Chinese New Year 2011

So, 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.

PiggyTails!

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...

Have a great week..

More Snow Cuteness

Snow Day! Oh, and we got the Flu...

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. :)

Much love,
Ashley

Happy Birthday Mia!

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.

Much love,
Ashley

Looking Back at 2010

Wow... 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.

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.

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...

Much love,
Ashley

A Glimpse at our White Christmas!

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