"Mama, KayLi China?"

Tonight as I was putting KayLi to bed she wanted to sing a song about going to China from Ni Hao Kai Lan. So, of course we sang it. When we finished singing this was our conversation:

K: "Mama, KayLi China?"
M: "Yes, you are from China."
K: " Ahhh, China."
M: "Mama, Daddy, & Emily went all the way to China to get you and bring you to KayLi's house."

She smiled her biggest smile and whispered "KayLi's house."
Then she feel asleep, literally still smiling.

KayLi & Bella

Not long after we moved to West Texas Isabella, or Bella as KayLi calls her, was adopted by some sweet friends of ours.

So often as we were waiting to bring KayLi home Bella's mom and I would wonder if KayLi was the same age, the same size or going through the same stages as Isabella was.

(KayLi had jumped off the step...I can't believe I caught her in midair!)

When we received KayLi's referral it was exciting to learn that KayLi was just a few months older than Isabella. When we received an update we learned that they were almost exactly the same size. And while we waited for travel it was so fun to watch Isabella and think that there would soon be someone just that size in my house.

Since KayLi has been home they have created quite a special bond. KayLi simply loves Bella. While KayLi was recovering from her palate surgery, Bella left a "get well" message on our answering machine for her. KayLi knows exactly which button to push and loves to listen to Bella's sweet message.

"KayLi, dis a Bella. I hope you feel betta. I praying you. I luv you. Bye"
Over and over and over!!!

It is a complete joy to watch these two precious girls play together. They are both such amazing answers to prayer. I love that they are growing up as friends and neighbors just a block away from each other.

We love you Bella!!!

A Door

A couple weeks ago a door closed that I was certain we would be walking through. My faith and attitude about it have been pitiful.

Normally I would remind myself that God opens and closes door for a purpose...for His greater glory. Normally, I would be fine, if not happy, with that. Not so much this time.

This particular door is one I have thought and dreamed about for over four years. I had no idea how set I was on it until I realized that it was not just shut but very firmly closed.

I know God can open it if He so chooses. After all it is His door. I don't think He he will though.

I'm praying like crazy that He opens another that is similar. Oh, how I want to see Him glorified!

It has all made my heart heavy. Very heavy. Until this morning...

During the sermon our pastor reminded us about a few things that I desperately needed to be reminded of. Things that changed my attitude about the situation...hopefully for good.

Things like being anxious for nothing. Even if those things will glorify God.

And to think on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, of good report, are virtuous or bring praise. Not on what might have been.

And to take EVERY thought captive. Even the ones that want to scream "Why not?"

And above all to rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS because He is so worthy of our joy and praise!

So until He opens the next door or triumphantly returns, I will try to give Him reason to be gloried. Even in my thought life. Especially in my thought life. I WILL rejoice in Him and in the amazing blessing He has given us. He is so worthy!!!

I Think I Exhaled

I spent a few hours in my craft room today being blissfully creative.

I haven't been in this room since we started to prepare to travel.

All I made were a few simple little note cards.

It was wonderful. I think I finally exhaled!

Just Look At The Cuteness

Well, apparently it's a miracle that I got through KayLi's adoption paperwork the first time. Our agency reminded me that our Adoption Certificate was translated and notarized in China. I totally spaced off that said document was one of three given to us in Shandong. Hopefully we will find favor with the HR department and a Chinese notary will suffice.

I posted more of the pictures from the "carousel" in the hopes that you will be so stunned by KayLi's cuteness that you will forget all about how much of an idiot I can be :0)

Help Please

We are working on an adoption reimbursement that my husbands employer provides and need a translation service to translate KayLi's adoption certificate into English. The translation needs to be notarized. Do any of you know of such a service? I would really appreciate any leads :0)

The picture above is of KayLi playing on an awesome "carousel" in one of the waiting areas at KayLi's surgeons...I just threw it in for some random cuteness!

No Tricks, Just Treats!

Ok, say it in unison with me..."Aaawwwwww!!!" I KNOW!!!! Is she the cutest Minnie Mouse ever or what?!?!?

For at least 18 years Allie has begged one, if two of my children to be a robot for Halloween. I am raising intelligent children who understand how uncomfortable cardboard can be after 20 minutes and they have always steadfastly refused. This year Emily humored him. Either that or she just wanted him to shut up, I'm not sure which.

She really was a cute robot though. I hate that I was having major camera issues.

Once the robot costume was complete and Minnie's face was sufficiently painted we headed for a Fall Festival that one of the local churches put on. It was a blast! Thanks so much Trinity Baptist...Great job!!!

Ryan graciously slide with KayLi on her first inflatable slide and she loved it!

Emily and her sweet friend Shelby walked the cake walk several times and I'm fairly convinced that there is large cake walk conspiracy across the great state of Texas. In over 21 years of parenting, countless carnivals and festivals, my children have never won a single cake. E.V.E.R. Shelby and her brother Logan won three...at this one festival. Call me a conspiracy theorist if you want to but I'm just sayin'!

Since Emily's costume was not jumping castle attire Shelby took KayLi in and bounced with her until she was sure of this large inflated box.

It didn't take long before she was having a great time with my friend Traci's little Asian Sensation!

A great time until I said, "KayLi, no more candy until we get home."
Seriously this was the reaction!

It's just pitiful to fill an entire pink purse full of candy and tell her to stop eating it after piece number, who knows what!

She cheered up fast though when we went to take this picture in this cute little spot. There was a barrel full of apples and plastic pumpkins set out and well, let's just say I'm really glad the place was almost deserted before she and Toryn found them.

I love this picture though! Em is soooooo done with her costume and Logan finally decided he would like to wear one!

This was the first Halloween for both these little cuties and they totally loved it!

I loved how Minnie's nose rubbed off throughout the evening and she smiles so cute when you ask her to say "Cheese!"

Pumpkin Carving!

Well, I managed to get my house clean in time for Ryan and his high school sweetheart Ana's arrival. Was there ever any doubt? I even managed to get the Fall decorations in place!

Have I mentioned that I REALLY LOVE Fall !?!?!?

We started off our weekend by pumpkin carving on Friday night. KayLi wasn't sure about the pumpkin guts at first...

but she soon discovered that that slimy can be fun! Especially when she learned you can eat the raw pumpkin...a gross!

Our friends daughter was over for the evening and these two little sweeties really wanted to join in. Ummm...sharp tools and toddlers....let's just say they are both adopted and we didn't want to have to explain anything to their social workers :0)

Emily saved the night by showing them how to pock holes in the scraps from her pumpkin. Safe enough for a social worker! Em's such a good Jie Jie.

Most of us used patterns but Ryan couldn't find one he liked, so he decided to be original.

You never would have guessed that Ana had never carved a pumpkin before. She was a pro!

KayLi really loved the pumpkin that "we" made. She did help clean out those slimy guts remember!

Em's turned out very cute. Just like her!

Ryan's non-pattern was his "signature." Yep, that's my boy!

Allie's, well...he didn't use a pattern either.

Ana's turned out as adorable as she is. It looked very cute lite!

Here's Emily's.

And Ana's and KayLi's. I told you Ana's was cute lite!

Ok, Allie's did turn out cute once it was lite. I just can't help but think he was going for a self portrait in pumpkin form.

Hopefully I'll have a chance later tonight to post about Saturday night's Fall Festival. But right now the people I live with are really hoping I will make dinner.



A little note about the Happy Face Balloon picture in the last post. We had bought KayLi a couple helium balloons last weekend. The Happy Face balloon was starting to loose helium and do some serious hovering. You're right Kristi it was a little freaky...but funny!