Beach Trip

Hey everyone! Eden and I (mommy) were able to slip away to the beach for a couple of days last week with my mom, grandmother, brother, and niece and nephew who are here from FL for the month. I am going to get Gene to help me do a slideshow later because there are so many AMAZING photos. But, I'm posting a few of my favorites to "hold you over" since I haven't put pictures up in a while. Hope you enjoy them!

We went to Gulf Shores and it was Eden's first time at the beach. She kept calling the ocean the "big pool." She LOVED it and the sand didn't bother her one bit. In fact, she had sand in places that the sun don't shine, people! Eden loves the water. Several times I sat in awe as I remember how absolutely terrified she was of even a bath 11 months ago when we brought her home from China. Now, she will jump off the diving board with no hesitation..."all by herself."

She is so strong willed. Her favorite words these days are: "No mommy, Eden do it!" We are coming along well on potty training. We have pee pee down but poo poo is still an issue. She just prefers to do it in a pull up. Any suggestions? She will say she needs to go, we will sit on the potty and read for like 30 minutes and nothing happens. But then she'll poop 10 minutes after we get up in her panties. Help experienced moms!

We went to the cleft clinic for our 6-month visit last month and got a great report. We will go for a full speech evaluation in 6 more months and if that is normal then we won't have to go back until it's time for her first cosmetic surgery when she is 4 years old. We LOVE Dr. Grant and his team.

That's really all that's new with us right now. I can't believe our 1-year anniversary of Gotcha Day is next month...July 23rd. It seems like she's been mine forever, and yet the last year has flown by. Eden loves to pull our the "China DVD" that Gene made me for Christmas. She narrates each part and loves to tell others her story as she watches. She'll say, "poor Eden" on the parts where she is sad. And the funniest thing is the footage from Gotcha Day where Eden was sitting with the nanny looking at me and I'm trying to get her to come to me, she'll say, "Eden not know," which is how she expresses that she didn't know us and was unsure about letting me hold her. It's a hoot!

Well, I need to go. I still haven't finished Eden's "Life Book" from her adoption and I'm bound and determined to get it done. She's with her Ba-Ba visiting Meemaw and Peepaw so this is a good time to work on it. Oh, and did I mention we got a Guinea Pig and named her China? So now we have 2 dogs, 2 turtles and a guinea pig. Am I crazy???

Here are the beach pictures. I'll post the slide show later.

Playing on the beach.

Check out those legs! Couldn't you just eat them up???

Eden loves the sand!

Precious, just precious! These are the shots that will make me cry when Eden is all grown up!

I call this the Pottery Barn Kids photo. I don't know how my mom managed to get this one...Eden is never still!

I love candid photos like this. Eden loves her cousins, Hayden and Savannah.

I am SO SO Sorry for the long delay!

I just wanted to do a quick note to apologize for the long delay on our blog. I PROMISE I'm going to do better. Gene is on a mission trip in Ecuador this week and we are SO ready for him to get home. He will arrive home Tuesday morning. Eden and I are going to make him a welcome home gift tomorrow...after we go swimming with my niece and nephew who are here for a whole MONTH from South Florida. We are so excited! I promise to post some new photos in the next couple of days as well. I've gotten so behind and have LOTS to catch you up on.

I am going to begin using the blog to share my heart and what God is teaching me and not just Eden/family news. I know how much it encourages and challenges me when I read other blogs when you guys share your heart with me.

Sorry again for the delay. I PROMISE to post pictures soon so please, no hate mail!!!

Love you all!

Easter Photos

Sorry it's taken me so long to get these up. We had a great 1st Easter with Eden. Gene and I gave her a basket of gifts on Saturday night. Her "big" gift was a small pink New Testament Bible with her name on it. It's exactly like the "B-I" (that's what she calls the Bible) that she uses in her church class for Bible story time. She was so proud to get it. Now she carries her Bible to church like a big girl.

We also dyed eggs. Here's a picture of Eden with her basket full of "real" eggs.

After our church service, we drove to my parents' house in Anniston for lunch and an Easter egg hunt. Ja-Ja (my mom) bought Eden's new dress. Gene didn't get a great picture of her dress, but you can see the smocking pretty well in this shot. The lavender looked SO good on her!

Eden was so cute hunting eggs and Gene got some GREAT shots of her outside. She is so funny...she kept doing this thing where she would drop the eggs out of her basket and say, "Hide them, hide them," like she was hiding them by just dropping them right by her feet. Then, she would walk off and act like she was looking for them saying, "Eggs, are you?" over and over. At one point, she even put her hand over her eyes like she was looking. She is such a little ham!

Finally, after a long, hard day of egg hunting, Eden enjoyed the "fruits" of her labor by eating one of the THREE (thanks, Mom) ring pops that her Ja-Ja put in her Easter basket! I'm just kidding, I LOVE that my mom spoils her :0)

We had a wonderful day with our daughter as we were reminded again of our Father's great love for us. Having a child brings new understanding to what it means that God is our Father. And adopting a child humbles me with the great truth that God chose us, pursued us, sacrificed for us, and loves us unconditionally. What an amazing God He is!

2 New Additions

First of all...sorry it's been so long! We went to Oklahoma for a week for my sweet cousin, Mandy's, wedding, had construction done in our basement, and Eden and I have been passing a nasty cold back and forth. Life has been crazy! We are finally settling down a little.

The big news at the Mason house is our new pet turtles. Yes...turtles. Eden LOVES looking at the water turtles every time we go to the pet store. A couple of weeks ago, Gene got word that a friend had 2 water turtles he was giving away. We talked about it, researched it, and decided to take them. Needless to say, once I got the "habitat" for them including aquarium, filter, UVB light, basking lamp, cleaning supplies, turtle dock, etc., my "free" turtles were not so free. But they are SO fun to watch.

Here's the funny part. When my friend came over to bring them to us, we had a 30-minute conversation about what they like to eat, how much they poop, how to clean up after them, etc. Well, as Sam was leaving he asked Eden what she wanted to name them. She proudly answered, "Eat" for the little one and "Poop" for the big one. How appropriate! So our turtles are named Eat and Poop. Ahhh, the simplicity of the 2-year-old mind.

Hope you all have a great Easter! We are going to attempt to dye eggs today. I'll post photos of how we do. I promise to update more often!! Below are pics of Eden and her turtles. Enjoy!

EVERYTHING is "Made in China"

This is going to be a quick post because I need to get some writing done while Eden is napping. But, I got this t-shirt for Eden and I had to post this photo. How adorable! I got a bunch more with cute adoption sayings. I will post photos when she wears them. My favorite one says, "Sorry Angelina, I'm already taken." How hilarious is that? I even think Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt would think it's funny! Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day. Love you all!

The toys may be sub-par, but they sure do know how to make little girls and boys!!!

Paws For China

Hello my name is Maggie and I am a chocolate Labrador retriever. I am 9 years old (nine is fine) and I live with mom and dad and Edenhopewubochenpaigemason in my house in Birmingham. This is my first time to post on a blawg. Here are some cute pictures of my littleness...




First I want to say that I love everyone, as all clocolate labs do. Second I want to say that if you have a dawg and you adopt a baby from China, please be sure not to let the baby grab your tail, or sit on you, or eat your dawg food. Also, sometimes the baby may want to put her finger up your dawg's snout, and this is not very nice. In all likelihood your dawg will not complain and in fact I just continue to wag my tail and love everyone but really this gets on my nerves.

I really like baby Eden and she likes me. She calls me "gaggie" and hands me food all the time. I stand near her high chair when she eats and get lots of people food from her. However, I have noticed that ever since she came home from China I get fewer Scooby Snacks from mom and dad and that money now goes to buy Apple Juice for Edenhopewubochenpaigemason, which I do not drink. (Mostly because Apple Juice I am told makes you go to the bathroom more and since I have to wait to go bathroom outside it would not be good for me to drink it.)

Finally, if you ever come to my house, do not forget to pet myself, as I am very friendly and like all people, especially if they have people food for me. Also you can bring me rawhide bones because I love to chew on them after I bury them in the sofa cushions. Remember that dogs are people too, except we have fur, but we can still sleep on the sofa and also eat people food from time to time. I like my house because I have a bed, and a food bowl, and a water bowl, and some toys and it is very, very nice. The end.

Oh, and also if you want to email me my dawg email address is maggiesweetcutefeet@gmail.com. This is my address because I am sweet and also I have cute feet. Okay, now it's the end.

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.

Summon the Gymnastics Champion

Here's a little video I took and Keri edited of Eden enjoying her gymnastics class. There's not a whole lot of form to be found, but I think it's really helping her with her motor skills development. Keri takes her to the class each Wednesday and I took off from work a little early to see her be a maniac on the gym floor for 45 minutes.

Six Months With Eden Hope

Wow! I can't believe we have been Eden's parents for a little over 6 months now. The official anniversary was Jan. 23rd so I'm a little late with this post. I've been mulling over how to communicate what it's like to look back over the past 6 months, or really the past 2 1/2 years and see what God has done. There honestly are no words. The only thing I can say, as tears are literally streaming down my face, is this precious baby is worth every second, day, week, month and year we waited. Do you hear me mommies who are waiting to adopt? I PROMISE it's worth it. Hang in there. During the 20 months we waited, I said to myself so many times, "Hang on, Keri. Once you meet your daughter there will never be a day that you will look at her and think this hardship wasn't worth it." Boy were those thoughts and words straight from God's mouth to my ear.

I can't remember life without her. What did I do all day? What made me laugh? I literally laugh all day long with her here. She is such a delight...that's what her name means in the Hebrew...delightful, paradise. That describes her perfectly.

Being a mommy certainly brings headaches and hassles...but it is so minor compared to the joy and fulfillment so I don't even want to focus on that temporary stuff.

I guess one of the most profound changes in me has been the humility God has worked in my heart. This baby started out so sad and broken with us. Every day I wake up since July 23, 2007, God heals her in some small way...and we get to be His healing touch in her life. He has used us to make her well. This humbles me beyond words because I know it's not me, but Him working through me in her life. I remember the first time she hugged me. I mean really hugged me out of love. I remember the first time she called me "Mommy." No one else gets called that, even though she called me and many other females "mama." I remember the first time she cried when I left, showing that she cares. I remember the first day without any grief tantrums. So many small miracles. So much healing. So much grace and mercy.

I'm going to end this post with photos that kind of sum up our journey to Eden. There are a lot of photos so make sure you get them all because they might go on to the next page. The last one will be a January 2008 photo. Hope you enjoy celebrating and remembering all God has done! Love you all!

Our first photo of Eden received December 2006. She was 8 months old in this photo.

Our second photo, received January 2007. Eden was 13 months old.

Daddy assembling the crib in May 2007.

Daddy putting the curtains up that Sandra Watkins made for Eden's room.

Daddy putting the bookshelf together. I promise I worked, too. I painted the walls and furniture but Gene wasn't there to take photos!

May 2007...the nursery is ready. We're just waiting, waiting, waiting for that LOA and Travel Approval!

We received this photo on June 13, 2007...2 days before we flew to China. Eden was 18 months old in this photo.

Preparing to board the plane in Birmingham, AL on June 15, 2007.

Sightseeing in Beijing. We are about to climb the Great Wall. This is about 5 days before we met Eden.

Filling out our paperwork in Wuhan (Eden's city) the day before we met her.

I call this photo "Eden Eve." I laid all the toys out the night before "Gotcha Day" and I cried the whole time.

8:00 a.m. July 23, 2007. Gotcha Day...preparing to head to the Civil Affairs Office to pick Eden up.

This is Eden sitting with the nanny before we were able to get her. Notice that she's looking at the photo Gene and I sent her in a care package in February 2007.

First family photo...before the crying began.

This is my favorite photo from China. When Eden started crying, my heart broke into a million pieces for her and I began to cry, too. I pray I never have to watch her grieve that deeply again.

Eden is still crying on the bus ride back to the hotel. All the parents started singing "Jesus Loves the Little Children" to try and calm our little ones.

Eden finally fell asleep on Gotcha Day after crying for a couple of hours. She wore herself out.

This is where Eden lived before she went into foster care. We said goodbye to the orphanage for the last time.

This is the view out of the orphanage window. According to the orphanage director, Eden likely lived in one of these buildings, as the foster parents live very close to the orphanage.

Arriving home in Birmingham, August 1, 2007.

Our friends made a sign to welcome us home.

This is Eden meeting our social worker at Lifeline, Karla, for the first time. I can't imagine what it's like for her to see all these babies come home!

Eden playing in her room for the first time the day we got home with her new friend, Alex DeVane.

August 2007, first month home.

September 2007, second month home.

October 2007, third month home.

November 2007, fourth month home.

December 2007, fifth month home.

January 2008, sixth month home.