My Shanghai Sweetie

Look at my most beautiful, precious little girl; waiting for us in Shanghai! We are working our tails off to get over there and get her home. 

Selling T-Shirts and this and that and even signing up to work for an amazing company that has helped so many ppl bring home their little ones.

When you wonder, "Why in the world is Nisa Brooke blowing up our newsfeed with 'Hey! Buy this! and Hey! I'm selling that!'" Just look at her face...Look into her beautiful almond-shaped eyes, and it will all make sense...And maybe a little less annoying ;)

NEW PICS & UPDATE

I just received these new pics of our little Ann-Jolie! 

I.am.SO.excited!!

They call her Si Si, and even though we are naming her Ann-Jolie, if she wants to continue to be called Si Si, that's what we'll do.

I also found out she is HAPPY about having a family :) YAY!!!

I'm so glad they're not shaving her hair! I hope they continue to let it grow (fingers crossed) C'mon guys! It's just a few more months! 

Obviously whoever does the hair trimming does not care about straight lines. ;) That's ok...When she's home, that'll all change.

One more thing...If you're wondering about the cake...

We sent a cake to the orphanage when we got Pre-Approval to adopt her...Apparently they treated it as some sort of bday cake...She's going to turn 7 in October...Go figure...Whatever, as long as she enjoyed the cake and was happy!!

T-SHIRTS!!

Friends & Family,

Our iPad 4 giveaway was a success! 

Huge thanks to all of you who donated! We are so grateful!

Now we are selling T-shirts...Cool.T-shirts ;)

Obviously, all proceeds go towards bringing our little angel home :)

ISN'T SHE SO CUTE?!

Here's what the T-shirt looks like:

Shirts are $20 ea and you can order by clicking the PayPal button at the top right of this blog OR by mailing me the payment.

I want to thank all of you ahead of time for all of your support! 

Once everyone receives their shirts, I would LOVE to see pics of y'all wearing them so that I can show Ann-Jolie; it would be cool for her to see all of the people who cared about her. Don't you?

Pass the word and order your shirt today!

:D

Ipad 4 Giveaway!!

Hey Guys!

As you know, we're bringing home another blessing home from China; 6 year old, soon-to-be- Ann-Jolie!

We are doing an iPad 4 giveaway to help cover some of the adoption expenses that are needed up-front and immediately.

(Apple iPad with Retina display Wi-Fi 16 GB - 4th generation - Winner chooses color)

With each donation you will have your name dropped in a bowl and we will do the drawing on Friday, May 10th.

$5.00 = 1 entry

$10.00 = 3 entries

$20.00 = 7 entries

$50.00 = 25 entries

Simply click on the donation button at the top right hand side of our blog home page and enter the amount you wish to donate.

We cannot express our appreciation enough for your support in bringing home our baby girl!  

If you are not able to give in monetary means, we are EXTREMELY appreciative for your prayers and encouragement.  We could not do this without all of the love and support of our friends and family!

Thanks for spreading the word, and thanks, again, for your support!

This

Here we are again...

Another transition...another cross roads...

This time, though, it's without my beloved father in law.  He went to be with Jesus on April 5th.

I guess that IS the transition; that he's no longer with us.  That we'll be living and creating memories without him here.

I could get stuck right there and go on and on about all of the things that we'll be doing without him.

BUT, I won't...Mainly because I know that there's no use in looking at the negative...No use in getting in a dark place about all of this.  That's not what we know to do...That's not the kind of man HE was.

He's in Heaven...He's free...He's home!  And I am happy for him.

We will continue on here; happy...moving forward...continuing the legacy that he left for us...finishing his unfinished business.

Ann-Jolie didn't meet Paw Paw, but by the time we're finished, she will feel as if she did.  And when it's all said and done, she WILL meet him.

I have to tell you, I have NEVER felt so much peace as I do right now.  At first I was sad; and yes, a little bit angry.

I felt lost...I felt confused...and somewhat afraid.

That lasted for about 4 or 5 days...and then...

It washed over me...Perfect peace...

Wow!

I have never felt so calm about....well....everything.

This is the grace that is sufficient.

This is the peace that passes all understanding.

THIS...

It's amazing!  Better than any pill I've ever taken, lol!

It truly is something out of the ordinary, that's for sure.

We have an adoption to pay for -- and to complete...

We have a house to fix

We are living between 2 houses right now, etc, etc...

No problem! God's got it!

That's how I feel...And I can literally FEEL it...No worry...

Not to be redundant, but...Wow!

So, I rest in His will.  I will rest in His peace.  I will joy in His joy.

Let's see where this new season brings us...

Obviously ;)

I Would Gather Children

Some would gather money

along the path of life.

Some would gather roses and

rest from worldly strife. 

But I would gather children

from among the thorns of sin.

I would seek a little child with

a big and toothless grin.

For money cannot enter in

the land of endless day,

And roses that are gathered

soon wilt along the way.

But oh, the laughing children

as I cross the sunset sea,

And the gates swing wide to Heaven.

I can take them in with me! 

LOOK WHAT I FOUND!!!

The little girl in the red sweat suit is Ann-Jolie! This is about a year ago, I think!  You can hear her sweet little voice! I can't wait to grow her hair out and put some bows and get her in some cute little girl clothes!!!