Anna Sees the Atlantic...

What a funny site we must have been...three boys, one man and one woman, walking onto the beach with all our attention directed at one little girl. Taking pictures and video while we oooohhhh and ahhhhh at every little bit of excitement Anna displayed.

She liked the water, but not in her face. She likes the sand, as long as you get it washed off quickly, but her favorite....chasing the birds! There were sea gulls walking on the beach and Anna would squeal and take off. I think she would have ran all the way down the beach after a couple of birds if I would have let her. They were flying low and she just knew she could get them....I don't know what she thought she was going to do with them, but she wanted to do something.

The little pools of water that catch when the tide goes out are great "kiddie pools" for the little ones. Anna stood for a long time trying to get her footing on the sand. She walked so stiff legged, it was funny. She finally gained some confidence and starting walking "normal".

Even though it wasn't their first trip to the ocean, I don't know that the boys could have been more excited. We had to pick up somethings this morning and it was pure torture for Carter & Jacob knowing that Grandma & Pa were at the beach and they were at TJ Maxx!!

Finally!!!

Before we got to the beach, we stopped off at Metcalf Bottoms around Townsend, TN in the Smokey Mountains to meet up with a couple of families from our adoption agency. The kids had tons of fun playing in a mountain stream. It was great to finally see people that I have read soooo much about! We had a great time with the families. They were all just beautiful children. Savannah, Jack, Will, Thomas, Leah & Alanna (forgive me if I misspelled names)....such sweet kids. All the kids played good together and Jack - you can baby sit my boys ANYTIME! Carter and Jacob thought Jack was soooo cool.

Anna trying to get "kisses" from Alanna

Anna had a ball jumping with Leah

Water, rocks, critters - perfection!

Can we arrange a marriage between Anna & Thomas? He stole my heart!

Perfectly content just standing in the water watching the boys

We have really ran full speed for the last 2 days. Got to Gatlinburg around 1:00 am on Saturday morning. Anna did not go to sleep until after 5:00 am. Therefore, I did not go to sleep until after 5:00 am. We got up early Saturday morning, went to the picnic and the kids played hard the entire time we were there. They slept a little yesterday in the car, but they were awake for the majority of the 7 hour drive yesterday. They stayed up late last night, Anna crawled all over me all night last night, busy, busy all day today and after we got back from the beach, went to the pool, got baths, they literally passed out! Hopefully Anna will sleep good tonight - Momma needs it!

Anna fell asleep on Grandma's lap

I don't know how or why he was in this position, but Parker fell asleep watching cartoons

Jacob falls out before dinner is finished

Yeah, I know one day Carter will not like me posting a picture with his mouth wide open...at least he isn't drooling!

Having a great family vacation, but wishing there was one more here...

Sending love and hugs to Elli,

Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna Mei

Supporting Elli's Class Through Search Engine...

This is new to me...maybe not to some of you, but I wanted to pass along. There is a fairly new search engine that is owned by Yahoo. When you use the search engine they will donate to a verified charity. If you shop through one of their sponsors, they will donate a percentage of the total purchase!!!

This is an awesome opportunity to support Elli's classroom at her orphanage. I have mentioned Half the Sky numerous times before and the work that they do in China orphanages - including Elli's. They are one of the charities that you can select your "donation" to be given to. As well, Love Without Boundaries is also one of the charities. LWB is the charity that got Elli's palate surgery done. In addition, there is Shaohannah's Hope which gave us a grant for Anna's adoption and we are in process of seeking a grant for Elli's adoption. Shaohannah's Hope not only give grants to adoptive families, but funds foster care and is currently building a 6-story home in China in Luoyang. As well, they educate churches, families, communities on adoption and the need for orphan care across the globe. Autism Speaks is another worthy cause. I have friends whose children have autism and this is a great non-profit that educates, informs and active in research. All are great organizations that could use the financial help. The main thing is - get involved!

So, my request...make Good Search your search engine/home page today! If you are going to be shopping online at one of the sponsor's sites, go through Good Search. There are hundred's of sites, Wal-Mart, iTunes, Target, Children's Place, Chadwicks, Staples, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, eBay, Sephora, JCPenney, Snapfish, Vera Bradley, Netflix, GameStop, Ballard Designs, BestBuy, Nike, elf, Fossil, Gap, GNC, ToysRUs....seriously must I go on?

Sending love and hugs to Elli,

Rodney, Marcy, Carter, Jacob, Parker & Anna Mei

One Year Anniversary - Gotcha Day!

Yes, I am well aware that I am over 1 week past due on this....BUT, I do have excuses :-)

On June 4th we celebrated, briefly, the 1 year anniversary of Anna's Gotcha Day. The boys were more upset with me than Anna, because she didn't have a clue, that we didn't get to "eat out" for the occasion, but we were getting the yard sale together for Elli. I asked Anna had she rather go celebrate or help bring her sister home...she squealed so I took that as a "let's bring home Elli!!"

We have been so blessed over the last year, actually the last 2 years...okay, our entire lives...Anna has just been an amazing joy and blessing to our family. I cannot imagine her not being here. There are still obstacles and we have to work on constantly to try to catch her up as much as possible, but considering how she was one year ago - she is a totally different child. It is amazing to see the pictures of June 2007 compared to now. We are soooooo proud of her! Truly God has blessed this little girl.

Praying for his continual blessings upon Anna and her life....we love you sweet girl!!
Daddy, Momma, Carter, Jacob & Parker - YOUR FAMILY