Our Little Angel

You know you're an adoptive parent when:

1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.

2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.

3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.

4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.

5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.

6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about your adopted child's 'real' parents.

7. You have ever been 'pregnant' with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth. (2 years!)

8. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you He will provide.

9. You have ever taken an airplane ride half-way around the world with a child you just met.

10. You believe God's heart is for adoption.

11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.

12. You know what the word 'Dossier' means, and you can actually pronounce it!

13. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.

14. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have him or her in your life.

-Author unknown

Playground FUN!

Long legs!

Little Monkey
Playing in the park
Daddy and his Girl!
This is a sweet picture.

HG was playing on the "fire truck."

She looked up, patted the seat beside her and said,

"This is for Sarah Hope."

We are ready for our girl to come home!

4 Leaf Clover

My husband is extremely talented.

He can sing and draw the most beautiful pictures.

He has many gifts, but he has the uncanny ability to find 4 leaf clovers!

One time he found 20 four leaf clovers in about 5 minutes!

Isn't that the coolest thing?!?!?!

WOOOO HOOOO! and Prayer Request

Praise Report and Prayer Request!

Our sweet friends, the Curries, will be traveling TUESDAY to bring Sadie home from China! (WOOOO HOOOO!)

We are all so excited and cannot wait to meet this sweet girl!

Please remember them in your prayers!

Their gotcha' day is Cinco de Mayo! ;)

You can follow their journey under the "Fried Rice and French Fries" link

(under "blogs we love").

Adoption

Psalms 113 : 9 (NIV)

" He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children.

Praise the LORD."

Hannah Grace's First Bicycle

Greg surprised HG with her first bike.

(Yes, it is a Dora bicycle.)

She was so excited!

I cannot believe that she is big enough to ride a bike!

Time is passing too quickly!

Our First Camping Trip!!!

Oh My Goodness!

We had the most fun this week!
Our first camping experience as a family was incredible!

HG loves being in nature! She really appreciates the beauty of God's creation.

She opens my eyes to so many things that I take for granted.

We were thrilled to run into the Bambergs!

HG adores Mary Ashton and Reece!

YUM! Roasted marshmallows!

Actually, she really liked the messy faces she made with them!

Sweet Reece, watching over our girl!


Playing in the creek.
*Please notice that my child is wearing Capri's at this time.*

OK.

This was taken after she "accidentally" fell in the creek.

I'm guessing it really wasn't an accident. ;)

So, the saturated pants had to be removed.

But the important thing is that she still has the bow in her hair! Right? LOL!

Greg wasn't too happy about this...

well...

maybe he wasn't happy about us going to the Sweet Shoppe without pants.

But the sign clearly stated,"Must wear shirt and shoes!"

NOTHING about pants!

Princess Wands

I have to post these pictures of HG and her Princess Wand!

Last night a friend of mine brought HG 2 Princess wands.

She immediately grabbed them out of my hands this morning!

She was sooooo excited!

I kept telling her that one of them belonged to me.

She said," No, Mommy. I not think so."

Just in case you are wondering...

Yes, the wand went with her to church this morning.

I am sure Greg loved the ride to church!!!

****Thank you, Renee!****

You brought a BIG smile to my little Princess' face!

A-Day Game

Greg and Gracie at her first football game!

Our girl really likes football!

We are ready for some BAMA Football!

Gymnastics and Update on HG's Hip

Hannah Grace loves gymnastics!

I know that a BIG part of it is Mrs. Lisa! She is so wonderful!

And VERY patient!

Thank you, Lisa for all of your hard work!

We all love you!

*** We received GREAT news today!***

I thought it would be fitting after this picture.

Can you believe this child had hip surgery less than a year ago?

Well, HG had an appt. with Dr. Mayberry (her Orthopaedist) today.

She said that her hip has healed "perfectly" after surgery.

Both legs are EQUAL length! (WOOOO HOOOO!)

Her foot is doing well.

We would like to thank all of our friends and family for their many prayers!

"Jumpy Jump"

Conversation with HG

Tonight, HG and I had a funny conversation.

I decided that I needed to share it with everyone.

Mommy, " I am going to take a bath."

HG,"OK. But you be careful. You not slip and fall. If you hurt yourself, you go to doctor and get an owee. I not want dat. K?"

A few seconds later...

HG, "Goodness sakes be careful. You not wash you hair. K?

No wash you hair. No shower... only bath.

You call you need me. K?

Not forget wash you ears and put on you clothes."

A small pause.

HG (while shaking her head), "Goodness sakes not hurt youself.

I not want dat."

I know that some of that comes from me.

My "Mini Me."

It reminds me of a scripture.

Ephesians 5:1

"Be imitators of God, therefore as dearly loved children..."

Sunday Morning

HG ready for church.
My Sweeties

I work Sat. and Sun. nights.

I am very fortunate to work weekends and be off during the week with HG.

However, I miss going to church TERRIBLY!

My devotional time really helps to get me through.

Today my devotion was on Isaiah 64:8.

"Yet, O LORD, You are our Father. We are the clay, You are the potter;

we are all the work of Your hand."

He is the potter. He is forming me into the person He desires me to be.

Does clay fight with the potter?

I sure do make it difficult for Him to mold me!

My life flows so much easier when I let Him be in control.

"...we are all the work of Your hand."

That passage makes me stop and think.

He has designed us...each and every one.

He knows us... our weaknesses, strengths, worries, desires, likes, dislikes...

He knows me.

He designed me.

He LOVES me.

It is easy for me to see that God loves every person He has created.

Yet, I sometimes forget that He LOVES me.

With all my mess... all my quirks... all my junk...

He LOVES me.

I hope that each person that reads this realizes that

He LOVES YOU!

GOD LOVES YOU!

Jesus LOVES YOU!

It is not just a nice saying, but a very, real TRUTH!

Hope you all have a GREAT day!

My Baby

Have I mentioned lately that I am BLESSED?

I am so blessed to be HG's mommy!

She makes me smile!

Thank you, Lord! Thank you for my sweet baby!

What is she thinking in this picture?

I cannot believe how fast she is growing!

I think her legs grow over night!

Mama's Birthday

Happy 85th Birthday, Mama!

My grandmother is so wonderful! I love her so much!

We are all so blessed to have such a fun, strong woman in our lives!

We love you, Mama!

And she is absolutely beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mama getting help blowing out the candles!

Someone stuck her hand in the cake while blowing out the candles.

Mama and HG

Garrett and Andy

Whew!

This was a tough picture to get!

We are missing one cousin. Clayton is in Georgia and could not make it.

We miss you, Clayton!

More Dress Up

Another Dress-Up Picture

I guess this would be the "Country Princess."