This waiting room is really cool. I think I'll wait out here while you guys go in and get poked and proded.

Well, I guess I'll just bite my lip and go on in and give them a little bit of blood. I don't think so. It took four people to hold her down.:( I had to wait in the hallway and be the "rescuer" once they brought her back out.

Today was a huge day for Julia. She first went by and saw her friends at Lifeline Children's Services that helped to bring her home to Mommy and Daddy. We love our friends at Lifeline. We then went for lunch and had her favorite, noodles. They stick to the clothing really well.

After lunch, we had to go visit the International Adoption Clinic. We had a great visit I thought but Julia might not agree. These guys are awesome. They do not leave any leaf unturned and are so kind and courteous. We had a lot to do and made it through all of our questions, lab work and the removal of the infamous stitch in her nose (Thank you, Dr. Chambers, for your persistence). I highly recommend you visit these guys if the facility is accessible to you following an adoption. They definitely have their act together. All in all, we had a great day and breathed a sigh of relief because we were given no surprises regarding her health at this point. We have several follow-up doctor visits but feel like all in all that she is doing great.

Mommy, where did you get this sister of mine?
















Grandma Susan gave up on the doll and decided to try music. Boy, did she end up with an arm full.

I took my hair bow out to play with Cousin Madison. She was kind enough to come and chase me around the living room for a couple of hours.

Julia has surpassed many milestones this weekend. She had a playmate over Saturday, Madison, and did very well. She's not afraid of anyone. Now, she might remain quiet for a little while but once she warms up to you, she is very outgoing.

Today, I spent and hour and a half with her in her Sunday school class and she did great. She still does not want anyone to pick her up but me, which is great. I left her alone with the teachers for the second service and she did awesome. I was the one looking at my watch during service and wandering whether she was having a meltdown or not. I walked into her room to pick her up and she smiled once she saw me and raised her hands and ran to me. I was so thankful. She seems to adapt very well and picks up on things amazingly quickly. She spent the afternoon playing with Grandma Susan. She loves to play the piano. Good thing we have a good piano teacher on hand when she reaches that point (we love Ms. Kristy).

Julia now begs to take a bath and lets you know when she's ready to get out. Tim said tonight that it seems like she has been with us a lot longer than a week. We love her so much and feel so blessed that God gave her to us. We see his grace in her each day and each day we see such blessings in her continued happiness with us. I was thinking to myself tonight while watching her run around laughing how lucky we are and how grateful I am to know that I get to witness her growing up. Tim and I might be a little tired right about now but we are also very thankful.

Tomorrow we will take her to Dr. Chambers for her first visit. We just pray that there will be nothing wrong with her and that her immunization levels with meet the US requirements thus resulting in no further shots. We will take her by the adoption agency to let them meet her and then out for a real Italian meal. Wish us luck!

6th Grade here we come! Yes, Olivia has passed Matthew in the height category or could it be the incline of the hill they are standing on??










3rd Grade - Chase and his new teacher, Mrs. Gantt. He's going to have a great year.















Stewart started Kindergarten today. Way to go, Stewart. Here he is walking into the building greeting everyone he sees.












No more walking them to their classroom. Just drop me off at the door and I'll see ya.













Our annual 1st day of school group picture. Yes, Julia got to be included because she did go for the first time to visit her daycare for an hour today(with Mommy and Daddy supervision).







Everyone had a great day today and hopefully a good start to a fantastic school year. Julia slept through the entire night last night without crying out once. Each day holds new changes and adjustments for all of us. We are just so thankful that she is doing so well. She no longer cries during bathtime nor when we set her on the western potty. She is so full of life and happiness. Carson says the jury is still out as far as he is concerned but I did see them playing together this evening without him pulling her hair. I think they actually smiled at each other and giggled.

Our thoughts and prayers are focused on those who are traveling to China at this time during the evacuations and bad weather.