tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6229790747094534572024-03-05T04:05:56.659-05:00The Road to RaeannaThe road to Raeanna is a long and winding one. I'm keeping this blog so that we'll have a record of our journey to adopt her and she will know that she was very much wanted. Also, I hope this blog will help friends and family travel along this road with us. God has placed adoption on our hearts for some time now, and we are following His leadership. It is in His hands and we ask that you will pray with us and for us as we go through the many hurdles we face on our way.Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-27310158099684746012016-02-14T15:28:00.000-05:002016-02-14T15:48:47.931-05:009 Years Old!<span style="background-color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think of you, especially on this day, and I'm so grateful that you chose life. I can only imagine what goes through your mind every single day, but especially on days such as this one. You must wonder everyday if she's still alive, if she's loved and cared for, if she's happy, if she's healthy. I pray that God will give you peace and comfort and reassurance, somehow, that she is all of those things and so much more. Thank you for giving her life and her beautiful smile.</span>Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-77343571772624806422012-09-06T14:56:00.000-04:002012-09-06T14:56:21.096-04:00Raeanniversary!It's been a really long time since I updated, I know! Sorry! You've missed quite a lot of changes because I haven't done so. I'm going to upload pictures from the last year hopefully soon, but today I want to show what 2 years of having a family that loves a child to the stars and back can do for that child. She's an amazing little girl with a beautiful smile and beautiful heart! She's our angel! I thank God everyday for choosing us to be her family!<br />
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Today is our 2 year Forever Family Day Anniversary! We call it Raeanniversary!
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHK7ZIcJBKwxna7LsbC0o1SMoMFdMBZQZcKwyHovaqUHgWxsNN_Gb9_PZ4myAwOpXnfAtBNzXinzA6qo7EkFDmlQl0JY3N40UIt0l_aTqZX2oSL5Z6VKlDyyzpE7WKx826IFXLHLx0Ta5/s1600/beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHK7ZIcJBKwxna7LsbC0o1SMoMFdMBZQZcKwyHovaqUHgWxsNN_Gb9_PZ4myAwOpXnfAtBNzXinzA6qo7EkFDmlQl0JY3N40UIt0l_aTqZX2oSL5Z6VKlDyyzpE7WKx826IFXLHLx0Ta5/s400/beach.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">August 2012 at Panama City Beach<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soccer in May 2012<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June 2012<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7xHnbxD2O6lxGKL-A34ImMQscVC5c0YBJGz9gCyUI4G3piyqEeJxX1eHSAiPkHITXAza4Y-jQeLXeqalAMV7cOI7fPVufKlwUw3aBOftmiH-ZUqwxmV2EU7EK3sGMl-M4Zx7dyMOUIQG/s1600/1st+day+of+2nd+year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7xHnbxD2O6lxGKL-A34ImMQscVC5c0YBJGz9gCyUI4G3piyqEeJxX1eHSAiPkHITXAza4Y-jQeLXeqalAMV7cOI7fPVufKlwUw3aBOftmiH-ZUqwxmV2EU7EK3sGMl-M4Zx7dyMOUIQG/s400/1st+day+of+2nd+year.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">September 4, 2012<br />1st Day of Raeanna's 2nd Year of Dance Lessons<br /></td></tr>
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Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-19490450688991608052011-10-04T10:55:00.004-04:002011-10-04T18:21:24.868-04:00We Have an Age!It's absolutely amazing how Raeanna has developed and grown over the last year! We went to the adoption clinic for our 1 year checkup last week. The doctor just looked and smiled and said, "It's amazing what love will do for you!" They measured her and weighed her, and like us, marveled at her. This doctor really thought she was 2 years old one year ago. The bone scan even said she was. Now, the doctor is convinced she is at least 4 or 4 and a half, maybe even a little older. We' ve decided to move her birthdate back 1 year, which will make her 4 and a half. At the rate she is developing physically and mentally, I believe she will be ready for kindergarten next year. <br />
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I think often of her birth mother and father on the other side of the world. I pray that they will know the Lord and be saved, so that one day, they will meet their little girl in Heaven, and know that she was loved, well-taken care of, and happy on this earth. I know this sounds absurd, but I feel certain that they abandoned her because they loved her, and it was the only way they could save her life. You see, Raeanna was a very, very sick baby girl when she was found. She had an intestinal obstruction due to her special need, and she was severely malnourished. She wasn't a newborn, so it's likely that they tried to keep her. It's my theory that she was a second child or third, and because of China's One Child Policy, she would've had no health insurance, because children born after the first one don't have the rights of citizens. In order for her to get the help she needed to live, her parents would have to abandon her so that she would be found and brought to a hospital. I can't imagine the pain they felt then when they left her, and now, not knowing where she is and if she survived. I pray they somehow know that she is safe and healthy in America with her family who loves her so very much, and that they have peace.<br />
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When I hear the song, "Amazing Grace," and the verse that says, "Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come. But grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home," I think that it describes Raeanna's life so well. The Lord was definately with her. She suffered, not only in sickness, but in living in an orphanage for so long, but He brought her through and brought us together, and now she has a home with us, and ultimately, her home will be with Him. He has plans for her. <span style="color: #651300;">Jeremiah 29:11 says<strong>, "</strong></span>For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." I am so happy to be a part of the Lord's plans for her, and I feel extremely blessed to be the one He chose to be her Mommy and to get to teach her about Him. I feel very grateful for the blessing of this child, who blesses everyone she meets, and I feel grateful to her birthparents for giving her life and that beautiful smile!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmBX3-sVe3KOfOamwfX44rM5TFXQIw6tOzrUKRbcFs4Aal8JEiuABzCQ1iagMlYvKOwDPj8gw8Xg4ZdSKWG5GogqcFtEKVRQvVRPr5D_pfsSW00qmRuwBoKfNIVt9ax1AqCh7xchAu62d/s1600/babasshirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmBX3-sVe3KOfOamwfX44rM5TFXQIw6tOzrUKRbcFs4Aal8JEiuABzCQ1iagMlYvKOwDPj8gw8Xg4ZdSKWG5GogqcFtEKVRQvVRPr5D_pfsSW00qmRuwBoKfNIVt9ax1AqCh7xchAu62d/s400/babasshirt.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wearing Baba's (Daddy's) Shirt</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgub_ey2vAAD0HWTvjldZtMpcoVpL8uhsWpw3XYX_pDMQNXSFoQzm92wOK7d1xAmw4W-BcD8aFAF4ixNSx9e5r3HskPUdUt5gs7ocxfGgAXq_30EhZV-S0mQMQwHgStK9tC5ozmybm4dL5S/s1600/260545_1433315728703_1707223126_689971_3103704_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgub_ey2vAAD0HWTvjldZtMpcoVpL8uhsWpw3XYX_pDMQNXSFoQzm92wOK7d1xAmw4W-BcD8aFAF4ixNSx9e5r3HskPUdUt5gs7ocxfGgAXq_30EhZV-S0mQMQwHgStK9tC5ozmybm4dL5S/s400/260545_1433315728703_1707223126_689971_3103704_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Family<br />
July 2, 2011<br />
Katey and Adam's Wedding Day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCQw6Z4hRa3NU8TLBOYtKb0-tet5CqAdmLt9w5kuBPlmUhErHjkNMaymZq5RgC1efllVjnA0dEUjBcmk176YPEMjWhehVwaAxAcBiAYBcnSaBKy1fH6x1c8tD3Z_uwFFXV1NePMo20RWl/s1600/261387_10150245612101390_626231389_7292541_4927060_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCQw6Z4hRa3NU8TLBOYtKb0-tet5CqAdmLt9w5kuBPlmUhErHjkNMaymZq5RgC1efllVjnA0dEUjBcmk176YPEMjWhehVwaAxAcBiAYBcnSaBKy1fH6x1c8tD3Z_uwFFXV1NePMo20RWl/s400/261387_10150245612101390_626231389_7292541_4927060_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raeanna was the Flower Girl and she was so excited, she ran down the aisle pulling the ring bearer, Jacob.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gZKykfPcDWAf4uyo-uOdv8rjh9LGPClp8H6dvpD4gGobrW5ABepGf3Q-O2qdLzVaO-eee_hStv3SFcurVgDnuTq6qtkRl5SyAX7K_d4-zoJ0Rm5TOMkkTX_Ngot9_DyjhNkZs5k0CoTp/s1600/raejacobaisle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gZKykfPcDWAf4uyo-uOdv8rjh9LGPClp8H6dvpD4gGobrW5ABepGf3Q-O2qdLzVaO-eee_hStv3SFcurVgDnuTq6qtkRl5SyAX7K_d4-zoJ0Rm5TOMkkTX_Ngot9_DyjhNkZs5k0CoTp/s400/raejacobaisle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raeanna and Jacob</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvYiNoiCmtLH72hAjqCnIJCPlK4ZA3HB_-a-HphUD3_BgTgfCuiMkkwVhQWeAWlL2U03fZhih-RWVC6P5Dnwel-jbO6xjMsc-a-xJaAj-KOY5lLNOORiQT_DGmauCXbKb951TPcX-LxeT/s1600/beinggoodduringwedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvYiNoiCmtLH72hAjqCnIJCPlK4ZA3HB_-a-HphUD3_BgTgfCuiMkkwVhQWeAWlL2U03fZhih-RWVC6P5Dnwel-jbO6xjMsc-a-xJaAj-KOY5lLNOORiQT_DGmauCXbKb951TPcX-LxeT/s400/beinggoodduringwedding.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing at the front during the wedding and thinking about this whole situation....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bueMDUZKtEju1RfoUj1M50OYPgUMPlb4SEioYMLXjNqMF6c14i92uZyYOY7xgxe85GfsgrHsQJtVqnOLBHK0tPItliLevmgK-jAOyNmdzRtRXD3rFJydkNWLBRFxbaY9-0J-ND0BshYe/s1600/260359_10150245612501390_626231389_7292550_4564927_n%255B1%255D+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bueMDUZKtEju1RfoUj1M50OYPgUMPlb4SEioYMLXjNqMF6c14i92uZyYOY7xgxe85GfsgrHsQJtVqnOLBHK0tPItliLevmgK-jAOyNmdzRtRXD3rFJydkNWLBRFxbaY9-0J-ND0BshYe/s400/260359_10150245612501390_626231389_7292550_4564927_n%255B1%255D+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming back down the aisle after the ceremony.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAE2p5y1JIG9ZKFMnwB8Cz4CQe_KzQ3sOffNdyNqo2YvlWupKZwaCO4hDgiN7vRKSU7FV0KVm2gzNzqH7cNlTkGmuGLuoT5ZFzUzkYZvYCDuR30NDQwSONmnY-dvMefe1RUHq75EzrdNU/s1600/Raejacob7211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAE2p5y1JIG9ZKFMnwB8Cz4CQe_KzQ3sOffNdyNqo2YvlWupKZwaCO4hDgiN7vRKSU7FV0KVm2gzNzqH7cNlTkGmuGLuoT5ZFzUzkYZvYCDuR30NDQwSONmnY-dvMefe1RUHq75EzrdNU/s400/Raejacob7211.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the Wedding</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8w7oIUX7rCR54y1xExp1jWjreVvnIOJHpneqKfC85NKuHGDjKYgta5re_9eBjTep-YHWvhlIAVJvsdIKFuSxIg0H-1TeJBFl2EdWvxtRvh-ICE6GWNUxdyZ47uGNKP4C7XyzttxLz14m/s1600/purejoy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8w7oIUX7rCR54y1xExp1jWjreVvnIOJHpneqKfC85NKuHGDjKYgta5re_9eBjTep-YHWvhlIAVJvsdIKFuSxIg0H-1TeJBFl2EdWvxtRvh-ICE6GWNUxdyZ47uGNKP4C7XyzttxLz14m/s400/purejoy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pure Joy - That's my baby girl!<br />
It was sooo hot!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Vacation in Tennessee After the Wedding</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZknqUcizIXElc_sfRy8FbAgwUTAIh35uxUB4Vfsu0z8KwynOkLo06c5ACngp3IW_SA1azA3M2rt5O3SUvTxa3Gi9R3OensltW-BwuyDyqD5P-Qh4OwUofZ6pjUbZlzTj5sTTBYqCStpF/s1600/DSC_0250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZknqUcizIXElc_sfRy8FbAgwUTAIh35uxUB4Vfsu0z8KwynOkLo06c5ACngp3IW_SA1azA3M2rt5O3SUvTxa3Gi9R3OensltW-BwuyDyqD5P-Qh4OwUofZ6pjUbZlzTj5sTTBYqCStpF/s400/DSC_0250.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty Raeanna ready for church</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJmi-Frro84jrSjIt6myqC5WBM2YYmzrWa2EJX2Mg52KQiMXxbMFPovZD3evmPO9YLcg04NMcVL9suWc-VfvHYE9AinQNbCTZ-bEv4RbBxd4V8l7wD_BdxDCjorvOUKfb8gyvr3za41qG/s1600/Raesfirstdanceclass83011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJmi-Frro84jrSjIt6myqC5WBM2YYmzrWa2EJX2Mg52KQiMXxbMFPovZD3evmPO9YLcg04NMcVL9suWc-VfvHYE9AinQNbCTZ-bEv4RbBxd4V8l7wD_BdxDCjorvOUKfb8gyvr3za41qG/s400/Raesfirstdanceclass83011.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Dance Class in August</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvpPnnu4jhxuNJUWgy15iABwf3Lb6EX7GY4tKhWNEahz56BMt1ZIZIlaA1oJ3LDioFA1akNMB_rsKpGnWvahIoHXwPsVGF95ryw_onMUVO8AkArdTBc-kCq2X02LBZ0bYG87gNDBWj6yA/s1600/peepingoverthewall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvpPnnu4jhxuNJUWgy15iABwf3Lb6EX7GY4tKhWNEahz56BMt1ZIZIlaA1oJ3LDioFA1akNMB_rsKpGnWvahIoHXwPsVGF95ryw_onMUVO8AkArdTBc-kCq2X02LBZ0bYG87gNDBWj6yA/s400/peepingoverthewall.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up to Something!<br />
Raeanna and her cousins, John and Jacob!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-61940123568485256382011-09-06T20:54:00.000-04:002011-09-06T20:54:05.710-04:00One Year Ago Today- Our Gotcha Video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/IWGaUEzIpdU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-84084192597721903972011-06-25T21:38:00.000-04:002011-06-25T21:38:03.957-04:00Raeanna and I were on the News!We went to the Adoption Family Reunion for our agency, A Helping Hand, today. The ABC affiliate from Lexington was there and interviewed us<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"> <a aria-hidden="true" class="external UIImageBlock_Image UIImageBlock_MED_Image" data-ft="{"type":41}" href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wtvq.com%2Fiphone%2F8716-adoption-reunion-in-versailles%23urcomment&h=27586" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" class="img" src="http://external.ak.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=AQBKQUV4GPEQIC7n&w=90&h=90&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wtvq.com%2Fimages%2Favatars%2Fcslattery.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<div class="uiAttachmentTitle" data-ft="{"type":11}"><strong><span><a href="http://www.wtvq.com/iphone/8716-adoption-reunion-in-versailles#urcomment" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #4c1130;">Adoption Reunion in Versailles</span></a></span></strong><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #4c1130;"> < << Click on the title.</span></div><div class="uiAttachmentTitle" data-ft="{"type":11}"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #4c1130;"></span> </div><div class="UIImageBlock_Content UIImageBlock_MED_Content fsm fwn fcg"><a href="http://www.wtvq.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #4c1130;">www.wtvq.com</span></a></div><div class="UIImageBlock_Content UIImageBlock_MED_Content fsm fwn fcg"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #4c1130;"></span> </div><div class="mts uiAttachmentDesc"><span style="background-color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">WTVQ ABC36 News, Sports, Weather, Health, contests for Lexington and central Kentucky</span>.</span></span></div><form action="/ajax/ufi/modify.php" class="live_138626019547807_131325686911214 commentable_item autoexpand_mode" data-live="{"seq":694912}" method="post" rel="async"><input name="charset_test" type="hidden" value="€,´,€,´,水,Д,Є" /><input autocomplete="off" name="post_form_id" type="hidden" value="13b2e6ffdd7a0ccc8dfaea273a59f533" /><input autocomplete="off" name="fb_dtsg" type="hidden" value="AQDjI8Bu" /><input autocomplete="off" name="feedback_params" type="hidden" value="{"actor":"1707223126","target_fbid":"138626019547807","target_profile_id":"1707223126","type_id":"17","source":"2","assoc_obj_id":"","source_app_id":"0","extra_story_params":[],"content_timestamp":"1309048836","check_hash":"7753785ed99d6b74"}" /></form><br />
<div class="UIImageBlock clearfix uiStreamFooter"><i class="UIImageBlock_Image UIImageBlock_ICON_Image img sp_t15eqf sx_cc3d9b"></i><div class="UIImageBlock_Content UIImageBlock_ICON_Content"><span><span class="uiStreamSource" data-ft="{"type":26}"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=138626019547807&id=1707223126"><abbr class="timestamp" data-date="Sat, 25 Jun 2011 17:40:36 -0700" title="Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 8:40pm"> </abbr></a></span></span></div></div>Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-53358241797055860842011-03-07T10:51:00.007-05:002011-03-07T13:56:32.593-05:00Six Months Home Continued (Pictures)<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>These first few were taken in October on our trip home to Mississippi</strong>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiaL0D3TJt5ow1U15Qw-GOSX_GP1vaSgRYFu9krQkyEtx8SYhID2aBbN1SxSPVocr3OCLsUbUPWeEGkw5LGsIHIoMLm2gSKFUhnxAb2ZxYFR5QbFn1diHHIGlQqnIP9IUl_9L7K4s9u1yz/s1600/granshouseoct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiaL0D3TJt5ow1U15Qw-GOSX_GP1vaSgRYFu9krQkyEtx8SYhID2aBbN1SxSPVocr3OCLsUbUPWeEGkw5LGsIHIoMLm2gSKFUhnxAb2ZxYFR5QbFn1diHHIGlQqnIP9IUl_9L7K4s9u1yz/s320/granshouseoct.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gran and Pop's House in October 2010<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGprU-KNyxsP2o6SVTP1FXEyBfYir6o939j5GS-28CL8EbznS9zmXx4JzUj_fX-4B0_odlOoU1_LPPQRsAgx2s6MWB6pnLFYzL7v-3oIVm6cqCi1-0o7lJ8r-0q5UYBrEnVQhEsyl10YoR/s1600/granpopoctlivingroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGprU-KNyxsP2o6SVTP1FXEyBfYir6o939j5GS-28CL8EbznS9zmXx4JzUj_fX-4B0_odlOoU1_LPPQRsAgx2s6MWB6pnLFYzL7v-3oIVm6cqCi1-0o7lJ8r-0q5UYBrEnVQhEsyl10YoR/s320/granpopoctlivingroom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Raeanna with Gran and Pop<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nTPx7lUma3ZGHU292QgqWJ7EUlrLYulLpSAafnKh-9ywd0xxO27MwOQTb21stpnfRQL8zvdjvv5ma8bRMEieoeZpUTa8uQmr9e851UCTPIDELOdrsu6KqiqLf7oib0S4FEF_TvjX4qrH/s1600/raefayerobert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nTPx7lUma3ZGHU292QgqWJ7EUlrLYulLpSAafnKh-9ywd0xxO27MwOQTb21stpnfRQL8zvdjvv5ma8bRMEieoeZpUTa8uQmr9e851UCTPIDELOdrsu6KqiqLf7oib0S4FEF_TvjX4qrH/s320/raefayerobert.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Raeanna with Granny Faye and Granddaddy Bob<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnPBs6un8FsKqtU9OIfvjVkEvsv24n0XhHo86xBZR_uYg9j-2FlCv4EVheucwj7KD8n_tkVh9AexU_srV1RulbVK-cX9Gu2yKLNXExUocUnOaZrRdYmkjzPLiBwOeID_V-fosUB7Ab8S_/s1600/popraeoct2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnPBs6un8FsKqtU9OIfvjVkEvsv24n0XhHo86xBZR_uYg9j-2FlCv4EVheucwj7KD8n_tkVh9AexU_srV1RulbVK-cX9Gu2yKLNXExUocUnOaZrRdYmkjzPLiBwOeID_V-fosUB7Ab8S_/s320/popraeoct2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Raeanna and Pop ride the lawn mower<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFOHz9HJGCebrnr_DrAzvZ6N7XOiVNpGeIyqv2KCjjTxTGqdgiS24Uqo7vzVEnu6i2iCx9TjvGrpdj6Xo3Zd12a8bTEyELPAnq7P9iWDxvTs67Wfzxq3vbhko8Ar5CKKfsPWI-qh3neQI/s1600/fayerobertrae2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFOHz9HJGCebrnr_DrAzvZ6N7XOiVNpGeIyqv2KCjjTxTGqdgiS24Uqo7vzVEnu6i2iCx9TjvGrpdj6Xo3Zd12a8bTEyELPAnq7P9iWDxvTs67Wfzxq3vbhko8Ar5CKKfsPWI-qh3neQI/s320/fayerobertrae2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I like wearing Granddaddy Bob's cap!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZO9wZLoDt44TMa442U2A8bQbeOEWrUj8GARkODimCAFB4Gl3oF9GtGz0NqzSDYOPRZgSXJWPZIvvVaVZUE_UE8gZ17kPUdddqN5QbMjJCWLYQGq-F_l2J7got6Zbi1qMnSTzheQCcAA7/s1600/granpopoct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZO9wZLoDt44TMa442U2A8bQbeOEWrUj8GARkODimCAFB4Gl3oF9GtGz0NqzSDYOPRZgSXJWPZIvvVaVZUE_UE8gZ17kPUdddqN5QbMjJCWLYQGq-F_l2J7got6Zbi1qMnSTzheQCcAA7/s320/granpopoct.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Gran and Pop with Raeanna on the porch <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapwmf-vh2Ypg-dbratBeYIxhq2cOgEOv4rZA3R99jjWFhEvCK-6SC6stDCD4UMXsHqPEyYZYh3e4rTOru9RQia5x2Eaa1tNXqXjZ-CwS6UP-e90C0_kQ-fTVBELM4b3FyK5s-PPL1SbWa/s1600/granraeoctober.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapwmf-vh2Ypg-dbratBeYIxhq2cOgEOv4rZA3R99jjWFhEvCK-6SC6stDCD4UMXsHqPEyYZYh3e4rTOru9RQia5x2Eaa1tNXqXjZ-CwS6UP-e90C0_kQ-fTVBELM4b3FyK5s-PPL1SbWa/s320/granraeoctober.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>So happy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDgSnzFyNYo7d07OKPEwprcPMLsAOGMADUsYmnggS0jopg6veVF-X9wPmmZZl2iIrISVLBDlSfcFPJRkqkw6BCbODCgy80NpNAF3QAsD0jJcqCq6aUPTFK6OYpcFRMAoKhHOFCiVb4asS/s1600/auntrubyrae2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDgSnzFyNYo7d07OKPEwprcPMLsAOGMADUsYmnggS0jopg6veVF-X9wPmmZZl2iIrISVLBDlSfcFPJRkqkw6BCbODCgy80NpNAF3QAsD0jJcqCq6aUPTFK6OYpcFRMAoKhHOFCiVb4asS/s320/auntrubyrae2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Raeanna with Aunt Ruby<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrKRmKoyYLFPiSR4lb9KXcZNo6NLfEAWhTs2r0ngQdnS8FNfOLYXKEqcaKw-nj7iYimbGf68-P1ZBJb26bXsasdWXjNiP24KXoxLXI-DK-d7IZZKbO0c2E6_YEuWohbC6q3WiKSmZoT_K/s1600/sheilamarkrae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrKRmKoyYLFPiSR4lb9KXcZNo6NLfEAWhTs2r0ngQdnS8FNfOLYXKEqcaKw-nj7iYimbGf68-P1ZBJb26bXsasdWXjNiP24KXoxLXI-DK-d7IZZKbO0c2E6_YEuWohbC6q3WiKSmZoT_K/s320/sheilamarkrae.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Visit with Ms. Sheila and Mr. Mark in Louisiana<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrXGmPf5MSWWPv9yr1FFKDGouaZLei__IzE9FfjXOm63TYlTuJSEDUhLbhzAz4QiETRuhca-O5b2abzSm6D8oolRLbc2WWwdyCbUpLeWYE3qO0wLeaIgV82k05A4n_SxDr1RRA9FAUpic/s1600/AuntBevoct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrXGmPf5MSWWPv9yr1FFKDGouaZLei__IzE9FfjXOm63TYlTuJSEDUhLbhzAz4QiETRuhca-O5b2abzSm6D8oolRLbc2WWwdyCbUpLeWYE3qO0wLeaIgV82k05A4n_SxDr1RRA9FAUpic/s320/AuntBevoct.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Visit with Aunt Beverly in Alabama </td></tr>
</tbody></table> <strong>The rest were taken from Thanksgiving to now. You can see how much she's grown.</strong><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KvLUFWn7Hs2KBSScoc1hcyhGc7q8z5v7eWTB_xaplxUeig7HOl9Qd_9NroA-R9HshaJagWJVX_IKPCMVSZnWZXIHhNSByXumvUKaJuRGnx7c496-6_qm4hGuP_Gw4XYwzPTYgRxCv6Us/s1600/familyportrait2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KvLUFWn7Hs2KBSScoc1hcyhGc7q8z5v7eWTB_xaplxUeig7HOl9Qd_9NroA-R9HshaJagWJVX_IKPCMVSZnWZXIHhNSByXumvUKaJuRGnx7c496-6_qm4hGuP_Gw4XYwzPTYgRxCv6Us/s320/familyportrait2010.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family Christmas Card Portrait taken by Mary Jo<br />
at Gran and Pop's house in MS</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg870wx9bzsGFq7E9V65vyNEWvOyRrjrKMU-xRHG_jRwOMyk-8siNkU9JwFE-4EI8buqe7BPWvRKkKAz0A-W9IX2EhFnS06lUAE8i2w7bHAOn8dYTBUNvcWJORhnUutT-f5QP-7CdJVJ4jz/s1600/182704_10150090218302539_506857538_6129956_3256968_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg870wx9bzsGFq7E9V65vyNEWvOyRrjrKMU-xRHG_jRwOMyk-8siNkU9JwFE-4EI8buqe7BPWvRKkKAz0A-W9IX2EhFnS06lUAE8i2w7bHAOn8dYTBUNvcWJORhnUutT-f5QP-7CdJVJ4jz/s320/182704_10150090218302539_506857538_6129956_3256968_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having fun with GeGe Brett <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuqNYSL-wlMsbXolA86VlHqnpYu9vYXqbe54SU75YQ6N6jkQRsPsMMNcc3lQbcdTRKin8BhqbNlC_P2aAHZZv4r9J6FhBdhCKw4m92Iv7UADyK2r25LIkqasBz3WH3xOwCVzCZfgqkzvO/s1600/caderae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuqNYSL-wlMsbXolA86VlHqnpYu9vYXqbe54SU75YQ6N6jkQRsPsMMNcc3lQbcdTRKin8BhqbNlC_P2aAHZZv4r9J6FhBdhCKw4m92Iv7UADyK2r25LIkqasBz3WH3xOwCVzCZfgqkzvO/s320/caderae.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Ge Ge Cade loves me bunches! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbxgvT_yhDcORygcnMrRg9FWkPHbmvgAOS_mcitk6BPOPvV4OUuZ9nJ3aynhmCvfWvQfrWcJozN0c1BoXtqKihyphenhyphen13DIWZzeQlZZzwoIpgRKN48mZCUocS7qUoBOSUW2lZ1OMPbZ66Fg4V/s1600/DSC_0136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbxgvT_yhDcORygcnMrRg9FWkPHbmvgAOS_mcitk6BPOPvV4OUuZ9nJ3aynhmCvfWvQfrWcJozN0c1BoXtqKihyphenhyphen13DIWZzeQlZZzwoIpgRKN48mZCUocS7qUoBOSUW2lZ1OMPbZ66Fg4V/s320/DSC_0136.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love my Sissy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNELHpls_r2J1KIo6CY0cRHDUVLAidqdA_cfgb3GCfF-HYdATUzdWmVN9HgVxpRR4VvZntIkPxfpANoEKW-rZpuSheFu9fUnCUA90Jzy9CHnVxvs2qhVvtrNudcScbbbKOlGN_65N0ItU/s1600/DSC_0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNELHpls_r2J1KIo6CY0cRHDUVLAidqdA_cfgb3GCfF-HYdATUzdWmVN9HgVxpRR4VvZntIkPxfpANoEKW-rZpuSheFu9fUnCUA90Jzy9CHnVxvs2qhVvtrNudcScbbbKOlGN_65N0ItU/s320/DSC_0077.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love Adam, too, and his cellphone!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbv4NFnQcX31XIbQEXhEJqCDCE8izVw4RDCfUHJ5lcEySk_R6cCbCkqD4WJb2h-Yw2Gm5SVZ_NRVW6b32dO91-6HwHqEy6gg0PPFHtPwLkbPjHdlj8lH2mCG-NdlWlq_czaqMHR-jFLya/s1600/DSC_0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbv4NFnQcX31XIbQEXhEJqCDCE8izVw4RDCfUHJ5lcEySk_R6cCbCkqD4WJb2h-Yw2Gm5SVZ_NRVW6b32dO91-6HwHqEy6gg0PPFHtPwLkbPjHdlj8lH2mCG-NdlWlq_czaqMHR-jFLya/s320/DSC_0156.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">All My Children<br />
Christmas at Gran and Pop's House</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HQXAHswxSe5TwuibXRUH1TDNAGw0t7LinegELOwonQjvUd-YjE-2Uv69XUPn-dLE1LPRAQ7fVZzoH6fLqbwPdyb0ths0Ur4-2h9I68bpnPzf7gy5WBxdHtTkjZWjMehMbndrdJv-qxxq/s1600/DSC_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HQXAHswxSe5TwuibXRUH1TDNAGw0t7LinegELOwonQjvUd-YjE-2Uv69XUPn-dLE1LPRAQ7fVZzoH6fLqbwPdyb0ths0Ur4-2h9I68bpnPzf7gy5WBxdHtTkjZWjMehMbndrdJv-qxxq/s320/DSC_0229.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are my cousins, John and Jacob! Aren't they cute?</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTq1B0WucTxpcQVUHjOBvwCjqA1zpCtuCn8v3JiXBA_rNDPHUuLxQBZVsPOtrN-VZb1JICEO_cWMjqXUoOS_BDOYng4lutQz3-M-Fhh56xLTg49grBs80DulTfLhcd0Pqyf2XqlnKW1h5/s1600/DSC_0228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTq1B0WucTxpcQVUHjOBvwCjqA1zpCtuCn8v3JiXBA_rNDPHUuLxQBZVsPOtrN-VZb1JICEO_cWMjqXUoOS_BDOYng4lutQz3-M-Fhh56xLTg49grBs80DulTfLhcd0Pqyf2XqlnKW1h5/s320/DSC_0228.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXwEeHTaP144vQy0ZNfZA8fdTn7AJNst26QzbYi2Kb4pGnNWC76kzP7U3SI-ZrN98LuPALzHY1RmQa2R7d_ESEFFfWR-4w5kHI65ghNWsB8jgxuxrUW6DmQXlMuGtarQMgLOAwUV7Xobv/s1600/DSC_0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXwEeHTaP144vQy0ZNfZA8fdTn7AJNst26QzbYi2Kb4pGnNWC76kzP7U3SI-ZrN98LuPALzHY1RmQa2R7d_ESEFFfWR-4w5kHI65ghNWsB8jgxuxrUW6DmQXlMuGtarQMgLOAwUV7Xobv/s320/DSC_0163.JPG" width="211" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening Presents at Gran and Pop's House<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapqbUnic2s4mqU81gNo09i65EvLLZuw6_kgIagC9rZISjhk8k9yAND0jKhRtJqZFpqaoi_OKrGb56Kd6PO-gqtg14Oydm3nQh4kqqf-VnZGlt0pAecnyf1mGBmMVAS_TfxerZQY5tk1yD/s1600/DSC_0283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapqbUnic2s4mqU81gNo09i65EvLLZuw6_kgIagC9rZISjhk8k9yAND0jKhRtJqZFpqaoi_OKrGb56Kd6PO-gqtg14Oydm3nQh4kqqf-VnZGlt0pAecnyf1mGBmMVAS_TfxerZQY5tk1yD/s320/DSC_0283.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Checking out Pop<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlex-YZ48-YxONLjszArz_gi_9PhQAmMA4IoSQigD2nOgvlwfIGuoAZGEPiYqcx8AN-oATzvyEtsP2aeBxjwMFYLu7TB6n_mIVNiroxq-nXw2IZqOJvhaJ-AOPGO1HOkSlImLIuo_RiHB1/s1600/DSC_0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlex-YZ48-YxONLjszArz_gi_9PhQAmMA4IoSQigD2nOgvlwfIGuoAZGEPiYqcx8AN-oATzvyEtsP2aeBxjwMFYLu7TB6n_mIVNiroxq-nXw2IZqOJvhaJ-AOPGO1HOkSlImLIuo_RiHB1/s320/DSC_0278.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Brett, I just might be a doctor, too!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLui_sHSFTRsKquIhlmLfQ4g4p885EdWEDpeOxZ4c-S6lzMJ2BpwvCdghM73InuW0UvgxjZxXfd-e7szjlhoI-fVgkoxlbOUGYeorWzDviWJW40y31KHgS1vFMHwlWOIFuEGSE3GnBf-4/s1600/DSC_0308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLui_sHSFTRsKquIhlmLfQ4g4p885EdWEDpeOxZ4c-S6lzMJ2BpwvCdghM73InuW0UvgxjZxXfd-e7szjlhoI-fVgkoxlbOUGYeorWzDviWJW40y31KHgS1vFMHwlWOIFuEGSE3GnBf-4/s320/DSC_0308.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>"Mama's Baby!"<br />
That's what I say when anyone picks on me!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4J_-Ns6qNnq1UEcFvCVfSf5YGHyRLzBXx0VfmD9Wv3X3_EqPOUBk3mtiZ1bxCHfPZ40RPB5p3tuRTGv6sHbQ1t3JQiCHIGDn2pZcMkFzVdjaH_KAx2nCOSlNcDfgZacNRsGB09bTbiCI/s1600/DSC_0395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4J_-Ns6qNnq1UEcFvCVfSf5YGHyRLzBXx0VfmD9Wv3X3_EqPOUBk3mtiZ1bxCHfPZ40RPB5p3tuRTGv6sHbQ1t3JQiCHIGDn2pZcMkFzVdjaH_KAx2nCOSlNcDfgZacNRsGB09bTbiCI/s320/DSC_0395.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I like to pose for pictures by the post!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OEz1hmeC1XU_M40fdF3lqUidLDH1aS2Olx4vQDZeUGOCEKHxsQmdnPKS3TpmUZ3tEVGoVVgDryu92u-jexgzGOQfq65J0yW85ghWqxncAdu14TL883Z_-zne8w_rRDJL5HJlpM-4ehPP/s1600/DSC_0402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OEz1hmeC1XU_M40fdF3lqUidLDH1aS2Olx4vQDZeUGOCEKHxsQmdnPKS3TpmUZ3tEVGoVVgDryu92u-jexgzGOQfq65J0yW85ghWqxncAdu14TL883Z_-zne8w_rRDJL5HJlpM-4ehPP/s320/DSC_0402.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I love Ge Ge Cade, a whole lot, but I have to pick on him!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhry9fr9wDRqFofHpqmzLnMkrYuboE5DCRQBxfCCRfu_RIqQeVe4E0PWwN28yEBuboiXWaXK4KMFkORb10KYVKTGzf8VIJp_KSQg-KMBZl5MfrFSMWgQ8pviXAk7r0XG98s9EzAAg-t7AU-/s1600/DSC_0417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhry9fr9wDRqFofHpqmzLnMkrYuboE5DCRQBxfCCRfu_RIqQeVe4E0PWwN28yEBuboiXWaXK4KMFkORb10KYVKTGzf8VIJp_KSQg-KMBZl5MfrFSMWgQ8pviXAk7r0XG98s9EzAAg-t7AU-/s200/DSC_0417.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>I love my Mama!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxK1D7qQJYTX_TffPOHXfRR3Cy1q_FHVsh-a663YcjFc6i_yANnhuLlJQCqcoIlvebC0Ds0Lz09iajG1OphRtPcueyR_ygTa4xjWLzK7uxaCsXfnauP2ZJ29gzFM6xtTDo7YD_Z6HIyuN/s1600/DSC_0423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxK1D7qQJYTX_TffPOHXfRR3Cy1q_FHVsh-a663YcjFc6i_yANnhuLlJQCqcoIlvebC0Ds0Lz09iajG1OphRtPcueyR_ygTa4xjWLzK7uxaCsXfnauP2ZJ29gzFM6xtTDo7YD_Z6HIyuN/s320/DSC_0423.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>My Mama loves me a whole bunch!!! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaY0Lzt17v_Lrp_LA0LBeb3hjGjLfF5dC35rJXiVi17-GbKiHADCkhtRaJyrOdmqx4G5xrxtK25I7ePRO5nPu8-Y8l5AtmaGZjtNJQpDZLk_dK9fQblhyGLz6zcNXNmG7KC4Q4bzdlC__S/s1600/DSC_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaY0Lzt17v_Lrp_LA0LBeb3hjGjLfF5dC35rJXiVi17-GbKiHADCkhtRaJyrOdmqx4G5xrxtK25I7ePRO5nPu8-Y8l5AtmaGZjtNJQpDZLk_dK9fQblhyGLz6zcNXNmG7KC4Q4bzdlC__S/s320/DSC_0428.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2enC1L1DneN1eIZSDUOm6eZwPoPWJeL7b0jFTmNSGQunLI4GMett4irhpbaoNTXsIbTGvBjpoQ3IprALkt_BTCRH9cw1k2i_89KQusLYa8DqUmtX3zoIih6Gx4Pr-uQuex3TLcB2cZZU/s1600/DSC_0445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2enC1L1DneN1eIZSDUOm6eZwPoPWJeL7b0jFTmNSGQunLI4GMett4irhpbaoNTXsIbTGvBjpoQ3IprALkt_BTCRH9cw1k2i_89KQusLYa8DqUmtX3zoIih6Gx4Pr-uQuex3TLcB2cZZU/s320/DSC_0445.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>My Baba and I fall asleep here a lot!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfOzuiMR7V6VSisZpcjn_S53hnCfwhoQ9zSk0VFdzjD09F0fHBtjkWkRuFXR0qD8hssJM4rFIL9fYk-l9CDRaGAqsYLocyWy7Y17Bw4nhVsZubSJRJ4qU11NNPVz9qX2iGy6cPiH2GDn3/s1600/DSC_0453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfOzuiMR7V6VSisZpcjn_S53hnCfwhoQ9zSk0VFdzjD09F0fHBtjkWkRuFXR0qD8hssJM4rFIL9fYk-l9CDRaGAqsYLocyWy7Y17Bw4nhVsZubSJRJ4qU11NNPVz9qX2iGy6cPiH2GDn3/s320/DSC_0453.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rfOxeT1lEURQoKoarSqmDmp5dHi8LgYDy7Rj518gxnxiV_UI8y6WL8XCBsYkRxq0L3oe3-QIwpIPbSHVepzV29m4ElVqWToMBLztF160F_qXPVHcq98LBQHWq2vtnJMMcGgWuZgU56p2/s1600/DSC_0465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rfOxeT1lEURQoKoarSqmDmp5dHi8LgYDy7Rj518gxnxiV_UI8y6WL8XCBsYkRxq0L3oe3-QIwpIPbSHVepzV29m4ElVqWToMBLztF160F_qXPVHcq98LBQHWq2vtnJMMcGgWuZgU56p2/s320/DSC_0465.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>My friend, Lauren, and I traveled in China together with our families, and she lives in my town!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUk7B2HLwWZLCKNRirllCk2zBvoUn0IRt7kaa0se45cp9V1ENymGQYlEmrR_Ay3sFlIPj-HuBpLidd06F81OaULIN_lhbh7bV8gSs81gCdmiudn1uw-ajmgTo-_o7eCaV0Pfe-b4DnGj46/s1600/DSC_0473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUk7B2HLwWZLCKNRirllCk2zBvoUn0IRt7kaa0se45cp9V1ENymGQYlEmrR_Ay3sFlIPj-HuBpLidd06F81OaULIN_lhbh7bV8gSs81gCdmiudn1uw-ajmgTo-_o7eCaV0Pfe-b4DnGj46/s320/DSC_0473.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Playing Ring Around the Rosies with Lauren at the Chinese Restaurant<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6yz6O2O1foAFKmfEELPvFjyAK92LqiYEbj9OPo9R3SiIoxElGtCypAGu0tyMHlMVUZIASSD3Cr4VWy29TBSdIdtP5QbNSEsyB-L78IwuDQY-xy-VltziQo3fI-QKcCw0bOTAwsC_9vRf/s1600/DSC_0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6yz6O2O1foAFKmfEELPvFjyAK92LqiYEbj9OPo9R3SiIoxElGtCypAGu0tyMHlMVUZIASSD3Cr4VWy29TBSdIdtP5QbNSEsyB-L78IwuDQY-xy-VltziQo3fI-QKcCw0bOTAwsC_9vRf/s320/DSC_0490.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>Celebrating Chinese New Year in my silk dress from China<br />
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I like to put on lots of jewelry!<br />
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<div align="left">I hope you enjoy our pictures from the last few months!</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div>Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-31472953156768747902011-03-06T22:40:00.002-05:002011-03-16T12:52:04.341-04:00Six Months in Our ArmsI know it's been a long time since I've updated, and I apologize for that. So much has happened in the last six months. So much has happened since I last updated, that I couldn't begin to tell it all, but I'll fill you in on a few things, so that you can have an idea how life with Raeanna has been over the last few months.<br />
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Today makes six months since we first held our beautiful, little daughter in our arms. What an amazing journey it has been! She has grown a whopping 5 inches and gained 9 pounds since that day in September. She has blossomed from a child who was very much like an 18 month old baby to a child who seems to be about 3 years old. We celebrated her birthday on February 14th with her brothers, sister, and Adam's mother, even though we didn't know how many candles to put on the cake. Hopefully, the doctors will decide on a birthdate sometime in the near future, and we'll have a big party for her then. <br />
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It really has been awhile! We had a wonderful first Thanksgiving and Christmas with her! She was so excited to celebrate everything. We went to Mississippi for both holidays, and she loved spending time with all of her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She absolutely LOVED Santa Claus! She figured out early what that man was all about! When she saw him, she went to him with open arms for him to hold her in his lap. <br />
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The first week in January, we went to Cincinnati Children's for testing. We drove everyday for a week to have tests done that week. They had to give her general anesthesia on two of the days, and they kindly let me hold her until she was asleep. Even so, she knew something was up and got really upset at the sight of the doctors and hospital bed, etc. I miraculously held it together until she was unconscious, and then proceeded to lose it. When I looked up, every nurse on the hall was wiping tears. Anyone would've had to be a cold-hearted person not to be affected by her. At the end of the week, she seemed to be more secure than ever that we were going to be there for her, and that she could count on that. For the first time since we got her, she wanted to go play in the nursery at church, and she was okay with us leaving her there to go to church. We never left before because she wasn't ready to be separated from us, but after being there everyday in the labs and surgery recovery rooms, she somehow felt more secure now that we would be back for her. I never thought such a traumatic experience would do that! She still tells me "You come too," when I take her to the nursery, but when I explain that I'm going to church and she can come with me or stay and play while I go to church, she chooses to go play.<br />
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Raeanna has become quite the active little girl. She loves to "play ball" as she says, run and play, and explore everything. She plays well with toys now and with other children, (two things she didn't do in the beginning.)<br />
She has a great imagination. She loves her kitchen set and her dolls and her farm animals. She watched <em>Elmo </em>and <em>Tinkerbell</em> over and over again for awhile. Now it's <em>Finding Nemo</em>. <br />
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We got some good news and some bad news from the colorectal doctors in Cincinnati. She was one of only 3 children they had ever seen from China that didn't need a redo of the surgery done in China. We were so relieved that she didn't need to have that surgery done, because it required a 10 day stay in the hospital with no food by mouth for the whole time. Given her food issues, that was something I was really dreading. By the way, she doesn't eat nearly as much as she did, but it's still a lot for a little girl. She also doesn't have any of the urinary or female problems that children born with her condition tend to have. Very good news! The bad news was that a part of her colon had been removed in China. For children born in this country like her, they don't remove it anymore. That was the way it was done over 30 years ago here. It will require us to help her practice careful bowel management, but hopefully and prayerfully, it will be easy to control. She will have surgery in July, after Katey's wedding, to repair her abdominal scar and the hernia in it.<br />
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Katey and Adam are getting married on July 2nd. He proposed in Mississippi the day after Christmas. Raeanna has really enjoyed shopping for the wedding. She was so excited to try on "pretty dressies." She's a girly girl in so many ways, but yet she loves trucks and legos. <br />
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Raeanna tells me "Mama, Jixiao's happy!", and it absolutely melts my heart everytime she says it. She wakes up happy in the morning, with a "good morning, Mommy!" She's happy most of the time, but she screams and cries when she doesn't get her way and could probably go on for hours, but we can usually distract her with something else. This morning she did her usual giggling and sillyness and suddenly got a really serious look on her face. She looked into my eyes, and said "I love you." She tells us she loves us all the time, but this morning, it was so heartfelt and serious. Soooo sweet! She's very affectionate, freely giving hugs and kisses to her mama and baba everyday. She truly seems very happy. She has always said "mama" a million times a day, but for some reason, I have become "mommy" over the past few weeks. It has been and still is music to my ears.<br />
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Raeanna loves to sing. She sings at the top of her lungs. She sings "Happy Birthday," "Jesus Loves Me" and "ABCs." Her latest song has been Justin Bieber's "Baby, Baby." She gets the little guitar and sings "Baby" over and over again.<br />
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I know I've said it before, but we've been so blessed beyond words to have Raeanna in our family. There are so many children, just like her, who need families. I know it doesn't always go as well for adoptive families as it has for us, and it's not always easy to open your heart and your home to a child. Sometimes the adjustment period can be hard, but if you feel that you're being called to adopt, please check into it. If you have any questions about it, feel free to contact me. I would love to help you along the way.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There's so much more I could share, but I know you'd probably like to see pictures of her more, so I'll post several pictures. For some reason, my pictures won't all upload, so I'll upload on a separate post. Hopefully, it won't be so long before my next post! :)</div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpNtHQBYLOzGaQwunUxG7ZQaDv-NOGrstG5_XDFRN4E13xzOuklW-raTYLYoQqWDMvSYbQVhh6frHZI2cAagnl88gt9W3x_Vm7wOjb5PCV4XEVsf3qLVPN0z1IoCa7IBeCTpg3bj9IF2k/s1600/raechristmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpNtHQBYLOzGaQwunUxG7ZQaDv-NOGrstG5_XDFRN4E13xzOuklW-raTYLYoQqWDMvSYbQVhh6frHZI2cAagnl88gt9W3x_Vm7wOjb5PCV4XEVsf3qLVPN0z1IoCa7IBeCTpg3bj9IF2k/s320/raechristmas.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken the day after Thanksgiving for her announcement by her Aunt Mary Jo</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-49767229258272570882010-12-06T16:19:00.001-05:002010-12-06T16:35:51.073-05:00Please Help Myah and her Family Get to New York for Needed Surgery by VotingMonday, December 6, 2010<br />
I copied/pasted this from her blog. Myah lives in Florida. She was adopted from China and has serious health issues. She's endured many surgeries. I've spoken with her Mom on the phone, and even though I've never met her in person, I know Myah is an amazing little girl, with a beautiful, fighting spirit. She needs to go to New York to have a tumor removed from her abdomen. Please help them by voting at the address listed below. You have to register, but it doesn't cost anything, and you can vote everyday. Please help them! They can win 4 free plane tickets to New York for the surgery if they get the most votes.<br />
Thank you!<br />
<a href="http://family.go.com/toilet-tale-contest/finalists-toilet/wait--wait--not-there--41962/">http://family.go.com/toilet-tale-contest/finalists-toilet/wait--wait--not-there--41962/</a><br />
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The following is taken from Rina's blog:<br />
"VOTE PLEASE ! <br />
<img height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCv8kjhbNrkxAu0IEUabTOheUqCMV284QzXmjxl6WjO-GMrusOarTKT8z3X4aaaeICKGwdVFdaSbOx_dJj6hs7gTiB3e_9IBLZSf55LyZkPScLRdCYAa0Kw5XF1C_nkgA94p-ZWpwNP8/s400/myah+tumor+001.JPG" width="400" /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiid0n-9zMw0p-5jm55o6MXQMDFPrZSy58Pf-VUf9lWYcd_Munbpbsgt5_gDgGbKusJWIh0v4E72YCTeK5MeWI20BBlqtoBiqbpWfbUGxf6lx7pyU3WEX79gdPDa6qOaJg12mfJGabcbcI/s1600/myah+tumor+006.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547611785466071410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiid0n-9zMw0p-5jm55o6MXQMDFPrZSy58Pf-VUf9lWYcd_Munbpbsgt5_gDgGbKusJWIh0v4E72YCTeK5MeWI20BBlqtoBiqbpWfbUGxf6lx7pyU3WEX79gdPDa6qOaJg12mfJGabcbcI/s400/myah+tumor+006.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 268px; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Ok Myah had 3 hrs emergency surgery on sunday. the tumor seemed to work itself through her stomach. She is a trooper sitting up in her bed, 2 drains in her stomach and a morphine drip..more surgery to follow...<br />
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I need the help from my bloggers...PLEASE VOTE....we have 7 days of voting left. I am in 2nd place for winning 4 tickets to NYC..exactly where Myah needs to go to see her surgeon. We need to offset expenses and this is GOD sent..but I need votes...everyday for 7 days..<br />
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Please post to your blogs and Facebook...help us get there....need help..PLEASE I NEED VOTES....<br />
Vote for my story..its 4 round trip airline tickets to NY..how ironic thatI am a finalist for this prize since Myah needs to go see her surgeons there..<br />
we need to win this ..and its done by votes..<br />
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Please have your friends/family and church members vote every day for 7 days...<br />
My stories name is WAIT WAIT NOT THERE....Please help me spearhead this <br />
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<a href="http://family.go.com/toilet-tale-contest/finalists-toilet/wait--wait--not-there--41962/">http://family.go.com/toilet-tale-contest/finalists-toilet/wait--wait--not-there--41962/</a><br />
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Posted by Rina at 8:42 AM Friday, December 3, 2010<br />
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Update <br />
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Myah has been hospitalized due to the vascular tumor and its size.Its very close to her spleen. Trying to treat the infection before any surgery can be done...plus it doesnt help that I am at "Saint Mary's" Childrens Hospital and every doctor and their mother is off for Hanukkah.<br />
Please Please remember to vote (see my entry below this one)..We need votes folks... "Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-7974728760765733262010-11-01T14:09:00.003-04:002010-11-01T14:17:41.373-04:00Our Little Lady Bug<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglt1SL_wZG_L5KHN2WTR-gimncQIhisLNnVGwZ4a08XTYWDeTK0__ROVwjxHirK1QGssN3rAri-mpBZ81dhZU8pKWAnomSkQi_tGdETmNZTxyZJ_dP_2LXeeCgDPRZ5nb3OGf5PV9fKnYI/s1600/caderae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglt1SL_wZG_L5KHN2WTR-gimncQIhisLNnVGwZ4a08XTYWDeTK0__ROVwjxHirK1QGssN3rAri-mpBZ81dhZU8pKWAnomSkQi_tGdETmNZTxyZJ_dP_2LXeeCgDPRZ5nb3OGf5PV9fKnYI/s400/caderae.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ge Ge and Mei Mei Making Faces at Each Other</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neighbors and Friends</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjShMYI6GrO80yRUDHp-CdMWyiSv45azTRr3VjrzF65xTPgWDdobJpa5fwS8sLsGxG6Fwb1zrNrMKcy5QC8ViHX6Bwn7ehoJnVJI-PVYUW0EzuzkzcUhyphenhyphen3vR_HSimqVDn4f1HNjx3lihLQ/s1600/ladybug10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjShMYI6GrO80yRUDHp-CdMWyiSv45azTRr3VjrzF65xTPgWDdobJpa5fwS8sLsGxG6Fwb1zrNrMKcy5QC8ViHX6Bwn7ehoJnVJI-PVYUW0EzuzkzcUhyphenhyphen3vR_HSimqVDn4f1HNjx3lihLQ/s400/ladybug10.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not Too Sure About This</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuKMxZYjq2BnUofW-JsCrAYmU6sgcrYePMgj_Yy4X8b4Zjabcwv_59FiitRweipORKKGi9evHsNhBkshIWtZCP98TMNdSHncCcg7TlvIA1ju9d6jzAI-TFSB8rwBG7fKKuO_TDqQzMmp4/s1600/ladybugpumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuKMxZYjq2BnUofW-JsCrAYmU6sgcrYePMgj_Yy4X8b4Zjabcwv_59FiitRweipORKKGi9evHsNhBkshIWtZCP98TMNdSHncCcg7TlvIA1ju9d6jzAI-TFSB8rwBG7fKKuO_TDqQzMmp4/s400/ladybugpumpkin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ba Ba and Raeanna Carved a Pumpkin</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwfu82s1EoqMNOwjqLaJT4DXMm2t6kriIf96RvqkFSCBs0ro0eY6FEevXaTySsm5n9DHGk1Gdopl8h56KasQG9-bNjmnoO16xr54S1XOtPjWqeoEhYnGcWSVj_JdYwGjjOTe9qyagZFPy/s1600/ladybugrae3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwfu82s1EoqMNOwjqLaJT4DXMm2t6kriIf96RvqkFSCBs0ro0eY6FEevXaTySsm5n9DHGk1Gdopl8h56KasQG9-bNjmnoO16xr54S1XOtPjWqeoEhYnGcWSVj_JdYwGjjOTe9qyagZFPy/s400/ladybugrae3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9T_Kd4eECUdAzmuokWBoP0bITEK9RTJLqSVuBuBt2L-DNoqtlAOawdIXlEcX61Z_FxckRD1ktAsbsJDZmk1YuhseWrgk0QiJPoH0ooNOSOqgnheBA3Ozjse_SHSgpFpecUGtz6YmESzB/s1600/ladybugrae2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9T_Kd4eECUdAzmuokWBoP0bITEK9RTJLqSVuBuBt2L-DNoqtlAOawdIXlEcX61Z_FxckRD1ktAsbsJDZmk1YuhseWrgk0QiJPoH0ooNOSOqgnheBA3Ozjse_SHSgpFpecUGtz6YmESzB/s400/ladybugrae2010.jpg" width="327" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Fun After All!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCMEQTWbbvQnOG5g7fFvM3FPycIhMBnzs8sQXilXiBiZbMErYFaDoc_RWHcTr0XpuB7RmPxYIb1hJkzj8YN_mTMJHci-URZNbIAvuNUOqsK0yPzV57X49KnX9cHDR_Xjd-KC3ZKtttBXG/s1600/sadladybug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCMEQTWbbvQnOG5g7fFvM3FPycIhMBnzs8sQXilXiBiZbMErYFaDoc_RWHcTr0XpuB7RmPxYIb1hJkzj8YN_mTMJHci-URZNbIAvuNUOqsK0yPzV57X49KnX9cHDR_Xjd-KC3ZKtttBXG/s400/sadladybug.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-11158025935000594162010-10-10T23:25:00.003-04:002010-10-12T21:54:23.250-04:00Cade's 16th Birthday and Our One Month Forever Family Day AnniversaryOctober 6th was Cade's Sweet Sixteen birthday. It was also the one month anniversary of when we got Raeanna in Shanghai. Wow! What a month! <br />
Raeanna is such a joy. It's so awesome to see how God prepared her heart for us, and us for her. We've been "Mama" and " Baba" to her since the moment she first saw us, and she calls for us anytime she gets out of view. She has a pleasant little personality most of the time. She wants her whole family together, surrounding her, and when we're scattered in the house, she does a little "come here" motion with her fingers to us to get us where she wants us. Is she bossy? YES! Is she demanding? YES! Does she mettle and plunder and make messes? YESSS! Is she sweet, adorable, loving, lovable and just plain precious? YESSSSSS! She's only been with us a month, and it seems like she's always been a part of our family. She requires constant supervision, because she is like a 2 year old and no where near a 4 year old. She holds her little arms straight out when she wants to be picked up. Who can resist that? Certainly not any of us. I'm tired, and my back hurts from lifting and carrying her. After all, I'm old enough to be her grandmother. But, I wouldn't change a thing. I would do it over in a heartbeat; without hesitation. She is a very loved little girl.<br />
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I got a phone call from the nurse at the University of Kentucky International Adoption doctor with the results of the tests. I will receive the report sometime this week. The nurse said that the renal ultrasound was normal, her spine was normal, and her bloodwork was all normal. The bonescan of the growth plates indicated she is a little over 2 years, instead of 4.5 years old. I'll know more when I get the report.<br />
We're going to a pediatric dentist tomorrow, and they're supposed to to do a dental age assessment. <br />
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Brett came home from Mississippi College last weekend for Fall Break. At first, Raeanna wasn't too friendly, but then she got attached to him. By Sunday, I knew she was going to have a really hard time when he left. I took him to the airport on Tuesday. She was asleep when we got there, so she wasn't quite sure what to think, but as we walked back to the car, she started calling for him. She calls him "du du" for ge ge.<br />
She said it over and over again like a broken-record. When we started driving out of the parking garage, it got faster and louder. I don't know if she thought I was leaving him behind or what. As we entered the highway, she went to pieces! She screamed and cried all the way to Cade's school, which was about 30 minutes away. She finally calmed down when Cade got in the car, but she still had the turned down mouth for a while. She skyped with Brett that night, and I think that really helped. She wouldn't stop leaning over and kissing his face on the computer screen. Really sweet! She got upset the next day when we left Cade at school, but she's been okay with that since. <br />
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Raeanna still wants a lot on her plate, but she doesn't eat much of it. She just wants to know it's there, in case she wants it. She'd much rather it be on her plate than anyone elses.<br />
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We got the disposable cameras developed that I had sent to the orphanage. The children living in her group were all age 2 and under. She was very loving toward the children. In several pictures, she was hugging or had her arm around another child. There is one little girl in particular that I can't get off my heart. She's in the pictures with Raeanna from December to July, and she always looks so sad. She looks like she may be Russian and maybe Chinese mixed, but it's hard to tell. She and Raeanna were obviously friends, and they were always hugging. She may be in the process of being adopted, but I want to find out, and if she's not, I want to help find her a family. I would love to be able to keep in touch with whoever adopts her for Raeanna and for her. I would adopt her myself if I thought it was the right thing to do, but I really feel like it would be better for someone else to adopt her, so I can focus on Raeanna and solving her health issues.<br />
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Some of the pictures I tried to post last time didn't upload, so I'll post them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQWnZ3itlVXr-WMI93RW_LQscnddef2jixtrLK3SqTWhc0d5WP0uOQGB2veDBFWQ50BYdbM7MzrzfOdvnTRdekxeQmyx4ryha09-K70UH0qPYM4spfCguStXFWL8UQOBTZ_lW_-qXkRuy/s1600/gegebrettrae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQWnZ3itlVXr-WMI93RW_LQscnddef2jixtrLK3SqTWhc0d5WP0uOQGB2veDBFWQ50BYdbM7MzrzfOdvnTRdekxeQmyx4ryha09-K70UH0qPYM4spfCguStXFWL8UQOBTZ_lW_-qXkRuy/s400/gegebrettrae.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boy, do I love my duh duh!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxhQXORXTflFmOJNl0uYvxIJcsV1WD1u3JhRibNxEz0AwLKxLlxaOrtYVqgfU0Do19mkHhLk7Tq2BXyZg4zEpkCXrOA1NKNCYVhYVrjepxqFXpJ0D4jTPsOeKdkosz8EdH-giCvclLQP4/s1600/happybdaycade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxhQXORXTflFmOJNl0uYvxIJcsV1WD1u3JhRibNxEz0AwLKxLlxaOrtYVqgfU0Do19mkHhLk7Tq2BXyZg4zEpkCXrOA1NKNCYVhYVrjepxqFXpJ0D4jTPsOeKdkosz8EdH-giCvclLQP4/s400/happybdaycade.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Boy, do I love my other duh duh, Cade!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mxKtoKBpxlJQJbMttBrw73kDcZx5cDfNPfK1R5DK1AxpoY2rqYH_uh02bQOz-_emJgeMlqzEJ-Tklko2h9aPgPAg2uozRy4ANzApkT33JmfKgRgrM1TsJyc-P1nwQH4OE6RLrJS6oHNU/s1600/homeatlast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mxKtoKBpxlJQJbMttBrw73kDcZx5cDfNPfK1R5DK1AxpoY2rqYH_uh02bQOz-_emJgeMlqzEJ-Tklko2h9aPgPAg2uozRy4ANzApkT33JmfKgRgrM1TsJyc-P1nwQH4OE6RLrJS6oHNU/s400/homeatlast.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking out the China Hotel window at Guangzhou</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brett, trying to fasten the carseat!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to leave the China Hotel and go to the airport to go home at 5:30am.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisters!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting to go to the airport in the hotel lobby</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peacefully asleep in the lounge chair at home</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijr1WvIqxWZ6YhQ6UMsLRsWNoSVTgccUfFCEp2JozkA9Bl8PsE76nXNdQ4N4SGuPn6mbfQA6deKMISavloTZSXLRt_ENcu7yB04ZkjG-aV9VafHaVv7qgSFeOsWjjvb8AqXKEg35WE2DV/s1600/fishsoupatcantoneserestaurant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijr1WvIqxWZ6YhQ6UMsLRsWNoSVTgccUfFCEp2JozkA9Bl8PsE76nXNdQ4N4SGuPn6mbfQA6deKMISavloTZSXLRt_ENcu7yB04ZkjG-aV9VafHaVv7qgSFeOsWjjvb8AqXKEg35WE2DV/s400/fishsoupatcantoneserestaurant.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish Soup in Guangzhou at a Cantonese/Portuguese Restaurant<br />
Everyone sits at a big round table with a lazy susan. One guy in our group ordered many dishes for everyone, and this was one of them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-60582202064858756692010-10-04T00:05:00.000-04:002010-10-04T00:05:46.612-04:00FIrst Two Weeks Home<div align="left"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's been a wonderful, blessed, amazing, and exhausting two weeks! After we recovered from the virus, we still had jet lag to get over, but it finally subsided. Raeanna got so tired of staying in the house that she led me to the car and to her carseat. She realized that riding in it was the only way she'd get to go somewhere, so she decided the carseat wasn't so bad after all! She LOVES "Shopping!" She puts stuff in our cart that we pass along the way. We really have to watch her with that.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left">Raeanna has seemed so at home since the night we walked in the door. Bedtime is still a little difficult, but getting better all the time. It took over a week to get her in bed before midnight, but I think that was because of the time change. We take food to bed with us. She doesn't always eat it, but it helps her somehow to know it's there. She still doesn't like the lights to be turned out, but a cellphone light seems to satisfy her until she falls out asleep. I don't even try to take her shoes off anymore. It makes her mad and wakes her up too easily, so she sleeps with her shoes on every night. She only takes naps in the car or sometimes on the couch when she falls asleep playing or when I'm rocking her, but she wakes up if I try to move her.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">We took her to our church last Sunday and today. She made it through the music part of the service before we had to go to the cry room. The cry room was great! It's a sound proof room and window on the 2nd floor that overlooks the congregation. She stood on a chair with her hands on the glass and watched everyone. Today, we made it through the whole service without going out, but she wouldn't let me hold her because she seemed afraid I would take her out.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Raeanna gets excited when we pick up Cade from school. When she sees him, she starts saying,"Ge ge" and pointing. It's so sweet to see the two of them gazing and smiling at each other in the back seat. </div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">She loves her bath now that we are home! She hated it in China. She doesn't want to get out now. </div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">She loves pretty clothes. She stands in front of the mirror and admires herself in new clothes. So precious! She's playing with toys more and more, but she still won't watch a tv show or play with toys for very long.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Raeanna still has some issues with food. She has gotten better, but she still wants everything on her plate. She also wants what is on everyone else's plate on hers, but she doesn't eat nearly as much of it as she did. She has gained 5 pounds since September 6th. That's quite a bit when you are 22 pounds to begin with. She loves several southern dishes, such as Red Beans and Rice and grits. We took her to a football game Friday night, and she was totally uninterested in everything to do with the game. What she watched nonstop was all the people eating. She would stare at them. The doctor told us to let her eat whatever she wants, and only slow her down if she begins to eat more than 2 grown men. She said these food issues usually subside in about 6 months. </div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">I took her to the pediatrician last week. Dr. Robson held her close, and he was so sweet with her. He was very taken by her. She was not too scared, but she got mad when they pricked her finger, looked in her ears, and took off her shoes.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">I took her to the International Adoption doctor in Lexington at the University of Kentucky. When she looked around and saw that she was in a hospital, she got very upset. The doctor ran several tests. It was a very long day. Our appointment was at 10:30 and we left at 4:00. They drew 10 vials of blood, took xrays, and did a renal ultrasound. The doctor said the same thing we've been convinced of since we got her. She said that there's no way she is four years old. She thinks she is closer to two years old and that her records were made up. She xrayed the growth plates, and she's sending us to a pediatric dentist for a dental age assessment. She said that we'd xray those plates again in a year and make a decision as to what age she is at that time. She assessed her at 24 to 26 months, but said that she may be 3 at most because of being institutionalized in an orphanage. </div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">People from our church have been very kind, bringing us meals to help us while we recovered from the trip and being sick and adjusted to having a little one again. One family that came had a 19 month old little girl, and she was actually taller and stronger than Raeanna. However, Raeanna is getting stronger everyday. She has begun to climb stairs that were impossible for her just a few days ago.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Right now, she is upstairs with Brett and Cade. They were watching a Nick Jr. show, with singing and dancing. They walked up to the balcony, and she was dancing and singing a song with Cade about something being "Yummy in her tummy." I sooo wish I had the video camera on when they did that!</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Raeanna doesn't want Mama ever too far away. In fact, she starts calling me if I step in another room. She wants all of us with her all the time, but because I'm the one who's the main caretaker, she never wants me out of her sight. Katey and Adam took her for a wagon ride a couple of days ago. She was so torn because she wanted me to go with her. I told her she could go with them or she could stay with me in the house. She went, but she looked at me with the most sad look over her shoulder. She got okay soon, but she kept calling for me. I'm not going to leave her with anyone for quite a while, but since it was her sister, and she was taking her out to do something she was really wanting to do, I felt like it would be good for her to see I would be here when she got back.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">She loves to hug my leg when I'm cooking, and begs to be picked up. Even though she is little, she gets very heavy, but I try to hold her whenever I can. When she sleeps, she puts her head on my side and holds it there with force until she falls asleep. I guess she's hoping to keep me from going anywhere by doing that. She's very cuddly, but very independent. She likes to help me empty the dishwasher. She hands me dishes and points to where they go. If she can reach, she puts them away.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Raeanna is learning English pretty well. She repeats words we say, and she seems to understand most everything we say. For instance, the nurse told her to go stand by the door so she could take her picture. She walked straight over to the door. It even shocked the nurse that she understood her. We're teaching her to count. She really listens when the little girls who are our neighbors talk to her, and she repeats what they say. She seems fascinated with little girls who are older than her.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">We're enjoying every minute with her. I think she is quite secure in the fact that she is loved by her family. She seems to love her Mama, Baba, ge ge's, and jie jie. She calls Adam ge ge, too.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">We're very grateful for the prayers from everyone. God has been so amazing throughout this entire journey! He orchestrated everything so perfectly, by leading us to her a little over a year ago. He made clear the path He wanted, and He worked out every detail. Raeanna was so prepared for us and us for her. There wasn't really an adjustment period. She was waiting for us to get there. It's been absolutely amazing how things have worked out! We'll continue to need your prayers and God's power as we face at least one surgery with her in the near future, and as she overcomes issues related to being in an orphanage. </div><div align="left"><br />
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</div><div align="left">`</div>Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-19320924239156689892010-09-25T22:45:00.001-04:002010-09-25T22:47:50.149-04:00Our Last Days in Guangzhou and the Trip Home!I know this is a long time in coming. It's going to be a long one!<br />
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We've had a hard week. We got home last Friday night on September 17th, but we got sick Saturday night.<br />
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I'll start where I left off before.<br />
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I was going to the Pearl Market with the women on Thursday morning in Guangzhou. That didn't happen. Bob woke up sick during the night on Wednesday night. It was pretty bad, so I decided to stay with him in the room for most of the day Thursday. He certainly wasn't able to watch Raeanna. He was going to have to go outside and walk with her to keep her from crying when I left, and he was too sick for that. We stayed in the room most of the day, but Cade and I decided we needed to go get some things at the store, and Bob said he was going too, so we took a cab to Carrefour. It's a store, similar to Walmart, but on several floors. It has escalators with an incline and you take the shopping cart up and down on it. We enjoyed it. Because it was just us this time, we weren't in a rush. We looked at the strange meat just hanging all over the meat department. There was chicken hanging with no refrigeration and then some really strange looking meats. There were different types of rice in bins, and you bought it by the kilo. We bought a few Chinese dvds for Raeanna. After the store, we went to a Kentucky Fried Chicken. The french fries are good. The chicken sandwich has dark meat, instead of the white meat and it looks pink, so I couldn't eat it. Bob wouldn't eat anything. <br />
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We rode the subway back to the hotel. That was interesting. I don't know what we would've done on this trip without Cade. Bob and Cade carried the stroller together down so many sets of stairs in China. I was standing and holding on to the pole in the subway car when I noticed this young girl staring at my wedding rings with her face just a few inches from them. She was looking over the details carefully. She leaned forward, and said "That Chinese baby?" I told her yes, and she asked me lots of questions about adoption and how I found out about Raeanna. I complimented her on her English speaking ability, and she told me that English was easy to learn. It was nice to talk to her. Most of the people, mostly older women, would come up to Raeanna and lean down and look her over. We don't know exactly what it was about, but wondered if they were trying to figure out if something was wrong with her. They seemed to admire her. Not long after we got back to the hotel, Susan, our wonderful guide, came back with Raeanna's visa and paperwork to travel to the USA. Yippee!!! She invited us to go with the group to eat at a Cantonese/Portuguese restaurant in a neighboring hotel, so we went. It was Cantonese style with the huge lazy susan in the middle. They ordered for the group, and we had some interesting food on the table. One of the dishes they ordered was fish soup. It had the whole fish in it. It's mouth was open, and it was looking at us. Raeanna threw a fit for it. I tried to give her some, but it was full of little fine fish bones, so she couldn't have it. We had a nice time visiting with the other families, and then we stopped at a little mall on the walk back to the hotel. After that, we went back to the room to pack up to go home!!! I wondered if she thought that hotel room was our home. It had to be confusing for her. <br />
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Our flight left Guangzhou at 6:00am Friday morning. The bellboys arrived to our room at 5:30am to take our luggage, and we met the guide in the hotel lobby. She brought little breakfast boxes for us from the hotel, since we left before they started serving. The bus took us to the airport. Raeanna didn't get happy until daylight broke, but she was fine after that. She started breaking into the breakfast boxes. By the time we got our luggage checked in and on through security, she had eaten 2 boiled eggs, 2 bananas, and several sweet rolls. <br />
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Bob and Cade were sitting behind Raeanna and me on the first flight, and she didn't like that at all! She screamed when I put the seat belt on her and again when we took off. She settled down after that, but couldn't wait to get to "Baba." He held her, and they let him use a baby lap seat belt for the landing on this flight. That helped very much. She didn''t get upset when we landed while she was in his lap. <br />
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When we got to Beijing, it was raining, and the plane didn't pull up to a gate. We got off in the parking lot, and onto a shuttle bus. We went to International Transfers, but our stroller didn't make it. Bob went to go get the stroller. Thankfully, he gave us our passports and boarding passes before he did, and took his with him. He couldn't get back to us. We sat there for about an hour. I finally went up to the desk to ask where he would've gone. I could just see him held up by security somewhere or something. She told me that he couldn't come back there from baggage claim, which is where he had to go to get it. I panicked at this point, since we had no cell phones or any way to communicate. She told me how to go to the gate and that we would probably meet up with him there. So, Cade and Raeanna and I made our way through security officers, lugging all the backpacks and an unconfined little girl, who wanted to go her own way. Then I heard Bob yell my name. I was really glad to hear that! He had been begging security to let him get to us, and they wouldn't budge. He had gotten them to finally call the international transfer desk, but we had already left. He was relieved to see us, too! He said he found the stroller in the Lost and Found. They asked him what we were wearing and when he tried to explain to them that Raeanna had on pink, they didn't know what pink was. So frustrating and scary to be separated at a foreign airport like that!! We rode a train to the right place and went through security. Security is very tight Beijing! They scanned us and scanned Raeanna. When they finished with her, she went back through the detector, and I had to go through to get her. By this time, I had my purse back, so I set everything off. Fortunately for me, they laughed. In our airports, you can buy water after you're on the other side of security, but not there. They took my expensive water bottles right at the gate of the plane. They searched our carryons AGAIN! Oh well, at least we knew we were safe! Raeanna was asleep before takeoff this time, and slept all but about 30 minutes of the 12 hour flight. During that 30 minutes, she was sick and throwing up, so we were very thankful that she slept. She had a little fever, too. Cade's seat was down the aisle from us. She didn't like that. She motioned for him to come when she woke up and saw that he wasn't with us. Sooo cute! She's well aware that we're a unit, and we belong together!<br />
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We got to Chicago, and Raeanna became an American citizen! We went through immigration and customs with hundreds of others. We were sent through special lines, so it didn't take as long as it could've taken. We had to take our luggage through to go to Louisville. One of the airport officers showing everyone where to put their luggage leaned over to look at her, then looked up at me, and said "Guard her with your life." Kind of scared me a bit! <br />
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After all of that, we found our gate and changed clothes and freshened up as best we could. We found a restaurant. It was probably the best cheeseburger in the world, and we could have ice in our drink!!!! I love America!!!! Everyone in the restaurant had a good time talking to Raeanna, and then we were off again. Only one short 45 minute plane trip and we would be back in Louisville! They wouldn't let us have a baby lap belt on this plane or on the one from Beijing because she's over 2. It didn't matter how small she is. Once again, she fell asleep before take off and slept through it. She woke up when they started talking right before landing and screamed until we came to a stop.<br />
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Brett flew in from Jackson, MS, so he was at the airport waiting for us, along with Katey and Kathi Henri. It was soooo good to see them! Raeanna smiled for them, and she knew they were ge ge(big brother) and jie jie(big sister). She HATED the carseat and cried all the way home. Once we got there, she was so happy! She walked in, looked around, and then it was as though she realized, "Hey!, This is my home!" She started happily feeding everyone her Cheerios, and I was too tired to realize what I was letting happen. BIG MISTAKE! I'm quite certain that is how Katey, Brett, and I ingested the virus. We all got sick at the same hour about 14 hours later.<br />
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Since this post is already so long, I'll post again in the next couple of days about our first week at home. I want to document it for her, as well as let you all know how things are going, so I promise, I will post about it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsj9xctDXPDkD-h9cta9OCDhPZkGKaZDTxfoyvldHfx3PrKizKNBOS8B4MAt5mz3HOPdwFy2k-EP4qe2wqk6jgJwCMSFsXMwcClzKGm4Z7Y5xpyfiYdttrVdNBfBHx20jtC8CsdpAmUsZJ/s1600/DSCF1637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsj9xctDXPDkD-h9cta9OCDhPZkGKaZDTxfoyvldHfx3PrKizKNBOS8B4MAt5mz3HOPdwFy2k-EP4qe2wqk6jgJwCMSFsXMwcClzKGm4Z7Y5xpyfiYdttrVdNBfBHx20jtC8CsdpAmUsZJ/s400/DSCF1637.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-9397227331604906052010-09-20T23:13:00.000-04:002010-09-20T23:13:27.766-04:00We are home from China!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I know it seems like we've fallen off the face of the earth, but we've been really sick since we got home. As my dear friend Beverly called it, it's like Montezuma's Revenge or would it be Mao Zedong's Revenge? I'll give a more detailed update tomorrow of the last few days in China and of Raeanna's homecoming. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div>Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-29073072355941786092010-09-15T10:43:00.000-04:002010-09-15T10:43:43.094-04:00The Oath at the American ConsulateToday, we took an oath at the American Consulate that basically said that everything we've done to reach this point was true, and that the information on our child was true, etc. etc. The room was filled with American families adopting children of all ages. There was a boy who was being adopted that had just turned 14 this week. When a child in China turns 14, he or she is no longer eligble for adoption, so he got a forever family just in time. Praise the Lord for that! I think they said there were 45 families taking the oath today. Our consulate appointment was yesterday, but all we did was stay in the room in case the guide needed any information. She went to it, and she took care of everything. <br />
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Yesterday, we went to a museum called Chen Lineage Hall. The weather turned really bad suddenly, so we didn't get to stay long, but it was very interesting to see the alley ways leading to it, and the art they were creating in the museum.<br />
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We went to McDonald's a couple of nights ago, and Bob and I both ordered chicken mcnuggets, and we got Raeanna a happy meal. She decided, as she usually does, that she wanted all three meals. She ate about 9 nuggets plus french fries. Bob and I snuck a few, or she would've eaten more. She doesn't finish everything in front of her, but she wants ALL the food placed in front of her. <br />
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We went out to Shamian Island tonight. Raeanna was so tired already. When she gets tired, she does a little pitiful moan. We walked around the White Swan hotel. The lobby is beautiful there. We shopped at Jordan's, which is a little store owned by a Christian Chinese man who sells souvernirs and such. We then went to eat supper at the Thai Restaurant, the Cow and Bridge, which we had eaten lunch at on Monday. It was the first time I went to a public restroom since I've been here, and yes, they had a squatty potty, and no, I decided not to go in there. I did take a picture, though. When Raeanna was ready to go, I took her out of the high chair. She walked over to Bob and motioned for him to get up and go and snapped an order to him in Chinese. She motioned a couple of times for him to get and go. I don't know what she said exactly, but she made it clear what she wanted him to do!<br />
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We got a taxi to go back to our hotel tonight, and I suppose it's Raeanna's first time in a car at night. She started screaming her little head off. Everytime the driver would stop at a light, she would stop crying. As soon as he took off, so did she. I don't know what's going through her little head, but I really don't think she's going to like the carseat at all! They don't have seatbelts here, and especially not car seats. She wants us to hold her on the bus, so she's really not going to like a car in the US.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We are finished with everything now. We just have to wait here for Raeanna's visa. Our guide will pick it up tomorrow, and we'll get it tomorrow evening. Then, we are free to come home! We are so ready!!!! <br />
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I'm going to the pearl market in the morning with the women in our group. We'll see how Baba does changing a diaper. :) <br />
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We're leaving very early in the morning on Friday. We sleep tonight and tomorrow night, and then we are on our way home!!!!<br />
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Here are a few pictures from the last few days:<br />
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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9s9VDoc3aQUecGLiwZo8tCkJt_1sR8292GByNgE1fHevZ5XXqFHrRNA3exuIpqXhib3s46z0iDUPhUBGH-yeFHUdNer-nQbk10tH0qBsBZGEv1Vi5Se-_8KFDrFjeWL93QLH4EgWrZQG1/s400/mamacaderaewhiteswan.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-76062534001852271902010-09-13T11:25:00.000-04:002010-09-13T11:25:54.480-04:00Praising God!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We went to a church service on Sunday at the Shamian Island Christ Church. I can't even put into words how awesome it was to see Chinese people praising our Lord and Savior. It was a Chinese/English service. We sang a Chinese praise song, and then an English one, and back and forth. One Chinese man had his hands raised and tears streaming during the music. It was such a heartwarming experience. We are 7000 miles away from home, yet we sang the same songs we sing in our church.</div><br />
YOU ARE MY ALL AND ALL<br />
You are my strength when I am weak<br />
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You are the treasure that I seek<br />
You are my all in all<br />
Seeking You as a precious jewel<br />
Lord, to give up I'd be a fool<br />
You are my all in all<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You know the rest of the song. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The other English song we sang was:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Knowing You, Jesus</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">All I once held dear built my life upon</div><br />
All this world reveres, and wars to own<br />
All I once thought gain I have counted loss<br />
Spent and worthless now, compared to this<br />
<br />
Knowing you, Jesus knowing you<br />
There is no greater thing<br />
You're my all you're the best<br />
You're my joy, my righteousness<br />
And I love you ,Lord.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Other than getting our daughter, that was one of the most memorable things we've experienced so far.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We would like to thank all who prayed for Raeanna's TB test results. We found out today that they were negative. The guide thought she might be having a positive reaction due to the fact that she has had a TB vaccination, so she would have antibodies to it. We are praising God that it was negative.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Raeanna is so precious to us. She's amazingly sweet and sassy, as Cade says, all at the same time. She still wants her food and all of ours too in her plate. She is doing a little better with the food issue. I really don't know how she eats so much. She's such a tiny little girl, but she can out eat all of us. I tried to post a video we took today of her eating noodles with chopsticks, but my VPN keeps on disconnecting. I'll try again in the morning. The Chinese people in the restaurant thought she was so hilarious.</div><br />
Our Consulate appointment is tomorrow. In just a few more days, we can head home!Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-4475734320182197052010-09-11T07:56:00.001-04:002010-09-11T08:51:13.119-04:00Hello from Guangzhou!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcy4lVbcYIOjYvAX_dRNkQcrxfcrdE0xAjueznSXmixz6oxRIzjKmPd0dRoPj3TJRYSDcT9ZM279DXFRpb0z6rz-XcQxcDKwwTvaC0OlTvkh2f46RuaaZF9fm3m6xTAhO75wAP5Op43ga/s1600/sweetgirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcy4lVbcYIOjYvAX_dRNkQcrxfcrdE0xAjueznSXmixz6oxRIzjKmPd0dRoPj3TJRYSDcT9ZM279DXFRpb0z6rz-XcQxcDKwwTvaC0OlTvkh2f46RuaaZF9fm3m6xTAhO75wAP5Op43ga/s400/sweetgirl.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Q2SkDCv29oVWFkZyxkK1lq71ufO8iDe3IpZjJVbsQZH-GoajoWk9qwlHlT4MfhglYuOFduJd-JjIMHkDP-ilLDEntWyLDZFOB7TAaCQDztPP-5v3ax0mvBhqMF-re26NU4CS7rZ74x5c/s1600/socool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Q2SkDCv29oVWFkZyxkK1lq71ufO8iDe3IpZjJVbsQZH-GoajoWk9qwlHlT4MfhglYuOFduJd-JjIMHkDP-ilLDEntWyLDZFOB7TAaCQDztPP-5v3ax0mvBhqMF-re26NU4CS7rZ74x5c/s320/socool.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSUKUmWBDRg9OPk5Fe5csIkWX5K5gwh1tD9K_CL13g-j1Q9LDw_I3R3FpIxzbjYoKx9rnJbnZe57gZHW_NIULmKX6OQhEN0780tuuh12CQJkxqKFHDYctYJlJfinKmSwgxnw1hjj51Dvv/s1600/idon'tliketotakeofforlandonairplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSUKUmWBDRg9OPk5Fe5csIkWX5K5gwh1tD9K_CL13g-j1Q9LDw_I3R3FpIxzbjYoKx9rnJbnZe57gZHW_NIULmKX6OQhEN0780tuuh12CQJkxqKFHDYctYJlJfinKmSwgxnw1hjj51Dvv/s320/idon'tliketotakeofforlandonairplanes.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LrHbtHt_-oq-epz2scfaxnklshxMz5Q8dTOX5ZrxiSFTp4rTG1ZGWrzzNG2IXSGa4D_PpMKFONHPlxYLq5K0Mq9gtPUr0AHQpJGqeVJi9gCGlk7F41wEaFk-848MDzSHraic3ORLpjiN/s1600/medicalcliniconshamianisland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LrHbtHt_-oq-epz2scfaxnklshxMz5Q8dTOX5ZrxiSFTp4rTG1ZGWrzzNG2IXSGa4D_PpMKFONHPlxYLq5K0Mq9gtPUr0AHQpJGqeVJi9gCGlk7F41wEaFk-848MDzSHraic3ORLpjiN/s320/medicalcliniconshamianisland.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGeL09wI4gSzIdOuUEL38eUtVYI6gSqqvXhutqHqkRk438N_WJn9g_Q2d2DcxCGpXkQPGsQGi3H46wuUWbQf5z9-avHxD64D7Y7QvNpF3Z_CXB6Vs009m23YJPdbgM7073RX8oJT8g8-r/s1600/bigwaterbottle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGeL09wI4gSzIdOuUEL38eUtVYI6gSqqvXhutqHqkRk438N_WJn9g_Q2d2DcxCGpXkQPGsQGi3H46wuUWbQf5z9-avHxD64D7Y7QvNpF3Z_CXB6Vs009m23YJPdbgM7073RX8oJT8g8-r/s320/bigwaterbottle.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxS_w3G90roHir0oos9ucSO52It4H_Bftj-j1p6mmNSyk9qeMDp5Gx5hTL6iTyidOo0yN6yCbMIYt72MAXhLdb4gEn1eVmS3IWMEKPEB1HqhXaIw2D-PSlLIkJM3zV6VXV7xl9ppcWvu5_/s1600/ilovebaba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxS_w3G90roHir0oos9ucSO52It4H_Bftj-j1p6mmNSyk9qeMDp5Gx5hTL6iTyidOo0yN6yCbMIYt72MAXhLdb4gEn1eVmS3IWMEKPEB1HqhXaIw2D-PSlLIkJM3zV6VXV7xl9ppcWvu5_/s320/ilovebaba.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
We arrived in Guangzhou last night. We didn't get to do a lot in Shanghai; partially due to the fact that our hotel wasn't located conveniently to the nice shopping and museum areas, but also because it was too hard on Raeanna. She did well when we were out, but when she gets really sleepy, she melts down. She still seems afraid to go to sleep. We did some interesting things, such as go up to the 88th floor of the Jin Mal Tower, where you could see most of Shanghai. I've never been to a city that large. It's overwhelming. We went to a silk factory, and that was interesting. We bought Raeanna several of the traditional Chinese silk dresses for now and later. We tried to go shopping in Nanjing Road, but she was really tired, so we rode the subway back to the hotel. Yesterday morning, Raeanna and I stayed at the hotel, while Cade and Bob went to ride the Maglev train. It was the first time that any of us left without her to go somewhere, and she got a little sad. She and I got ready to go to breakfast. I made a critical mistake in not bringing her stroller. The breakfast is a buffet style, and usually, Bob sits with her while I fix her food. She goes nuts for any food, but I get it to her and feed her. This time, I had to hold her to keep her from pulling food down, and she could actually see how much food there was on the counters. She went ballistic! She wanted it all! She pitched and screamed and grabbed, while I tried to fix her plate with all the Chinese people either staring or laughing at her or trying to talk to her. When we sat down, she was still screaming and pointing back at the buffet. I asked the waiter to tell her that we were leaving if she didn't stop. He did, and she settled down, but insisted on feeding herself. She's really a clean eater, especially considering how fast she eats and the state she is in when she's eating. The waiter said, "She is independent girl. Let her feed herself." I did, and she ate for a while. We went back to the room and skyped for a while with family. We packed up and headed to the airport in a bus. She HATES busses, especially bumpy ones, so she cried all the way to the airport. Once we got there, she was her happy, sweet little self again. She was laughing and issuing orders to "BABA." She loves to say Baba, and tell him to do things or give him candy. She tells Cade "bu-ya!" all the time. I'm pretty sure it means no and she says it just to pick on him. She's quite hilarious!<br />
<br />
She's gotten a lot stronger already. We started letting her walk more and more, and she's sooooooo cute when she walks around! She's also filled out a little bit, it seems. I still can't keep pants or skirts on her without lapping them over and pinning them. The clothes I brought for her fit okay at the top, but fall off of the bottom. I brought mostly 24 months size and some 18 months size. <br />
<br />
She was fine when we got on the airplane, but she got really upset on take-off. I gave her skittles and that made her happy after we were in the air. Before we left for the airport, and after her big breakfast, she discovered a rather large container of Chinese noodles that I was throwing away so I wouldn't have to pack it. She demanded to eat it. She ate half of it, and it was a family size, so there was no way she could be hungry on that flight. When the stewardess brought these little boxes with lunches with sandwiches, she started screaming and reaching, so Bob only got 2 for all 3 of us, because he had her in his arms. When we got them open, she grabbed both sandwiches and ate them both really fast. She was so afraid we would take them away from her. She tried to eat everything else in the box, too, but we managed to hide some of it. Then, it was time to land. Oh my! It was a rough landing, but it scared her very much! We got her settled down, and she laughed all the way through the terminal, until we got on the bus to go to the hotel. She screamed the whole way to the hotel. I think it was made worse by the darkness. We have no idea what she is thinking, but it seems to us, and the guide thought so too, that even though she was only 13 months when she was abandoned, it was on a train car, and it could explain why busses and rough planes frighten her so much. The guide says that she clearly remembers a traumatic experience herself from when she was a year old.<br />
<br />
We're staying at the China Hotel(Marriott) in Guangzhou. It's a very nice hotel<br />
.<br />
The guide talked to Raeanna at breakfast, and told her that Mama and Baba would always make sure she has enough to eat, and she seemed to settle down and slow down. I knew we would most likely have food issues, but I never dreamed it could be this severe.<br />
<br />
Today, we had the medical exam on Shamian Island. Raeanna got 4 shots, plus the tb skin test. She has a little fever this afternoon, even after giving her Motrin. She had gained 1kg, which is about 2lbs, since I got the update in June. She looks healthy, but just very tiny. Shamian Island is beautiful, and Guangzhou doesn't seem nearly as overwhelming as Shanghai. It's a big city, but not as big as Shanghai. All of the adoptive families come here to finalize their adoptions because the American Consulate is here, so the people here cater to adoptive families.<br />
<br />
I'm trying to get a video to upload, but it takes me forever just to upload pictures, so if I don't now, I'll put some up when I get home.<br />
<br />
I had to leave her with Cade and Bob today to go take care of some paperwork. She stood at the door and cried the entire 30 minutes I was gone, and she loves them dearly. It's going to be sad when she realizes Daddy has to go to work, and Cade must go to school.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow, we go to a church service on Shamian Island.Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-82439083462198208832010-09-09T19:19:00.004-04:002010-09-11T07:21:16.533-04:00Leaving Shanghai Today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzSL3gJvo9-376ZaEU7jw57fiCWZCtYT-MJvj2yuCLSLZZDKV-qns6CBdbhQPkUn46d6QR_rPnZ8yZSZtVqGiUGAYuUCHNpJ003KSJn5Wzt0JTSIaNKdkufCQl6iJWme8fSDuMNgPvelS/s1600/caderaerightafterwegotback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzSL3gJvo9-376ZaEU7jw57fiCWZCtYT-MJvj2yuCLSLZZDKV-qns6CBdbhQPkUn46d6QR_rPnZ8yZSZtVqGiUGAYuUCHNpJ003KSJn5Wzt0JTSIaNKdkufCQl6iJWme8fSDuMNgPvelS/s320/caderaerightafterwegotback.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When we first got to the hotel with Raeanna</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYp2O0QSNlgJf3X5utkNVJmqQekcQzRPBWYVunDbNIC5t4ymsWOH0ao04zzWqIaoAPeIsy_NRJK51HShONJtk04IeZLEahIEkx099piLUgMpDsn4cUjskOJj5nPSZTN1a3ImK14k3w7mKd/s1600/Raebottledlinedup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYp2O0QSNlgJf3X5utkNVJmqQekcQzRPBWYVunDbNIC5t4ymsWOH0ao04zzWqIaoAPeIsy_NRJK51HShONJtk04IeZLEahIEkx099piLUgMpDsn4cUjskOJj5nPSZTN1a3ImK14k3w7mKd/s320/Raebottledlinedup.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PJs and collection on 3rd day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_Lopnmaxaf25I5o2hpSe9dqIvausspKVr1xcEMcmkInZclGJKMgVZKjE-jLg6nll42LdVc4vb7qH-WlAIJbMEaebruFk3A7YmZvcmazjXvS92QtcQOwF_kXU1DL2nHOud1b3ygRuBZG_/s1600/boatpuffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_Lopnmaxaf25I5o2hpSe9dqIvausspKVr1xcEMcmkInZclGJKMgVZKjE-jLg6nll42LdVc4vb7qH-WlAIJbMEaebruFk3A7YmZvcmazjXvS92QtcQOwF_kXU1DL2nHOud1b3ygRuBZG_/s320/boatpuffs.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a boat on the Huangpu(sp) River</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVGoXTNyY7S6CnNmNYihP-W3rxOgrZKPklWFHEZ_K7rxVfnc8KN6JeIvmank-hZKqm3XyACPhYmJ83DAzM4ZWgP8VAdSGX9A-1Qz80fFgdPVz83__K5YRfs8x-ESxzVMroSF5UTX0HKZ2/s1600/boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVGoXTNyY7S6CnNmNYihP-W3rxOgrZKPklWFHEZ_K7rxVfnc8KN6JeIvmank-hZKqm3XyACPhYmJ83DAzM4ZWgP8VAdSGX9A-1Qz80fFgdPVz83__K5YRfs8x-ESxzVMroSF5UTX0HKZ2/s320/boat.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cade on the boat with the Chinese flag behind him</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOuAIBU9mifngib2z3eAo6YXwOL7YTRHZLe4ic04WAPnT4OVkT2Pl-kxiViBvhNhxgF4dJynyKt7wuH0f3FCnf4AhwvbgeWVXFnG2NhoYwqmGxyJ30UKK7YHb9yIj9vkPJurnAKMAIz7zc/s1600/feedingdaddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOuAIBU9mifngib2z3eAo6YXwOL7YTRHZLe4ic04WAPnT4OVkT2Pl-kxiViBvhNhxgF4dJynyKt7wuH0f3FCnf4AhwvbgeWVXFnG2NhoYwqmGxyJ30UKK7YHb9yIj9vkPJurnAKMAIz7zc/s320/feedingdaddy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding Baba on the boat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgattC32jtV828GtNf9yEgxjdP_zLE4GjncKjZugG0szwcpi5scx6Z24Kx2KQo64YbNLuaeutZtPwWukSUGWN3gIk6FM7I2g5YZlvW-DtU3RxQQWCgU9HIp8HBP9u2fnLgPgYbMY9iq-lnL/s1600/caderae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgattC32jtV828GtNf9yEgxjdP_zLE4GjncKjZugG0szwcpi5scx6Z24Kx2KQo64YbNLuaeutZtPwWukSUGWN3gIk6FM7I2g5YZlvW-DtU3RxQQWCgU9HIp8HBP9u2fnLgPgYbMY9iq-lnL/s320/caderae.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raeanna and Cade when we first got to the hotel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EymG7vbNTbZPXEcRz4j3pXiLpVmM8z3e1W1NSblAxrFtxJeM5nbcEph8PSu5VMUID7WtiH_-tbH1PMv__nhyphenhyphen54yRFVztSAUthAiMQ4g9a3MMoI8P26Pz0AokxlBnjnOyU4LwhQFAK0Il/s1600/Iwearmysunglassesatnight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EymG7vbNTbZPXEcRz4j3pXiLpVmM8z3e1W1NSblAxrFtxJeM5nbcEph8PSu5VMUID7WtiH_-tbH1PMv__nhyphenhyphen54yRFVztSAUthAiMQ4g9a3MMoI8P26Pz0AokxlBnjnOyU4LwhQFAK0Il/s320/Iwearmysunglassesatnight.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She loves those sunglasses, even at night</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0X9-9qNdykSOZA8R8HHQl0oBREH0B6uedV_adguvY-jilpBZLQtW9LvC_3R4FOa875ohhw0Ne_Glhr8L1QODtgWQ6K_ubMYzjZLo8USlMXC9d7j461lUrZncNpXmdTFSIfnYZbABNFwy/s1600/caderaerightafterwegotback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>I'm sorry it takes me so long to update. The internet doesn't always cooperate, and with the exhaustion from the extreme heat and humidity and the time change, and the bedtime troubles, it hasn't been easy.<br />
<br />
Raeanna is doing very well, except for bedtime or naptime. She is happy and silly, laughing most of the time. She's very content riding in her stroller, except for once when she was really sleepy. Of course, that happened when we were in the People's Square. It wasn't a good place for her to start crying inconsolably, so we headed back to the hotel on the subway. We never made it to Nanjing Road or Underground Children's Market shopping. I was hoping to get her some shoes, since we only have the one pair we found at Carrefour.(She loves them and wants to wear them ALL the time.) She loves to play with food and water. She collects water bottles and food, and she likes to go from one of us, to the next, and give us whatever she is eating, especially Daddy. Sometimes she teases Cade and won't give him the food, but she ALWAYS puts it in Daddy's mouth ,and laughs. When Mama tells her no, she hands over whatever or stops, but she laughs at the boys and doesn't take them seriously for some reason. She's really a trooper most of the time, because the heat and humidity is terrible, and she happily goes wherever we go. Sleepytime is the only time she's not happy, and it's a sad, mournful cry. She twists her hair on top of her head, and nothing will console her, until she falls asleep. I even tried to give her the bottle, since they say she has two a day, but she didn't want it.<br />
<br />
She says "woa" a lot, which means mine, to Cade. He showed her a picture we took at the Jin Mal Tower of all us, and she pointed everyone out, and said, "Mama, Baba, GeGe, and Jixiao." GeGe means "big brother." Cade was telling her this morning, "Wo ai ni, Jixiao," which means I love you. She giggled at said, "Boo ya," which means no, but then she started telling him "wo ai ni," when he said it.<br />
<br />
Raeanna loves pretty hair bands and clothes. She wears a hair band all the time. I bought a set of three, and she alternates them. She wants to go to bed with one on her head. She puts it on her head like a tiara, and then admires herself in the mirror. When I first dress her in the morning, she goes to the mirror and smiles. It's so cute.<br />
<br />
The Chinese people really admire her. Many speak English, and they comment about her to me, but many of them say things, and I have no clue what they're saying, but it seems positive. Our guide, Ada, says that people tell her that Raeanna is very pretty, in Chinese, of course. We think she is beautiful! <br />
<br />
Raeanna is definately feeling more secure. She still has a few moments, but she can be quite demanding and bossy to Cade. It's cute, but we'll have to address it when we get home.<br />
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We went to a silk factory, and we bought her a few of the little silk, traditional Chinese dresses, in sizes for now and when she's a little older.<br />
<br />
As my sister-in-law said, she seems very much like a smart 18 month old, in size and behavior.<br />
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As I said before, we feel very blessed.<br />
Thank you all for the comments. I plan to print all of this for her for later.Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-22771119576447551592010-09-07T11:17:00.002-04:002010-09-07T12:00:22.230-04:00She is officially ours!It's been a whirlwind since we got here, with jet lag and activites, but it's beginning to get a little easier. The VPN I have to use to get on blogger wasn't working for a while and it's blocked without it, but I was able to get it to work tonight.<br />
<br />
Raeanna has been laughing and happy tonight. There were about 12 other families getting their children at the orphanage at the same time, and it was a little chaotic. The last two children brought out were ours and the baby of another couple traveling with us. They weren't crying at all. They handed Raeanna to me and she said, "Hi Mama," and the woman told her to give me a kiss, and she kissed me on the cheek. I gave her toys, but she latched on to a bottle of Strawberry flavored Gerber graduate puffs and a sippy cup of lemonade. She had no interest in the toys, until I gave her a little pink plastic toy cell phone. She loves to eat and will do so until she's sick if we let her. She didn't really cry until nighttime came. Bedtime was really hard. I don't know if she was scared or grieving, but she didn't want me to put her down and she didn't want the lights out at all. <br />
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Today, we went to the Civil Affairs office and the adoption became official. We took an oath, promising never to mistreat or abandon her and to treat her as our own child. It was in front of the Chinese flag. It was a nice ceremony, and they took a picture of us together. When we went to get on the bus to go there, she started shaking her head no really fast and screaming. She didn't want to get on the bus. We don't know if she thought we were taking her back or if she was afraid of the bus. She cried loudly for a while, until we gave her another bottle of the gerber puffs. She ate half of it before we got there. <br />
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She loves her little umbrella stroller. We bought it at Carrefour, which is kind of like Walmart. It's on several levels, and the shopping cart rides on the escalator with you. It doesn't have steps; just an incline.<br />
People there would stare at us and nudge the person they were with to look at us. It felt strange.<br />
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The only food she has turned down so far has been yogurt and pepsi. She LOVES everything else edible.<br />
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They gave us a can of powdered formula and told us she takes two bottles a day. The bottle seemed to upset her stomach last night, so I didn't give it to her today, and she has been fine without it. I'm surprised they give a bottle to a 4.5 year old, and I'm surprised her teeth aren't rotten because of it! I would let her have it if she seemed to want it, but she loves the sippy cup, so we went today without the formula.<br />
I just layed her in the bed, and she is now sound asleep. That's the first time she's gone to sleep without tears or needing me to hold her. I think she's beginning to feel secure with us. We feel so blessed!<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJg1niDhFu6s2rMm9ZKimQcqxcHqUu6kWIot-zIi4paR7FSONSSVSLuwS6SyBwLkDkkkCocIZElkVK3lQ-sYmWuSq7B2nGB1FXNLqZWCrVrEIAXZp50zGGNcCg9PdNNpkAKrruFXpfUfn0/s1600/mamaraegotcha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJg1niDhFu6s2rMm9ZKimQcqxcHqUu6kWIot-zIi4paR7FSONSSVSLuwS6SyBwLkDkkkCocIZElkVK3lQ-sYmWuSq7B2nGB1FXNLqZWCrVrEIAXZp50zGGNcCg9PdNNpkAKrruFXpfUfn0/s640/mamaraegotcha.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally!</td></tr>
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</div></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2R1P5vUzoicwV0uwS55eAV3QLrC3aUlbWQXZGrBvV6nwjuNeh-Z0IMhxqYWOcSDoYrG0SlrpgJ7TI4BGrO_SiFnpiXFC8kaGwCp8QNHexHNeRkfncKFioxks1a5JjOdFiu7cx01xaACAO/s1600/babacaderaegotcha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2R1P5vUzoicwV0uwS55eAV3QLrC3aUlbWQXZGrBvV6nwjuNeh-Z0IMhxqYWOcSDoYrG0SlrpgJ7TI4BGrO_SiFnpiXFC8kaGwCp8QNHexHNeRkfncKFioxks1a5JjOdFiu7cx01xaACAO/s640/babacaderaegotcha.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Baba, Ge Ge, and Raeanna Claire Jixiao B</div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAfTe7kuIWaVuu4WuSHkpbj8HsaqKQPENPz4bd1RsZEk8EEIBImZrQZ6o2f8_gPqU_3-SFzq9HvTLBDER7em5iViAy3u18ai9i1hqqRYmckaGLgb8018lLhuW_Nb6BaZf3DaFXXKF6y6L/s1600/1stpicasfamily2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAfTe7kuIWaVuu4WuSHkpbj8HsaqKQPENPz4bd1RsZEk8EEIBImZrQZ6o2f8_gPqU_3-SFzq9HvTLBDER7em5iViAy3u18ai9i1hqqRYmckaGLgb8018lLhuW_Nb6BaZf3DaFXXKF6y6L/s640/1stpicasfamily2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our First Family Picture, but we're missing Katey and Brett. We'll get one soon with all of us!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfn9IZOro_tdwERHItQWfEw045Ee0AYKS2ZNYYngG_zbtGPmU9yZuynF87AKIOhZvfnmWJpzfukBFxEaZ4ISTHOSTFRDVhfS68wHykNpRJD8pR2-pGAXdjoM52FPS13NKi78Q8TPJKAbx/s1600/Cade1stday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfn9IZOro_tdwERHItQWfEw045Ee0AYKS2ZNYYngG_zbtGPmU9yZuynF87AKIOhZvfnmWJpzfukBFxEaZ4ISTHOSTFRDVhfS68wHykNpRJD8pR2-pGAXdjoM52FPS13NKi78Q8TPJKAbx/s640/Cade1stday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Ge Ge Cade and Raeanna playing in the hotel room on Forever Family Day.</div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_8uTHUcSO-zZKlwJyXkZpm3HzO3v83YqXm9TquWJA0FuPd_nEMNkcAf-6TqxGqhPK9YteLzuhFmVFV2TjC6Sn8-SWTSZakh-S24D7K1hM4W0eGR-LkeJm1BW73GkwlrqaArepvFLNhs9/s1600/oathtoprotect.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_8uTHUcSO-zZKlwJyXkZpm3HzO3v83YqXm9TquWJA0FuPd_nEMNkcAf-6TqxGqhPK9YteLzuhFmVFV2TjC6Sn8-SWTSZakh-S24D7K1hM4W0eGR-LkeJm1BW73GkwlrqaArepvFLNhs9/s640/oathtoprotect.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Baba and Mama promising to never mistreat or abandon Raeanna. This is where she was declared our child.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-57394237891386575572010-09-05T15:55:00.002-04:002010-09-07T12:02:07.065-04:00We're in China!We got here yesterday. We were so exhausted! I didn't go to sleep on Friday night because we had to leave for the airport at 3:30am, and I had so much to do that I couldn't sleep anyway. We slept on and off on the plane. It's 3:30am here now, and you'd think I could sleep, but no. It's supposed to be 3:30pm. We leave to get Raeanna in 5 hours, so I'm a little excited about that too.<br />
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The internet is very expensive here. Last night, we couldn't get anything to work, but I finally figured out this VPN thing this morning. I tried to call to let family know we made it, but it wouldn't work. I hope you got my email. We're staying on the North Bund, which isn't convenient to tourist areas or shopping, but with the World Expo, the prices are really steep. It's a nice hotel, and many speak English, but not so good, so it's really hard to figure things out. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'll update as soon as I can tonight. We didn't get to go buy a stroller or anything, just water yesterday, so we'll be doing all of that this afternoon. Stay tuned....</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlSL5DmhmG3ITU1akPtsVQI-hGn4YUtDRJBT94AsQxDA2_EgHae5nPSrnsDfm2SaH79gj6TlfY2TGSLbEwyxgIBBmeyAiA4pH4oLFjSHMMUEc6gKIjFa7FdrX7KqchD2jm1y9uRORKoaH/s1600/luggage904+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlSL5DmhmG3ITU1akPtsVQI-hGn4YUtDRJBT94AsQxDA2_EgHae5nPSrnsDfm2SaH79gj6TlfY2TGSLbEwyxgIBBmeyAiA4pH4oLFjSHMMUEc6gKIjFa7FdrX7KqchD2jm1y9uRORKoaH/s400/luggage904+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-49223913101529868092010-09-02T22:02:00.000-04:002010-09-02T22:02:10.568-04:00Travel Itinerary!I can't believe in a little over 30 hours we'll be on our way to China! In just 3 days, we'll be holding Raeanna in our arms! Thank you so much for the prayers. I've seen God's power displayed throughout this entire process from the beginning, and it feels so amazing to know He is orchestrating it all. Please continue to pray for us as we travel. Our whole family will be flying in one direction or another over the next 2 weeks. Katey is flying tonight to California. She'll be back here on Monday, September 6th. Brett will be flying to meet us at the airport on the 17th and going back to Mississippi College on Sunday. Also, please pray with us for Raeanna, as her world is about to completely change. <br />
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Travel Itinerary<br />
04 September (Sat) 6:00am Leave Louisville<br />
05 Sep (Sun) 1:55pm Arrive by UA835. Arrive in Shanghai<br />
06 Sep (Mon) Forever Family Day or Gotcha Day<br />
08 Sep (Wed) 9:30am Visit Tian Zi Fang and a silk factory. <br />
09 Sep (Thu) 9:30am Visit Shanghai provincial museum and a jade shop; <br />
10 Sep (Fri) Fly to Guangzhou (15:30pm-17:40pm).<br />
11 Sep (Sat) Medical Checkup for US Consulate<br />
12 Sep (Sun) Bus to Shamian Island for Sunday sermon; <br />
13 Sep (Mon) City tour. <br />
14 Sep (Tue) 10:30am Consulate Appointment<br />
15 Sep (Wed) 2:30pm Bus to US consulate to take the oath <br />
16 Sep (Thu) Pick up Raeanna's Visa package<br />
17 Sep (Fri) Fly back to Beijing by 8:00am-11:00am)<br />
Leave Beijing at 4:10pm<br />
Arrive in Chicago at 4:15pm, where Raeanna becomes a US citizen.<br />
Leave Chicago at 7:40, arrive in Louisville at 9:53pm on Friday, September 17!<br />
Brett will be flying in from Mississippi College about an hour before we arrive, so he'll be waiting at the airport. Katey will be there too!Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-78185943281860950172010-08-31T14:46:00.000-04:002010-08-31T14:46:18.163-04:00Cade's Visa came today!Cade's Visa came today, so once I get the new money to take, we'll be all set for Saturday!<br />
Thank you, Lord!Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-67123633035397110902010-08-31T08:54:00.002-04:002010-08-31T08:57:32.668-04:00Testing Email Posting and Our CA AppointmentFirst, I apologize for leaving everyone hanging. I've been in panic mode since I found out last Thursday that we will be leaving on Saturday, September 4th. So much to do!!!<br />
Our Consulate appointment is September 14th. Several people wrote to their congressman and got the US Consulate in Guangzhou to open up more September appointments, so that people could travel in September, rather than when the Chinese holidays begin at the end of September through November. We'll be flying straight to Shanghai. We'll leave Louisville at 6:00am September 4th, go through Chicago, and arrive in Shanghai at 1:55pm on Sunday,September 5th. Our "gotcha" day or "forever family" day will be Monday, September 6th! I'm working on a way to update the blog everyday with posts and pictures, since blogs are blocked in China.<br />
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Please pray for Raeanna. Even though it's an orphanage, it's all she knows. She is being prepared for us, but we're still strangers to her, who look and talk differently. I can only imagine how frightening it must be to be handed to people you've never met that are so different from the people you know.<br />
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I'm trying to send this post through email to see if it works, so bear with me. I'm going to try to update later in the week, also.<br />
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Thanks so much for the prayers.Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-82146357625877744972010-08-25T21:34:00.000-04:002010-08-25T21:34:38.038-04:00TRAVEL APPROVAL!!!!!!!!!Praise the Lord!!!!We got the call today! It happened!!!! Mama and Daddy are coming to get you, little baby girl!!!!!<br />
The travel guy is wanting us to go with a group leaving September 2nd! Wow!! He will be letting me know in the morning if he can get the Consulate Appointment for those dates or not. We also have to get Cade's visa back in time, which the guy doing that was not very promising. Please pray that if it's God's will for us to go then, that everything will go smoothly, and we'll get the visa for Cade.<br />
I'll update tomorrow, when I have more details! Praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow!!!!Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-622979074709453457.post-44601192161348043192010-08-21T23:00:00.000-04:002010-08-21T23:00:34.973-04:00Praying for TA and CAJust a quick update here! <br />
We're really hoping to get our Travel Approval on Monday! Most of them are coming at 2 weeks from Article 5. The most time I've seen in the past month or so has been 3 weeks. Please pray with us that once we get TA, we can get our Consulate Appointment, or CA, in Guangzhou on Sept 20th or 21st. Then we could leave for China on September 9th. CAs are filling up fast. Many people are sending letters to Senators and Representatives, asking them to work on getting the Consulate to open up more CA appointments. We really want to go in September. October gets much more expensive because of holidays, not to mention, our child has waited long enough for her Mama and Daddy!<br />
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Cade is going with us! We're so excited about that!<br />
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Please pray with us! Shanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00212268541814914729noreply@blogger.com4