Sweet Tooth!

Our little tease!  She kept trying to eat the candy.

Finally got her focused on decorating not eating everything up.

This girl was having lots of fun!

We had much more fun this year.
No jet lag and Sarah understands
more of what is going on.

Jaden's gingerbread man with his huge
eyes. (hard to see she used white candies)

Now to start eating!

Christmas Fun!

Love this picture!
Our oldest and his son.

We went to a Christmas show at a local church and it was awesome!
Sarah and Justis were amazed when it started snowing inside the church!

We arrived a 30 minutes early and there was standing room only.
So we were taken over to a room and had hot chocolate and cookies
as we waited for the next show.
Then we were giving the VIP treatment!
First choice of were to sit and the kiddos all were given train tickets
to ride on the train in the electric light parade!

At the very end these streamers shot out of the ceiling.
These two thought they would help the clean-up crew.

Sarah really liked this angel and the fake snow.

Frosty!

The Aroma of Christmas

My son's fiance made a cute basket of fruit, spices and a tea bag at her bible study. 

She thought of me and gave it to me as a gift! How sweet is that?! Oh my goodness the aroma was so wonderful.......We had some very unwanted visitors start to drop in and sneak through the edges of my hood above the stove where this delightful fruit was simmering away. The wonderful smell was making its way up through the vent on the roof attracting BEES!!           I called my DH and he came to the rescue! He used smoke to knock them out and to get their buddies who were still in the vent. We left for Jaden's friends birthday party so I don't have pictures of all the bees and mess. (He wasn't thinking great shots for blog) : ) He cleaned it all up for me! What a way to get the hood above your stove cleaned! 

Thanks honey! You are the greatest!

Here is the wonderful recipe for 

The Smell Of Christmas

1 Tea Bag (we used sweet & spicy)

1 bound teaspoon of whole cloves 

An apple

An orange

A lemon

2 Cinnamon sticks

Quarter fruit; then place all ingredients in boiling water

or in a potpourri pot.  Simmer and enjoy the smells of Christmas.

I hope and pray this delightfully soothing holiday aroma will help 

you celebrate the joy of this Holy Season.

Merry Christmas!

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given..."

Isaiah 9:6

PS...... if you live where you are having unseasonable warm weather (like us)

you may want to wait for a cooler day. ; ) 

Her Choice

Sarah saw the Statue of Liberty Barbie at the store and really liked it. I thought it would be a fun gift for her family day. She loves her "Daughter" id bracelet! Not only because she is our daughter also because she is learning about her Father in heaven who loves her. I know one day she will truly understand that she is His daughter and a princess of the King of Kings! 

  

Her dinner choice wasn't Chinese. It was shrimp, steak fingers and fries. We suggested many other places. No way! This girls mind was made up! I asked if it was because of the shrimp her reply was "The french fries!" Watch out Mickey D's!    

Happy Family Day sweet Sarah!

Family Day!!!

  The day we met!

Adoption Day!!!

  Visa Day!!

Breakfast at our hotel. She was so proud to be using a fork.

Home and now loving the little animal she was afraid of.

 A few weeks ago this precious girl told me she was afraid 

she would age out and never have a family. 

(My heart just ached for her)

So she prefers Family Day over Gotcha Day.

We new you were are daughter the minute we saw your face!

We love you!

I saw this scripture written on the chalkboard a few weeks ago.

I will not leave you as orphans;

I will come to you.

John 14:18

When Sarah was reading her bible she discovered it and

was very excited.

We have been studying the book of Isaiah in Bible Study Fellowship.

Both of the girls wanted to go with me and they are loving it! 

You are a very hard working young lady!

You have amazed us with all you have 

accomplished and learned over this past year.

We are so proud of you!

A Fast Year!

 
After waiting almost two long years! It is hard to believe it has been a year since we were wheels up to China! To bring home our sweet Sarah! Just in time for Christmas! God is so good!


Visit to the Great Wall.

Heading to Nanchang. The city where we met our daughters for the first time. Jaden in 2006 and Sarah in 2009.

Who could ever forget the crazy and sometimes scary traffic?! :)

Nanchang and the people will always hold a special place in our hearts. 

 Precious!

A stroll threw the Peoples Park. A place to escape the busy and noisy city.

 Fishing in the park. 

Oh, didn't want to forget the famous squatty potty shot. She couldn't wait to try them and loved using them! When we landed in San Francisco and we went in the huge bathroom she was very disappointed when she discovered there were no squatty potties.

His Light

  This beautiful creation of the Lord only blooms at night.
 So if you don't see it before the morning dawn you will
miss this beautiful light that shines in the darkness.

So many today are walking in darkness..... stumbling,
searching and trying to fill that void in their lives with
everything but the One who can truly bring light into
 their lives and fill them to overflowing.

Jesus Christ said,
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never
walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" John 8:12

You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns darkness into light. Psalm 18:28  

 Let your light so shine before men,

 that they may see your good works

 and glorify your Father in heaven.

 Matthew 5:16

Fun Give Away

 I just love love LOVE  giveaways!!!
Check out what Stefanie is doing over at
her blog.

Jaden's Choice

Jaden chose Pei Wei for her special dinner

 and Frost for dessert. 

She announced very proudly 

"I can use chopsticks because I am from China!"

"I taught myself how to use them!" (hmmm... that's why the chopsticks are always disappearing)   

Very excited about her special day.

Always has to slurp a noodle or two.

Daddy's girls.

 

 Aren't these two just beautiful?
I am so grateful and thankful to my Father in Heaven for opening our eyes to see and putting such a heavy desire in our hearts for adoption.We have been blessed beyond measure!