Christmas Continues

The Christmas celebration continued in our house on Friday. In the afternoon, two different sets of friends dropped by - our good friend Lieke - who brought books and the video "Winnie the Pooh" for Becky, and then the Rutledge family took a needed break from their nine hour car ride on the way home from Grandma's. We had the Batmobile here waiting for Nic - it was a huge hit because it was "what he had wanted since he was a boy"!

We all went to dinner - not real relaxing with a five year old & a 2 1/2 year old that had been in the car since 9 am and a 21 months old- but fun none the less!

One of Becky's favorite toys is the wooden pull string grasshopper pop-pop made for her...now if she would just walk & pull the string!

Trying to finish unwrapping the presents with daddy....

(yes - more matching pajamas!)Then Aunt Tracy & Uncle Jeff come over with more!

At the end of the day, however, her favorite play past times are playing with us!

Becky's First Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Becky had a wonderful first Christmas! Christmas Eve, we all went to church then came home & had a big spaghetti dinner. This was a real stretch for me - I usually serve a complete prime rib dinner with all the accompaniments. However, this year, I scaled backed - a lot. I didn't want to spend Becky's first Christmas confined to the kitchen. So I made ahead as much as I could, and kicked back & relaxed (although my husband would tell you otherwise!) We had a great two days with family & friends - here's a picture post!

Becky's present from mommy & daddyyes - I did make my hubby wear matching pajamas! Ashlee's favorite gift - always the right color & size!

Matt got the i-touch ipod (almost didn't get it~I really liked it & almost kept it!)Pop-pop had is having a good time - many pictures of his Becky! Becky figured out pretty quickly how to get presents opened - however, she still has some left today because she she opened one and actually wanted to play with it!

Grandma, Ashlee & Christina - Our friend LaShane & her friend Elizabeth - Pop-pop. our friend Pardis (who is from Iran) Sailor and Alan (although there was really no room on the couch for Sailor, she managed to insert herself!) People always say Christmas is for the kids - and that is true. While it is fun to have the "Santa" excitement and the lights & all the fun stuff, I discovered this year that having a child brings home even more the true impact of Christmas. God sent His son - HIS SON!! - to earth as a litttle babe to save us! We look at our daughter and know that she came here to save us - how much bigger was God's gift of His son to us.

"For unto us this day a child is born"

Merry Christmas - may each and everyone of us cherish this gift that the Lord gives us

The Christmas Fashion Show Continues!

My mom sent Becky a Christmas present - and since I knew what it was & wanted her to wear it today - we opened it early. This pinafore was handmade with love by grandma - and is reversible with darling embroidery on the other side. Becky was the hit of our prayer group luncheon today

A Holy Christmas

It is hard to describe how different this Christmas is from last. This time last year, I was in a pit of despair - angry at God, at China and at my husband because we didn't have our daughter yet. Thanks to four wonderful prayer warriors and fellow adoptive moms - Kim, Tara, Carmi and Melissa, I made it through - and can see now God's province and perfect timing. I heard the song "Merry Christmas" by Third Day two years ago. It always makes me cry - but this year for a very different reason:

There's a little girl trembling on a cold December morn
Crying for momma's arms
At an orphanage just outside a little China town
There the forgotten are

But half a world away I hang the stockings by the fire
And dream about the day when I can finally call you mine

It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart I wish you Merry Christmas

As I hang the tinsel on the tree and watch the twinkling lights
I'm warmed by the fire's glow
Outside the children tumble in a wonderland of white,
Make angels in the snow

But half a world away you try your best to fight the tears
And hope that heaven's angels come to carry you here

It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart I wish you Merry Christmas

Christmas is a time to celebrate the holy child
And we celebrate his perfect gift of love
He came to earth to give his life
And prepare a place for us
So we could have a home with him above

It's Christmas time again and now you're home
Your family is here so you will never be alone
So tonight before you go to sleep, I'll hold you in my arms
And I'll tell you from my heart, and I'll you from my heart
I wish you Merry Christmas

My prayers this year are of thanksgiving to God for bringing our daughter home to us - that this year, she will know the joy of Christmas in a loving family instead of lying on a board in a barren room in a lonely orphanage. They are also for the millions of kids here in the US and around the world who are not with their forever families - who lie awake and alone on Christmas Eve, the only thing on their list is a family of their own.

Pray for these children - and pray about how in 2009, you might make life a little better for one of these kids.

Merry Christmas and God Bless Us - every one!

For the past four years, we have hosted a couples bible study in our home each week. It is a small group - 4 couples - but we have come to feel like a family. Each year we celebrate Christmas with a dinner and "yankee" gift exchange. This year was especially sweet as we were joined by two babies - Becky and Dave & Tami's new son, Aaron - who was born while I was in China getting Becky.

Some Favorite People

We really enjoyed Grandpa and Grandma Judy's visit with us - Becky is little #15, and is just as doted on as little #1!
She definitely warmed up to grandpa in the last days they were here..this picture was just bad timing!

We all went out to our favorite Italian restaurant on Tuesday night before they left - and Becky had a blast playing with daddy!

Speaking of daddy, this is the scene every night in our house about 6:15. When the dog hears the garage door open, she goes flying towards the door. Becky, now alerted to the impending daddy arrival, races after her (as fast as her four limbs will take her!) and they both wait patiently for the door to open and and usher in daddy!

Weekend Celebrations

This weekend was full of celebrations. First, on Saturday night, Becky went to her Gymboree Christmas party. She had a blast...until Santa showed up (she feels about him the same way she felt about the Disneyland characters!)

Then this morning, we celebrated our good friend Kris' birthday with brunch at Goofy's kitchen. This is an annual tradition for Kris. It's a lot of fun because everything at Disneyland is decorated for Christmas and it is really beautiful!
Becky still isn't big on the characters - but the princesses were ok - with everyone!

After we got home, we had an early Christmas with Grandpa & Grandma Judy so Becky could open her presents from them - she may not totally understand what Christmas is all about, but she is getting the present part!