Happy Birthday America!  Our newest American citizen celebrated with you and our family celebrated being together for 7 months!  It has been the best 7 months of my life and I could not imagine my life any other way.  I am so blessed and my "love tank" is overflowing every day.

Our family went to Gulf Shores for our annual family vacation.  It was a great time, as always, being with everyone and was extra special this year with Miss Maggie!  She was able to bond with her Uncle Art "Ott", Aunt Lisa "Aunt Pisa", Jordan "Jadun", Ty "Ty" and Wes "Wus".  We even renamed her Gran to GeGe!  LOL  She had a great time being spoiled, being thrown up in the air, kissed, snuggled, and I loved some time to sleep in each morning - thanks Mom!

Remember when I prayed for a strong willed little girl?  I wanted one because I knew if she was strong willed she would get attention in the orphanage.  It is the little quiet children that often get overlooked most of the day.  Well, God heard my prayer and granted it!  I LOVE IT!!!!  But boy can this girl throw a fit.  She does not like to come in from the pool or the ocean.  LOL  She wanted to be outside "outsi" all the time.  She would throw her whole body into a fit and scream.  It was pretty funny and I loved that she was being a typical 2 year old.  When you adopt a child you long for the typical behaviors that mean they are just being a toddler and not having attachment issues.  Well, Maggie is a typical two year old!  She is such a delight and so much fun and NEVER stops.

Maggie didn't much care for the sand but loved the waves.  I let her put her feet in the ocean and she loved it.  I was a little nervous about the disbursement chemicals that may be in the water so no swimming.  We did see some tar balls but not many as the workers were out there at night cleaning it up as fast as they could.  The pool has a zero entry which was awesome for Maggie.  She could just wade in and play.  She made a little friend named Cooper and they played ball together.  He even fed her some of his goldfish!  Now that is a sacrifice for a little one!

Maggie will be 2 1/2 years old this week.  She has changed so much in the last 7 months.  From that little girl in China that could not even grasp a cup or even walk steadily to this happy, healthy, and strong toddler.  Her vocabulary is taking off and she is not afraid of trying anything.  I just love this kid - She is such a blessing.  I thank God, daily, for bringing us together in His PERFECT timing. 

Here are the pictures!


  Happy Independence Day America!  Maggie celebrating her first 4th of July as a US citizen.  Her dress was given to her by my cousin, Leigh.  Thanks Leigh she looked so cute.



  First time on the sand.  Didn't like it too much!



  Please don't make me go in...

  Mommy and Maggie take a tumble in the sand LOL

  the compromise to leaving the beach - swimming in our clothes - sorta!

  Playing with Ty in the pool.

  Aunt T and Wes (Art's youngest)

  Art and Ty (his middle son)

  Art and Jordan (his oldest)





  The Thompson Family

  Art and Lisa

  Art and Maggie

  Art and his family - Lisa, Jordan, Ty and Wes

  The 3 nephews - Ty, Wes and Jordan





  Art, Mom and me



  Mom



Maggie and her Aunt "Pisa" - Lisa



  Gran (GeGe) and Maggie at LuLu's

Gulf Oil Cleanup:
  Tar Balls




  Workers cleaning up tar balls

  Every 45 minutes they took a 15 minute break!