OH NO mama has a new toy!

If you are logging on to the blog, you know I LOVE to take photos. Jason gave me my Christmas present early...a NEW CAMERA! Thank goodness he did because I have SO much to learn. It has more bells and whistles and it will take a lot of practice, reading and maybe a class or two!!! Here are some shots on "regular" settings. Madison, Halle-Grace and Jason will all be glad when I get the hang of it! LOL!
Thanks Jason, I LOVE IT!!!

A letter from Kay Kay & Papaw Ronnie

Halle-Grace received the most precious letter in the mail! Kay Kay and Papaw Ronnie, thank you! It is in her "storybook". I can't type too much or I start to cry! We love you all so much and Kay Kay feels and knows the magic and incredible blessing of adoption just like we do! We are incredibly blessed to have you in our lives and you better stay around forEVER!!!
WE LOVE YOU & THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Halle-Grace is 13 months old today!

WHY is time flying? Halle-Grace is AMAZING and just too much fun!
NEWS ALERT: FINALLY, someone Halle-Grace didn't show off for, didn't reach for, flirt with...SANTA!!! She DOES NOT like Santa Claus! Jason took her to spend the day with Nanny while he went Christmas shopping (Santa just happened to be at Nanny's school) but she wanted NOTHING to do with the jolly ole' man! If I had to put a bet on this deal...I would guess that Halle-Grace already knows the phrase "WHO NEEDS SANTA WHEN I HAVE NANNY"...and the rest of this family? Have you seen the way they all act? WOW, she is a blessed little girl!

Tonight we all had dinner with Jessica & Evan. It was great catching up and Halle-Grace was definitely back to her wild self! Jesse, I am sorry she flirted so much with Evan once we were back at our house! Jason really was jealous after witnessing all the SMITTEN! She knows he's in a band! LOL! Seriously, CONGRATS Evan on the awesome news...we will follow the music tour across the country, I bet your new fan, aka..Halle-Grace...will follow you and head up your fan club!


Log on to listen to Jesse!! www.jessicacampbellmusic.com

~Devine Christmas Card...a creation by Angela Shea Photography~

Angela Shea was the official photographer for Halle-Grace's 1st Birthday Bash and she also traveled to our home the weekend after the party for a photo shoot. WOW...she is an excellent photographer and we LOVE the photos of Halle-Grace. Angela is WONDERFUL with children and I highly recommend her to anyone who wants THE BEST!!!

She is planning on coming back in January for another shoot because the day she was here, the weather was not cooperating with us and she did not want to "just take photos" she wanted to take the BEST in the best lighting, etc. YES, she is that professional.

Photograpy by Angela Shea (visit and book her today)
www.angelasheaphotography.com

LOVE CHRISTMAS CARDS!

Nanny's cards..yes, I say cardS because she had two different ones printed...this one below and another with Hunter, Hannah & Halle-Grace in their Panther Gear!

AND...Kay Kay & Papaw Ronnie's Christmas card also features Hunter, Hannah & Halle-Grace...man these children are like celebrities to the grands. What would we do without you all??? Don't let us ever find out! The three monkeys SURE do love you all so much!!!
Jason & I just loved the photos of Halle-Grace in the Santa hat sitting in the gift box, so we ordered more Christmas cards...here's a peek at the card (I know, we DO have issues)!!!

I really love Christmas cards! This time of year is always exciting at the Devine Home. We LOVE checking the mail each afternoon! Christmas cards are just so exciting and anticipated! Here are some photos of the cards we have collected this year. Every year, I save all of the cards and compare them to the next year and so on...it is amazing to watch families grow...what a BLESSING! Our refrig. is always a bulletin board of Christmas cards and WE love it...

What list???

Mama told me "he's making a list and checking it twice...well I'll look and see for myself"

"AND, I'll add my name just in case"


Speaking of a list, Jason is on the "sick list". He has not been feeling well today! He never complains about feeling bad so I know he is feeling ROUGH! We hope & pray he is all better soon!

Peanut Butter Junction Doll

Rene, She loves her doll! The funniest thing...she can't understand why the pacifier doesn't work in her own mouth! She looks at it and then the baby doll...and vice-versa. She doesn't understand how magnets work just yet. Here are some pics for your friend who made Halle-Grace's beautiful baby doll!

The Jolly person in red came early?

No, that was Nanny wearing red and Aunt Suzie! Thank you both for helping make the outside of our home look so FESTIVE...and Halle-Grace's Christmas tree for her room is just adorable! Hannah, I hear you've selected a PINK tree for your room! NICE!


Nanny, I love my new big girl high chair!

Post-Placement visit

We had our first post-placement visit tonight and all went well. Halle-Grace entertained Lisa and it was neat to re-visit "the journey" to our tiny miracle as we talked about the trip, living in VN, etc.
It seems strange because Halle-Grace seems like she has ALWAYS been here...since day one! God had a definite plan and we remained faithful (even though it seemed impossible at times) and just look at the master's work!!! COOL, huh?
Earlier this week, I had an in-service with one of my accounts and I carry a brag book in my brief case...it was on the table...a new employee in the account asked if she could look at the pics. OF COURSE! I love to show off Little Miss Magic! She went on & on about how Halle-Grace has big eyes like her mom but looks JUST LIKE HER DAD!!! Actually, we hear that often, especially in public and even a few times in VN! I guess it just goes to show that the plan was in the works from the start...why do I say that...well, she may look like Jason but she ACTS just like her mom! POOR JASON...keep him in your prayers!
She is a sweet baby! So tiny, so funny!
This weekend, she is going to stay with Nanny on Saturday while Jason & I attend a Christmas party...but Nanny, you need to get my room ready too, we will also be staying!

Well visit

Today Jason took Halle-Grace to her well visit at the pediatrician's office. Jason is the BEST DAD EVER!!! Halle-Grace had 2 shots today and they did some blood work. During the visit, Jason was sending text/pictures to me...the one that stands out in my mind the most...she was looking at her bright pink band-aid and the caption read "she cackled at the nurse". She didn't even cry when they took blood! Heck, I was crying and I was in Seneca, SC working not getting stuck with needles!
The doctor says she is doing well and her blood work looks great. She is STILL 16 pounds(actually lost 2 ounces since last week when she was there for the croup...which by the way she no longer has) She eats very well and looks very healthy! She is in the 4th percentile of weight for her age but doc says don't be concerned. Like we have said many times, she is our TINY MIRACLE!

Thank God she is happy & healthy!

Halle-Grace's FAMILY keeps growing, growing & growing!

Since Jason & I returned to work we have heard many times, "where is Halle-Grace? If you didn't bring her then why are you here?" Boy, sure makes us feel wanted! HA! It is amazing how much Halle-Grace is loved and how many accounts we service have "followed our journey". They are truly family!

Last Friday she was treated to a royal party in Sylva. Thank you guys so much! I am sorry she was SO FLIRTY! What a wonderful surprise!
Angie has Halle-Grace SPOILED!


My Rutherford Ortho family threw a party before Halle-Grace made her way home to the US and was entertained by her a few weeks ago. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!

Darlene at Dr. Payne's office came to her birthday celebration and prayed constantly for Halle-Grace to make it home! She made her a beautiful quilt (pic coming soon, she is sleeping with it as I type):)

Kristi at Blue Ridge Bone & Joint had her a birthday bag of goodies...clothes, books and the most special Adoption Book/baby book for Chosen Children! I LOVE IT! Thank you so much...you all are very special.

And Wanda at Dr. A's office showered us with special coffee mugs, key chains and a memory paperweight with Gabby Girls picture.


I could go on for days and days...all I can say is Jason & I are humbled and thank God for FAMILY like you! Now you can see why we LOVE our jobs...we have the most incredible and caring accounts...they are definitely in the right industry!

Happy Birthday Papa Gene

Wishing Papa Gene a Happy Birthday (December 6th)

We love you!!!

"Christmas Miracles"

Happy 1st Birthday to Matthew (one of Halle-Grace's TQ playmates)

We had a lot of fun this past Sunday taking the photos. We are thrilled to have our tiny miracle home and spending Christmas with her forever family! She is quite magical.









This Christmas (well every single DAY) I miss Gabby girl SO much! Decorating this year was especially hard for me...well, all I did was help hang ornaments on the tree and put the wreath on the door...that was it, Jason gets all the credit for our beautiful tree. Last December, Gabby had a relapse- AIHA- and it was a miracle that we were able to spend Christmas 2007 with her...she was OUR gift and we definitely believed in "miracles at Christmas".
I just can't put my Santa Claus dolls out because I can't stand the thought of Gabby not stopping in her tracks, backing up and tap dancing with excitement to see Santa again! I look at her stocking and cry so I can't put any out...not yet! Love brings Joy yet pain! And life is full of joy and pain...someone even wrote a song about it once, wise person...
Gabby Girl, Christmas 2007

CROUPY Halle-Grace

On Sunday night, Jason & I noticed she was a bit cranky and just not being herself. She played and laughed and made all of her funny expressions but something was missing. That night she coughed a little...but Monday night she coughed enough to wake herself up!! Today, Jason took her to the doctor and she was diagnosed with the croup! Poor thing sounds like a baby seal. The doctor put her on prednisone and a cough medicine as well. She is the BEST baby and if she would not have coughed enough to wake herself and cry a little, we would have never known!!!

By the way...she STILL WEIGHS 16 pounds! She has not gained any weight over the last 3 months but she looks very healthy...just tiny & precious!!!

Halle-Grace's story in the Charlotte Observer

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/local/story/386489.html


Shannon Devine's mother, Wanda Baucom, holds Shannon and Jason Devine's daughter, Halle-Grace, at her first birthday party in Lincolnton on Saturday, November 22, 2008. Halle-Grace was adopted from Vietnam on September 1, 2008, after assistance from U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry's office. "She's something else," Jason Devine said. "She's the best worldly thing I've ever done." - YALONDA M. JAMES - yjames@charlotteobserver.com

Savvy Citizen Constituent Services
Roadblock: How can you get help? Congressional lawmakers are asked to intervene most often in issues involving Social Security and veterans' affairs
By Lisa Zagaroli
lzagaroli@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Monday, Dec. 01, 2008

WASHINGTON When the letter arrived, Shannon and Jason Devine of Shelby had been gazing at photos of the adopted child they'd been paired with, the tiny girl with the huge “eyes of onyx,” for four months.

It wasn't the permission to travel to Vietnam and bring her back to the United States that was long overdue. Instead, it was a letter from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Ho Chi Minh City telling them they had to do more to prove that the child's birth parents didn't want her.

The directive was just one of many frustrating hang-ups the Devines were forced to deal with as they tried to get the visa their new daughter needed.

They are convinced the girl, Halle-Grace, would still be in Vietnam if an aide to their district congressman, Rep. Patrick McHenry, hadn't helped them navigate the bureaucracy and ultimately track down a key document that sat on a desk in Vietnam. The visa finally came through on Sept. 30, and the Devines were able to celebrate their daughter's first birthday with her recently in Sherrills Ford.

“Congressman McHenry's office was adamant, persistent and insistent, on almost a daily basis,” said Jason Devine, a part-time pharmaceutical salesman who is studying divinity at Gardner-Webb University. “Some other offices said, ‘We'll try to help you out,' and made token inquiries. Congressman McHenry made it a personal issue.”

While the most high-profile work that lawmakers do is vote on legislation, some argue the bread-and-butter of what members of Congress do is case work – or constituent service.

Their district offices help people sort through an array of complicated issues involving the federal government.

They help folks get Social Security and disability checks, medals they should have been awarded from the military and passport renewals for an upcoming trip. They also help sort out problems with the Internal Revenue Service, benefits from the Veterans Administration and aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

No agency tracks statistics, but each Congressional office can handle thousands of cases a year. McHenry's office has tackled 10,725 cases during his four years in office, according to the Cherryville Republican's staff. The most common: Social Security needs (about 26 percent) and veterans' issues (21 percent).

Happy Birthday Emily

Happy 7th Birthday Emily White!!! Emily and her family (mom-Susan, Dad-Michael and little sister-Erin go to church with us at Eastside. The entire family is very special to us!!! We love you and hope your birthday is a blast!