Happy Gotcha' Day, Hannah Grace!

One year ago today, we were united with our Bundle of Joy!

It is hard to believe that it has been 1 year already!

Hannah Grace has added so much JOY and LOVE to our lives!

I don't know how we made it without her.

Hannah Grace, you are a true blessing! I am so thankful for every moment I am able to spend with you!

Wo Ai Ni, Hannah Grace!

Hannah Grace and Paige

Twirling around!

Snow in Alabama!!!!

Hannah Grace's first real experience with snow.

It is rare for Alabama to get snow.

We all bundled up and headed out for some fun!

HG loved it!

Snowball fight with Daddy.

Making a snow angel

Hannah Grace and the Snow Girl

Mama and Grandaddy

HG loves her Mama and Grandaddy!
Everyday this week, she has asked to go see them.

We went for a visit last night. I am sure they are trying to recover today!

They definitely got their exercise running after her!

Playing with Daddy

HG loves some play doh!

She cannot get enough of it!

She received the play doh caddy for Christmas

Daddy and HG had a lot of fun creating play doh crafts!

Take My Picture!

HG has started saying, "Take my picture."

I know that this is all my fault.

I am always grabbing the camera and telling her we need to take pictures.

Now she is posing without me asking!

She is very funny!

Serious face.

OK! Now we have a smile!

******** LOI To China *******

We are so excited!!!

Our Letter of Intent to adopt Sarah Hope has been sent to China!

It was sent for translation on Jan. 4th.

However, the official forms that accompany it were sent today!

We are one step closer to bringing our girl home!

Please continue to pray for Sarah Hope's health and safety!

We are also praying that she will have favor with the orphanage workers!

Thank you!

****Special Announcement****

We are excited to announce that Hannah Grace has a sister!

I cannot post any pictures of our (newest) Princess at this time.

As soon as it is ok with China, I will share her with you!

Her name is Sarah Hope.

HG is very excited!

She calls her, "Baby Bear."

Please pray for Sarah Hope!

WHOA MAMA!!!!!!!!!!

Whoa Mama!

That is what we say when something blows us away!

The last 2 days have been WHOA MAMA days!

We have visited with family and friends!

It has been a lot of fun!

HG really enjoyed the presents!

When asked what she received from Santa she said, "Food."

She did get some chocolate in her stocking.

I guess that was the most important gift to her! LOL!

Hannah Gracie Montana

HG's cousin received 2 Hannah Montana wigs.

She gave HG one of them.

I cannot believe she wore it!

But, she loved the long hair!

She cannot wait to get this out of the box!

This is a Dora dance pad, costume, DVD, and maracas.

I have to admit that I am excited about this gift, too. LOL!

Opening Presents

I think she liked tearing the paper more than the presents!

She had just thrown some paper when the picture was taken.

Pop and HG playing with the babies.

Hannah Grace and Conner having a Tea Party.

Thank you, Aunt Ginger, for giving them real, sweet tea.

HG is still wide open at midnight.

"But, it is Christmas..."

Birthday Party for Jesus

My Sweet Family

Greg and Hannah Grace

Aren't they just wonderful?!?!!

I am so blessed!

Greg and Hannah Grace were so sweet to pose for me on Sunday morning.

I also want everyone to see that Greg is much smaller.

He has lost 55 pounds!

I am so proud of him! He has worked really hard!

Shelby FCC "Girls Night Out"

Hannah Grace, Ana Claire, Mackenzie, Olivia, Aimee, and Anna Kate

The Shelby FCC met for "Girls Night Out."

We all had a wonderful time!

HG loved playing with all the girls!

She cried for a hour after we left, because she wanted to play with her friends.

Mackenzie and HG

Hannah Grace, Ana Claire, and Aimee

Christmas Time!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Blessing!

It is hard to believe that this time last year we were waiting on her!

It brings us such joy to watch her amazement at the lights, carols, and presents.

However, the one thing that stands out as most special is her song.

We have Steven Curtis Chapman's CD, "All I really Want for Christmas."

Everyday, HG says,"I want MY SONG."

At first, I didn't know what she meant.

She goes to the CD player and pushes play. The first recording is Shaohannah Chapman reading Luke 2 : 7 - 14.

HG will stop the CD when the second track comes on.

This is "HER SONG!"

That is my song, too.

How perfect it is to remember the song God sang over us!

That He loved us so much to send His only begotten Son to Earth

for Hannah Grace...

for me...

for you.

I hope you all have a very, Merry Christmas!

This is definitely one of my favorites!!!

We bought this outfit in Guizhou (HG's Province).

Guizhou is known for their embroidery and batiks.

Both are found on this outfit.

I love her in the Madarin clothing!

***The following pictures are very funny!***

Hmmmmmmm...

What can I get into?

Just taking it easy!

What is Hannah Grace thinking in this picture?

I cannot help but laugh!!!

Our Mess

Greg and I were checking our e-mails and blogs this evening.

When we looked up from the computer, we found a little mess.

The little mess is Hannah Grace.

The BIG mess was all of the toys she managed to throw in the floor!

How can you be upset when this little face is looking at you?!?!?!?

We are THANKFUL!!!!

Our home has been richly blessed!

Everyday I am amazed at God's faithfulness and unconditional love for us!

We have so much for which to be thankful!

The Lord has blessed us IMMEASURABLY with Hannah Grace! She is such a joy and delight!

I think she summed it up perfectly in her prayer at Thanksgiving dinner,

"Thank you God for food...

for God...

for family...

and my church.

AAAA-MEN!"

Thank You, Lord, for providing for our needs and even some of our "wants."

Thank you for YOU!!! For your incredible FAITHFULNESS and AMAZING LOVE!

Thank you for our family. For those who are related to us and those who are so supportive and loving that we adopt them as family (because "friend" is just not a good enough word for them)!

And thank you so much for our church! Our church truly demonstrates the character of Christ! Every time we walk in the doors, we feel the love of Christ!

We are blessed to be a part of Community Baptist!

OUR PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED!!!

I am very thankful to announce that our prayers have been answered!!!

Sandi and Hannah will be coming home Saturday from China!

Thank you for all of your prayers!

Please remember the Sheldons in the following months!

We serve such an AWESOME GOD!

He is totally in control when our lives seem to be spiraling into chaos!

I am so thankful for HIS faithfulness!!!

Hide and Seek

HG was hiding the other night. She always hid in the same

place, but she made sure here mommy and daddy had

their eyes closed.

HG dressed herself in her gymnastic tights.

This is her modeling her attire.

One more pose!!!

The Bama Room

After much hard work, the Bama room is finally complete!!!

These are two recliners that we bought about two years ago.

We are finally putting them to use.

Our new leather couch. This was my birthday present from

Steph and Hannah Grace. The rocking chairs were gifts for Nana and PaPa.

ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!

Walking into the room. I am so excited that this room is finally finished!!!

Walking down the steps to the Bama room. None of this

was finished when we moved into the house.

URGENT PRAYER NEEDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a dear friend in China that desperately needs our prayers!!

Her name is Sandi Sheldon.

She and her husband traveled to China to adopt their daughter Hannah.

Dennis has suffered with Diabetes for quite a while.

After arriving to China, his blood sugars elevated significantly. They could not control his sugar. He went into a diabetic coma and passed away in China.

Sandi and Hannah are attempting to come home. However, since Dennis passed away this changes all the documents needed to get Hannah into the U.S.

Sandi has spoken with her Congressman and other Representatives.

This is the first time this sort of thing has happened.

Please pray that the paperwork is completed quickly.

Please pray for Sandi to have strength, wisdom, PEACE, and comfort during this traumatic time.

Please pray that Hannah and Sandi can come home soon!

Thank you!

The link to their website is:

http://www.youbelong.net/sheldon

The password is: Hannah

Gymnastics

Hannah Grace is enjoying gymnastics.

We still have our weekly meltdown upon arriving to class.

We are so thankful to have Lisa teaching her!
She really puts HG at ease!

Thank you, Lisa!

"TA DA!"

Balance Beam