Prayer Request

Hey friends. I wanted to ask you to please pray for my friend, Linda McMullan and her family. They departed on August 11 to adopt in Ukraine. After 3 appointments, they finally accepted a referral for a beautiful 5 year old girl, Ivanna (they will name her Jenni). This has been a ROLLER COASTER ride for them, and they just found out their court date isn't until Oct. 17th. Then, there's a 10-day waiting period after that. They've already been there close to 2 months, so they are petitioning the judge to move the court date up to this week, and waive the 10 day wait. They are trusting God's sovereignty, but are obviously so discouraged and anxious. They just want to get their daughter and come home. Their 5-year-old son is with them also. Please pray for them. I know all of you who have adopted understand just what they are feeling. Thank you for praying for them.

I'm A Sewing "Machine"

Ok, not really...but, I finally did dust off the beautiful sewing machine my sweet husband bought me for my birthday a few years ago (haven't sewn a lick since we adopted Eden) and started a project this past weekend. I wasn't brave enough to go at it alone, so I headed to my grandmother's house so she could talk me through the supposedly "quick and easy" pattern.

I had a lot of fun! The dress isn't done yet, but I'm close. Let's just hope the buttonholes and buttons don't undo all my hard work :0) I'm making Eden an Auburn jumper. I'll post a photo when I'm done. My next endeavor is another jumper, and then a Dora shirt to wear with blue jeans or leggings. Then, I'm on to some super-cute Christmas PJ's. We'll all faint if I actually get all this done before Christmas, won't we? But, it's a good goal.

I'm posting this cute picture I caught of Eden the other night at bedtime. Nights are SLOWLY improving. But, even when it's difficult, I can't resist this cute face!!!! Have a great day!

Her sweet eyes were the FIRST thing that drew me in when I saw her photo for the first time on December 14, 2006. They still get me every time!

One last bit of exciting news, my sister who is my best friend in the whole world, is pregnant with her first baby...I'm going to be an aunt and Eden is getting a little cousin. This is my first "local" niece or nephew and I can't wait. I LOVE being an aunt! Well, tomorrow (Tuesday) morning Kelly and Matt will find out if it's a boy or a girl. I can't wait so I can start buying cute stuff and planning a shower. I will post the info tomorrow if she'll let me. I don't want to spill the beans before she gets to tell everyone.

AND, two of my other great friends, Alisa and Amber, are both pregnant and having girls (Hannah Elizabeth and Millie Marie). All 3 of these babies are due in Nov., Jan. and Feb. Blessings abound!

Moo Moo Here?

"Eden had a birthday party... E-I-E-I-O! And at this party she had some cake... E-I-E-I-O!" Eden celebrated her 2nd birthday with her friends here in Birmingham on Jan. 26th. We waited until the holiday rush was over even though she turned 2 on Dec. 27th. I'm so glad we waited. She had so much fun!

We did an E-I-E-I-O theme since she LOVES the "Old McDonald" song. We had it here at home and invited many of our close friends and their children, and many friends who don't have children yet. These were the people who I say "prayed" Eden home from China. They love her so much and have been a constant source of encouragement to us throughout this journey. We love them dearly!

I made a cow cake and it turned out really cute! My mom brought puppets that she had made several years ago and I found a CD with "Old McDonald" on it. I recruited some "sports" from the adults, threw a sheet over our banister, and presto...a homemade puppet show. It scared Eden and one of her friends a little bit but overall it was a hit. We adults maybe liked it more than the kids did.

We let the kids play, then we ate pizza, opened presents and did cake. We had asked everyone to bring a small donation of blankets, clothes, etc. for Eden's old orphanage in Wuhan. And, everyone chipped in $5 to help with shipping costs. We ended up with more than a lawn-sized bag of items for the children at the orphanage. I can't wait to send it with updated photos of Eden. Thanks to EVERYONE who gave to these precious babies.

As Gene and I were talking about her party I remembered the photo we got of her last January. She was wearing a really nice, heavy orange Winnie the Pooh winter coat. I remember thinking, "Wow, what a nice coat...just like something I would buy her." I'm sure it was given to the orphanage. People gave to help care for her before we could do it ourselves, so we want to do the same for other children. We had asked everyone to bring a donation instead of a gift for Eden. But, everyone wanted to get her something, too. Such kind friends we have.

Here are some of my favorite photos of the party!

Eden's Birthday Outfit. It has a cupcake with 2 "puffs" on it. Of course, her Ja-Ja (my mom) gave it to her! She even has 2 pigtails!

Eden took the "farm" theme to a new level with her red hat she wears when she plays on her rocking horse!

Do you notice how the "kitchen" is full of boys? Why can't that happen in real life? I think some of the dads might have been a little bothered by how much their boys loved Eden's pink kitchen.

So do you think she had fun?

The E-I-E-I-O puppet show.

Eden and her friends eating pizza.

Eden is ready to blow out her candles.

The cow cake.

I'll never get tired of that smile.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream. Eden LOVES it!

Opening gifts. She got books, bath toys, a robe, a microwave for her kitchen, & 2 Noah's Ark sets.

Eden laughed so hard playing with her "Uncle Daniel" with her new microwave oven. He was acting like the chicken was really hot and burning his hands and she was cracking up!

The donations for the orphanage in Wuhan, China.