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!

Happy Birthday Sophie Su!

Our baby girl is ONE!! I can't believe she is one already....that we've only had her since she was 8 months old...seems like we've had her the whole year.....
We had a wonderful celebration w/friends and family in KY! What a day to celebrate Sophies life...Thanksgiving day....we have so much to be thankful for in our lives...and this precious little girl is definetly at the top of our list....
We've never felt more thankful or more blessed as we do this year!
Happy first birthday my sweet Sophie girl!
Love Mommy

Pre-birthday celebration for Sophie w/Gramma Jean!

Catching up....Charlie's final Soccer Ceremony 2009

Below video our Charlie boy testing for his Taekwando Green Belt w/a ax kick board break!

Below is a video of Charlie doing an ax kick to a wooden board to break it for his test to complete moving up to the next belt...a Green belt! We are so proud of him, he has done awesome and in one year has moved up four belts! Go Charlie Boy, we love you to the sun and the stars and the moon and back and back! We are soooo proud of you!

Our big girl is only a week away from turning One...and only weeks away from walking!!!

Sunny and 70's in November ='s out enjoying nature!

Why it's in the 70's mid November here in the lovely northern state we're in is beyond me..but we are enjoying it while it lasts...b/c we all know it won't last long! We spent a lazy Sunday afternoon in a local garden park soaking up the sun!