One Year Ago Today

Exactly one year ago today we saw Nadia’s face for the first time. We anxiously paced around the house that morning, waiting on the phone call we knew we’d be receiving that would let us know about our future daughter or son. That phone call and the next hour or so of waiting for them to scan and email the photos to us made it a seriously emotional day. Here’s a link to the posts we made that day. The next day or two I was worthless at work, and the next six weeks before we traveled to China were about the slowest six weeks of my life.

Not a single day has gone by since that I have not thanked God for her and for giving me the privilege of being her father. It is a humbling experience to see how wonderful she is and realize that God chose me of all people to be her father. I am blessed with the most supportive and loving wife in the world, and the greatest daughter that anyone could ever hope for. It is truly more than I deserve.

Here’s my new favorite picture of Nadia. I love it because it captures an aspect of her personality that we see often but don’t photograph as much…the intensity and seriousness with which she analyzes the things around her. I think that intensity is the reason she is so advanced for her age.

Nadia - Hands in Pockets

And here is my favorite referral day photo:

Nadia's Referral Photo

Thankful Thursday

June 3-5, 2008
June 3-5, 2008 (click to see album)

I am so thankful for my life! Mike often says, “You have the life!” when he is watching me with Nadia. I always say, “I know and THANKS!!” But teasing aside, it’s true. I am so grateful that I get to stay home with Nadia and teach her about the world. Mike working his job allows me to work for the church part time and volunteer for World Vision to help children here and abroad. So on that note, here are some shots from this week:

Nadia got some super cute pink Cowgirl boots from Alyssa. Alyssa’s parents were our secret pals during the wait and I think of them often when Nadia uses the gifts they sent for her. Both girls are stinkin’ cute!

Boots Dancing

Nadia and I went to the zoo Monday morning because they opened early to members and it was great. They had free doughnuts and bottled water near the entrance and special talks with the penguin and kangaroo keepers. I learned that penguins loose all the feathers at one time. They basically blow up like a balloon and then they all fall off at once. We were looking at the flamingos when this dude walked right up to the edge and started ‘talking’ to us. I could have touched him and Nadia thought it was awesome and talked back to him. Way cute!

Flamingo

Carousel rides were free all day and so we went for a ride. The Fredricks from church were in line behind us and every time we went around they would wave and say Hi to Nadia. She kept saying “more, more” and laughing at them.

Zoo - June 2nd
Zoo - June 2nd (click to see album)

The kangaroos were jumping more than I have ever seen and Nadia was bouncing around going “hop, hop!”

Kangaroos Nadia

And right before we left I swung by the cheetah area on the off chance I could see him. So the 10th time is a charm! Finally after all the years of visiting the zoo I got to see him!

Cheetah Cheetah

One day we went to story time at the library with some friends from church and then had lunch with Shawna and Jimmy which was nice. We also shopped for trees with Mike and here are a couple shots from that.

Tree shopping Tree shopping

And last of all SUPER NADIA returned! And that’s why I am thankful today for my life.

Super Nadia

Tracy Tagged Me

The rules: Posted here at the beginning. The player answers all questions. The player then chooses six people you want to know more about and tags those people by listing their names at the end of the post and going to their blog and leaving a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Also, you let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

  1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
    I was working at Del Frisco’s steakhouse as a server. We were about to have our 3 year anniversary and ended up on the most fantastic trip with the Bub and Laura’s family at Walt Disney World. 5 months later we would be in the car wreck that completely altered my perspective on how short life can be.
  2. What are five things on my to-do list today (not in any particular order)?
    Ship a package, make VBS videos about New Day Foster home, call the water department, find a speaker for KIDS HOPE training, water lawn.
  3. What snacks do I enjoy?
    More than anything – cookies. Snack crackers like goldfish. Saltines with peanut butter. Pretzels with peanut butter. Ice cream, brownies.
  4. What are some places I’ve lived?
    Oh my! California – Palm Desert, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo. Tucson, AZ. Albuquerque, NM. Texas – Houston, Fort Worth, North Richland Hills. I am sure there are some from my childhood that I don’t remember.
  5. What things would I do if I were a billionaire?
    Sponsor an ENTIRE ADP with World Vision. Support a ton of missionaries and other charities that are helping children. Go back to China for a longer time period and travel around. Visit Italy and eat a lot of great food. And the crazy thing would be to have a personal chef to come in a cook regularly.

I’m supposed to tag 6 bloggers by leaving a comment at their blog, but I’ll just name them here and they can decide if they want to do this. I am tagging:

  1. Tricia
  2. Stephanie R.
  3. Gina
  4. Jen
  5. Christina
  6. Jaquelyn

Road Trip for Bayli’s Graduation

Bayli Graduation Road Trip
Bayli Graduation Road Trip (click to see album)

Grammie, Nadia and I headed to Houston this weekend because my sister Bayli was graduating from high school. My Grammie was very excited because this was her first road trip with a great-grandchild and she wanted to continue her tradition. She started a road trip tradition when I was small – stop at some point on the way at Dairy Queen to have a blizzard. Here they are:

Dairy Queen

Once we arrived in Houston we spent some time visiting with Grandpa and Grandma and my dad ordered pizza and pasta from a fabulous place called Star Pizza. YUM!!! Here is Grandma Brooke and Nadia playing.

Grandma and Nadia

Then we all got ready for the graduation and headed over to the stadium. I would like to point out that the dress Nadia is wearing was made by Bayli for her to wear to the graduation. It’s so darn cute!!!

Before graduation

**Based on Kathy P’s comment I thought I should add that the photo above has 4 generations in it. Grammie, My Dad, Me and Nadia. Pretty cool!

Greg and Grammie Brooke and Greg

Grammie and Nadia Grammie and Nadia

While waiting after graduation Nadia walked Grandpa Greg all over the place. These 2 photos are just so sweet.

Walking with Grandpa Walking with Grandpa

The next morning we all headed over to La Madeline for brunch and a chance to visit with Bayli. Brooke took this photo of Nadia and I absolutely love it!!

Nadia

Grandpa, Nadia and Aunt Bayli after brunch.

Grandpa, Nadia and Bayli

Louanne, Nadia and Bayli

On the way home we decided to stop at the Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana. This place has been around since 1896. They are the most famous for their Fruit Cakes which they ship to 150 nations around the world each year. We stopped because of the billboards advertising 20 flavors of cookies each day!!! All the flavors we tried were wonderful, but Grammie and I agreed that they had best Macaroons either of us had ever tried!! They were Texas sized and melted in your mouth. Oh my gosh, it’s all about the food! Here we are – notice Nadia got a free sugar cookie.

Collin Street Bakery