PRAISE THE LORD! WE PASSED COURT TODAY!!

Our adoption agency called today at 11:37 am to let us know that everything went through today and that Isabella Dasash Thornley (Bella) is officially our daughter. We are so very happy. We should have her home by the beginning of March! Our adoption coordinator suggested that we not post a picture until we actually have her in our arms so I won't be posting a picture. This is such an important day for us, as well as Bella. I think about how her life is getting ready to dramatically change. I pray that she will make the transition easily. I also continue to pray for her good health until she comes home to us. Thank you for all your support!

Court Postponed Till Monday

Hey guys! I received a phone call Friday morning to let me know that the judge got sick and that court is rescheduled for Monday, the 29th! Please keep praying..I will post Monday as soon as I hear something.

We are having a great time in New York. We saw Shrek on Broadway today and it was awesome. We also went to The American Girl, Toys R US, FAO Swartz, and much more! :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

This has been a wondeful holiday season. On Christmas Eve, George, LiLi, and I did a little shopping in the morning. Then we took LiLi to get her bangs cut..she can now see again! :) We went to the 5:30 church service then went out to dinner at a wonderful Italian resturant. LiLi fell asleep on the way home but she woke right up when I asked her if she was ready to put out Chocolate popcorn and milk for Santa. We decided that Santa gets enough cookies so we left him "Dreamy Chocolate" popcorn from Dale and Thomas Popcorn. It is AWESOME!! George and I had a great night together..just the two of us reminiscing about our wonderful life together.

Christmas morning LiLi woke up at 3:50..yes..that's what I said 3:50. She came into our room and I went and got her sleeping bag and told her she could sleep next to our bed but it was not time to get up yet. She said, "I think I saw what I just saw". We were pretty impressed that she came into our room and that she didn't start playing with her toys. She woke up a couple more times and then at 6:10 we all got out of bed. SHe loved what Santa brought her. George had a great time taking pictures of her with his new camera..a Nikon SLR. That was our Christmas gift to each other. This is the first year in a long time that I didn't leave the house AT ALL. It was great. George cooked a turkey stuffed with oyster dressing, butter beans, and rice and I made a sweet potato casserole. We had so many leftovers so we took them to the lady at the front desk of our apartment. She was very appreciative. We then all took a nap. I will say that I missed my family in charleston this week. Not necessarily today because there have been a few Christmas's when I didn't see them (especially working as a nurse) but I always see them during the holiday season. I really enjoyed spending the actual day at home..just the three of us.

Tomorrow we leave in the morning to take the Acela train to NY. We are spending three nights there. Anna is flying up tomorrow to meet us there. We are taking the girls to see Shrek on Broadway as their Christmas gift ( as well as a weekend in NY). Anna is keeping LiLi on Sunday while George and I see The Jersey Boys! It should be a great weekend.

Tomorrow is also our court date for Bella. I have been thinking about it all day. I pray that everything goes through and that we pass court on the first try. Our adoption agency said that she will call me tomorrow and let me know. I thought this was very nice of her since the agency is actually closed. Please pray for us to pass court..this should be one of the last hurdles!

I hope everyone had a fun filled family day..and Merry Christmas!

Gingerbread House Decorating at The Ritz Carlton-Philadelphia

Today was so much fun. We created memories today that we will remember always! George, LiLi and I went to The Ritz Carlton for the Gingerbread House Event. It was GREAT! When we first got there, they put an apron and chef's hat on LiLi while passing out mimosas to the adults. They had carolers singing all the Christmas favorites. We went in to the ballroon and they had big tables for all the kids to sit and decorate the gingerbread house. The best part was that the houses were already put together so there was NO frustration waiting for the house to crumble. LiLi had a BLAST and decorated most of it herself. Santa Claus made a surprise visit after an amazing brunch. He read all the kids "Twas the Night Before Christmas" while they all gathered around him. Then all the kids had their pictures with Santa while they staff at The Ritz wrapped up all the gingerbread houses. It was a wonderful experience that we will definitely do again.

PICTURES!!

LiLi showing Santa her gingerbread house!

LiLi mailing letter to Santa at Macy's

Christmas Pagent at school

Christmas Party with new friends


Daddy with the Flea

LiLi and Lucy

G-Daddy, Nana and LiLi

LiLi with her dog, Biscuit

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! :)

We are back in Philadelphia after our vacation to Keywest and a week in Charleston. We have a lot of fun things planned...Gingerbread house making, Shrek on Broadway in New York, friends visiting for the New Year and much more. LiLi has her Christmas Pagent for school this Thursday so we were busy making cookies today. It was a lot of fun!

When we were in Charleston, LiLi had an appointment with her plastic surgeon. I knew that her mouth didn't heal exactly like we wanted after her surgery in Sept. but the doctor confirmed that she will need surgery again due to a fistula (hole) that has formed in the roof of her mouth. BUMMER~~He wanted surgery in March but that will really be difficult since we will be getting Bella in March (hopefully). I asked about January but he doesn't want to schedule surgery during flu season! Good thinking! We are planning the surgery for May. Please keep LiLi in your prayers and pray for a successful surgery.

Our court date is next Friday! As long as we pass, Bella will officially be ours and I will be able to post a picture! :)

Hope everyone is having a great holiday season.