Wonderful Blessings

Through our adoption experience, we have had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people. Most of these individuals I know only through the internet. Once we received Kellum-Ann's referral, I immediately joined a yahoo group that are families who have adopted children from Suixi, the same orphange as Kellum-Ann. Before we traveled they gave me so much useful info about the orphanage and how Kellum-Ann spent her days. I saw pictures of the institution and made some wonderful friends. Since we have returned, I have stayed in touch with this group and we talk almost everyday on-line. Through this group I have found Kellum-Ann's crib mate, that by the way, was adopted 1 week after Kellum-Ann. And just this week met another family that returned 3 weeks ago with a sweet angel that was Kellum-Ann's playmate. These families have sent me pictures that they received from the Director that also have Kellum-Ann in them. I will cherish these pictures forever. I know you may saying, "they are just pictures", but these pictures are of Kellum-Ann before we met her. I consider them as another link to her time in this place that was her home for 17 months. You know... many times I am overcome with a sadness for her, but God quickly reminds me of what He has already done and what He has in store for her.

(the blog is not letting me post pictures at the moment, I will add later)

These pictures are from the 2 families that I mentioned. I cropped them to just show Kellum-Ann but I would love to show the complete pictures in person. Notice the picture of her in the crib holding a pink stuffed elephant... we sent this to her in her care package, so this picture was made after we received our referral and right before we traveled! The picture of Kellum-Ann in the red outfit was with Lilly. Lilly's mother emailed the group trying to find who the little girl was with her daughter and my heart sank when I saw that it was my Kellum-Ann.

A Hot One...

Last Thursday we went to the Birmingham Zoo. Our adoption agency, Lifeline Children's Services sponsored an outing and it was great to finally meet some of the parents and children! It was a HOT one! We began our day at 9:30 so we were okay until lunch time! Did I mention it was a HOT one!

Then on Friday, we went to the Georgia Aqaurium. It was wonderful but waaaaay too crowded. We will wait awhile before we go back.

Well, here are some pictures. Kellum-Ann called everything at the zoo a dog or cat... it was too cute! She loved the fish at the aquarium, too. The aquarium has a 4D theater and bubbles came from the ceiling... she squeeled with delight. The funny thing is that on Saturday afternnon we went to see "Cars" at the movie theater. Me and Kellum-Ann watched about 45 minutes and then went out in the mall but the entire time she kept reaching to the ceiling and saying "bubbles gone gone"! What a blessing this little one is to our family!

The Dreaded Sound of Silence...

Every mother knows it... every father fears it! It is that dreaded sound of silence.
While doing laundry on Saturday I could hear Kellum-Ann singing her version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" while Nathan was upstairs in his room playing army. I was enjoying the serenade but then as every mother fears... it came... the sound of silence. You know the sound. I knew that Kellum-Ann was up to something. So I began my search and this is what I found... Please scroll down for the evidence.

Fourth of July Fun

Kellum-Ann can tear into some watermelon...








... play sprinkler with the best of them...











and run from water soaked balls!











This picture is with our Granny... Kellum-Ann's great-grandmother!







Nathan having some fun terrorizing the girls!







This is Kellum-Ann's first swim in the BIG pool. After she got acquainted with it, she would swim by herself with her swimmies and even jump off the side and go under. She is fearless.






Nathan at Mrs. Charlotte's pool!








Bathing Beauty











Look at this big girl swim!








Weeeee... 1,2,3 JUMP

Fun With Mama

Kellum-Ann and I had a little fun before Nathan's big game. I was really just trying to snap a picture of her with a smile... oh well, we just ended up goofing off!



Kellum-Ann was running around in circles screaming during this picture!











Finally... a picture showing her precious smile...