A Year Later...

It has been a year now since "January 29 - Gotcha Day" when Naomi was first placed in our arms. Her adoption became official the following day. Her Daddy and I have been reminiscing and telling Naomi "her story." To bring back the specifics of this wonderful occasion, I've been reading aloud my journal entries each morning from the days we were in China.

Another milestone we experienced this past week was our final adoption post-placement home visit. It was so good to see our adoption social worker again, but I really think Naomi enjoyed the visit most. They played in the floor together for much of the time!

Our granddaughters, Olivia and Amanda, were visiting when we had the "snow weekend." Naomi loves them so, and they all had such fun playing in the snow together.

NOTE: Pictures from Naomi's 2nd Birthday can be found by clicking the link to the left under "More Naomi Pics."

Tribute to Jie Jie

"How do you memorialize your child on what would have been her 29th birthday? This is only one of a myriad of ways. I chose to update Naomi's blog with a tribute to her Jie Jie. Our precious Shasta went to be the the Lord on Monday, October 1, 2007 as a result of a fatal automobile accident. Her husband and children were with her when the accident occured, but thankfully, are physically unharmed. Eric, Olivia, and Amanda are now living with Eric's mother and struggling to find the new order in their lives. Shasta had been homeschooling both girls in the "cabin in the woods" less than two miles from where we live. Now the children are enrolled in public school in the next county and seem to be adjusting to their new routines.

This past year has been a gift from God for our family. Shasta was close enough to be "information central" when we made the big trip to get her little sister, Naomi. We had time together in such a rich way that we might not have had if they'd still lived in the next county.

There is no way to sum up a life in just a few paragraphs. Shasta lived well, loved well, and knew her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I have many, many wonderful memories that will be shared in the stories that I tell her daughters and her little sister as they grow to adulthood.

Shasta Leigh, I love you so much.
Momma

July Highlights

July is a month of milestones

Pix Fix

Here are a few recent Naomi pictures. My blog posting may be sporadic for awhile. Miss Naomi is VERY JEALOUS of my computer time. She is doing well and amazes us every day. Her vocabulary is increasing and her eye for detail is awesome! We are so very blessed that she is part of our family. Reflection on how God orchestrated all the circumstances for this precious child to be our daughter is humbling.

MOTHER'S DAY

This day was a day I've waited for and dreamed of for a very long time. My baby girl was in my arms at last, and her Daddy and I publicly dedicated her to the Lord and committed ourselves to bringing her up in a loving Christian home in the presence of and with the blessing and support of our church family.

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4) How this Scripture verse has sustained me through the years! Even in the long years of waiting for the child that would one day be ours, I found that delight in the Lord. My God kept the hope alive in my heart when I didn't want to hope anymore. I have truly witnessed great and mighty things! Blessed be the Lord!

ZOO BIRTHDAY PARTY

Naomi's first cousin, Savannah Leigh Thigpen, turned two years old on Saturday. We took Granny and went to the birthday party at the Jackson Zoo on Sunday afternoon. It sure felt like summertime! You can see all the cute little red faces having a good time. It really was fun to see so many little ones playing happily together.

The Birthday Girl

Waiting for the "petting" animals.

"What'd ya think's in there?"

"A real rabbit! Can I touch it??"

BREAKFAST WITH DADDY

On most mornings our girl has her two eggs and toast for breakfast -- don't know what I'll do when she "burns out" on eggs!! Now she's getting a bit more adventurous with food and wants a "bite" of whatever her Daddy is eating. This morning it was Hardee's special breakfast sandwich. It's pretty obvious that she was enjoying the food and the company!

JOHN DEERE FEVER

Here Naomi sits on her Daddy's favorite "boy toy." It seems the John Deere fever is quite contagous where we live. We were called to Grandma Putt's and Papa Chuck's for a special surprise for Naomi. Papa Chuck had bought the ultimate John Deere "boy toy" for his yard and also got a John Deere tricycle mower with front loader and dump cart and a John Deere cap for our little girl. It was so fun watching the faces of everyone as it was unloaded from the truck and then again when she was placed in the seat. I took a few precious pictures that I hope will capture the moment.

SMITH GIRLS MAKE SPECIAL MEMORIES

Naomi and I went to visit our Smith friends - Adele and Mallory - in Richton today and had the most wonderful time. We were treated to fantastic country cookin' at The Sweet Magnolia Restaurant, and then went to Adele's home for the children (and the Mamas)to spend time visiting and playing. It was overwith much too soon, but Naomi and I needed to get back for a quick visit with her Papaw Ned and then on to our house for a few minutes with Daddy before he left for work. Be sure to check out Adele's blog link listed "A MEI MEI FOR MALLORY" for more of the story in pictures.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN...

These pics are from our first days as a family in China. Our adoption journal where these were first posted has now expired, but I have the CD version of our story that I would be happy to share with those considering international adoption.