Merry Christmas to all!

Merry Christmas everyone! Our family celebrated Christmas in July with the arrival of Miss Elizabeth into our household. The holiday season has been so fun and blessed beyond our dreams.

To our family and friends we would like to thank you for all the support and love you have given us over the last 4 years as we embarked on the journey to our girl. And now you get to be part of our first holiday season as a family-how special!

To our travel mates-we are so thankful to have met each and every one of you and are so glad you are part of our lives now. Our girls are all precious gifts and we look forward to watching each of them grow over the years and catching up at reunions (in the near future, I hope!)

To Elizabeth-you are so very precious and Daddy and I love you very, very much. God brought you to us and we are so proud to call you our own! There is just not much more to say other than we love you very much Santa baby!

From our family to yours-we wish you a Merry Christmas and a peaceful, Happy New Year-

Patrick, Jennifer & Elizabeth

Meeting Santa Claus-Part 2

Do you think our girl liked Santa after all? She is clapping her hands and that is always a good sign!!!

Meeting Santa Claus

This weekend we went to the local zoo and Elizabeth had the opportunity to meet Santa Claus. We started with a brunch that Elizabeth, both sets of grandparents and Patrick and myself were able to attend. Elizabeth loved every minute of it!! The Christmas music was playing, she was swinging her arms and clapping her hands, and she ate like a horse. Then we got to have our picture made with Santa! This is her first impression of Santa. I will post the other pic later where she is clapping her hands after she figured out he was pretty cool.

We had a blast and are LOVING our first holiday season with our girl. What a precious gift! No other presents are needed this year, just the fact that Elizabeth resides in our house is gift enough!

Until next time................................

Thursday, Thanksgiving Day November 26th and Happy Birthday to Patrick

I want to wish my husband and Elizabeth's dad a very happy birthday! He gets to share it with Thanksgiving day this year. And we both say we have a lot to be thankful for this year. Happy Birthday Babe-I love you...........................





From our family to yours we would like to wish each and every one of you a very Happy Thanksgiving.



Until next time.................................

Day #4 in a week of Thanksgiving

Wednesday, Day #4

I am thankful for my family.

My family is a blessing in alot of ways. The provide unconditional love, support, words of wisdom, and just generally support what I do in my life. Many people in this world have no one or are estranged from their families. I am fortunate and blessed to have a great family.

My quote for the day:
"An ounce of blood is worth more than a pound of friendship

Until tomorrow..................................................

Day #3 in a week of Thanksgiving

Tuesday, Day #3

Today I am thankful for my faith and the ability to practice my faith.

I was raised as a Southern Baptist and still call myself a Southern Baptist. I happened to have married a guy that is Catholic and an extremely devout one at that. We have radically different styles in the way we worship, but the bottom line is that as an American we are allowed to proclaim our faith and freely practice whatever religion we so chose. This is not the case in many countries and penalties are often stiff (even death) for those who chose to worship.

My faith has gotten me through many trials and tribulations. And many times I didn't understand why things happened the way they did, but looking back on it years later it would seem that the timing was perfect after all. We knew when we started our adoption process that there would be a wait. Never in a million years did we anticipate almost 4 years of waiting, but that is what it turned out to be. I have said it many, many times -that Patrick and I had faith that just the perfect child was out there for us and when God says it was time, then it would be time. And now look at the precious gift we have received this year. There are many other instances over the years that I could tell you about, but won't. Just know that living in the USA allows us many freedoms that other people in this world will never experience.

My thought/prayer/saying for the day is: Footprints in the sand

This saying/prayer captured my attention at a very young age-like maybe 7th or 8th grade. It moved me from the moment I heard it and I have fallen back on it many times since then. It is very simply put but kind of sums up what I was trying to say above-at the time when things happen to us we may not understand why it is this way, or when it is going to get better, yet looking back on it months or even years later you realize you were not alone. You have to have the faith, maturity and understanding that our time is not always God's time. Here is Footprints -I hope you enjoy and find a deep meaning in it as I have over the years.

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him,he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it:
"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life,there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."
The LORD replied:
"My son, my precious child,I love you and I would never leave you.During your times of trial and suffering,when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

Until tomorrow.............................

Day #2 in a week of Thanksgiving

Please reference the previous post for my inspiration to post each day this week leading up to Thanksgiving Day. If you don't have the time to read the post here it is in a nutshell:

Life is great, we take many things for granted, we get caught up in the day to day activities that comprise our lives and often times forget to stop and think about what we really have. Most of us will say it is not the material things that define who we are, but the morals, values, family and friends we were raised with and continue to be part of our lives today. I want to take each day as it comes-knowing it may be my last. And I want those around me to know how much I love them and what they have meant to me. So each day this week I am going to post about something I am thankful for and also give a little thought/prayer/saying for inspiration and thought.

Monday, Day #2-I am thankful for my health.

Besides a little thyroid gland problem and extra weight I don't care for on my hips, thighs, chin, etc. I am a very healthy person. Working as a nurse practitioner makes me appreciate just how good I have it. Most of us are only one good illness away from serious reprecussions in our lives, like financial devastation, job loss, family stress, divorce, emotional distress, etc. should we be struck with any type of illness/injury. So again, I am thankful for my good health.


My thought for today is one of my very favorite sayings of all times. It has changed a little over the years, been tweaked a little here and there, but I do think it originated from Mark Twain. It goes something like this:

Sing, like no one's listening,
Dance, like no one's watching,
Work, like you don't need the money,
Give, like you expect nothing in return,
Live, like there's heaven on earth,
Love, like you'll never get hurt

Until tomorrow.........................

A week of Thanksgiving

Today started out just like any other Sunday. Elizabeth had breakfast, we went to the grocery store for a few things and came home for her to have a morning nap. Then I called a very close friend who had left a message on our machine last nite that it was important I call her today. That is where the similarities to other Sunday's ends.



She proceeded to tell me that her daughter, grandson and son in law were all killed in a house fire on November 12th. Her daughter was only 35 years old and her grandson would have been 5 years old on November 28th. Needless to say I have been so sad and devastated since that phone call. Most of my thoughts have turned to Elizabeth today as I think of all the moments we shared together today and that my friend will never have this opportunity with either her daughter or grandson again.



So in the spirit of Thanksgiving and after receiving this "wake up" call today I have decided each day this week I will post here just what I am thankful for this year.



Sunday, Day 1-I am thankful for our daughter.

After over 3.5 years of waiting and hoping for a family, our dream came true in May, 2009 when we received the wonderful phone call that we had a daughter in China. I really don't think there are any other words to say about this. It is a miracle and truly a blessing. As I kiss my daughter good nite tonite, my thoughts turn to my friend and the deep pain and suffering she must be experiencing at this moment, which makes our gift of Elizabeth even more special than ever.



I think I also want to post a thought for the day each day this week as well just to make each and everyone think about what is good in our daily lives. We all have struggles and frustrations, but there are also many joys and wonders that can get lost in our day to day struggles. Let's each take time this week to find just one minute in our day to give thanks for something or someone special in your life.

























My thought/saying/prayer for today is:


You are the poem I dreamed of writing
the masterpiece I longed to paint.


You are the shining star

I reached for In my


ever hopeful quest

for life fulfilled...


You are my child. Now with all things

I am blessed.

More pics

Grams and Granddaddy

Aunt Janet's self portrait

It's been awhile-

Hello everyone, sorry it has been a couple of weeks since our last post. Life has just got the best of us is all-busy at home, busy at work, just busy. Our girl continues to grow and amaze us each and every day. She is saying more English words like "meow meow" and she loves to imitate the grandfather clock and says "dong dong dong" every time she hears it.

She has had another haircut-that makes 2 now since she has been home. But I think the one we did last week is really her first "official" haircut. We took her to a "kids" salon where she got to sit in a fire truck and watch Baby Einstein while she got her hair cut. She was so good. And her hair is really growing and getting thick. I do think she will have a true bob haircut before she turns 2.

Elizabeth and Grandpa Frank

Nothing much else to say, just enjoy the pics of our girl. We just love her to death and look forward to each and every day with her.

Until next time.........................

Pics from our day at the zoo

Here are some pics to enjoy of our day spent at the zoo. Elizabeth loved it and we are now members so she will be going back ALOT during the next year. Not only do they have animals to see but also a ROPES course with zip line and a kiddie train and carousel. I don't think there was a thing we did today that she didn't love!

Until next time.....................................

Trick or Treat? We think she is a treat!

Pumpkin Head!!

Trying a lollipop for the first time

Me and my friend, Angel

Storytime and Pumpkin Patch

Tuesday's are for story time for Elizabeth. I started taking her when I was home on maternity leave and her dad has continued the tradition. It is just for 20 minutes at our local library but she LOVES it. Up until yesterday she would stand in front of us and participate with the music and clapping and listening to the stories but would not venture away from us. Well, yesterday a whole new Elizabeth broke out at story time. She stood right in front of the "teachers" and clapped and rocked to every song. Then would turn around and wave at everyone in the class. Then she would walk off around the room and check everyone out and then make her way back to the front of the class. She had a blast and everyone got a kick out of her!

Elizabeth and her friend, Olivia

I was able to join them for story time yesterday and was soooooo glad that I did not miss this show. She was definitely enjoying herself and entertaining everyone else in the room at the same time. I just wish we had taken the camera in so I could have photographed some of her antics!

After story time we went across the street to the pumpkin patch and picked out our pumpkin. She loved walking around and hitting those big orange balls! It was difficult to get her to stand or sit still for a photo but I was able to snap a few. Her friend, Olivia, also was at the pumpkin patch and we made their picture together as you can see.

I went back to work and Elizabeth and her dad came home and carved the pumpkin we bought. It was carved into the "scary" face that Elizabeth is now famous for. There is a picture a few posts down that shows her doing her "scary" face for everyone. She does it all the time and particularly likes to do it if she thinks she is getting in trouble for something!

Another pic of Elizabeth with Olivia

Until next time.........................

Can you believe it has been 3 months?

Looking out of the sliding glass door















Our four legged child!

















Doing my favorite thing-swinging!

This week marked a huge milestone for us-3 months since Gotcha Day! Can you believe it??? I say this every month that passes that wonderful anniversary but in some respects it was like yesterday and in other respects it was a life time ago. We are just so in love with our girl. She makes us laugh each and every day. She just fits in our family. My sister says all the time "it is hard to believe you did not give birth to her!"

She is now walking all over the place. She continues to love music, even just hearing 1 or 2 beats of music and she is rocking and clapping along. She is vocalizing more and now says Dada, Mama, dog, bye bye and meow. Now some of these words are not 100% accurate with the pronunciation, but we know that is what she is saying. She is very friendly and social-waving at everyone and everything. When we are out on our walks she is usually waving at the cars that go by whether we know the people or not. I took her to her first gym/play class yesterday and she walked all over the mat in the class just waving at everyone. She is a huge imitator-whatever we do she tries to do as well.

She now weighs 15 lbs 5 ounces-almost a full 2 lb gain since we got home. Actually I am surprised it is that much now that she is walking because she is up and about constantly! I think she is around 29 inches tall but haven't checked that recently. Food is still somewhat of an issue for us. She has a very hard time with stage 3 baby food and is also not transitioning over to table food like we think she should-but then again she ate her first raw apple 2 weeks ago and LOVED it. When I was grocery shopping yesterday and put the apples into our cart Elizabeth started clapping! It was hilarious. She likes all chips-Doritos, potato chips, she loves Gerber puffs and Cheerios, cereal bars, yogurt and steamed egg. We finally were able to transition her to milk in a sippy cup, but she still takes a bottle at bedtime. Mainly for the calories (that she needs) and also because I love holding her close and loving on her. She doesn't sit still any other time of the day so I take advantage of those few moments when she takes a bottle.

Life has changed so drastically for us-all for the better. I could never have imagined how much we could love this little lady and what a special gift she has been to our family.

Here are just some fun pics of our girl-not doing any thing special but just enjoying life!

Until next time.......................

A little taste of fall

We FINALLY had a break in the weather here this weekend. We were actually having heat advisories last week with temps feeling like they were around 102-103 in the afternoon, but on Friday we had a front blow through that brought our first cool weather. Saturday dawned sunny and chilly- I think it was 59 degrees out and only warmed to around 70 degrees all day. That is pretty cool for us Florida people. Then today (Sunday) it was more of the same thing and also breezy. We were just outside talking with the neighbors as the sun was going down and between losing the sun, and the breeze that was blowing all of us were complaining we were cold!

Yesterday Grams and Granddaddy came to visit. Elizabeth just LOVES when they come because she gets all the attention every single minute that they are here. And of course, they brought a Halloween basket with goodies in it for her. This is the first time they have seen her since she started walking and they were just amazed at how well she is walking and toddling all over the house. Not sure what we did all day but somehow managed not to take a single picture-sorry!

But none the less here are a couple of our girl. The first pic is her enjoying her very first apple! I was eating one for a snack and she watched me very intently for about one minute then started waving her arms like crazy and making "bop bop" sounds with her mouth. So I picked her up, sat her in my lap and just held the apple in front of her. Well, she bit right into it and was actually able to get a little pulp off and of course the juice, and she LOVED it. She continued to sit in my lap another 5-10 minutes just biting off small amounts and eating away. Now this is coming from the girl that won't eat stage 3 baby food if there is any chunks in it at all, but she'll eat a raw apple-go figure!

My first apple!

The second pic is her just out in our backyard wondering around and chasing leaves last nite. It was cool and her and our dog were feeling pretty peppy and just had a great time running all around the back yard and exploring together.

Unfortunately, the cool weather comes to an end this week and it is forecast to be back around 85 degrees by mid week. But we loved the quick glimpse of fall we did have and can't wait for our next "cold" snap!

Until next time.....................................

And a good morning to you!

Good morning everyone!

Just checking in

Breanna and Elizabeth-Saturday, Oct 10th

Hello all, it was a fairly busy week last week, and the end of a 12 day haul of working for me so I was definitely looking forward to the weekend! Elizabeth and I went into Orlando on Saturday and met up with my college roommate, Lynn and Lynn's daughter, Breanna. It was so great to see them both! However, I felt quite old as Lynn was 5 months pregnant with Breanna when Patrick and I got married and now she will be turning 13 years old in December! Good Lord where does the time go?????!?!?!

Breanna played with Elizabeth so well and was so good at keeping Elizabeth entertained and busy. Elizabeth is now walking all the time and just gets up and goes at free will. Well Breanna kept up the pace with her and it gave Lynn and I the opportunity to play catch up with each others lives. I have really missed seeing her regularly like we used to when I still lived in Orlando. We lived together for a couple of years in college and then continued on as roommates after college until Lynn got married. Those were the times!! Here are some pictures of our visit.

Lynn, Elizabeth and myself-Saturday, Oct 10. I think Elizabeth wanted to go home with them

This pic is a little blurry but it is Elizabeth playing on her wheely bug. When she first came home her legs wouldn't touch the ground when she sat on it. Now they touch and she can get off easily but hasn't quite mastered the art of getting on and also scooting around on it-yet! It is just the cutest little ladybug design and will try to get some pics of her on it and where you can see the entire toy.

What do you mean what am I doing? Lying on my parents bed, watching Spongebob and resting

my legs on this great foot stool-this is the life!

Until next time.......................................

Want to see some of my tricks:

What do you mean I am not supposed to be up here?

And now for my new trick, walking across the bed!!

Hard at work and it isn't even 8 am yet!!

Want to see some funny faces??

This is me sitting on my stool in the kitchen. Now which cabinet were those pots in that make alot of noise????

Just hanging out playing with my ball activity center

This is what I call my "scary" face. I stretch my bottom lip out and my jaw and if I am really serious about it, will also make my whole body tremble. Who needs a Halloween costume?

See all my new teeth????!!!!!!

This is me walking!

Elizabeth has decided she is going to walk pretty regularly now. She started taking a few steps about 2 weeks ago, but was alternating between crawling and walking. Slowly over the last 2 weeks she has gotten more confident and is walking more and more. She will still crawl some when she wants to get to something quickly, but I think those days will be over soon. Here is a short video taken about 1 week ago when she still wasn't quite so sure on her feet, but none the less, you can see she takes a few steps to give the dog his toy. They are such good friends!

What a fun weekend!

Elizabeth had a great and busy weekend. Saturday we had a nice visit with Patrick's brother, Tim and his 3 kids-Maddux-age 12, Calen-age 9 and Delanie age 8. Their dad had met Elizabeth but this was the first time the kids had the opportunity to meet her. Delanie was a natural with her cousin and played very nicely and sweetly with her. And of course, Elizabeth turned on all her charm for them. She even walked a couple of steps while they were here! Here is a great picture of the cousins all together on the swing-

Here is a good one of Elizabeth with Calen-

Then after the fun on Saturday, we had a nice gathering to celebrate Moon Festival with our local Families with Chinese Children group. We met at a small local Chinese restaurant and basically took the place over. We live in a small community half way between Daytona Beach and Orlando and just in this small area comprised of 4 small towns we have about 20 families that have adopted from China. It was so nice to talk to other adoptive families and Elizabeth just loves seeing the other "asian" faces. She was smiling and babbling and really enjoying herself. There was one other family there that has a daughter adopted from Hunan, and they say she is "spicy" just like our girl. Here is a photo of Elizabeth enjoying her Gerber puffs at the gathering and then the group photo of all the girls that attended today. ( I know I don't look too Asian in that photo but she wouldn't stand up on her own with the group so I had to hold her)

Last but not least, I had to throw in a pic of her taking a few steps. We didn't have the camera ready for the "real" first steps she took earlier in the week, but I just so happened to catch these couple with the still camera today. I still have not been able to get her on video when she decides to walk a few steps! Also notice Elizabeth's trusty companion had to get in the shot as well!!!

Until next time...................................