That Sweet Little Face

It's been one year since we first saw the picture of the little girl that would become our Ally. On April 30 of last year, Hope posted a new waiting child list. We were hesitant to even look, but we did! When we got to #8 (little Rui Yun with a heart condition) on the list, there she was! With such tiny lips, porcelain skin, black hair, and big, serious eyes, there was our Ally! We had to wait another 2 L*O*N*G weeks to get the official call that we had been selected to be her family. Here is the little face we saw! Our prayers that night became very specific.




It was the first time we (and their parents) saw Frannie and Shelby and Danielle, too!

Enjoying Life!

This morning as we were getting ready, I told Ally, "I love you, Ally" and she replied "I wub you, Mamma". That is the first time she has tried to say that. Isn't that what this is all about? How fun!

Officially Official

We had our court day to re-adopt Ally here in the US. Don't worry, the adoption was not in jeopardy or unofficial. Sara and Lauren were daring each other to say, "I have the right to remain silent," if the judge asked them anything! It really seemed to be a technicality; and insurance policy, as our attorney put it. This will allow Ally to have a US birth certificate with our names on it; as opposed to the one written in Chinese. I can only imagine taking that to the school when she registers for Kindergarten in a few years! I should take it just for a laugh!

I'm bummed that "Biggest Loser" is over - Tuesday night was our only night of "planned" TV watching. We still have "Boston Legal", though!

Looking forward to a fun time tomorrow at 3rd Friday! I'm so glad to be affiliated with these groups - we have made so many friends that have adoption as a part of their lives. I'm glad to have these new friends that "get" what we are doing and will "lend an ear" when I need to talk!

More Catching Up

Linzi sharing her drink with Ally - they really do adore each other!

Ella Kate and Ally get ready to "bathe" their bears at Build-a-Bear.

Our girls romping in the rain.


Ally has just cracked us up lately - in addition to her shouting "unknown" everytime the phone rings, she has recently learned the phrase, "I don't know!" It comes out more like, "ah doe noh"! It is so funny. Anyway, here are a few more pics...

BYW, 9 months ago, we first met our little girl!

OK - I know!

Yes, it's been forever.

We thoroughly enjoyed our spring break and did our own little "tour de Georgia", starting in Savannah and finishing in Hiawassee. We went by Mema's house and then down to Savannah. We enjoyed walking on River Street, eating pralines, beingets, and shrimp, going to the beach, swimming in the pool, and a little shopping! Ally really enjoyed playing in the sand and tide pools. She was a little leary of the waves, and held tight to daddy's fingers when they washed onto her feet. Savannah was almost in full bloom, but beautiful as always. I could live there!

We returned home via Augusta, stopping in to spend a night with my sister and brother in law. Doug was thrilled that Richard invited him to go to the Masters Practice Round on Tuesday! He said it was beautiful and he got to see Tiger play!

On Wed, I had a meeting all day, so Doug took the girls to the World of Coke Museum. They all enjoyed it and came home with tales of awful tasting Coke products that they sampled. That evening, Doug and I went "out" for a quick dinner and a little shopping by ourselves. We came home with a puppy! Yes, crazy I know. Sara and Lauren have been wanting a mini-dachshund for quite some time, and we finally gave in. I made them "research" the breed and do a power point. It was cute. Anyway, his name is DASH and he's 3 months old. So far, he has been really good. He is pretty good with Ally, but he does try to jump on her if she is squatting (how she normally sits).

Work took us up to Hiawassee, as I have an account at a college up there. So, we all went and stayed a couple of nights in a cabin. We enjoyed lots of trips to the playground. We did smores and grilled out, so we only ate lunch out. Mostly, we watched movies and played ping pong and played with Dash on the porch.

Before spring break, Ally attended her first B'day Party! Ella Kate turned 3 and invited Ally to her Build a Bear party! Ally had fun and really likes her bear. It was so cute and amazing to see all of those little Chinese beautiful faces. It's just a miracle!

A couple of Ally's "friends" are recovering from or having surgery this month. Shelby had her surgery last week and Sarah Beth has hers this Thursday. We are praying for both of them and their families!