September 26, 2012
Wow it's hard to believe Emery was put in our arms 6 months ago tonight! It was actually the 27th in China, but here it was around 10:00pm on the 26th! The last 6 months have been wonderful! She has completed our family! We all love her to the moon and back and she certainly loves us! She is definitely a Click! She loves the water, loves being outside, she is friendly and happy! We have been so blessed by her! We could not have hand picked her to be anymore perfect!
Here's a little recap of the last 6 months! She has traveled to ball games! She's been to a UT girls softball game! Played in the rocks! She's been to the Children's Museum! She's been to church! Been to the beach! Been to the lake (many times and loves it)!!!! She goes to a sitter and has friends!! She has been to birthday parties! She had her 2nd birthday! It was so much fun! She loved her friends being there, the cake and her presents!!!! She has been a busy girl! She has not stayed away from home yet! I don't think we are ready for that! LOL!!!
She has just rolled right into our family! We really haven't missed a beat in our life, we have just added her to it! She melts everyone she meets! She is a happy girl! She smiles all the time! She is so much fun! She has brought more joy to our family than I can ever express! Our other 3 children love her so much too!
I'm often asked how she is or how our life is now and all I can say is "She is perfect" and "our life is perfect".
She has grown so much! We have had her hair cut twice! She talks all the time! She rarely says anything in Chinese anymore! Makes me a little sad, but she has adjusted so well! The only thing that we have trouble with is her eating! Some days she likes things and then other days she won't! But she is definitely not malnourished! She is a little chunk!!!! But she's a happy little chunk!!!!
We want to thank everyone for all your support! We have been blessed by so many people!!!!! God has been so good to us!!!
Love,
Renee
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Great Weekend
Things are going great, just busy! We had a great weekend with the kiddos!!! Allie had a softball tournament this past weekend in Knoxville! So we went up on Friday and the team went to a Lady Vols softball game! They had a great time! There's a player on the team from Columbia and she has actually worked with some of the girls in the team, so the loved getting to see her play! Then the tournament started on Saturday morning! The girls played well, they ended up playing 6 games on Saturday which meant we were at the ball park all day long! Our little princess was excellent!!! We could not have ask for her to be any better! She hung out, played in the dirt, ran up and down a hill and loved everyone! We have a great softball family that loves her too, so they were great to help out with her! She kept us entertained all day!!!! And she actually did pretty good in the car too!!!!
She is still sleeping great! She layes down in her bed for nap and bed time! We have been so blessed with this little angel!! We have been a bit worried about her eating. She is a carb girl, only wanting to eat noodles, rice, fries, chips and junk! Yesterday was better. Finally she ate a good lunch and loved some grapes!!!! I think part of it was that we didn't tell her no about any food, so if we were eating it and she wanted some then we let her have it. So yesterday with it just being us home it was much easier to keep the junk away!!!! So I guess we will keep working on this but I have no complaints! This baby girl is perfect and precious! She melts everyone she meets!!! She is so friendly and happy! She is always smiling!!!!
Tony and I went to meet with a sitter yesterday!!!! It's actually someone we already know, but we are still going through the process of interviewing. We feel really good about it. The lady that kept Conner and Allie doesn't have an opening so we had to look elsewhere!!! I know that God has a perfect plan for us all! But please pray that things work out and that Emery will be happy where ever she ends up staying!
We have our first post adoption visit this morning! I can't wait for Lisa to meet her! I think we have to do 6 post visits over the next few years!!! I will post how things go later!
Well I think that catches everyone up on our journey for now!
Love,
Renee
Emery at the Lady Vols softball game!!!
Emery and her Daddy at the game!!!
Emery running away frim the line waiting on autographs!
She and Tony were playing "boo"!!!!!
Emery and Shelby Burchell, a Tennessee Vol Softball player!!!
Shelby and Allie at the game!!!!
Go Big Orange!!!!
Emery making a silly face!!!! She was eatin gand playing with the ball team!
Sitting on her blanket playing with her friends!!!!!!
Baby Bandit!!!!!!!!
Playing in the dirt! All she needed was some water for mud pies!!!
Isn't her shirt cute! It says My Sister's #16!!!!!
She is still sleeping great! She layes down in her bed for nap and bed time! We have been so blessed with this little angel!! We have been a bit worried about her eating. She is a carb girl, only wanting to eat noodles, rice, fries, chips and junk! Yesterday was better. Finally she ate a good lunch and loved some grapes!!!! I think part of it was that we didn't tell her no about any food, so if we were eating it and she wanted some then we let her have it. So yesterday with it just being us home it was much easier to keep the junk away!!!! So I guess we will keep working on this but I have no complaints! This baby girl is perfect and precious! She melts everyone she meets!!! She is so friendly and happy! She is always smiling!!!!
Tony and I went to meet with a sitter yesterday!!!! It's actually someone we already know, but we are still going through the process of interviewing. We feel really good about it. The lady that kept Conner and Allie doesn't have an opening so we had to look elsewhere!!! I know that God has a perfect plan for us all! But please pray that things work out and that Emery will be happy where ever she ends up staying!
We have our first post adoption visit this morning! I can't wait for Lisa to meet her! I think we have to do 6 post visits over the next few years!!! I will post how things go later!
Well I think that catches everyone up on our journey for now!
Love,
Renee
Emery running away frim the line waiting on autographs!
Playing in the dirt! All she needed was some water for mud pies!!!
She's eating a chocolate cucker from the neighbor!!! She loves it! And when she finished it, she threw the stick in the trash! Such a good girl!!!!!
Yum, yum!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
1 Week Home, Hard to Believe
April 11, 2012
Wow, it is hard to believe we have been home a week now!!!! We are all doing great! We are just trying to get a routine and figure things out. Emery is doing so well. She isn't saying a lot of English words yet but she will let you know what she wants! She will come get your hand and take you to what she wants! If she's hungry she will get her bib and lead you to her chair, if she wants to go out she will lead you to the door! She is saying, ma-ma, da-da, bye-bye, shoe, boo and she "babbles" all the time! I know she is going to pick up on the English really quick!!!!
This morning we went to Wal-Mart for her first time, well at least in the States!!! It wasn't near as crazy as the China wal-mart thankfully!!! No flat chickens!!! So we got a few things there and she was ready for a nap. After her nap we got Allie off the bus and then went to Burger King to collect receipts for Woodard school. She was pretty happy hanging out there! She got to eat and visit with people! After we got home Allie took her walking up the street while I fixed dinner. Tony and Conner were at the Varsity school game!
We tried feeding her from the table but she doesn't love our food yet. She did eat mashed potatoes a little, but no mac-n-cheese yet!! LOL!! Not sure why she doesn't like that! So I fixed her a Gerber Grad meal and she ate it pretty good!
The kiddos got to playing with her after dinner and she thought they were so funny! Tony was putting his hands on his cheeks and yelling and she was copying him back, she is too funny!!!!
It has been a great week home!!!! We are so happy to be here and have her with us!!!
Love,
Renee
Wow, it is hard to believe we have been home a week now!!!! We are all doing great! We are just trying to get a routine and figure things out. Emery is doing so well. She isn't saying a lot of English words yet but she will let you know what she wants! She will come get your hand and take you to what she wants! If she's hungry she will get her bib and lead you to her chair, if she wants to go out she will lead you to the door! She is saying, ma-ma, da-da, bye-bye, shoe, boo and she "babbles" all the time! I know she is going to pick up on the English really quick!!!!
This morning we went to Wal-Mart for her first time, well at least in the States!!! It wasn't near as crazy as the China wal-mart thankfully!!! No flat chickens!!! So we got a few things there and she was ready for a nap. After her nap we got Allie off the bus and then went to Burger King to collect receipts for Woodard school. She was pretty happy hanging out there! She got to eat and visit with people! After we got home Allie took her walking up the street while I fixed dinner. Tony and Conner were at the Varsity school game!
We tried feeding her from the table but she doesn't love our food yet. She did eat mashed potatoes a little, but no mac-n-cheese yet!! LOL!! Not sure why she doesn't like that! So I fixed her a Gerber Grad meal and she ate it pretty good!
The kiddos got to playing with her after dinner and she thought they were so funny! Tony was putting his hands on his cheeks and yelling and she was copying him back, she is too funny!!!!
It has been a great week home!!!! We are so happy to be here and have her with us!!!
Love,
Renee
Another Great Day
April 10, 2012
Today was another great day! We ran some errands. We had to go pick up her Easter Bunny picture! And mail some thank you cards! She too a great nap, when Blaine came in he wanted to wake her up! I'm not sure what to think about these kids wanting to wake her up! While I was waiting for Allie to get off the bus She woke up and Blaine brought her outside, ALL SMILES!!!!! She wakes up in the best mood!
Today was a busy day! Conner had a game, Allie had practice and we had tickers for All for the Hall, a concert that Keith Urban hosted to support the Country Music Hall of Fame. We had tickets for a long time and Blaine and I really wanted to go. So once we got everyone situated I decided I would go on with Blaine and a friend! So Emery stayed at the ball game with her Daddy and she bathed her and got her ready for bed! I'm sure Allie helped! She is so good!!!! I received a few pictures while at the concert of her. She was eating some goldfish and then playing with the babies in Allie's room! They were so cute! And they all did great!
We stopped on our way in and picked up the camera from the orphanage! I had sent a disposal camera in the first package that I sent to Emery after we were matched. And I was really anxious to see what was on there! There are pictures of her at the orphanage and then I guess some of the others are her foster family! I know she won't remember them but at least we have pictures if she ever wants to ask about them!
I think about her birth parents, foster parents and nannies all the time! I know they must miss her! I wish I could keep them posted on her! I may try, I have Yisha's email so maybe she can keep them up dated on her! I know they all loved her very much and I hope they know how loved she is now by so many people!!! I pray her birth parents have peace and that God gives them peace in knowing that she is being well taken care of by so many!!!!
Well that sums up another day home!!!!
Love,
Renee
Today was another great day! We ran some errands. We had to go pick up her Easter Bunny picture! And mail some thank you cards! She too a great nap, when Blaine came in he wanted to wake her up! I'm not sure what to think about these kids wanting to wake her up! While I was waiting for Allie to get off the bus She woke up and Blaine brought her outside, ALL SMILES!!!!! She wakes up in the best mood!
Today was a busy day! Conner had a game, Allie had practice and we had tickers for All for the Hall, a concert that Keith Urban hosted to support the Country Music Hall of Fame. We had tickets for a long time and Blaine and I really wanted to go. So once we got everyone situated I decided I would go on with Blaine and a friend! So Emery stayed at the ball game with her Daddy and she bathed her and got her ready for bed! I'm sure Allie helped! She is so good!!!! I received a few pictures while at the concert of her. She was eating some goldfish and then playing with the babies in Allie's room! They were so cute! And they all did great!
We stopped on our way in and picked up the camera from the orphanage! I had sent a disposal camera in the first package that I sent to Emery after we were matched. And I was really anxious to see what was on there! There are pictures of her at the orphanage and then I guess some of the others are her foster family! I know she won't remember them but at least we have pictures if she ever wants to ask about them!
I think about her birth parents, foster parents and nannies all the time! I know they must miss her! I wish I could keep them posted on her! I may try, I have Yisha's email so maybe she can keep them up dated on her! I know they all loved her very much and I hope they know how loved she is now by so many people!!! I pray her birth parents have peace and that God gives them peace in knowing that she is being well taken care of by so many!!!!
Well that sums up another day home!!!!
Love,
Renee
Visit to Schools
April 9, 2012
Today we ran Allie to school this morning and Emery didn't like her leaving! She even cried a little bit:( Poor Girl, she loves her sister! Then we ran a few errands! We had some clothes that we needed to take back and exchange for different sizes. So we went and did that and then she fell asleep in the car,so I just let her nap awhile. Then it was time to go have lunch with Allie. She really wanted us to come to school. So I woke her up and we went to visit for awhile! She loved seeing all those children. She loved seeing everyone but after awhile she was tired and ready to go. When we left Allie's school we went by Conner's school to take his ball bag and she "hamed" it up for everyone in the office there! This girl is full of personality!!!!
After all that we came home and waited for Allie to get off the bus! She wasn't sure what to think about her coming down the street! LOL!!! Once she figured out it was her, she was so excited to see her!!!
She figured out that she could open the cabinets with the bowls and started playing in there! She loved it! She pulled the bowls out and sat in the cabinet. She stood in the bowls and danced. She mized in them, she had so much fun! I'm not sure why we bought toys because she would much rather play in there!!!
She went with her Daddy to ball practice while I returned some things and then I went to ball practice! When I got there she was sitting in one of the mom's laps eating chips!!! Hee hee!!! She likes most everyone as long as they give her a little time to warm up! It takes her a little longer with me, her Daddy likes that!!!!
After practice it was time for bath and bed!!!!!
Good night!!!!
Today we ran Allie to school this morning and Emery didn't like her leaving! She even cried a little bit:( Poor Girl, she loves her sister! Then we ran a few errands! We had some clothes that we needed to take back and exchange for different sizes. So we went and did that and then she fell asleep in the car,so I just let her nap awhile. Then it was time to go have lunch with Allie. She really wanted us to come to school. So I woke her up and we went to visit for awhile! She loved seeing all those children. She loved seeing everyone but after awhile she was tired and ready to go. When we left Allie's school we went by Conner's school to take his ball bag and she "hamed" it up for everyone in the office there! This girl is full of personality!!!!
After all that we came home and waited for Allie to get off the bus! She wasn't sure what to think about her coming down the street! LOL!!! Once she figured out it was her, she was so excited to see her!!!
She figured out that she could open the cabinets with the bowls and started playing in there! She loved it! She pulled the bowls out and sat in the cabinet. She stood in the bowls and danced. She mized in them, she had so much fun! I'm not sure why we bought toys because she would much rather play in there!!!
She went with her Daddy to ball practice while I returned some things and then I went to ball practice! When I got there she was sitting in one of the mom's laps eating chips!!! Hee hee!!! She likes most everyone as long as they give her a little time to warm up! It takes her a little longer with me, her Daddy likes that!!!!
After practice it was time for bath and bed!!!!!
Good night!!!!
First Easter and Church Visit
April 8, 2012
Today was WONDERFUL!!!! It started off with a visit from the Easter Bunny. She had fun opening her basket and playing with the eggs! She watched the other kiddos with their baskets and then she knew exactly what to do!!!
Then it was time to get ready for her first visit to Church! A great friend of mine from middle and high school who unfortunately that is no longer with us, her mom gave Emery a precious pink smocked dress so that is what she wore for Easter this morning! She looked like the little angel that she is! Pink is definitely a great color for her!!!!! She was greeted by many this morning and she did great in church! After church we let her stay in the nursery with us, well when Tony wasn't out showing her off and visiting!!!! LOL!!! Her daddy definitely thinks she is a keeper and she has him wrapped tight!!!!
After church it was time to change and go to Granny's (Tony's mom) for lunch, meet more people and an Easter Egg hunt!!!! She wore a sweet little gardening outfit that reminded me of my Mom. Mom loved working in the yard and this little outfit was smocked which she loved too!!! We had a great time! Tony and I were so excited to have some "real" food, we couldn't wait to eat!!!! After lunch it was time to hunt eggs! She actually got to hunt a little bit and she loved running around the yard and playing. She loves to run up and down hills, walk on bricks or edges, she is very adventurous!!! After the egg hunt we took her up to visit her Great-Grandmother (Tony's grandmother) and she loved it there! She got into all kinds of things! She loves to explore and see what she can find!!!!
On our way home we made a stop by The McAdam's family. They had been in China right before us and they live in Murfreesboro and were here for Easter. So we we nt by to meet Poppy Kate. Another precious China doll that just got home!!!!The girls just looked at each other! They were too cute!!!!
Then it was time to go and get a nap! That girl was wore out!!!!
Tonight was spent getting everyone ready for school and back in a routine!!!!
She is still sleeping and napping great!
We are so blessed and have so much to be thankful for on this Easter Day!!!!
Love,
Renee
Today was WONDERFUL!!!! It started off with a visit from the Easter Bunny. She had fun opening her basket and playing with the eggs! She watched the other kiddos with their baskets and then she knew exactly what to do!!!
Then it was time to get ready for her first visit to Church! A great friend of mine from middle and high school who unfortunately that is no longer with us, her mom gave Emery a precious pink smocked dress so that is what she wore for Easter this morning! She looked like the little angel that she is! Pink is definitely a great color for her!!!!! She was greeted by many this morning and she did great in church! After church we let her stay in the nursery with us, well when Tony wasn't out showing her off and visiting!!!! LOL!!! Her daddy definitely thinks she is a keeper and she has him wrapped tight!!!!
After church it was time to change and go to Granny's (Tony's mom) for lunch, meet more people and an Easter Egg hunt!!!! She wore a sweet little gardening outfit that reminded me of my Mom. Mom loved working in the yard and this little outfit was smocked which she loved too!!! We had a great time! Tony and I were so excited to have some "real" food, we couldn't wait to eat!!!! After lunch it was time to hunt eggs! She actually got to hunt a little bit and she loved running around the yard and playing. She loves to run up and down hills, walk on bricks or edges, she is very adventurous!!! After the egg hunt we took her up to visit her Great-Grandmother (Tony's grandmother) and she loved it there! She got into all kinds of things! She loves to explore and see what she can find!!!!
On our way home we made a stop by The McAdam's family. They had been in China right before us and they live in Murfreesboro and were here for Easter. So we we nt by to meet Poppy Kate. Another precious China doll that just got home!!!!The girls just looked at each other! They were too cute!!!!
Then it was time to go and get a nap! That girl was wore out!!!!
Tonight was spent getting everyone ready for school and back in a routine!!!!
She is still sleeping and napping great!
We are so blessed and have so much to be thankful for on this Easter Day!!!!
Love,
Renee
Easter Bunny and First Easter Egg Hunt
April 7, 2012
Well our girl is not a good medicine taker! She is like wrestling a bull trying to get it down her! LOL!! Hopefully we will get some of it in her!!!! She doesn't have a fever anymore and she slept great!
She helped her Daddy mow this morning and then she played in a puddle while I washed my car! She loves being outside!!!! Then it was nap time!!!
After her nap we went to The Castle (a toy store in town) to see the Easter Bunny! Again she liked him fine as long as Allie or I were right there! She did really good!
After seeing the Bunny we went to The Stovall's (friends) for an Easter egg hunt! She was a little ham and loved it! The only thing is the kids gather eggs and layed them beside her basket so I don't think she realizes she is suppose to hunt them and I think she thinks they just appear! Allie and Keaton were so sweet to help her!!! She played and had a great time! Tracy Stovall has a great yard and rock walking area, well Emery loved the rocks. She sat and played in them forever! She was pooped after all that playing and visiting new people! So she napped on the way home!
She was really good and smiled at everyone today!
We are so blessed!!!
Love,
Renee
These are 2 of my "bigs" after coloring eggs!!! Sweet Conner and Allie! I love you!!!
Well our girl is not a good medicine taker! She is like wrestling a bull trying to get it down her! LOL!! Hopefully we will get some of it in her!!!! She doesn't have a fever anymore and she slept great!
She helped her Daddy mow this morning and then she played in a puddle while I washed my car! She loves being outside!!!! Then it was nap time!!!
After her nap we went to The Castle (a toy store in town) to see the Easter Bunny! Again she liked him fine as long as Allie or I were right there! She did really good!
After seeing the Bunny we went to The Stovall's (friends) for an Easter egg hunt! She was a little ham and loved it! The only thing is the kids gather eggs and layed them beside her basket so I don't think she realizes she is suppose to hunt them and I think she thinks they just appear! Allie and Keaton were so sweet to help her!!! She played and had a great time! Tracy Stovall has a great yard and rock walking area, well Emery loved the rocks. She sat and played in them forever! She was pooped after all that playing and visiting new people! So she napped on the way home!
She was really good and smiled at everyone today!
We are so blessed!!!
Love,
Renee
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