From the mouth of her daddy, "Just when you think she can't get anymore beautiful..."

Miss Magic has a dimple. How did we not know this before last night? God continues to bless our little girl with so many cute qualities. Her personality is something else these days! She steals the show everywhere she goes...we love our tiny miracle.

              SO everyone has said since day 1 that Halle-Grace looks JUST LIKE HER DADDY! She has grown so much in the past two years....and Jason's hair has grown along with HGs....LOL

I love my tiny miracle...

Daddy and the Princess...she has it made...he is wrapped!!!

Just this week I have noticed HG is growing taller and it's kinda sad (all of you parents know what I'm talking about...they are growing up way too fast). Jason replied "but just wait for ALL that's in store and all the amazing things to come". He seems to know just what to say and when to say it. Sometimes I find myself lost in a daydream...how, why did God choose ME to be Halle-Grace's mom? Did I really do something so profound/wonderful/amazing to deserve her?? Whatever the reason, I am more than thankful Lord! Adoption is such a beautiful blessing! Many people have asked me to "blog" more about adoption...how to get started, who to call, what to expect.....and I spend a lot of time talking to parents who are thinking about/praying about/starting their journey. Just this past week I had the chance to counsel "R" about the journey she and her husband are beginning. I call her "R" for privacy reasons. For those who have adopted, you all know how things can be, you want to do everything just right and not jeopardize anything! Last summer, I had the opportunity to "walk the entire journey" with a young mom who chose adoption...it was one of the most rewarding, beautiful  experiences...to watch her through her pregnancy, and witness the adoptive parents full of joy!!! WOW, it's really hard to put into words. I cried tears of joy and tears of amazement....it's just too beautiful to type and make it real! If you want to know more about Miss Magic's adoption story, I tried my best to capture it as we traveled the road....to the RFE....to Washington, DC....and eventually to Vietnam without the I-600 (signing the paper that stated "I will not return to the US until she receives a visa...even if it's 2 years"....to the joyous homecoming and the daily life/joy/happiness and complete MAGIC that Halle-Grace brings to everyone who meets her! She truly is THE blessing God intended for Jason & I and I am SO thankful that he made this all possible! I can't imagine life without her. She is perfect! She is beautiful! She is smart! She is MY GIRL!

SITTING PRETTY! My little rubberband!

The weather is beautiful so we're off to capture some pictures and to visit with mamaw Parker. Until next post (with pictures) remain blessed!

Little Sweetheart

There's no place like home...

If you have spent anytime with HG in the last two months you already know her favorite movie (obsession) is the Wizard of Oz. This past week I wanted to tap into the power of Dorothy's ruby red slippers and come home. I attended my National Sales Meeting and I was homesick! I missed Little Miss Magic so much! So, when I arrived home yesterday afternoon, I rushed to get un-packed, showered and ready to play. Here is her SWEET reaction when she saw me!!! AND, If you're wondering what's all over Jason's face...that would be STICKERS. HG is also obsessed with stickers and she wants him to put them all over his face. She instructs him where to place them and he does...for example; chin, cheek, nose (you get the picture and now you can see the picture) and yes he rides around town looking like this................

I just beam when I see this precious little girl who calls me MAMA. She is the cutest thing ever!!! She had a great week. Luckily, the eye infection we battled last weekend is all clear and she is feeling great! She had two Valentine parties this week (here's just some of her loot) and LOTS more to come. She especially likes peppermint patties, suckers and gum.

and it appears from "Jack Frost" outside that we may not make the Tet Celebration tomorrow :( Don't get me wrong, I love the snow and welcome it anytime...I was really hoping to see CAS families and celebrate. We will have to see what the weather is like early in the morning. Either way, we will be celebrating TET and Valentines. I am so blessed to have Jason & Miss Magic in my life! WOW, I am such a lucky girl!

And, I am so excited that we finally have HG's 2 year old photos framed and hung...and I LOVE the way they look...these are 16X20 and her one year old photos are 20X30 because there are 2 vs. 3...with the 2 year old photos, I couldn't decide. She is SO photogenic, therefore, it is difficult to just pick one.

Miss Magic will be 27 months old next Friday, so... what is she up to? WOW, what is she not up to? She is extremely active and talkative! She loves to run and loves dance so there is no surprise that she is only 20.7 lbs. She is extremely smart...she can say her ABCs (only missing a few letters here and there at times), she counts to 10 very well, she recognizes letters and numbers, she knows her colors pretty good, she picks out shapes, she talks in complete phrases and she is not afraid to let you know exactly what's on her mind! I LOVE THAT PART because she is very independent and knows what she wants. She loves all types of food and eats extremely well. She loves fish, chicken, all types of veggies...corn, asparagus, salad, queso dip, grapes, apples, peaches, berries, bagels and cream cheese (actually she LOVES cream cheese), and the list goes on. She loves music and can sing "Somewhere over the Rainbow"!!! She will totally crack you up! She thinks she is a big girl!  

She is the apple of our eye that's for sure! God is so awesome and I am so happy that he gave us the most precious gift. She's spoiled rotten...but did you expect anything less??

HAPPY VALENTINES AND HAPPY TET!

Please  keep Mamaw Parker in your prayers. She came home from the hospital...only to return after she fell. Luckily, there were no broken bones but she took a hard hit on the head. Bless her sweet heart! I pray she can remain comfortable and pain free. Mamaw Linda fell yesterday and broke her hip! She's in the hospital as I type and will be there a few more days. God be with them both!

Be safe in the SNOW and hug the ones you love! I'll post Valentine & Tet pics soon! I'm off to get rest...we have a Big weekend ahead...and we are planning our upcoming TRIP!!!

Prayer Request

Please continue to pray for Mamaw Parker who is back in the hospital. She was admitted again yesterday. We love you Mamaw Parker and we are praying for you!!!

Preparing for Tet-The year of the Tiger

Tet, the Vietnamese New Year is February 14th and HG is already receiving gifts. A very special package just arrived... all the way from Vietnam! Ms. Hau sent Halle-Grace two au dai (traditional dress), a Vietnamese doll and a beautiful picture frame! She is an amazing lady! We will definitely spend some time with her on our next trip to Vietnam.

More about Tet ....
"Tet, the Vietnamese New Year is the most important Festival of the Vietnamese people. When Spring arrives, all Vietnamese are thrilled by the advent of Tet. Wherever they may be, they feel an immense nostalgia, wishing to come back to their homeland for a family reunion and a taste of the particular flavors of the Vietnamese festivities. This Festival occurs sometime between late January or early February, depending on Lunar Calendar. Although officially a three-day affair, festivities may continue for a week or more with every effort made to indulge in eating, drinking, and enjoyable social activities. It is also a time for family reunions, and for paying respect to ancestors and the elders. Gifts of food are made to friends, neighbors and relatives in the days before Tet. Loved ones gather for a dinner of traditional Vietnamese foods like bánh chung (a square cake made of sticky rice stuffed with beans and pork), mang (a soup of boiled bamboo shoots and flied pork) and xôi g?c (orange sticky rice). This is followed by a visit to the local pagodas. Everyone is in a rush to get a haircut, buy new clothes, spruce up their homes, visit friends, settle outstanding debts, and stock up on traditional Tet delicacies. Businesses hang festive red banners which read "Chuc Mung Nam Moi" (Happy New Year) and city streets are festooned with colored lights. Stalls spring up all over town to sell mut (candied fruits and jams), traditional cakes, and fresh fruit and flowers. Certain markets sell nothing but cone-shaped kumquat bushes. Others sell flowering peach trees, symbols of life and good fortune which people bring into their homes to celebrate the coming of spring. As vendors pour into the City with peach trees strapped to their bicycles, the streets look like moving pink forests."

We will be celebrating Tet with other families in Winston Salem again this year! I am excited to learn more about Miss Magic's birth country. AND....I am really excited that Mary is going to teach us how to make bánh chung!!! Stay posted......

I LOVE this photo of  Miss Magic and her Daddy.