Friday, November 27, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving Day... what are you thankful for?


I am SO thankful for this little girl! I'm so thankful for my family! I'm so thankful for my church family! I'm so thankful for my friends! I'm thankful for time... each day that God gives us is a gift! I'm so thankful for a God who loved me (and all of you) enough to make a way for us to be with Him someday. There's so much to be thankful for... there's just a few. Enjoy the pics.
















Here is her Thanksgiving Day look. :) She was
ready for some food.


















Fun at the Magic House... she did have fun...
just couldn't quite figure out the hair thing.

















Bringing daddy pizza at the Magic House play
kitchen... she loved it.

















Playing in the water at the Magic House with
Mekelle.

















The Curious George exhibit.

















Fun with headphones and music.

















Do dogs love acorns? Bogie does.











Eating Thanksgiving dinner...
We hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving day! Love, the Davis family

Saturday, November 21, 2009

One year ago today we picked Alia up at the airport in New York and brought her to her new home in the US... here with her family. :) What a year! One year ago, she clung to me because she didn't know what was going on as the baby house director handed her to me, but she seemed to remember me at least a little (it had been a month since we'd seen her). Later, she looked at all who had come to meet us at the airport when we landed in St. Louis with confusion in her eyes.
Today, as we celebrated with family, she ran to meet and hug each one who came in. No more confusion, she understands what it means to be loved... to be... family... and maybe even a little spoiled. :) Too bad every child in the world can't experience that... but I thank God that He brought Alia here and let her (and us) experience "family".
I remember as I put her in HER bed that night one year ago... I sat down on the floor next to her bed (where I had made a little place for me to sleep for a while as she adjusted), I just stared. How was it possible that God could use someone else to bring her into this world, but use Brad and I to be her parents? How was it possible that I could love her so much already? I hardly knew her! But God knew her and He knew Brad and He knew me. I know that even while she was in her birth mother's tummy, God knew who her parents would be. He kept her safe for the first 9 months of her life (and still does). He prepared her for us... and us for her. I believe that with all of my heart.
I'm going to put some more pictures up here soon... check back! Love you all!
Steph

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Long time... no pictures...















A day at the Pumpkin patch with some of Alia's
best friends. 2 of the other girls are Kazakh and
one is from Russia. (Left to Right: Lily, Alia,
Alexandra, and Hope)

















Tina and Lily came to visit us for a few days.
We had lots of fun and were so happy to see
them. We haven't seen them since we picked
our girls up in New York last year.

















A quick family photo...
















My little superstar. She knows exactly what
to do with any microphone (and has since she
turned 1)

















Halloween .... Alia was Tinkerbell and Landon
was a horse. :) Too cute!
















Playing in the leaves... she wasn't too sure
about that.















Aww! She's too sweet.


Hi all!

Sorry it's been a while since I've posted anything out here. I try to wait until someone comments on the last post before I post again. :) Hint Hint...


Anyway, I've received phone calls reminding me that people still check it and that I better get some pictures out here, so here you go.
November 21st we celebrate the day that we brought Alia home last year. I can't believe that it's been a year. Alia has just fit into our family like she's always been here. It's really amazing how God brought this all together. I'll try to put more out here soon... love you all!
Steph



Thursday, September 24, 2009

Pictures...



















Alia's 18 month photos... I was able to sneak them into my picture program without it noticing. ;) Enjoy!


Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Gotcha Day!

One year ago today... We walked into a baby house in Karaganda Kazakhstan. It was with lots of doubts, fears, guarded hearts, and unsureness that Brad and I walked into that baby house. We were told that 3 baby girls would be brought in. A nurse brought a baby in and walked right back out with her. In the few seconds that she was in the room I said, "that is MY baby". I didn't even know if she was one of the choices, but... a few minutes later, she was back. I waited just a few minutes and went to pick her up. The rest ... well, here we are one year later. I am still holding that beautiful baby girl in my arms. Happy gotcha day Alia. We love you SO much! We know that God has big plans for your life. We can't wait to keep watching as you continue growing and learning.
Stay tuned for pics... I've filled up my picture program (can't imagine with what..), and have to do some unloading before I can do any more loading. :) I'll take care of it soon and get some new pictures on here.'

Monday, August 17, 2009

18 months!

I can't believe that Alia is 18 months old now!

Time sure is flying! I did have some pictures
taken of her recently, so I'll put them out here as soon as I get them. For now...

Here is a picture of Alia with her cousin Mekelle.
Mekelle was laying in Nana and Papa's room watching tv and Alia just had to join her.









Alia and I went to a little park where there are
some train tracks. There is no real train, but
the caboose is always sitting there. Alia had
lots of fun running from it. Made for a great
picture! Of course... it's not letting me change
the direction of the picture... sorry.









Here's daddy and Alia. Alia is at her very first Vacation Bible School.










... Alia holding her cousin Landon. She sure thinks that she is a big girl. She didn't want to give him back.













All the cousins (so far)... on my side of the family.













At the park...that smile... hard to resist.... actually, impossible. :)




I'll post her 18 month pics when I get them...
I can't believe that we are almost to September 22nd! That was the day that we met her last year. We have almost known her for a year now. What a year! What a blessing!
See you soon!
Steph

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Oh the curls!

I love her hair! It gets curlier and curlier. In the humid, it goes crazy. So cute.

Peek a boo at the park.

Trying to eat in a big girl chair... didn't work so well....

Lovin' the slide... trying to climb up instead
of slide down.

She always looks a bit sick to her stomach
when she swings... hasn't had a problem yet
though.

Copying momma with her sunglasses on her head.


All dressed up by Aunt Julie at the mall.
One COOL baby!


Help me daddy!


Sorry, not much to say today... you really only want the pictures anyway, right? We are having so much fun! Alia is growing and changing every day. It's amazing how quickly she learns.
I'll try to post again really soon.







Tuesday, June 30, 2009

7 months later...


Ready to go to her first St. Louis Cardinal game.
She's got her cheerleading outfit on that Nana
got her for Spring Training earlier this year.




Go Albert!




A big girl.



What is this thing on my head?




Family fun at great grandma's house.




Determined to catch some bubbles.



At the bottom of the slide... need to figure out
where mommy is and make sure she isn't far
away.


So, here we are. We have had Alia home with us now for 7 months. As I look back on the road that we travelled... I would do it all again in a heartbeat! Brad and I can't believe how much joy she has brought into our lives and the lives of those around us.



Alia's first play day at the park.


Alia on the scale at the hospital the
day cousin Landon was born. I could
only get her to hold still by putting the
hand foam on her hands. She loves that
stuff.

The other day Alia and I were looking at pictures and videos from the time that we spent with her in the baby house. I just can't even believe that she is the same girl. She has changed so much. She is growing (very well), talking, walking, very animated and fun. I remember that little girl that could barely sit up at 7 months and was very cautious about who she shared a smile with and when.



Daddy and Alia at great-grandma's house. Alia
really wanted to play in the sprinkler (we forgot
to take a swimming suit), but did NOT want her
feet to touch the grass. She even held her feet up
sitting in his lap so that no grass would touch her.

Anyway, what a wonderful 7 months! Again, thanks for sharing this time with us.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Another very cool story...

So, we all know that drama, events, craziness, ups, downs, heartaches, joy, etc. that Brad and I went through to reach this point and have our daughter here with us. Each step of the way, God has shown us how much He loves us and provides for us. We can look back now and see how perfect His plan was for our lives. Every day I thank Him for the miracle of Alia and being able to hold her in my arms each day and hear her call me momma.

My sister had a baby today and he was another miracle. There were some pretty tough problems that caused her to be on bedrest for most of her pregnancy. The doctors were unsure that he would be fully ready to come out and meet the world today. However, once again... God provided. My sister gave birth to a beautiful baby boy who weighed in at 6 pounds, 13 ounces (which is MUCH bigger than everyone thought he would be)! Mom, dad and baby are doing well. Alia loves her little cousin and even very softly (which isn't quite normal for her) gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Intoducing... Landon!


Alia and Evalyn - waiting to meet their new cousin
(someone is NOT stepping on Alia's hand even
though it looks like it)


Alia really liked to be close to him and look at
him. She even wanted to hold him, which I
thought was pretty interesting that she even
cared. She loves babies. (oh, and... there is
nothing wrong with his cheeks, the light was
hitting his face funny through the blinds). :)


Amazing... yet again, God is SO good. Just when you start to wonder what in the world is going on, you look in the face of a beautiful baby and are so thankful that you aren't the one in charge... and that the ONE who is... has it all under control.

With that, I'm going to bed... love you all!
Steph

Monday, May 25, 2009

Fun with Alia...

So far... I'm loving being off more with Alia. She certainly keeps me busy, but... what fun. I have already seen a big change in her ... just in this past week. She is starting to chatter like crazy! She is more willing to go to others because she isn't afraid that I'm going to leave every time she turns around. It just seems that she is doing really well.

Here's some pics of our time this week... I just can't believe how much she is growing!

We went to the zoo with some of my family...
including Alia's cousin. Both girls liked the animals,
but decided that the most fun was at the
fountains... go figure.


Along the walkway...


Mommy, Alia, and the elephant rear... great
picture! Have I mentioned how much I LOVE
the pigtails?! :)


Alia jumping on a little trampline that grandpa
got for her...


Alia singing with our Play Station Karaoke...
she is a pro... go figure. :)


More soon... love you all! By the way... I still read
comments and would love to know if you still check our
site! Hint, hint!!!!!
Steph

Saturday, May 16, 2009

more pics


Alia loves to "borrow" purses and
carry them around. This is Grandma
Ginnie's purse... one of her favorites.
Grandma Ginnie got her a purse of her
own, but she still likes to carry the
real thing. :)

Here is Alia with her Nana and cousin
She likes to wear grandpa's hats.
I LOVE this picture! Her hair is just now getting
long enough to be able to pull up cute (although,
she won't leave it in for long). We were at a friend's
house and she just plopped down on the floor with
her pizza.
This coming week is my first week of part time working and more Alia time. I should have more fun pics for you soon.
Love you all! Steph