Our weekend

On Friday, Emma got her second hair cut - oh, excuse me, trim. BaBa (Bobby) went with us, and told Brenda to NOT cut Emma's hair, just trim the ends a little. She said Okay, dad, we'll let it grow down to her but! I loved it! We left her bangs whispy, but trimmed a little, and trimmed all her ends. Her hair is pretty and thick, and keeping it trimmed will make it even thicker, and keep the ends from splitting. There are a few pics after the trim, and some from church today.

The adorable outfit and sweater Emma is wearing were made by a sweet lady named Kathy Smith that we go to church with - Kathy, thank you!! We love them!

Our First Christmas with Emma

Our first Christmas with Emma was wonderful! She was excited about the gifts Santa had brought. She loves her kitchen, and has cooked us breakfast and dinner today, and made us lots of coffee. She loves to play on the computer, which isn't good, so she got a little one of her own to play on. She also got a Leap Frog Little Touch and books, a Hooked on phonics smart stick, a Doodle Pro, baby dolls, and lots more. Angie, the wonderful woman who loves and cares for her while we work, and her husband, Mark, gave her lots of pocketbooks, and jewelry. She loved it, and wanted to carry them all at the same time.

At Maw and Paws she got a really neat riding toy, a baby doll, and lots of other gifts today. She has been a trooper - playing hard, smiling a lot for pictures, and having a really good day.

I know she doesn't yet realize the importance of today, and the significance of the greatest gift, the gift of God's son Jesus, the reason we celebrate this day. But, one day, she will understand, and our prayer is that she will receive His gift to her of eternal life in Heaven. We are so thankful for Emma this year, and the privilege God has given us to be her parents and to raise her to know him in a personal relationship and to share His love with others.

Here are some pictures from our first Christmas with our newest little one, Emma Grace SiQi...

Emma is 23 months old today!!!

A birthday party & Christmas a little early

On Saturday, Emma was invited to her friend, Isabella's birthday party. Before the party,Emma helped mom in the kitchen - Saturday evening, we were having Christmas early with Justin and Megan, and Nana, Jerry, MaMa, Grandpa Charlie, Grandma Peggy, Aunt Gloria and Uncle Larry, and cousin Maria.

She really enjoyed the birthday party, and sweet Jennifer, Bella's mom, gave gifts to all the children and families too, for Christmas - thank you, Jennifer!

After the birthday party, we finished getting all our dishes ready for our early Christmas. Emma and Nana played until it was time to eat. Emma enjoyed her first Christmas dinner, and loved opening presents! She opened hers, Josh's and mom's, and gave everyone else theirs to open. She liked the toys, and is like her brother Justin when he was little. If it was a "white box" it got tossed. Clothes are OK, but bring on more toys!

The last few pictures are after Church on Sunday. The dress was a present from Nana and Jerry, and her bows had teeny jingle bells in them - she just looked adorable...

Our weekend

was another busy one!! We spent Friday evening helping set up for Grandpa Charlie's Christmas get together for Saturday afternoon, then had dinner with friends Russ, Deb, Lily and Lucy at a local Chinese restaurant.

Saturday morning, I finished Christmas shopping, then Emma went to get her Christmas pictures made. Saturday afternoon was spent with family at Grandpa Charlie and Grandma Peggy's church.

Then, Sunday we went to early service to hear the Christmas musical, which was wonderful, then Sunday School. Emma made us two ornaments for our tree in her Sunday School today.

Here are a few pictures from our busy weekend...

From the Bishop Family

Here it is...

Emma's first picture with Santa...

Sunday morning ready for church

Here is our little ham, all ready for church this morning...

Local FCC Christmas party

Our local Families with Children from China got together to celebrate Christmas last night. There were lots of families this time, some with several adopted home, some with one adopted home, one with a new referral for their daughter, one with part of the family on the way to China to bring home a son, and some still in the wait for "the call." It is a great group for support and information no matter where you are in the process. We always try to take lots of pictures, so please enjoy these from the party...

Emma went to see Santa this weekend!!

On Saturday, we went downtown to the History Museum to see Santa, and to Hotel Roanoke to see all the beautiful Christmas trees they have decorated. We went with our good friends Russ and Deb, and their two precious girls, Lily and Lucy. Emma was a little unsure of Santa at first, but as time went on, she scooted closer and closer. She loved all the Christmas trees at Hotel Roanoke too.

On Sunday after church, we went to the mall, and she sat on Santa's lap. I will have to post a picture of that later, since I don't have it on a disk yet. But, she rode the train both on Saturday, and on Sunday and loved that too! I think she will really enjoy Christmas this year!!

Enjoy the pictures from our weekend...

Our LOI ...

According to our adoption agency, is...On the way to CCAA TODAY!! Yes, that's right, we are adopting AGAIN!! We have fallen head over heals with a little girl who turned 3 years old on November 20. She is 14 months older than Emma, so we hope they will be great friends as well as sisters. We sent our LOI to the agency that very day, on her third birthday, and it has now been translated, and is on it's way to China.


Once we receive PA, that's Pre-approval, from China, we will post her picture.


We hope to have our dossier completed by early March, and to be traveling sometime over the summer to bring home...Allie Faith YiNong Bishop.

Sunday, November 25

Here are a few pictures from this morning. Bobby & Josh were taking Emma's picture under the Christmas tree before church today. Looks like she's the best present this year!!

22 months old today!

Today, our little angel is 22 months old. Here are a few pictures of her on this "birthday."

Our First Thanksgiving with Emma

This year, we had another blessing to be thankful for! God gave us the gift of a little girl named Emma Grace SiQi. We just celebrated our first Thanksgiving with her, and she really enjoyed herself. She was the center of attention, which you can tell by the pictures she doesn't like (who are we kidding, here) - she loves it!!

Another first, she took her first step on Thanksgiving day, and two today!!! She will probably be running around by Christmas - uh oh!!! She is already a wiggle worm - I will be running after her for sure!

On Friday, Emma made her first trip out shopping (Black Friday). You can tell from the last few pictures, she shopped 'til she dropped!!

Our little pilgrim - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Just a quick post - we went to Gymboree last weekend, and Emma loves hats, and had to try this one on...she looks just like a little pilgrim!!

A praise & a few pics from the week

We went to JH on Monday to see the orthopedic doctor. He was pleased with the strength Emma has in her legs, and said she had just been through a lot in her short life, and that it was just going to take her a little more time. He X-rayed her back, checked her feet out good, and read all the reports we had gotten through Grace & Hope in China. He said he saw no cause for concern with anything, ordered her some new shoes to sleep in, and said she should be walking before too long. Praise the Lord!!

The pics in this post are from one night this week, with Emma and her "blanket" from China. It is an old hand towel, but she loves it. The last few are from this morning before church horsing around with her brother, Josh. Enjoy...

Our amazing little one...

First, here are a few pictures from last weekend's skate party hosted by Family Life Services. Our most kind friend and social worker sent me these since I forgot the camera - can't believe it, but I did!

Then, we have Emma over this weekend being her crazy fun self, and a few pictures from Church - in the fellowship hall, again, being her happy, fun self. She is just amazing! She is learning so quickly. She can repeat most anything you say, and is most of the time a really easy going, happy little girl.

She has had a terrible cold this week, though, and today is a little hoarse. Tomorrow, we go to John's Hopkins for her appointment with the orthopedic doctor, so please pray all goes well, and they give us something a little better than what we use at night for her, and some type of shoes that will support her right foot better so she can walk. She is standing all by herself, but is still a little unsure of taking steps without holding on to something or someone. Enjoy the pictures...

Weekend of 11/2/07

We had another busy weekend. On Saturday, Family Life Services, the agency that did our homestudy for us had their second annual family get together at the LeHaye Skate Center near Liberty Universy. We didn't skate, but had pizza, drink, and Emma had her face painted. We saw several people we already knew with their children from China, and also met a few others. She seemed to have a good time.

Then, on Saturday night, we had a Tex-Mex get together with our Sunday School class. Emma entertained everyone there too.

On Sunday, we went to church, then played a while, then went to the mall to see if there was any Christmas decoration out. Emma is now standing unassisted - a huge praise, and she will be walking soon, we just know it!!

Emma's first Halloween

Emma's first Halloween was lots of fun! First, we had dinner with friends Russ and Deb, and their two daughters, Lily and Lucy. After dinner, we went to our church, Green Ridge Baptist for "Trunk or Treat." People decorated their cars, and set up with candy for the kids to come by and trick or treat.

There were lots of children with really great costumes, and everyone had a lot of fun! The cars were done very creatively too. I have some pictures of a few of the cars, but it was a little dark, so some are hard to see.

Anyway, enjoy these pictures of Emma's first Halloween....

Weekend of 10/26

Emma spent the weekend playing, visiting MaMa who had surgery and came through great, and, of course at church on Sunday.

Every day with her is a new adventure. She is such a blessing in our lives, and amazes us at how quickly she is learning. She is speaking short sentences already, and is such a lovey girl!!

We would like to ask for prayer for friends in China who received their little girl yesterday. She is sick, and needs prayer for healing.

Our Darlin' Daughter

turned 21 months old yesterday!! We can't believe she's getting so close to 2! When we first saw her face, she was only 10 months old. We spent the day at the hospital with Regina's grandma, Emma's great grandma. She had a shoulder replacement and did just great!

Emma entertained everyone in the waiting room all day. Everyone made over her, telling her how precious, and how beautiful she was - of course she just ate it up!!
(along with some noodles at the end of the day) All the nurses made a fuss over her too. They found a fish, and some bubbles to give her along with several stickers for her to play with.

Enjoy a few pictures from her special day as she turned 21 months...

Weekend 10/19, Part 2

On Sunday, we went to church, then spent a little while in the afternoon at the Mill Mountain Star. Lastly, we had dinner at Logan's, and Emma was so funny!! Her BaBa had been gone since Friday, so she had to show off for him a little. Enjoy the pictures...

Weekend of 10/19, Part 1

On Saturday, Emma went on her first hayride. We went to Layman's farm with several other families and then to the Landes' where lots more families with children from China, and families still waiting on their babies had a wonderful time of fellowship.

Emma loved the pumpkins and the flowers, and had a great time playing with all the other children too. Enjoy some pics from the day...

Emma's first trip to Chuck E Cheese

This was a couple of weeks ago now that Emma went to Chuck E Cheese to spend an afternoon with her friend Karina who was adopted from Guatemala. We visited with Marcie, her children, and Lori, another wonderful friend who has really prayed for our adoption situation when we thought we wouldn't get Emma, and for her health since we got her home. We actually met both Marcie and Lori as we have met other adoptive families come home with their children - long before we were even close to having Emma.

God has so richly blessed us with new friends throughout our adoption journey! Enjoy the pics from our afternoon at Chuck E Cheese...

On another note, last night when we got back from Charlotte, we had an email from Emma's foster mother. Of course, the email we couldn't read, but she had attached two pictures at the bottom of her and her daughter. They look happy, and we pray that they are now feeling better about Emma now being with her forever family. We have sent them pictures 4 times now since being home so that they can tell how much we love Emma and how well she is adjusting.

Two months with our angel

One of God's most precious gifts was placed in our arms two months ago on Saturday. It is hard to believe we have now had this little angel for two whole months! It has been a very busy two months too!!

This weekend, we traveled to Charlotte, NC to visit our oldest son, Justin and his wife, Megan. This was the first time that Megan had gotten to meet her sister-in-law!

Before we left, we went downtown to the Harvest Festival. See some pics from the weekend.

Weekend of 10/05/07

We got home from Florida on Friday afternoon, and were picked up at the airport by NaNa (Regina's mom). We went home, and Emma played with MaMa and NaNa for a while. This time, I have pictures with MaMa.

On Saturday, we unpacked from Florida, and re-packed to go and visit wonderful friends, Roger and Michelle. They will be leaving soon to get their darling little daughter from China, Meigan Grace. Emma loved them! They gave her a gift, which she loved, and she just played and played with them. She entertained us all day Sunday.

On Monday, we went to Baltimore, to Johns Hopkins to see Dr. Carson. He will be the one to do Emma's surgery when the time comes.

Enjoy the pictures of our weekend...

Wednesday night and Thursday

Wednesday night we went back to the Magic Kingdom so Emma could see the Country Bear Jamboree. She loved it! She clapped and sang, and yelled, "Yeah, Yeah!" the whole time.

Thursday, we went to MGM Studios where we saw lots of really cool things including a stunt show that was fascinating. They showed how some stunts are done in movies. Emma loved the parade at MGM too. It included lots of floats and Disney characters.

After we left MGM, we had dinner with another family from the St. Augustine area who has been home only 2 and a half weeks with their daughter from China. They went through all the same problems we did with two different agencies invloved. Their daughter, Ellie Tian is just beautiful. And, the Bodo's are a wonderful family, and we really enjoyed meeting you all in person!!