Finally....

one of my kids is happy to help with the laundry!!!

Praying...

I've read more posts about birth mothers over the last four years than I can count. Everyone seems to express similar thoughts. Feelings of thankfulness and connectedness. A deep gratitude for the care she took in making sure our daughter was as safe as possible. A desire to somehow share with her that our daughter is well and very loved. An enormous longing to tell her that her choice to give our daughter a chance at getting the medical help she needs was worth it.

I understand all those posts because today the baby that she cared for and held for the first fifteen days of her life turned three years old. I can't help but wonder if she is thinking of her. I can't imagine that she isn't. No one that sacrificed so much, could possibly let the day pass without thoughts of the little one she loved.

My heart breaks for this woman who I will likely never meet. And all I can do is pray for her.

Lord, please draw KayLi's birth mother to you. Help her to know you as her Savior, so that she might know the forgiveness and peace that only you can give. May she somehow know that her daughter is loved beyond measure. And may she be filled to the fullness of your love.

Amen

An Early Birthday Gift

While tomorrow is KayLi's actually birthday, my mom wanted to give KayLi her gift a little early. She was very excited about it and immediately began to multitask!

She and Emily prepared a wonderful meal of "nunnels & han-gergers" i.e. noodles & hamburgers. I love their beautiful dinning table!


It converts into a great place to color and cuddle.

And it's super fun with a princess flashlight!


Thanks Grandma Patti!!!!

We're Ready!

Spurs season starts in October but we're ready! Now if we only had tickets...

Go Spurs Go!!!!

1st Day of 6th Grade

Is it really possible that my little girl started Junior High today? Somebody please say it ain't so!!!

When she came home my obvious first question was "Well how was junior high?"

She answered, "I LOVE IT!!!!"

At least she's happy about it :0(

The After Bath Nightly Ritual

1. Wrap up tightly in a towel and fly around the house super hero style with your "Arms up."

2. Squeal with delight as you fly faster and faster!!!!!

3. Stand on the dresser and adjust your panties by doing aerobic exercises.

4. Chant "One. Two. One. Two." as you do your aerobic exercises over and over.

5. Put on very cute pajamas.

6. Be very still while you have your hair brushed.

7. Give Daddy a "Big hug!"

A Little Disappointed

We took KayLi to see a surgeon in Lubbock today. Unfortunately we were disappointed with his plans for treating her. I'm sure he would have done a good job repairing her palate but he didn't want to do any reconstruction on her nose until she is sixteen years old. Yeah. I'm glad that we have friends who took their son Toryn to the International Craniofacial Institute in Dallas. We know from them that she shouldn't have to wait that long. I had been hoping to avoid the five hour drive there but now I'm glad that we have appointments set up for next Tuesday. I can't wait to come up with a game plan. KayLi has been on antibiotics twice for ear infections in the short time she's been with us. So the sooner we can repair her palate the better.

The highlight of our day (aside from a very brief visit with Ryan....I forgot to get pictures of him and KayLi again...so sad ) was dinner at Joe's Crab Shack.

It was a great break from doctors and driving.

KayLi really liked climbing through all the tunnels.

But the slide was by far her favorite.

I think someone needs her own swing set!!!!

Somethings Fishy!

The company that Allie works for has a tank (that's a man made lake for those of you who don't speak Texan) that they allow the employs to use. Today they allowed our local Cowboy Church to use the tank to baptist some of their members as long as an employee was present. So we spent the afternoon hanging out with God's people country style.

The kids even did a little fishing for small perch while we were there. Emily loves to fish, even if it's only for little fish to throw back.

KayLi on the other hand was not thrilled! My friend Sundai tried so hard to get her to appreciate these little creatures. She was just not having it.

So then Allie tried to show her that they really are nice. She still was not having it. No matter what they did....

she had this look on her face!

One month ago today God answered our prayers when this precious child walked into our lives. She has filled our hearts with more joy than we could have dreamed of!

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy."
Proverbs 13:12

The Third Day in a Row

Today was the third day in a row that we spent a good chunk of our afternoon playing outside. Even though it's in the 90's, I honestly think she would stay out there all day if I let her. Maybe because 95 degrees here feels a lot different than 95 degrees in China!

While we were running errands this morning we just HAD to buy this cute pink scooter! She was so excited when she discovered that she could ride it by herself!!!!!

When we finally went inside I painted her finger and toe nails the softest shade of pink pearl nail polish ever. My dad and Candi brought her the nail polish when they meet us in LA. They though she would like it since she likes all things girly and they were right...she loved it!

And they match her new scooter perfectly!

Lovin Life Outside

KayLi LOVES to be outside. She loves the flowers, the trees (yes there are a few in West Texas) and even just walking on the grass. I love how her hair is still sticking out from her nap!

The Summer heat has finished off almost all of the Spring flowers but Emily and KayLi picked a few.

KayLi just wanted to hold and sometimes smell the flowers. Emily on the other hand, got creative and put them in the frame of her glasses!

Emily tried to show KayLi how to ride her scooter. I think KayLi needs one with four wheels :0) As long as Emily kept her balanced, KayLi was happy to be pulled around.

At least until she decided it would be fun to pull Emily.

They make me smile!

If you've been following my blog for awhile, you may remember this jean purse that Emily made for KayLi. Somehow I knew this would happen! Oh and please completely ignore the unmade bed in the background. Someday, my house will be tidy again but right now, I'm enjoying these two precious people more than I ever dreamed possible!

What I Learned My First Week Home!

I have had a very busy week learning so many new things!

First I learned that there were a lot of people waiting for me to come home. I like this guy a lot...he's my Ge Ge!

It is so fun to wake up and find out that your cousin is still here.

My Baba has big shoes but I think I look good in them. And check out these shorts. They have a pocket just the right size for a bag of Fruit Snacks...how cool is that?

These sleeping bags things are very slippery but I like them.

And when your Baba rolls you up in one they call you a burrito. What's up with that?

If you climb in this big tub, someone will come along and pull you around. It's great!

It's easy to amaze my new parents.

All you have to do is summersaults over and over again. Like it's hard or something.

My new house is cool but I think it needs a little redecorating. Don't you think these coasters look much better on the candles?

I have my OWN bed! Which I sleep in all night every night because I'm awesome!

I have a lot of new friends. Aren't they cute? My friend Jaci is from China, just like me!

My new stylist is so much better than my last one! She can actually cut straight!

There is nothing better than pink boots, cantaloupe and a cool big sister!

Don't I look gorgeous in ALL my necklaces and new sunglasses?

I really like these blocks. They are so fun to dump out over and over and over again!

I love my pool too! I can kick back and chill in it just like my sister!

Bubbles and sidewalk chalk are super fun and just a little messy.

And today I got my very own tricycle! I love it! It even has a trunk to store my juice and Cherrioes in!

I think I'm gonna like it here! This new family loves me A LOT!!!!