Memphis Trip, Friends and Sights

Memphis Zoo. I love shooting the tigers there.

This same gorilla stared at us the entire time 2 years ago too.

Grizzly bears playing in their river in the new Teton Trek section.

Polar bears in Memphis? Sounds like something out of LOST, but he was keeping cool.

Bonding with a new friend. LynnMarie loves to say, "monkey bum."

I think I'm from the same place as him!

Looking at the animals with Momma.

Both the cheetahs started stalking.

The orange bugged the white during his nap, just like housecats, but bigger.

A break at the Pink Palace Museum.

Mid-morning nap time.

Downtown Franklin, TN. If you are there, go visit Sweet CeCe's Yogurt shop.

LynnMarie with the Brigman girls. Fast friends.

Amy with "Mini" Cooper Rushing.

Amy with her friend and former coworker Katherine.

Happy Fathers Day

LynnMarie and Ethan sharing a friendly hug. Big girl loves to give hugs and say AHH! She has also discovered the movie Shrek and can sit through a good portion of the DVD. Her vocabulary is continuing to grow and she is sooo close to jumping (her last big developmental milestone)

Playdate and splashtime

What a fun day. Playtime at DacKids, speech therapy and then playtime in the pool in the rain. It started pouring right when we walked but we said what the heck. We were going to get wet anyway. She is busy having fun, walking and talking more and more everyday. She is the sweetest thing in our lives and is constantly teaching us things! God has been so good to us! We will be eternally thankful for this amazing gift!

thoughts

I sit and wonder if LynnMarie will ever grasp the love we have for her? She has the sweetest spirit and funny giggles, you can not not love this amazing creation of God.

Then I wondered if I could ever grasp the love our Heavenly Father has for us?

My 2 year old continues to amaze me and make me question so many amazing things. WoW

Spring Adoption Friends Gathering and Jello

The Sheridan

If you like your fingers, stay away from Faith and her popcorn

Michael Perry, Mike Christopher, Karen Ladman, Nicholas Kjeldsen (getting popcorn)

LynnMarie and Faith sharing popcorn

This may be my favorite picture of me and LynnMarie

Donna Strait and her "Redneck Train" It's awesome. And yes, those are carseats and office chairs bolted to wheeled platforms.

Ready for a train ride.

LynnMarie and her cheesy smile.

This is why Daddy should not give LynnMarie Jello.

Pigtails

ri

Today we had a family day and spent a few hours at the Smyrna Jonqil Festival. After experiencing suntan lotion in the eyes, we all had a great time and LynnMarie enjoyed walking around. They had a used book sale and LynnMarie got a few new books too. It was wonderful weather and we look forward to our next festival. She is doing so much. She like to pick out her books for bedtime and right now her favorite seems to be a touch and feel dinosaur book and Eric Karl's Does a Kangaroo have a mother? She is lucky that Grandma Linda gave her 2 really nice learning books to read. She like those as well. Next week we are headed to a learning store to pick up some flashcards. We are now working on 2 word phrases!

3 years ago

3 years ago our dossier was logged in to China. We had no idea the path would bring us to LynnMarie or some amazing people..

Yeah God

Blogging

Wow. I blogged so much before China. I miss it and I miss all the blogs I used to read. I love adoption and I love what its doing to peoples hearts. I have friends that started adopting in China only to have their hearts move to Ethiopia. I have had many friends move to special needs and even some change agencies.All of these things are good things. God uses adoption not only to help orphans but to change our lives in the process. The process was AMAZING.

What people learn from LynnMarie is AMAZING.

I am thankful for all of you who are still reading. I pray for those who are actively waiting. I am thankful for the friends around the country I have made through this.

I am thankful for our sweet breath of Spring, LynnMarie ChunAi who is getting ready to celebrate her 2nd Easter with us!

Keep praying for those hearts and eyes that are pondering the process of adoption and keep praying for the ones waiting for mommys and daddies!

2nd Birthday

Chuck E Cheese..A good time was had by all. She had a great time and got some great gifts. One thing will do each year (birthday and Gotcha Day) is to ask friends and families to donate to Swallows Nest instead of a gift. LynnMarie is just happy to be surrounded by people who love her. Thanks to all who have donated (it will help care for kids waiting for their families) and those who came to party.. Here are a few photos!!! yes, her cake rocked!