Thursday, May 29, 2008
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Our Family
Zoe-12, Kaitlyn-8, Kaiya-5, Kai-4, Me/Angel-34, Russ-36
Angel and Russ
Angel 34 Russ 35- We got married in May 1998 and I am more in love with him everyday.
Zoe
Our princess from Guatemala- 12yrs old- came home November 1st 2006 at 7 years old after a year of waiting- this girl is amazing. We adore her. She is spunky and full of love.
Kaitlyn
Our princess from my tummy- 8 yrs old- total diva and sweety too. She is such a doll. This child makes us giggle every day.
Kaiya
Kaiya is 5 years old and arrived home from China on June 6th 2008!! We adore you- our little bundle of PRECIOUS trouble!
Kai Justice
Kai is 3 years old. He came home Nov 1st of 2010 by way of domestic adoption... originally from South Korea. He loves trains, planes, automobiles, eating and cuddling. :-)
About Me
- Angel
- My name is Angel. I'm 34 yrs old. I'm a homeschooling, gluten free, Jesus loving, Disney going, Twilight reading, nose ring wearing, picture taking,world traveling, orphan holding warrior girl of a mom to 4 beautiful children. Each of our children is such a blessing. I can't imagine life without the joy they bring. Of course... never 2 b forgotten...I have an amazing husband (Russ) who I adore w/all of my heart. I would pick him over any man in the world- hands down. Plus he is super hot too. :o) Living an average life doesn't cut it for us. Who knows what wild adventures lie ahead. I guess I have what most people might consider kind of a crazy life. I wouldn't want it any other way. My life is amazing. The ups and downs have taught me so much along the way. I am excited to see where God leads us. It's gonna be GREAT! Join us for the journey... Angel
Ethiopian Adoption Timeline
- 7/4/10 Completed Interest Form 4 Gladney!
- 7/7/10 FedExed I600A!
- 7/7/10 Got Medical Check Ups!
- 7/8/10 Ordered Birth Certificates & Marriage License
- 7/9/10 Fed Ex ed Expedited Passport renewal
- 7/9/10 Mailed group 1,2 & 3 docs 2 Gladney minus 4 items
- 7/13/10 Mailed off FBI fingerprints
- 7/20/10 Received renewed passport
- 7/27/10 Received New Birth Cert/Marriage Cert
- 7/28/10 Gladney receives Criminal Background and Child abuse clearance
- 8/6/10 Homestudy update visit
- 9/14/10 FBI Clearance Received
Blog Design
Songs That Inspire Me Or Just Make Me Smile!
My Videos
Cool People Who Follow My Blog
The Voice Of Adventure
HOW TO USE THIS BLOG :0)
Ethiopia Adoption Process
Some Of My Favorite Books
Older Child Adoption Series
Adoption blog posts
Diving Deeper
- Giving All My Secrets Away
- Seasons
- The Price Of Freedom
- Risking It All
- Is This How God Feels About Us?
- Riding a Wave
- What is a warrior girl?
- Evolution Of A Warrior Girl
- Walking Into Pain
- Uncommon Friendship
- Going Through The Motions
- A Video For My Holly
- Song- Just A Beautiful Slave
- My name is Angel n I was homeschooled
- Thank You Doesn't Cut It
- My amazing man
- Learning To Go WIth The Flow
- Looking Back-Leap Of Faith
- The Voice Of Adventure
- The Hardest Lesson We Learn
- Reckless Faith
- Russ...
- Come On- Get Real!
- No Perfect People Allowed
- Blogger Buddy Mom's Day Gift
- Faith
- Hebrews 12
- John 8: 1-11
- God's Heart For The Hurting
- The blessing of Children
- New Year's Thoughts 2008
- The Pearl Necklace
- 9 yrs w/ my best friend May 07
- Self Censoring July 07
- Life in 3rd World Country
- Welcome To The Real World
- Debt vs Feeding The Hungry
- Thoughts on My Friends
My Two Cents
- Raising Munchkins In A Fallen World
- Teaching My Girls About Godly Sex
- How To Take Cheap Vacations
- Tips For Taking Great Pictures
- Parenting- Closing the Zoo
- Getting Real With My Kids
- How To Have A "Perfect" Family
- Hindsight- What I would change
- How We Celebrate Christmas
- How To Leave A Comment
- Me On Mean Commenters
- Confessions- Mediocre Mom
Cool Stuff I Like
- Classical Conversations
- Using myjobchart.com
- time4learning.com I LOVE THIS
- 25 Things About Angel
- 25 Things About Russ
- Starfall Educational Website
- The Flip Video Camera
- Christmas Gift For My Blogger Buddies
- Birthday Letter To My Man- No 08
- The Blind Side
- Martian Child
- Video Interview-50 yrs of marriage
- The Gratitude Campaign
Mission Trips
- My Music Video- What Now
- Guatemala Trip In Photos
- I'm going to Guatemala
- Guatemala Part 1
- Guatemala Part 2
- Guatemala Zip Line Part 3
- Guatemala Part 4
- Tour of Eagle's Nest Part 5
- I'm going to Africa
- Preparing for Africa- Mar 08
- In Africa
- Day 1 in Africa
- Ethiopia In Pictures
- Video Journal Part 2
- Video Journal Part 3
- Call To Prayer-Mar08
- What Africa Was All About
- Inadequate
- KK Deals With Africa
- Hannah Update
- Launch Ethiopia
My Favorite Funny Business
China Adoption Process
- MEET OUR DAUGHTER!! Oct 07
- Kaiya Q and A
- New Pic of Kaiya&More Nov 07
- More Kaiya Q and A
- More about Our New Baby
- We Have PA!!! Nov 29 07
- Dear Mr. Post Man Dec 07
- It Came! Dec 07
- Fingerprints Done Dec 07
- Extraordinary Miracle Dec 07
- I171-H soon Dec 07
- A song for my I171-h Dec 07
- It is here I171-H!!! Dec 07
- KKs thoughts on Kaiya Dec 07
- Paper Chase Update Dec 07
- For Kaiya on Christmas Dec 07
- Feeling Wiped Out Dec 07
- We Are DTC!!!! Dec 07
- Care Package For Kaiya Jan 08
- WE HAVE LID! - Jan 08
- Kaiya Update- Jan 08
- Sneak preview Jan08
- New Pics of Kaiya-Jan08
- Chinese New Year-Feb08
- 33 days wait for LOA-Feb08
- Kaiya's New Room-Feb08
- Care Package #2- Feb 08
- 50 Days Wait for LOA- Feb 08
- Adoption Through Kaiya's Eyes
- Kaiya Update- March 08
- Kaiya Update- Mar 08
- Kaiya Pics #1- Mar 08
- Kaiya Pics #2- Mar 08
- 70 Days Wait For LOA- Mar 08
- Kaiya Pic #3- Mar 08
- Video Of Kaiya!!! - Mar 08
- How Am I Doing? Mar08
- LOA at 90 Days Apr08
- Getting Ready For China-Apr08
- Going to get this cutie-Apr08
- Packing for China-Apr08
- Help! I'm Useless! Apr08
- A song for my TA-Apr08
- TA is on it's way-April08
- Going to China- May08
- Happy B-day Kaiya-May08
- Countdown to Kaiya- May08
- Travel Update-May08
- Going to CHINA! May 08
- In China- May08
- Slept Like A Rock-May08
- The Great Wall-May 08
- 10 Yrs w/my man- May08
- Anniversary Gift-May 08
- Beijing In Pictures-May08
- Shangri-La Hangzhou-May08
- Our 1st Day in Hangzhou-May08
- Too excited to sleep-May08
- MEET KAIYA!!!!! May 08
- Kaiya's 1st Day- May 08
- For My Girls At Home - May 08
- Tour of Hangzhou- May 08
- Falling In Love W/Kaiya-May08
- Grieving Trip To Yiwu-May 08
- Finding Her Way Back- May 08
- Walk Through Hangzhou-Jun08
- Photo Session- Jun 08
- Live From Guangzhou- Jun 08
- First Plane Flight- Jun 08
- Giggly Girl- Jun 08
- Red Couch Pics- Jun 08
- Feel Like Crying- Jun 08
- Update On Mini Crisis- Jun 08
- Red Couch Cutie Pie- Jun 08
- Hong Kong- June08
- Hong Kong Dis Videos- Jun 08
- Hong Kong Disney- June 08
- Homecoming In Pics- Jun 08
- Journey Of Lifetime Video
- Kaiya Update- Jun 08
- Momma Update- Jun 08
- Sleep and Messiness- June 08
- Our Walking Disaster- Jun 08
- Update- June 08
- Q and A Post- Jun 08
- 3 weeks home- Jun 08
- Come on... Get Real!!! - Jul 08
- 1 Month Update- Jul 08
- Before and After- Jul 08
- Overwhelmed W/Ugly- Aug 08
- 2 months home- Aug 08
- Surgery Scheduled Sep 08
- Holding My Breath Sep 08
- NO SURGERY! Sep 08
- I stink at juggling- sep 08
- 6 MONTHS HOME!!- Dec 08
- Kaiya is 3- May 09
- 2 Years Ago Kaiya Came Home- June 2010
Old Blog- Read about Zoe"s process Guatemala
Our adoption research- Domestic, Africa, ect..
Fields of The Fatherless Book Club
Zoe's Stuff
- Turning 11! - Feb 2010
- Fashion Show- Aug 09
- Mommy Date- Mar 09
- 10yrs Birthday Video For My Zoe Girl-Feb09
- Ten Years Old! Feb 2009
- What Love Feels Like- Jan 09
- Hanging With Lauren- Aug 08
- A tough day for Zoe- Aug 08
- Meal Planning- Aug 08
- Zoe's Musical- May-08
- Zoe's Workout- Sep 08
- Zoe's Birthday Present
- Zoe Birthday Video- Feb 08
- Zoe's 9th B-day Feb 2008
- Gotta Go My Own Way- Jan 08
- Zoe's Christmas Show Dec 07
- Sweet Girl Nov 07
- #1 FOREVER FAM DAY Nov 07
- Our Little Viking Oct 07
- Fall Pictures- Aug 08
- Funny Moments.. Aug 08
- Dancing Queen Aug 07
- Shopping With Daddy Aug 07
- Adrenaline Junkie Apr 07
- Strange Milestones Apr 07
- Zoe's Guatafriend- Mar 07
- Happy 8 Bday Zoe - Feb14 07
- Money Bags Jan 07
- Zoe learning to read Jan 07
- Zoe's Bedtime Prayer Jan 07
- What Zoe remembers Jan 07
- Zoe Update Jan 07
Kaitlyn Cuteness
- Tex Mex- July 2010
- Classical Conversations w/KK Apr-2010
- Cooking With KK- April 2010
- Just Dance- July 2010
- Kaitlyn turns 7- June 2010
- Toothless- Aug 09
- Diva Ya Think- Aug 09
- Turning 6 w/a BFF- June 09
- Princess KK- Mar 09
- KK Reading 5yrs old- Feb 09
- Trouble With Frogs- Jan 09
- Fall Photo Session- Aug 08
- Funny Moment With KK Aug 08
- My hula girl- Aug 08
- KK's 5th Birthday- June 08
- Next American Idol- Jul08
- Friend In Me Video
- Ballet Recital- May 08
- Questions! Questions! May 08
- Big Girl Bike- May08
- Day With Lizzie Mar08
- Cleaning Help from 4yr old
- When a 4yr old cleans- Mar 08
- KK on adopt finances- Mar 08
- More Cute- Feb 08
- KK on Names- Feb 08
- KK on Boys- Feb 08
- KK on Valentine's Day- Feb 08
- Balance Time- Feb 08
- Lil Ms Smarty Pants- Jan 08
- What Came In The Mail-Jan08
- My Little Helper- Jan 08
- KK sings GNO Dec 07
- Ballet Open House Dec 07
- Cute Conversation Oct 07
- KK's thoughts on Disney Aug 07
- That Girl Aug 07
- A Big Girl Bed Aug 07
- Having a baby Dec 07
- KK on Narnia Aug 07
- Dangerous Cutie Aug 07
- How a Baby Comes Out Aug 07
- Diva KK July 07
- Funny Little Cowgirl May 07
- Kaitlyn's Story Apr 07
- Sisterly Love March 07
- 3yr olds-soo helpful March 07
- Lil princess performs March 07
- Sweet and Sassy Feb 07
- Who Me? Jan 07
- KK's Bedtime Prayer Jan 07
Kaiya Rain Zhen Stuff
- Kaiya Gets The Bad Guy- July 2010
- Kaiya's Pre-school- April 2010
- I Met Kaiya 2 yrs Ago- May 2010
- Kaiya 4yr Old Pics- May 2010
- Interview w/a cutie pie- Oct 09
- Cool Kaiya- Sep 2009
- Stinkin Cute - Aug 09
- Kaiya Turns 3- May 2010
- Pretty Baby- May 09
- Meeting Shamu- May 09
- What Kaiya's Learned- April 09
- Little Drummer Girl-Apr 09
- Little Lady Bug- Mar 09
- Chef Kaiya- Mar 09
- Small Victories- Mar 09
- The Important Words- Feb 09
- Fact!- Feb 09
- Pig Tail Cutie- Feb 09
- I'm cute and I know it!- Jan 09
- China Doll- Dec 08
- Kaiya's Preschool- Dec 08
- The Cast Is Off- Dec 08
- Tantruming Kaiya Style- Dec 08
- Opinionated China Doll- Oct 08
- Next Question- Sep 08
- First Pig Tails- Sep 08
- Kaiya gets in Olympic Shape
- Kaiya Photo Shoot- Aug 08
- Kaiya's Ears Hang Low- Aug 08
- Kaiya's New Toy- Sep 08
- Love Of All Things Kaiya
- Kaiya Cuteness- Jul 08
- Kaiya's New Sign- June 08
- WWWF June 08
- Cruisin with my peeps- Jun 08
Learn about my favorite charities
Great Memories- Picture Posts
- Garage to Play Room Conversion- May 2010
- Colorado W/My Man- May 2010
- Terra Cotta Warriors- Oct 2009
- Getting Ears Pierced- Sep 2009
- Pizza Time- Aug 09
- Princess Dress- Aug 09
- Girls Only Weekend- Aug 09
- A Day At Our School- Aug 09
- Backyard Water Park-May 09
- UMHB Friends- May 09
- San Antonio Getwaway- May 09
- Main Event- May 2009
- Easter- April 09
- Orphan Summit- April 09
- Family Dedication- April 09
- Rock Climbers- Apr 09
- Justa Swingin- April 09
- Do Princesses Climb Trees- Apr 09
- Spring- April 09
- Kid Free Vacation- March 09
- Famous Friends- Mar 09
- My New Look- Mar 09
- Les Mis- Mar 09
- GO TEAM! -Mar 09
- Children's Museum w/adoption peeps Mar09
- Girlfriends Giggle- Feb 09
- Picnic in February- Feb 09
- Daddy Daughter Dance- Feb 09
- Friends Weekend- Jan 09
- Merry Christmas- Dec 08
- Girls Night Out- Dec 08
- Disney Memories- Nov 08
- Halloween At Disney- Oct 08
- KK and Madeline Sep 08
- Thanksgiving- Nov 08
- Last Day Of Road Trip- Aug 08
- OKC Adopt Fam Gathering-Aug08
- Hanging with Amy- Aug 08
- Road Trip Day #1- Aug 08
- Girls Weekend- Jul 08
- Double Birthday Fun- Jul 08
- Summer Catch Up- Jul 08
- Summer Fun- May08
- Girlfriend's Giggle- may08
- Easter 08
- Spring Break With Elise
- Family Pics Mar08
- Christmas Memories 2006
- Sea World Jan 07
- Making Pancakes Jan 07
- New Year's Eve Jan 07
- Pizza Night Jan 07
- Funny Faces Jan 07
- Forever Friends Wknd Jan 07
- My 30th Birthday Feb 07
- Christmas w/ family Feb 07
- Zoe B-day Pics pt 1 Feb 07
- Daddy Daughter Dance Feb 07
- Zoe's Birthday Part 2 Feb 07
- Zoe's Birthday Part 3 Feb 07
- Family Pictures Feb 07
- Rodeo Sunday March 07
- Tour of Our Home March 07
- Sea World March 07
- Zoe Welcome Party Apr 07
- Bluebonnet Pictures April 07
- Strawberry Picking Apr 07
- Many Faces of Cute Apr 07
- Girl's Trip May 07
- Girl's Trip pt2 May 07
- Girl's Trip pt3 May 07
- Sea World with Lauren June 07
- Disney World June 07
- Disney World pt2 June 07
- My Little Ballerina Aug 07
- My Little School Girl Aug 07
- Girl's Weekend Sep 07
- Weekend Fun Oct 07
- Galveston Oct 07
- Halloween Oct 07
- Happy Bday Soccer Boy Nov 07
- Moody Gardens Dec 07
- Christmas Memories 2007
- Christmas Videos 2007
- BFF and B-day weekend- Feb08
- Daddy Daugh Dance Feb 08
- Guatacuties Play Date- Feb 08
- Family Fun Photos- Mar 08
- Pool at Pointe West- Aug08
- Day At The Beach- Aug 08
- Girls Only At The Beach- Aug 08
- Rainforest Cafe Aug 08
- Last Day Of Galveston- Sep 08
- Hurricane Ike Sep 08
- Famous Friends- Mar 09
Disney 2008
Dangerous Surrender Book Club
Our Deepest Fear- by Marianne Williamson
Kaiya's Adoption Timeline-
Twitter/Facebook Updates
Bring Me Hope- the need in China- just push play
How Many Blogger Buddies Have Come To Visit?
Where are my readers from?
Change A Life With Only $25!!!!!
Our Cast of Characters
Pop
This is Pop! He is married to Nonny- Russ' Father
Nonny
This is Nonny! She is married to Pop- Russ' Mother
Polka Dot
This is Polka Dot! She is married to Grandpa- Angel's Mother
Grandpa
This is Grandpa! He is married to Polka Dot- Angel's Father
Cousin Lauren
This is Lauren! (the one in the middle)
Lauren
This is Lauren and her brothers. You knew her as Esperanza if you followed Zoe's adoption in Guatemala. Zoe and Lauren were very close in Guatemala as they both waited to be adopted. Now Lauren lives in the US with her biological brothers (shown with her here) who were adopted before she was and her wonderful new parents!
Tia Bek
This is Tia Bek. She is my mom's best buddy and a part of the family. Zoe adores her and Bek speaks to her in Spanish to help her keep it as a second language.
Scott and Carol
This is Scott and Carol with Lauren. They are her parents. These people are beyond amazing. They adopted Lauren's younger siblings. Her youngest brother had a rare extremely life threatening disease. After over a year of battling for his life they started the process to adopt Lauren. They are some of the strongest people I know. I am so grateful that we get to know them through our girls. We are meeting them in Sea World this summer with all our kiddos! YAY!
Lidia
This is Lidia! She was Zoe's foster sister in Guatemala. She was waiting along with Lauren and Zoe. She came home to her amazing family in the US a couple of months before Zoe. She was nine years old when she got home. Zoe and Lidia are extremely close. We went to visit them in July.
Lidia's family
This is Lidia's family! They are experienced in the adoption world. Before they adopted Lidia they adopted Bayla (their youngest) from China. Now Brinley has come home from China too. Congrats! Lisa (Lidia's Momma) found me from my blog during our first visit to Guatemala. She just "happened" to run across my blog and see that my pictures (of Zoe) had the same house furniture as her pics of Lidia. She wrote to me and SURE ENOUGH our girls were foster sisters. We had the same lawyer but different agencies. We probably never would have met if God hadn't intervened. Now we are great friends!
G- foster mommy
We will call this sweet lady G for her privacy- she was Zoe's foster mommy in Guatemala. She is wonderful and I have the highest respect for the love and care she gave my sweet girl. Zoe lived with her for over a year before coming home with us. I truly thank God for this wonderful foster family. Zoe speaks with G and her family on the phone often.
The struggle to bring Zoe home- Praise You In This Storm
My Husband- LOOK AT THOSE MOVES!
My Christmas 2006 Gift To My Blogger Buddies- a tribute to our children
Zoe's first blog interview after we brought her home- Jan 07 home 2 months
Zoe's birthday present Feb 2007- 3 months after Zoe got home. They are so sweet together!
Zoe's birthday celebration Feb 2007- 3 months home
Home school with girls Feb 2007- Zoe home 3 months
An interview with cutie KK March 2007
An attempted interview with Zoe foiled by Kaitlyn- March 2007 4 months home
KK dancing and singing March 2007
A Giggly Princess March 2007
My Video Tribute To Zoe- Her Journey To Us April 2007
Our Family Beach Vacation- April 2007 5 months home for Zoe
19 comments:
She is BEAUTIFUL!! I LOVE that dress. It is such a joy to see you with her.
amanda
Angel! Kaiya is just beautiful. What a lucky Momma you are!!!
Congratulations!
Karrie in IN
Oh my goodness Angel, she is sooo pretty, and what a LOVELY dress!
You know, Kaiya is looking SO much more relaxed .. her momma (and Grandma .. hi!) must be having a great affect on her .. these photos show a must more confident and relaxed Kaiya - they are such a difference from the beginning of the week where she looked confused. BEAUTIFUL!!
Angel,
I am so happy for you!! She is precious and you are finally with her. What a blessing!!
So, how does all this work in China? Do you have her full time now? Is someone with you all the time? Do you have her during the day and you have to take her back somewhere at night for a while until she adjusts? Or was it cold turkey, here ya go?? I remember you saying you would have to be there for 2 weeks, I was wondering how it works.
:) Love, Amie
what - you thought I needed to cry in my coffee first thing??????
BEEEEEEE-UUUUU-TTTTT-FFUULL
so happy your bbay girl is with her Mommy:)
love you :)
Wow- those are stunning!! I can't even pick a favourite.... well, maybe the ones where she is standing and holding your hand and you can just see your hand in the corner- so sweet!
I've enjoyed reading and watching her take you into her heart. It is good that she is sad to be away from all that she has ever known, but good to see her attaching to you.
I'm praying for you as you travel! For rest and strenght for all three of you! And for your three that are waiting back in TX for their daughter and sister. (and the extended family and loved ones too!)
Amazing....
When I looked at these pictrues, the frist thing that came to mind was 3 Angels...
1 Angel of Love
2 Angel of Protection
3 Angel of Faith
Only a few more days till you both are reunited with the rest of your Angels...
Angel I am so happy for you.
Hugs
Ellie
Simply Beautiful! Angel, she is such a doll baby! She looks so adorable, even when she's crying. Those pictures are precious!!
She is too cute in that dress!
OK..it is offical...I am a Kaiya addict. I can't wait each day (several times a day) to see how she (and you) are dong.
Thanks again for sharing her story with us.
PRECIOUS!!! She will cherish those photos for the rest of her life!
PRECIOUS!!! She will cherish those photos for the rest of her life!
Beautiful pictures!!!
Hey, I know you are very busy and all, but I was stopping by to tell you I gave you an award. Come by later!
My friends at work think she is adorable and that you are one incredible woman! I told them that you would want all the glory to go to God!
What a sweet princess!
She is a beautiful little girl!
Angel- great pics, as always!
I so remember the feeling of leaving Josiah's birth city and lifting off into the air headed for Guangzhou. It is a bittersweet time because part of you is wondering if your child will ever really come back to their birth city and how much will they have changed by then if they do, how will they feel...not to mention that you can no longer scan the face of every woman you see looking for a resemblance to your child, wondering, hoping that you might find the birth mother to thank her and let her know how much her child will be treasured.... and the other part of you is excited because going to GZ means that your trip is half way over and you are that much closer to HOME and beginning your new life with your child!! Guangzhou is also great because for the first time you see MANY many other American families with their Chinese children and you don't get the stares that you do in the birth province.
Mixed emotions- pretty much the entire trip!
May the Lord bless you and continue to touch Kaiya's heart as she learns to trust and love you... and soon Russ and the girls too! We are heading out of town for awhile, so I may not be checking in every day, but I will keep praying. I remember so well how the prayers of the saints got me through some tough times overseas. The Lord is faithful and Mighty to save!
Blessings,
Holly from Purpose Driven Family
Angel.... you look so HAPPY, you are just glowing in the light of your new baby girl! Those are beautiful pictures of Miss Kaiya too! Keeping you in my prayers!!
I cannot get over how beauitful she is!!!!! I am SO SO SO happy she is with you !!!
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