Charlie's Christmas Party at school

Unfortunately I did not get many pic's of my Charlie boy...I was too busy managing a candy cane rely race..LOL..but I did snap a few of Sophie Su LOVING all the attention from Charlie's classmates...notice they are all boys:)
Everywhere we go, you are so loved my sweet Sophie Su! I have a feeling she will have many "big brothers" in all Charlies friends watching over and protecting her as she grows!

Last Day at Churchill Downs

Catching up....going back to Thanksgiving weekend...when we go home to KY, it's tradition that we always go the the track the next day for the last day that Churchill Downs is open until Derby next year! Charlie and Sophie loved looking at all the horses, and mommy and daddy had fun w/Poppie, Grandy, Uncle Dougie, Anna and friends making some extra cash...or in some cases...losing some:)
Santa made an appearance, and this was the first time Sophie saw Santa for the season and she made it very clear she was not that into him..but we did manage to get close to him!

Classic Santa Photo Shoot 2009!

Grandy and Gramma Jean came up last weekend to take the kids to see Santa...Georgette and Jaden came along too, and as you can see, the girls were not too happy a/b Mr Claus! But Charlie got his moment to ask for the few things he wants this year and we ended w/a great lunch!

Annual Zoo outing to see the Christmas Lights!

Well, it's finally starting to feel a bit more like winter over here...no snow..but very, very cold! Charlie had a blast walking through the zoo w/his hot chocolate in hand to keep him warm, and his best buddy Casey to run around with...Sophie on the other hand cried through most of it out of pure frustration that she could not move any of her limbs b/c I bundled her up so much..LOL!!!! But we made it there..saw some lights...and have the pic's for memory sake!! Our good friends Rusty, Georgette and Jaden came along too for the cold cold fun!!! I think the girls had more fun when we ended up out to dinner afterwards when we could peel the layers of clothes off them!

Candle Light Ceremony at our local FCC....

Wow...this weekend was very special on Saturday...it was a day we've waited 4 long yrs for....
Back in 2005 when we began this adoption journey we joined our local FCC..."Families w/Children from China" and we were very excited to have found this organization for our sake..and for our daugthers sake...this would be a great resource and wonderful way for Sophie to feel connected in the adoption community...for her to meet and know families that were just like hers!
So we began going to all the functions....the holiday party in December...Chinese New Year party in Feb....and so on and so forth...
Then two yrs ago in 07 we went to the holiday party on that December Day and were called up front to the stage to be part of a candle lighting ceremony for waiting families...and that was us..a "waiting family"...waiting at that point two yrs so far..and feeling so hopeless and sad and frustrated w/that wait...BUT..we went and stood proud and held that candle w/tears in our eyes and hope in our hearts that we would soon be next....
Little did we know TWO more yrs would go by w/no Sophie...
So, right or wrong..we decided to stop going to these functions b/c it just got too hard...too hard to show up yr after yr w/no baby in our arms...too bitter sweet to look at all the other precious baby girls...but with none of our own..
So..Fast Forward to yesterday.....
I ran into a woman at Charlies school who's daughter is in first grade, adopted from China as well, and she asked me if we were going to go the the FCC candle lighting ceremony for "FAMILIES THAT ARE HOME"! And I hadnt even thought a/b it until that moment and it dawned on me that FINALLY it was our turn...we could go w/Sophie Su in our arms and join that group of people on stage..FINALLY, we could go back again, w/no sadness in our hearts!!!
So our good friends, Rusty and Georgette, with thier precious Jaden, came along and we all went and stood w/our candles lite and tears in our eyes and FINALLY, prayers of thanks that it actually happened, and we made it home w/our daughters!!!!!
Thankyou Lord Jesus for all youve done for us..we could never ask for more...no one could EVER convince me that prayers are not answered or heard..we are living proof...
For all of you out there waiting...and waiting some more...dreams do come true...stay strong and keep the faith of your waiting daughters or sons in your hearts and DO NOT ever give up...the Lord will bring them home to you!!!!

Christmas/Birthday Photo Shoot 2009!

Sophie was not too into the Target photo shoot at all....she would not smile..but at least she quit crying...lol!