  Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree ;)  Love our cheezy look alike grins!

Be The Difference

Be The Difference from Videos for AGCI on Vimeo.

Singing Debut

Faith is in all red, 3rd child from the left bottom row.  She did so well today singing with her PreK class.

Christmas Princess

Faith is all dressed up to see Santa at her school today!

Family

Here is my mom and her sisters and brother. Quite the handsome bunch :)  My mom and her siblings are all pretty close.  I think this is why my mom has always supported me with my choices to expand my family.  My mom has been the only one in my family to understand my decisions and not "shun" me for them.  I am so very grateful for my mom and her unconditional love for me and ALL my babies!

Fashion Show

It was so funny letting the girls loose with their bucket of makeup and hair accessories. We were then presented with a too cute fashion show :)

Pizza Party

Ian is enjoying his first taste of Papa John's!

Early Christmas

Kobe took Ian out for a little shopping spree. I asked him to get Ian some new clothes for Christmas. He got him a new outfit, new shoes, new jacket, and even some chocolates. Merry Christmas to my son across the world!

Baby Boy

Kelly (who led me to Ian) is now advocating for another special little boy who just turned a year old.  Hop on over here to see this cutie and see if you might be his family, or know someone who need a little blue bundle in their lives :)

Happy Go Lucky

Ian had a great time at the river with Kobe.  As you can see, Ian is sporting a new scarf and hat to help keep him warm, Kobe is a great shopper buying him just the things he needs to be comfortable.  I found out the average high during the day there right now is about 25 degrees, brrrrrrr. Kind of makes me happy to know we won't be traveling until Spring weather hits.

Happy to see that Ian is a happy go lucky kiddo.  Can't wait to get my hands on him!!

Christmas Spirit

As you can see, the kids are in the spirit thanks to our neighborhood ChicFilA!

Baby Rudolph