Music to my ears......

The bedroom door opening and little feet running across the wood floor to jump into my lap and say "Mama, I love you!"

We have come a long way baby girl!!

We celebrate 10 months as a forever family tomorrow!!

I love you so much!!!!

Look at how much you have grown and changed--Oct 2008

New Picture from China

This is a picture that I received today from sweet Melissa Yeung (in pic above) with Sophie's best friend (Qian Qian) from POPCH.  It breaks my heart that these girls were so close and still remember each other 10 months later.  Melissa's father is the founder of Prince of Peace Orphanage.    Melissa is a sweetheart!!  Thank you for the picture!!!!   Qian Qian, Sophie loves you too and misses you very much!!!  We are so blessed to be able to stay in contact with Sophie's orphanage.

Swimming Lessons

Sophie and Laura

Spending the night at Sophie's house!

Spending the night at Laura's house.  Going to church where Mommy grew up and got married !

Spending the night in Elba

My sweet girl spent the night with my friend Karen and her girls, Laura and Anna.  They live in Elba where my parents lived.  I am so thankful that we still have a connection to Elba.  I love my hometown and I loved growing up in Elba.  

This is Sophie's second time being away from me.  The first time she spent the night with my friend Cynthia (AKA Nai Nai) so Ricky and I could go to Lance's Air Force ROTC Dining Out in Auburn.  This time I am in Auburn again watching my oldest son play basketball.  Joshua is with Ricky working at Bama Jam and I hear that he has had a great time riding with the Troopers, riding the 4-wheelers and he has even gotten some autographs and listened to some concerts.

Sophie has had a great time going to McDonalds, Walmart, swimming, eating pizza, jumping on the trampoline, swinging and playing with Laura and Anna.  I love sharing her with my friends and seeing how much they enjoy experiencing the love of an adopted child.  Sophie is truly a blessing to us all.  I can't imagine life without her!!!!!! 

I have enjoyed my time with Justin but it has been a very busy week and I am ready to get my family all under one roof.  Ready to cook some squash and peas!!!  Make a trip to Slocomb for tomatoes!!! My girl is going to love her some Slocomb tomatoes!!!  :)

Aunt Shell your next for a sleep over!!!!!!!

More pictures from the beach

Beach part 2

Summer Fun At the Beach

Bubbles

Mrs. Owens thank you for the pig bubble blower.  I love it!!!!

Summer Birthdays

This is mine and  Sophie's last week of school.  We celebrate all the summer birthdays on one day during this week.  Sophie is so proud of her crown.  She wore it the entire day and then insisted on sleeping with it on.  Of course I let her.  She was so cute and funny.  Her birthday is in July and she tells me everyday.  This year will be a very special birthday for a very special girl!!!!

K3 Splash Party

K3 Spring Program

Mrs Owens and Sophie

Sophie had her K3 Spring Program today and did a great job.  Two months ago when we started singing the songs, I told Mrs. Owens that I was not going to put Sophie in the program and add any extra stress to her life.  She was at that time and  still is a little bit threatened  by the presence of other adults that she does not know.  So, I am pleased and thrilled that she did her program today and actually had a good time doing it!!!  She has come a long way!!!!

Thank you Mrs Owns for 20 years of precious programs!!!  Both of my boys have done your programs and I am so thankful that my sweet little girl got to do one has well.  I have had the pleasure of working with you for the past 4 years and I am going to miss you very much.  You brighten my day, make me smile, make me laugh and laugh and laugh, make me cry, pray for me and I for you.  Oh yes, and you always have chocolate for me!!!!!!!

You are precious to me and I am going to miss you so very much!!!!

Swinging on the playground after the program....her favorite thing to do!

8 Months with Sophie

What does Sophie do to entertain herself?

Put Q tips in the holes in the bathroom cabinet, of course!

Do you remember this picture?

Well you should hear this on video....it is very loud!!!!

Sophie has been wanting to watch her "crying" video as she calls it.  We have watched it every day this week.  She just likes to watch the crying part and then she is done.  She thinks that it is funny that she is crying and tells me that she is crying because she wants her Mama and Daddy.  This is so not true.....in fact....she did not want us at all....she was one mad little Chinese girl that didn't understand what was going on.  

Thanks goodness time changes everything.  She tells me now when she watches this video that " Sophie no go back to China" "Sophie stay in America"

She is a happy little girl and a joy to so many people.  Adopting her has truly been an experience of a lifetime.

Birmingham update

Our appointments went well today and I am so proud of Sophie. She cried horribly during her procedure today but she did not cry when we pulled up to the hospital or walking into the hospital. She was a big girl and I thank you for your prayers. We saw the doctor after lunch and Sophie is so proud to tell everyone that she did not cry at all at the doctor's office!!!!! She is so proud of herself!!

Everything looked fine with her colon and intestines which is a big relief. The surgeons in China did a good job taking care of my princess. Some of her lab results will not be ready until next week. Her iron is still low so we will start iron supplements for a year. Overall, we had a calm day with good news. We will conquer the dentist next!!!!!! At least that will be in Dothan :)

Prayers

We are in Birmingham tonight.  Sophie goes back to Children's Hospital for another invasive test and blood work.  I have not told her yet that we are going to the doctor tomorrow!!!  She gets so bent out of shape.  I have told her that we are having a pajama party with Nai Nai.  We went to the Gallaria and to the Cheesecake Factory.  She has bounced on the bed and had a great time.  I just hate it for her tomorrow.  She will know exactly where we are going once we turn off onto University Blvd.  My poor baby....pray for her to not be so anxious and afraid.  I appreciate my friends and your concern for Sophie.  She is blessed to be in such a caring community.  Thanks Nai for always being there for me.  I don't know what I would do without you!!!!!