They Caught Them!

The Fairhope Police Department made an arrest and charged them with stealing my purse!  I received this beautiful letter in the mail yesterday:

I am now filling out the form for the District Attorney.  I hope that I will be able to get restitution and be reimbursed for the cash, prescription cough syrup, and car key that was stolen. 

One Year Home

One year ago right now, David and I stepped off of a plane in Birmingham with Amelia.  We were greeted by family and friends, and we were so excited to introduce everyone to our precious daughter.  I can still remember the relief that David and I both felt to finally be home!  Special prayers were said by our priest at the airport to thank God for bringing us home safely and for uniting us as a new family. 

We are so thankful to have welcomed Amelia into our forever family and to have experienced so many things with her.  It amazes us to see how much she has changed and how she has truly blended into our family. 

Happy New Year!

It is so hard to believe that one year ago tonight, David and I celebrated New Year's Eve with our precious daughter halfway around the world in Guangzhou, China.  We celebrated by giving Amelia her first sweet taste of a sucker.  She loved it so much that when it was all gone, she pitched a huge fit!

Tonight, we were able to celebrate New Year's Eve with our dear friends, the Huang family.  We had dinner and the girls played.   

Ella opened her Christmas presents from Amelia.

Elijah watched the festivities.

Amelia received this book and precious monogrammed chair.

Precious Children

 Dinner was served after the girls pulled their chairs up to the table.

There was a little drum playing.

 

I am amazed with all that has happened in our family over the past year.  Welcoming Amelia into our family has truly changed our lives in the most unexpected and wonderful ways.  We have been so blessed by her and can't wait to see what 2014 holds.  Happy New Year from our family to yours!

First Visit to the McWane Center

Was Amelia old enough for a visit to the McWane Center?  This is the question David and I have been pondering for some time now.  After consulting with a few friends, we decided to go ahead and become McWane Center members and take Amelia for her first visit.  Amelia had THE BEST DAY!  We decided to take her today because they had a train exhibit.  Amelia has been in love with trains since we took her on the Polar Express ride earlier this month.  We knew this was the time to take her to the museum before the train exhibit ended in a few weeks.  I honestly think that Amelia was in sensory overload at the beginning, but she had a great time playing and exploring.  The trains and the big slide were her favorite parts of the day.  We are so glad that we listened to the advice of others and joined the museum.  I can see many other trips in our future!

Amelia pushed the button to raise and lower the nail bed that Daddy was on.

Watching herself on TV in the fun house was great!

A little climbing on the indoor playground.

We suited up for the water table.  Amelia did not like the apron, but she loved playing in the water.

I know the following pictures are fuzzy, but Amelia was in constant motion.  This is where she decided to clean up after a little girl who was playing with these balls and legos.  The girl asked her dad if it was time to clean up and leave now.  I had to explain that Amelia likes to put things where they go and that it was okay to keep playing...

Making big bubbles

Riding the "baby train" with Daddy.

Watching the little trains go around the town.  Amelia loved the model trains!

Dancing in the blocks

Actually looking at the camera!

Ice Fishing

A little music lesson...

The BIG slide!  Mommy went down right after Amelia.  She wasn't exactly tall enough, but the girl let Amelia ride it several times.

I'm not sure she grasped the concept of this, because Amelia kept trying to push them all in and didn't understand why they weren't staying flat.  That would be because the little boy on the other side was pushing them back at her...

Turning the conveyor belt after "shopping" in the grocery store.

Daddy was having so much fun with the gears that...

Amelia decided to join him.  She picked up on the concept IMMEDIATELY and started making her own gear patterns.  We were VERY impressed with her!

Inside the tornado booth with Mommy

Amelia really loved watching the fish.

We tried to get Amelia to pet the sting rays and sharks, but she didn't want any part of it.  She only wanted to stick her hand in the water.  When something swam near her, she immediately jerked her hand out of the water.

Imagine our surprise when David and I realized that Amelia wasn't dancing outside the space exhibit anymore.  This was our sign that the visit to the museum was over for the day.  I can't believe she actually just plopped herself down there.  When I got up close to her, I asked her if she was ready to go home and take a rest.  Amelia immediately jumped up and yelled, "NO NAP!!!".  Unfortunately, she did come straight home and take a nap.