December 2006/
January 2007 Update

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE! PRAISE GOD FOR THE GIFT OF HIS SON, JESUS!

     Things are continuing to go so well with our family! The month of December has been very exciting and very busy as we prepared for Alivia’s first Christmas with us. Actually it is her first and only Christmas as I am sure they didn’t celebrate Christmas in the orphanage.
     We have spent quite a lot of time at church this month working on the Children & Youth Christmas Program. Much practice time with singing and play practice and Alivia was there for it all. She is such a trooper, hanging out with all the kids. She is such a cutie dancing and trying to sing. She really loves music. She still is a little young to sing in the Children’s Choir, maybe next year! Working with the children is my passion. They bring such joy to my heart. The program was presented on December 17, and thanks to Aunt Tammy for taking care of Alivia for the evening as I was super busy co-directing the play. She sat still for the whole program and enjoyed the plays and singing.
     We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Eve service at Papaw’s church. He was quite glad to have his family with him, especially his new granddaughter. We then went to Papaw and Nana Pat’s for dinner and opening of gifts. Alivia was so excited! She is very particular and must remove ALL the wrapping paper before opening the gift itself. She received an Elmo pillow, a baby doll that giggles and V-tech learning books. Of course, the gifts didn’t stop there. Christmas morning was quite special, too! Tears filled my eyes as I saw how wide-eyed and excited Alivia was. She was amazed by all the wrapped gifts under the tree, and was very ready to see which ones were hers. She received a roar and drop dinosaur, stacking cups, play and learn puppy, Sesame Street bathtime toys, outfits, pj’s and slippers. She seems to love everything she got as she played nonstop all day long. There was one gift, a baby doll that cries until you give it a bottle. Alivia was very afraid of it and wanted nothing to do with it. I believe she thinks it is a real baby (it looks like a real baby, too) and just isn’t ready to know the difference yet. We have put it away for now (maybe until her birthday).
     During Dec 29-Jan. 1, we were sponsors for our annual youth retreat to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. We took Alivia and our friends, Jim and Jennifer, took their 26 month old son, Jameson. Both the babies did great at the conference with the speakers and concerts by David Crowder and Casting Crowns. We have been sponsors in our youth group since 1999. We so enjoy working with all the children and youth of our wonderful church. God has truly blessed us through our work with the kids.
     Our son, Dougie, met us at the conference as he was on leave from the Air Force. Alivia and Dougie met for the first time and their meeting was perfect. She took up with him immediately giving him kisses and hugs. It was great having Dougie at home for a few days. Boy, the time sure went by fast. I am sorry he has to be so far away in England, but he loves the USAF and working in pediatrics with the babies.
     These first few weeks of January, I have been on leave from my job to stay home with Alivia as I felt December was a little overwhelming for her and wanted to work on getting back into a regular routine with her. She is just a brilliant child. She’s like a sponge – soaking up all the new things we all have been teaching her. She tries to talk quite a bit now. Always repeating what you say. Currently she knows many animals and the sounds they make (sheep and monkey are her favorite so far). Cannot wait for Spring time so we can go to the zoo. New words are: head, hand, toes, eyes, nose, mouth, please, thank you, come on, let’s go, bye bye, drink, and juice. And bless her little heart, she now holds hands and bows her head for grace and prayer time. She volunteers hugs and kisses continually. Can you feel the love!!! Something new Alivia has started is she now gets out bed all by herself in the morning. Originally, she would wake up, play in her bed and wait until someone came in to get her. Our pediatrician said that in China, the babies wait for approval from their caretakers before getting out of the cribs. How utterly sad!
     It is so encouraging and thrilling to see how comfortable Alivia has become with her new life. Remember it’s only been four months. To see the love and trust she has for her Mommy and Daddy just reassures me everyday that this could not be happening without our Heavenly Father’s guidance. God is so amazing! We thank Him daily for this incredible joy! And of course, it is so exciting to see Dougie and Mary share this joy also. It is thrilling to see the love of Christ working in each one of my children. They are such precious blessings!