Karleigh Mei's 1st Christmas Ornament

Every year my mother-in-law paints us each a beautiful Christmas ornament. It is something that I really look forward to every year--getting out the ones we've received from past Christmases and receiving new ones. This year, Karleigh Mei's MiMi painted her one! I love it! Thank you MiMi!! :o)



We have had such a blessed Christmas this year. We were able to spend the weekend before Christmas with my family and this Sunday we are going to see a bunch of my husband's family for New Year's. The party never ends! :o) I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such a wonderful family. Everyone is so excited about our Karleigh Mei! Can't wait until she is surrounded by her family too.

Happy 21st Birthday Katie!

I can't believe that my first child is now 21! Where has the time gone?! My Katie~~You have grown into a beautiful woman of God~~there is no way I could be more proud of you! Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined what a blessing you have been and are to me. Praise God for you! I love you!! Piggy-Piggy :o)

Katie on her 21st birthday (Today!)


Sweet baby Katie

Easter egg hunt

First pig-tails!

Busy bee Katie

Sitting Pretty...

Smiling Katie

10th Birthday

In a Play

On Dad's shoulders taking pictures

Katie and Blake in Italy

Lexie's 1st Christmas Banquet

My Lexie had her first formal Christmas banquet tonight! She looked so beautiful!


Lexie with her friend Hannah.

Christmas Picture

(Left to Right--Garrison, Katie, Lexie, and Gannon)

My awesome kids! Can't wait to add Karleigh Mei to this group!

Dreaming....

Sometimes I just lie in bed and dream about my Karleigh Mei. Thinking about it, it is not any different from when I was pregnant with my four other children. I'm falling in love with Karleigh Mei exactly the same way I did all of my children. I have the same "fuzzy" dreams of what she may look like--and I have no doubt that I will think she is the most beautiful child! I think of when I will be able to hold her and tell her how much I love her. I talk to the Lord about her and pray that she will become all that He has planned for her. I envision her sitting at the table with us. Sitting in the car with us. Sitting in the grocery cart at Super Target. Going to church with us. Playing in the yard. Running through the house. Taking a bath. Tucking in at night. There is not a place I've NOT "seen" her in my mind. I wonder if next year at this time if we will know anything about her. My peace and comfort is that the Lord is working in His awesome way--He knows the beginning and the end of our story and has a perfect plan. I rest in this. I love you my Karleigh Mei--may God surround you with His love continuously--His love is perfect.

My Elf Kids! :o)

Karl "elfed" the kids. Go and have a laugh! :o)
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1471504165

Dossier is in China :o)

I've had fun watching the FedEx Tracker. Our dossier now is officially in China!


Signed for by: P.ZHAO (I could kiss him/her!) Ship date: Dec 7, 2007 Delivery date: Dec 10, 2007 9:17 AM

Reference: CH_dossiers Destination: BEIJING CN
Delivered to: Receptionist/Front Desk
Service type: Priority Box Weight: 8.0 lbs.

Status: Delivered (YIPPEE!!)

Special Delivery Sent To China!

Isn't this exciting!? I think it's beautiful!!

Tracking number: "my eyes only!"
Ship date: Dec 7, 2007
Estimated delivery: Dec 10, 2007 by 6:00 PM


Reference: CH_dossiers
Destination: BEIJING CN (Don't you LOVE that!)
Service type: Priority Box
Weight: 8.0 lbs. (that's A LOT of documents!)

Status: Picked up (It's on it's way!!)

DTC!!!!!!!!!!!

It's official! My agency called just a bit ago to tell me that our Dossier is being sent to China today! Now we wait to see when our Log In Date (LID) is. This is when China officially "logs" us into their system. One step closer to our Karleigh Mei.

New Special Needs Referrals

I received an email from my agency today that they received a batch of Special Needs referrals this week! It is highly unlikely that Karleigh Mei is in this group, but it does mean we are that much closer to her! The list was of 20 children....8 of them being girls between the ages of 0-2. Our agency normally gets Special Needs referrals every 3-4 months, but this one was a surprise because it has only been 2 months since their last batch. Tomorrow we are suppose to be DTC (Dossier sent To China)!!