Don't Try This At Home!

Mikayla LOVES gymnastics. It has been so good for her physically and emotionally.

The "flying leap" (1st photo)was just one of those lucky shots. I couldn't help showing it off to friends and family. :) She also likes doing cartwheels on the balance beam---her latest accomplishment.

It's so much fun watching her have fun being a kid!

Mikayla, age 8 at Nassers Gymnastics

Vacation Memories

Our sweet Dorothy offered her beautiful Orange Beach condominum to us for a restful week's vacation. Paige and Brooke and family stayed most of the first two days. We have mastered squeezing a lot of fun in a short period of time. Check it out!

Just Another Typical Day....Not!

It's midnight and I'm beat. Not sure why. Mmmmmm....let' see.

Today's Activities

make Mom's coffee and cut fresh roses for her to find when she wakes up
VBS 9:00--noon
dishes
laundry
make dinner
take Mikayla to Brooke's (they're going swimming)
Physial Therapy
YMCA
bank
drug store
take Mom to the cemetery---Father's Day
perm and color my own hair
shower
dry/style hair
put Mikayla to bed
talk to Chris :)
check email
leave 15 feedbacks on Ebay (recent sales)
make list for tomorrow's activities!!!!

No wonder I'm so tired! Good night all!

Road Trip

Mikayla accompanied Mom to Troy this week. I had one more day of training before beginning work with ACCESS Distance Learning program. Hopefully, I will be teaching U.S. History 1877 to Present.

My little one had such a difficult time when I left her for 4 days in March to do my initial training. The director of ACCESS suggested I bring Mikayla with me in June since it was only a one day session. She was SO GOOD! She sat in the corner on the floor all day playing with her Gameboy. From time to time, she would find me and whisper, "I'm having so much fun!" Go figure!

While we were in Troy, we ate out, went to Walmart and had her hair washed and trimmed....her first professional hair cut. We even went to a little shop and found some cute tops on clearance. The best part was eating salads and popcorn in our 2 queen beds while watching TV at night.

Girl's Day Out!

Today was our first annual Mother's Day / Girl's Day Out at the Grand Hotel. I've never been to a spa and OH MY GOSH!!!! I'm RUINED!!! We had so much fun relaxing, chatting, and just catching up. We all lead such busy lives. What a blessing it was. We had our eyebrows done and pedicures and of course, MY toes were the prettiest. (Except for my deformed big toe that was crushed when I was 12. Oh well, that's another story). Loved the steam room, hot tub and pool.

I know what I want for the next 30 birthdays, anniversaries and Christmases!!!!

Flowers! Flowers! Flowers!

I've always wanted a beautiful English garden. Well, I certainly don't claim to have accomplished that....yet! But I'm very proud of this summer's crop.

Mikayla's REAL GOTCHA DAY!

Today, our youngest daughter, Mikayla Rose Xin-Guang, knelt with Pastor Ed, her mom and dad and asked Jesus to come into her heart. It was a "moment." There are no words to express our joy as we witnessed this miracle.

Pastor Ed has been very supportive of our adoption from the beginning. He, Tammy and their children met us at the airport 7 years ago and he was the FIRST one to take Mikayla from my arms. He blessed her and prayed for her salvation in God's time. Today, that prayer came to pass.

It occurs to me that today, not October 29, is her REAL "Gotcha Day" for today, Xin Guang's adoption is complete.

Praise God! We truly believe He has a very special plan for her life. We are indeed honored and humbled to have been chosen to raise this sweet little girl and look forward to watching God's plan unfold.

We will schedule her baptism after we find out when her brother, Chris, can come home. Hopefully Sunday, June 8. God is good!