It's a girl

Last night about 1:30 ish, between contractions...

This morning 8:30 ish

Merry Christmas

Words to Third Day song:
Merry Christmas
Click on following title to view/hear the song on YouTube....

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

Merry Christmas, by Third Day

Click on the title to hear/view the song on YouTube

Christmas tree decorating...a few years back.

Yes, someday we'll begin to blog again. We returned from China and then we all got a virus, then our laptop got a virus, so getting everything ready to post and blog again has been a bit trying. We'll eventually get there. Wendy's been fairly diligent and even posting some for Olivia and Justin. Thanks Wen.

Day two....

Two days into our trip and two days till we get Olivia! Check out Wendy's blog or Olivia's for better updates.

Already a gadget guy

I was trying to figure out which snugly we had (ie. what color, in all the boxes, we were looking for), so I had to go back to a picture I knew we had of us getting ready to put Justin into one (we were standing in line at the Seoul airport heading home.) Anyway. It cracks me up looking at Justin, he's kind of just hanging there, but he was definitely checking out the video camera.

Happy Birthday Josh

Josh turned 24 today. We had Abbey and Josh over Saturday to celebrate and to talk about the trip. (well actually they came and brought dinner, but Wendy did make the pie.) One of the good things about having Josh in our family is that he can actually carry a tune; so having him around during birthday celebrations has been great, though when it was his birthday he got the full sad effect of our singing. Our intentions were good, I guess that's what is important. Anyway. Happy Birthday Josh.

china here we come!!

We finally got word that we can go get Olivia!!!
What a journey with the i800a/i800, but we've made it this far, yah!!
We leave next week and
she'll be in our arms Monday, November 10, 2008.

Looking for our girl....

Olivia received this beautiful doll, but Justin has somewhat latched onto to it. Somehow I think he is playing like the doll is our Olivia. He is ever so gentle with the doll; she's usually wrapped in a blanket, as he cradles her or puts her up to his shoulder saying, "You'll hold Olivia like this". So, Diane :) I hope you don't mind and you might get a kick out of this picture....since you had boys and girls in your house, you understand little boy play. So after Justin has snuggled the doll up and then very gently placed her in the stroller, he has added a few things that all baby dolls need...first cover her in a bright orange bandanna, she then needs a crane part from a trailer, a boat in a bottle, add to that a retractable ruler and lastly give her a vegetable peeler and the baby doll is all set.

Another funny thing he said after seeing a strip of the very tiniest baby hair bow, "Oh, bow ties."

Wendy is studying over packing lists, in order to determine what we can/should/and might be able to take to China with us. Justin just wanted someone to play train with, so he stuffed her in the basket as she was reading over the lists.

Olivia is one today!

Today is Olivia's birthday. We're having family over to celebrate the day.
This is where she is, up in the infant wing. We miss her terribly and can hardly stand to be away from her any more.

We love you Olivia and will see you soon.

Celebration

A couple Saturdays ago, some of the ladies/daughters blessed our family with a Forever Family Celebration. It was wonderful to finally celebrate Olivia's coming home. Thank you Beatty family for envisioning this party and making it all so special. Many others helped them and we are so thankful for everyone. The party was at Abbey and Josh's house.

notice Abbey's belly!

More of the party

We played games, opened presents and just had a fun time.
We received a pink car for Olivia! Very cute. We played a game called "All about Dee", I got all the answers correct. Good thing it wasn't more challenging for me.

Forever Family Day Games

Beautiful decorations and the food

Thanks Heather for making another yummy and beautiful cake; my girls made the almond cookies and Diane B. made the diaper and sheet centerpiece, thank you everyone, we feel so blessed and are thankful for such a supportive and loving church family.

Megan did this baby carriage, very cute!

Forever Family Celebration

Iler party

It just wouldn't be September w/o a party at the Iler's. It is always a good time of visiting, catching up, good food, etc...and this time we got to show of our picture of Olivia.