Happy Chinese New Year!

We had a very low key and casual Chinese New Year ! We read a book about The Chinese New Year, hung a red paper lantern, and helped Lainie make some Chinese New Year cards for her friends. She used the "name chop" that she was given as a gift from her orphanage. It is a beautiful stamp with her Chinese name in Chinese characters. It hangs from a red thread. It was one of the things that was given to us on the day that we met her in China. We are so grateful to the orphanage for this kind gesture. I believe it is a standard gift for all babies from Chenzhou SWI.

"Is this from my China?" That is her favorite question of late. Lainie's Chinese name stamped with her "chop".

Chinese New Year is actually a very family oriented celebration. Much time is spent celebrating with family. In fact, almost everything closes down so that families can be together. We like that idea! We are keeping most of our Chinese heritage celebrations low key. We want Lainie to care about her Chinese heritage, and to be proud of it, but we want her to decide how much she wants to participate in their customs and celebrations.

A Beautiful Sight!

Hooray! The weather-men got it right this time! We woke up this morning to several inches of snow. I was worried about how I was going to entertain 4 disappointed children if we woke up with no snow. Today was already a teacher workday so we were going to be home all day regardless. Thank goodness they were not disappointed !

Everyone had a great time playing out in the snow. It has been quite a while since we had a snow big enough to play in. Even Lainie didn't seem to mind the cold at all and she followed along right behind everyone else. We had great fun playing with all of our friends in the neighborhood too.

Now we have come in to warm up by the fire with hot chocolate. Snow clothes are all in the dryer - getting ready for the next venture out. Later tonight we are headed to Mamaw's for chicken stew. It doesn't get much better than this!!!I love this picture of Lainie and Will. So often he is following right behind her - always making sure she is okay and that she is having fun! He doesn't want her to miss anything!

Taking time out to warm up and play Knex!

Happy Birthday Will

Will turned 7 on Saturday!  I remember on the day he was born feeling so certain that our family was complete.  That was my plan.  God had other plans.  By Will's sixth birthday, he had a 23 month old little sister to help him celebrate!   He has been an incredible big brother.  He even let Lainie open all of his presents!

He had his first game of basketball season on his birthday.  He chose to be #7 this year since he would turn 7 on the day of the first game.  After the game we took everyone to an indoor play place to celebrate.  He, his two cousins and brother and sisters had a blast!   Then, it was back to the gym for Jillian's basketball game.  Later that night Will was very anxious to watch the Panther's in the playoff game.  It was also the quarterback, Jake Delhomme's birthday.  Will was sure that it was going to be a birthday victory.  That wasn't the case.  

Will brings so much excitement to our family.  He is always 100% into whatever he is doing.  Whether it is playing a one man basketball game in the driveway, having a Nerf war or just being silly, he is always giving it everything he has to give.  He is a great example of living life to the fullest - every moment of every day.  We are so blessed to be his parents.

Will loved his red cake - made NC STATE red by Mamaw!Opening presents is Will's favorite part!

Jillian and friends showing their Panther Pride at school on Friday.
Lainie is anxiously awaiting her birthday next month.  

Happy New Year 2009!

A few of the kiddos on New Year's Eve. A cheesy tradition - we always take a picture of the kids and Dick Clark.

Our Christmas was wonderful. We were blessed to spend time with dear friends and family during the holidays. We have especially enjoyed this week after Christmas. We are all a little more relaxed and have enjoyed staying up late and sleeping in!!! It has been great to be able to have so many free nights at home together. We've had Wii tournaments and scooter races, and Trey and Jillian have enjoyed having friends over during these lazy days.

We spent New year's Eve with our dear neighbors. We are so blessed to have such good friends living right across the street. Between our three families we have 9 children so it was a little chaotic, but tons of fun!

I've spruced up the blog a bit and am resolving to blog more in 2009. Mostly for myself as it is a great way for me to "journal" about what happens to us from day to day. Everyone seems to be growing up so fast around here. There are so many moments that I want to record so that I don't forget them... We're making beautiful memories around here every single day!

I hope that you are your families had a wonderful holiday. Check back soon....

Oh, and hop over to the Horton's blog. Sarah Mei was Lainie's orphanage mate as well as Lilly. She and her family have big news! Congratulations Hortons!

A few of our favorite things....

Catching Up!

I knew it had been a while since I had updated the blog, but WOW- where does time go? I was thinking maybe I was a month or so behind. Now I see it has been several months. As you can imagine, things are just a little busy around here. So, I hope you'll forgive me when I am less than punctual.
As I say in EVERY SINGLE ENTRY, we continue to be DAILY amazed by the joy that the miracle of adoption has brought into our lives. Pure joy.
Enjoy the pics......Ah, the flippy-flops. Lainie insisted on wearing these EVERY day until finally it has begun to be too cold for her little toes! I've had to hide them.

Yes, we love Tatoos. Aren't these little muscle guys cute?

For Halloween we had a bumble bee, a glamor girl, and a race care driver.

Trey decided for the first year, that he was too old to trick-or-treat, so he and his best bud, (and cousin) Luke decided to hang a ghost on the porch and attempt to scare anyone who braved the porch. Eventually, they gave in and joined the hayride to get in on the candy collecting.

Celebrating my mom's birthday......

We visited Lilly and her family in November. It was a great visit. Jan and I got to do a little catching up and all of the kids (there were 10 in all) really played great together. Lilly's little sister, Ellie is now home from China too and we loved meeting her. (although I didn't get a decent picture of Miss Ellie.)And finally, on Thanksgiving Day, I captured a relatively good picture for the Christmas card. I'm not crazy about the lighting, but hey, when all four kiddos are looking and smiling, you gotta go with it.

Thanks for continuing to think about our family and check in on us. We are blessed to have so many friends who care...... We love you all.

Our new friend.... Ellie Bryant

The Bryants posted this picture on their blog on Sept 16. Isn't Ellie beautiful ?

Lilly on your left..... Ellie on your right.

I saw this poem on another site a few days ago. It describes very well the path that God leads so many down as they follow His call in adoption. We've seen the transformation in the lives of Lainie and Lilly. Now, we can't wait to watch His love transform Ellie into the person He has created her to be.......

Every call has a beginning..

A quiet moment when God whispers a promise to a mother’s heart

A holy place where a father bows and faithfully accepts the journey set before him.

A miraculous morning that unexpectedly dawns…

Casting its first light on a chosen threshold.

A gentle knock..a closed door opens.

A sacred invitation sent by the Father..Leads to the other side of the world.

Where lonely hearts stare out orphanage windows

Praying for someone to care..

And then one morning,

On an ordinary day

An orphan’s life changes...

God sends them a second chance...

Through you..

--author unknown

The Bryant Bunch

Many of you followed along with Lilly's family as they traveled to China with us last May. I am thrilled to report that Lilly, who will turn 3 in October is doing wonderfully!! In fact, in just a few days she will become a big sister! The Bryants leave for China on Saturday, Sept 13, to adopt their newest daughter, Ellie. She will turn two while they are in China. You can follow along on their blog - the link is to the right of this page. We can't wait to see God at work in their lives again. This time we don't have a front row seat, but we will join with all of you in watching their blog. Please remember them in your prayers.........