Gymboree

HG had her First Gymboree this evening!
We had a lot of fun!

This was the only picture taken of her (actually doing gymnastics) before my camera battery died! BUMMER!

Next time I will be more prepared. (Really!!!! What kind of mother am I?!?!?!)

Of course, we did get it all on video just in case y'all would like to see!!! ;)

Waiting for her turn
Just being silly!
Showing off her medal
TAAA DAAA!!

Fun with Friends

Connie, Laine, Lisa, and I had another wonderful play date!!

It is always so refreshing to hang out with these incredible women and their children!

***Warning : There are a lot of pictures in this post! ***

Digging for fossils

The Baby and her Little Mommy

Cake (a.k.a. Kate) and HG

The Chapman Family

Please remember the Chapman Family in prayer.

Maria Sue (their youngest daughter) was in a tragic accident and passed away yesterday.

My heart is so heavy right now that words are useless.

Ladybug Sighting!

LADYBUG SIGHTING!!!!

It is amazing how little things can mean sooooo much!!!!!

As I was leaving work this morning, I noticed a ladybug on my windshield!

I just squealed with joy!!!!

GOOD NEWS IS COMING!!!!!!!

Most of you know about the significance of ladybugs and Chinese adoption.

However, there are a few who do not.

So, let me tell ya!

Years ago, there were delays in adoptive families receiving referrals from China.

Suddenly, our country experienced an influx of ladybugs. They were everywhere!

(I distinctly remember that summer!)

After this unique event, referrals from China started pouring into the U. S.

Now, we consider that "good news" is soon to follow the ladybug sighting.

I remember my ladybug sighting with Hannah Grace.

(I know that sounds crazy!)

It was in late August (2006). I had just taken some our youth members home after church.

It was a BEAUTIFUL day! Sun shining! Windows rolled down!

I was driving and singing with the radio(looking pretty silly to all those around me). Then I saw something out of the corner of my eye.

There she was! Sitting on the side of my passenger seat!
I was soooo thrilled! I called Greg to share the news!!! He even pretended like it was a BIG deal!

Well, in September we received Hannah Grace's picture.

I do not believe in coincidence or luck.

I believe that my Heavenly Father knows me.

He knows what makes me smile.

Even though it may be silly, it has thrilled my heart!

I just cannot stop smiling!

God is doing INCREDIBLE things in our lives!!!

Though it is not comfortable or easy, I know that it is bringing us closer to Him.

I am very thankful for "growing pains."

Our Scripture for today:

2 Corinthians 5 : 7

"We live my faith, not by sight."

Welcome Home, Sadie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sadie is HOME!!!

We are so glad to have her HOME!!!!

She is such a doll!

Hannah is an AWESOME Big Sister...Jie Jie!

Hannah posing for a picture

I know she had to be exhausted!

She was such a trooper! She posed for pictures and played with the kids!

Quan and Greg

(We LOVE the Ferrills!)

HG was thrilled to spend the day with AC!

She keeps telling me, "Ana Claire my best friend ever I seen!"

Kimmie and HG

FUN! FUN! FUN!

Wednesday we had sooooooo much fun!!!

We went to the zoo and met some friends!

Connie and Laine - It was great to meet y'all! I cannot wait for us to get together again!

Lisa - It is ALWAYS FUN hanging out with you and AC!

The Gang (minus HG- she was being a little shy at first)
This picture is for Ol' Ben! ;)

OH! Look at the monkey! LOL!
Three Beauties
Mamas and Babies

Carly and HG riding a camel!

This was a highlight (for me anyway)!

HG is very concerned about things being clean.

She asked, "Is dat camel clean?"
I said,"That is the cleanest camel you will ever ride."

It worked! She didn't smile much, but she did ride him!

PRAYER TIME!

It is time to pray!!!!!

This morning I have been hit with so many prayer requests!

So many different situations that ONLY our Father can handle!

Please pray for :

**The people of China. The Sichuan Province suffered a terrible earthquake killing many.

Desiree's daughter Grace is in an orphanage close to this area. Please pray for her safety, as well as the others in the orphanage. (The Christopher Family Blog)

**The MANY in Myanmar that have been devastated by the cyclone.

**Hannah (Sandi's sweet daughter) is having surgery on both of her hands today at 12:45. She will be in casts for 3 weeks.

**Claudia (our Pastor's daughter) is recovering from major back surgery. She is such a ray of SUNSHINE!!

**The Pusey Family (Vision to Becca Blog) will be leaving in a week to travel to China to work with the Foster Families in Guiyang.

**All of the families that suffered loss/ injury from the tornadoes this weekend.

There are so many others that I have not listed.

But God knows our needs and He hears our prayers!

A Little Humor

Friday's Doctor Appointment

Well, as some of you know we had a doctor's appt. on Friday.

I had been dreading it because HG had to endure a difficult test.

I did not dread talking to the doctor, because I had convinced myself that ALL I was going to receive was GOOD NEWS! I was going to hear that my daughter was completely healed of this condition.

That is not the news I received. As I sat there and the doctor spoke, I thought he read the wrong results. I was in total disbelief. And finally... it sunk in.

OK ... we have to keep dealing with this.

I was reminded of my devotion that morning.

Romans 8 : 28

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

Micah 7 : 7

"But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me."

After some crying, He has reminded me again of His faithfulness and love.

He has allowed this.

He has brought us to this place for a reason. How can I glorify Him in this situation?

My devotion today was from the following scriptures.

1 Corinthians 1 : 8 - 9

"He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."

(Thank you, Father!)

Ephesians 5 : 20

"always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Playing with Mama and Granddaddy

We went to see Mama and Granddaddy on Thursday.

HG loves spending time with them!

I did learn an important lesson on Thursday.

HG's bangs were in her eyes.

So I had the "brilliant idea" to cut them...myself.

Needless to say, they are very short and not very even.

This will be my last attempt at being a hairstylist! LOL!

Daddy and Softball

Gracie and Daddy

This was Greg's first softball game.

The game was already over when we arrived.

(HG was moved up to another gymnastics class. Just had to brag!)

But, we won't miss the next one!

The BEST Picture from Washington, D. C.

Greg recently returned from a trip to Washington, D. C.

He took many pictures of the Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, National Cathedral, etc.

After looking through all of the pictures I finally found my FAVORITE.

Here it is!

This is a VERY important building!

The Chinese Embassy!!!!!!!!!

This is where we get our Visas to travel to China!

WOOO HOOO!

Fun with the Walker Family

We were so fortunate to finally meet the Walker family!

Keisha and I met while we were both waiting on our Guizhou Princesses.

Faith and Hannah Grace are both from Guiyang.

The Walkers came to visit and attend a special service at a local church.

We had such a WONDERFUL time!

The Walkers are an incredible family with AMAZING children!
Thank you for sharing your time with us!

McKenna and Gracie

Fun! Fun! Fun!

Gracie and Faith

(a.k.a Guizhou Princesses)

Where is Broughton?

Aunt Cheryl's Birthday

We had a Girl's Night Out to celebrate Aunt Cheryl's Birthday!

We had so much fun!

Aunt Cheryl, we LOVE you!

HG insists on paying the bill at restaurants and stores.

She is trying to be a "Big Girl." LOL!