Decorating the Christmas Tree!

Last Friday, Elli helped put the "tar!" on top of the tree.  This is going to be a very special Christmas. 

Fever

Elli had a fever last weekend after Thanksgiving.  Mama and Elli had to stay home from church on Sunday.  Snuggling and Sesame Street helped her feel better...

Adoption Awareness Month

November is Adoption Awareness Month.  As we celebrate the joys of our adoption, my heart is also sad when I think about Elli's birth mother and father.  I pray that God will comfort them and help heal their pain as only He can do.
Here is a story written by the mom of one of my piano students.  Her family, sister's family, and niece's family all adopted little girls from China and were an inspiration to us.

One day my daughter Hannah who we adopted from China asked about meeting her birth mother. The question arose after one of her friends who was adopted domestically was able to meet her birth mother. Hannah was thrilled for her friend, but she wanted to meet her birth mother too. I had to explain to Hannah that it would be impossible to meet her birth mother because out of a desperate situation she had to leave her baby on the steps of a hospital. I also explained that I believed in my heart that her birth mother grieves every day over her decision and that she loves her very much. I hope that one day that this grieving mother will know that her daughter has an amazing life with a family who adores her.

Hannah's next question was "If I cannot meet her on this earth then I hope I meet her in heaven, but what if she does not know Jesus?" My response to my daughter was that it is important that we live every day of our lives as an example of Christ. We are to be a light in a dark world, so those who do not know the Lord will come to know Him. We also need to pray that God provides the same light to her birth mother in China. I believe God will answer Hannah's prayer. Can you imagine the beautiful reunion that will be had in heaven on the glorious day when this grieving mother is able to hold her daughter for the first time.

If I could say one thing to Hannah's birth mother, I would say thank you. Thank you for not aborting your beautiful baby. Thank you for loving her so much to give her life. She is truly a gift. God has BIG plans for her. I am so grateful God has honored me with the opportunity to raise her.


~Linda

Thanksgiving Dinner

Elli enjoyed her Thanksgiving dinner, especially the mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie!  Her aunt and uncle from out of state and her grandpa were here to celebrate Elli's first Thanksgiving with us.  We have so much to be thankful for this year.

"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

China trip pic...Lotus Market

Here are some pictures inside the Chinese Lotus Market in Zhengzhou.  There were three floors.  The first floor was a market of various items such as jewelry and clothing.  The second and third floors had food and other items similar to a Wal-Mart.  The shopping carts were magnetic to move on the escalator ramps.  Some foods that were available were very unusual such as chicken toe, and open bins of intestines and eels.  Some things we bought were baby formula, rice crackers, Pringles, hot chocolate mix, diapers, and a diaper bag. 

Soothing Piano Music

Listening to Mama play soft Christmas music on the piano at nap time is so relaxing... Zzz...

China trip pic...Forbidden City

When we were in Beijing, we toured The Forbidden City.  The Forbidden City was built in 1406 -1420 and was the Chinese imperial palace for 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.  The Chinese name, Zijin Cheng, literally means "Purple Forbidden City".  Ancient Chinese Astronomers believed that the Purple Star (Polaris or North Star) was in the center of heaven and the Heavenly Emperor lived in the Purple Palace.  The Palace for the emperor on earth was called the Purple City.  Such a divine place was forbidden to ordinary people and required special permission from the emperor to enter or leave the palace, so it was called the Purple Forbidden City.

Sliding!

Elli can climb the steps on this playground and isn't scared to go down the slide by herself!  Our baby girl is growing up too fast...just a few weeks ago, she needed Mama to go with her...

Kazoos!

Elli and Brady provided a little music before dinner.  :)

Wilderness Survival

Brady worked on earning the Wilderness Survival Scout merit badge this past weekend.  Each of the boys in the troop had a specific place in the woods that they were to make their own shelter and build a fire.  They could not bring a tent or sleeping bag.  The scenario was that they were on a day hike with only a backpack and got caught in the woods.  They were to dress in layers and pack a few things like a tarp, flashlight, knife, and snack foods.  Brady gathered kindling for his fire and created his shelter by lashing a log to two trees.  So cool!!  We were thankful that the weather was mild, but he did get pretty cold because his fire went out around 1:00 a.m.  We are very proud of him for making it through the night.  Mama was praying for his safety.  A mountain lion had been spotted in the area a couple days before and it was opening weekend for deer hunting!  This land was private property and the troop took precautions, but I was still nervous...

Strike Up the Kitchen Band!

China trip pic...Gotcha Day

Today is the four month anniversary of Elli's "Gotcha Day".  Our travel group had babies that were arriving from different orphanages in the Henan province.  Elli was one of the last few babies to arrive.  It was the most amazing sight to see her walking on her own through those doors!

Recipe - Cranberry Apple Crisp

This apple crisp recipe with cranberry sauce is yummy in the fall and for the holidays.
Cranberry Apple Crisp
5 medium Granny Smith apples
1 can (16 ounces) whole berry cranberry sauce
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons flour


Topping:
1/4 cup walnuts
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup margarine, melted


Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Peel and slice apples.  Combine sugar and flour, and mix with cranberries.  Toss cranberry mixture with apples and place in a 9x13 baking dish.  Chop walnuts finely.  Combine nuts, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, flour and butter.  Sprinkle evenly over fruit mixture.  Bake for 30-40 minutes or until top is golden brown and fruit is tender.

Playing with the Teepee!

Fun with Play-Doh!

Halloween!

Elli went trick-or-treating on Halloween night.  She was the most adorable little ladybug we've ever seen!