Do not be afraid for I am with you.
I will bring your children from the East
and gather you from the West."
~God (Isaiah 43:5)
After all that has happened this year, and it has been an eventful one, I have to reflect on all of our Christmas's without our daughter. I can remember all of the mornings when there where the sounds of the boys trying to wake us up, and Paul and I laughing in bed because they wouldn't come to the door and ask if they could open up their presents. I don't know why they wouldn't, but it was funny to hear them talking and laughing really loud so that we would get up. Of course we made them wait it out for awhile, but then we gave in because we were so excited to see what Santa had brought them. And then there were the years when they were gone that we had to find a way to make it through Christmas without all of those wonderful sounds. We were on the waiting list for Millie and there wasn't a Christmas that went by that I didn't cry for her, for my babies that are in heaven, for someone to love to wake up with and watch open up all the gifts from Santa. And now there is this year. There were still tears of sadness, wondering about all the orphan's that need a home in China and here in the United States. Wondering what I did to deserve so much happiness with Millie. Missing those that have moved on without me. But I also had an amazing Christmas with Paul and Millie. I cried and cried while Millie danced to the Christmas music in the living room and played with all of her toys that I had to open for her. She didn't really care about the presents just wanted to play and dance.
My Christmas dream has come true. The story of Jesus and Joseph reminds me of Millie and Paul. She has the best daddy and he loves her with all of his heart. Here are a few pictures of my baby's 1st Christmas. I love you Amelia Yi!!!
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We made it back home on Monday from vacation. It was a wonderful visit for Millie and myself, one of the most relaxing vacations that I have ever had. I'm sure Mamaw and Papaw are still recovering, but I had a blast. Millie made herself at home about 15 minutes after we showed up at their house. She ate everything in site that Mamaw made for her. She slept like a champ. She swam in their pool, she went on long walks with her Mamaw. She climbed all over her Papaw the entire time we were there. She threw food all over their car, and threw major fits in the car because she wasn't getting all of their attention. She tried to talk their heads off and for the most part no one knew what she was talking about. Millie has a very bad habit of fake laughing when she hears someone else laugh, including her grandmother. She tried to help her Papaw with all of his chores. She was as happy as I have ever seen her and she had no idea that we were just visiting. She went about her day like she was at home with all of her surrounding. I really was amazed at how well she adapted. But I think she didn't care where she was as long as they were there too. She didn't care if I left the house, but cried if Mamaw or Papaw left her with me.
We went to the beach twice, and Millie loved the sand, she even liked to eat it. Mamaw feed the birds so they swarmed us and she loved that too. I got some really good pictures of that since I was running away from them. We did put her in the water and after a few minutes she liked to sit and play until waves hit her pretty good and then she got knocked over, but didn't cry. We really had such a good time with Joyce and Jim. Millie and I were spoiled rotten by them. It couldn't have been easy to have a 15 month old baby in their new house they just bought. Millie is very active and she is having some trouble understanding the word "NO", I know that all of you think that she is an angel because she is my child, but she is only my angel and she does have some flaws that need a little bit of work. We are trying to gain some control of our melt downs when we don't get our way, and I do mean, we. As Papaw would say to me time and time again, she only 15 months old. So I'm trying to remember that when she is smacking me in the face when she wants something. Oh it happens, and it is hard and numerous times. She is so sweet for the most part she just has a small temper. (Gets it from Daddy's side) Just a joke Joyce and Jim are going read and understand how much I blame on them. Thanks again for the wonderful time. Millie misses you and so do we.
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