OUR LIVING DOLL

LOOK AT OUR SWEET LIVING DOLL, DOUG FOUND A CUTE BONNET IN ZOEY'S DRAWER (I FORGOT I BOUGHT IT!) :) oops. HE GOT HER DRESSED THIS DAY WITHOUT MY SUPERVISION. :) AND I MUST SAY HE DID VERY GOOD. HE PUT HER ON PINK FLOWERED OVERALLS,WITH A MATCHING SHIRT. I WAS REALLY PROUD OF HIM. AND OF COURSE SHE LOOKED LIKE A DOLL. SHE HAS THE SWEETEST BABY FACE. SHE IS GETTING MORE AND MORE SETTLED DOWN WITH GOING PLACES. SHE WILL ACTUALLY THROW KISSES TO PEOPLE WHEN WE ARE OUT. THIS IS A BIG IMPROVEMENT FOR HER, SINCE WE HAVE BEEN HOME.

ZOEY PLAYING ON HER BED

I JUST HAD TO CAPTURE THIS PICTURE, ZOEY LOVES TO SIT ON HER BIG GIRL BED AND LOOK OUT THE WINDOW. SHE LOVES ALL THE BRIGHT COLORS ON HER COMFORTER AND THE BRIGHT COLORS IN THE ROOM. SHE ISN'T SLEEPING IN HER BED YET :) BUT SHE DOES LIKE THE BED AND THE ROOM. SHE IS CO-SLEEPING WITH MOM & DAD RIGHT NOW. WE ARE LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT TOO !
I THINK THE BEST TIME OF THE DAY IS WHEN SHE FIRST WAKES UP. SHE HAS SUCH A SWEET LOOK ON HER FACE. IT MELTS MY HEART EVERY DAY.

ZOEY PLAYING PEEK A BOO

ZOEY LOVES TO PLAY PEEK -A-BOO. SHE WILL SQUAT DOWN IN FRONT OF ME WHEN I AM ON THE COUCH AND THEN JUMP UP LAUGHING. SHE THINKS BY SQUATING DOWN SHE IS HIDING FROM ME. IT IS HILARIOUS. WE HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN, AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN. SHE LAUGHS EACH AND EVERY TIME. :) THESE TIMES ARE WORTH THEIR WEIGHT IN GOLD. SOMETHING SO SIMPLE BUT HAS SO MUCH MEANING TO HER AND ME. " THANK YOU LORD FOR THE SIMPLE THINGS. "

LUNCH WITH FRIENDS FROM FLORIDA

AFTER WE GOT FINISHED AT THE INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION CLINIC WE MET OUR FRIENDS, DAVE & JEN AND THEIR KIDS FOR LUNCH. THEY WERE IN TOWN FOR A DOCTOR'S APPT. FOR THEIR NEW DAUGHTER HANNAH. WE FINALLY GOT TO MEET THEIR OTHER TWO CHILDREN, JOSH & CALEB. WE HAD ALREADY SEEN PICTURES OF THEM WHILE WE WERE IN CHINA. IT WAS SO GOOD TO MEET THEM IN PERSON. THEY ARE BOTH PRECIOUS.
WE HAD A WONDERFUL VISIT AND HATED SEEING THEM GO HOME.
THEY ARE A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY. WE HAVE REALLY MET AND HAVE FORMED SUCH SPECIAL FRIENDSHIPS THROUGH THE WHOLE ADOPTION PROCESS. WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR EACH ONE OF THEM.

FIRST VISIT AT INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION CLINIC

WE HAD OUR FIRST VISIT TO THE INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION CLINIC. WE SAW DR. JENNIFER CHAMBERS. SHE EXAMINED ZOEY FROM HEAD TO TOE AND SAID EVERYTHING LOOKED AND SOUNDED GREAT. ZOEY HAD TO HAVE BLOODWORK DONE, AND I LET DOUG GO WITH HER AND HELP HOLD HER, I WENT AND WAITED IN THE WAITING ROOM. IT BREAKS MY HEART TO HEAR OR SEE HER CRY. THANK GOD FOR "DADDY" DADDY SAID SHE WAS A REAL TROOPER AND SHE DID REALLY GOOD, AND THEY EVEN HAD TO STICK HER TWICE. OUCH!
DR. CHAMBERS AND HER STAFF ARE WONDERFUL!! ZOEY REALLY LIKED DR. CHAMBERS ALOT. WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE CLINIC IN 3 WEEKS FOR THE LAB RESULTS.

GETTING READY TO GO TO THE INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION CLINIC

WE ARE GETTING READY FOR OUR FIRST VISIT AT THE INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION CLINIC IN BIRMINGHAM.
I LOVE BUYING CLOTHES AND SHOES FOR HER, THIS OUTFIT LOOKS SO ADORABLE ON HER I WANTED TO SHARE IT WITH EVERYONE. MY HUSBAND THINKS I AM CRAZY! OH WELL. :) I LOVE MY BABY GIRL!!!!

ZOEY MIMICING OUR DOG "BAILEY"

ZOEY IS SO SMART SHE IS WATCHING EVERYTHING AROUND HER, ESPECIALLY OUR DOG "BAILEY" SHE TRIES TO MIMIC HER. WHEN YOU ASK HER HOW THE DOG GOES, SHE STICKS OUT HER TONGUE AND MAKES A NOISE (SIMILAR TO THE ONE A DOG MAKES WHEN IT IS HOT). IT IS HILARIOUS. THEN THE NEXT THING SHE STARTED DOING WAS PICKING UP HER TOYS WITH HER MOUTH, AND CRAWLING AROUND HOLDING THE OBJECT. I WAS ABLE TO CAPTURE A PICTURE WITH ONE OF HER STACKING CUPS IN HER MOUTH. TOO CUTE!! SHE KEEPS US LAUGHING.

ZOEY'S FIRST DRIVING LESSON

Look at my big girl !! Can you believe her up in that big hummer acting like she can drive. :) Our dear friends & State Farm Insurance Agents, Herschel & Janet Jones helped us bring home all of our gifts from the shower on Sunday. Well Zoey let Herschel hold her when he was getting ready to leave and she grabbed onto that steering wheel like she had been doing it all along. She was so funny!! And was really enjoying herself. I just had to share these adorable pictures. Zoey is such a huge blessing for our family. We are just amazed how she is becoming more "Americanized" each day. Look out world. :) Thanks to our wonderful friends for helping us home with the shower gifts.

WHAT A GRAND TODDLER SHOWER

OUR CHURCH FAMILY & FRIENDS GAVE US A "TODDLER" SHOWER ON SUNDAY JAN.14TH. WHAT A GRAND SHOWER IT WAS! THEY DID AN ASIAN THEME, COMPLETE WITH CHINESE LANTERNS, PANDA BEARS, CHINESE FANS, FORTUNE COOKIES, AND LADYBUGS. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL! ZOEY RECIEVED BEAUTIFUL OUTFITS AS WELL AS ALL THE OTHER WONDERFUL GIFTS. WE WERE SO OVERWHELMED BY SUCH GENEROSITY AND LOVE WE WERE SHOWN. ZOEY DID REALLY GOOD AT THE SHOWER, AFTER WE WERE THERE FOR ABOUT 30 MINS. SHE CAME OUT OF HER SHELL AND VISITED WITH SOME OF HER GUESTS. HER CUTE PERSONALITY IS COMING OUT MORE AND MORE EACH DAY. WE ARE SO THANKFUL SHE IS HAVING A VERY SMOOTH TRANSITION. THANKS TO ALL WHO HAD A PART IN THE SHOWER. IT WILL ALWAYS BE CHERISHED.

OUR LITTLE CHRISTMAS "DEAR"

LOOK AT OUR LITTLE "DEAR" (DEER) THESE ANTLERS WERE SO CUTE ON HER. OF COURSE SHE DIDN'T LEAVE THEM ON LONG. SHE DIDN'T REALLY UNDERSTAND CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR, BUT I THINK SHE ENJOYED IT. SHE WAS UNSURE OF ALL THE PEOPLE THOUGH.. SHE IS STILL ADJUSTING TO PEOPLE SHE HASN'T SEEN.

OTHER ADOPTIVE FAMILIES WE MET IN CHINA

THESE ARE TWO WONDERFUL ADOPTIVE FAMILIES WE MET WHILE WE WERE IN CHINA. DAVE & JEN WINEBRENER & KEITH & SHIELA HOWARD. WE HAD A GREAT TIME VISITING WITH THEM AND THIER NEW DAUGHTERS. WE HAVE MET SOME OF THE BEST FAMILIES THROUGH OUR ENTIRE ADOPTION PROCESS. WE WERE EATING LUNCH AT THE FAMOUS "LUCY'S" THEY ACTUAL HAD FAIRLY GOOD AMERICAN FOOD.

SILLY GIRL SHOWING OFF HER FROGGY JAMMIES

I BOUGHT ZOEY THESE NEW FROG PAJAMA'S AND SHE LOOKS ADORABLE IN THEM. OH BY THE WAY LOOK AT HER FEET, SHE REFUSES TO WEAR SOCKS INSIDE THE HOUSE. SHE IS FASCINATED WITH LOOKING AT HER FEET. I HAVE TO PUT SOCKS ON HER FEET AFTER SHE GOES TO SLEEP AT NIGHT TIME SO HER FEET DON'T GET COLD. I BOUGHT HER A PAIR OF ROBEEZ SOFT LEATHER SHOES AND NOW I PUT THEM ON HER AROUND THE HOUSE, SHE HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO REMOVE THESE YET. :) NEEDLESS TO SAY SHE ISN'T TO HAPPY ABOUT NOT GETTING TO SEE HER FEET. :)

PROUD DADDY

Look at this "Proud Daddy" Doug is totally in love with his little girl!! She has him wrapped around his little finger. He says I have her spoiled. Ha! We both do. Zoey is blooming each and every day! She is a pure joy and delight to be with. She has the funniest expressions and loves to mock what people do.

VISIT TO ZOEY'S ORPHANAGE

HERE ARE SOME PICTURES FROM ZOEY'S ORPHANAGE.

THE NANNIES AND ADMINISTRATION STAFF WERE VERY NICE. THE PART OF THE ORPHANAGE WE TOURED WAS VERY CLEAN AND ORGANIZED.

IN GOOD OLE' USA

WE ARE FINALLY BACK ON AMERICAN SOIL, IT FEELS WONDERFUL, CHINA WAS NICE BUT IS SURE DOES FEEL GOOD
TO BE CLOSER TO HOME. WE ARE SITTING IN THE AIRPORT IN LOS ANGELES, WAITING TO CATCH OUR FLIGHT. ZOEY IS FEELING MUCH BETTER. THANK GOODNESS. SEE EVERYONE SOON!!!!! YEAH!!

CONSULATE APPT TOMORROW

THANK GOODNESS WE ARE ON THE DOWN SLOPE! OUR FINAL APPT. IS TOMORROW ON DEC. 19TH WHERE WE WILL MEET AND RECEIVE ZOEY'S VISA, SO WE CAN BRING HER INTO THE UNITED STATES.
WE HAD TO TAKE ZOEY TO THE DOCTOR THIS MORNING AT OUR HOTEL, SHE HAS A THROAT INFECTION.
SHE HAS BEEN STARTED ON MEDS, AND WE PRAY SHE FEELS BETTER REAL SOON. WE CAN'T WAIT TO GET HOME AND GET SOME SOUTHREN COOKING!! WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH CHINESE FOR AWHILE. :)

WE ARRIVE IN BIRMINGHAM DEC. 20TH AROUND 1:00PM. ZOEY SENDS LOVE TO ALL! :)
PRAYING FOR A SAFE AND SOUND RETURN TO THE USA!

MEDICAL EXAMINATION

WE ARE BACK IN GUANGZHOU NOW. WE WENT TODAY FOR ZOEY'S MEDICAL EXAMINATION, AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. WE HAVE BEEN REALLY BUSY WITH PACKING AND UNPACKING, WE LEFT NANJING AND CAME TO GUANGZHOU. OUR TOUR GUIDE HAS SEVERAL THINGS LINED UP FOR US TO DO. WE ARE GOING SHOPPING ONE DAY AND THE NEXT DAY WE WILL GO TO THE ZOO. MONDAY NIGHT WE ARE TAKING A RIVER BOAT CRUISE ON THE PEARL RIVER. THERE ARE ALOT OF ADOPTION FAMILIES HERE AT THIS HOTEL WITH US, AND OF COURSE WE ARE LOVING SEEING ALL OF THE BABIES. ZOEY IS BEING A REAL TROOPER WITH ALL THE NEW ACTIVITIES. SHE IS STILL HAPPY AND A BUNDLE OF PURE JOY. SHE ALREADY HAS DADDY WRAPPED AROUND HER LITTLE FINGER. HERE ARE SOME PICTURES FROM THE MEDICAL EXAM AND IN THE HOTEL.

LEAVING NANJING TODAY

WE LEAVE NANJING TODAY AND RETURN BACK TO GUANGZHO, TO THE WHITE SWAN HOTEL. WE CAN HARDLY WAIT.
THEY ARE ALOT MORE FRIENDLIER TO AMERICANS WHO HAVE ADOPTED AND SPEAK ALOT BETTER ENGLISH.
WE VISITED ZOEY'S ORPHANAGE ON THURSDAY AND ALL THE STAFF AND NANNIES WERE VERY NICE AND FRIENDLY.
THE AREAS WE GOT TO TOUR WAS CLEAN AND ORGANIZED. I WAS SO GLAD WE WERE TAKING ZOEY AWAY FROM THERE ONCE IN FOR ALL. ZOEY SEEMED UN-EASY THE REST OF THE DAY, JUST NOT HER HAPPY GO LUCKY SELF.
WE WERE SO UPSET TO SEE HER LOOK THIS SAD. SHE FINALLY GOT BETTER THAT NIGHT AND SHE IS BACK TO HER OLD SELF TODAY. I HAD NO IDEA IT WOULD AFFECT HER THAT WAY. WE HAVE JUST BEEN DOING ALOT OF BONDING WITH HER IN OUR HOTEL ROOM. WHICH HAS BROUGHT ALL THREE OF US GREAT JOY!!
SHE WILL "MOCK" HAND GESTURES AND NOISES YOU DO WITH YOUR MOUTH. IT IS SO FUNNY. SHE IS STILL EATING GOOD AND SLEEPING GOOD. SHE CRAWLS ALOT AND CAN STAND WITH HELP AND CAN TAKE ABOUT 4 STEPS BY HERSELF. I WILL POST MORE PICTURES SOON. THE INTERNET HERE IS REALLY SLOW ON UPLOADING PICTURES.
WE WILL BE HOME SOON, AND CAN'T WAIT!! PLEASE CONTINUE TO REMEMBER US IN YOUR PRAYERS.
LOVE,
KEMP PARTY OF "THREE"

GOTCHA DAY PICTURES

NOW WE ARE THREE

WE WENT TO THE CIVIL AFFAIRS OFFICE ON DEC. 11TH 2006 WHERE OUR DAUGHTER WAS HANDED TO US! THIS WAS COMPLETE HAPPINESS! SHE IS JUST AS BEAUTIFUL IN PERSON AS SHE WAS IN THE PICTURES. SHE IS TINY, VERY SMALL HANDS AND FEET, REAL DAINTY. WE HAD TO DO SOME PAPERWORK AND THEN WE TOOK HER BACK TO OUR HOTEL AND DID ALOT OF BONDING TIME. WE PLAYED IN THE FLOOR WITH HER FOR HOURS. SHE LOVES THE TELEVISION ALREADY. THEY GOT TO WATCH TV FOR 2 HOURS EACH DAY WHEN SHE WAS IN THE ORPHANAGE.
SHE LOOKS JUST LIKE DOUG WHEN SHE WATCHES IT TOO, SHE IS FOCUSED ON THAT TV AND NOTHING ELSE MATTERS. ONE OF THE GUIDES HERE SAID ZOEY LOOKED ALOT LIKE DOUG. WE ALSO WERE TOLD THAT ZOEY LIKES HER MILK SWEET AND LIKES SWEETS IN GENERAL, "JUST LIKE HER MOM" :) AFTER WE TALKED TO TWO OF THE OTHER FAMILIES ABOUT THEIR FIRST NIGHT TOGETHER WITH THEIR NEW DAUGHTERS, WE FOUND OUT THAT ZOEY WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT. WE ARE TRULY "DOUBLE" BLESSED. THE POWER OF PRAYER, WE HAD BEEN PRAYING FOR A SMOOTH TRANSISTION FOR ZOEY AND SO FAR SO GOOD. WE WERE ABLE TO GET PICTURES FROM YESTERDAY AND I WILL GET THEM POSTED. THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS, THEY HAVE BEEN HEARD.

LANDED IN NANJING

WE ARE IN NANJING NOW, SAT. DEC. 9TH 2006. THIS IS THE CITY WHERE ZOEY LIVES NOW. WE WILL BE RECEIVING HER ON MONDAY. DEC. 11TH. JUST 1 1/2 DAYS. WE HAVE A VERY NICE ROOM IN THE MANDARIAN HOTEL. THE GUIDE WHO MET US AT THE AIRPORT, HIS NAME IS SHANE. HE IS ADORABLE, LAUGHS AND JOKES ALOT. WE ARE GOING TO DO SOME SIGHT SEEING ON SUNDAY, NOT SURE WHAT YET. WE ARE STILL TIRED BUT WE SEEM TO BE ADJUSTING SLOWLY TO THE TIME CHANGE. WE SURE DO MISS ALABAMA.

FINALLY ARRIVED

HELLO!! YEAH!! WE HAVE FINALLY ARRIVED IN GUANGZHOU. ARRIVED ON THURSDAY DEC. 7TH AT
4:44PM "ALABAMA" TIME., 6:30AM CHINA TIME. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING COMPUTER PROBLEMS AND ARE TRYING TO CORRECT THEM NOW. WE ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE EMAIL BUT UNABLE TO SEND ANY. WE LEAVE TODAY AT 12:30PM (DEC.9TH) HEADING TO NANJING WHERE ZOEY LIVES NOW. WE WILL BE THERE ONE WEEK AND RETURN TO THE WHITE SWAN IN GUANGZHOU NEXT WEEK. DOUG GOT SICK WHEN HE GOT OFF THE AIRPLANE IN CHINA AND HAD TO TAKE PHENERGAN AND GO TO BED. WE HAVE MET A WONDERFUL FAMILY WHO ARE ADOPTING ALSO. THEY ARE FROM MISSISSIPPI. THEY ARE KEITH & SHEILA HOWARD. WHAT A WONDERFUL FEELING IT IS TO MEET NEW FRIENDS. THE WHITE SWAN IS BEAUTIFUL!! THE CHINESE PEOPLE ARE AWESOME! SO NICE AND ACCOMODATING. WE FLEW A TOTAL OF 22 HOURS, AND LAST NIGHT WE WERE DEAD TIRED. TODAY IS MUCH BETTER. WE HAD SUCH PEACE WHILE WE WERE IN THE AIRPLANE AND FELT THE HAND OF GOD ON US THE ENTIRE TRIP. WE MISS AND LOVE ALL OF YOU!
I WILL POST AGAIN AS SOON AS I CAN.

ZOEY'S CHURCH FAMILY

WHAT A GREAT DAY! TODAY IS THE LAST SUNDAY BEFORE WE TRAVEL TO GET ZOEY.
WE HAVE THE BEST CHURCH FAMILY IN THE WORLD. THEY ARE JUST AS EXCITED AS WE ARE ABOUT ZOEY'S ARRIVAL. I CAN'T WAIT FOR HER TO MEET EVERYONE. I KNOW SHE WILL FEEL LOTS OF LOVE FROM EACH AND EVERYONE OF THEM. IT IS SO GOOD TO BE APART OF SUCH A LOVING GROUP OF BELIEVERS. WE HAVE BEEN SO BLESSED TO BE APART OF THIS CHURCH FOR 7 YEARS NOW. SOON ZOEY WILL BE ONE OF THE NEWEST MEMBERS.
"LOOK OUT" MRS. DARNELL YOU WILL BE ADDING ANOTHER ONE TO YOUR "FLOCK"
THANK YA'LL AGAIN FOR ALL THE LOVE AND PRAYERS WE HAVE BEEN SHOWN OVER THE YEARS AND CONTINUE TO RECEIVE.

NEW PICTURES OF ZOEY IN HER ORPHANGE

ONE OF THE FAMILIES THAT JUST RETURNED HOME, WAS ABLE TO TAKE PICTURES AT ZOEY'S ORPHANAGE, THEIR CHILD WAS IN THE SAME ORPHANAGE. IT WAS WONDERFUL TO RECEIVE THESE. ONE OF THE PICTURES LOOKS LIKE SHE HAS HER TONGUE OUT. :)

IN THE PICTURE WHERE THEY ARE EATING IT IS A MIXTURE OF CONGEE AND MEAT.
LOOKS LIKE OUR OATMEAL TO ME. THE ORPHANAGE LOOKS REALLY PRETTY AND CLEAN.
IT LOOKS LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN TAKING GOOD CARE OF HER.

TIME HAS FINALLY ARRIVED!

WELL THE TIME AS FINALLY ARRIVED! WE ARE TRAVELING TO CHINA TO GET "ZOEY"
WE LEAVE ON DEC. 6TH ARRIVING IN CHINA ON THE 8TH. THEY ARE ABOUT 14 HOURS AHEAD OF US IN TIME. WE ARE SO EXCITED! WE HAVE BEEN PACKING AND RE-PACKING.

I HAVE BEEN WASHING CLOTHES AND CLEANING, I THINK I AM NESTING. :)
THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BEST TRIP WE HAVE EVER BEEN ON, AND JUST KNOWING HOW
MUCH HAPPINESS THIS LITTLE GIRL WILL BRING IN OUR HOME. I CAN HARDLY WAIT TO GET TO HOLD & CUDDLE HER. DOUG & I WILL BE IN 7TH HEAVEN !!

NEW PICTURES OF OUR PRINCESS

THESE ARE AMAZING PICTURES OF ZOEY, SHE IS 18 MONTHS OLD, WEIGHS 19.5 LBS.
SHE HAS REALLY CHANGED FROM HER EARLIER PICTURES WHEN SHE WAS 13 MONTHS OLD. WHAT A BEAUTY! SHE IS STANDING IN THE ACTIVITY ROOM OF HER NEW ORPHANAGE
AND THEY SAID SHE LOVES THE MIRROR. "LOOK OUT WORLD HERE SHE COMES" :)

WE ARE TOTALLY 100% IN LOVE WITH HER! JUST IN TEN DAYS WE WILL BE ON THE AIRPLANE TO GET HER. WHAT A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS THIS WILL BE! WHAT A VERY SPECIAL GIFT FROM GOD WE ARE RECEIVING.

CONSULATE APPT. RECEIVED

WONDERFUL NEWS, WE HAVE RECEIVED OUR CONSULATE APPT. IT IS FOR DEC. 18TH. WE HAVE BEEN BUSY MAKING AIRPLANE RESERVATIONS, ARRANGING FOR THE "PANDA TELEPHONE" TO BE DELIVERED TO OUR HOTEL ROOM. I CAN NOT DO WITHOUT A TELEPHONE :) WE HAVE GOT TO BE ABLE TO CHECK ON OUR FOUR-LEGGED CHILD. "BAILEY (OUR BIG OLE' BOXER) SHE THINKS SHE IS A LAP DOG,
90 LBS. THIS IS A REAL SIGHT TO BEHOLD. WE HAVE BE CHECKING & RE-CHECKING THIS PACKING ORDEAL. WE HAVE NEVER BEEN AWAY FROM HOME FOR TWO WEEKS, PLUS WE ARE "HOME BODIES" ALL OF OUR FRIENDS KEEP TELLING US THAT LIFE IS FIXING TO CHANGE FOR US, AND OF COURSE WE ARE READY & WAITING! WHAT A GREAT CHANGE THIS WILL BE, AND I KNOW IT IS THE BEST KIND OF CHANGE.
*NOW THE COUNT- DOWN BEGINS"

GREAT NEWS !!

GREAT NEWS RECEIVED TODAY! OUR SW CALLED AND SAID WE RECEIVED OUR TA.
NOW WE ARE JUST WAITING FOR OUR CONSULATE APPT. GETTING SO CLOSE!
BUT SO FAR AWAY. :0)

ZOEY'S ROOM IS FINISHED

WELL MISS ZOEY'S ROOM IS FINISHED AND JUST NEEDS THIS SPECIAL LITTLE GIRL HERE TO ENJOY IT. IT TURNED OUT ADORABLE!! IT'S PRETTY & COZY, ANY LITTLE GIRL'S DREAM COME TRUE. LITTLE LADY BUGS ALL AROUND AND BUTTERFLIES AND DRAGONFLIES ALL AROUND. ALSO BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS. " THANKS AUNT TERESA FOR ALL YOUR WONDERFUL ART WORK! "
WE FOUND THE PRETTIEST LIGHT FIXTURE AT WAL-MART TO FINALIZE THE ROOM.

:) I HOPE ZOEY LIKES IT AS MUCH AS I DO!

"THIS SAYS IT ALL

Kisses In the Wind I hold you in my heart and touch you in my dreams.You are here each day with me, at least that's how it seems.I know you wonder where we are….what's taking us so long.But remember my child, I love you so and God will keep you strong.Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin…Because tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you.I promise you my darling, I'm doing all that I can do.Very soon, you'll have a family for real, not just pretend.But for tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight.And let the angels bring you kisses that I send to you each night.---Unknown

ON PINS & NEEDLES WAITING ON OUR TA

IT HAS BEEN A NERVE RACKING TWO WEEKS, WAITING FOR THE NEWS OF A TRAVEL APPROVAL.
THE LAST STEP BEFORE WE TRAVEL. HOLD ON ZOEY DADDY & MAMA ARE COMING! WE DREAM AND THINK ABOUT HOW IT WILL BE WITH LITTLE FOOTSTEPS IN OUR HOUSE, WE THINK IT WILL BE A TOTAL DREAM COME TRUE AND A HUGE BLESSING FROM GOD. PRAISE BE TO GOD.

"I WILL PRAISE YOU, O LORD, WITH ALL MY HEART; I WILL TELL
OF ALL YOUR WONDERS. I WILL BE GLAD AND REJOICE IN YOU,
I WILL SING PRAISE TO YOUR NAME O MOST HIGH."
PSALM 9: 1-2

WE RECEIVED PRE-TRAVEL APPROVAL!!

WONDERFUL NEWS!! ON OCT. 16TH OUR SOCIAL WORKER (KARLA) CALLED AND SAID WE RECEIVED OUR "PRE-TRAVEL APPROVAL" WHICH MEANS THE CONSULATE IN CHINA HAS SAID THAT ZOEY WILL BE OUR FOREVER DAUGHTER. IN OTHER WORDS " they liked us" Ha!!
ONE MORE STEP CLOSER TO ZOEY! `NOW WE
ARE JUST WAITING FOR TRAVEL APPROVAL.
PRAYING IT WILL COME SOON.
I HAVE ASK FOR A RECENT PICTURE OF ZOEY AND UPDATES SUCH AS WEIGHT, HEIGHT.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE TAKE THE RIGHT SIZE CLOTHES. :) WE ARE SO EXCITED! THANKS TO EVERYONE WHOM HAS BEEN PRAYING FOR US AND ZOEY.

: PICTURES OF ZOEY'S ROOM

HERE ARE A FEW PICTURES OF THE START OF ZOEY'S ROOM. IT IS NOT FINISHED YET. THE LITTLE PICKET FENCE WAS HANDPAINTED BY MY FRIEND TERESA SIMS. HOPEFULLY I WILL GET IT FINISHED BEFORE WE HAVE OUR PRECIOUS BUNDLE OF JOY.