To the Zoo!!!

Lily & I went to the zoo this morning to see "if the animals were awake". 

They were.

Near the Gorillas we met another mom with 2 kids from China and we ended up spending an hour walking the kids around the zoo together & visiting. 

Very nice. 

I told her I am in recovery. 

Not from drugs or alcohol. 

Just from life.  The life that happened after we got home from China with Lily. 

Today was so fun to follow Lily around the zoo.  Let her lead the way and even have her read the map to tell me where we were going.  Not kidding.

She dressed herself this morning & came out of her room with a red skirt and a pink & yellow top and said "its matching". 

Sure, Lil.  

Off we went & had a great day just being together.  What a privilege & a joy to be mom to this precious pumpkin!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Please Make Note: Lily Loves Band-Aids

This morning Lily had one thing in mind: Go to the Germ Capital of the World.

So, you guessed it, we went to Chuck E Cheese.  Just me, Lil & a coupon for more tokens than she could ever have used in one visit! 

Before we left the house Lily had a little party with her band-aids (she has her own boxes of them because she loves them so much).

Oh, she had a ball with those band-aids.

Now, don't worry when you see the pictures, she is not injured.  She is just obsessed and I wasn't about to make her take off all those band-aids for anything. 


We had a great day together ...and of course, took a nap together before Hannah got home from school.  What a good life right now!!!

Hannah's First Week at School

The first week of school could not have gone any better for Hannah. 

It was like her school & her teacher had the perfect key that matches Hannah & they have turned her on! 

She came home every day so excited about what she did & ready to go back.  As a matter of fact, she was sad that it was the weekend & there wasn't school!!

Yes, I think Hannah has found her place!

Lily & I went to have lunch with Hannah on Friday in the cafeteria.  It was so nice to visit together & see Hannah wearing her new glasses (that she has to wear for school).  The school has a policy that parents & siblings can come any day for lunch.  So nice!  They even have special tables set aside for the kids & their families to eat together.

This week was also very special for Lily & I.  We had a great time just being home together: we made cookies one day, played, went shopping & took naps together. 

A dream week with my dream girl while my other miracle girl was having her own dream week being back in school.

Life is good & I am so thankful for normal days of life in Kentucky!


Here are some pictures ...

Hannah ready to go on Day #1 .. waiting for the bus with Joy.  Lily was still asleep or you know she would have been out here with us!  It is so nice that the bus picks Hannah up right at our house so if Lily is sleeping, I don't have to wake her up to get Hannah to school.  I love it!!!

 Hannah wearing her favorite shirt for the 1st day of school ... thank you, Miss Wendy!! 

 Here comes the bus!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Bye, Hannah ... I love you!!!!

 Lily having lunch on Friday at Hannah's school.

 My treasures!  Don't they look adorable!?  And, look how grown up Hannah looks with her glasses on?!  Oh my ... how is she only in 3rd grade!?!?!?

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"The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; 

I have drawn you with loving-kindness."

Jeremiah 31:3

Two Years Ago Today .....

Two years ago today we were blessed with the most beautiful referral pictures of our precious Lily Sha Hope.

At that time she was Qu Sha, 10 months & 3 weeks old, living in foster care in Milou, Hunan Province, China.

This morning I told Lily that today was her special "picture day" & we have been celebrating ever since!  This girl is always ready for a party!! 

Every one of my heart's desires for our baby from China was answered  & the agony of waiting years for her referral melted away when I saw her gorgeous face & contageous smile.

Thank you, Lord, for the most treasured gift of precious Lily!!


"Like cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a distant land."  Proverbs 25:25

"A man's steps are directed by the Lord.  How then can anyone understand his own way?"  Proverbs 20:24

Here is a video glimpse of when we first saw her pictures!  

Open House at Hannah's New School

Last night was Open House at Hannah's school.    The above picture is Hannah & Mrs. W on the couch in the classroom.  The entire room is set up like a house / classroom.  It feels so cozy, inviting & warm!

We had to bring Hannah's entire supply list (notebooks, folders, calculator, etc) & get her desk area completely prepared for Wednesday morning. 

Plus we met all of the staff at the school -- from the bus driver to the principal, gym teacher, nurse, art teacher & music teacher.  I know, friends in California, they have a full time art teacher, nurse, gym teacher & music teacher .... crazy!?!?!

Hannah is beyond thrilled to be going to one of the best public school in all of Kentucky ... it's going to be a great year!

The bus will be stopping right in front of our house to pick up Hannah in 23 hours & 50 minutes .... but I am not counting. 

I love summer.   I love 24/7 with my kids.

Really, I do.

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Hannah & Lily excited to be in Hannah's classroom!

Hannah, Lily & Mrs. W ... she's about the same size as Lily but I won't hold it against her or tell her I eat Coco Puffs & Combos at 3am.

I am sure she can already tell.

The bus!!

Checking out the entire school ... as you can tell from Lily's wet dress, they also investigated every water fountain on campus.

They all work....phew!

Even though I am very ready for summer to end & for the schedule of the school year, I hope it goes without saying that I wouldn't have it any other way. 

I know beyond what words can describe that every day with my kids is a gift .... thank you, Lord!!!

"Seek the Lord & His strength: seek His face evermore.  Remember His marvelous works that He hath done!"  Psalm 105:4

Summer Oh Ten

Summer 2010 is coming to a close.   Hannah is genuinely super excited for school to start on Wednesday

I cannot believe we made it to Fall 2010 & we are looking forward to Hannah being in school for the entire school year.  A first, since her kindergarten year in 2007. 

Hannah's teacher is a d-r-e-a-m.  You when you just know?   Well, I just know.  I met with her teacher (Mrs. W) at Panera for about an hour as a "meet & greet" before the Open House this coming Monday night (when Hannah will meet her).   Hannah is going to LOVE her!  She is going to thrive under her instruction & her spunky personality.  I just know it.  Thank you, Lord!!!


Lily is my constant ball of energy, curiosity, sillyness & get-into-it-all.  She is just down right hilarious & makes the silliest faces ALL the time.

This coming Wednesday will be exactly 2 years since we first saw pictures of miss Lily.  Hard to believe it has been 2 years since her referral after waiting SO LONG!

I am thankful for the normalcy of our everyday life right now: cleaning up the house, doing laundry, washing the dog, coloring my hair, cooking meals, scrap booking, sleeping in my own bed, doing dishes, getting stains out of the grout & trying to keep everyone entertained in the mix of it all.

God is so good & has been so faithful in hearing the cry our hearts for Hannah's healing.  What a dream to be planning for Hannah's school year 2010-2011.

I am so blessed.