Pretty in blue

Can you do this???

Can you color and lay your head on your foot? Her head is resting on her cast as she colors her book.



I just could not believe it! I mean I knew she was flexible but wow!

Tragedy Strikes a Well Known Adoptive Family ~ Please PRAY for them!

Steven Curtis Chapman's 5-year-old daughter, Maria Sue Chapman, died Wednesday afternoon after being struck by an SUV driven by her teenage brother in the driveway of the family's Williamson County home. Police did not give the driver's name. The teen was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser down the driveway of the rural home at about 5:30 p.m. and several children were playing in the area.

Steven and his wife Mary Beth have long been supporters of international adoption, having brought three girls from China into their family. Maria was the youngest.
The couple is so active in the cause that they formed an organization, Shaohannah's Hope, to aid families wanting to adopt.

We pray that God be with this family as they try to deal with the loss of this precious life. We especially lift up her brother.

A Year Ago this Special Day May 21, 2007...

We were SOOOOO excited. We woke up and hurried to get everything ready to go. I was so excited this day that I didn't even get sick on the plane! (the little patch behind my ear didn't hurt either!)

We arrived in Fuzhou a little late so our precious girl was waiting at our hotel for us already. Thank you China Family for taking care of our precious girl.



Here she is today! She can still wear the shirt she came to us in. We are so blessed to share her life. WE are so lucky to have her as a part of our FAMILY!!! WE LOVE YOU OLIVIA (XinXin)!!

A Year Ago Today...

We saw the Forbidden City and Great Wall of China!!! Our room overlooked the Forbidden City. It was really awesome to see all that history in the middle of all the more modern buildings.


After the Forbidden City we went to walk the Great Wall of China. It was AWESOME. After this full day, we went back to our hotel to get ready to fly to Fuzhou, Fujian the next morning and meet our precious daughter for the first time.

A Year Ago Today...

Ken and I arrived in China, exhausted, terrified, excited, thrilled and in awe! Ready to get some rest so we could see this beautiful country and prepare to get our beautiful daughter!!






We met our guide Tom who got us in our bus to the hotel.






We arrived at the Wang Fu Jing Grand Hotel






Checked out our room and ...


the view.



And then went to dinner. While there we learned what the view out the window was....

A Year Ago Today 5/18/2007......

Ken and I left for China, a little tired, terrified and EXCITED! We couldn't wait to see our baby girl.

Terracotta Warriors Tour the USA

Terracotta warriors from Emperor Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum in Xi'an, Shaanxi are preparing to tour the United States.



The exhibition of 120 sets of objects will include 20 complete life-sized terra cotta figures and will feature new discoveries of court officials, acrobats and generals. Equally exciting and probably most dramatic are the inclusion of two recently discovered, half-sized bronze chariots and life-sized bronze animals that were found in what would have been gardens within the tomb complex belonging to Qin Shi Huang (259 - 210 BC).



The U.S. tour premieres at the Bowers Museum in Orange County, California on May 18, 2008 where it can be seen through October 12, 2008. The Houston Museum of Natural Science will host it from May 18 through September 25, 2009. Atlanta's High Museum will present the collection from November 2008 to April 2009. The tour's final leg concludes with a display at the National Geographic Society Museum in Washington from November 19, 2009, through March 31, 2010.

I wish they were coming to our town! We didn't get to see them in China and I think they are so cool!

Shriners Hospital treats Olivia well!

Entrance

Olivia had surgery a week ago today. She is doing really well. I (mommy) am having a hard time keeping her down! The Shriners organization is absolutely wonderful! Every person that had a part in her care was amazing. We are so thankful to them. Here are a few pictures.



Lobby


I just had medicine!


I don't feel like having my picture taken just now!


My Great Grandma gave me a phone to help me not be so sad.


I got to go to pet therapy in the wagon!


They were so cute!


At home I feel better and I can cook for you!


Can you sit up straight and lift both legs off the floor and not fall over?