Introducing Marina Elise

My new neice was born this morning around 2am in Nashville, Tn. She weighed in at 8 lbs 12.5oz and 20 3/4inches long. She has 4 brothers and sisters. Stacey, Mark, Maddy and Miles. I can't wait to hold her and get some sugars! We love you all!
Mendy
p.s. this makes #13 neices and nephews we have and 1 great-neice. Boy am I getting old.

A look back.....will this be the day?

Last year, to this day, was a very tense day. The CCAA had matched babies thru August 9th LID and we were LID on the 8th. We were so excited! It seemed that everyone had received the long waited phone call but us. Pictures of babies were all over the yahoo groups and Rumor Queen I was pacing the floor and jumping everytime the phone rang. All I could think is "is this the call?" Then finally at 10am, Bonnie, our China Coordinator with our agency called and all I could ask was, "IS IT A GIRL?" She said yes, a beautiful girl! Her name is Hua Ru Yan (pronounced "Hwa Ru Yen") from Yulin 1st SWI in Guangxi, China. Her DOB was 11-5-05. I cried and cried. I immediately beeped Chip to come home and he did, just as we received the email with the MOST BEAUTIFUL BABY GIRL in the world. We opened the email and said, "Thank you, Lord for your blessings" It is amazing to see God's hand at work and the miracles He still does today.
I immediately called Rochelle and told her. (My right hand and new precious friend thru this adoption) She fixed the pictures so we could email them out to everyone and then, it was mass email and put in on my journal. The servers didn't know what hit them. LOL Then I hit the phone and my beep beep (Nextel) alerting everyone to check their email. After the rush, I printed Joleigh's picture and went to the school and pulled Jacob out of class and showed him his new baby sister! He was so proud and excited and had been such a trooper thru this whole wait and never once asked, "how much longer" He knew in his heart that when God was ready, she would come. Oh, the faith of a child. He immediately went and showed his classmates and you could hear all the hollaring from their room.
Then we would fill out more paper work and would wait for our Travel Approval so we could head to China to get our baby. It is hard to believe that it has been a year since we saw Joleigh's precious face. She will soon be 2 years old and is so full of energy and life.

Are you ready for some football?

Jacob is playing Pee Wee Football this year for the Cottondale Hornets. These pictures are from the Jamboree. Boy, was it ever so HOT! I don't see how those boys did it but they did. Jacob is #48 and is playing offense and defense. On offense he plays flanker and wide receiver. On defense, he plays corner back. Now, to all you football people, you know what that is. To me, I haven't a clue. Jacob is enjoying playing and so far they are 2-0. (means we have won both games LOL) GO HORNETS!
Joleigh also loves football, as well. She will holler for her big brother and say "Touchdown" and "Go Boys" everytime someone is running, even if it is the other team. She is a good cheerleader all ready. So sweet.
Enjoy the pictures. Mendy

Aunt Dorlene's Visit to Florida

Recently, my Aunt from Tennessee came and stayed with Mama and Daddy. She had a great time spoiling Jacob and Joleigh and me, too. Andrea (my cousin) and her son, Grant and Donna (my cousin) and her daughter, Cassie came down to pick Aunt Dorlene up and they went to PCB for a few days. We had a great time talking and catching up. Can't wait until they come back. Enjoy the pictures.