The littles...............

Happy Sunday!

Another good one:

Does anyone read these things besides me?  Please comment and let me know if they are at all valuable to you.
Thanks!

www.whatitmeans2beheld.blogspot.com.html

Feeling better~!

smiles.........

Back to her old self!

Merry Christmas ........

Dumpling's 1st Christmas

The Family !

Side note: The Vol did not want his picture taken opening presents.  Oh to be 14 again.... 

We are truly blessed this year!

Nicely written post....

The Kitchen Is Not My Office: Supporting and Understanding the Adoptive Family

Who knew........

...... watching your little one in pain would be so hard.
...... having major surgery involving your mouth can be a very rough thing especially when you are 2 1/2.
...... seeing your little girl ( who you just met three months ago) cling to you for dear life would make you cry.
.....  hearing your child speak a few new words would be such a beautiful thing.
..... countless sleepless nights could make you feel like a completely different person, but you know it is worth every minute.
.... during all of those sleepless nights, it would give you extra prayer time and time to reflect on the Reason for the Season.
..... a little girl could teach a family the importance of 'family'.
...... that friends who live very far away could send a sweet gift just at the right time.  :)
..... I could be stretched in enormous ways as a mother through it all.
..... that I would be unable to 'thank' close family enough for their help, prayers, and insight.
..... that a 2 1/2 year old with a horrific nose bleed could make people do a double take while visiting Santa ( long story).
..... that on Christmas 2011 we would be staring at a picture of a cute little girl half a world away and now Christmas 2012 we are holding her tight.

A little girl and her friends.......

My Christmas Present this year........

a little girl..... it doesn't get any better.......

worth reading........

http://followingourleader.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-call-to-adopt.html?m=1

Warms a mother's heart........

just to see two girls 'pretending' together.....They are sisters in every sense of the word.  On the eve of surgery, Dumpling has a family to be with her every step of the way!

Upcoming Palate Surgery....

As we prepare for Dumpling's palate surgery this Wednesday, I have to reflect on the past 3 months that she has been our daughter.  She has made amazing progress with ASL (sign language) and her understanding of the English language as well.  She desperately wants to be understood and to communicate.  I am awed by her resilience and determination.  She has taken on each new experience with grace and resoluteness.  She has come so far.  We started speech therapy this week and will likely continue for some time.  I am proud of my girl!  Please keep her in your prayers as we embark on this healing journey.

More basketball.....

The Vol in action!

Our elf is back...................

Eubie is such a jokester!