Re-adoption Day!

Last Friday we went to court and re-adopted Audrey, although we had adopted her in China, since I was the only parent that traveled it was necessary to do this once we were back in the states and also required to receive her Tennessee birth certificate. We have already received her social security card in the mail. I am so glad all the paperwork is finished! She is Officially ours!
(notice she has a Tom Cruise dress on for this special day;)

Earthquake in Sichuan

It's is very hard to imagine the grief and tragedy that has came to our daughter's Province and City she was born. We are defiantly holding her a little closer tonight. I am sure by now most people are aware of the devastation and lose of life that has occurred with this earthquake. It's been less than 2 months since we were in Chengdu to bring home our daughter and although she is home with us safe and sound, there are thousands of orphans and residents suffering tonight. Please keep these precious children and caregivers in your thoughts and prayers and hope for a brighter day.

This and that pictures!

Audrey loves to carry her purse around filled with goodies. This could keep her busy for hours I believe. She is very neat and organized most the time and actually her purse is cleaner than mine!

Friends from Alabama!

Last week we had some friends, Wes and Christy visit from Alabama who went to grad. school with Anthony. We had a great time at dinner and enjoyed meeting their 9 1/2 month old son Karl for the first time. He is such a doll! We only wished they lived closer to us!

Meeting Tom Cruise and Katie!

Last week my me and my mom flew up to Chicago for a few days to shop and see the Oprah show. One evening while we were in Neiman Marcus, we ran into T*m Cruise, Katie, Su*i, Tom's mom and two sisters. It was amazing to actually meet him face to face and have a conversation with his entire family. They were shopping in the children's department and I was "just looking", that place is pretty expensive for me! Anyway, we talked for about 15 or so minutes about everything. They are some of the nicest people you could ever meet- very down to earth. Tom's mom was so sweet and so was his sisters. We got on the subject of adoption. My mom was admiring Su*i and continued to tell them I had just adopted a little girl about her age from China. They we very interested in that and asked questions. Tom ask me if I knew he had two adopted children and of course I did. They must have congratulated us a hundred times and told us how wonderful that was. To make a very long story short, Tom said that he and Katie wanted to buy Audrey a dress and of course I declined, but they continued to pick her out not one dress, but three dresses. One of the dresses Katie said Su*i had and she loved it. I had to take a picture of the dresses when I got back to the hotel room. I have also planned to have her first professional photo taken in them next week. I can't wait!

* Of course I had to have the worse possible thing on when I met them. I think I wore that orange jacket everyday in China! That morning before I left for the airport, I grabbed the first thing hanging in the garage, thinking that I would leave it in the car when we got to the airport... didn't happen!;) It's going in the garbage now! I had also planned to freshen up, like shower, comb my hair, etc. before we started to shop.... didn't happen either, but Neiman Marcus was just across the street, who could we possibly see in CHICAGO??? Lesson learned, but a nice one at that!

This week in review!

We have had another good week and I am trying to find more time to catch up on things around the house! As you can see in the pictures, Audrey likes playing with dolls and mommy is very pleased with that! ;) I think I have mentioned what a good sleeper she is, but I don't think I have said how FAST she falls asleep, even with a sucker! I love that she sleeps so sound and LONG! On Friday we headed off to Dollywood in the Smokey Mountains which is really close to home. I sorta think Audrey thought we were back in China because there were so many people. I have not had her out in crowds or around a lot of loud events yet, although I know at some point she will be more exposed. I am trying real hard to ease her into more outdoor things. With two brothers, she'll catch on fast!

Audrey's first trip to Dollywood

Ice Cream with Friends

We are so in love!

Well, I have a couple of minutes again! My mom watched her for a while today

and it seems like everytime someone (mom) watches her they want to play and not nap!!!

That's ok because she usually just wants me for nap time anyway.

We are still in amazement with Audrey. We aren't sure what we have done to deserve this little girl, but we are so thankful she is ours. I have had her only 1 month and 4 days, but I will tell you I feel like I have always known her in my heart. I have had this empty feeling for several years, well since Ryan was born, that our family was not complete. I can honestly say God has completed our family. All the wondering and not knowing if we would ever have another child or even if we were supposed to have another child has finally ended and we are at such peace with Gods plan. We can now move forward with our lives and know that we are where we are supposed to be. I never thought I would have this kind of comfort, but God knows when, where and what we all need. You know how the old song goes, "He may not come when you want Him to, but he's always right on time"!

Cody is in Atlanta this week and I am headed out for ice cream with Ryan, Audrey and some friends! I will be posting prom pictures in the next little bit!

Sweet baby!

These are a few pictures I took today. We have been home with Audrey for almost 3 weeks. It really feels like I have always had her. She is so perfect for our family. Everyday I can just see how blessed we are to have her as our daughter.

I love my brother's Blackberry!!!
Another new toy, hum.. I like this!
A visit to Ryan's class, they all loved me and wanted to hold me.
My sweet baby!!!!

I know I haven't posted much at all since I returned home, but I hope to be back on track in a few more days! We are gearing up for an exciting few months. There is a lot going on around the house right now and it looks like we are going to be very busy!!! We only have a little over a month before Cody graduates and summer fun starts. We will keep everyone posted on some up and coming events!!!

Here are a few pictures

We're Home!!!!

I am excited to say we are HOME!!! I know I haven't posted since we got back, but we have all been so taken by Audrey, it's hard to find a moment and sneak away to the computer. She is a dream come true. We are so blessed by her and the joy she has brought to our lives. Her brothers adore her and she lights up when they come home from school each day. Anthony was beyond words the first time her saw her at the airport and she already has him wrapped around that little finger! I can't believe I became so emotional when we came through those gates, but it was so powerful the love that was waiting for us just a few steps away. We finally have our family complete. We are also so thankful for all the friends and family who came out that night to celebrate our home coming and everyone who brought food the next few days!

Audrey had her doctors appointment last Monday and the doctor said "we hit the jackpot" and boy did we ever!! She is as healthy as a horse. She sleeps through the night, she eats any and everything and she has the best personality. Audrey has bonded great. She is a happy baby and full of excitement. In all the months of waiting, I really never dreamed we would be so lucky to have such an incredible daughter. Adoption, just like child birth is truly a miracle from God!

I am on my laptop now and don't have access to photos, but I will add new ones very soon!