Trimming the Tree and Holiday Fun!

Jailynn and Ivy's first time to Decorate a Christmas Tree. Ivy was amazed that we do this every year and undo it all after Christams. We explained the true meaning of christmas and the christmas tree.

By the way...the red skirt that Jailynn has on is actually the tree skirt that goes around the Christmas Tree! She was reluctant to take it off because she thought that she found a new christmas skirt!

My beautiful Anna!

We also went to the Gallaria Mall for Ice skating and shopping. This was Ivy's first time to Ice Skate and she learned very quickly. Jordyn and Jailynn are naturals on the ice. I am thinking that I need to get them lessons!

Jailynn Loves To Ice Skate!!

Jordyn has wanted to go Ice Skating again for the longest time. She loves it. Ivy also had a great time!

JonMarc skated his litttle heart out and is exhausted!

Jordyn is tired and ready to go home after 2 &1/2 hours of skating nonstop!

Jailynn wants to keep on Skating! She is not tired at all!

This is where Noah played while everyone was on the Ice.

Jailynn's First Halloween (a late post!)

Jailynn dressed up asa Bat Girl. She absolutely loved her costume.

Jordyn was a Bride wearing black lipstick.

Amanda was a 1950's girl. Sooo Cute!

Posing for the camera!
Anna and Ivy had fun dressing up as Harajuku Japanese Grils.

Anna loves to take pictures making different expressions!

Too Cute!

Two little exhausted girls crashing on the couch after halloween fun!

You Know You're An Adoptive Parent When...

You Know You're An Adoptive Parent When...
1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.(Many,many nights)
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family. (every time i look at Jordyn and Jailynn)
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing. (had to stop watching...too heart wrenching)
4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you. (Too True...)
5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption (lots and lots of free time...also looking at waiting children pics on adoption sites...ever heard of RainbowKids?)
6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's 'real' parents. (Am I not real enough?)
7. You have ever been 'pregnant' with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth.(2 years!)
8. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you He will provide. (So far we did it two times and thinking about starting the third time...gulp, and double gulp!)
9. You have ever taken an airplane ride half-way around the world with a child you just met. (twice so far!)
10. You believe God's heart is for adoption. (No Doubt about it!)
11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth. (Very much so)
12. You know what the word 'Dossier' means, and you can actually pronounce it!(had to put it together on)
13. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.(more than once...and it is very scary)
14. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have him or her in your life.(blessed,blessed,and then some!)-Author unknown
Ok...this is a repeat...but it is just so true. I love reading this because it is so true. What more can I say! I have found my purpose in life and that is being a mother to my children. And maybe one more if we can convince the agency and SW ;)...more on that later.

Room for one more??

Do we have room for one more? My heart says yes. The little girl standing next to Jailynn is the third oldest Youxian darling. We know her name and we have heard all about her from Jordyn and Jailynn. Her little face has not left my mind for some time now and I have told myself over and over again that we cannot adopt another child...that we are not adopting her...that I am not her mother. Then...my DH looked at her picture and said..."we should get her too." Well, that did it...my strength and resolute stance just melted away...and thoughts of her continue to flood my heart and mind. I think about the fact that she is in the orphanage and her two best friends and sisters are gone. Who is watching out for her? I think about her at the orphanage and wonder...who does she play with now? I also think about her and wonder...is anyone else thinking of her? Is there another family for her? Is there another Mommy for her? That cares about her and wants to hold her, kiss her, and wipe away her tears? What if God is calling me to be her Mommy too? Do I have room in my heart for one more Youxian Darling? Do I have room in my home for another child? What if I am the only person in the world that cares about what happens to her? I can't get her out of my head. My heart aches for her. Soooo....I decided to take a step and then I asked the agency to see if they can find her file...gulp. Well, they found her file. Her file has been placed in a stack, shoved to the side and placed on hold because she has been waiting a long, long time. Now...we are waiting to see if we can get her file...and now I am praying...asking...and waiting. I am praying that if this is God's will for our family and we are meant to be this little girls family that God will open the doors for us. I am praying that our SW will support us. I am praying that God will provide the finances for another adoption. I am praying that if this is not God's will for our family that another family will step forward to adopt her. Now...we wait for answers. Please, keep our family in your prayers as we wait for our agency to make a decision.

Chinese Culture Day

The Dragon Dance was Awesome!

So cool...the kids loved it!

All Dressed Up and Together!

I feel so blessed! Jordyn and Jailynn

Anna and Ivy look so Beautiful in their Dresses.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND HAPPY POST PLACEMENT!

Can't wait to eat cake and open presents!

JonMarc is happy celebrate too!

Noah loves to eat cake and ice cream!

Anna and Ivy are happy for Jordyn and Jailynn!

Jailynn and Jordyn celebrated together!
They love their presents!


We had a party for Jailynn's 6 month post placement, Jordyn's 2 yr post placement and Jordyn's 10th Birthday. Jordyn was 10 years old on September 4th and her 2 yr Gotcha day was September 18th. We had Jailynn's 6 month post placement too which will actually be November 5th. I wanted to celebrate them together because they are very close! I am amazed that we have had Jordyn for 2 years. Time goes so fast it seems. Jailynn is thriving and loving school. SHe is learning English very fast. She is already speaking in sentences and can hold a conversation on the phone. She is also learnig to read. Jordyn is very happy to have her sister here.

Celebrating 5 Months With Jailynn: What has she been up to?

...playing tiger with Jordyn

...and Anna

..."oh no! the tiger is caught!!"

...but not for long!

...swimming in Nana's new pool

...learning how to do a flip in the water!

...still flipping...

...almost...

...wow! Look at me, Mom!

...look! I can swim!

...big sister, Jordyn, the fashion Diva in the pool!

...Amanda plays with Noah in the water...

...who's feet?? Daddy's signature move in the water...hand stand!

...Grandpa and Noah are swimming too...

...Jailynn loves swimming with Nana...

...and JonMarc...

...and Nana...

...Too Pretty To Get Wet...Anna and Sarah...

...hanging out and being silly with Daddy, Jordyn, Amanda, and Anna

...still hanging out...

...Jailynn's coolest hero:Daddy

...and Uncle Pat...hmm maybe they both need to work on thier guns??

...learning to ice sckate with Anna...

...ice skating with Anna and Jordyn...

...look!! I'm skating by myself, Mom!!

...three forever friends: Jordyn, ELizabeth, and Jailynn

...ELizabeth helps Jailynn skate

...playing babies with Jordyn...

...taking pics with friend Sara...

...Here's Jailynn...

...and Anna and Jailynn...

...balloon fight!

...oh and don't forget to jump on the bed!

...awe, cuteness,sweetness, and fun...all wrapped up in one! Jailynn!

...getting to know Ivy...our exchange student from China...

...Jailynn loves to play with Ivy...but not speak chinese mandrain to her please...so much for Mom's idea of helping with the language issue...well, it was a good idea...i did not know she would not think so.

...Jailynn meets Scooby Doo or is it Scrappy Doo?

...and Wylie Cayote...

...with Mom at Six Flags!

...Ivy and Anna and Lolly Pop...

...Noah and Jailynn hanging out with Scrappy or Scooby again...

...Noah loves Anna's Lolly Pop...

...Jordyn and Jailynn: Forever Sisters and BFF!

...Jailynn's first day of school...why does the summer have to end? We have had so much fun...and now you know why this post is so long over Due!