Merry Christmas Olivia Grace

Dear Olivia,

Merry Christmas!! I have thought about you often today...We went to pick out our hallmark 2011 ornament yesterday and the boys picked out one that we put your picture in that says, "cute as a button."  Oh how I wish you were here..  It seems so strange to know that I have a daughter and she can't be here with me.. People call this stage in adoption the "paper pregnancy."  Well, I dont like it one bit....

We are still waiting on one piece of the "puzzle" and then we will send our dossier to China.  Oh how I wish it would come... Tomorrow is Jesus' birthday...I can't wait to tell you all about him...He was born in a manger to a man and woman named Mary and Joseph....He later died on a cross for all of us and our sins...but I will get to that later!

Tonight I want to tell you about a little girl who was adopted by a wonderful family in our church.  Her middle name was Grace also.  Last winter she became sick and later she went on to be with Jesus.  She was the most precious little girl...She was in Benjamin's mission friends class and part of our children's church group.. I became very close to her....When she passed away, it was a very sad time...Her family had a memorial service for her at our church.. When I left there that day, I knew that I wanted to adopt a baby girl...She was an inspiration to us all...I picture her today sitting on Jesus' lap and looking up at him with her sweet smile....

When we picked out your name I knew I wanted to name you after her...That is where we got your "Grace" in Olivia Grace!!!

You never know what life can bring we just have to trust the Lord everyday!!  I pray for you day and night baby girl!!! I love you!!  I can not wait until next Christmas until you are with us!!

Merry Christmas!!

Your Mama

Day 24: NEW PICTURES OF OLIVIA!!!!!

CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY!!!!

There are no words!!!!  LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

I almost fell over when I got the email I was so excited!!

She looks so good and she weighs about 20 pounds!!!

Prayer Request:  Pray for patience as we wait for US immigration approval!! That's our last piece of our dossier needed before we send it off to China!!  It seems like its taking forever!!

Day 23: Nine Years AGO!!!

Nine years ago I married my best friend.  Nine years ago today we started on a journey that has been the best thing in my life.  Has it always been easy? NOPE  Has it always been fun? NOPE

 But I wouldn't change a thing!! We are two hardheaded people that come together with love and compromise and make it work everyday!!


I LOVE YOU CHRIS!!!! Thank you for asking me to take this journey with you!!!  I cant wait to see what the next nine years bring!!

              This is a picture of us a while ago!!! The mustache is a thing of the past (thank goodness)!!!

Day 22: What I LOVE!!!

Okay!!!! Today is short and sweet!!! I love......


HALLMARK and LIFETIME Christmas movies!!!


AHHHH!!! Thank you LORD for DVR!!!!!

Day 21: Jackson's Birthday Celebration

Well it came and went!!! He turned seven...I wish you could of seen him come down the steps in just his underwear on the morning of his birthday shaking his tush....singing, "I'm seven, I'm seven, I'm seven."  It was precious!! 

Here is a recap of the weekend:

Friday Night:  Drove 3 hours to see our favorite high school team get beat at the State Championship in Chapel Hill!!  SO SAD!!

Saturday Night:  Went to the Carolina Panther Stadium to watch the ACC Championship (Clemson kicked some serious hiney)!!!!

Sunday:  Big Party for his friends at the local YMCA....He swam, He played on the obstacle course, We ate AGAIN!!! 

It was a great weekend!!!  But I am ole so tired this AM!! 

I looked back over the photo album of Jackson's first few days on Earth!! Such precious memories... I remember holding this little newborn and thinking, "Oh Lord.....I am responsible for you!!"  I was a wee bit overwelmed...But today, seven years later....I couldn't be more proud!!!

I love you Jackson Reid!!!


Here are some pics from this weekend taken with my good ole cell phone (someone please tell Chris/Santa I would love a camera for Christmas)!!

My Boys at the Clemson Game: The Stadium was CRAZY...kindof makes me scared for him to grow up and go to college!!

He loves Green Bay Packers and Clay Matthews..Thank Goodness they pulled it out last night!!

This is Jackson and Benjamin wrestling in the pool...I tried to get them to look at me and smile...Yeah Right!!

Day 20: It Happened!!!

My baby turned Seven Years Old....

This is what we did last year for his birthday!! He got to go see his team (Clemson Tigers) play their rival the South Carolina Gamecocks!!!  When he grows up he says he will probably be bigger than these boys!!

 

So this year.....we are heading to the ACC Football Championship at the Carolina Panther Stadium to watch Clemson play!!!!

He is super pumped!!!  Here is us after the game last year:

More pictures to come from this year's game plus his party tomorrow!!!


Jackson,

I am so proud of you...I love you beyond words...
You are so smart, good hearted, and beautiful...
Yes, I said beautiful...on the inside and out!!!!!
I hope your birthday has been amazing...

Love you to the Moon and Back,

Mama

Day 19 of being Thankful: Jackson's Birthday Eve!!

This is how Jackson feels about tomorrow being his Birthday!!

Myself, however, wishes time would slow down or stop altogether...He is my first born....my love....

I still can't believe he will be 7 tomorrow!!!

I tell him all the time, "stop it...stop growing.."

He just giggles and says "Silly Mama, you know I have to grow up..."

Thank you God for my Jackson...Thank you for seven wonderful years...Help me to continue to guide him to grow to become a wonderful Christian Man!!