Headed to Iraq...

Jim and Toni at their wedding reception

This is a post that I wish I wasn't having to do. My cousin, Jim Patrick, will be leaving to go to Iraq tomorrow. We have no idea where he will be when he gets there. Here, he was involved in transport. We all know that over in Iraq transport is the worst possible job you could have. We found out shortly after Thanksgiving that he would be leaving. At that time he was engaged to Toni. They really wanted to get married before he left so they moved their wedding up and were married on December 30, 2006. He left for his training on January 14th. Please keep Jim in your prayers. Pray for his peace, his safety, his alertness to everything around him, and his safe return to his beautiful, wonderful new wife. They dated for what seemed like forever and then were engaged for what seemed like forever again, and we are finally glad to welcome Toni into our family! Please be safe Jim and hurry home!

Remembering...

Our last picture together. This picture was taken at Jimmy's office after I dropped them off on our last day!

My favorite picture of me and Kayla

My favorite picture of me and Carmen

My favorite picture of me and Chelsey

Chelsey and Kayla at Build A Bear

Me and Carmen at her dance recital

Me and the girls at my shower

Me and Chelsey

Kayla and Carmen last summer after VBS

For those of you who didn't know me before the adoption, I was employed as a nanny for two girls- Carmen and Chelsey. When I started, Chelsey was twelve and Carmen was four. They are now 6 and 14. During that time I was undergoing fertility treatments and taking care of them afterschool and it was exactly what I needed. It took care of some of my "mothering" needs! They also rode the ride of international adoption with us and were at the airport to welcome us when we came home with Grace. It wasn't until towards the end of my employment that Kayla entered the scene. Jimmy (Chelsey and Carmen's dad) began dating Laura (Kayla's mom) so I got to spend a little time with Kayla as well. When school started back this year I gave my notice because I knew we would be traveling to China. I have missed them so much! You can't be a daily part of someone's life for almost two years and completely cut off ties. I still feel a protectiveness of them like I did when I was with them everyday. I don't get to see them as much as I like, but we do keep in touch and I still keep tabs on them! I wanted to post because I know they check the blog and I wanted them to know how very much I miss them and think of them often! Even though I don't get to see them daily anymore there is a part of me everyday that looks at the clock and knows they are getting out of school and wondering how their days went. Especially around holidays like Valentines Day. I hope we can get the girls together soon! I need my fix! Chelsey, Kayla, and Carmen- I miss you and love you very much!

Meet Claire Sandlin...

This is Grace and Claire! For some reason Grace looks just a little stunned!

We were at Guadalajara last week and met another adoptive family from Athens! This is Claire Sandlin. Isn't she a doll? She and Grace just jabbered away like they had known each other for years. I don't remember exactly where Claire was from in China, but I know it was in Northern China. We hope we get to see them again at some of the Decatur/Athens FCC functions that are coming up!!! It was great to meet you Claire!

Happy Birthday x 3...

Katie Lin and Ana Claire eating pizza

Katie Lin blowing out her candles

Grace and Addie riding in the car. This seems to be their favorite thing to ride!

Grace, Addie, and Katie Lin dancing with Chuck E.

Grace kept trying to blow out Travis' candle so we finally just let her do it! Travis is looking at her like "Why are you blowing out my candle?"

Travis loving the cake!

Travis was literally wearing the cake! It was all over his face and hands! Precious!

Travis wearing the hat...

Travis not wearing the hat

Thomas blowing out his candles

Grace wearing her Spiderman mask from Thomas' party

Thomas sporting his birthday cake on his face!

A group picture at Thomas' party. From left to right: Stephen Ross, Grace, Thomas Ross (the birthday boy!), Joshua Glenn, and Jacob Glenn

Whew! What a Saturday! Last Saturday Grace had 3 birthday parties to go to. That's right! 3! At 10:00 we went to Katie Lin's 3rd birthday at Chuck E. Cheese. Then at 11:00 we went to my nephew Travis' 1st birthday party that just happened to be at our house! After a quick nap, it was on to Thomas' 3rd birthday party at the Priceville McDonald's. Overall, I think Grace handled all the chaos better than I did! All of these children, Katie Lin, Travis, and Thomas are miracles. They each have thier own stories of their births and how they came to be with their families. All different I might add. We love them all and will be happy to share another chaotic day with them next year! We can't wait!

Dinner with Addie...

Many faces of Addie #1

Many faces of Addie #2

We love oranges!

These two are silly!!

Grace and Addie laughing

We had dinner with Addie last week at Canton House. For those of you who don't know, Grace and Addie were in the same orphanage before they went into foster care. Also, Brandon and I along with Jeremy and Alicia Nails went to China at the same time to get them. Thier Gotcha Day's are the same and they are two months apart in age. They also came home from China at the same time! What a blessing they share! Alicia and I try to get the girls together as much as possible, but with our busy schedules it isn't always easy. As you can tell in the pictures they absolutely love being together! We love us some Addie! We can't wait to do it again!