FINALLY!!!

Our Travel Approval (TA) finally arrived at our agency on Friday! It has been a long and painful wait since our LOA came in early April. Sorry no posts....Anna Grace has been sick for a very long time, like 17 days long time! It started with Salmonella and that was pretty ugly. Friday I thought we were finally in the clear with that and then she started running fever again on Saturday evening and had that lovely barking cough. We did call the doctor when her temperature hit 104.6!! Today's high temp is 103 and medicine does bring it right down. I am praying that this is short-lived as I have a trip to china to plan! We think we will be leaving July 9 and meeting Avery XiaoLi on July 11....just 2 weeks from today! We are so excited at the thought! I have so much to do before then. Please pray AnnaGrace recovers quickly so I can get out to run my errands!

We are alive and well

Sorry for no posts recently. We've had computer issues and I went to NC for a week. We are home now, with a computer that works, and are anxiously awaiting our travel approval to go get Avery Xiaoli! It won't be long now. Our agency said we could get our TA next week...travel is probably the first or second week of July! Coming up quick!! I have pictures to add but they haven't been uploaded to the computer yet....Soon, I promise! And I will most definitely blog while in China. I am working with Tina at The Story of You to get Avery's site set up. Hope summer is getting off to a good start for all of you!

Happy Mother's Day

We have had a fun day in our family. I hope you have too! I am blessed to be the mom of 5 daughters...4 with us and 1 waiting in China. We are thankful she will be home this summer!
Happy Mother's Day!!

Avery Xiaoli

My blessings..... so far

Thank you, Lord, for the precious gift of my girls.

Homeschooling

Just a few of the things I love about homeschooling....

Getting to do fun things like drop eggs and watch them crack open

Working for hours with my big girls and then seeing them both accomplish their goal of "Memory Master" at Classical Conversations

Looking out my back door and seeing Lauren on the trampoline with Dino

Seeing how smart my two year old is

REALIZING THAT LAUREN IS RECOGNIZING SIMPLE SIGHT WORDS!!!!

But most importantly, seeing my four daughters truly enjoy being together

Thank you, Lord, for the privilege of homeschooling my children.

I LOVE SPRING!!!

I love fall....that is my favorite season! But I have to tell you, after the winter we had, I am LOVING spring!!

I love the azaleas and the cherry blossoms.......

......the green grass..........

....family bike rides.....

and then naps in my swing!!!!

Yep, I think I am starting to be a spring kinda girl!!!

Flying!

Today Lauren got a late birthday present. She got a bike that attaches to her Daddy's bike so our family can go for bike rides together. Today Lauren got to fly down the hill on our street on her very own bike! Today I heard giggles come from my sweet daughter as she raced past me and my camera. Today I saw the sweetest smile on her face and I wondered what she was thinking. Clearly she was loving the feel of the wind in her face and seeing the houses flash by. I have a feeling that she tasted a bit of freedom like she has never experienced before. We have to help her with so much in life...almost everything, actually. But today she sat on her very own bike and flew! We have been saving for this bike and I am so thankful that Shawn's parents helped us reach the amount we needed to buy it. I can't wait for them to come visit so they can watch her enjoy their present. I think a family bike ride and picnic is in order this weekend! I promise to take pictures!

Happy 6th Birthday Lauren! You are a precious blessing to our family.

Big News!!!!

Love Our Avery!!!!! (credit goes to Jennifer Privett for that clever use of letters!)




It is official! We have received approval for Avery!! I am now the mom to 5 daughters and we can't wait to bring her home! Travel hopefully in July!

I received this picture today. It was taken yesterday! I can't wait to go get her!