Really Good News

I wanted to spend my entire post today praising the Lord that my little girl is eating some. I wanted to shout from the roof tops that she is letting me give her about a tablespoon of vanilla yogurt and a teaspoon of baby food three times a day using my finger. I wanted to share my joy with you..

BUT

Then I got this blog update from Uganda..I implore you if you read only one thing today..READ THIS!

While I am here feeding my daughter, there are other orphans in the most remote parts of this world who are being fed because of ministries like this one who is serving 200 kids a day in this remote school they have started for orphans in Uganda. Many children are starving with no hope all over the world. Then a believer has his eyes opened to the need and a ministry is born. That is the case with Parental Care Ministries. We had the chance to meet these precious people who work with Ugandan nationals to run this amazing ministry to meet the needs of hundreds of orphans in their country. Incredible. If you don't sponsor a child, please consider it. We sponsor a nine year old girl through this ministry and we have seen first hand the difference that it is making in her life. Pray for these orphans. Pray that God will continue to provide for this ministry and His glory will be made known through their lives in that beautiful place.

My little girl has a momma to feed her..so many don't.

Oh Be Still My Heart!

OH.

BE.

STILL.

MY.

HEART.

I can't imagine my life without this precious treasure. So darn sweet and those cheeks are made for kissin'. Thank you Jesus! Thank you Jesus! She is an unbelievable blessing.

Please Help

It is pictures like this one that cause my heart to cry out to God for Him to continue to use me to bring more orphans home. I received an email yesterday from a contact I have made in China. She was begging for prayer and advocacy for the handsome young man in the picture here who is about to age out of the orphanage and desperately wants a forever family.

Here is her first message about him:

"I made a call to Hui Zhou SWI.They asked how much donation they would like to pay?
They said it is fine for reduce the donation.They want to help the boy.

Last time he asked Ms Luo about the his adoption family .He almost cry and feel sad that he cannot be adopted after 14 years old.
Ms Luo feel sad and want to help him.

He likes singing very much.The party of children's day this year,he is going to sing a song for friends.
He is healthy.Seldom get a cold."

And here was her 2nd message. She apparently called the orphanage again after the message above:

"Here is the message from the orphanage.The director said they are welcome for any amount of the donation .
They just want the boy to have a happy life.
He likes singing and playing the badminton .
His heart surgery was success. He is very healthy now.
He would like to be adopted.He would like to have the love from Baba and Mama"

This young man, and so many others, are still waiting with little hope of ever having a momma and daddy to love them. Oh please pray dear friends for this handsome young man to find a family.

As I am writing this, I am thinking about a dear friend's testimony the other night. She used Matthew West's song My Own Little World. Her words had a profound effect on me and I can't help but think that I have lived in my own little world so long. So I'm thinking the chorus as I pray for this young man..God break my heart for what breaks yours. Give me open hands and open doors. Keep breaking my heart God for the orphan and don't allow me to return to the place of complacency that I have been living in for so long.

Therapy Evals

WOW! What a morning!! Jill had an Occupational Therapy Eval, a Developmental Eval, and a Speech Eval all today. She did much better with the OT eval than I expected. Each therapist was sure to prepare me for how low her standardized scores were going to be at the meeting next week. I am aware of that. I know just how low she is going to measure on those tests, but next week at the meeting when the numbers are written on paper-I am just sure I won't handle it as well as I am reasoning I will. I know she is low. I know that-professionally-but in a momma's heart it is a whole different story. So good to be getting things started though. We have alot to do and I am so thankful that we have access to resources and people to guide us. It has been a long time since I was a "therapy" momma, but I love to play with a purspose so it was so exciting to refresh on the therapy tricks today. There a few toys I definitly need to get my hands on again for therapy play. I'll have to make a wish list and hit the garage sales.

Pray for Jill, and our family, as we ready to enter this next stage. Oh God is so good to give us this precious girl who at this momment is sound asleep up in her bed. Busy morning for her. It still affects me so that as soon as so many meet her they just cry over her. She is a miracle.

How Much?

It happened again. Someone asked us how much it cost us to adopt. Please don't get me wrong..I am in no way offended and I don't at all mind answering any question that anyone asks me if it might get another orphan home. It's just that I wish there was some way for me to make those who ask understand that this is priceless...

When I am driving down the road and I look back to see this, I am often over come with emotion as I remember God's miraculous provision to get this little one home. She has no idea yet how God provided so that she could join us, but you better believe that she will hear the stories of God's faithfulness again and again. That's what I wish to convey most to those who ask. God is so faithful and His heart's desire is for the orphan to come home. He says so in His word and He will provide. We had no plan-no money saved-no idea how in the world we would come up with the nearly $30,000 that it would cost to get our sweet pea home with us BUT we stepped out in faith and said yes anyway. Never once did we go without. Never once did we stand with empty hands when a ransom was due for our precious treasure. God is the great provider. I KNOW THIS because of this incredible journey and so many others He has led me on. If money is holding you back..HEAR THIS: GOD WILL PROVIDE ALL YOU NEED IF YOU ARE WILLING TO SAY YES. So thankful that I said yes to this precious face..



The one who calls you is faithful. He will surely do it. 1 Thessolonians 5:24

Miraculous

Let me never take for granted Father God that each and every day with this precious treasure is a miracle. The blessings that you have poured on us through this little girl are simply so beautiful.. So many simple pleasures that I have taken for granted.

She had never had...the chance to take a bath with bubbles. She had never experienced splashing in the water and being washed lovingly by her momma to get the dried milk out of the wrinkles under her chin.

She had never had the chance to..Sit in the grass under a tree in her front yard and pick up a stick while hearing the birds singing all around her.

She had never had the chance to..experience the sun and wind on her face or feel the grass on her legs while her momma takes a hundred pictures. (POOR GIRL!)

Truly a miracle each and every day that we have her. She got two shots, had her finger pricked, and a lead test at the doctor. She was not happy at all about that and that is a totally normal two year old reaction. Her ears are clear though. PRAISE GOD that her body is healing and the fluid that remains in her ears is even disappearing..SO GLAD!! We also were told by our doctor that, while she is tiny, her weight and height are totally proportionate! She is not underweight anymore. She is changing so fast. We start our therapy regiment at the end of this week. I am hoping feeding therapy will produce some fast results and we will get this girl eating some food. Thanks for your prayers for her.. We love her so and are so encouraged by how much you all love her too. What a good and gracious God we have..

Don't Miss It

We are off to the doctor this morning for another appointment for our Jill, but I don't want you to miss the Johnson's journey. The Johnson's are amazing and while I have never met them, I have watched their miraculous journey to their children unfold and am now so excited that they are getting their two (yes two) treasures home. Her blog is one more ladybug and you can click here to go there. She has posted several times already from China so scroll down to get them all. This woman is super amazing (because God is super amazing through her). When I see her with two babies at once-I am in awe! What a beautiful heart for the Lord she has and a huge burden to help the orphan. Enjoy!

Beautiful Gift

One of the most beautiful things about this journey is the beauty that it has brought out in so many of God's people. So many of God's people who have shown us God's love by doing some really beautiful things. How I long to just savor each and every gesture..each and every prayer..all the amazing gifts. God is so good to give us so many people in our lives who have continued to walk so closely on this road with us and just lavish us with love because they love Him.

Beautiful momment today when this little man showed up at my door with a huge smile and a present...

You see I took Jill to church this morning and in the mist of the craziness of all the people around her she found comfort in this little guy's matchbox car. She clung to that thing all morning and he was so gracious to share it with her. Well, this little man just thought Jill needed some cars of her own. So he and his precious momma went to pick some out for her. Then he showed up on my porch with that million dollar smile and delivered these special cars for Jill. Precious..You got to love a little one with a heart for others. Thank you so much buddy. You made Jill's day a little brighter and mine too.

So let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

It Takes My Breath Away

Four weeks with her in our arms and it still takes my breath away every time I..

see her clinging to her daddy's finger with her little hand..

watch the way her daddy looks at her with adoration...


see her smile....

and hear her laugh...

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families..

Psalm 68:5-6a

Big Sis Update

So my kiddo is super competitive and loves sports. Because of this, her annual Warrior Olympics at school at the end of each year is her fave two day event!! She won the fastest kid in school again, the relay race, the basketball tournament, and got second in the long jump. She just loves sports and even more she loves to win-must have gotten that from her daddy. :) Momma's favorite thing about Warrior Olympics is that it means the year is almost over and I love havin' my girl home for the summer. So..momma is rejoicing along with darling kiddo!!
(Does anyone know how to turn this? So frustrating..) Little sissy loves being held by her big sis. She is constantly asking Em to pick her up. Got to love their matching hot pink shirt and jeans ensembles. Did I mention how much I love having my girls home? I love summer!!


Jill loves having some big sis time in the bean bag chair playing some Wipe Out on the DS. She is just about ready for one of her own. Don't you think? Beyond precious to see these two together. Shopping with Em the other day in the junior's section and lamenting over how grown she has become..To which she replies, Jill still shops in the baby section. So true dear friends..So true. A teenager and a baby..Who would have thought? Certainly not my plan, but truly the Lord's and I am loving ever single minute. Love these girls.

Crying In the Night

There she was last night crying next to me in her sleep. Trying desperately to rock herself by moving back and forth out of whatever sadness her little heart was feeling. What is it sweet one that makes you sob at night? What are you thinking of? Oh how I wish she would have opened her eyes to see me laying there next to her. How I wish she would have been able to remember that she is home with a momma now and she doesn't have to lay in the dark sobbing and rocking herself back to sleep. Poor baby. Praying for this little hearts healing today. She is down right pooped because of the rough night. She is already down for her afternoon nap. :) Hoping a little rest will do her some good.

Just To Remember

I want to remember the last 45 minutes. I want to remember because this is the first day that you didn't just lay down and go to sleep for your nap. Today sweet girl, you needed your momma. You needed you momma to rock you to sleep. I want to remember because as life gets busy and things steal away my joy-I won't always be so thankful that it takes 45 minutes to coax you to sleep. But today precious girl, today it was beautiful to have you in my arms against my chest in that rocking chair because you needed your momma to soothe you to sleep. Praise you Jesus that you have given me this wonderful amazing little life to rock to sleep each day. Help me Lord to always embrace these moments and enjoy being her momma. Let me never take it for granted and let me never forget what an incredible gift from you this is...Praise you Lord for the gift of motherhood and this beautiful baby that is mine.

Wonderful Day

Yesterday, we went to the park lagoon and she enjoyed a walk in the carrier on momma's chest. The baby ducks, sunlight streaming through the tall trees, and the breeze blowing on her face were all magical to her as she enjoyed being there so much. Watching her experience this world is simply beautiful. The smile on her face as she turns her eyes up to the trees and gets her cheeks bathed in the sunlight is just priceless.

She was doing so well that I decided to take her to visit my classroom. She responded so well to my kids and we were able to walk up to the office and visit there too. We stayed out almost an hour and a half altogether yesterday morning. This is just simply miraculous considering three weeks ago she couldn't leave the bed in our hotel room without a major meltdown.

Then we visited the doctor in the afternoon for an ear recheck.
Let me first say that she enjoyed the lobby at the doctor's office!! :) (Oh, we have come so far.) She played with the bead toys and walked around exploring everywhere clutching to my finger as she walked. Everywhere we go everyone is still just so attracted to her. They all ask about her and want to know her story. Yesterday at the doctor, we even ran into a woman who shopped at our garage sale so she recognized Jill from her pictures there.

The doctor is beyond amazing with Jill. The entire office rallies around her and they are so caring and very knowledgeable. Her ears are better. They are still really bad BUT they are better. So we had two options..a shot of antibiotics to give her a boost or just change the oral to a different kind. I chose the oral because frankly I couldn't bare the thought of her getting a shot. I know it will have to come and I will be there crying over her, but I plan to put it off as long as I can. :) She even gained some weight-2 oz. I am thrilled because it has seemed like she is eating less since switching to American formula.

Really it is miraculous to witness her changing. Goodness...she is just so sweet and I love her so very much! Keep praying for those ears and that she will begin to eat some food soon. We aren't making much progress with eating although she is taking her bottle well.

I feel like a broken record when I keep saying-she is a living miracle and I am blessed beyond measure to be her momma, but quite simply those are the only words I can say to express my heart!

Watching Her Sleep

Dear Jill,
I was watching you sleep just now. You tuck your little legs under you and sleep on your tummy with your thumb in your mouth most of the night. Your little cheeks are so full that your mouth is nearly invisible. Oh how I want to remember these moments. I want to remember all that this last three weeks has brought us and how far you have come. I want to remember the depths of the pain and the trials you have gone through so that I can remember the over whelming joy of your restoration. God has been so good to give you to us sweet girl and we are nuts about you. We love to have you in our arms and are just amazed at how well you are doing. How I wish I could freeze time so that I could remember the joy in your grandparent's eyes when you let them hold you for the first time or the thrill of seeing you take your first steps toward me after being home only a few weeks. How I long so much to tell you ever detail of every moment and what it feels like to be becoming you momma. I am not sure I have to the words to really describe all that is in my heart or to tell you all that you mean to me. When you read this one day..I just want you to know what a miracle you are and how very blessed we feel to have been given the chance to have you-to call you our daughter. You are a precious treasure..a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor my sweet one. God's splendor is all over you..

Loving you with all my heart,
Momma

They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:3b

Babe of My Heart Post

I am grateful for the way that you have followed our journey and been so faithful to pray for us. One of my favorite adoptive moms is beginning a journey to China herself to adopt their second child. She is one of my absolute favorite writers in blog world and loves the Lord like crazy! I have never physically met her, but she has provided me encouragment a million times through her posts. This post that she wrote while I was gone in China tells a little about how they decided on China and just how the Lord spoke to them. It is beautiful. She is beautiful. I have tears streaming down my face after catching up on her blog and well..I just want to share it with you. If you need a little inspiration..Andrea at babe of my heart is the place to go.

Click Here.

Praying that you enjoy her as much as I do. She is the real thing.

Rested!!

SHE SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!!! WE HAD A NORMAL SCHEDULE WITH AN AFTERNOON NAP AND THEN SHE SLEPT FROM 6PM to 6AM!!!!!! I SO HOPE THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF NORMALCY!

As much as I enjoyed the 2 AM alone time we've been having..I miss Em and DH. Praying like crazy that we are turning a corner and our schedule will begin to be more normal.

I am dancing in the hallway today..Standing on level ground once again today and loving it! Jill and I even went to Paradise Donuts to visit the drive through before Daddy and Em woke up. It's a Saturday tradition and now Jill is here to be a part of it. Praising Him today for placing this treasure in our family and allowing us to grow by one.

Level Ground Needed

My heart is hurting so this morning. Hurting because this little babe of my heart, that is finally home with me, continues to hurt so. I am desperate to soothe her and so desperatly long to be her momma. There are so many times-many more than three weeks ago-that she is letting me BUT there are so many other times that she just can't trust me enough yet. I can only imagine the deep and traumatic circumstances that she has experienced in these first 26 months of her life. I can only guess about what she has felt, how she has been treated, and the wounds that this has left on her little heart. One thing I can know for sure is that our God is in control of her little life and He has planned it all out since the beginning of time. He has also appointed me to be her momma-whether she knows it yet or not. I was on my knees this morning begging the Lord for this little one's healing and asking for encouragment in this day to be the momma she needs. Then there it was-His voice- hanging on an index card on my cabinet..

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good spirit lead me to level ground. Psalm 143:8-10

Some things about that verse just jumped out at me today. Trust. He will show me. He will teach me. He will give me all I need to be her momma. And little by little she will open up her heart to me. I am sure of that this morning as His mercies are new each day. Also finding joy in the journey as she sits in my lap on the floor and lets me hold her in front of the hall mirror. She let me hold her so long that my arms ached, but my heart was overflowing with joy.

Level Ground. When I wrote this in the wee hours of the morning this morning..I was begging for level ground. Well, my little sweet pea stayed awake late enough this morning to ride along when I took big sis to school. She sat in her car seat in the back making the strangest faces and I think she might have even enjoyed it. It felt so normal to have both of my girls in the car. Normal and Level. I even drove through Starbucks with her and got a hot tea. :) Praise God for answering my plea for a little level ground today. He is so good in the mist of our trials.

Gains

My oldest daughter came barreling down the stairs this morning and tripped over the gate at the bottom. She doesn't walk anywhere-always running or bouncing in her size 10 shoes. One of the shoes got caught on the gate as she tried to "gracefully" jump over it. She popped right back up and said I'm fine-like she always does. The whole scene just made me smile.

Grinning ear to ear driving her to school today thinking about how grown she is. Looking at those size ten shoes next to Jill's infant size 4 makes me remember just how quickly these last eleven years have gone with her. How I wish I could just freeze this precious time with my girls.

Em has been so beyond beautiful during the last three weeks. She has learned so much about serving others and putting yourself last. I am so happy that she got to experience this with us. I was so thrilled last night to hear her say the words..sissy did it. Sissy. I think about the meaning behind that and all that this adoption has given Em-a sister. Someone to walk alongside her in this life as she deals with her two crazy parents. Another soul to roll her eyes with when her momma is crying her eyes out because of some silly little thing like how much she has grown. Someone to call daddy weirdo with when he is dancing and being a goof. Someone to love and help along in this life. Someone to call when she is hurting. Someone to be her bridesmaid.

Oh I can hardly stand all the gains that we have in our life because of this precious girl being ours. I think all the time that we simply could have missed it. We could have told God no to adoption. We could have said we were too old, we didn't have the money, we couldn't do it, we weren't able, it would just be too hard, or a host of other excuses. We could have missed out on it all. I could have missed being this baby's momma. Oh the thought is just far too horrible to consider. So amazed at the depth of my love for these precious girls that God has given me to raise up and so looking forward to watching them grow as friends.

Becoming Her Momma

The moment I was handed this little bundle I was her mother. She was my daughter. It wasn't that easy for her though. She needed to know that she could trust me. She needed to know that I would take care of her. A knowledge not easy to come by for a little girl who has never known trust or care. But it is happening! I am becoming her momma. There is nothing like the feeling of her crawling into my lap or leaning in with a slobbery open mouth for kisses. There is nothing like her lifting her arms for me to pick her up or her engaging in our games when we play. There are no words to describe what it feels like to be becoming this little one's momma. Slowly she is learning I am hers forever.

She had her first doctor visit yesterday and just as I suspected her ears are in really bad shape. I can't imagine the pain this little one is in and has probably been in her entire life because no one cared enough to take care of her. Her ears are so full of fluid, impacted wax, and infection that the doctor couldn't even see her eardrums. She is on her first round of antibiotic and we are praying that they are cleared up soon. What will it be like for this little one to not be in pain? What will it be like for her to hear clearly when I tell her how much I love her?

She continues to amaze me with how well she is doing. She slept in the sling at the doctor on my chest. When she first came to me, she didn't trust me enough to let herself sleep in the sling, but today she did! She loved her bath tonight playing and splashing for nearly a half hour. She played with the toys in her bedroom. She continues to add toys to her play routine everyday. Yesterday Daddy came in the back door from work and she walked right into his arms. Oh the beauty of this baby. I can't believe the difference in her little heart in just two weeks. She is learning that she is loved so quickly and God is beginning to restore all in her that has been broken.

The spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the blind.. Isaiah 61:1

Jill Is Walking

This morning at 4:00 AM-she just took off down the hall. She was playing with Daddy's shoes for a while then just decided to get up and walk down the hall. Of Course by the time I got the camera out, she was finished with the biggest portion of the steps, but I got the last few up there on the video. Thrilled! Precious! If that chinese official could see her now. Her motion is not delayed-she just needed a family's encouragement!!! Love, Love, Love this little treasure!

Exhausted

I am exhausted. Jill definitely has her days and nights mixed up. I am trying to sleep when she is sleeping, but we are really thrown off. I also woke up with an infected eye today and I really don't have time for that. Please pray for strength as we keep up with this girl...

She decided to empty out the diaper basket today. She is in to everything and we are so happy about that.

She discovered how fun it was to pull all of the stuff off the lower part of the refrigerator. I am loving that smile and so glad she is doing normal two year old things.

Shhhh..She invaded big sis's playroom and decided to pick up Em's Barbies and push her Barbie car for a while. Aren't those little jeans and her t-shirt precious?

She is feeling so loved and welcomed by everyone. Thank you dear friends for you help, support, and prayers. We hope to be out and about soon!

Jill is getting stronger and stronger. She is so comfortable here and doing so much more. I am praising God for how far my baby girl has come in just the last few days. If her sleeping pattern can get closer to normal this momma will be even happier. Until then, enjoying our 2:00AM play sessions and love hearing her little feet pitter pattering around the house at 4:00 AM. God is so good to allow us to parent our little girl. She is a true joy!

Home At Last

Home. At. Last. Let me just say-You all mean the world to me. You all have done so much to encourage us and have walked this road right along with us. We love you and are so blessed by all that you have done for us. Baby food waiting here today, our car decorated, nursery water and a hot pot, dinner delivered, the yard decorated...on and on...

The flight was hard. I told Sean it's a little like labor in that when it's over you don't remember how really hard it was and you even consider doing it again sometime. The flight attendants were crazy about Jill and we reaped the benefits-extra pillows, blankets, sodas, toys. We were treated like royalty. Em says we should fly with Jill more often. One thing is for sure..having a Chinese baby attracts lots of attention. I was praying today and asking God to allow me to use this attention for Him and to engage the hearts of people for the orphan.

SHE LET ME ROCK HER TO SLEEP!!! That precious little hurting heart is healing and she let her momma rock her to sleep! I held her little frame in my arms and rocked her. I was bawling buckets of tears over that little precious girl laying right there in my arms. That little girl who just thirteen days ago had never known a mother's touch. Oh God is so good! I simply can't explain the beauty of this journey except to say that every single hardship is so worth it to hear that baby laugh or to see her sleeping soundly in my arms. Praise Jesus that she is home and she is mine!!

Saying Goodbye to Guangzhou

It is bitter sweet to be leaving this place. Never again will my daughter be a Chinese citizen. While I am praising God that He has given her to us, I am mourning the loss that she may one day feel having never known her bio family or this culture. I know that God will use the circumstances of her life..the losses and the gains.

Abundant gains for us indeed! Watching God slowly heal this little broken heart is almost too beautiful for me to witness. I am overcome with emotion when I see her daddy scoop her up and I hear her laugh. She is so valuable, precious, and perfect in the eyes of this family. She was meant to be ours from the beginning of time and we are so very thankful that God has given us the task of raising her up. I watch her learning that we love her and will care for her and I am blown away by God's great plan. She is my daughter and for that I will always be grateful to the Lord.

Off and Running

Not only did Jill finally feel comfortable enough to leave the bed in our room, she led us right out the door and explored several hallways. She even walked us right on to the elevator and went to the third floor. She walked in the kid's playroom, but the toys were way too much for her. She fussed a little and walked right on out of there. She's doing it. She is beginning to trust us and is walking with one of us on each hand. Oh the Joy!!! She is the cutest little thing and she has the three of us wrapped around her finger. She was constantly looking behind her to see if the third person who wasn't holding her hand was still following her as she walked. Keep praying friends. It was a beautiful night here!

Forward and Back

Yesterday was an incredible day with Jill. We played so hard all day. She giggled. We tickled. She even interacted with a few new toys. All from the bed, but a good day. I took her out on two walks too and she actually enjoyed the second one. She laughed in the carrier and leaned in to give me kisses. I felt so good going to bed.

This morning though was a different story. We had to go to the US consulate to be sworn in as a citizen and do the last bit of paperwork (WAHOOOO!!!). She screamed for three solid hours. She would not calm down, but she did not push me away. I held that precious, screaming her eyes out little babe for three solid hours. I have to admit-it was exhausting and draining. My heart breaks that this is so hard for her. As I walked and walked the halls of the US consulate, I prayed over her aloud and somehow we managed to get through it. Poor McGinnis family had to share an appointment and van with us while Jill cried for the three hours.

Really dreading the flight home. We need God to exert His power over our little hurting baby and I am petitioning His throne on a regular basis begging him to give her peace. We fly out on Thurs. morning at 10:35 AM which will be Wed. at 9:35 PM there. Please pray for her. We are desperate to get her home comfortably.

Tutu Cute

I just couldn't resist dressing my baby girl in this little tutu and little sister onsie while her big sis and daddy were away. When they got back from the safari park yesterday, Em tried to talk some sense into Jill and tell her she should not let momma put her in tutus and hair bows. So funny to see Em whispering advice to her baby sis. Jill really did love the photo shoot and the tutu. Joy to this momma's heart!! As I showed daddy the pics, I told him this is what it looks like to be adored. Disregarded to Adored in just seven short days. What a life change for our treasure.

So it's off to get her TB test checked today and then shopping at the Jade and Pearl Market for Em and I. Shopping. Lots of Shopping here. Enjoying my outings with Em so much. Jill's need to stay in is almost a blessing in disguise as it is helping us make sure we spend quality alone time with each of our girls.

Keep praying. I can't believe how much stronger Jill is already. Her belly isn't sunken in anymore and she is getting a bit of a round tummy. She is eating like crazy. She had 48 oz yesterday. She even seemed interested in my oatmeal, but wouldn't take any. She laughs and giggles, gives kisses, and plays. She is improving so much.

Four more days until we are back in the USA.