oh Christmas tree

Beautiful day.
Beautiful memories.

THE one!

Just my size!

cousins

Um, this ornament looks just like Mommy's
Starbucks cup...Why is it empty?!

Hmmm...

Delicious popcorn!

God showed up once again in a beautiful way on Saturday. When I say the tree farm we visited was in the middle of nowhere...I mean NOWHERE! Just picture 9 miles of winding road off the main road in the Pisgah National Forest! As soon as we arrived, a mom w/ her little son approached us & asked about Gracie. She told us her little boy had just had his lip repaired ( he looked amazing) not too long ago. She asked who our surgeon was , and I told her he was in Charlotte...Be still my heart... they go to the same office! Her son also had the Latham device that Gracie will soon have, and he will have his palate repaired soon. She went on & on about how much they have loved the surgeons w/ the practice. Yet another HUGE confirmation from our heavenly Father! Small world??...Not to Him!

A Very Thankful Heart

I can't thank God enough for...

Our beautiful, gifted Ali

Our lovely, creative Erin

Our sensitive, funny Quinn

Our undeserved, beautiful miracle Gracie Shu

and my handsome Honey

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into His presence with singing! Know that the LORD, He is God! It is He Who has made us, and we are His; We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with Thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give THANKS to Him; bless His Name! For the LORD is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations." Psalm 100

Thanksgiving Eve

I can't believe after 3 years of saying "Maybe next Thanksgiving we'll have our Gracie", that she is home! When we think about all that God has done for us in 2009, it's overwhelming.

Thank you God for our little blessing!!

Now for my book plug...We have so enjoyed reading through this book as a family this year. I have embarrassingly learned some things about our Thanksgiving holiday that I never knew before. What a rich heritage we have!

Mr. Potato/Turkey Head

Gracie made her first Thanksgiving craft
in her occupational therapy today.

Is that the best turkey you've ever seen, or what?

Yeah, I know, she's brilliant.

Impression Time Part Trois

The best way to eat mashed potatoes...With 2 utensils

Our trip to Charlotte yesterday went very well. Poor little Gracie Shu knew the second we stepped into the Doctor's office what was going to happen. There's something about that silent cry with the tears streaming down the cheeks that kills your heart. Then there's the "hear-it down-the-hall" crying as the doctor is making the new impression. So hard.

God placed His fingerprints in many places too. We met a gentleman at a rest area who has a granddaughter adopted from China. Talk about a proud Grandpa! While waiting at the office we met another adorable little Asian sweetie with her Mama. They just returned from China in September, and were there to have the same procedure as Gracie. Her lip & palate are both affected as well.
Oh, and on the way home we encountered THIS - Good timing eh?

Please join us in praying that this impression will be acceptable to the doctor who will be making the device for Gracie. We would love to have her first surgery done before Christmas!

Wouldn't you know she would fall asleep 5 minutes before her appointment?!!

That odd looking mold is the reason I've had a coffee from the Gaffney Starbucks
3 different times in 3 months!

Is the Third Time REALLY THE Charm?!!

Pure Joy!

The discovery of the dress up box!

UGH! We are heading back to Charlotte next Tuesday for Gracie to be fitted for her palate appliance...for the third time! We thought we would surely have had her first procedure behind us before Thanksgiving, but that will not be the case. The doctor who makes these devices wants a more detailed mold made of her palate because for an older child, it needs to fit perfectly, and I can appreciate that. We're getting this routine down pretty good by now...No food for 3 hrs before our appointment, One terrible minute of the actual fitting, and then a quick lunch before heading home! The nurse was so apologetic, but I told her I understand. We're just one more step closer in the process! I'm grateful that God's hand is so evidently in all of this. We have to trust His timing!

Happy weekend!!

Our Fall Getaway

We had an amazing, relaxing time with Brian's family over the weekend. The kids were in heaven being able to spend time with cousins & experience freedom to roam on over 200 acres! God's creative beauty was everywhere. Gracie did so well travelling as well as meeting new faces.

We are so grateful for our time away!
Coming back to reality was tough!

Our humble lodge

We could get used to this!

Playing with Grammie

Gracie w/ her cousin Kaylee

Our sweet nephew Ian

Aunt Heather and little Jameson

Miss Field and Stream w/ her 21" bass!

Cousins

The view from our porch
(Can you tell the little princess just woke up?!)

Uncle John and hunter Quinn

Annie Oakley Erin

Ali looking way too grown up!

Catchin' up




Quinn polishing up on his
support-my parents-in-their old-age
skills