A Busy, but Fun Filled Week :)

On Sunday we headed out for Atlanta.  Hannah had a Dr.'s appointment bright and early Monday morning to get her casts taken off and pins out.  As you would expect, the Dr.'s visit wasn't exactly pleasant, but.....

they're off :)....we made it through it (whew)

We left the Dr.'s appt. and went to see the OT.  She made us some splints that Hannah is now sporting. :)

Monday was also MK's birthday and we were only about 5 miles from the American Girl store sooooooo

.....yep, you guessed it :)

Deacon was even excited ;)

When we rounded the corner and saw the store, there was a lot of squealing!  I even heard my sweet baby boy make the comment, "I'm so excited I can't even feel my legs" :) :) (love you Deacon)

We quickly found Isabelle (2014 Girl of the Year),

and it was a Happy, Happy birthday for Mary Kathryn!

When we left the AG store, we did find the Lego store for Deacon. :)

Fast forward to the end of the week, and on Friday morning Hannah got her AFO's (pics of those to come later).

That afternoon, we picked the kids up early from school and headed to Athens to watch the Gym Dogs!! We had a ball!  It was our first meet, but certainly won't be our last.  Hannah was up jumping and dancing the whole time, and every time I glanced over at MK she had the biggest smile on her face.  To top it all off they won.....GO DAWGS!

Wouldn't take anything for the life I am blessed with!!

So Proud of My Big Girl

Today Mary Kathryn competed in her very first meet.  She has only been in gymnastics for six months, so we weren't quite sure she was ready for this.  It has been a learning process for us all.

We are a very "sporty" family with Stephen being a coach and all, but we know the basics....football, baseball, and softball.  We know all about touchdowns, homeruns, and double plays, but we have had to spend the last few months learning about gymnastics, or trying our best to.  We have learned all about back walk-overs, hand stands, and the best hairspray to use to keep the hair up through the entire competition.  I even now know the correct way to give well wishes to a gymnast is to tell them, "stick it.":) :)

But,  I'm not going to lie....this morning my stomach was in knots!  I was so anxious and nervous for her.  We had a couple of meltdowns last night, and at one point I even heard the words, "I'm just not going to do it, Mama."  But today, when it was game time, SISTA SHOWED OUT!  They ALL did.

So proud of FGA! (Fitzgerald Gymnastic Academy)

First up was Beam

Then Floor 

Vault

and finally, Bars 

Did I mention how proud I was!?!?!?!?!  :)

And the best part of the day for her......showing me her hand full of medals

she even got two third place medals

WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU MARY KATHRYN! 

Psalm 127:3 “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”

Can you believe......

.......Hannah has been home for nine months now.  Man o man how much she has changed.  She was beautiful the day I first met her, but she is absolutely gorgeous now!

I am overwhelmed with emotion most every time I look at her.  It's hard to describe.  

Before Hannah came home, her personality was described at shy and quiet.  Her carers were even very worried about her having a really hard time transitioning into our family.  

But the little Priss we know today is nothing of the sort.  She is large and in charge! :)  I would describe her personality as lively, head strong, full of love, very friendly, social butterfly, and outgoing.

I think that's what breaks my heart the most.  I have no doubt that in China she was shy and timid, but that's not her at all. It tears me apart to think of a time that my sassy little heifer (I call her with love) could not be or was not herself.  It is amazing what love, security, a Mama, and a Daddy can bring out.

I am still amazed how God could make a child (all the way around the world mind you) that was so perfect for our family, and a family, a crazy, loud, sometimes "disfunctional" family,  that was perfect for a shy, timid, quiet little girl born in China.

You know we are from South Georgia so I just have to say it.......ain't God Good! ;)

  

Catching Up

Hannah's first Christmas was wonderful!!!!  She enjoyed every minute of it.  From gathering with family, to giving gifts, to receiving gifts....she had her one more ball. :)

Church Christmas play

I sure do love my cat, (undressed) Wiseman ;), and ladybug

Christmas with Nanny and Papa

Our "family of five" Christmas (me, Stephen, and the kiddos)

It was so sweet.  I think the three of them had just as much fun giving each other gifts as they did opening their own.

And Christmas morning :)  

Hannah was a little hesitant to go into the living room.  

I think she thought Santa was still in there, but once she did......it was on!!! :)

Little Sista played so hard that she fell out that afternoon......literally :)

I couldn't resist posting this pic of New Years Eve.  It is hilarious to me.  They all (well MK and Deacon) wanted to stay up and see the New Year come in.  Welllll Deacon made it until about 10:00, but the girls were still going strong at midnight.  This was taken just after the ball dropped.

But I would have to say my favorite picture of this Holiday Season is this one

Our family TOGETHER!.....Christmas 2013!

***** Disclaimer*****

I know that this blog has been to document our adoption journey/process, and for the most part to document Hannah, and I love looking back at the things I post.  It really helps me to keep up with things.  It has been a great way to document important events and moments in our lives.  I said all of that to say, be forewarned!  My intentions for the coming year is to document more about all of my babies.....Hannah, KaKa, and Deacon.  So, if you visit us later.....you may even see a post that has nothing to do with Hannah. ;)

T'is the Season......

...to go, go, go, and we have been doing our fair share.  As if all of the Christmas festivities weren't enough, Hannah had surgery on both of her hands on December 13th.  She is now in double arm casts.

Yes, cast has become a "four letter word" at my house :)  But as always, she is a trooper!

Before....

.....and after

But once we got home, it was business as usual :)

And now for a few more festive photos......

Meeting Santa for the first time.  

Yep, the only reason she got this close was for the candy. 

 She was not a fan! :)

My big girl at Church one Sunday Morning. 

 She can stand with little support now. :)

Christmas Parade 

(little blurry, sorry)

And I can't leave this post without sharing my new favorite Christmas Song.  I'm sure it's probably been around forever, but I  just heard it today and could not hardly hold back the tears.  Loooooovvvveee it. Check it out.

Praising the Lord tonight that it's Christmas time again and now you're HOME, Hannah Grace.

This Mama couldn't ask for more.  I have all three of my precious babies at home with me, but please pray for those families that are in the adoption process and are spending Christmas apart from their sweet little ones!!!  Having been there, it is an indescribably lonely feeling.

One Year Ago Today.....

.....I opened an email and fumbled through several documents to see this precious little face for the very first time.

One year ago today we received Hannah's referral.  

We had completed all of the necessary paperwork......homestudy, fingerprints, trainings....  We had been logged in for six months, six loooonnnnngggg months and were pretty much at a standstill with our process until we found our child.  We had been given 5 referrals.  All of which after much prayer and tears we knew were not our children.  So, to say I was a little anxious when I got the call that Monday night, well,  it would be an understatement. :)

I cannot describe the feeling that came over me when I saw her picture and as we were reading over her file.  I knew she was the one!  I knew she was the daughter that the Lord had called Stephen and me to bring home.  I knew she was Hannah Grace McDuffie.

And just look at her now. :) (little stinker)

 

Tonight I praise the Lord for His calling and His faithfullness!! I thank him for that PRECIOUS little face that I saw on November 26, 2012.

and for a few more photos :)

Today was a messy/rainy day here so what better way to pass the time than by putting up the Christmas Tree.  Hannah was so sweet.  She loved every minute of it.

can't wait to celebrate her "first" Christmas!