Christmas break happenings....

This Christmas break was awesome. It's the first time we've been in WI at this time for many a year. We packed as much as we could in this time. We visited as many people, friends & family that would let us. The girls kept saying " Who we get to see next?" It truely was a magical time.

Will did not want to leave his cousin Dewights house.

Sofi loves her Mamaw.

Lize still is the most joyful little thing. I keep waiting for her to change. I thank GOD everyday for her and her personality.

James got to take Dewight to his first KY Wildcat game!

Yes, it's bandaids! It's what she wanted!!

The kids had an awesome time opening presents. The girls totally got the opening present thing and the anticipation of waiting.

A rare picture of all 4 of my sweetie pie's. What a blessing it is to be called their MOMMY!

Sofi wants to be a "Hewt Dr(heart Dr) whend she gows up".......

This picture says it all....we wore them out.

Winter & Christmas fun......

A rare picture of my soon to be 14 yr old.

The ladies before we went to see our friend Faiths Christmas program. Of course Trish made the bows.

I was nervous having 2 close in age but GOD knew exactly what HE was doing. Most days they are inseperable best friends.

After months in the Florida heat, the kids are loving the snow!

When it rains, it pours..

Well Saturday night through Thursday our entire family has had the flu and all the ugly other stuff that comes with it. A trip to the ER and Dr to find out Zach has Asthma. He has been masking the symptoms for months and didn't know that he was. He's quite irritated with the whole thing. He loves gym and working out and at almost 14 he doesn't want anything that might give him attention. We also got to put $650 into the van. Thank God we own it but it still sucks.

Honest Sofia....

Adoptive parents know that going anywhere is probably going to result in a look or question from someone. I don't mind 99.9% of the time. I pray my answer to their question will lead anyone to adopt a child. Sofia on the other hand is not so nice about it. The first was by an older lady who said "Your so cute, where are you from?" Sofi says "Misconsin" Lady says " you look Chinese, and so does your sister" Sofi , with her hand on her hip and an irritated look says " if you must know, I was a baby in the Gondong (Guangdong) Providence" She then asked if that was in China. Sofia's response was "DAAA it's not Misconsin"

The second was with Santa. He asked if Lize was her sister? Sofi says "yes". Then Santa asks if that's her "REAL" sister. Sofi's response was " We'll she's NOT a doll"

What a year...........

This has been a VERY interesting year. Filled with many life lessons, challenges, heart aches but most of all blessings. From the stroke James had in Jan, week in the hospital, 4 months of intense therapy. Lize having pallate surgery and her Speech therapy. The challenges with James job and his company in bankruptcy. Moving to Florida and all that brought. One of things we learned is "things are just things". Pastor always says " it's ok to have things if things don't have you". We have mastered that one. We learned how important your health is. That home is not within 4 walls. It is where your entire family is literally together. The importance of friendship. A price can never be put on true friendship. Here are a few things I am thankful for in no particular order Thank You God for.........
-My husband and children
-Our many friends we are blessed to do life with
-My sister-in-law Barb who is amazing
-Trish who changed how I see motherhood and helped me get through one of the most diff times in my life. If there is a soul mate for friendship it was her
-The people who love the good, bad and ugly parts of who I am
-The people of Life Church Germantown
-James job
-The health of our entire family
-WI
-James full recovery from the stroke
-Friends, friends, friends
-Visitors to Florida
-Brady, the blessing who was worth the wait
-The house we were able to rent from my parents in FL
-The extended family who supported us during this diff time
-Those wonderful people who took care of James while we were in FL
Sooo many other things. These are just a few that remind me of what "true wealth is"

In the eyes of my children..........

I am blessed beyond measure. Thank you GOD.

3 years ago.....

Three years ago we brought home our sweet Sofia Alma LiYi from Guanzhou China. It's hard to believe how fast the time has gone by. She has grown so much. Our lives have been changed forever by the gift of her in our lives.

Her welcoming group remains to be her closest friends. "Her" Jeanne is "betest bid grl friend"

This was one of the first weeks picture. She didn't want to be held but would snuggle in real close.

She still remains silly, silly, silly.

She loves to eat. Her favorite is frosting, pizza, noodles and goldfish still.

She is a total mama's girl! This is a rare picture. I appreciate the mama girl thing since Lize is a daddy's girl. When were out together Sofi like to tell people "We're the ladies"!

She loves to fly now but still hates riding in the car.

She has the greatest imagination. I love to listen and watch her play. Her creativity is amazing.

Her favorite place in the "whole wold" is the beach. I can't believe that God thought I was the best choice for Sofia but I'm not giving her back and I wouldn't change a thing! Thank you God!!!

Everyday fun......

Some 10 + years up the road Luke will appreciate being surrounded by all these ladies. All these little people are under 4. A wonderful age where everything is magical, fun and mommy is still #1.

Sofi and "her" Jackie. Sofi doesn't like to share her but she's still one of my best friends.

The train at the pumpkin patch. We were all in agreement that a chilly WI pumpkin patch is much more fun.

Tinkerbell and Pirate Will.

Lize loves the sand at the beach.

Aunt Debby and Uncle Michael came to visit. The girls wouldn't let them be.

Random China pictures from last year......

Sweet little Sara was from the same waiting list Lize was on from AAC.

Somehow I don't think the "union" would ok this in the US.

Shelia and her daughter Quinn.

Faith and Lize have remained close friends. Faith has a wonderful servants heart. She is also a very motherly soul.

Lize's friend Lily. Lily is the sweetest child i've ever met.

Vicki and I have remained close. Our famlies are now intertwined for life.

I still can't believe how fast this year has gone by. It feels as if Lize has always been here. She was worth every ounce of heartache waiting. I sometimes get asked if she's "mine or adopted"....

I can assure you she's mine! No matter where she grew, she was destined to be my daughter and part of our family.