Happy Gotcha Day---2 years

Two years ago, today, we were sitting in a HOT room in a room in Nanning, Guangxi, China. My stomach was churning, heart was pounding, worried how my little girl would take to her new family. Worried how her big brother would do with a new sister. When we exited off the elevators, there were babies and new mommies and daddies everywhere. Beautiful babies finally being united with their forever families. We walked on to a room and watched several children and their nannies waiting for their turn. Then FINALLY, our group. Group 118b. We went to the receiving room and waited for our children to come in. We were 5th family out of 6th to receive our sweet baby girl. Finally, a little girl from Yulin 1st SWI named Hua Ru Yan was brought in and oh how beautiful she was. Words can never explain the feeling we had that day. All the tears, stress and frustration while waiting to go to China, disappeared. Our family was now complete. Jacob had a little hard time, being he was the only child for 8 years, but quickly fell in love with his little sister. We went to do our paperwork to complete the adoption and then just hung out in the room, bonding. Joleigh had a few rough nights with night terrors, but bonded well. She is such a joy in our lives. She is now full of energy, sassy, spunky, and has a loving, caring heart even at the age of 3. Thank you God for allowing us to be her parents and bringing her into our lives. Thank you for allowing us to visit her Homeland and learn about her culture to keep it apart of her life.
Happy Gotcha Day to the families we traveled with to China. You will always be a part of our family, too. We love and miss you Anna, Jenny, Erin, Rachel and Faith and your families. May your day be blessed, too. Our day will be low key as we are planning to either bake cupcakes, cookies or cake, whatever she chooses. This evening we are going to collect items for the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox and then coming home and just being together and watching her favorite show or movie. We may even catch her in another singing mood (like she was last night) and I can capture it on video to share later. Thank you all! We love you. Off to be with my little baby girl, who is now 3.

Olive Kids Giveaway

I saw a giveaway on my friend's blog @ Diana's Daily Rambling and thought I would check it out. What I found out was that Confessions of a Diet Coke Addict is hosting a give-away from Olive Kids. Olive Kids have adorable items on their website. Colorful cute placemats, wall art, personalized items and a whole lot more. I love the tea party items on the site. If you want to enter the giveaway, click here for your chance to win. You need to hurry, time is running out.

The Pictures say it all! Fall Photo Shoot

Our Week

It's been a long week in the P household. Well, let's back up a bit. My parents, who now live TN, were coming to help out with the chidren. Well, Mama, came down with flu like symptoms and couldn't come so my Daddy came and helped transport Jacob back and forth to school. On Wedndesday, Daddy carried Jacob to school and Joleigh went to Chip's parents house and stayed so I could carry Chip in for outpatient surgery. He had his gallbladder removed and is doing fine, except for cabin fever. When we found out that Chip was going to have surgery we decided that we would also have a yard sale and he could sit there and help run it so we wouldn't be idle....in other words, still doing something. So we set the yard sale up with help of my wonderful SIL's /BIL and nephews. Last night, on last minute arranging, after I came in, Joleigh was running 102.4 fever and eventually lost her supper. YIKES! What am I going to do now? Yard sale was in the morning and it was now time for my Dad to go home, Chip still recovering and I had to run the yard sale. Oh, who would take Jacob to school? I said, I will worry later, let me take care of my sweet girl. Well, Joleigh was so pitiful whining, hurting and just plain sick. So being the wonderful, sweet mother (lol) that I am, I snuggled with her and began to sing her favorite songs, knowing it would calm her down. Instead of the calming effect, this is what my darling daughter said to me. "Mama, please stop singing that song, it is going to make me frow (throw) up again" I just died laughing. She still has her sassyness even when she is so sick. She is doing better today, just cold and fever. Jacob super helper with sister and his Daddy. I did fairly well on the yard sale today. Considering we didn't do any advertising except for a few fliers here and there, last minute radio announcing and my nice neighbor that went all over putting up signs for us. Oh and the rain. Hoping tomorrow will be better.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Princess

Today is Joleigh's 3rd birthday. We celebrated it on Saturday at Pizza Kastle with family and friends. I can't believe that she is already 3. Where does the time go? She is so full of energy and loves life and her family. She is sassy, smart and silly! She loves to dance and "do flips" Her favorite things now are High School Musical and Ballerinas.
As we celebrate this day, I can't help to think about her birth family in China that may be having a very hard day today, wondering how their little girl is doing. Wondering if she is okay? Wouldn't they be so proud at how our angel is doing? Loving life, loving learning, loving everything. Thanks to their sacrificial love and placing that little girl at the gates of Yulin 1st SWI 3 years ago, where they knew she would be found, has allowed me to be her "mommy" and her to have a forever family. I am so honored and proud to be just that. Now, on with our day.
We had a full day today starting with taking Jacob to school, then picking up Ms. Angie to go to town with us. We then went to Kohl's and Target, then to the Doctor for her 3 year old check up. The doctor said she is doing great. Finally in the 50%for her weight and heighth. She weighed 30 lbs and is 37.5 inches tall. She is growing so fast. She received her flu shot and they checked her blood and overall, she did great! After we left the Doctor's office, we went to Cracker Barrel, where Joleigh filled up on "dumpins, carrots and geen beans" and of course, sweet tea. Gotta go now as we are headed to church, another one of her favorite places to go.

National Peanut Festival 2008

Another fun year at the NPF. Farmer's night is on Monday of the Fair Week and the local farmers get into the fair for free, so off we go. Uncle Robert and Aunt Kim came up from Tampa for Joleigh's birthday and to go with us to the Peanut Festival. While we were there, we met up with Chris, Sharla, Morgan and Christian and Brad, Melanie, Cory and Alex. What fun the kids had! Adults, too, especially when it came time to eat. We also ran into Uncle JD, Aunt Cindy, Caleb, Cody and Nicole at the NPF. Caleb, Cody and Nicole were kind enough to ride with Jacob on the bigger rides and Joleigh on the little rides. Cody even tried to crammed himself into a car so he could ride with Joleigh, but decided to take the back seat. SO sweet. Enjoy the pictures!

Birthday Party Fun

We had Joleigh's 3rd birthday party at the Pizza Kastle and it was a blast. Friends and family came out to share this special occasion with her. Joleigh was a little overwhelmed with all the festivities and noise, but soon settled in. She didn't like the music playing and the lights off when it was time to blow out the candles. (watch video below) Overall, I think she had a wonderful time and enjoyed opening up "prizes for me"! Enjoy the pictures and videos, too!