BLESSED to hold my baby girl...even if it means NO sleep for mama!

~Little Miss Magic~


HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAY KAY!!! We are praying HG feels better so we can celebrate with you...it's not looking very promising at almost 2am...but you know she'll make it up to you!

Little Miss Magic has not been feeling 100% this week. She has a nasty ear infection and has been very clingy and just wants to be held. I can’t blame her and like the doctor said, “when little ones are sick, they cling to what makes them feel safe and secure”! That statement has made me think deeply and brings a huge SMILE to my face (even though its almost 2am and I am sitting on the couch with a snoring little one…HAHA) and warms my heart like NOTHING else! It takes me back a year…around the exact same time. WOW, I can’t believe one year ago, we were preparing all necessary paperwork *against the USCIS/DOS wishes* (if you can guess their TRUE wishes you can quit your day job -they don’t have a clue!

Last year, I remember traveling to the Atlanta Apparel with my two of my dearest friends, Jamye and Heather Shaw. Jamye makes FABULOUS swimsuits...check her out www.jamyeshaw.com AND they are coming to see Little Miss Magic this week before heading to work the apparel mart! How things ALL come together!!! Pretty COOL!

At that time, the nannies at the orphanage had been notified that we were coming to adopt HalleGrace via Vietnamese law (without a I-600 approval). I remember Heather & I checking email in a café inside the apparel mart and receiving the below photos.
HalleGrace at TQ last August.




I was SO upset because Halle-Grace seemed so wobbly and her hair was completely GONE! Little did I know the “true conditions” inside her orphanage…something the USCIS obviously could give 2 cents about! GOD bless the babies/children who are still there and the amazing nannies who provide LIFE for these angels!

Seems like yesterday….. making plans, packing, making sure we had everything we could think of (on top of having NO idea how long we would be living in HalleGrace’s birth country!) Was it scary? YES! I remember before we left, my dad hugged me in my kitchen and it was a hug of reality!!! I knew that he knew he may not see his daughter for 2 years…but he also knew I HAD to get my daughter out of the orphanage, WAY OVERDUE!! My heart was content and God was pushing me to GO! He’s Awesome and has a way of knowing when families belong together….have you been around Little Miss Magic? Looks like her daddy…acts like her mama…sad but true! HA HA

I can’t begin to imagine life without LITTLE MISS MAGIC? Oh my, how boring it would be! She has changed every person who comes into contact with her. She truly has a “magical” personality!

As we prepare to celebrate our 1st Annual Family Day (September 1, 2009) exactly ONE year since we adopted our daughter, my emotions are OVERWHELMING to be completely honest! My prayer is the US Gov. will get things straight when it comes to HELPING others…just like this crazy idea of reforming health care that makes NO sense GOSH, give me a break!!! WHY are there still babies/children in TQ without forever families? WHY? They are precious little angels….like HalleGrace, Lulu, Saige, Matthew, Samantha, Abbie, Kate, Isabella, Quinh and so many others who I had the pleasure of holding on September 1, 2008…I will NEVER forget that day! It’s etched in my heart forever!

Thank God for our tiny miracle. As I sit and type, she is sleeping on my chest…she is so little *not even a full 19 pounds at 21 months* I pray her ear infection and “yuck” will be gone soon!!! BUT, at least this year, this day…I know I can hold and comfort my baby girl…

A BIG celebration is coming up...Devines 1st Annual Family Day! We plan to celebrate Family Day for many, many, many years to come!!!

God Bless!

Turning Point.....

My loves!

Gosh, I am a horrible blogger!!! I thought I had posted a "week ago" but it has been much longer. It's summertime and the living ain't easy! LOL! It's busy!!! We are having the BEST summer ever with Little Miss Magic.
A year ago is about the time we started processing our own paperwork with our agency to "go ahead" to Vietnam and adopt Halle-Grace regardless of what the USCIS had to say. AND WE DID! If you have been a frequent reader you will remember this photo from the end of July last year. When we saw that an IV had been in her hand...that was enough! I wasn't waiting any longer for the USCIS to "figure their own mess out". They had been caught too many times in a spider web of stories. So enough about that...if you want to read more go back on the blog to mid-June/July/Aug. of 2008. Yes, we traveled to a third world country with NO I-600 for Halle-Grace and had to sign a form stating I would not return to the US for 2 years if she did not receive an approval. My heart signed on the dotted line because anyone reading who has a child would agree...YOU will go to the end of the world for her/him. Jason had promised me through it all, "Not bringing our daughter home is NOT an option". He doesn't break his promises...especially not to Little Miss Magic:)

Thank God it all worked out that Halle-Grace & I and Nanny were able to return to the US about 3 weeks after Jason had to leave VN. It was a difficult time but I wouldn't give anything for the time I was able to "live" in her birth country! I hope we can return someday soon. The time also brought a special family into our lives. M, T and Lulu! God has a way of knowing when families belong together!!! M was another mom who decided to come on to VN without an approval for her angel! We were the REBEL HENS! HA! I think/pray we will always share a special bond! We sure shared a lot of tears and a TON of laughs (cab fight & Nanny)!!!!

HERE'S LITTLE MISS MAGIC TODAY....
Our Angel!
I don't think the flowers smell so good!

Her first day of bible school at Eastside. She went with Granny to bible school at Hulls Grove earlier in the summer and LOVED every day! Both churches are using the "Boomerang Express" theme and the decorations tonight were so cute...kangaroos and choo choo trains. What happens when you throw a Boomerang? It comes back...so the message is "IT ALL COMES BACK TO JESUS". True and cute!

LITTLE MISS MAGIC is 20 Months old...then & now

THEN (Last July in TQ)


NOW (Home forever)

Yes, I know I have been a horrible blogger…but its summer time and every chance I get, I want to be playing with Little Miss Magic! We swim a lot and she LOVES being outside so there’s not a lot of time. Once it gets colder, you’ll get more blog entries. I still take photos of her ALL the time!!! She is a TON OF FUN these days!!! She is talking in phrases and she still LOVES to sing and dance. She is so smart and her beauty truly takes my breath away! I can’t thank God enough for the blessing of HG! She is the most amazing little girl! She definitely has my personality and my attitude :O

Last year at this time, we received photos and she was beginning to crawl. I knew it would not be much longer and God was already tapping my shoulder saying "it's OK...GO! (Stay tuned to the blog for the rest of the story)....

Today, one year later, she is VERY vibrant and independent little girl who wants to do it HER WAY! I think this is a sign of a leader but sometimes I tell her the best is to be a little of both (leader and follower) but yet, I don’t live by my own advice?! My mom loves it…she says I’m getting a small dose of what it was like to raise me…my dad on the other hand says HG is a drop in the bucket compared to me!!! LOL. By now, everyone has heard my dad tell the story about me pulling the sink off the wall at the beach (I think I was about 2). He also tells me that when they went to a restaurant they ate in “shifts” because otherwise I made such a scene that no one remembered what they ate! I’m sorry I was so bad as a baby but I hope they think I’m a pretty cool adult

Everyone still says she looks like Jason everywhere we go and she is a DADDY’S GIRL for sure! He is so amazing with her! You would just have to witness to believe!

She loves to swim but even more, she loves for you to dunk her under the water??? Most kids don’t enjoy that but she is a little wild woman! She has been to the beach, to Vacation Bible School and so many other fun places. She can turn a flip, AND she is going “pee pee” on the potty at least once a day! She shows interest in so many things.

Her toy room is taking on a whole new look. She is totally finished with all of the “infant/toddler” type toys. She loves her kitchen and cooks a lot, she also likes to color and she is now playing more with her dolls and she loves Elmo. She likes to be the boss (I told her that is neither a game nor a toy theme…)

She is the most amazing blessing ever!!! May we NEVER forget to give God ALL the Glory for what he has done and will continue to do in her life and for our family!

July 4th

Spending time with Nanny, Papa Gene, Aunt Suzie, Uncle Mike, Hunter, Hannah at OAK ISLAND!








At the Southport Parade with Miss North Carolina, Katherine Southard

19 months old on the 19th...HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Little Miss Magic is 19 months old! She is doing SO much...too much to type! She is talking up a storm and will say just about anything you tell her to! She definitely has her mother's determination (Jason calls it an attitude...I call it DETERMINATION).

This is Jason's first FATHER'S DAY with Little Miss Magic home!
One of my favorite pics of Halle-Grace and Jason
He is the BEST dad! He amazes me with her everyday! He and Halle-Grace could get by without me (good but not good?!). Jason loves his coffee with all types of flavoring, sugar, milk...so, Halle-Grace decided on a cafe' size mug with her photos on it. It turned out perfect! It says "Happy Father's Day...Love, Little Miss Magic" I will have to post a pic of it. I took some of Jason's favorite photos of Halle-Grace and ordered it collage style! He loves it!!!

Happy Father's Day to my daddy and to Papa Gene. Life would NOT be complete without them. Jason reminds me a lot of my daddy as far as compassion...my daddy still gives Suzanne and I hugs and kisses and tells us he loves us everytime we talk to him or see him! I think that is SOOO important for a little girl to hear from her daddy! I am glad Jason is the same way with Halle-Grace! Papa Gene just completes the family and brings tons of humor...which is the best medicine! He's the best! God has truly blessed me when it comes to "DADS" I have the best one in the world (even though he is a NUT...HA HA) and Papa Gene is just the BOMB...and now I see my husband, my soul mate in the "father" role!! It's GREAT!

I miss Papaw Pete who was the BEST Papaw! I am thankful he was able to know Hunter and Hannah was born the year he went to be with the Lord, so he knew her as a baby. If he could see them now, he would be so proud! And if he could see "Little Miss Magic" he would say "she's just like you, a hard head"! He had the BEST sense of humor and was a "straight shooter"... the most honest person! My inability to "funnel my thoughts before they come out of my mouth" came from Papaw Pete! HA HA. MEMORIES are little MIRACLES we should never let go of!
...And it makes me sad to think that I never had the chance to meet my Papaw Parker (my mom's dad). He passed away at a very young age! My mom tells me we would have been like "peas and carrots". He was into music and played all instruments...with his brothers and sisters (a music family...all natural talent). I have had the chance to sing with his siblings but I never did with him. I will one day...Papaw DW and I will sing in heaven and Papaw Pete will tell us if it sounds good or not!!! LOL! Seriously, if it's not good, he'll let us know! I thank God for the "fathers" who have blessed my life in SO many ways!

Thank you Lord for Fathers who love us and live by your example!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Little Miss Magic....one year ago and NOW!

June 17, 2008...Halle-Grace at TQ

June 2009...Halle-Grace at home with us forever!!!

"So you think you can dance?"

Halle-Grace at Sesame Place...the Abby Caddaby show!!! She's a *STAR*

SESAME PLACE "mini TQ reunion"

Enjoy the photos. I need to get some from Steph because the 1st day I didn't have my camera...

COPY & PASTE THIS LINK INTO YOUR BROWSER http://s461.photobucket.com/albums/qq334/shannoncdevine/Sesame%20Place/

We had an INCREDIBLE time and CAN'T wait till the next TQ reunion!!!
Halle-Grace and Lulu...reunited

Cookie and Halle-Grace

Lulu and Elmo

Can you tell me how to get...how to get to SESAME STREET?

In just two days we will see Halle-Grace's TQ friends! We leave for Philly and then we are heading to Sesame Place! We are really excited!!!

I promise to post tons of photos when we return! I have been a bad blogger lately...sorry.

Happy Birthday to GRANNY on the 12th and Papaw Devine on the 16th....lots of June birthdays!

We celebrated Aunt Suzie's on the 1st and Jason's on the 6th.

We spend a LOT of time in the pool these days!!!

SPECIAL BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK!!!

I realize it's been over a week since I've updated...so sorry! I wish I had the summer off but I don't! I have been incredibly busy with work (which I am thankful for) and now that it's hot outside...when I do get home, I want to take Little Miss Magic outside for some swimming fun! She is such a little joy!!! Sure gives me a reason to work hard..so we can play hard!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AUNT SUZIE, JUNE 1st!!! Suzanne is the most amazing sister and friend any girl could ask for and I am blessed to be her little sister!!! There are days I think Halle-Grace may be the "only" child based on the current adoption CRAP with the US, then I think about all the JOY in life that I have because of my sister:) Who knows what God has in store! We love you Aunt SUZIE!!!!

AND...Saturday, June 6th is DADDY'S BIRTHDAY!!! Jason will finally catch up with me in age! So, we have a lot of Happy Birthday songs to sing..and sing...and sing!!!
She is a DADDY'S GIRL...for sure!

I have a lot of new pics that I will upload to photobucket ASAP and share the link:)

Have a blessed day!

Miss Magic is Home Sweet Home

Halle-Grace had the time of her life at the beach!!! Honestly, she was not too excited to see her parents...it's the Nanny "spell" I have told you about before! I am going to upload some photos to photobucket and leave a link tomorrow...for now, I have posted a few of our "bikini babe" in May 2009 vs. May 2008! Our tiny miracle is becoming a "little lady"! We are incredibly blessed! Thanks Nanny, Papa Gene, Suzanne, Mike, Hunter and Hannah for entertaining Halle-Grace and taking her to the beach (well Nanny didn't really give us a choice..LOL)! We love you all! Check back for more photos....Good Night!

Halle-Grace MAY 2009 (Home Sweet Home)





Halle-Grace, MAY 2008 (TQ, VN)


GOD IS GOOD!!!

Oak Island

How funny is this one?

The matching girls!

Nanny, Suzanne, Hannah & Halle-Grace

SO SWEET

Halle-Grace at the beach...the fun continues!

She is having a BALL at the beach with Nanny and the rest of the crew. Last night Hannah & Hunter arrived and they have been non-stop!
Since she has been at the beach...her vocabulary has TAKEN off. She is saying/repeating anything Nanny says!!! She says "beach, Nanny, Sophie, sings Jesus loves me and If your happy and you know it...(chiming in each song on the lyrics she likes best...she really likes the AMEN part)!
They are headed to eat and take some pics on the beach!!! I can't wait to get those:)
You know there is a Wal-mart run at least once a day to buy something new!!!

Nanny shops till you drop!

Halle-Grace is a beach bum...mama and daddy are simply BUMMED!

Little Miss Magic is having the time of her life with Nanny at her beach house! She is having a ball riding on the golf cart, playing outside and she is going to REALLY be excited when she sees Hannah & Hunter on Friday!!!
Jason & I are simply BUMMED because we miss her! This house is REALLY QUIET!!! I know Nanny and Papa Gene are on cloud 9 and I know Halle-Grace would NOT want to come back and hang out with us...but we LIVE for the messages she leaves us and the pictures Nanny sends via picture phone! Here are a few...
I pray God brings everyone to & from safely!!! I can SMELL her now when she gets home!!! ROTTEN!