Six Months Ago

Referral picture, Meeting Grace, Today (sorry, the pictures aren't in order)
Six months ago our lifes changed. We walked into a hotel conference room and met our youngest daughter. She was not happy to see us, just the opposite. Everything she ever knew was about to change. I often ask her if she likes it better here. Of course she doesn't answer and or even understand what I am asking. She was in a foster home and well taken care of. Her story is the opposite of Julia's. There was never a question about where Julia would receive better care. Grace would not have remained in that foster home, foster parents usually are not allowed to adopt. We are so thankful we were chosen to parent this child. Even when she was given to us crying and screaming we knew that one day she would come to love us. God doesn't make mistakes, he knew that this little girl was meant to be a Braxton.

The Circus

I have always loved the circus. Last night we took Grace to her first circus. To be honest she liked it for about the first 5 minutes. She was good for the whole thing but she would have been perfectly happy to leave. Zachary, Julia, and Dallas loved it though. Julia was alittle obsessed with getting a snack. We allowed her one that she choose for her and Grace to split. Of course after finishing her cotton candy she then wanted Zachary's Snocone. We arrived early so the kids could experience the preshow activities. Zachary was chosen to do a skit with the clown. He basically couldn't move and had to hold the clown's coat on his hand.

Don't worry Nicholas was at home being Kristopher's butler. Kristopher didn't like the term babysitter. He said Nicholas could be his butler. The tickets were bought before we knew Kristopher would be getting his wisdom teeth taken out. He was experiencing pain from his wisdom teeth pressing on other teeth and his 12 years molars couldn't come in because his wisdom teeth were partially on top of them. So he didn't want to delay it. If he wasn't doing well either Dallas or I would have stayed with him.

Mom

Mom seems to be improving. She is still in the hospital. They are waiting for tests results before they decide when they will release her.

Happy New Year!

Yes, you read that right. Today is New Year's Day in China. We went to a Chinese New Year's festival a couple of weeks ago. We would have enjoyed Chinese food tonight if we didn't have tickets to the circus. We plan to do this sometime this weekend. I did get some pictures of Grace today. As she gets older we will try and do more for the Chinese New Year. Below is a brief description of the Chinese New Year that I got off another website.

The Chinese New Year that is celebrated for about fifteen days is one moment in the year when the whole nation feels united as they can imagine each other's enjoyment. The Chinese New Year gets determined by the Lunar calendar and therefore it is sometimes called the Lunar New Year. In 2008, the Chinese Lunar Year Festival would start from 7 th of February. As every one is aware of its significance, the working people in china can take weeks of holidays so that they can join the company of their near and dear ones and a feast with their family members on the Lunar New Year's Eve. Although with the changing times and increasing mobility of the people the celebration of Chinese New Year Festival has undergone some changes, everybody still very fervently follow all the customs that their elders have taught them.

Kristopher

I am happy to report Kristopher has done great! He has had very little pain. Soon after arriving home he was playing guitar hero and drinking a milk shake. So far so good. We have heard Day 2 is worse so we shall see.

Prayers Please

Please pray for my Mom tonight. Dad and my sister took her to the emergency room Monday night. After spending all night there they were released. After Dad took her to her primary care doctor today, she wanted Mom to be admitted to the hospital. She has an UTI and a cold. The doctor felt it would be easier to care for Mom in the hospital and that she could be closely monitored. It is so hard not being there to help out. We will see what the doctor says tomorrow and I will decide what to do.

Also, pray for Kristopher. His wisdom teeth are being removed tomorrow morning. We know he will be fine but he is very nervous. He hasn't had much experience with doctors since he was very young. Since about 4 years of age, he has been very healthy.

I Can Make A Difference

I don't know why it took me so long to post this. Back in the fall Nicholas had to do this project at school. The title was I can make a difference. He could make a collage, write a paper, prepare a dance(yeah, right),or make a movie. He chose to make a movie. We were very proud of his movie. If he chose to he could enter it in the PTAs yearly contest. Of course he chose to enter it. We know he made it to the county level and are waiting to see how he did.