Blessed Christmas

HG tearing into presents

Santa left Miss Magic a Barbie 4-wheeler

Deedie painted this for HG. It is even more beautiful in person. It says "MAGIC" in Vietnamese

We had a blessed Christmas!!! I have tons of photos to upload and many thoughts to post...HG is under the weather with a virus...so my time is limited. I promise to post soon! Please say a prayer for her...it's no fun feeling YUCKY!

Mary wrapped the 1st gift....for all to receive!

Merry Christmas Eve!  There are so many thoughts racing through my mind....the meaning of Christmas and how Mary wrapped baby Jesus in swaddling clothes for all the world to receive...I love the Christmas song "Mary did you know" it sums it all up...I'm remembering Christmas traditions that I've always cherished and will share with Little Miss Magic as she grows...Jason & I continue to add our own "little traditions" to share with her....Santa is coming tonight and she is going to be SO excited when she sees what he is bringing her!!! We are having Christmas Eve at our home and hosting my family...on Christmas day, we will see what Santa delivers (poor Santa has to compete with Nanny...he will NEVER win, sorry buddy)....then Christmas breakfast with the Cornwells, and Christmas evening with the Devines. That's a busy, full and BLESSED Christmas! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! I'm off to finish things up and get ready for tonight...May God bless your families!

Miss Magic LOVES the stage!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM MISS MAGIC!!!

Little Miss Magic Spreading Holiday Cheer

This week has been a GREAT one!!! It's Friday night, the Christmas trees are on throughout the house and there is SNOW on the ground!!! This week has been incredibly busy for our little STAR! She had her Christmas Play at MMO

HG and Neleigh

and last night she had her DANCING DEBUT with Step-N-Out ...let me tell you...SHE WAS a COMPLETE HAM!!

She LOVES the stage!!! It's very evident! She had a BLAST!!! I hope we can find a way to load the video...it's priceless! Hannah also danced with her hip hop class and her gymnastics team. She gets prettier everyday and is one talented girl! She is teaching hg everything she knows!

We are SO very blessed...I have presents to wrap so goodnight and enjoy the photos!

Here's a link for more....

http://s628.photobucket.com/albums/uu8/hallegrace/StepNout%20Dance/

It's Christmas Time....

WOW! We have been busy bees!!! I just realized it has been a week since I posted! So much has been going on in Miss Magic's life. It's Christmas time!!! Uncle Danny is still in the hospital and today is MUCH better than last week. Poor guy went from surgery, in and out of ICU....we have been praying and ask that everyone remember him in your prayers!! We would love for him to be able to be home and out of pain before Christmas! Here are a few happenings since last post.....

Jason & HG ran the Thunder Road 1/2 marathon in Charlotte this past weekend...*well, Miss Magic slept in the cozy jogger stroller like a big queen until mile 8* Abby, Jason's cousin ran as well and we had a great time spending some quality time with A & Josh.

On Sunday, HG & I went to Hunter & Hannah's play at church and she LOVED it! She sang, danced and ate goldfish the entire time! She would yell to them "hey Hannah", "Hey Tunter" that's what she calls Hunter...so sweet!

Hunter, Hannah & HG....then they took her on stage to sing AWAY IN A MANGER....

She still LOVES dance, and MMO and Ms. Alisha!!!! Here she is practicing her splits....she's a TOTAL rubberband

This week is a FULL one as well....we have her play at MMO and some other parties...and J & I had the chance to get out to a party as well *HG stayed the with Ms. Alisha and LOVED every minute!!!

God is GOOD and he continues to bless our lives abundantly!

Last but not least...here's a photo of Christmas decorations that Julie "ELLA KATE DESIGN" http://www.ellakatedesign.wordpress.com/ and I put together *well I helped and followed instructions* for the BREAKING & ENTERING on the Ace & TJ Show....also go to their website for more photos. It was an amazing experience and I was happy to be Julie's ELF helper...there were lots of laughs and tears! I wish we could have seen that families eyes LIGHT UP when they returned home! It was a GREAT time and a reminder of what Christmas should really be about...helping others and sharing God's AMAZING gift!

Here are some photos from the radio station http://v1.pxspot.com/acetj/album/?albumID=7152

Click here for more great photos of Christmas Happenings with Miss Magic! http://s628.photobucket.com/albums/uu8/hallegrace/Christmas%20happenings/

Happy Birthday Papa Gene!

Happy Birthday Papa Gene!!! This month is an exciting one for Papa Gene...he is OLDER and he is retiring after many years of keeping automobiles on the road! For those of you who know Gene...you know he stresses over NOTHING! Seriously, if the world could adopt his attitude...it would be a happier place to dwell! He told me one time, "there were cars broke down before I came along, and they'll be cars broke down when I'm gone" SO TRUE! We are looking forward to celebrating his birthday/retirement soon!!!
AND WHAT ABOUT THOSE APP STATE MOUNTAINEERS!!!! WOO HOO!!!! One more game and they'll be playing in the National Championship game! If that happens, you know where we will be!!!

PLEASE continue to pray for Uncle Danny! He is still in pain and has a long recovery ahead!

Here's a link to some of the photos LUCY PARKER PHOTOGRAPHY captured at HG's 2nd birthday party! ENJOY!!!
http://s628.photobucket.com/albums/uu8/hallegrace/Miss%20Magic%20is%20TWO/Party%20at%20the%20BIG%20TOP/Its%20beginning%20to%20look%20a%20lot%20like/2nd%20Birthday%20WINK%20PHOTOGRAPHY/
Her new website is up and running, check it out http://www.lucyparkerphotography.com/
and Miss Magic is on her business cards!!!

Praying for Uncle Danny

Uncle Danny needs your prayers! He is in horrific pain! He's in the ICU trauma unit at CMC. He  fell off of his house while cleaning/leaf blowing! Thankfully, the next door neighbor saw him and called 9-1-1. He broke almost every bone, GOD bless him....femur, hip, ribs....what they didn't see right away was the extent of internal injuries! There are so many people praying for you Danny! We love you!

Hey Uncle Danny! I'm praying for you every night when I say my prayers...I say your last name really well! I love you and I hope Nanny can show you this from her blackberry in the ICU. Tell all the sick people in the Trauma ICU that I am MISS MAGIC and I am praying!

Magic dust everywhere you go...

Little Miss Magic...the 2 year old DRAMA QUEEN!

I feel so behind when it comes to blogging...so much has been happening in Little Miss Magic's life! She is growing up (well she's acting like a very advanced 2 year old and she is getting taller...but still a little peanut...20 pounds with clothes, shoes and coat on)! HAHA! She is into everything these days and is a BUSY body!

Loves her new art station Nanny!She had her Thanksgiving program at MMO and she was the cutest Turkey ever! She really showed OUT when she saw Jason & I! It was so funny!!! She's a complete show-off!!! She still loves anything to do with music, she loves art and LOVES books...I could listen to her sweet voice "read" for hours.

... and STICKERS are a part of life...period!

She is SO independent that sometimes I wish she would chill a bit (I have no idea where she gets it?!) YEA RIGHT!  Her FAVORITE song for the Christmas season is Jingle Bells and each time it plays on her beautiful Carrousel that Scott & Krista gave her

she really gets into it!

Thanksgiving night, her high fever returned....the doctor confirmed the pneumonia was not completely clear....she was put back on meds and she is feeling GREAT now....so great, that she decided to stay up ALL night LONG last night to sing, dance, ask for MILK (and she doesn't LIKE MILK)...I think Granny did it (they had a good time playing HAIR salon)??!!! Nice look on both of you dolls!

HG loves ANYTHING girlie....hair, nails, SHOES, bows....all that girlie stuff! And speaking of shoes, Lulu...she LOVES, LOVES, LOVES her pink cowgirl boots!!! She wanted to take these photos just for you!

Check out my boots Lulu...yep, I'm still the wild HALLE-GRACE you know so wellOK, this one shows MY BOOTS and I'm serious about my fashion!

AND, below is my favorite photo from the "Christmas pics" I took of the three H's ...you will find many more in the link below

ENJOY all the photos.....

http://s628.photobucket.com/albums/uu8/hallegrace/Miss%20Magic%20is%20TWO/Party%20at%20the%20BIG%20TOP/Its%20beginning%20to%20look%20a%20lot%20like/

Life with Miss Magic is MAGICAL for sure!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

So many blessings to be thankful for...family, friends, health, employment, food, freedom....the list goes on and on!!! We are incredibly blessed and so THANKFUL for HG especially!!!! She completes our family! Happy Thanksgiving!!!

PARTY TIME....Under the BIG TOP!

Miss Magic had a fabulous 2nd Birthday Party!!!

Miss Magic is 2!!!

We are blessed to have an amazing park in our home town that has the most beautiful Carrousel...

so, we took advantage and partied UNDER THE BIG TOP....Carnival Style! Miss Magic is so loved by so many (it's so hard not to be sprinkled by her magic "dust"...) there were over 70 in attendance.

Miss Magic came away with more gifts....toys, clothes, books, puzzles, money....stickers (you name it) than you can imagine!

We had a GREAT time and she LOVED her party! We are TIRED...well, I know I am! Lucy with WINK photography took photos and as soon as I have them, I will post them....in the mean time, here's the link to the album of the ones I captured, they are tooooo cute!!! http://s628.photobucket.com/albums/uu8/hallegrace/Miss%20Magic%20is%20TWO/Party%20at%20the%20BIG%20TOP/
Thanks to everyone who came and celebrated Miss Magic turning 2!!!

And Lulu...we LOVE the pink cowgirl boots! Your gift is in the mail sweetie!

Happy Birthday Miss Magic!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LITTLE MISS MAGIC.....my MOST amazing, favorite girl!!! I love you so much and you make life worth living GIRL!!! You're my world and will always be mama's little girl! And of course, Daddy's too...he's crazy over you and you are pretty smitten over him as well!

SO, what did Miss Magic do on her 2nd BIRTHDAY....first, she got all dolled up in her birthday wear..her TUTU (of course and LOVED every minute of it)....the first phone call she received was from Aunt Suzie and Hannah. Hannah sang to her but by the time Suzie got on the phone, HG sang Happy Birthday to herself for Suzie! She's FUNNY!

Jason, Nanny and I celebrated her birthday with her friends and wonderful teachers at MMO. 

Doing the Chicken Dance with Daddy!

LOVED her Balloons

As you can see, Ms. A changed her into her "Cinderella" dress that Aunt Ollie made for her!

She looked like a princess for sure! She was so excited and led the class (all boys today who I know LOVED the Princess theme! HAHA) in "HAPPY BIRHDAY to HG".Nanny & HG having fun at the Cinderella/Princess PartyMISS MAGIC knows how to party! Click this link to see more photos  http://s628.photobucket.com/albums/uu8/hallegrace/Miss%20Magic%20is%20TWO/

Festivities continue....Party under the BIG TOP this Saturday! Stay tuned for more pics

Miss Magic turns 2 tomorrow!!!

Such a big party week if OFF to a start!!! You're looking at her FAVORITE birthday present so far! She loves her new shoes...she loves shoes period!!! LOTS MORE TO COME....stay tuned!

Birthday Week!!!

Miss Magic will be 2 on Thursday...and it's going to be a BUSY, fun-filled week!!! She has a fitting for the commercial shoot, then the National Commercial shoot, a little party at school and her BIG TOP party on Saturday! WOW, I want to be Miss Magic when I grow up! She's an amazing little girl who continues to steal every piece of my heart away! I promise lots of photos and details coming up! I thank God for blessing my life with HG! She's the baby I dreamed of for SO many years and she calls me MAMA!!! God is SOOOOO good!

November is National Adoption Month...and Miss Magic is turning 2!!!!

November is a very special month!!! Thanksgiving, Miss Magic's Birthday and it's the month to raise awareness about the miracle of adoption! WOW, what would our life be like without the most amazing gift....God allowing us to adopt HG! He must think we are pretty special because we have the most amazing little girl EVER...and she's gonna be 2 years old next week!!! I can't believe it! She's getting excited and singing Happy Birthday every night at bedtime. The routine....read 2 books (ALWAYS Cinderella and lately Bear Hugs) then we say our prayers, then we sing. The last two nights Jason has asked her what she wants to sing and she starts "Jesus" and we sing "Jesus loves me..." then she likes to sing itsy bitsy spider or you are my sunshine but since last Sunday (Lizzy's birthday party) she has ended the night with HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! So, she's ready!!!
We are planning a BIG TOP party for friends and family and it is going to be a lot of fun!!! I get really excited about planning her birthday parties (I don't know why...it's just fun)! On her actual birthday, we are having a celebration at her Morning Out Program. As I stated earlier, it's a Cinderella Party!!! Her aunt Ollie made her the most adorable Cinderella dress to wear (pic coming) and when I called around to see who makes Cinderella cupcakes...well, let's just say I received some pretty funny responses...."We don't have Cinderella but we have fairies"....."No, we don't have Cinderella or any of those other princesses with all those hair colors"....."NO (with a lot of excitement) we don't have Cinderella BUT we have Barbie and they look JUST ALIKE"!!!! hahaha

Soooooo, thanks to Mer and my etsy craze...I found the PERFECT cupcake toppers for her party at school. I think she is going to LOVE every bite!!

Wishing Mrs. America GOOD LUCK in Vietnam

Xin Chao!!! Mrs. America is currently in VN competing for the title of Mrs. World! I sent Andrea a "GOOD LUCK" message wishing her well in Miss Magic's birth country...she replied with a message to HG.
"Wow the children here are precious. We spent time at an orphanage yesterday, it wasn't anything but a joyous experience for them! They were adorable. Tell Miss Magic that the people of her country are incredible."
Good Luck Andrea! I love looking at your photos and so does Miss Magic!

The beautiful Mrs. America

In Vietnam for the Mrs. World Pageant

One of the celebrations the delegates attended.

Everywhere she goes....she leaves behind "magic" dust!

HG had so much fun with N and Ms. A! The smile tells the story...she has the ENTIRE King family SNOWED!!! LOL! Thanks Ms. A for going with us to the audition! It was toooooo much fun!