Five Beautiful Months

Relaxing in Poppy's hammock

It's hard to believe that five months ago today (December 19th, 2011) we took Mia into our arms as our daughter.  She came to us as this tiny, timid girl and has blossomed into a bubbly, beautiful, beaming beauty.


Mia has gained 3.5 lbs and has grown an inch.  Even with that she is still small for her age, but has such a huge personality.  I take her back to the endocrinologist the last part of May and I think the doctor will be surprised.   With all the love and nourishment she is getting it will be no time until she becomes a healthy ten year old.  You wouldn't believe that this is the same child.  Her language development is just incredible.  Sometimes I forget that she doesn't understand everything that I'm saying.  It's so easy to communicate our thoughts and feelings.  Love is a universal language.


Here's a funny story - Mia was complaining about doing her school work.  I told her she needed to do her school work to get a good education, so she could get a good job when she grows up.  She looked at me and said "Mama I no need school and a job.  I grow up and do nothing just like you do."  "Nothing" my daughter thinks I do "Nothing" all day.  Maybe she will actually have the opportunity to stay home and be the master of nothing in her home.  I certainly hope, so because there is no greater joy than to be able to take care of your family and do "Nothing."


Mother's Day was so special.  Mia slept with my card so she would be able to give it to me first thing in the morning.  I will cherish it forever.  


We decided Mia needed a pet.  Through a friend of Michael's we found this precious 7 week old mini Rex rabbit.  She is so sweet.  When we got the bunny on Mother's Day she was shaking.   Mia told us "she is scared just like I was when you first got me.  I shake too.  But I'm no scared now."  


Thank goodness that she is not afraid and she totally fits into our family.    

Mia and Honeybun

Honeybun 7 weeks old

Together At Last

Two parents, five kids (ages 10-25), and two states (Texas & Mississippi).  Hum....what are the chances of getting us all  together? Just about zero.  Not to mention that everyone has their own agenda going on when we are home.  But we did it.  Yeah!!  It was so awesome to have all the kids together under one roof, even if it was for only a couple of days.  I didn't get the perfect pictures that I wanted, but what I did get was lots of laughter, love and smiles.  Enough to last until the next time we are together again as a family.       

Mia's 10th Birthday

Saturday, April 28th, 2012


Happy 10th Birthday Mia Qing
April 25th, 2012

To say Mia was excited about her birthday would be an understatement.  She has talked about it from the moment she knew we were going to have a party for her.  She would say "It's my first birthday ever!"  She would look at the calendar and count down the days.  She would tell everyone who would listen "It's my birthday in .....days."


I can't imagine being 10 years old and never having blown out a candle, or opened a birthday gift.   Maybe the irony is that since we are her parents now this actually was her first birthday.  We weren't there for her the other years and her actual "birth day" would not have been a celebration, but a day of grieving for a set of parents who will never know this precious child of God.       


We wanted Mia to feel like a princess on her special day and from her smile I think we more than accomplished that goal!