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

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

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