It's been awhile...

It has been quite sometime since we have posted to our blog. Since Gotcha Day, we had our Guizhou, China reunion; sold our previous home; moved in with family for 5 weeks; was a part of a couple of very dear friends' weddings; purchased a new home; moved in; had Thanksgiving; my father was married this past weekend!! Whew, now you all know why I'm so behind with our blog :o)

The reunion was wonderful and is was so nice seeing the families that were able to attend. Emma's adoptions sisters have all grown up so much & there is even a little brother in the group! We missed all those families who could not attend, but hopefully will see them in TN in 2012!

Emma is growing like a weed! I cannot believe how quickly time goes by, but I pray we continue to savor each and every moment with our Emma. We are able to understand everything she says and she speaks entire paragraphs now. She enjoys story time with Mommy & Daddy and whoever else is willing to sit and tell her a "Once Upon A Time In A Far, Far Away Land" story. She loves to go hiking and is more steady on her feet then me!

I was out shopping all by myself (that never happens anymore!) last night and found myself crying in the book aisle at Target as I reminisced about the greatest gift the Lord has ever given me (besides Brian) - being Emma's mommy. It was overwhelming to think that 2 years ago, we were asking God to allow us to see our daughter's face and now it's been 1 1/2 years since God brought us all together and it was too much for this mommy, so the tears came :o)

We love our little Emma Bear so much and are so excited to share our 2nd Christmas with her! We pray for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you!!

Our GOTCHA DAY!!

Family photo now
Family photo 1 year ago- 2009
Emma now- May 2010

Emma the day after we received her in our arms- 7-13-2009

Today is the 1st anniversary of us becoming a Forever Family (GOTCHA DAY)! We reminisced about our journey to our Emma and the excitement we experienced 1 year ago today. We have found that the excitement doesn't go away and only continues as we see Emma grow each day.

As I write this, I reflect on how our Heavenly Father is so faithful and divine. He knew Emma was meant for us and we can't imagine our lives without her. She is pure joy and is our gift from God! God hand picked Emma several years ago and placed her inside mine & Brian's hearts. She continued to grow there until it was time to bring her home. Thank you Father, for allowing us to wait so long for our perfect daughter.

Motherhood is a wild and wonderful ride. I am loving every minute of it- the good, the bad and the ugly :o)

We truly share a bond with the other families we traveled to China with and we think of them often. We are especially thinking of everyone today. We will hopefully be seeing everyone in October for a special reunion here in Phoenix!

Emma's 1st vacation- Maui!

The view from our room

Auntie Colleen, Uncle Jody & Emma
Emma likes to travel

3 girls off to the beach!
Girl Power!


Sunsets in Maui... beautiful
Our Emma Bear!!!
1st Family Photo on the beach
AJ, Colleen & Jody
AJ & Holly
Emma unpacking her toys

Emma had a great 1st vacation in Maui! Jody, Colleen, AJ, Holly (AJ's friend), Brian, Emma & I went to Maui in late May. We stayed at Jody & Colleen's time-share and Emma had a blast! A small hallway joined our apartments and Emma did role-call each morning- "Ody, Caween, AJ, Ollie, Dada, Mama, Emma". She liked being able to have 24 hr access to her AJ, Auntie Caween, & Uncle Jody. She was amazed with the set up at first, then it became routine to just walk across the hall into their room!

Emma really liked having her own swimming pool where she could walk from end to end and play with the other children. Daddy would get up every morning and reserve "our spots" down at the pool. Emma always knew where Daddy was going and said "Emma's pool".

Emma's first experience at the beach was adorable. She held onto our hands with her feet tucked up in the air, until we convinced her to put her little feet down on the sand. Once her feet were down and the ocean waves gently crashed up against her, she was hooked!

Our little Emma Bear enjoys traveling just like her Daddy & Mommy :o) She travels very well and has so much fun with the adventure of it all. Thank you so much Uncle Jody, Auntie Colleen & AJ!!

It's been awhile since we have updated the blog and we have been busy!

Our 1st Easter as a family was such a blessing. Emma enjoyed coloring eggs and getting dressed up for church. We had a wonderful time with our entire family, both Brian's side and mine got together for dinner.

We had a huge 2nd birthday party planned for our Emma Bear; however, on her 2nd birthday she was diagnosed with Strep :o( and the party had to be cancelled. I was so sad that the tears flowed once the final decision was made. We put together a very small, impromptu birthday party a bit later and Emma enjoyed playing in the water sprinkler much more than she enjoyed the cupcake!

In May we were invited to Lucky Acres for some farm-time fun and breakfast! We had a great time. Emma loved all the animals and playing with the other children. Several other adoption families were there. We are so blessed to be a part of that "family" as well.

Emma is growing so much! She repeats almost everything and enjoys playing, coloring, books, music and Barney- yes the purple dinosaur!! We are savoring each moment with our Emma Bear. God is so good, faithful and has presented us with such a remarkable daughter, we are grateful and love being Emma's Daddy & Mommy!!

It's been 1 year today!

Today is exactly 1 year since we saw our Emma's face for the first time! It was 9:52 am AZ time when I received the call. Brian was in Chandler for training and I was home alone (not a good thing :o). Several friends came over to share in our joy and the screams could probably be heard for miles!!

We are so blessed with our Emma Bear and she has grown so much. She had her first illness, RSV, in Feb. She also climbed out of her crib at 2:00 am during that same week and I honestly thought I would never sleep again. The next day, the crib came down and the toddler bed went up. Emma adjusted well to the bed and sleeps great in it!

Emma & I just returned from a lovely breakfast with Mardi & Lauren (we traveled to China with Mardi & Dan and received our daughters together) and a few other moms with their babies! We had a great time and are so thankful that Mardi and the group included Emma & I. Emma had so much fun and enjoyed meeting some new friends.

We are looking forward to Easter and are so thankful we have our Emma with us to share in mommy's favorite holiday!

Blessings to all, Brian, Denise & Emma