Happy Birthday little sister

HAPPY FOURTH BIRTHDAY,
WE WILL CELEBRATE WITH YOU SOON!

Oh, how I would love to share the beautiful face behind this birthday cake!
Our precious little girl is behind this cake with a beautiful little smile celebrating her
fourth birthday.
Unfortunately, I am not allowed to share her picture until we get our RA(Referral Acceptance) from China stating that we have been accepted to adopt her and become her forever family.
I am praying that this important piece of paper comes in the next few weeks, although there is no way to no for sure.
No one ever said, though, that I couldn't share her cake. It is better than I expected, thanks to Ann at Red Threads.
Out of my four children, I haven't ever had one with a birthday so close to Christmas. Her birthday was two days after Christmas so we sent this care package. When I awoke this morning I had an email with 12 pictures of her birthday party at the orphanage. I was rather uncertain about spending the extra money for a care package right now at Christmastime and also as we are trying to save for our adoption, but chose to do this anyway. I am so glad I did! It makes this seem so much more real and allows me to continue to focus on what is really important throughout the headache of this adoption paperwork- A SWEET LITTLE GIRL THAT NEEDS A FAMILY. I never dreamed it could involve such a cumbersome paper trail and without the continual reminder of why we are doing this, it would be so easy to just give up.
When I see her sweet face and precious little fingers it makes all of this so worthwhile.
As I focused on each picture today(over and over again)I zoomed in to look at every little detail. She already is such a part of our family even though she lives on the other side of the world. She is beautiful and I look with anticipation toward the day in 2010 when she will celebrate every holiday with a family that has been planning for her for so long.
The following are just a few photos of the gifts she received for Christmas
(opened, courtesy of her big sister).

Every little girl needs a great big bow. These were made courtesy of Mimi.

I think these stickers will fit nicely in the bottom of a suitcase and provide lots of entertainment.

I wonder if it will be ok to celebrate Gotcha Day, which will hopefully be in the
early Spring, since her birthday is so close to Christmas.
Your thoughts are greatly appreciated on how to allow her to have a
special celebration without it becoming part of Christmas.

Christmas Memories

We have been making some magical memories the last couple of days!

The whole family dressed in our parkas at the Gaylord ICE display. An awesome sight.

This display is what Christmas is all about: A baby in a manger-
A miracle for each of us that will accept His love.


An extra treat for the family for a snowy day inside-definately not for those on a diet,
but it sure was good!

This is the view from my front porch today. A snowy day in Texas
doesn't come along often so we will enjoy it while it lasts.

An old rugged cross, such a simple message, that even a child can accept it! My prayer is that you will embrace HIS message this Christmas and allow
God's love....

to lead you wherever the road this next year may take you.So, from our family to yours:
MAY YOU EXPERIENCE THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS THIS SEASON!

The real picture

What a joy to get an email this morning from Ann at Red Threads with a photo of the care package we are sending our daughter. It just made it seem so real, that I actually have a little girl on the other side of the world waiting on us. Her birthday is just a few days after Christmas so we sent her a care package. The photo does not include the cake that will be delivered for her and the orphanage to share. I hope to be able to share that picture when it comes, but our adoption agency does not allow us to share photos until we have that next piece of paperwork - COME ON RA! Praying it comes soon!