Christmas Eve

On Christmas eve we headed to my family to open gifts and enjoy some time together. Makenna really enjoyed opening gifts and spending time with her cousin Payten. Everyone had a great time and got all they wished for. Makenna got a Zhu zhu pet and she was afraid of it at first she would scream and run from it. She also got a pink laptop that she loves very much. Kayla got a pair of boots and video game she had been hoping for. Josh asked for cash and he was excited that he got to go on Sunday and buy exactly what he wanted.

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone got all they wished for and remember the celebrated the birth of Jesus...


From our family to yours Merry Christmas...

Funny things Makenna says

I thought I would put these down before I forget... Last night Makenna and Daddy was playing ball and Daddy bounced the ball instead of rolling it to her and she said that was not nice was it. I started laughing and had to walk away. She calls us Mommy doll and Daddy doll all the time. She now asks where my Josh is and my Kayla is. I believe she thinks they belong to her only. Yesterday I heard her moving the navitiy set around I asked her who moved the baby Jesus and she explained that Josh did it and for me to go get him and put him in time out..This year she is terrified of Santa and when someone asks if santa is coming to her house she cries no and says MawMaw is coming... I can't wait for to see her excitement on Christmas morning.

Billy Graham library

On Wednesday we headed to the Billy Graham library to take a look at what everyone was talking about. Let's just say that if you live close by you should visit. They have it decorated for Christmas with lights,a live nativity and carriage rides. The library was beautiful inside and we took the tour which lasted around 1 hour which was the life of Billy Graham. I never knew that his wife Ruth was raised in China as her father was a missionary. We were so glad that we went and hated that we didn't dress in the approiate attire for the carriage rides. We have already said that we will return. Kayla and Makenna enjoyed hot chocolate with peppermint sticks as I looked through the gift shop.

Tanglewood lights

On Saturday we headed to Winston-Salem to see the christmas lights. We decided to eat first and then head over to Tanglewood to get in line. I looked online before we left home and they didnt open until 6:00 so when we were on our way a 6:15 I was a little happy thinking we would not have to wait in line to long. Dana made a bet and said it would take us three hours to get through I just laughed. We got close and the traffic began the kids became restless and Dana played games on his phone while we waited. Makenna climbed the entire car over and over again. She would say we going to see christmas lights and we agreed. Finally three hours passed and we had made it to the entrance. It took us another hour to get through to the end. Watching Makenna's face light up and pointing at all the different lights was priceless. We had a long wait though was totally worth it.

Gingerbread house

This year I purchased a gingerbread house the girls were excited Dana was not. Afew years ago we purchased one and it was a total diaster. This one was already together you just had to add the icing and candy. Kayla really enjoyed decorating and Makenna really enjoyed sneeking pieces of candy to eat. Makenna had her camera and was taking picture also. Thanks to cousin Payten for the camera Makenna loves it and Mommy does also...

Merry Christmas

Last year I heard this song and could not listen to the entire song without crying I finally found it this year and I still can't listen without crying. I wonder if this is because we have been feeling that someone is missing from our family. We have been praying lately to see God's plan for our family. I am so thankful that God opened our eyes and hearts to the orphans of the world.

Wow how much she has grown

This is a picture of Makenna from December 2008 and then one from today.

Cupcake fun

Today it was so nasty outside I decided it would be perfect day to make cupcakes. I let Makenna help mix and then let her lick the mixing sticks. She enjoyed it and made the cutest sounds as she enjoyed.When Kayla got home I let them decorate and enjoy them.

Christmas parade

The christmas parade this year was very special. We got to go as a family for the first time since moving here. To make it a little better was that we got to meet Cheyene's Grandparents and sit with her family. We also got to know a little secrect of who Santa Claus was in the parade and I have to say he did a great job. Makenna loved the parade and I though she was going to wave her arm off. She would get scared of the people that dressed up and would say cover my eyes Mommy. All day she has been singing songs that she has made up. I think she has christmas spirit.

Foster Family

We have been trying to find out more information on the foster family Makenna was with from January to August2008. Today I received a photo of the foster dad with another child I was trying to decide if I wanted to show it to Makenna or not. We did decide to show it to her and when she saw it she had a grin on her face and said something that sounded like a name. I could tell that she knew who it was and that the child in the photo was a little boy that was there with her. It was good to see something from her past that I will be able to show and explain a little.

Riverbanks zoo

We headed to the zoo last weekend with friends and had a great time. The weather was perfect and it was not crowded at all. Makenna loves all the animals and just loves being outside. After getting back home we ordered pizza and watched the movie Fire proof. This was the second time we have watched it and I would watch it over and over again. I recommend any married couple to watch this. We have been visiting a church and went a joined a sunday school class. After class was over I had a couple come up to us and tell that they are waiting on a referral from China. They fell in love with Makenna and I started talking to them about the special needs program. They have been waiting for over two years now. Pray for me that I can give them more info about the special needs program and maybe just change there minds. Last Sunday was Orphan Sunday and the church we are visiting celebrated with a video and testimony from adoptive families. It is amazing to see in a small church how many lives have been changed thru adoption.

Look what happens when sister's spend time together

On Friday night I gave Makenna a shower and dressed her in her pj's and she ran off to play with her sister. They came downstairs later with different hairstyles I had to take pictures. Makenna loves when Kayla fixes her hair and shows her lot's of attention.

Jumping in leaves

We only have two small trees in our yard so not many leaves though Kayla raked them in a little pile up just for Kenna to jump in and she jumped with her whole heart and talked about jumping all afternoon.

Halloween

We have been unsure if Makenna would be going out for Halloween since she has been sick all week with the swine flu. She started feeling better and had no more fever since Thursday so last night we dressed her in her costume and headed to church for Trunk or Treat. We had a great time and played games and won some delicious brownies from the cake walk. Makenna is very scared of the scary outfits and is terrified of clowns. She stayed in her Daddys arm for most of the night. We went a visited Josh at work before heading home.

The princess sleeps here

I forgot to take pictures of the before we painted.. I took this after I finished decorating Makenna's room. She loves her room and sleeps in her big girl bed every night.

Home away from Home

Lately we have been spending alot of time in Lowe's picking up paint and other supplies for the house. After a few days the guys working in the paint dept knew Makenna by name and would laugh when she would say are you shaking up the paint. When we were leaving this week to run errands and we past Lowe's she started crying and saying I want to go to my Lowe's. I took the picture of her in Lowe's a few weeks ago because she found my camera and was playing with it. We are still trying to get settled in this house and I hope to be posting again soon.

On my mind lately

In the last few weeks we have had alot people comments about adoption and Makenna. Most of the time the questions are very innocent and with good intentions sometimes families are just interested due to they would like more info for an adoption of their own. Dana has a hard time when people just stare at us and have strange looks on their faces. We really get stared at when we go out as a family with the two older kids. We get question like are the two older ones adopted also or are they from a previous marriage. I just say that God called us to China for our precious daughter and his plan was perect. When I look at my children they look the same to me and I love them more than words can say. Just this morning Makenna woke up and asked where Josh and Kayla was like every morning I said their at school she just smile and said I love my Josh and Kayla. Now that's all I need to hear. God is Good!!!

Swine flu

Yes Josh and Kayla have swine flu... Kayla has had a fever since Saturday and Josh started with a fever and headache on Sunday. On Monday they both stayed in bed all day and didn't eat at all. Tuesday I called the doctor and they said that it sounded like the flu and I could just treat it at home or bring them in for a test. Doctors are not treating this flu with any medication and it just has to run it's course. Today has been the first day with no fever. There school has been saying all week that they are going to close down for a week since they have so many kids with the flu I hope this is true since I don't want to send them back and let them get it again. We had our closing on our new house on Tuesday afternoon and started painting on Wednesday we have alot of work to do and with the kids being sick we have not been getting alot done yet. We have to have the entire upstairs painted before Tuesday when they come to replace the carpet. I hope to remember the camera tomorrow to take pictures of the house. I can't believe how nasty it is I guess that's what happens when people don't care anymore since they were losing it.

Play date with Caiya

The weather has been amazing the last few days so we decided since Makenna was feeling better to go to the park and play with Caiya. Makenna and Caiya really enjoyed the swings and slides. After the park we went to get ice cream Makenna had Cotton candy flavor and loved it. On the way home she fell asleep and ended up taking a three hour nap when we got home.