Jacob's "Gotcha Day"

January 21st doesn't hold special meaning for most people in this world at all. However, for my family it does! Jan. 21st 2010 was the day our family was complete through the blessing of adoption.

It was the day where 6 children 4 from the same orphanage were ushered into a small hallway in a Beijing hotel and handed over  to people they had never seen or even heard about. Six beautiful and wonderfully made children left everything they had known and were given the chance at a new life with parents and siblings that loved them more then anything know to man. Their faces were no longer just pictures we had stared at for almost 9  months but they were there and the children we had longed to meet. He legally became ours forever January 22nd at the Civil Affairs office in Beijing.

One very scared little boy who had no idea what was about to happen learned quickly how fast pictures were taken. He was overwhelmed by all the new sights and sounds. He had no idea we were coming until an hour before we met him. I will never forget watching him Miss. K, Miss. M and Mr. A walk through the revolving doors at our hotel oh if only I had taken the camera at that moment. It felt like years riding up on that elevator to the 7th floor where he legally became ours after my parents signed a few papers and all I could do was stare at him and he looked at me like I was some crazy white person.

China was a very hard time for us and the last two years he has pushed us and challenged us more then anything. But, I wouldn't change it for the world. I love the young man he is becoming and love watching him grow. He has changed so much from that naughty, active,  mischievous little boy we got in China he is now a loving caring big brother to the Princess and a wonderful little brother to me. Oh how I LOVE being the big sis to a little brother (hehe)!!!! 

I love you to the moon and back Jacob and I thank God that he chose me to be you big sister. I cannot wait to see the young man you will become and I love watching you grow and change each day. Happy family day little guy! Their is such a difference in the little boy we got back in 2010 and who he is today the pictures are proof!!

In case you were wondering this was taken right before we got Jacob

 it just shows how excited I was to get a little brother!

 

First picture with Jacob! (He was very scared on that day!)

He has told us since that before that day he didn't know

how to smile now he smiles all the time cause he is happy!!!

Halloween 2011

Late last year at dinner in TN

He really does love kisses!!

Beach 2011 Watching a movie with the

Princess just cause she wanted to

Christmas 2011 he was so happy!!

We also celebrate this day with four other families and we are forever woven by it! Happy Family day to the Rice Family, Glass Family, Perry and Yingling families as well. I have loved watching your children grow these last two years and cannot wait to see what is in store for them in the future. Can't wait to see you all again soon love you guys very much!

First Day of Classes 2nd semester!

Well to say the least I am EXHAUSTED and it wasn't even a normal Tuesday. I have 5 yes 5 classes on a normal Tuesday and I might just die! I have class from 9:30 until 10 pm with a break from 12:15 until 2 for lunch and a nap since snowboarding starts next Tuesday and it is my late class.

Overall I couldn't have asked for a better day though it was just long won't lie. I have a feeling it is going to be a wonderful semester! My Sociology professor seems to be a hoot! I have the same Watauga teacher and Economics might be a wee bit boring but I have it with two close friends so it shouldn't be too bad!

I am really looking forward to tomorrow however only one class and it doesn't start until 3:30ish so I am sleeping in. Then only one more day left in the week and I am done so glad I do not have Friday classes!!!

Nothing New...

Well I know its been a few days but nothing has really been going on around here! We head back to ASU Friday night which will be interesting to say the least! I miss Boone and all my friends up there classes not so much. I am looking forward to this semester and have high hopes for it!

Friday I had an interview for an internship that works with inner-city children helping them with their reading and writing skills. I am hoping to hear good news about that in a few weeks.

I have worked a day or two here and there at Dai Queen aka the Drama Queen. Place hasnt changed since I left in June last year. Can't say I have missed that place much but it is nice being able to work a few days and make some money.

This past weekend was mainly just relaxing watched a few movies. Fireproof is by far one of the best movies I have ever seen!! Loved every second of that movie! Cannot wait for Courageous to come out on DVD!!

New Years

Yeah I know it's a little late but at least I got to better late then never I guess. My New Years Eve and Day were amazing! Quality time spent with family. We went up to the lake Saturday morning and spent a good bit of the day at my Maw Maws with Jeff's sister (My Aunt Leslie) and her kids. It is always quite fun when we are all together. Me and Claire brought in the New Year Watching Despicable Me, quite a good movie if I must say. We also watched Hangover two later in the day and that movies continues to crack me up.

I didn't take any pictures sorry... It was a relaxing weekend to say the least not much other to post but be sure to keep checking back often for updates I am going to try to post more often this year we will see how it goes so far so good.

My Awesome Amazing Roommate!!!

So as many know I am rooming with only the most amazing person ever!! She is wonderful I absolutly love her! She is an International exchange student from Xi'an China. Literlly the Chinese version of me it's quite funny! But since most of my blog readers haven't met her I thought I would introduce you to Claire Chen. She is funny, amazing, smart, and all of the above! I love my roommate and could not have hand picked a better one. She keeps me and line and most importantly can handle all of my craziness which can be a little frustrationg to some!

New Years Post will come a day late sorry!! Tomorrow I will post about it Claire was more important!! I will add more to her post as well so youe can all meet the amazing person I love with!!

Taylor :)

Pictures as promised

So as promised here are some of our Christmas pictures none of the Princess's Birthday they are on a different card. Our Christmas was wonderful we celebrated Christmas Eve with extended family at the yearly Christmas party. It is so nice seeing everyone and seeing how all the little ones have grown. Christmas day Started with Lily getting up way to early and then ripping into her gifts before I was even up she even opened Jacob's gift. She got everything princess a bike and now owns just about every princess gown ever made! Jacob got some electric race track thing a movie and some games and other things that I have no idea what they are called. We spent the day at our Maw Maw's eating way to much as usual but when you are in college home cooked food is amazing!

Jeff and everyone playing music Chistmas Eve at the family gathering

Jacob on Christmas Day waiting not so paitently to open his gift at Maw maws

Jacob opening his pesent

The Princess and he new nursey

Jacob with his new remote control thing

Eating Ice Cream in her new princess jammies!

The cousins Cameron and Lauren. (Ihad to threaten to take this one)

Jeff putting together Lily's present!

Home for Christmas

I am home for Christmas and loving it!! I have missed the family! It is sad that my first semester of college is over but a sigh of relief has been felt! I have loved everything about ASU! I love where I live, my roommates, my floor, the people I have met, my RA is amazing and he is a UC kid!!

This semester has been wonderful couldn't have asked for better my professors were great and I even had some great grades to finish off with and made the Dean's list! So I cannot complain.

I am looking forward to Christmas this time of the year happens to be my favorite minus the cold (which the south isn't experiencing) knocking on wood. I am not a fan of the cold but that is ok gives me a reason to snuggle under a blanket and stay indoors.

The littles are doing great! The princess is happy that I sissy is home hasn't left my side since I got home last Friday! I love that little girl so much she is a darling and has so much attitude. Lily had her birthday last Saturday she is now 4 sniff sniff she is growing up I miss the little baby we brought home from China 3 years ago!

But on a more exciting note over this Christmas season 4 children have met their forever families. I know all 3 of the families that adopted these children and they all hold a special place in my heart. Please for those that have continue to pray and for those just reading this now please pray for the Cross family the Rice family and the Yingling family. The Yingling's arrived home tonight with their beautiful daughter Cami you can follow them here the Rice family also has a blog here. The Rice's and Cross's both arrive home New Years Eve so continue to pray for safe travels and that all the littles will adjust to a new time zone.

I think this is all for now I will post pictures of our Christmas and The Princess's birthday later. Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Years as well!!