Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Vivi Jo

Vivi's stocking is in the middle.

Some of her gifts. Once we are given a referral, we will send a care package to her at the orphanage. Some of these items will go, along with a blanket that we will sleep with for a while, to get our scent on it. I'm still searching for the perfect blankie.


Gifts under her Christmas tree in the nursery.



Starting a collection of bibs.

Born to Die

It is Christmas eve and I've been thinking a lot about Christmas. For so many years I have anxiously awaited Christmas day, enjoying family and traditions, the joy of giving the ones I love the gifts that I know they would be so excited to get, hearing the laughter and excitement the day brings and the wonderful foods that are only made twice a year. As I sat in bible fellowship and the church service today, the Lord opened my eyes and spoke to me. I get so caught up in christmas that I over look Christmas. What part of my day will I spend honoring Jesus, the Christ child, the Christmas baby? God loved us so much that he made a way that through the birth of Jesus, we can have eternal life with Him. God sent His Son to be born and then later die. Christ, the pure, perfect and spotless sacrifice, shed his blood for a covering of our sins. As unworthy as we are, Jesus through His death on the cross and His resurrection bridged the gap to God. The ONLY way to God is through Jesus Christ. Without Jesus, the family, traditions, laughter, the fun we have on Christmas is nothing because it is temporary. But because we do have Jesus we need to make this day about Him. Honor Him, Praise Him, Glorify His holy name.

Photo Session

FAVORITE FOTO FRIDAY

Hayden, Britney, and Mark

I love them so much!!!!

Hopefully next year at this time Vivi will be right in the middle of them. My heart longs for that day!!

Marathon Shopping

My dear friend Amy and I went on our annual Christmas shopping trip last weekend. I don't think the energizer bunny could have kept up with us. We put in a seventeen hour day. Seventeen hours of fun. We decided that we were not going to let the craziness of the crowded malls and people frantically trying to find that perfect gift get us down, instead we embraced it. We had a blast, we laughed until our sides hurt,and even made some new friends. We made it home a little after 1am, we were still laughing and having a good time. I have posted some of the pictures that we took that day on our shopping adventure.

BEAUTIFUL CHINA

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

FAVORITE FOTO FRIDAY

My sweet Britney girl!!!

BEAUTIFUL CHINA

Hayden at Winter Formal

click to enlarge photo

Hayden and Katie

click to enlarge photo

The Girls

Katie, Caitlin, and Erika

click to enlarge photo
The Gang
Austin, Caitlin, Katie, Erika, and Hayden

6,six,6,6,SIX

6 months down, and another month closer to Vivi Jo!!

Third Day, Merry Christmas

The Christian group Third Day recently released a new CD that includes a song called Merry Christmas. One of the band members is also adopting from China. The lyrics make me cry, thinking of our daughter so far away and another Christmas without her in our arms.

Merry Christmas lyrics:

There's a little girl trembling on a cold December morn

Crying for mama's arms

At an orphanage just outside a little China town

Where the forgotten are

But half a world away I hang the stockings by the fire

And dream about the day when I can finally call you mine

It's Christmas time again but you're not home

Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone

So tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in His arms

And tell you from my heart

I wish you a Merry Christmas

As I hang the tinsel on the tree and watch the twinkling lights

I'm warmed by the fire's glow

Outside the children tumble in a wonderland of white

And make angels in the snow

But half a world away you try your best to fight the tears

And hope that Heaven's Angels come to carry you here

Christmas is the time we celebrate the Holy Child

And we celebrate His perfect gift of love

He came to Earth to give His life and prepare a place for us

So we could have a home with him above

It's Christmas time again and now you're home

Your family is here so you will never be alone

So tonight before you go to sleep, I'll hold you in my arms

And tell you from my heartI wish you a Merry Christmas

(Thanks to Kim Humphrey for the lyrics)

Meme, Just for You

click comic to enlarge

Meme, I found this today and I thought of you. Vivi will definitely know how to work it because she will be taught by the best. (Jasee and Kylee)

We Love Our Chinese Princess

We love you Vivi Jo!!!