Pictures...

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

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.'

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

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.

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.

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

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