tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52903985865159562662024-02-06T23:44:34.141-06:00And Mia Makes Six...Our story of three boys and one little Chinese sister...If These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-46521612064270887472012-02-20T20:16:00.001-06:002012-02-20T20:19:26.912-06:00Looking for us?You can find us at our new blog...
http://www.hislittlesparrow.blogspot.com
Visit us!If These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-16327591958209572712011-11-15T22:12:00.001-06:002011-11-15T22:12:26.740-06:00Stationery card<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="width:425px; height:494px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif);"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter" style="height:482px; padding: 0 6px 0 6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif); background-repeat:repeat-y;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="width: 105px; height: 34px; padding: 14px 0 0 14px;"><img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height:350px; text-align:center; padding: 0;"><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Ybt2LNw0YuQg&cid=SFLYOCWIDGET&eid=115"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/0Ybt2LNw0Yo/0Ybt2LNw0Yo4s/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1321416718000/0/" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;"></a></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="height:55px; background-color:#f4f4e9; text-align:center; padding: 15px 0 15px 0; line-height: 19px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 15px; color: #333333; font-weight: bold;"><span>Christ Wishes Religious Christmas Card</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewSEOText" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span>This season, send <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards" style="color: #6666cc;">Christmas cards personalized with family photos</a>.</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span>View the entire <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</span></div><img width="1" height="1" border="0" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=msc&c2=blogger" /></div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif);"></div></div>If These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-46372005014490832912011-11-08T21:43:00.001-06:002011-11-08T22:50:07.490-06:00Umm... where did September and October go?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It can't be November already? Is it? Wow... I know I will win the "worst blogger" award for lack of consistent blogging. Our life has been pretty hectic for the last few months and the next couple of months aren't looking much better... LOL.
So, we moved back into the house. Yay!!! We were all so glad to get to come home, but gosh, was it stressful. Boxes, boxes, and more boxes everywhere. I still have only a path for us to walk through the garage. The neighborhood feels oddly different because of the daily reminder of the destruction that came our way on April 27. I have to admit that I am still grieving through this. The beauty of our neighborhood is having to be rediscovered and some days I just don't see it. I see a whole bunch of dirt where trees used to be and my favorite walking path is no longer there. But, enough of my whining. The kids are glad to have their stuff back and I'm glad to finally be back home.
October... hmmm... well, sometime around mid-month, I came up for air, after being buried in boxes for a month or so. Football season was well upon us... in fact, running our life for a while. Cole played on junior varsity and dressed out for Varsity on Friday nights. The first couple of varsity games left me swiping tears after seeing my baby, my little Cole, standing there among a bunch of sweaty, smelly big boys looking more like a man than a boy. Where did the years go? I got it together after a few games, and now I only cry about it in secret. Ha, ha... The Glencoe Yellow Jackets have had a good season and are going into the second round of playoff games this Friday night. It has been sooooooooo busy, but I've loved it. On October 31, we dressed out a Stuie, an extremely handsome cowboy, and a little Chinese Minnie Mouse. I love Halloween dress-up... so, so fun. We've already started planning for next year. But its' a secret, can't tell you just yet.
Our little sister has really made some strides in the last couple of months. For starters, she is talking now... a lot. A few months ago, I was beginning to be concerned that we couldn't understand much of anything she said. Fast forward to now, and she is speaking in sentences and sometimes I have to ask her to just stop talking and let my ears rest. Paybacks, I know... LOL... She's still a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse addict, likes cheese-curls for breakfast, and is pure comedy most of the time. Her favorite toys right now are puzzles, costume jewelry, and lip gloss. Yes, lip gloss. The girl loves some cosmetics. She is more beautiful every day and sometimes I just can't believe she's ours.
The biggest news of this week is that I was able to go back to work. I've been out for a while due to complications of my lupus. I've been on a new medicine that I hope will allow me to continue to improve. God has blessed me with a fantastic job and I am grateful to have that to go back to. I know He has a plan for me and His ways are the best ways.
A new friend of mine will be coming home from China on Thursday. She and her family waited for over five years for their little M. Unbelievable. When she began the process, her agency predicted a twelve month wait... then it turned into two-years, then three, then four, then five YEARS. God teaches us lessons during waiting times in our lives and this story is such a perfect illustration of His perfect plans for all of us. The daughter that God had knit for this family hadn't even been born during the waiting time... so the wait was necessary. And now, it all makes sense. My life has been changed for the better when I began to accept that God's got it all figured out... I can stop worrying, I can stop biting my nails, and just rely on Him to guide us. So, if you are waiting on God right now for something, I hope you are encouraged that He will work it all out, whatever it may be.
I'm going to challenge myself for the next few weeks to spend time blogging about thankfulness... I'm always up for a challenge. :)If These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-67766576263372452042011-08-18T23:55:00.001-05:002011-08-19T00:03:36.840-05:00Glimpses of Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SRd6FLWnvki1pa5TtO2-iOijiGGI7ismZFdZXOBmkqE-0OcsLHa7K9i55LP5Mk_s907uCqIMhyphenhyphenO7tjTa6RpZDcpblUF9ZvnD3ZlXDNzhN8pEJHxEbawoyuCSo53b3UjSiTe3dF30a5dr/s1600/DSC_1118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="268" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SRd6FLWnvki1pa5TtO2-iOijiGGI7ismZFdZXOBmkqE-0OcsLHa7K9i55LP5Mk_s907uCqIMhyphenhyphenO7tjTa6RpZDcpblUF9ZvnD3ZlXDNzhN8pEJHxEbawoyuCSo53b3UjSiTe3dF30a5dr/s400/DSC_1118.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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Just a few more photos of summer sweetness, random stuff that I must share with all my bloggy friends. <br />
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Much love,If These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-78856891847455850842011-08-18T23:36:00.000-05:002011-08-18T23:36:49.189-05:00So Long Summer...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aUxysSesEddyXknc6MCHeLByhum8ZKqs5VFmJw4wCU5LvXkGW4osnHqwH-pMAS1_4dCgEXWej27rwlfyDpGeALxSHO-erQdhP_IwCh8Kbc7mKQHrjt5ViikRMpdOL29oIabPP9VPyGGG/s1600/IMG_0444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aUxysSesEddyXknc6MCHeLByhum8ZKqs5VFmJw4wCU5LvXkGW4osnHqwH-pMAS1_4dCgEXWej27rwlfyDpGeALxSHO-erQdhP_IwCh8Kbc7mKQHrjt5ViikRMpdOL29oIabPP9VPyGGG/s400/IMG_0444.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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We're gonna miss you. Till next year...<br />
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Well, I can't believe it, but the summer has ended and it's back to school again. The summer was good. We traveled a lot and crammed as much fun as we could into June and July. We went to the beach with my family in early June, Griff and I took a CRUISE in July, and then one more beach trip with Griff's family to end the summer break. I enjoyed my children this summer. We are still living at Aunt Ruby's little house, patiently waiting for our house to be renovated. My kids have been awesome about the whole situation. I am extremely proud of how they've handled this enormous inconvenience. I keep reminding myself and them that God sometimes wraps up blessings in bad things just to surprise us. That seems to be enough for them and is generally for me unless I'm just having a particularly bad day. Mia has come so far in the last few months and I sometimes can't believe she hasn't always been with us. Cole has grown into a man and I cry in secret because I know he's growing so fast and I'm going to have to let him fly. Garrett read the entire Harry Potter series this summer... he's my little studious fella. And Nolan... he has gardened, fished, and has made me giggle so many times just because he is devilishly yummy... he's my little blond-haired boy. <br />
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As I said before, God wraps up blessings in hurts sometimes and I continue to struggle with my lupus. My doctor finally decided to let me try a new infuseable medication specifically for lupus. I got my first infusion last week and it's still way too early to know if I'll respond. I am prayerful that God will bring healing to me... but the sickness has allowed me to be off from work for a while, which has given me the gift of time... time with my babies and I have loved it. <br />
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The house rebuild is still underway. My contractor is a cousin, so he can't hate me forever. I'm starting to get restless and starting to ask the same question a lot... "And when do you think you'll be done?" He just laughs and I know he secretly wants me to get to go home as much or more than I do. <br />
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Oh, and how could I forget? The garden... yes, the garden. My dad planted this ENORMOUS garden and we have spent many hours picking vegetables and putting them up for winter. I even purchased my very own FoodSaver thingy, so I am officially a domestic nerd. My goal is to have my freezer stocked with all things fresh, so that this winter when I'm craving a nice, wholesome bowl of vegetable soup... I can simply walk to my freezer, pluck out a bag, and in a little while be lapping it up. Gardening is so fun to me... as I love to watch how things grow. Again, a gift from God, because if I were working right now, I would have missed this. My mom and I had fun putting up tomatoes and soup stock together and I learned lot. Blessings.<br />
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So, my babies rushed off to school a few days ago. Cole was excited about going to high school... I know... sniff, sniff... Garrett was on-the-fence about his back-to-school opinion, Nolan was ready to get to first grade so he can learn to read... "cause I can't read the Wii and that makes me mad", he says. Mia was not excited about returning to preschool, but appeared happy when I picked her up. A new year begins and only the Lord knows what's in store, but I'm excited just the same. <br />
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I hope you all have had a fun-filled summer with the ones you love. I sure have.<br />
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If These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-73252610894521968152011-06-21T16:56:00.000-05:002011-06-21T16:56:35.005-05:00Fast Forward Four MonthsWow... that was fast. The last time I blogged was in February. So much has happened since then, so I'll do my best to fill you in. I know so many people have probably all but given up on this blog, so I may be the only person reading any of this. But that's okay, it will be therapeutic for me to get it out. Where shall I begin?<br />
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The day of the Chinese Festival (my last post) my grandmother was taken to the hospital with chest pains. She ended up being there for over two months. She had to have triple bypass heart surgery and aortic valve replacement. She really struggled for weeks and I honestly didn't know if she would ever leave that hospital alive. But she did. She was blessed with great doctors, wonderful nurses, a devoted family, and most of all the hand of the GREAT PHYSICIAN, which is our Lord. Our family is very close and this alone was a huge stress on everyone. We are just so thankful that she has recovered and I now see that she's getting back to herself again. Praise, praise, praise.<br />
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By March, my job was beginning to take a toll on me physically. I was recently diagnosed with lupus and fibromyalgia. The long commutes to work every day and the stress of a demanding job and raising a large family started catching up with me. I was slipping a little every day. Medicines weren't helping and I didn't know what to do.<br />
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April began like every other April. Baseball season was in full swing, with Nolan playing T-Ball and Garrett playing Minor League with Griff coaching both teams. Cole was on the golf team again, so many days were an interesting endeavor trying to get everybody where they needed to be. The baseball park is one of my favorite places, though, so I can't complain too much. I've always loved a good baseball game, especially when my kids are playing. Then... April 27th came. What a day. <br />
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The tornadoes that swept through Alabama left it's mark on my neighborhood. Our street looked very much like a war-zone. Luckily, we weren't at home when the tornado hit our neighborhood. After the storm passed, I drove home and couldn't get through to my house for all of the large trees laying in the street. I got out and ran all the way home... screaming and it felt like a slow-motion dream. It's like I could hear myself screaming, but I didn't feel it. I went to the back of the house to discover that the large windows in our family room were blown out. I walked into my house through the window opening and found my little Westie, Gus, running around barking. I know he must have been terrified. There was glass, water, and debris everywhere. I just couldn't take it in. All my things... my picture of my babies lying in the floor shattered and wet. My furniture blown everywhere. But the candlesticks were still in place on the mantle. Weird. The front rooms of the house seemed to almost be untouched with the exception of debris here and there. Upstairs was also pretty in tact. The next few days that followed the storm were dreamlike. People called or came by and I don't remember. Strangers were cutting trees down and dragging off debris. My neighbors were sifting through rubble looking for anything recognizable. The movers came in and moved everything to storage. We moved into a rental house my granddad owned that had belonged to my Aunt Ruby. (I blogged about her last January when she passed away.) Luckily, the house was clean and vacant, so our sweet friends showed up and moved bare minimum stuff for us. <br />
<br />
As I said, my lupus was flaring and I was exhausted, before the storm hit. Afterwards, I didn't know if I could keep it up. My doctor and I talked and I made the decision to take some medical leave from work to try to get some rest and regain my health. So far, I haven't had a great deal of improvement, but I am about to try a new medicine which I am so hoping will allow me to feel like me again. I want to go back to work. I never realized how much it helped me. <br />
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Now it's June and we are still living at Aunt Ruby's. We are crammed into this house like a big foot in a little shoe. We have one bathroom and two bedrooms. Remember, there are six of us Fairleys now. My bedroom contains a double-bed, Mia's crib, and a cot for Nolan. Cole and Garrett are sleeping in the other room. Sometimes when I lay down at night, I think that it is so wonderful to have all my babies near me. Other times, I think I may very well lose my mind due to the lack of space and no privacy. The only repairs done so far to our house is a new roof. We finally got a settlement from the insurance company and now we wait for our mortgage company to release funds so that repairs can begin. This has been VERY SLOW and I'm reaching the threshold of patience. I find myself wanting to shout at everyone... JUST MAKE IT HAPPEN. I want our home back. Yesterday. Do you hear the words that are coming out of my mouth???<br />
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The damage to our beautiful neighborhood and the damages to our home have really been depressing for me. My eyes still cannot believe what I see when I drive down our street and see the landscape stripped clear, with a few exceptional trees that weren't blown down. My neighbors next door and across the street are having to demolish their homes and rebuild. I know that there will be better days ahead and that God's promises are true. God has held us in His hands throughout this situation and sometimes when I am so low, He speaks some word into my sad soul to encourage me. He has used my friends to lift my spirits and keep me hopeful. <br />
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The bright side of all of this is that I'm basically getting a new house. If I can just settle down and be patient, it will be beautiful again. One of my favorite songs right now is "Blessings" by Laura Storey. It is so fitting for what is happening to us right now. I am beginning to see the light, the good aspect of such a bad event. Another praise is that my kids are enjoying living in this little house and playing outside, helping my dad with his enormous garden, and just little things kids do that live in the country. My aunt Ruby had a green thumb and she has flowers planted all around this house. My favorite flower is the gardenia. Right outside the house is a huge gardenia bush in full bloom. How could she have known that all of her flowers would bring me such simple pleasure? Here again, sweet blessings from an AWESOME GOD. He is so into the intricate details, isn't He?<br />
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So, unfortunately this has not been a very upbeat post. Honest, but not the usual stuff I talk about. Maybe I can get back to doing that again. (That is if anyone is still interesting in reading... LOL) <br />
<br />
By the way... guess what I was doing one year ago this week????? Yep, packing for China. Can you believe it's already been a year. She is doing well. I will tell you all about her later.<br />
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Much love to all of you.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjFjY84AYodOFr4Fs7oqgYZFpfksdcDYGmjJphlrXaRy2pNrYcmWY9pAiZ8mkZYyN8apm9331Op4tw9z7CMFTEMYKD76dR170pCdOOZUEwMQNxzRlbU5l_-TSS69rQzU-KG4MW9hAFxRL/s1600/IMG_7106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjFjY84AYodOFr4Fs7oqgYZFpfksdcDYGmjJphlrXaRy2pNrYcmWY9pAiZ8mkZYyN8apm9331Op4tw9z7CMFTEMYKD76dR170pCdOOZUEwMQNxzRlbU5l_-TSS69rQzU-KG4MW9hAFxRL/s400/IMG_7106.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVIiuclkyVJ8r32IogFuFDZNuaSLID64DBpjOQa2q2d96Ooawy-exg23zKp6JjA477ZttbmUby36eCs2QTJEK87Bc_UjUt7X2JifKigTlLWYyJhW21EnkqgZEBPrzTM22Jsm0cwXcGIX9/s1600/IMG_7166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVIiuclkyVJ8r32IogFuFDZNuaSLID64DBpjOQa2q2d96Ooawy-exg23zKp6JjA477ZttbmUby36eCs2QTJEK87Bc_UjUt7X2JifKigTlLWYyJhW21EnkqgZEBPrzTM22Jsm0cwXcGIX9/s400/IMG_7166.JPG" /></a></div>If These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-26652966564247572572011-02-20T21:50:00.000-06:002011-02-20T21:50:13.325-06:00Chinese New Year 2011So, we decided to check out the Chinese New Year Festival in Birmingham on Saturday. It was interesting, to say the least. There were lots of acts and we only made it until intermission, as Mia was getting tired and restless. Mia really enjoyed one particular performance, but I couldn't describe it to you now. I was getting hungry... LOL... Anyways, we saw several other families that we knew there from our adoption agency and other families that were encouragers during our "waiting" process for Mia. I enjoyed seeing so many Chinese families that obviously live in the Birmingham area. I noticed several small babies and it made me wonder what my baby girl must have looked like at that young age. It made me sad to realize that I had missed that stage of her life, but grateful that I have her now. She is really giving us a run for our money right now. Sister has begun to throw what I like to call "hissy" fits. I think the correct terminology would be "tantrums". She, like most all two-year olds, wants to be in control and for some reason mealtime triggers an urge to dictate where, how, and what she eats. She really prefers to sit in my lap, and inevitably she has to be removed from the table for a few minutes to get her calm. I know this is a phase... this isn't my first rodeo with toddlers. But this realization does not make it any less stressful. I wanted to post some pics from our day. Have a good week, everyone.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4N1QZ8Vu6-npFnblVCvA9VXiVxobRVqnKDosmmHsQsNHsgN-vcxfyrv1knSyLUGZ94Nx-5RIeOzOR_d-dvg5AYUeLk-mqyPkl-UTMYeojEbpBgXIaXqI2bB8PckNaRM2SrBRWyX59TWnh/s1600/IMG_6790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4N1QZ8Vu6-npFnblVCvA9VXiVxobRVqnKDosmmHsQsNHsgN-vcxfyrv1knSyLUGZ94Nx-5RIeOzOR_d-dvg5AYUeLk-mqyPkl-UTMYeojEbpBgXIaXqI2bB8PckNaRM2SrBRWyX59TWnh/s400/IMG_6790.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUkebrsgd02Ht7kDdNo9CUJZHfzpSXpzikCJu_TNGPVvSGKevQ0KdRpcor-xTRsTFJrKNVcuxNB9eSrRuBdkeo0HFDlhS577pKs21OBOBJSuO5OYVfGa_icr-ct0P2eQEbBrwNWRbCvng/s1600/IMG_6785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUkebrsgd02Ht7kDdNo9CUJZHfzpSXpzikCJu_TNGPVvSGKevQ0KdRpcor-xTRsTFJrKNVcuxNB9eSrRuBdkeo0HFDlhS577pKs21OBOBJSuO5OYVfGa_icr-ct0P2eQEbBrwNWRbCvng/s400/IMG_6785.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguc7pZkouhMUuYUyr4Yfmf6Zrs3_be33ZcU_ekfvefdM17cNpFd1fIAFUwX39EuC7bcdCr5bdilrOtvd0L3uOzG9fszSQZ6b-1yNgCARZOO4rvjoVmF0A3Ax4A-qVy-CiM2DkVm5JW3hdK/s1600/IMG_6792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguc7pZkouhMUuYUyr4Yfmf6Zrs3_be33ZcU_ekfvefdM17cNpFd1fIAFUwX39EuC7bcdCr5bdilrOtvd0L3uOzG9fszSQZ6b-1yNgCARZOO4rvjoVmF0A3Ax4A-qVy-CiM2DkVm5JW3hdK/s400/IMG_6792.JPG" /></a></div>If These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-71222469576189156082011-02-07T13:57:00.002-06:002011-02-07T14:01:00.944-06:00PiggyTails!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_pvAT20yrMPY3_LOLhbCt6RLdVLdzJmVkrFc1mKFNjpnWMrghxPjfw9pbCAUpbZFc3_YEMLxfhwS7LXYuKqbneAc2znkqzwvfnKZX89T4gYqB-1YbqPRsJk_nc_i51ddzU00mzqhdhSA/s1600/IMG_0125.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_pvAT20yrMPY3_LOLhbCt6RLdVLdzJmVkrFc1mKFNjpnWMrghxPjfw9pbCAUpbZFc3_YEMLxfhwS7LXYuKqbneAc2znkqzwvfnKZX89T4gYqB-1YbqPRsJk_nc_i51ddzU00mzqhdhSA/s400/IMG_0125.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571040001731738226" /></a><br />My cup runneth over... I was finally able to put Mia's hair in pigtails this morning as I dressed her for preschool. It isn't quite long enough, I know, and I am rushing it a bit, but isn't she just the cutest? I couldn't resist...<br /><br />Have a great week..If These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-632986292605797372011-01-13T23:07:00.001-06:002011-01-13T23:13:40.982-06:00More Snow Cuteness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgla81jqRwBanIKU0y1mPQXLY8MtIKFp37AimeLo4PLJcahyphenhyphenwjaImd1DtSkwJyBSDOzhb9kolJOxgKcMrVXyeJ9wrQ7e1K8x2iMcLOHAshR9j_culAxenH00Kx0VUz-WJiOyEAYm16Y_3B-/s1600/IMG_6663.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgla81jqRwBanIKU0y1mPQXLY8MtIKFp37AimeLo4PLJcahyphenhyphenwjaImd1DtSkwJyBSDOzhb9kolJOxgKcMrVXyeJ9wrQ7e1K8x2iMcLOHAshR9j_culAxenH00Kx0VUz-WJiOyEAYm16Y_3B-/s320/IMG_6663.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561905315179880354" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_ykQvpa6Q4GoACXeLX_1JJ0UfBZ2PBAbdp9QMPOVZ7EaoKIBDXDk_-_m_EwVLhctVhIk24QLwPtuacX3ke2tHAZEWsYSFriw3m0fuq8MlFOAcysweQ_pomoU2TFst1wARcyVPU6VmHeW/s1600/IMG_6614.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_ykQvpa6Q4GoACXeLX_1JJ0UfBZ2PBAbdp9QMPOVZ7EaoKIBDXDk_-_m_EwVLhctVhIk24QLwPtuacX3ke2tHAZEWsYSFriw3m0fuq8MlFOAcysweQ_pomoU2TFst1wARcyVPU6VmHeW/s320/IMG_6614.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561905312215944034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7n5bPC3Bkc5oy42flwuzS5bzbWtp_GTscnzuScu6e5tkIQcuu4baWnBg4nhEOB27LmxBBa6FS8OO6AlAy-DVQcXDSHuBCN3J2_QdIFkNyJqwDSgZlz1VRkP61Uf5YFY-ks2jTtcbCL4R/s1600/IMG_6613.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7n5bPC3Bkc5oy42flwuzS5bzbWtp_GTscnzuScu6e5tkIQcuu4baWnBg4nhEOB27LmxBBa6FS8OO6AlAy-DVQcXDSHuBCN3J2_QdIFkNyJqwDSgZlz1VRkP61Uf5YFY-ks2jTtcbCL4R/s320/IMG_6613.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561905306601343890" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOo1VFE8ObDUhZK3d8C_SW49kk6BrmQoQzQDJbelCNuhNNQu3sE-b9X0mhEpId5KxX859ud4bD0DbwQjSRxV7hL1tycAp_YVgdsQ5lJVqW0pl9k86vsVvCxdU5zc1_7aOc-ik1DyIuI2XY/s1600/IMG_6606.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOo1VFE8ObDUhZK3d8C_SW49kk6BrmQoQzQDJbelCNuhNNQu3sE-b9X0mhEpId5KxX859ud4bD0DbwQjSRxV7hL1tycAp_YVgdsQ5lJVqW0pl9k86vsVvCxdU5zc1_7aOc-ik1DyIuI2XY/s320/IMG_6606.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561905300653509522" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LrryRvXOfo3xvhBfWrOqw-YXJtszXWcn7RgDAwnEcvX8ItwRk0TUq26tJAQkKCtn-8ldKynI6-i3mubfCCTwx51fTnSGLzISvSfoeF657qf96VnZpzD4DkxeRUaPqSLFNzJ1mdkZgNLo/s1600/IMG_6645.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LrryRvXOfo3xvhBfWrOqw-YXJtszXWcn7RgDAwnEcvX8ItwRk0TUq26tJAQkKCtn-8ldKynI6-i3mubfCCTwx51fTnSGLzISvSfoeF657qf96VnZpzD4DkxeRUaPqSLFNzJ1mdkZgNLo/s320/IMG_6645.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561905299299387650" /></a>If These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-61550673431642856762011-01-13T22:41:00.005-06:002011-01-13T23:07:47.554-06:00Snow Day! Oh, and we got the Flu...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuyyqc3XZpV3cp0TDdOQuHEGsdKZe8JVaB58aBCObzJIsqIjmWYZ32YRxORn-NaeyYDwD_sar0EVOtKbASySUoFNJeAYWUztW5lB6BWGT0LUzE5Mi_Dv5p_27YVlYhkZUYKaOYWoMni2Q/s1600/IMG_6617.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuyyqc3XZpV3cp0TDdOQuHEGsdKZe8JVaB58aBCObzJIsqIjmWYZ32YRxORn-NaeyYDwD_sar0EVOtKbASySUoFNJeAYWUztW5lB6BWGT0LUzE5Mi_Dv5p_27YVlYhkZUYKaOYWoMni2Q/s320/IMG_6617.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561902666825683634" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjRyCobxji_6XvsjL4NX5X8ZNaWYt9BR75Czlu0P0muFT5zr0gXOyrSDUgLkenh82v04U7LEoJA5pyaFyiBs09ZvObQdZGPyOVP6JZ_eznGtXNXLIVgicVQiRy8PYYoGrq4I1KgtFW3fL/s1600/IMG_6612.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjRyCobxji_6XvsjL4NX5X8ZNaWYt9BR75Czlu0P0muFT5zr0gXOyrSDUgLkenh82v04U7LEoJA5pyaFyiBs09ZvObQdZGPyOVP6JZ_eznGtXNXLIVgicVQiRy8PYYoGrq4I1KgtFW3fL/s320/IMG_6612.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561902655373765586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMj02qocRqbwOPbYqMI6PoAjaf8RGSuH2e_-SsjGNV_yDIzVRCG-CxbyWT6MGgsD4yOuB9HqZg4an-vfqYo4EMmAG0siGGWqofV6uFpVfLwc9lOmK1UJIPlkLoa4mbSRkxAA4ooiw_w9b/s1600/IMG_6595.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMj02qocRqbwOPbYqMI6PoAjaf8RGSuH2e_-SsjGNV_yDIzVRCG-CxbyWT6MGgsD4yOuB9HqZg4an-vfqYo4EMmAG0siGGWqofV6uFpVfLwc9lOmK1UJIPlkLoa4mbSRkxAA4ooiw_w9b/s320/IMG_6595.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561902653013127714" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-XAAJOfYI0zsOwZXuMYlZNXTBie9zP7MG7P6u341oSeMo74Smy98uXPgt4cmY2diPhNSW-JJ5ejzVBGqrlRl_AwZQns4l1FNpCxLFKTZflfA9nBHIj4W7uo6d_OK5EEdI5IGF5xo16-5/s1600/IMG_6591.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-XAAJOfYI0zsOwZXuMYlZNXTBie9zP7MG7P6u341oSeMo74Smy98uXPgt4cmY2diPhNSW-JJ5ejzVBGqrlRl_AwZQns4l1FNpCxLFKTZflfA9nBHIj4W7uo6d_OK5EEdI5IGF5xo16-5/s320/IMG_6591.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561902649439602194" /></a><br />We went to bed Sunday night with it snowing like crazy. We awoke to a white, wintry wonderland! The problem was that it wasn't completely snow, but partial ice. It was similar to what I'd call an ice-sandwich. A small layer of ice, 5-inches of snow in the middle, and then another 1/8 inch of ice. The kids were chomping at the bit to get outside, so we got everybody bundled up, and headed outdoors. I didn't want Mia to stay out too long, as she had been running fever for several days and had made two trips to the pediatrician. She didn't really love the snow and I think it had a lot to do with the fact that she couldn't walk very steady in it and she was a little afraid of it. The boys loved it, of course. We borrowed the neighbors' sled and slid down the hill on the steep fairway behind our house. That was great fun! We enjoyed staying in and snuggling up. Monday night I started feeling like I was coming down with a cold and Nolan was running a fever. Griff was coughing like a sick seal and I knew it wasn't good. He is very grouchy when he's sick, so the kids and I avoided him. By Wednesday morning, Griff and I agreed that we should probably consider going to the doctor as I was having chills so badly that I couldn't hold onto my coffee cup and he, well, he sounded like a very, very sick seal. So, we went to our family doctor and sure enough, we all had flu. Swell. The boys continued to be out of school, so the two oldest opted to stay at my sister's house (Thank you, sis) for fear that they would be struck down as well. Mia has spent time with my sister and my parents, while Griff, Nolan, and I have slept, coughed, snorted, and groaned at home. We are better as of this evening, and I am hopeful that tomorrow we will feel even better. Thank you, Tamiflu. Oh, and a BIG job perk... free Tamiflu for all. What a blessing that was. So, it's been good and it's been bad, but it's getting better. :)<br /><br />Much love,<br />AshleyIf These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-87730570015118288602010-12-27T19:56:00.004-06:002010-12-27T20:10:41.698-06:00Happy Birthday Mia!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXdKgkSiEBDNoZn4r3-OJhkrOCvnb1G0fBHqJYrXDOmAHHr1TY7e0_9bYIKzYzrt7A8OFzl5MdvPqr_01hv9SvcvgYnCcgZhG7vkMN3xPf6wX6DcilRlFbVaBpU_AU3RZ3C9H4ti_yIRa/s1600/IMG_6357.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXdKgkSiEBDNoZn4r3-OJhkrOCvnb1G0fBHqJYrXDOmAHHr1TY7e0_9bYIKzYzrt7A8OFzl5MdvPqr_01hv9SvcvgYnCcgZhG7vkMN3xPf6wX6DcilRlFbVaBpU_AU3RZ3C9H4ti_yIRa/s400/IMG_6357.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555549752990879378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdele0QaEWcMw6BmmGi4_aqcH242LKqz5u-5ZQv-Nl5DxLu3xtrEaM8D1zkClIiMT-YJdmnC4LW72GrGML7sshkYDBW3HbB04VAy06r82PHs8PIWYM74Asb0qpcKUw-rxXFo5Il62gINn/s1600/IMG_6386.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdele0QaEWcMw6BmmGi4_aqcH242LKqz5u-5ZQv-Nl5DxLu3xtrEaM8D1zkClIiMT-YJdmnC4LW72GrGML7sshkYDBW3HbB04VAy06r82PHs8PIWYM74Asb0qpcKUw-rxXFo5Il62gINn/s400/IMG_6386.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555549748517236450" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGbow6JUE8XsG9Js32nU53WUiQ3OF2u_G4K6xFJuQZTE5uUsh626EvB5PvnjiJHvetN4pLsDZQrFiLno68mrMtusb6vAHsMlkB6wwRvZ0Knx4RCri2REYJu4ql2PHM9A4u8U76bMlPOMX/s1600/IMG_6397.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGbow6JUE8XsG9Js32nU53WUiQ3OF2u_G4K6xFJuQZTE5uUsh626EvB5PvnjiJHvetN4pLsDZQrFiLno68mrMtusb6vAHsMlkB6wwRvZ0Knx4RCri2REYJu4ql2PHM9A4u8U76bMlPOMX/s400/IMG_6397.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555549741466409266" /></a><br />On December 23, we celebrated Mia's second birthday. Over the past couple of weeks, she has started enjoying watching "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" and so I decided to have a Minnie Mouse theme. We had the immediate family over, along with a couple of close friends who also have Chinese daughters. We had cake and ice cream and let her open her gifts. So many gifts!!! All day, I found myself thanking God for letting us make it to this day. I found myself thinking about Mia's birthmother and what feelings she must be dealing with on this day. I would give anything to have one conversation with her. To see her and to tell her that we are going to take care of this precious baby. I just wish she knew. I know she is beautiful... and I'd just love to see her. To thank her for this little gift that we are now raising as our own. What a great day we had. Just so thankful for Mia. Happy Birthday, baby girl.<br /><br />Much love,<br />AshleyIf These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-10562608176769759942010-12-27T19:34:00.003-06:002010-12-27T20:11:40.694-06:00Looking Back at 2010Wow... what a year. In one sense, it has been a remarkably fast year, and then in other ways, it feels as if time has stood still for a while. This time last year, I was wishing to have a peek at this little girl we'd been matched with, anticipating a trip across the world, and counting days until we could go for her. The winter was spent finalizing paper work for the Chinese dossier, and the spring was about waiting. Waiting for approvals... Finally, summer came and we were able to make that journey to China and bring home our daughter. The fall was very challenging due to adjustment to four children, my own sickness, and job stresses. Then, it was Christmas. What a whirlwind of a year.<br /><br />This was the best year of my life. Not so much because of Mia, though, she was an important part. It was much bigger than that. This year I learned many faith lessons. We took a leap of faith, ventured into something unknown, and we are better for it. God gave us courage this year, and it felt so good. Really good. I realized this year that this life of ours is to be used to bring glory to our God, and when we do that, He provides, He heals, He blesses, He favors. I am so imperfect, so messed up most of the time, but God has given me new vision, new hope in what lies ahead. I am learning to grasp the inconceivable concept of grace. <br /><br />If you are reading this, you probably have prayed for us at some point this year and I thank you. Be courageous, be bold, and find your calling. Now, let's move on to 2011...<br /><br />Much love,<br />AshleyIf These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-15435171571565195592010-12-26T10:50:00.001-06:002010-12-26T10:51:27.077-06:00A Glimpse at our White Christmas!<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tr><td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4d6a45334d54517a4e446b3d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="303" alt="Click to play this Smilebox slideshow" src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4d6a45334d54517a4e446b3d0d0a.jpg" style="border: medium none ;"/></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=smilebox&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="46" alt="Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmileboxSmall.gif" style="border: medium none ;"/></a></td></tr><tr><td align="center">Free slideshow customized with Smilebox</td></tr></table>If These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-4497215315057988372010-11-16T07:53:00.000-06:002010-11-16T07:53:23.315-06:00At Home with Mia<object style="background-image:url(http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/nhQgf0pUc0E/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nhQgf0pUc0E?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nhQgf0pUc0E?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="480" height="295" allowScriptAccess="never" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>If These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-36457694459915637562010-11-15T20:14:00.000-06:002010-11-15T20:14:51.267-06:00Our Adoption Story<object style="background-image:url(http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/dzQacIzBcAk/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dzQacIzBcAk?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dzQacIzBcAk?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="480" height="295" allowScriptAccess="never" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>If These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-54210760983395293472010-11-15T20:11:00.003-06:002010-11-15T20:15:05.070-06:00It is finished!I have finally completed Mia's Gotcha video. I will have Part II-At Home completed soon... I hope... This was a much bigger project than I anticipated. You will need to mute my playlist at the bottom of my blogpage so that you can hear the music in the video. Hope ya'll enjoy this...<br />Much love,<br />AshleyIf These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-20106228254369973592010-11-05T09:09:00.003-05:002010-11-05T09:20:39.806-05:00A Day at the Pumpkin Patch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2cqURP64mzbZUxaCczXfcOvkH2OzgXvm_J33V1Z_XJSJP3-Q9RmVTjfzpIbMfmo-HTJHdGoq53YEXf0gJIekHH2dJHDyI99HnKFFV1xGtl5km4V0fpayeXTYcJreHFtEQ0ZHpk9c6J7k/s1600/IMG_6153.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2cqURP64mzbZUxaCczXfcOvkH2OzgXvm_J33V1Z_XJSJP3-Q9RmVTjfzpIbMfmo-HTJHdGoq53YEXf0gJIekHH2dJHDyI99HnKFFV1xGtl5km4V0fpayeXTYcJreHFtEQ0ZHpk9c6J7k/s400/IMG_6153.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536070333952934370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEe82MGF47BpgUqUaGHqOPEj6TwiRG26y-Fuy-Gi6aJUwJvb1gsFFkzIpmbdx9INR6H1HFAwgfmWOsTPYxQSXOstDFqAq376b2VpeBSdtLo1pGQmIHst7gNx-XR5PQRWsbhy59S4Y1i_c/s1600/IMG_6184.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEe82MGF47BpgUqUaGHqOPEj6TwiRG26y-Fuy-Gi6aJUwJvb1gsFFkzIpmbdx9INR6H1HFAwgfmWOsTPYxQSXOstDFqAq376b2VpeBSdtLo1pGQmIHst7gNx-XR5PQRWsbhy59S4Y1i_c/s400/IMG_6184.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536070332012495586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfZCk2kCnf-OwtmR2WnHt3M_qf1H_g-M07mJrY19nG2bXENuM7cv5THk-GygFWb6hMNNQ6irHOgrmHRx2Cl5Iblfi5aHCfzC0svPNanegwg6LAW017NheKdusoPR9Ia8AS_P0dRFg7z9e/s1600/IMG_6155.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfZCk2kCnf-OwtmR2WnHt3M_qf1H_g-M07mJrY19nG2bXENuM7cv5THk-GygFWb6hMNNQ6irHOgrmHRx2Cl5Iblfi5aHCfzC0svPNanegwg6LAW017NheKdusoPR9Ia8AS_P0dRFg7z9e/s400/IMG_6155.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536070326978457954" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9zwQXhUeACZQGGr5rvH9Hvn4zY3wsRqZDJcuEZ_9eNx7lB3gWragBQ7ZhwXRN6PGIoKOMa476Ihu1oKRGz1kXsxQ-t8nmJAvNcQGiUhboNpYNDEOqEXeq6gLdehyphenhyphenR5yRREM2WahdqFH7/s1600/IMG_6166.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9zwQXhUeACZQGGr5rvH9Hvn4zY3wsRqZDJcuEZ_9eNx7lB3gWragBQ7ZhwXRN6PGIoKOMa476Ihu1oKRGz1kXsxQ-t8nmJAvNcQGiUhboNpYNDEOqEXeq6gLdehyphenhyphenR5yRREM2WahdqFH7/s400/IMG_6166.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536070323170640930" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiSkTwaVZU376bbwDdVcpdyrfE-CgkqBUa9M1lxLSYjn_oC1lcpEuhB5bTv5cAhAdn1KDd5IKyAenTUMINX7n0DLyJzMoTmjUocVjmCrTwexTZxlxGGvpwoJXQJKyaFa9t5n8ROOIlcgj/s1600/IMG_6145.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiSkTwaVZU376bbwDdVcpdyrfE-CgkqBUa9M1lxLSYjn_oC1lcpEuhB5bTv5cAhAdn1KDd5IKyAenTUMINX7n0DLyJzMoTmjUocVjmCrTwexTZxlxGGvpwoJXQJKyaFa9t5n8ROOIlcgj/s400/IMG_6145.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536070316394932850" /></a><br />Nolan's class had a field trip last week to the Pumpkin Patch. Nolan and his classmates had a great time playing in corn seed, riding the "Cow Train", petting the goats, and most of all choosing their pumpkins from a huge field. The weather was cool and sunny and it just felt great to be spending the day with my baby boy. Here's a few pics of our day.<br /><br />Much love,<br />AshleyIf These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-22028306406056859302010-11-05T08:55:00.003-05:002010-11-05T09:09:01.892-05:00The Ladybug<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3shiYEOvDMgSKQQq1LTtawlJYIOqLVb761gOz49_R7p71qQS2zhFiD6GzZ2UqK1WktUfri_B03z7mvWJpA4csJkZhAYLJiNkk4lQ7ypYUqlkAlWryA03vzCDdSV3Byd0xZu4S4m-7S-R/s1600/74884_1605655592125_1558220066_31471195_7622519_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3shiYEOvDMgSKQQq1LTtawlJYIOqLVb761gOz49_R7p71qQS2zhFiD6GzZ2UqK1WktUfri_B03z7mvWJpA4csJkZhAYLJiNkk4lQ7ypYUqlkAlWryA03vzCDdSV3Byd0xZu4S4m-7S-R/s400/74884_1605655592125_1558220066_31471195_7622519_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536067106531907058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO49A_-4e2zu0oAgGI1sB1OVn10hIo0pP-Cb3iLUbBwi-z6erDngdi__Pl7R6z3Uocy01SEcnuuyAflmrChsB-_H71vDMFKS6b7CrQis-dX_MaORyy8B1tUp3_o-8kkJmtsX8zs1bR5Ou4/s1600/IMG_6203.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO49A_-4e2zu0oAgGI1sB1OVn10hIo0pP-Cb3iLUbBwi-z6erDngdi__Pl7R6z3Uocy01SEcnuuyAflmrChsB-_H71vDMFKS6b7CrQis-dX_MaORyy8B1tUp3_o-8kkJmtsX8zs1bR5Ou4/s400/IMG_6203.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536067100422434210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBI43Z5qcUaguP9Rm3N_1KG7CZKDs5pjsLHbrmDyU27LHThQgmOaRvcSFa3XPjbrlm2dE4ZSb0p9nnBdGqi-YtKhijm4Z131ttsajLSyjDCt75sJORCJHi6e46x7zp8Z_9cv9lvAfvY9E4/s1600/IMG_6224.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBI43Z5qcUaguP9Rm3N_1KG7CZKDs5pjsLHbrmDyU27LHThQgmOaRvcSFa3XPjbrlm2dE4ZSb0p9nnBdGqi-YtKhijm4Z131ttsajLSyjDCt75sJORCJHi6e46x7zp8Z_9cv9lvAfvY9E4/s400/IMG_6224.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536067095903868418" /></a><br />I thought I needed to post a few more pics of the little ladybug. Choosing a costume for Halloween was a challenge because Mia is so tiny. The costumes that would fit her were made for infants, so I resorted to making one myself. I wanted her to be a ladybug, so I took what I liked from several costumes I had seen and combined them into one look. I made the tutu skirt and the wings from red tule that I bought at Hobby Lobby on the little spools. The dots are made of stiff black felt that I glittered. The headband is made from sequined elastic and I attached a fancy bow I already had. It was fun and easy to make and was just what I had imagined. I lucked up and found little red sequined shoes at Wal-Mart along with the black turtleneck and leggings. Then, Voila, the ladybug suit was complete. Mia's favorite part of the ensemble was the makeup... she loves red lipstick. I'm afraid we have quite the little diva on our hands...<br /><br />Much love,<br />AshleyIf These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-5118761074972361272010-11-01T22:48:00.005-05:002010-11-05T08:55:05.718-05:00October<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjSHm4ik7UdtHGmeD9wdibXorJrlzvvNZIDUR4rJJ-CH2OJ5Bwn0reJoKbJ0rixbwsssXwMxfvCG_LnnlGkKu8KjQtYArUqHN5a-6KpZXlml9puGp2l-yFRV35Tru_rwFuoDlDwW7zLJb/s1600/IMG_6246.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjSHm4ik7UdtHGmeD9wdibXorJrlzvvNZIDUR4rJJ-CH2OJ5Bwn0reJoKbJ0rixbwsssXwMxfvCG_LnnlGkKu8KjQtYArUqHN5a-6KpZXlml9puGp2l-yFRV35Tru_rwFuoDlDwW7zLJb/s400/IMG_6246.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536063744144839650" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhL4q039VsUFroLPCSazC8AbUV9tNfquK338EDImEvYy-JAFfC0462oyptaxkvuvjA3wa85HVyBekW4dsRwUm_e5YsIcvmG9Hect-4d_08iLpUDppBDn5ELGo_isvOx22E7ihDTgOBMoOL/s1600/IMG_6187.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhL4q039VsUFroLPCSazC8AbUV9tNfquK338EDImEvYy-JAFfC0462oyptaxkvuvjA3wa85HVyBekW4dsRwUm_e5YsIcvmG9Hect-4d_08iLpUDppBDn5ELGo_isvOx22E7ihDTgOBMoOL/s400/IMG_6187.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536063733953875698" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKO2VgGc6s2CCyusWqQXFTkZtFvR7N3EJX602vLBJKfpOwJHLSw1883iIMOJcMMsJhmTnWVFl-LNeI27T7udDjn9JncD-4L5MizgrWKG8RVt4I3aGzkjTEvqAeWvxHqsQdhw1zWGsWE0bj/s1600/IMG_6244.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKO2VgGc6s2CCyusWqQXFTkZtFvR7N3EJX602vLBJKfpOwJHLSw1883iIMOJcMMsJhmTnWVFl-LNeI27T7udDjn9JncD-4L5MizgrWKG8RVt4I3aGzkjTEvqAeWvxHqsQdhw1zWGsWE0bj/s400/IMG_6244.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536063729613869538" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQudOHnQdo3YANtUK80cNnMMvTBXdmDkjLYMUi_nb644OTQCMz2DDkc0Vbet2gD9iGwGkZ4iO6C1_62lFHIQoHmQDv5XuiKbmA0FNb-3tf7iCKmTW1VzB3jberomyCZtyoAUOrwB4e65Y/s1600/IMG_6208.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQudOHnQdo3YANtUK80cNnMMvTBXdmDkjLYMUi_nb644OTQCMz2DDkc0Vbet2gD9iGwGkZ4iO6C1_62lFHIQoHmQDv5XuiKbmA0FNb-3tf7iCKmTW1VzB3jberomyCZtyoAUOrwB4e65Y/s400/IMG_6208.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536063729295352994" /></a><br />October has been busy, but uneventful. Mia is learning to talk... and I must say that she is going to have quite the southern drawl. It's funny to hear her new words... all of which are multi-syllabic.... :) dog: dawwwwwg, Cole: Toe, Nolan: Noh-nun, Garrett: Geeeee, Mama, Daaadaaa...Jack: ack (our neighbor's cat). The boys are doing well and are becoming pretty good baby-sitters. I am still trying to figure out how to cope with so much to do and so little time to do it. My sweet friend, KB, shared a great laundry idea and it is helping tremendously. Before, we just let it pile up until it looked like Mount Everest... now, we have baskets for each kid. Each boy was also issued a mesh laundry bag to put dirty clothes in. It is also their responsible for getting that bag to the laundry room every couple of days. Now we are seemingly staying more on top of the washing. Laundry is folded and placed in their baskets and the big boys are responsible for putting their clean clothes away. I am putting away Nolan's and Mia's. This one little organization idea is helping us tame the laundry beast. The next beast we must tame is housecleaning. I used to have a friend come to the house twice a month to help me clean. Once the adoption expenses began to rack up, we had to tighten the budgetary reigns, and unfortunately I had to give up this luxury. Now, I am finding very little time to do the housecleaning. I LOVE a clean house, many who know me probably will attest that it is a pet-peave of mine. I hate clutter, I hate dust, and I like for everything to smell fresh. So now I stay frustrated the majority of the time because my house looks like a member of the Al Queda just stopped by and left a nice bomb behind. My mom tried to encourage me that I just needed to begin trying to accept the mess... and I know she's right. But it's very hard to do when you are a neat-freak. There I said it, I admit it. I'm a freak... totally.<br /><br />On to better topics... October brought better health my way. I seem to have made a full recovery from the September near-death experience. So many people were prayerful for us during that time and I know that God answered many, many petitions for my healing. I am so fortunate to have awesome friends and wonderful family. <br /><br />Halloween was bittersweet for me this year. The sweet part first... I remember thinking last year and talking with the family about the fact that our sister from China would be with us next Halloween. At that time, we hadn't even been matched with our Mia. But we had the idea of her planted in our minds and we hoped for her then. Now, fast forward one year, and I'm dressing the cutest little ladybug you ever saw and I can't help but say "Thank you, Lord" for this little precious one. Again, a visible, living, breathing testament of answered prayers and miracles all wrapped up in our girl. Now on to the bitter part... every year I took my kids to my Aunt Ruby's house... she would always buy their favorite candy and she would let them get all they wanted. She loved seeing them and that made me happy. This year, Aunt Ruby was gone. She went to be with the Lord in January and I missed her so much this Halloween... I missed her standing at her door holding her little candy bowl with the Hershey bars spilling out. And then... Cole and Garrett declare that they are too old to dress up this year. So I am all the more aware that my babies are growing up and part of me is glad for that, and another part is sad. Thankfully, they still wanted to go trick-or-treating with Nolan and Mia and for that I was relieved. <br /><br />I've been working on Mia's Gotcha Day video. I got one completely finished to later discover that it won't load to YouTube or to Facebook. Ughh.. So back to the drawing board, and now I'm learning to navigate another software called iMovie on my Mac. Hopefully, I will have it completed soon and ready to post. <br /><br />Now on to a November... <br /><br />Much love,<br />AshleyIf These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-79061206099251157222010-10-06T14:39:00.001-05:002010-10-06T14:40:56.252-05:00Another little bit of Roll Tide...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_KssvLLpooydr4ZZL_Cn7Zq09Se9QIiFL41p8m8bCqHnyMX8mumtdYxH7R1JRqhE2S68JfdVrUXylYt8Eel6bMMvrTJT60Xhye2WUeoy7vhnWT49cr3IYkZglGNB91luKWhyYCrv9rM9/s1600/IMG_6043.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 205px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_KssvLLpooydr4ZZL_Cn7Zq09Se9QIiFL41p8m8bCqHnyMX8mumtdYxH7R1JRqhE2S68JfdVrUXylYt8Eel6bMMvrTJT60Xhye2WUeoy7vhnWT49cr3IYkZglGNB91luKWhyYCrv9rM9/s400/IMG_6043.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525020370541255154" /></a><br />Forgot this one... :)<br /><br />AshleyIf These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-10134212316443354562010-10-06T13:00:00.006-05:002010-10-06T14:29:00.929-05:00A Challenging September<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyDjvfH3CVMYONFgmAVuZwS6OV7f7mOLhkmaSQV8KsNF5jRLa1uPdsZ7iwkJJd4D7cCBPK-G-IOOjrofrXi0D5QCLmJrl28MdeaqtuV6vY99gQnHbnicPQuq3thKpKfj89joAYMYCisqo/s1600/IMG_6033.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 158px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyDjvfH3CVMYONFgmAVuZwS6OV7f7mOLhkmaSQV8KsNF5jRLa1uPdsZ7iwkJJd4D7cCBPK-G-IOOjrofrXi0D5QCLmJrl28MdeaqtuV6vY99gQnHbnicPQuq3thKpKfj89joAYMYCisqo/s320/IMG_6033.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525015765803252722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOV7tZCi6tGd_O226mbUglsA-IHjpDMxzIXoTRJMq7_SPjiKCOk8tdVQF17cVKsJ6olRFN3ci1fFMSvjajntkkDnwa28i5Bkpk2DQ9XWbHzCmgEagNeghR110V_gadRHtlEQ21atVUec0s/s1600/IMG_6039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOV7tZCi6tGd_O226mbUglsA-IHjpDMxzIXoTRJMq7_SPjiKCOk8tdVQF17cVKsJ6olRFN3ci1fFMSvjajntkkDnwa28i5Bkpk2DQ9XWbHzCmgEagNeghR110V_gadRHtlEQ21atVUec0s/s320/IMG_6039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525014768106886258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtnS_dmTz9BJv7KYwxtCvc0FJg6R7RlhUbfjkWAG_uIKrnCTcR2oIrg6HbJc4QkUiUbhaBpFPbYVDbLfKet5MV9gt_U-gFM26nV8ukqAEH20lMvHl5OQffWrBTdc1GbK08JxbENo_JCX6/s1600/IMG_6055.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 244px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtnS_dmTz9BJv7KYwxtCvc0FJg6R7RlhUbfjkWAG_uIKrnCTcR2oIrg6HbJc4QkUiUbhaBpFPbYVDbLfKet5MV9gt_U-gFM26nV8ukqAEH20lMvHl5OQffWrBTdc1GbK08JxbENo_JCX6/s320/IMG_6055.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525014750040794258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-4gAIp3_TC4VOgsU8LSZ2YiVseWeNdk5PXbaK6d2zhAM0OseIq8EBdoLwD8AGwhtLfksf5eCTCSC8Z5W2wV6_52IlIlgo1RBDhkQYGbU57nxJFevr8qA954VsxRvFK9P6AvCtBE8FBnC/s1600/IMG_6060.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-4gAIp3_TC4VOgsU8LSZ2YiVseWeNdk5PXbaK6d2zhAM0OseIq8EBdoLwD8AGwhtLfksf5eCTCSC8Z5W2wV6_52IlIlgo1RBDhkQYGbU57nxJFevr8qA954VsxRvFK9P6AvCtBE8FBnC/s320/IMG_6060.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525014747551306498" /></a><br />September began with continued heat and FOOTBALL. Alabama football and Glencoe football. Cole is playing Jr. High football and is one of the managers for the Varsity team. Garrett is one of the managers of the Jr. High team. We spend two nights a week at the football field and then some Saturdays in Tuscaloosa if the Tide is playing at home. Many of you have been asking about photos of Mia and her Tide clothing... so enjoy... LOL... September was rolling along fairly well, until September 11. I came down with an acute case of bacterial colitis and spent the next nine days hospitalized for IV antibiotics and treatment for dehydration. This was definitely not a good time to be away from Mia and I have to admit that I was very discouraged about life in general. My job is in jeopardy as my company is planning for layoffs later this fall. I have no idea if I will keep the job, or if I will be laid off. So... how do I stay sane with all of this activity? I look at my precious family and I am thankful for all the wonderful people in my life. I stand on the promise that "all things work for the good of those who love Him". God has proven to be faithful to us, through finances, through circumstances, through sickness, etc. I am relying on that. I am excited for what our future holds, what career changes may be in store for me, and for what the Lord wants to continue doing in our family. My pastor and I are in talks about beginning an orphan ministry in our church and I am super-excited about that. It would be pure joy to watch other orphaned children be united with loving, forever families. So, today, I am thankful for the assurance I have that God is in control. Mia is learning so much. She is beginning to say a few words like:<br />Ohhhhh (Cole), Da Da (Griff), Ack: (Jack, the cat), and she giggles a lot. She is a rambler and enjoys going through cabinet drawers. As of today, I have countless tubes of lipstick as well as a hairbrush that are missing. She is eating a little better and sleeps very well. She is struggling with seasonal allergies and has a perpetual runny nose. The most precious part of my day is when she and I snuggle up in my chair in my bedroom and she drinks her bottle and then sucks her thumb. I think about China then... about her life there, about her family who must wonder everyday what became of her, of the blessing that Mia is to our family. I am thankful for the opportunity to be her mom. September is gone and I'm looking forward to a beautiful fall season. <br /><br />Much love,<br />AshleyIf These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-61077427559692340522010-09-02T21:13:00.005-05:002010-09-02T21:46:34.162-05:00Wow... August went by fast...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVdFTqqXOvibFULcej9K-jdIOzy19pDJduIKwFflaPK4QKGg_TpL5pGE2ofEzvnxwByTteMQ9BiVO21oSrxfcNz_PttQGSSLpzM2fKYpEhprN89vgtKyQ7nsXtisQFIMemmMM9Nzh1jVS/s1600/IMG_5960.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVdFTqqXOvibFULcej9K-jdIOzy19pDJduIKwFflaPK4QKGg_TpL5pGE2ofEzvnxwByTteMQ9BiVO21oSrxfcNz_PttQGSSLpzM2fKYpEhprN89vgtKyQ7nsXtisQFIMemmMM9Nzh1jVS/s400/IMG_5960.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512512445109170594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85M6h4rhLW1oUOcnkirg90qaa-M-TWW3kLn4zxe_LQZNiIIgCQSOA9BzD0ukuCyEFU1vIjMzmqb9t982OqTFgepfzMwDvYQFDQoidc71c1-x5xIaJQ_QBioKVR-V8U5vUYgJodRixl3ng/s1600/IMG_6007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85M6h4rhLW1oUOcnkirg90qaa-M-TWW3kLn4zxe_LQZNiIIgCQSOA9BzD0ukuCyEFU1vIjMzmqb9t982OqTFgepfzMwDvYQFDQoidc71c1-x5xIaJQ_QBioKVR-V8U5vUYgJodRixl3ng/s400/IMG_6007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512512435874444738" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-k_w4QAFWK8tf8glbQanvsGUJT-zMgST8Ut5MAxYuljgJpCyw6Qm5dYsu3TrCMkFennmdFRKO2YUWYvQ6oqGx-aN4Tb1qgklTliai8qe78guazaV4kM_3GUiI1a1hyphenhyphenxme34m5r-lF-8q/s1600/IMG_6012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-k_w4QAFWK8tf8glbQanvsGUJT-zMgST8Ut5MAxYuljgJpCyw6Qm5dYsu3TrCMkFennmdFRKO2YUWYvQ6oqGx-aN4Tb1qgklTliai8qe78guazaV4kM_3GUiI1a1hyphenhyphenxme34m5r-lF-8q/s400/IMG_6012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512512420485088994" /></a><br />Well, the month of August was a blur. My blogging took a hit, for sure. There has been very, very little spare time and I have been dealing with the shock and awe of parenting four children, varying in ages from teenager to toddler. Back to school went well. Nolan enjoys kindergarten so far and Garrett is really liking middle school. I can tell he is becoming a little man... he is much more self-sufficient, so I guess that's a sign he's growing up too. Cole is working hard at football and being the manager of the varsity football team. Mia is learning new things everyday. She is a master imitator and we crack up at how she copies everything we do. My mom witnessed her trying to make a key chain into an earring. Mom said that she must be watching me put on jewelry. Funny... She has a had a non-stop runny nose since early August and we discovered last week that she had an ear infection. Bummer... Anyway, the childcare situation was not working out, as Daddy couldn't work and entertain "Little Bee", so we ended up starting her in daycare three days a week. So far she is loving it. Her teacher is a God-send and is in love with Mia. Mia seems to really enjoy playing with the other little ones in her class, so for this I am happy. The other two days Mia is staying with my mom, so this is good too. All in all, we are settling in. We have bedtime routines in place and we are continuing to have family dinners, despite our busy schedules. Mia is learning to eat our food, but is still eating a lot of oatmeal, eggs, grits, yogurt, jello, etc. It is wonderful to finally have her at the table with us, as for so many months we prayed for her as we said grace over the meal. She is a constant reminder of God's faithfulness and a visual answered prayer. I will never be able to thank God for such a gift as Mia. The only sadness I have now is wishing that her birth mother could know where she is now, that she is so loved, that she is safe. I know that her mother probably wished all this for her and I really would love for her to know that her wish came true.<br />On August 12, we attended the Lifeline China Reunion in Birmingham. It was fun to finally meet a few families that I only have known via the internet. We got to meet another child that was in the same orphanage as Mia, and we know that she was with Mia at her first birthday party. She was adopted in February and Mia seemed happy to see her. We got to see Lily and Rebecca one last time. We really didn't get to say goodbye in China, so we were able to let them see our boys and get a photo of all of us together. God used these two women to unite us with our sweet girl and I will forever love them for that. <br />I still occasionally have to pinch myself to make sure that we really have made it through this process called adoption. I can't believe that the waiting is over and that she really is here at home with us. I used to lay down every night and think of her and looked forward to the day that she would be home. It is a feeling that words can't describe. I am perpetually exhausted, I look like a truck ran over me and then backed up and ran over me again, and I often have temporary lapses in self-control, but despite all of this I am grateful. Grateful that God saw us through such an amazing faith journey and is continuing to bless us. <br />August is over, but looking forward to what September brings. <br /><br />Much love,<br />AshleyIf These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-66265877171720302010-08-09T21:43:00.001-05:002010-08-09T21:45:27.212-05:00One More First Day Pic...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLNfg_917cxKoZlsGKDUC8iGKz-SNhyA3subHhyphenhyphen-tYYUL_OV94qcZPMUS6ADXwYssrXwgQXdvHMcvMtZGZM19bOFxcqOqbhiz2xKo7Bgda4po-GngqwZKfC-1Hnb5LgXDCNDJHRDAaIOd/s1600/IMG_5950.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLNfg_917cxKoZlsGKDUC8iGKz-SNhyA3subHhyphenhyphen-tYYUL_OV94qcZPMUS6ADXwYssrXwgQXdvHMcvMtZGZM19bOFxcqOqbhiz2xKo7Bgda4po-GngqwZKfC-1Hnb5LgXDCNDJHRDAaIOd/s400/IMG_5950.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503606797691389938" /></a>If These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-28492696543994605532010-08-09T21:14:00.004-05:002010-08-09T21:42:37.364-05:00Back to School<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5esNAMD94TudLgj4T40-4nAs-qP-3FN8L0nzSFlvIF-NTl8NeQe_zsNrafnVzI-noJ9a5CeOf9_Z0X1_3fLSuOSaPgXMsC_RRI-w6IxwXRDzuWMsbBCOBXmIwuKJ28YmKxH4vxzHg6I4j/s1600/IMG_5933.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5esNAMD94TudLgj4T40-4nAs-qP-3FN8L0nzSFlvIF-NTl8NeQe_zsNrafnVzI-noJ9a5CeOf9_Z0X1_3fLSuOSaPgXMsC_RRI-w6IxwXRDzuWMsbBCOBXmIwuKJ28YmKxH4vxzHg6I4j/s320/IMG_5933.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503605547382749922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUa1Tx3SdQGLtPXkx3zcEq_3d1FyDigH2amr0NHAv5XCbbxDX43IkZnonKmes3Jfl3X5nT3roOzkyc7Csob3m23gRJm2dm_RvN-s0TmNyJ7MmLeemnrkm0I3c9h2tC4oTG_JWh7OPhu70J/s1600/IMG_5939.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUa1Tx3SdQGLtPXkx3zcEq_3d1FyDigH2amr0NHAv5XCbbxDX43IkZnonKmes3Jfl3X5nT3roOzkyc7Csob3m23gRJm2dm_RvN-s0TmNyJ7MmLeemnrkm0I3c9h2tC4oTG_JWh7OPhu70J/s320/IMG_5939.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503605539955217474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0n5y13otw4Dpd8P01rcQASYVKSmgRYAoIL_UX2iw-nRI3bdYSckF5Pf3J6TkC36gJhD13lYk02HWdiYxAP-akkP0LOY3UErGDMoLIZjE3hWhyphenhyphennoq4Hao0rBvWl1VoO6i1KDm8xS9nG9S/s1600/IMG_5942.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0n5y13otw4Dpd8P01rcQASYVKSmgRYAoIL_UX2iw-nRI3bdYSckF5Pf3J6TkC36gJhD13lYk02HWdiYxAP-akkP0LOY3UErGDMoLIZjE3hWhyphenhyphennoq4Hao0rBvWl1VoO6i1KDm8xS9nG9S/s320/IMG_5942.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503605534000847106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VTePoi6w2P-SNgpZ-fVqCxdQddt5nbOJ57Q3vt50x_hh8OXJSV3OpB2GRtQx0BLiZjCHvHR_SPmZQZ0pAPdL9TVssBmuv-e1qEPt3igpAj-mqkIPBbH724uUzxKpgzq5vLXOXyR0ggju/s1600/IMG_5943.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VTePoi6w2P-SNgpZ-fVqCxdQddt5nbOJ57Q3vt50x_hh8OXJSV3OpB2GRtQx0BLiZjCHvHR_SPmZQZ0pAPdL9TVssBmuv-e1qEPt3igpAj-mqkIPBbH724uUzxKpgzq5vLXOXyR0ggju/s320/IMG_5943.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503605529325243538" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwId57KU-aiYyr38iG4NVdp6BkBb96B5jphhaL6a98zd46-1DAb-Y_tDR6lBSSkt3EhCL_wrAJP0D6OcQBgQQeUVsSLUVy5slVc2C33HJI3UwHgeZ2Iz1cW8rX9Zt0d9fZKDcEviF3CWHX/s1600/IMG_5946.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwId57KU-aiYyr38iG4NVdp6BkBb96B5jphhaL6a98zd46-1DAb-Y_tDR6lBSSkt3EhCL_wrAJP0D6OcQBgQQeUVsSLUVy5slVc2C33HJI3UwHgeZ2Iz1cW8rX9Zt0d9fZKDcEviF3CWHX/s320/IMG_5946.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503605519394861826" /></a><br />Today was the first day of school. My oldest, Cole, began the eighth grade. Garrett, our middle son, started fifth grade AND a new school. Nolan, my baby boy, went to kindergarten today. Ouch... I did pretty well until I ran into my mom this morning as she dropped off my niece, Molly. My mom took one look at Nolan in his big boy clothes and his backpack and she started crying. Then I started crying. It took me two hours to get control of myself. The beginning of kindergarten is a symbol of a lot of things. The main one to me is that he is growing up. He isn't a baby anymore. And I wanted him to stay my little baby. That probably sounds really silly to some of you, but you might as well ripped my heart out today as I walked him into that school. He was all smiles and I was a weeping fool. I'm crying right now just thinking about it. It must be exhaustion that is making me overly emotional. Another thing... I take an annual photo of my boys and now my boys and girl on the first day of school in the same glider on my deck. It is amazing to see the changes they make physically in a year. I look forward to this photo all year long. Well, Cole decided to have his dad buzz all of his hair off in preparation for the hot football practices that loom ahead. Nolan came running down the stairs as I fed Mia and shouted, "You gotta come up here! All of Cole's hair is layin' in the floor cause Dad just shaved it all off!" I went upstairs and I was sickened at what I saw. My boy's beautiful hair was all gone and all that was left was his little bitty head and his great big ears. He's my pride and joy... everybody knows it, but I must tell you it isn't a good look for him. So, I wasn't as pumped as I normally am to get that photo made. Luckily, his hair grows quickly and I know it will be cooler for football. Sigh... Mia is staying with my mom and dad in the mornings while I work. She did great today and took a long nap, which we are all glad of. She's been famous for the old-fashioned "cat nap" and I am welcoming more sleepy time for her, so I can get some of my mama time back. Right now, mama-time is non-existent. You know the old saying, that which does not kill us, makes us stronger. I am currently testing this saying to see if it's true. If I go missing, please look for me under the rubble of laundry. :)<br /><br />Much love,<br />AshleyIf These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290398586515956266.post-44799603557619115412010-08-04T23:11:00.006-05:002010-08-04T23:42:42.503-05:00Back to Life, Back to Reality...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYOdmhf0Ynl9gbZP_EfB5k2zC_fhZvVJE81jjp8-IyeRKMZmMydss07De13ciROB-98dR4Yp-ABie7vw6g6wr3wZcE6tIehUzxo37pC45L6KabR6ekgLcApDg8nRtxxXTOkaSXgVAOqa5/s1600/IMG_5918.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYOdmhf0Ynl9gbZP_EfB5k2zC_fhZvVJE81jjp8-IyeRKMZmMydss07De13ciROB-98dR4Yp-ABie7vw6g6wr3wZcE6tIehUzxo37pC45L6KabR6ekgLcApDg8nRtxxXTOkaSXgVAOqa5/s320/IMG_5918.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501780793163841842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcvtyweFPV0jRXV1jS2hL_FEBmv0ffohIT3088YSy_n0orU2ZxLazudg74Bvdt9uHZpATPuQIinXn4RHpDIQWO2_bWVn4MmVcMRED6-QGhm38YYeA_Jjd-JBfQ8ukW5zTJIjSUFM7X3FA/s1600/IMG_5901.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcvtyweFPV0jRXV1jS2hL_FEBmv0ffohIT3088YSy_n0orU2ZxLazudg74Bvdt9uHZpATPuQIinXn4RHpDIQWO2_bWVn4MmVcMRED6-QGhm38YYeA_Jjd-JBfQ8ukW5zTJIjSUFM7X3FA/s320/IMG_5901.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501780787040062114" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OR8EePFTaVKRZClh-12U04_ceLyvRRjkQaBfI3cQ9rb0p4eslmr8cDdapGcT034p_zSOwNy_L32yZTH59t3YalwWZoEvueArdLIFYG7ydt-fOHQ-ds8esgMq3xPRRYqhO_0rdNHDm8Wt/s1600/IMG_5907.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OR8EePFTaVKRZClh-12U04_ceLyvRRjkQaBfI3cQ9rb0p4eslmr8cDdapGcT034p_zSOwNy_L32yZTH59t3YalwWZoEvueArdLIFYG7ydt-fOHQ-ds8esgMq3xPRRYqhO_0rdNHDm8Wt/s320/IMG_5907.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501780780247575298" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTubnFFz8i0CLXbNVAN8IvGNFqgycMem9xDRIdTZaX-t2zcwu1k44gzRsdjvdsgbmI3Rll9G-VYNaxd5lK7z3llNso3lyG_kOiCi1T3PIDFGClFxeZo-IzavvuPmVxEEH-Km2_eaz6bV8/s1600/39340_1488460342317_1558220066_31201042_2977125_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTubnFFz8i0CLXbNVAN8IvGNFqgycMem9xDRIdTZaX-t2zcwu1k44gzRsdjvdsgbmI3Rll9G-VYNaxd5lK7z3llNso3lyG_kOiCi1T3PIDFGClFxeZo-IzavvuPmVxEEH-Km2_eaz6bV8/s320/39340_1488460342317_1558220066_31201042_2977125_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501780772996419218" /></a><br />I used to love this song, and I still sing it when I am trying to be joyful when I'm not feeling joyful. So, I went back to work Monday. I needed more time, more rest, more adjustment to my new life, but unfortunately I also need to get paid. How do all my friends take these long maternity leaves, these weeks/months of FMLA and still pay for their house, buy food, etc. etc.? That is the big question for me. Can you tell I'm just a tad resentful? Oh, well. It is what it is and we will make it. So, on to better topics. The family is doing well. Mia is adjusting well and is getting more and more comfortable with the new home, the new family, and our life. As I've said before, this is a marathon, not a sprint and we celebrate little successes because we know that family is a new concept for Mia. Last week, she had her appointment at the International Adoption Clinic in Birmingham. She checked out well and the social worker was pleased with the bond she said she could tell was forming between the two of us. She talked with me a good bit about the importance of the mother/child bond. This bond shapes who we are, who we will grow to be. This time in Mia's life is critical because she will learn to trust or mistrust. She will learn to accept love and reciprocate that love to others. She told me that my going back to work would be difficult and to expect some regression. She didn't beat me up because I was going back to work, but she did offer support and advice for the future. I appreciate that and her talking with me helped. The brothers... they love Mia. They play with her and tote her around like a sack of potatoes a lot of the time. I am embarrassed to admit that one of their all-time favorite movies is "Major Payne" and they respond to their dad's barking many times with "thur yeth thur", just like in the movie. I always giggle under my breath because I find their mocking hilarious, but I want to support the daddy too. Anyways, guess what the little sister's first American words were? "Thur yeth thur" ... I will video this for all of you to see. Unbelievable... I was expecting Mama or Dada... not an excerpt from a silly movie. Oh, well, even I can see the humor in this. What can I say? She's joining a family of all boys. We are learning that Mia had the nickname of "Little Bee" at her orphanage for a reason. She is into everything. She loves to open cabinets, plays in our dishwasher, feeds the dog snacks (who is highly food allergic I might add), and steals the remote to the TV every chance she gets. She is so, so funny. In China, I doubted that she could walk. Today, I watched her run as she chased Nolan and my niece Molly, in a game of hide-and-seek. So, in the big scheme of things, Mia is doing great. I am discovering that I am going to have to be a much better time-manager at home. The boys go back to school Monday, Cole is playing football, he is the waterboy for the Varsity team, and Garrett is the waterboy for the Jr. High team. We are about to shift into high gear and I'm going to have to get ultra-organized. I was thinking today that I probably ought to renew my Sam's Club membership, because these kids are eating like crazy. I am making a grocery store run every day. I am working on a new family blog, but that is a project that will wait for a little while longer. Until then, I will continue to post here. I am continually meeting people who have read our blog, or are familiar with our story. My cup runneth over...<br /><br />Much love,<br />AshleyIf These Walls Could Talk...http://www.blogger.com/profile/08484038344514564724noreply@blogger.com1