Hope, Love, and Grace!

January 17th, 2017

I am so excited!!  We finally have pigtails.  They kept her hair in a short boy cut in the orphanage and we have been letting it grow!!  Could she be any cuter!!

January 18th, 2017

Here is another cute picture of her in her pigtails.  She loves sliding down her slide in her room, getting into everything, running around the house, and going places with mom!  It is amazing how quickly she is growing and changing.  We are thankful to see her starting to act like a typical 2 year old!   

January 2017
We started a mommy and me My Gym class!  Grace LOVES it and lights up when we pull into the parking lot.  She is being very adventurous and tries all new things.  She is also very social and loves being around the other kids her age.

February, 2017

Grace was excited to have her big sisters attend My Gym with her today!!  I cannot say enough amazing things about Sydney and Claire since Grace has come home.  They love her so much and always put her 1st!  I am in awe of their selflessness when it comes to their baby sister.  She is one blessed little girl to call each of them big sister.  

February 4th, 2017

We had a great time celebrating Chinese New Year this year.  Thankful we are celebrating this year because last year it was a very tough time.  The CCCWA (Chinese Adoption Authority) completely shuts down for 2 weeks to celebrate this holiday.  This meant that nothing was happening on our adoption for 2 weeks.  It seemed like an eternity.  We had a great time celebrating and look forward to celebrating this holiday every year that is so special in Grace's first home!!  Happy Chinese New Year!!

February 12th, 2017
Grace had her 1st birthday party today!!  We got to celebrate sweet Marzdyn turning 1 attending a Love Bug party!!  Grace had a great time!!

February 14th, 2017

Happy Valentine's Day!!  Grace loved her 1st Valentine's Day!!  We had fun celebrating at Claire's class party and also had a fun family dinner night!!

February 20th, 2017
Grace loves jumping and often jumps around the house instead of walking.  She also enjoys jumping and playing during her big sisters gymnastics!!

February 28th, 2017

We attended Claire's 2nd grade class play!  It was called Just for Fun and she did a fabulous job!!  She did everything perfect and had the biggest smile on stage.  I guess all of the dance practice and competitions have paid off.  She is a natural on stage!!

February, 2017

Look at this smile!  John, Sydney, Claire and I all say all of the time how blessed we are to get to be her family.  She is such a light in this world.  She has taught us so much in the past 8 months.  We faced more opposition and spiritual warfare over the past 1 1/2 than we could ever imagine, but we would not change anything.  Here is another quote that I love:  

If you're not ready to face opposition for your obedience to GOD, 

You're not ready to be used by GOD.  

I know I have said this many times, but the biggest trials create the biggest rewards.  Adoption is one amazing journey.  We will never forget the loss that occurred so we could be her family.  Please join me in praying that God will whisper to her biological mommy and daddy that she has a family who loves her dearly and we will do everything in our power to make them proud.  I would encourage anyone reading this blog to consider adoption.  God defines true religion in James as caring for the orphans and the widows.  God adopted us into his family when he sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins.  I promise if you do you will never regret it.  I pray everyday that God will send me people to walk on this journey with, to guide and just be there with them in whatever capacity they need.  If you or anyone you know would like more information please do not hesitate to reach out to me!  We love you to the moon Grace Mei!!