Can You Believe It ???

One year ago today I was sitting at my mother's house waiting with anticipation for that ever prayed for phone call from our family coordinator at our adoption agency. I remember that Mike was on "stand-by" at work. I had given our agency our cell phones and my mother's phone number to make sure they had a way to get in touch with us.

I had been keeping up with all the rumors on the Internet and already knew that day we would more than likely get the phone call.

I remember when my cellphone rang it was 2:30, the caller ID let me know it was the agency and my heart jumped to my throat, after that most of it was a blur. I do remember with vivid detail that my hands were shaking so much it was almost impossible for me to write down all the information she was giving me. I kept asking her to spell things (that I knew how to spell) and repeat things (that I was sure I heard) because it was impossible for me to concentrate.

She described this sweet little girl over the phone. She talked about what little (and I mean LITTLE) hair she had, what a sweet face, and beautiful eyes she had. She talked a little about her personality, then gave me information about where she was from, that she was in a foster care type of system, what her birthday was, and what we would do from here. She also informed me that we would receive a packet in the mail the next day and it would include her personal information, medical records, papers we needed to fill out, and that ever anticipated PICTURE!!!

We were beside ourselves all day -- I just didn't know what to do with myself. I cried, laughed, and called everyone I knew & thanked God for this blessing we had been praying for over the last 2 years! We were now "official parents".

When we received her referral, her information and pictures were from her 6th month check-up. We just happened to have a Dr. appointment yesterday and I thought it might be fun to look over comparing stats and pictures..

on 9/26/06 at 6 months she weighed 13.6lbs and was 24.8" long
on 11/29/07 at 20 months she weighed 25.15lbs and was 34" long

"Then"


"Now"

Today, as we woke to her "sounds" of her wanting "buup" (that's her word for up) at 6:30 a.m. (yes 6:30a.m. is her new time to wake!!) we couldn't help but praise God (no matter how early it was) because we said out loud "it's November 30th our 1 year referral anniversary". Praise God for this beautiful, fun, strong, happy, and full-of-life child!!

Happy Thanksgiving !!

What are we thankful for?.........

I don't even think you would have to guess at this point!! Our first Thanksgiving as a family! We (Me, Mike, Anne Marie, my sister Ashley, cousin Naomi, and Mike's Parents) all went to my mothers house for dinner. Everyone brought a dish (I made the Turkey!!) and we ate until we could eat no more!

It was a wonderful day! I sat there and watched her shovel in her turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy (mixed together - that's the way she wanted to eat them) I couldn't help but think what a blessed family we were!

Happy Family of 3 !

Anne Marie and I made "hand-print" turkeys for each of the Grandparents. My mom used them for the centerpiece on the table. How sweet is that??

How cute are these "turkey cookies" that Grandma "H" made for Anne Marie & Naomi?!?!

As we sat in the living room eating our dessert & drinking our coffee Anne Marie took full advantage of having all those sweets at her level. She went from person to person saying "a-bite, a-bite" trying to get everyone to feed her their dessert!!

The day after Thanksgiving we went to visit some friends of ours about an hour from where we live so that "us grown ladies" could hit the "After Thanksgiving Sales" and the Dads stayed and watched the girls for us! (Thanks guys!) When we got home with our bags full of goodies, the girls were in the back yard playing in the leaves. Avery and Anne Marie had SOSOSO much fun, but it has gotten quite cold around here, so it didn't last long

Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends & family!! We hope you had a Thanksgiving that was as full of blessings as ours was!!

Mike & Melissa & Anne Marie

Poor...Poor... Baby !!

I have always been a "klutz" .. and the other night I proved it!!! (Like I needed to???)

As I was putting Anne Marie to bed, we turned out the lights (we did have a night light on) and we said our prayers, then picked her up to take her to bed. Well, there was the baby doll stroller right underneath my feet. But, because I had her in my arms, I didn't see it underneath me!! Well, I got my foot caught, then we tripped, then we fell!! Ouch!! I hit my head, she fell out of my arms, I bruised my leg, and fell flat on my face!! The poor stroller was bent & broken! Un-usable! (is that a word???)

Well, we comforted her, hugged her, rocked her and then just put her to bed. We took the broken stroller in the living room with us to see what we could do with it. Well, NOTHING! The next day when she got up, she came out in the living room and saw her stroller. She "inspected" it. Then I told her when daddy got home we would get her a new one.


Let me just say the new one is better then the old one and I think she likes it better too! She's happy again (so is her dolly I'm sure - haahaa)

Hey, what's this???

What have you done to my Baby's stroller???

Yea!! This new stroller is GREAT!

Hey Baby .... what'cha think about your new ride??

Thanks Mom & Dad!!

Update on Sheldon Family

I thought that I would update everyone that has followed, prayed, and asked about the mother trying to bring her daughter home from China after the loss of her husband.

I've read on the families adoption agencies web page that they have finalized things with the US Consulate and the mother and daughter are on their way home now. Praise God!!

Thanks to all of you who prayed, called, and asked about this family!!

Melissa

Our First "Night Out"..

Tonight Mike and I went out "alone" for the first time after bringing Anne Marie home! (Other than being at my friends wedding - but she was in the hotel with my mom while we were in the ball room @ the wedding) Here's a few things I find funny about this...

#1 - I actually felt sad as we left her -- even though she was with her Grandparents -- we "snuck" out so she didn't get upset -- and it just made me feel bad.

#2 - I just read a blog from another "China Friend" and they just posted about the same thing! It must be about time for all of us to start venturing out on "dates" with our spouses.

#3 - We are "those parents" that actually called 1/2 way through our night out to check to make sure she wasn't having a hard time -- and when we heard her talking & laughing in the back-ground it made us sad she wasn't with us!!

We really didn't have anything special planned - and it was only a couple of hours - we just went out to grab a quick bite to eat, run a few errands, and do a little Christmas shopping. It was nice to have a night out with Mike!! She had a GREAT time at her Grandparents house - they have all these great toys and books & pizza for dinner & ice-cream!! WHEWWW -- it might have been more fun @ their house than with us! (haa)

Grandma "H" & Anne Marie

Our Adoption Ministry Goes "Public"!!

As many of you know, last year we started an adoption ministry with another family in our Church that has adopted 2 children from Guatemala.

This past Sunday our local newspaper ran an article about our adoptions and our adoption ministry. We were so excited to see it in the paper because we hope that this ministry will bring families to our Church for support, encouragement, and hopefully some financial help. The article was even on the front page!!

There were a few things that were a "little off" --first, it stated that Mike and I had been married 10 years, but we've really been married 12!! (Mike said - "I want credit for those other 2!!!" - ha!) I also don't remember saying one of the things they quoted me to say, but like I told Mike, it's not all about that --it's really about the fact that our ministry is now "public" and we hope that God works through us to help many other families in our area with their adoption needs!!

*(of course I can't post the article - but I wanted to tell everyone about it) So here's a picture (from this summer) of us & the other family that started the adoption ministry with us!!

Our 1st Time Trick-or-Treating

It's those times that while you're waiting for this beautiful child you talk about "when...."....

When she's finally here, we'll dress her in _________.
When she's finally here, we'll make ___________ for her "treats".
Won't if be fun when___________________.

So I can't tell you how much fun Halloween was. It's just one of "those times". I also have to say you have no idea how excited I am about Thanksgiving & CHRISTMAS!!

But on Halloween day we made daddy a "treat" so we could surprise him when he got home from work. (Chocolate covered ghost peeps -- YUK! I can't stand peeps, but they are Mike's FAVORITE! -- and now they have peeps for every holiday!)

Then, Halloween night our Church held a "Trunk-or-Treat". They had a cook-out and then different families from our Church decorated the trunks of their car and handed out candy to kids as they came around the parking lot. It was so much fun. It was those times that you always watched other families enjoy, or had to enjoy it with your sisters children. (Not that it wasn't fun that way -- but you know what I mean!!) But this year it was US!

Before we went to Church Nana "Z" came to visit along with cousin Stephanie, Aunt Ashley and cousin Naomi (who happened to have the same exact costume that Anne Marie did -- how cute are they??!!) After Church we went to visit Grandma & Grandpa "H" & Grandma made Anne Marie some very special treats for Halloween!!

Special Chocolate dipped peeps we made for daddy!!

Ladybug #1 & #2 - and "Spa Girl"

Arriving @ Trunk-or-Treat at Church

Sneaking a piece along the way!

WOW!! That's a lot of candy!!

Special Halloween brownies Grandma "H" made for Anne Marie