A Tribute to My New Grandbaby....

P.S. Nammyland, Final Night

All week, Lysse has been climbing out of her baby bed when she didn't want to go to sleep. I have a fear that she will tumble over the top railing and hit the hardwood floors with a bang! So, tonight when I put her to bed, she cried (like usual , but for just a minute), but when I went to look in on her, she was out of that bed! I rocked again and asked her if she was ready to get back in her bed. She promptly told me, "no!" Ususally, she agrees to go to bed with NO problem...oh, no, not tonight...she would have none of that baby bed. So.............I asked her about the big girl bed and she quickly said, "es!" I put her down, with pillows all around her (and on the floor too), and she went straight to sleep! When I checked in on her a few minutes later, this is what I saw...

She was sound asleep in the big girl bed....BYE BYE BABY BED!!!! (sorry em)

Nammyland, Last Full Day!

We went to the church to play in the play-scape...we had loads of fun jumping and playing!

Today we went to Nammy's school and found Mommy, Daddy, Avery, and Baby Ashley on the map! See!

Then we had a "blast from the past"...When Emily and Stephen were little, the Big Red gas station opened and we would sometimes walk down there to buy a treat. I took the little ones down there and told them the story of their mommy and Ally said, "cool!" We bought m&ms, jelly beans, and MY favorite, Airhead (no comments please!). This is the kids on the way home enjoying their purchases..... are they cute or what????

Sorry, the pictures are in the wrong order, but I bet you can figure it out!

Tomorrow we head out for Nana and Pop's house in Oxford...Ally is thrilled to be heading home! Pray for a safe trip for us!

A Day Marked in History

Whether you voted for Barack Obama or not, you have to at least recognize the importance of this day in history. A day that will be written in the history books as a significant marker in our nation's life. Only in this great country of ours, could this day happen. All around the world there are segments of each culture that are struggling for recognition, for a rightful place of appreciation and respect in their land. For the Arab world, it is the oppressed women. In China, females are not valued (as evidenced by the orphanages full of baby girls that no one wants.) In America, people with disabilities fight for accessibility and services. While today's events do not indicate that we have "arrived", it marks the beginning of tolerance and respect. Today, my black children at school see what they "can" be. What a gift today is for the generation of school children. My children at school hold their heads up a little higher. I am so glad I was alive to see this day happen. God Bless America and May His Light Guide Our New President.

Nammyland, Day Four

Day four....wow! where does time go??? We started off this morning with a few "rules" for the duration...I think my "teacher" voice is coming out! The last three days, the girls have "grazed" all day. Nothing seems to satisfy their tastebuds. Food ended up either being thrown, dropped (for the dog) or just not eaten and they were always wanting something else...It seemed like all I did all day was put food on plates then throwing it all away. So, this morning I fixed a breakfast buffet of sorts. They could have anything on the buffet they wanted: donuts, applesause, cheese toasts, grits, juice. Annalyse loved it, but my Ally would rather have "ordered" breakfast! Once breakfast was finished, I CLOSED THE KITCHEN! YIPPPPEEEEE!

Next, Ally was dying to see Snow White..and I got the VCR to work so she was in heaven. After that, my friend Cheryl came over and went with us to the nail salon where Ally was pampered with a pedicure! She was so cute in that little "bear" chair! Cheryl's job was to keep up with "rootin, tootin," Lysse. I told Cheryl to bring her lasso, but she forgot it! Ally loved the pampering. She felt so "girly!" She got to pick out her nail color and the lady painted a flower on her big toes! She has been so careful all day not to bump her feet on furniture. She really wants to show Mommy and Daddy her pretty toes.

Then uncle Stephen came over and brought us some more apple juice and 2 new passies for Lysse. She was thrilled,,,she went to bed with both of them! Speaking of bed (emily, I hope you read this)...Lysse has been climbing out of her bed REGULARLY! I hope you don't think she is going to stay in a baby bed much longer...She really wants to sleep with Ally, but maybe another night.

Stay tuned for Nammyland, Day 5! Tomorrow is going to be cold, so I think we may watch movies and make some chocolate cupcakes...yummmmm,

Nammyland, Day Three

This is what day 3 looked like from my eyes!!! One big blur!!!! "Mamma said there'd be days like this, there'd be days like this, my mamma said!" and she was right! Just one glimpse into yesterday.....during community group discussion (at my house) Annalyse decided she had had it with all those clothes on....yep, striped down to her birthday suit and REFUSED to let me put a diaper on her...and I mean REFUSED!... 'nuf said! Ahhhh, the joys of being a grandmother.................!!!!!

Nammyland, Day Two

I woke the kids up this morning at 8:00..I like that "early to bed, early to rise" saying....especially, that first part....anyway, I fixed scrambled eggs with yogurt and bananas. They ate like champs...then off to get dressed and head to the stores. Our first stop was Radio Shack for a new cord for the car DVD player (did you hear that Emily?)... fortuneately, we were the only ones there because the lady had to open a few boxes to make sure the cord fit the player...Meanwhile, the little ones "looked" around. The "looked" with their little hands! Yep, while I was trying to talk to the poor lady that was trying to help me, I chased Lysse all around the store. I finally gave up and just picked her up...bad, bad, idea! She arched that back like an Olympic gymnastic and wanted DOWN! "Down, mimi, down!" The lady sensed my need to split quickly and found the right one...finally!
Next stop, the Dollar Tree...as we drove up, Ally announced, "O.K. evewybody, let's say together, IT'S TIME TO GO TO THE DOLLAR TREE! On the way in, I told Ally she could get 5 things...we left with 15!...Hey, I'm a pushover! Our last stop was the accessory store. Ally has wanted a "beautiful bracelet" since yesterday, so I obliged and went in and headed straight for the children's jewelry...I wanted to put blinders on them, but didn't have any with me. We chose a bracelet and out the door to home we went!
Home for some lunch and a nap, then Stephen (God love him) took them from 2-4:30 to his friend's house (Neal). Neal and his wife, Crystal, have 2 kids.....4 and 2...great! The girls played dress up and the two little ones played in Owen's room...They had a "GWEAT TIME!" said Ally.
Busy, busy, day...tired kids, tired Nammy....lovin' this!
And the BEST part of the day. We have a routine that at night, when it's almost bedtime, we sit by the fire and read stories in Nammy's lap. The house is quiet and they are still....sittin' with Nammy....makes everything wonderful. I am savoring every sweet moment because this may never happen again......I love their little voices, their little hands, their little bodies, all snuggled up with me. It doesn't get much better than this....................................................

Welcome to Nammyland!

They're here, they're here! We all made the trip from Memphis without a hitch. Day one we hit the floor running and I mean running. Two year olds run until they drop!
Alleyisms:
While driving back
Ally: Stephen, when we get to Nammy's and we finish the tea party, can you marry us?
Stephen: You want me to marry who?
Ally: Me and Annalyse and Nammy!

We had the tea party but because Lysse only slept about 45 min in the car, it went south in a hurry. My phone rang and Stephen was left as the tea party hostess. Ally walked into the living room where I was with all the dishes in tow and reported, "Nammy, we cannot have a tea party, it's a vewy bad tea party. Lysse is NOT being vewy nice!"

Annalyse was in FULL MOTION. She was running on adreniline trying not to fall on her face from being so tired! She managed to rearrange the living room except for the couch(only because it was too heavy to move) and drag every toy out of the bedroom. She pranced in here like she owned the place! She went to "her" room and promptly pointed to the crib and said "lysse bed"...then to Ally's room and said, "ally bed"...

As soon as the tea party was over, Ally wanted to paint. I got out the "paint with water" book (God love who ever thought of that idea...what a genius!) and we painted with q-tips. Nammy forgot to get paint brushes, so that is on our dollar store list for today. We are going to the dollar store this morning. Ally wants a "purse full of money, just like Avery has in China!".....will post later with pictures (having a tech. difficulty with my camera and pics)

A Momma's Love

Today was Gotcha Day! Today, we all saw Ashley Mei Hao Flynt for the first time! Today, Emily got to "feel" her dream. You see, a momma's love for her children, begins in her heart, long before she ever lays eyes on her baby. It's irrelevent whether you give birth to a baby or adopt, babies are born in a momma's heart. It's a momma's heart that nurtures, loves, warms and touches that fragile life "within" you. When I was a little girl I would dream of becoming a mommy. Emily did as well. Years of preparing our "mommy" hearts we thought of our babies and longed to hold them close.

This mommy's heart gave birth today to a beautiful little girl. Your mommy has longed to craddle you, sing to you, feel your warm little body close to hers. You, Ashley, were born in your mommy's heart a long time ago and today she got to love you in her arms.

The MOMENT Is Fast Approaching

The moment that we have longed for, for soooooo long, is within hours. No one knows what the day will bring, but I can't WAIT to see the "birth" of my new grandbaby! The moment that she is brought in to meet Emily, Jay, and Avery will be overwhelming to us all. I don't know if I will be able to sleep tonight or not. They will call and video the computer as soon as they can, but maybe, just maybe they will call me as well. What a day to remember....next post...pictures!

The "Eagle" has landed, Houston!!

It is true! They have landed in Beijing! Stephen and I tracked the flight online through a flight tracking website and watched in REAL time, the plane inching towards Beijing. WOW! They flew over the Artic Ocean at the top of the world!! Emily called this morning about 5 A.M. to say they had arrived and were settled into the hotel. They are exhausted, but will go to bed for the night. It is about 7 PM Friday night there. Will post more later...oh, p.s. Talked to Ally and Lysse last night and they are doing GREAT! They made cookies with Cyndy and played all day. They were getting ready for bed and were excited about going to Nana and Pop's house and then on to Nammy's. Thank you Lord for all you have done ...for safe travel, for the little ones and their ease of seperation, and for all the things you are doing to prepare our little Ashley to join this family. All for now.....

One Day Closer to Ashley Mei!

They are leaving today for China! Stephen decided that while Emily is out of the country, he doesn't need to go hunting....just in case something were to happen..God forbid...After a looooonng plane ride they will land in Beijing to start their unbelievable adventure to bring home our baby. You can follow their trip on http://www.journeytoashleimei.blogspot.com/

LOVE YOU GUYS AND AM PRAYING FOR A SMOOTH PLANE RIDE! Avery, you will NEVER forget this trip and will learn soooooooooooo much while you are gone.

A Prayer for My Family

This was posted on Ashley's blog today. It was an email sent to Emily and Jay...


Dear Travel Group 142,
The day you have long been waiting for has finally arrived! You are about to meet your precious child face to face! The America World staff shares in your joy as this day quickly approaches. Like most incredible life experiences, your trip to China will be both amazing and challenging. As Paul encouraged the Romans, so we also encourage you with this verse: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)Please know that you will be in our prayers throughout your time in China. We look forward to talking with you upon your return, and hearing all about your trip. If you will be posting pictures or updates to a blog while you travel we would love to have the link and follow along. We are thankful for the blessing of walking alongside you throughout this journey. May God bless this final chapter of your adoption process!


Dear Lord,
As I sit here tonight anticipating the "birth" of my fourth grandbaby, so many things are going thru my mind. I realize that all the anxiety I have about the trip, about keeping Ally and Annalyse, about mine and Joanns travel should all be given to you. So, with a humble heart I come to your feet Father and ask for many things. I pray for safe travel for my precious family, as they leave the comfort of the USA and travel to a distant land to pick Ashley up. I pray that the flight is uneventful and without unexpected delays. I pray for the weather to give them a smooth ride and landing. I ask you Father to keep Avery, Emily and Jay in your safe arms.
Because Emily is leaving Ally and Annalyse with Joann and I, I ask that she have a complete peace about it. I ask you Lord that the seperation will be smooth and that Ally and Annalyse will be comforted by their family while their mommy and daddy are gone. I also pray for Joann and I that while the little ones are in our care, that they remain healthy and happy.
I ask that You prepare Ashley's little heart to know that the mommy and daddy she will be leaving China with, were hand picked by You. I pray that her little heart will not be broken when she is not around the people who have loved and cared for her for over a year. I pray for Ashley's foster parents that they will rejoice in her adoption and be comforted by Your hand as I know it will be very difficult for them. Thank you Lord for their gift of love that they have given to Ashley throughout the whole time they have been caring for her. I also thank you Lord for the birthmother. I know that leaving her at the orphanage gate was the most difficult day of her life. I ask that you give her a sense of peace that her baby is loved and well cared for. What a gift she has given to our family.
Lastly I give You all the praise and glory for such an incredible gift of Ashley. It has been thru You, that "all things are possible." ....even when no one knew how or where all the money was going to come from or who our new baby was going to be. How humbled I am to see Your Hand in all of this adoption process.
In Your Son's Holy Name I pray..
amen