A quick note...

I wrote in a previous post that Tammy's blog was under construction and you would not be able to leave comments.....I just noticed that it is now accepting them. Be sure and leave her a comment.....it will make her day :-D

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Thanks!

Tummy Art

Nothing much better than sweet smelling little ones. Max gets lotioned up every night after his bath. I thought I would share some of my beautiful art work....I know it's not my artistic talent that makes this art priceless, it is what I use as my canvas!

Thank you Tammy

My friend Tammy ran across this lamp the other day, got it and surprised me with it. She got it thinking I could use it in Lulu's bedroom, she was right... It will be PERFECT in Lulu's room. Is she not the sweetest!!!!....that is Tammy for you, she has such a giving heart, she truly gets more joy out of giving to people than she does receiving.....oh how I love friends with that love language...hehehe. Tammy I LOVE LOVE LOVE it and I LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU!!! Just wait to see what I am doing to the shade that will so sweetly sit on top of this beauty.

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Check out Tammy's blog here she is on vacation and she is posting while she is at Hilton Head. Her blog is in the process of getting a new look and it will not allow you to post comments at this time...but be sure and stop by and see the pictures of her trip and best of all her adorable granddaughter, Allie....she is BEAUTIFUL and is Miss Personality!!!!

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I MISS YOU....ENOUGH FUN.....COME HOME!!!

a work in progress

For those of you that go to Vivi's blog I apologize that sometimes I post the same thing....if I do it is because I want to keep a journal of it for her.

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More fans will be added in.

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**I have had a few people ask how Lulu's room is coming along......well it's like this.....I'm still not finished :-/ Maybe I am just slow or could it be that I have a 2 year old helper :-). Actually it is taking so long because I only work on the room when Max is napping or is asleep for the night...but wait...that is also my blogging time....humm....it seems that I am leaving something else out...humm...could it be cooking, cleaning, and laundry....a woman's work is never done :-P. I must fess up...I do have a WONDERFUL husband that helps A LOT!!!...I am NOT trading him in...HE IS A KEEPER!!!

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I thought I had the wall of fans finished but I decided that I needed more, so I am not going to post the entire wall just yet. I folded so many fans that my fingers and hands were sore. We went to Dallas a few times and I folded most of the way there and back home...at least 8 hours of folding...and now I decide I need more....what is wrong with me????

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I do have both hands full of ouwees...meaning I can't use the glue gun without burning myself. I have burn scars on my hands from years past, making hair bows.

I really am pleased with how Miss Vivi's room is turning out and I hope it will not be to much longer before I am finished. I will makes sure that it is fit for the princess that she is!

waiting...

Today marks 45 days since we have been logged in to the CCAA. I am thinking we will probably have another month before we receive our LOA...unless the Olympics slow things down. The wait can be so very hard...yes, I have projects galore and a list a mile long of things I would like done before we travel...so yes, I do have a lot to keep be busy but my heart tells a different story. This mama's arms ache...my arms ache to hold my daughter close, my heart aches to tell her that I love her, to give her the assurance that we are her family and will be her family FOREVER and love her FOREVER, no matter what. I long for our family to be complete, for Max to have a sister to run and play with, for the two of them to drag out toys and strow them all over the house, to hear them laugh at their own silliness, to hear them squeal like little pigs with excitement when one of the "BIGS" come home. Even though the process and wait can be very difficult, I am so thankful to God for calling us to this journey of adoption. Through both journeys He has taught us so much, our faith has been strengthened as we stand in awe watching His plans unfold, as concerns become answered prayers, as we see His design before time be carried out...it is so perfect and beautiful that it can only be His handiwork.

The day will come...we will get the call...we will be in China once again...until then, I will continue to stand in awe!

DREAMS DO COME TRUE!

The Princess Has A Name

Vivi Lu (Chinese name)(Last name)

I just thought that since Vivi Lu's blog is private not everyone knows that we have officially decided on a name. I am sure that many of you that knew me before we were blessed with Mr. Max are not surprised about the name Vivi......Max was going to be named Vivi before she became a he :-). My sister Kristi, suggested the name and I instantly loved it and thought it would be perfect because Paul's grandmother that he was so close to was named Vivian. During this wait, we have looked at so many other names but we always come back to Vivi. I wanted to make sure that it was the perfect name for her and not just name her that because we had picked it out so long ago.

So Vivi Lu it is.

Road Trip

Hayden and 3 of his buddies from college took off yesterday on a road trip. They are going to Yellowstone National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Glacier National Park and the Grand Tetons. He called me and they made it to Yellowstone. They drove all but 2 hours...they pulled over and slept in the car. I am sure they are really tired....but you know college students rarely sleep anyway. I know they are going to have a great time and will make wonderful memories. Please pray for their safety....I will appreciate it so much!

Happy Birthday Kristi

I want to say a Happy Birthday to my little middle sister. Kristi is my hilarious and mischievous sister...she keeps us all in stitches and can't you see the mischief in her eyes.. I hope your day is wonderful! I love you so much!!

Love

I LOVE this kid so much....I LOVE every single thing about him!!! I am so madly and crazy in love with him that I cannot even find the words to express!

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Thank you God for blessing us so richly! Thank you for entrusting us with your child!

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I praise Your Holy Name!!!

There is a new blogger in town.

This crazy lady has started a blog, her name is Tammy and she is my friendy:-)...you will love her, I promise!

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She has a new and cute blog design coming soon.

Be sure and visit Tammy here and show her a little love by leaving her a comment.

Every Saturday morning.....

Dadda and Max take a trip to the donut shop. Mama stays home, it is their special time together...and every Saturday Max insist on wearing his cap to be just like Dadda.

Oh how I love Saturdays!

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I just love how little boys sit while they play!

Max loves trains! A couple of weeks ago when we went to Ikea we picked up this little train set. This is a real treat for Max because we only buy him toys for birthdays, Christmas, and special holidays. We got home late so the first thing the next morning he wanted to set it up. I told him when Dadda comes home for lunch they could open it. I am so blessed to stay home with Max everyday that I wanted him and Dadda to have that special time together setting the train up. Max was so excited when he saw Dadda drive up and was ready to put the train together as soon as he walked through the door. Max has had some serious fun with it....I love how he holds his tongue out when he concentrates....Dadda too :-)

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Max was sitting on my lap while I was looking through these photos and he said, "Happy Max.....Happy Max!!" He remembered how he felt when he and Dadda set the train up. I don't know who enjoyed it most, Max or Dadda.

Bigga Shoes

Max tickles me, he loves these shoes and wears them all around the house. A friend gave them to me for him to grow into. She had no idea how much wear he would get out of them :-) Thanks, Kathy.

The Map Game

Max loves to play the Map Game and he also loves to make "movies" and watch himself...over and over and over. I think I have a little actor on my hands....so I decided to make a "movie" of the Map Game.

This is Miss Bonnie, isn't she a CUTIE! She is the daughter of my dear friend Tami. Bonnie and I are going to have a Yard Sale together this Friday and Saturday. Tami is working Friday so Bonnie, Max and I will be selling it up and making the BIG BUCKS....hehehe...okay maybe I exaggerated just a bit.....I just hope we don't melt in the scorching Texas heat. We will be perched under a shade tree making change from our many sales, with a tall glass of lemonade to keep us cooled off. Bonnie I'll bring the change and you bring the lemonade. If you are in our neck of the woods, come on by and we'll make you a bargain that you can't live without!

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For Mark to wear a lampshade on his head...it is safe to say that someone has him tied tightly around their finger.

I wonder whom might that be?

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Yes...you are right, it is MAX

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We had a wonderful time with Bubba Mark. He will make and AWESOME Dad someday! We miss you and COME HOME SOON!!!

Family

Mark got a new tattoo, although I am not usually a big lover of tattoos, I do love this one! It is a Chinese symbol for FAMILY. He said he got it in honor of Max and Lulu, how precious is that! He did say that getting a tattoo on your ribs is VERY painful. He loves Max so much and looks forward to becoming a big brother again soon.

*Mark, I love you so much....I'm looking forward to your next time home...and so is Max!!!

Independence Day Celebration

What a day! We had a GREAT time celebrating July 4th. Friday, Paul, Max and I went to see a wonderful fireworks show with Bea (Aunt Brenda) and her parents. Before the fireworks started we had a picnic. The Chamber of Commerce sponsored the evening, they had local singers sing, so we were entertained while we ate and waited for the fireworks to begin. We set up across the street from the fire trucks and Max thought that was way cool. One of the firemen came over and gave him a fireman's hat and ask if he wanted to sit in the fire truck....a little boys dream...he LOVED it...I am so glad I had my camera. Next came the watermelon...I think Max could eat his weight in watermelon, I can't begin to tell you how many slices he ate. As soon as it turned dark the fireworks began....Max was in AWE...he sat in my lap with his mouth open...He LOVED it!!!

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What an incredible day!!

a FULL tummy!

It was a FANTASTIC, FIRST, FOURTH!