Another Reason Why Frannie and I are Related

My friend Carol sent me this picture this morning -- she obviously took it at the orphanage before we got Frannie. It really cracked me up because she looks like a BEFORE photo, much like her mother usually looks. Squinting, as usual. Ally is wearing her favorite "Naturally JoJo" shirt, naturally. As Lucy pointed out, Man, have these girls come a long way or what.

Happy Birthday Laura! (PPP)

I got so excited a few weeks ago when Kevin told me Gwinnett County is getting a minor league baseball team! I can't tell you the joy that filled my heart. I want season tickets! Well, I went to work that day and asked a few people if they want to SPLIT season tickets and it seems to all be working out. We have 3 tentative couples who have expressed an interest in splitting 4 seats for the season. Okay, okay, so the stadium barely has blueprints, let alone an actual team/field/beer dispensery, but I want to be one of the first in line! I heard on the Fish that very morning that if you want to hold a place in line to get season tickets, you can send in $100 now to get in the queue. Done. Can't wait, can't wait! Memories from the Spokane Indians came back to me, oh what fun. Kevin and I went to a Cape Cod league game on our honeymoon and it was the BEST. Frannie, I truly pray you are a 2-year-old who can appreciate the greatest game because in the spring of 2009, Baby, we are there!

Snow Day

It's pretty unusual for us to get snow, and for it to accumulate at all is very rare. I have a feeling Frannie has seen plenty of snow in China (my friend who is there now visited Frannie's orphanage which was blanketed in snow upon arrival). However, like every kid, she had a blast. We went out for a walk with Godmother Pitty Pat (Mary Pat), but I think her favorite snow activity is just leaning back and watching it fall or feeling it hit her face. She tried hard to not fall over while doing this. Dad was in Alabama, but Frannie continually talks about him while he is gone.

Yellow River Game Ranch

We had a great time on Sunday at the Game Ranch -- our camera's batteries died just before the little deer came up to us, one of which rubbed noses with Frannie, much to her surprise. She got to pet the bunnies, feed the donkeys, chickens, ducks, a black bear, peacocks, etc., etc. It's no San Diego Zoo, but it's a lot of fun and much cheaper too! Frannie fit right in with her favorite, sleek coat (thanks Cookie).

A little explanation

Just to follow-up on the comment: I have always felt/seen/heard clear direction in my life when I do pray about it -- should I move here or marry him or adopt her.... the signs are usually pretty strong about what direction I should take and although I ALMOST filed the initial paperwork to adopt from Vietnam a few months ago, something stopped me and I'm starting to wonder if that is the way God wants us to go or not (international). Kevin usually leaves things like this up to me, but he needs prayers too! He has clear ideas about what he doesn't want (I don't want to adopt from the US and have a birth mother change her mind in the delivery room....), but I want both of us to hear what God has to say about it. For some reason I was dead set against domestic adoption the first time and now I'm not so sure with this one. I would be very, very upset if something went awry, but I'm not so sure that isn't our destined direction this time. My neighbor is also trying to adopt again and she told me to just get the word out to start. Maybe someone reading this has heard of a teenager who is pregnant or a friend of a neighbor's cousin or....

Thanks for caring enough to read this and say a little prayer for us whenever you think about it.

Frannie on You Tube

Last month Frannie and I went downtown to visit Kevin, working at the SEC Fanfare. She just happened to be wearing a cute sign and just by coincidence, she was on tv (again, sigh). She now appears on You Tube, which can be seen by clicking here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcZQQSSywPg

Please let me know if my link works. I think her hair has grown an inch since this video!

Please pray for a few people: a friend from school who lost her husband on Christmas Eve, a student in the hospital, a friend who is homeless, a sister who is out of the country, a friend in PA who is leaving for China in TWO days for her baby, and my aunt who is about to turn 80! Oh yeah, and again, please pray for our direction (Frannie's brother or sister?). Have a great week.

Christmas pictures, Part 2

Such a good girl.

Sorry for the Delay

As you can imagine, we have been busy. I will post more pictures later when I can figure out why my cookies are disabled at home (huh?) I can't log on and post from home. Here is Frannie with my school's Santa who was so sweet to come and spend time with all the students at our school. We had a great, great Christmas and Frannie was the epitome of an innocent babe. She just wanted to rock in her rocker and we sang Happy Birthday Jesus quite a few times. Later in the evening we went to the Micheal's for the traditional Christmas gathering of friends and Frannie had a blast. She did manage to fall down some stairs (a small set of carpeted stairs), get trampled by a wild dog numerous times and stick her hand in a candle flame, but she kept on smiling. Our time in New York was great -- I'm grateful for good in-laws and fun times spent with cousins. Frannie loved them all. Happy New Year to everyone and I promise to post more pictures later!