GOODBYE 2008, HELLO 2009

Hard to believe another year has come and gone. I will try to do a summary of 2008 and a projection for 2009. This post will probably be all over the place, so as Emily tells "pink baby" (her favorite blanket) "hold on tight."

Here are some cute things that Emily said during the holidays. We know these cute words will be gone by next year:
Penguin - Pingping
Snow man - Show no man
She easily recognized santa claus - she didn't really like him though.
She said Merry Christmas, and it was very understandable.

Some of our favorite outings for 2008:
The zoo, the park, swimming at Granny's, the pumpkin patch, the circus, going to TN

What we are looking forward to in 2009:
gymnastics. Yes, we got in the class that starts in Jan. and I don't know who is more excited - mommy or Emily. Being a stay at home mom, I look forward to a guaranteed outing once a week!!
Swimming lessons. Emily asks to go swimming every day. She just loves the water.
The beach. I really want to take her to the beach this summer. Even if it is only to MS for a day - I want to go to the beach!!
I want to take her to my cousin's in IL in Oct. I have several cousins up there who have not seen her. I love to go in Oct to see the fall leaves and the area that I go has like heritage days and lots of craft booths spread out over several small towns.
We didn't make the corn maze, but this year she will be lots of fun for the corn maze.
Chinese New Year. Last year she was really too little to do anything, but maybe this year we can do something.

Wishing everyone a blessed and prosperous New Year.

CHRISTMAS IN EMILYLAND

EMILY WITH UNCLE RAYMOND AND AUNT CARYN

Oh, Emily was so much fun this year for Christmas. Donnie set up the video camera (mommy forgot to take still pics - oh well). As soon as Daddy said he was ready, I turned Emily loose and she ran down the hall and into the living room. She was so surprised.

We went to Christmas Eve service at church. It was so refreshing to see church packed out!! Emily of course wasn't quiet - but she wasn't the only one!! When we would whisper to her to be quiet or we would take her out, she would scream "take out". We then went to Kuncle's for gumbo and presents. Poor Emily couldn't understand that ALL presents were not for Emily!!

Christmas morning Uncle Raymond and Aunt Caryn came over - with MORE PRESENTS FOR EMILY!! She really enjoys all of her extended family. Then Grandma cooked breakfast for all of us - Eggs, bacon, sausage, and biscuits - yum yum!!

We then spent the afternoon at Granny and Poppa's. You guessed it - MORE PRESENTS FOR EMILY. We spent the afternoon playing with Uncle Jeff, Aunt Angie, and cousin Billy.

We really enjoyed Jesus' Birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS

SNOW DAY AT AUNT TRUDY'S

There is nothing like playing in the snow in 80 degree weather!!! Trudy hosted a snow party at her house for her children and all her great neices and nephews, and Emily of course. There were three 2 year olds at the party, and I think they enjoyed the snow the most. I think the "big" kids (adults) had fun too.

Here is a copy of the poem that Trudy sent to the kids:

Your gift from us
this Merry Christmas
is quiet as a mouse,
cannot be brought into the house,
cannot be wrapped,
cannot be tapped.
It’s white and cold,
something you can hold,
Memories to make,
pictures to take.
Wear your gloves,
My little loves.
December 27 is the day.
At noon come over and play.

FIRST HAIRCUT

Me and Ms. Sherry

Today was the day. My hair was so long it was getting in my eyes. I do love bows, but my hair is just so thin (and yes, I take the hair bows out). I was such a good girl. I sat right up there in the big chair and didn't move. I really enjoyed looking at my pretty self in the mirror!!! Mom says it makes me look 10 years older and my face 5 pounds heavier.....silly mommy!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Picture is courtesy of Christ Community Church in Denham Springs. Yes, that is me and Donnie and Emily at the Nativity. Pretty cool huh?!!

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was Governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son and whapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them at the inn.

In the same region there were some shepherds staying in the fields and keeping watch over their flock. An angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terribly afraid. But the angel said "Do not be afraid; for behold I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:1-11

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MAKING COOKIES WITH GRANNY

Granny and Emily baked Christmas cookies Sunday and Momma grabbed the camera. Emily's favorite part was the flour. She loved how it feels - on her face!!!

Getting Ready For Christmas

EMILY AND DADDY WATCHING THE PARADE
ME AND MOMMA AT THE PARADE

MAKE A WISH

THE STOCKINGS ARE HUNG BY THE CHIMNEY WITH CARE

Happy Birthday

Emily is 2 - so hard to beleive. I still look at her and can't beleive I am a Momma.

We have had lots of birthday fun in the last couple of days. We had her party Sunday. It was just immediate family (still 22 people!) and was only cake, ice cream and presents of course!! She really enjoyed it and got into it. We started talking about her birthday and birthday party late last week. She knew the cake and cupcakes were for her birthday. We told her Sunday morning that she was having a birthday party and told her who all was coming. She stood at the window waiting for them to come. Once they started arriving, she was so excited to see the presents, and was just a little overwhelmed that everyone was here at one time!! She did spend a little bit of time with everyone, and there were cameras going off all over the place. And she dug right into her cake. I had her seated at the table and she had a little cake all to herself. I had it a little too close to all the plastic forks that I had out, so she ate her cake with about 6 different forks!!

Monday we went to a gymnastics class. I am trying to get her in a class that starts in Jan., and I had a coupon for a free class. She loved it!! Her favorite thing to do is jump. The floor is a spring floor and they had several trampolines, so she was in heaven. I will know Monday if I am able to get her in the next class that starts Jan. 19. I sure hope I can, she will absolutely love it.

Then today for her birthday, Donnie and I and Grandma and kunkle took her to Ch**kie Ch**s* to eat pizza and play. Her favorite part of that was the money and feeding the games. Anytime she sees any money, she says "feed pig," which means she wants to put it in her piggy bank!!

Yesterday when she got up, she grabbed Daddy's cell phone and said, "call Daddy," and "call birthday." This morning when I asked her what she wanted for breakfast, she wanted birthday cake!!

Even though this Christmas season has been a little different with Daddy's neck and surgery and all, it has really been enjoyable. It has been so nice for us to be together for these past 2 weeks. Yes, we have had to scale back some of our activies, but I have a very laid back personality, so it has been great. We have done very little shopping, but Christmas really isn't about the gifts, it is about Jesus. It is so easy to get caught up in all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, and miss the true magic and miracle of Christmas - Christ. More than any thing that we buy her, I want Emily to see Christ in us.

Tonight after she ate supper she said "I love you Momma!" So precious. She will tell you "love, love, love" if you ask her to, but this was totally unprompted. All I could do was look at Daddy, and say did I just hear what I thought I did? And Daddy just answered her and told her Momma loved her too. She then said, "I love you Daddy." We both almost melted!!!

Happy Birthday my sweet Emily. You have brought us so much joy. We are just amazed as we watch you blossom into a precious child. Daddy and I know that God has special plans for you, and we can't wait to see what He has in store for you.

SNOW MEMORIES

Here are a few more pics of the snow. A snow of this magnitude is very rare for South Louisiana. It has been ten years since it snowed like this. I am from the north, so as a child I got to play in the snow every winter. It is one of my wishes that my child know the joy of playing in the snow. And to think, Emily will get to play in the snow 3 times this year!!! wow, more than I could have dreamed!!

Some of my favorite snow memories: Waking up on a cold morning and looking out the window and seeing a white blanket of snow (and hearing NO SCHOOL!!), every year around Nov. our picnic table in the back yard would be "lost" sometimes under as much as 3 feet of snow. I remember shoveling snow to earn Christmas money. And the many snowmen, igloos, forts, snow angels and snowball fights. I miss the peace and hush of fresh snow. The white Christmases...I still watch the sky in South Louisiana every year for the slightest hint of snow.

Oh memories, memories!!! Enjoy the pics of SNOW SOUTH LOUISIANA - DEC. 11, 2008.

SNOW SNEAUX...IN S. LOUISIANA???

LOVE THE SHIFTY CHINESE EYES

THE HAT LADIES!!

Yes, it snowed this morning!! At 9:30 a.m. we had 5 inches!!

HOHOHOHO!!

Thanksgiving in TN and update

UNCLE CLARENCE FEEDING ME WHIPPED CREAM
I LOVE HORSES

THE COUSINS.

SEE ARCHIVES IN MAY FOR PICS WHEN LEVI AND BABY CARLY VISITED US

Here are just a few pics from our Tennesee trip for Thanksgiving.

Donnie is doing great from his surgery. I have to watch him close because he doesn't want to rest. He is getting better everyday, and learning and accepting his limits.

And here are some of the latest from "Emilyland":

*I asked Emily, just in casual conversation, when she was going to start peepeeing in the potty. Her answer was "Tuesday!!"

*While Donnie and I were in the hospital, and she was home with Grandma, she would ask where we were and Grandma told her Daddy was getting his neck fixed and Mommy was helping!! I can only imagine what her little mind thought.

*When Daddy first came home she was very concerned about him, but we just reasured her that Daddy was better. She would say, "Poor Daddy!!"

*We had been telling her for several days that she was going to spend the day with Aunt Trudy. Seems like the only time we have been to Aunt Trudy's has been for her children's bithday parties which have included a pony and an inflatable jumper, so she thinks that is normal for Aunt Trudy's house. She kept saying "jump!" When I asked her this morning where she was going today, her answer was "China!!!" Daddy just told her to be home before dark!!

*I put the tree up today. It is not decorated yet. When she came in and saw it, she was in awe. She continues to go up to it and smell it. It is an artificial tree!!

OH HOW MUCH OUR ASIAN ANGEL HAS GROWN IN 1 YEAR

Happy Adoption day Nov. 6, 2008

This was taken on Nov. 12, 2007

What a difference a year makes!! She has grown so much. I still catch myself looking at her in disbelief that she is finally here!! Notice the look on her face on the bottom picture....that is her "mad or mean face!!" On the top one, I think it is the lighting that has made her skin coloring look so dark - she really is pretty fair skinned.

Please remember us in prayer - Donnie's surgery is tomorrow. Bless his heart, he is in so much pain that he is ready to go. He is so active it is going to be hard to keep him down as he recovers.

Emily and I had a good time in TN. Will post pics later.

On the agenda for December:

Emily will be staying home with Grandma while Mom and Dad are at the hospital.

Emily will also spend a day with Kuncle. She is so excited. All day today she would get a toy out of the toybox and say "Take (name of toy) Kuncle house.

Emily will also get to play in SNOW on Sunday. A local museum is having an open house and having several tons of snow. We were planning on meeting Aunt Trudy and family after church and go, but now with Daddy's surgery, she will spend the day with Aunt Trudy.

Our birthday is less than 2 weeks away. I decided to make her cake in the shape of a 2. 2 is her favorite number and I will decorate the house with blue (her favorite color) 2's. The "party will consist of immediate family and will be just cake and ice cream and tons of pictures and presents of course!!

And we are also very excited about Christmas. Emily is still young, but I think this year she will definately get the concept of presents!! We haven't put the tree up yet, I will now have to tackle that task on my own. As far as Christmas activities, I would like to take her to a parade, to see lights. The local park in town decorates with lights and inflatables - she will love it.

OK, this was going to be a SHORT post!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KUNCLE

Sunday was my oldest brother's birthday and I have been neglectful of getting pictures of Emily with her uncle. So this will be a post about Emily and her Kuncle.

No, Emily was not the first neice/nephew to name him as such. The first nephew did that, and the other 4 have followed suit and it seems to suit him well.

Emily has made up a sign language sign for him - it is a sign for sucker. I took her to see him and he tried to take her sucker, and she would tell him "no, no, no".

He also has taken her to see ducks, so now when he calls her and she hears his voice she says duck.

On the lighter side, and heavier side here are some happpenings around Emilyland:

Emily and I leave brite and early tomorrow and will fly to N*shville for Thanksgiving with Granny. Daddy and Poppa are staying behind and holding down the fort. I will post pics when I get back.

On the heavier side, Donnie is having surgery for a ruptured disk in his neck on Dec. 3. Please pray for him. I am really concerned about him. I just hate it that I am going to be away from him for Turkey Day.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

SEED DOG

Emily pronounces her "F's" as "S's", thus the title. I was on the phone, and had the gate down and she decided the dog needed to be fed. She would fill the bowl and dump it on the floor and refill it. When this becomes her responsibility to feed the dog daily, I am going to remind her that she LOVES to feed the dog. Notice her intensity - now is that Donnie or what!!

Some other updates on Emily:

She can count to 3 ....in English and Spanish!!! Thanks to Dora for the Spanish

In October she doubled the amount of teeth. Since Jan. she had been getting 1 tooth a month, in Oct. she got about 8!!! We were just a little grouchy.

She continues to amaze us with what she says and how well she is able to communicate.

We went to the mall last Friday and she had her first Icee. Yum Yum!!! When she ate all she could she still enjoyed it...she dumped it on herself and had a ball playing in it!!

We are potty training. Some hours she is at the potty every 5 minutes, and then we have days when she won't go to the potty at all!!! I can always tell which days are going to be bad potty days. She has a potty book and she will read it out loud "NO peepee!!"

We are also working on colors a little bit. Blue seems to be her favorite color. She calls her blankies baby. We have red baby (which is red) and pink baby (pink). You can ask what color they are and they are blue!!!

NATIONAL ADOPTION DAY

Today is national adoption day. Today also marks three years that we began this journey - and what a journey it has been!!





Believe it or not the Bible has a lot to say about adoption and infertility.





Look at the story of Moses. The government said that all Hebrew babies were to be killed. But God had a different plan for Moses. How do you think Moses mother came up with the idea to put him in a basket, and float him down the river? And what about Pharoah's daughter? Do you think that maybe she was infertile and wanted a child? God moved on both of these two women's hearts.





And then there is the ultimate adoption. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savoir, God adopts us into His kingdom, and we become heirs to His throne!!





It is just amazing to me that God created women who could not have children to raise a child, and a woman to give birth, but not be able to mother it. It is so hard to comprehend. But I know that neither one is lesser in God's eyes.





God calls us to take care of the ophans. The statistics of children in need of a home is staggering. Please pray for these children. And for those of you waiting to adopt, I am praying for you, that He will give you peace during the wait, and that He would loosen whatever is tying up the process.

I SUPPORT ADOPTION

IN CHINA LAST YEAR

Here's our Princess overlooking the city of Changsha, Hunan China.

And we think we work hard. Yes, he is delivering 5 gallon jugs of water on his bike. Count them.

Hunan is famous for its embroidary.

This is inside the Forbidden City. The architecture of the buildings is amazing.

This is a count down clock to the Olympics. It is across the street from Tienamen Square. Donnie was taking this picture when we got seperated from our group - yes, LOST in Tienamen Square!!

Just a few pics from this time last year. I am still working on getting our pictures sorted out. I hope to be able to put up a link to the "Electronic albums" so that anyone who wants to view our pictures will be able to do so.

The whole trip to China was really incredible. I remember thinking before we left just how overwhelming it was. It was overwhelming to think that we were actually going to China, and then bringing a baby back on top of that!!! Most people don't even have a desire to go to China let alone the opportunity.

Donnie and I have great love and respect for China, and it is our hope and responsability to give Emily the same. We have a beach ball that is a globe, and we have taught her that she was born in China and lives in the USA. She knows where both are and she also says China if you ask her where she was born. I also showed her Australia and told her that I wanted Daddy to take us there, so she knows where Austraila is too LOL!!

HAPPY GOTCHA DAY

Here she is today in the outfit that she came in. This was the outer layer of 3 layers of clothes.

Happy one year anniversary of Gotcha Day to my sweet Emily. My how you have changed in 1 year. Nov. 5, 2007 is a day you will never remember, but a day I will never forget. I don't remember you not calling me Momma. Gotcha day was not a very happy day for you a year ago, but I promise it will be a happy day from now on. I love you sweet girl.
Love, Momma