Happy Birthday Drew! Gracee is pleased to be in a big family--more birthdays mean lots of cake and ice cream throughout the year. 

Who wants to snuggle?

Stars, the cat, may have been in Daddy's chair first, but that gives Gracee all the more reason to lie down on her. While Stars (and her cat sister, Stripes) wiggle out of the pin as quick as they can--neither of them have reacted in anger. Good kitties! 

A REAL Chatty Cathy!

You'll never guess what Santa's little elves boxed up for us. Well, not really. She's such a little trickster! (Finding your 'forever family' is not that easy!) 

A Christmas blessing...

The celebration of Chrismas Day was even more special in 2005 as Gracee was introduced to the joy and wonder of the day in her home. While she didn't understand the life-changing spiritual meaning of the day, she discovered it was a fun day nonetheless.

Thoughout the holiday season, she didn't even touch the Christmas tree and started to unwrap only one present (it wasn't her's) before the big day. She seemed more surprised yesterday morning when she awoke to find that her crazy family had dragged the tree--that was in the family room--back outside where she knew it belonged.


Her big gift from Santa was her very own car! A friend of her's has a bigger model and she enjoyed it every time we visited their house. Now Gracee has her own set of wheels! Between the box her car came in and the car itself, she was a very happy girl. It didn't take long for her to catch on the unwrapping and was at the ready to help her brothers and sisters. Gracee seems to be changing by the day. Growing taller (more things are in her reach). Her vocabulary expanding (although it still takes decipering). Her personality growing richer (she can be a very demonstrative little girl). She is such a very special little girl and we are the better for her being a part of the family.

We recall waiting with anticipation last Christmas (2004) as our paperwork had been logged in by the Chinese government just over a month earlier. We knew we had several more months to ponder how our lives would change. But we never could have imagined how much it would change. It is a challenge at times having a toddler in the house again, but it is a challenge that we are glad to bear.

Everyone in the family has taken on part of the responsibility of having a little one in the house. Now we can't imagine it being any other way. We are so grateful to those who supported us in so many ways in Gracee's Big Adventure. We are anxious to see how God will bless in the New Year as Gracee looks toward her second birthday, Drew looks forward to graduation from college, Samuel works toward his high school graduation, and Anna and Niles move into high school. Wow! We're hanging on tight for the ride ahead!

Decorating Christmas cookies, Gracee seems to have more icing on her face than on her cookies. 

Gracee tries her hand at culinary design. Joining two other families in our old neighborhood at an annual tradition of decorating cookies, Gracee didn't come home with any of her cookies--she at them! Happy Birthday Jesus! 

Harvesting a tree--at Lowes!

In an extraordinary short time, the family decides on the perfect Christmas tree. Perhaps it was because Dad promised to be totally agreeable in the process this year or because the temperature was in the 20s, we quickly settled on the family's 2005 tree. We can only imagine what Gracee thought (or didn't think) about the episode. With the tree now in place in the house--lights on and most of the ornaments unpacked--Gracee is quite impressed. Soon we will see if she decides to de-decorate everything within her reach. Merry Christmas! 

Gracee strikes a thoughtful pose. Perhaps she was pondering what Christmas tree would fit in our house or perhaps she was trying to figure out what we were doing walking in a forest at dusk in freezing temperatures.  

Guess who's coming to Gracee's house?

With all the immediate family in town, we decided it was time to make the annual (26th year in a row) pilgrimage to meet with old St. Nick. We had made a recon visit to the mall earlier in the month for Gracee to get a look at Santa Claus. (She calls him "claws.") The earlier visit went better than the official visit--although on the prior visit we merely waved to him. Fortunately big brother Niles was a buffer between the not-so-jolly Santa and Gracee. After several takes, Santa's adolescent elves at the mall snapped a decent picture and we were on our way. None too soon for Gracee. (BTW, this is my photo not the one we purchased.) Merry Christmas!!!

The calm before the storm--Right down Santa Claus Lane.

The day before Thanksgiving and all through the mall.... Gracee visits Santa. She has NO idea of the excitement wrapped up in white fur and red velour that sits just around the corner. 

MOMMA!!!!!!

Get me away from this crazy man! I'll buy my own presents!!! 

Thanksgiving Day 2005

Looks like someone is ready for a feast! We are blessed that Gracee is such a great eater. So Thanksgiving Day provided a wide and delicious array of food to enjoy. No surprise but there was much to be thankful this year. We are incredibly thankful that God allowed our family to grow. We are grateful for the many people who prayed for us and supported us in bringing Gracee home. We are thankful for the fact that God protected Gracee before we met her (and that He continues to protect her.) We are tremendously grateful that because of Jesus' work on the cross, we who know Him have been adopted into the family of God--now that is a real "forever family."

The perfect costume...

Gracee with her sister and two of her brothers--in costume, sort of. It could be she demanded they wear the beautiful outfits they bought in China. No question--they looked grand at church October 31st for the fall festival. Gracee stayed home with a friend and handed out candy to 'trick or treaters.'

Gracee goes to college

Gracee made her first visit out of town to see her big brother, Drew, at the University of Indianapolis. She was the star of the show. Drew had plenty of friends who had been anxious to see her. Gracee was a great traveler and Drew was glad to see her--particularly because we ferried his winter clothes up to him. Along with students, Gracee found a puppy dog that lived around the corner from Drew. That was entertaining!

Somebody likes corn on the cob. She gnaws away to get every morsel. Gracee loves her vegetables and we are grateful for that. 

Gracee hard at work 'coloring' her menu as most of the family (except Drew) gathered to eat BBQ at Famous Daves this week. 

Always ready for a party...

Gracee is always ready for a party and this week it was time to celebrate big brother Samuel's 18th birthday. A family meal at Famous Dave's Barbeque was followed by a special 'cookie' cake at home. Gracee enjoyed the barbecue, particularly the beef brisket and chicken, and corn on the cob, but saved plenty of room for the special cake Mom made.

While this IS Gracee's Big Adventure, we thought it only appropriate that the birthday-boy get some face-time. Gracee loves her big brother Samuel and is always excited to be able to come into his room--with a parental escort of course. It is a dangerous place!  

"Now who gave me that cute sweater?"

Partytime for a little princess! Dad's office was kind to hold a special party for the new family member. She was pleased that green beans were on the menu. Fortunately, siblings Anna and Niles were on hand to help Gracee know who gave her each of the wonderful gifts. As usual, she WAS the star of the show, particularly enjoying all the pretty wrapping paper! 

Someone likes cake, especially the icing left behind on the plate. Now the look on her face reflects the fact that people are laughing at her. She doesn't like that. She takes her dining (especially dessert) very seriously. 

Life is sweet for Gracee. She likes these flowers. She can look out her window and see them. Her word for them, "flow," rhymes with "cow." (She won't be happy when the first frost comes and takes her flowers away.) Many of her words are a variant of the word's first syllable, e.g., "app" for apple. Smart little girl, isn't she?  

Life is wonderful for Gracee...and especially sweet for us with her home. She's not a big fan of her swing, but allowed Dadda to take her picture. She is one special little girl. Words cannot express the joy she has brought to our hearts. God is good. 

Gracee's Big Adventure at full speed now!

Three months ago this evening we were on pins and needles, anticipating the arrival of Grace the following morning at the hotel in Hefei. What a grand--and busy--three months we have enjoyed with Gracee home. We apologize that we haven't posted to the site since late August. It's not for a lack of photographs; Gracee has proven herself to be quite the willing model for the camera. She is walking now (three months ago she could barely sit up by herself on the hotel bed) and now talking Gracee-speak. (She barely made a sound the first day or two she was with us.)


Her vocabulary as of today: Momma; cat; gog (dog); night-night; cup; car; yellow; neck; eye; nose; toes; belly; Anna; Niles; thank you; flower; snack; bye-bye; more; and Dadda. About half the words have to be translated by one of us. There are some sounds even we don't know. She is a pro at blowing kisses!

Gracee is so much more of a blessing than we could ever imagined. She loves her family and we love her. She is perhaps the happiest child we have had as a toddler and instantly became a full-fledged member of the family. She is great eater. Her favorite foods are raw carrots, french fries, green beans, potato chips, chicken nuggets, Cheetos, squash, lettuce, bell peppers, and fresh tomatoes--just like her Daddy Ken liked.

Gracee is all wet...

With a Mommy who is a swim coach and a big brother who is a collegiate swimmer and three other siblings who are swimmers in their own right, it's only natural that within two weeks after settling down at home that Gracee is in the pool. Gracee was introduced to the 'water' in her daily bathtime--which she loves--and took right to the swimming pool. Now she didn't swim laps or do a "no breather," but Mommy, Anna, and Niles (who were there) said she enjoyed splashing down into the pool (with assistance.) Swim on little Gracee!

Seeing Big Brother Off to School...

Gracee joined her family in wishing her big brother, Drew, a safe trip back to college this morning. We know she will miss her big brother while he is away. We promised Drew we would make the trip to Indy this fall--both to visit with him and take him the rest of the stuff he couldn't fit in his car. We are all so grateful that Drew could be with the family for a very, very special summer that has changed our lives forever. The places we visited, the food we ate, the little shops in which we bargained, the people we met, and the joy of bringing home a new little sister are memories we all will share. Each member of the family contributed wonderfully in their own way to the start of Gracee's Big Adventure. We are grateful to God that we could do all this together. GO HOUNDS!!!

Where's my favorite pink pair of shorts?

Gracee searches for her favorite outfit in the washing machine as Mom discovers a few more of Drew's dirty clothes that need to be cleaned. Drew has his car packed full as he heads north for his senior year of college. Who knew Drew had that many clothes?

Tennessee Titans Gain a New Fan

Gracee was heartbroken Friday night after the Atlanta Falcons marched down the field to easily score on their first possession and then scored again by running back a Titans kick-off. [Actually she is just mad because her Daddy took something away from her.] She was all-grins later though, as the Titans rallied, gaining a win in their second preseason game. This girl is a real fan of Titans football!

Growing up a little reader! Mom and Gracee read a board book together as Gracee winds down for night-night. It was four weeks today that our family boarded an airliner for Beijing, kicking off Gracee's Big Adventure in ernst. We stand amazed at all that has taken place in the last four weeks and are so grateful that God invited us to be a part of His work in giving Gracee a family. Gracee has a wonderful personality. She is very happy little girl. And we are making great progress in helping her understand that nighttime is made for sleeping! We are so pleased that so many folks are interested in her and her journey to our family. We are always pleased to talk about what God has done and about the many, many other little girls (and boys) who are waiting for their "forever family." 

Guess who?

It's been just over a week since we returned home with Gracee from China. For someone who had a pretty basic diet for nearly 18 months of her life, she is doing very well, eating nearly everything on her plate (including green beans, Romaine lettuce, carrots, and especially pizza.)
She is curious and now quite adept at crawling whereever she wants to go. She is uttering new and different sounds every day. And she likes to practice standing up all by herself. Gracee likes to ride in the car. She usually takes that opportunity to grab a quick nap. We continue to 'fine tune' her sleep habits (and are anticipating compliance from her any day now.) It is hard to believe that just two weeks ago we were re-packing our bags after a soggy visit to Beijing and looking forward to the flight the next day to Gracee's province. Two weeks we did not even know her (in person) and today it seems like she has been a part of our family forever. We know only God in His grace can work miracles like this.