You Know You're An Adoptive Parent When . . .

I found this on a site and loved it! For all you Adoptive Parents that can relate, it's for you, too!

You Know You're An Adoptive Parent When . . .*

1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a
parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there
would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.
5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have
experienced the blessing of adoption.
6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's
'real' parents.
7. You have ever been 'pregnant' with your adoptive child
longer than it takes an elephant to give birth. (2 years!)
8. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped
out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you He will provide.
9. You have ever taken an airplane ride half-way around the
world with a child you just met.
10. You believe God's heart is for adoption.
11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and
family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on
this earth.
12. You know what the word 'Dossier' means, and you can actually
pronounce it!
13. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
14. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have him or her in your life.

-Author unknown

Princess Joleigh

Joleigh was in a great mood last night and we captured some pictures of "Ms. Thang" She had on big girl panties and wet them, took them off, went to her room, put on her Princess attire and came out with any panties on. Joleigh is 28 months old and still rather tiny. The dress up clothes were having a little trouble staying up, so I had to get a picture of her all dolled up. Then, being the sneaky girl she is, went into the back room, found the tidy cat (who knows where it came from) and sprinkled the hearth, floor and toys. She was SO proud of herself. Oh, what a exciting life we live.
Mendy

Silly Girl...

I love to hear children laugh. It took Joleigh awhile, after we came home from China, to laugh, but oh, how she is making up for it now! Enjoy the video if you can. Try not to get a little queasy from the movement. LOL

The Love of My Daddy

Joleigh is loving her dress up clothes that she received at Christmas. The other night, she came into the living room where her Dad and I were and started dancing around saying she was a "Princess". She thought.......ran back to her room........retrieved her feather boa, crown and shoes and helped her Daddy get dressed up, so he too, could be a "Prince"ss......Hope you enjoy! p.s. Don't tell Chip the pictures are on the blog! LOL

Monkey See, Monkey Do!

Here are a few pictures of Jacob and Joleigh being silly! They were behind my chair playing and having a fun time. Joleigh was doing everything her big brother was doing.

New Look

I am proud to say that I love the new look of our blog. One of my favorite things to do is to visit other families blogs and lately I have been noticing how dull our blog was compared to others. Well, one of my favorite blogs is a friend from our July Dragonflies group, Diana I recently talked with her and she agreed to help me "pimp my blog" I am so excited with the new look. She made it look just like I had pictured it to look. THANK YOU DIANA for all your hard work and hours you put into making my blog. If you are interested in getting Diana to help you with your blog, visit her blog, Custom Blog Designs and let her know.
Mendy

Chinese New Year!

Rochelle and I, along with the girls went to Troy University last weekend to celebrate CNY with some of the other Adoptive Families from Dothan. We had a good time at the event and celebrating it with students from China that are at Troy for 2 years studying and then will return back to China for their final year. We heard opera, heard a Chinese Rock Band, singing, piano playing, Chinese instruments and ate while we were there. Joleigh loved the WonTon soup. I think the favorite of the night was the fashion show where the girls that were adopted from China were allowed to participate in it. Joleigh was scared at first, but then I went and hid behind the curtain and then she went on stage. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

News from China

Today, while I was in the office at home and received a phone call from Brian Stuy with Research China and he said he had talked with Joleigh's foster mom! What? Did I hear him correctly? He said he had talked to her and she would love an updated picture of Hua Ru Yan, Joleigh. Well, you better believe I sent not only one, but 7 or 8. I can't wait to hear from her. He sent me her address in China and I am hoping the next few days to send a care package out to her and her family. An answered prayer. I have always prayed and hoped to be able to one day find her or contact her foster family that took care of her a few months prior to coming to our family. Anyway, I also found a picture of Joleigh with her foster mom last week while I was look thru China documents. I had totally forgotten about these pics. Here is a picture of Joleigh with her foster mom, Yao Yong Zen (pronounced Yow Yong Zen) while she was in her care a month before we got Joleigh. I believe Joleigh is almost a year old here in the picture. This picture was taken after we received our referral and I believe she has already received our care package from us. Enjoy~

Jacob and Joleigh update

Well, Joleigh is still staying in her toddler bed. After 14 months of late nights, because she is such a night owl, We now have a schedule! WOOOHOOO!! She awakes at 7 am, down for a nap from 12-2 pm and in bed between 9-9:30pm. We say our prayers with Jacob, go to her room, read a book and I tuck her in. She has even told me a couple of times to "LEAVE, MOMMY" Yes, I was heart-brokened a little, but as my friend told me.....she just feels very secure and loved and can go to sleep on her own. What would we do without friends to lift us up, when we are down.....No picture, just an update.
Jacob has returned to school. I didn't want him to go back, but the law says so. LOL He is growing up so quickly. He started during Christmas break to roam the land on our property, exploring nature and hunting......Sniff, Sniff. His new cell phone gets alot of use, cause his Mama is constantly checking on him. He told me that he was "having a blast" watching the birds and wildlife God created. SO growny for his age. Pray for Jacob as he returns to school, that he strives to do his best in all areas......We are so proud of him and the wonderful, loving son and big brother he is!