Home at last.



My first time to hold Ruthey!  These are the two ladies that brought Ruthey from orphanage. 





Our first embrace. 





Kailey and Ruthey after her first bath.





proud daddy!!





Kailey, Ruthey and Brady on the famous "red couch" at the White Swan Hotel.




Dinner with our new friends.  They made the trip so much better.





Ruthey with her new outfit from Aunt Alisa.  Precious!!




Ruthey with Aunt Alisa. 



Ruthey's "red couch" photo




Aunt Alisa just had to put these boots on her.  They are just a little big :).





Ruthey and Henry.  She loves him!!



Cutie pie!!




Ruthey with Andy and Susan Jordan




Ruthey and her proud Grandma!!




Ruthey with Roy and Deby Franklin

Reflecting back through the past five years, I can honestly say "it was all worth it".  The wait was tough at times, but God always pulled us through.  He was faithful to give us just what we needed for those struggling days.  We all are so grateful we never gave up.  Ruthey is perfect for us.  God is all ready changing our hearts and really stirring within each of us a more passionate heart for orphans.  There are 147 million across the world.  We'd ask each of you to really search your hearts on how the Lord would prompt you to help one of them.  He calls us all... just in different ways. Thank you all for encouraging us through the wait.  Many of you have walked this same journey and I so appreciate your words of wisdom. 
Now, on a lighter note...
Thursday evening we were welcomed home by a huge crowd.  Thank you all!!  Words can not express how much that meant to us. We were in awe!  After living here just a few months, God has all ready blessed us with all of you.  We praise Him for that.  Several of you drove in from out of town (TN and AR).  We are so glad you did and are grateful you were there.  Thank you to those of you who contributed to the "full refrigerator" and goodies left on the counter.  I know several of you took part in this.  Thanks!!  Thank you to the Gardunia's for caring for our two dogs (Henry and Lola) while we were gone.  Lola and Henry especially thank you.  Otherwise, they would have stayed in a kennel.  AND... by the way, we were concerned Ruthey would be terrified of Henry and Lola.  She is not!!  She loves them. 
As for Ruthey.... She's happy to be home.  Her sleep is all messed up.  Hopefully, we'll be able to get her on "our time" and back to sleeping at least 8 hours a night.  Right now, she's only sleeping a max of 4 hours.  Needless to say, mom and dad are a little tired.  I think she's so over stimulated and afraid of what she's going to miss if she goes to sleep.  Although she's not sleeping as much, she is still such a happy baby.  That smile just melts all our hearts.  Just wait till each of you see it up close and personal. 


It was so neat to see the blog after coming home.  Not sure if you all knew it or not, but we could not view the blog (or FB) while in China.  My friend, Susan Jordan, posted everything for us.  I sent her emails and she posted.  Looking through the blog, I realize just how many pictures never made it through.  That was a daily struggle.  Not sure why, but we had lots of failures as far as pictures were concerned.  So, I'm going to post lots of old pictures and several new ones.  Hope you all enjoy. 


My friend Missi is expecting the blog to be updated daily by 7 am (lol).    I can't make any promises on that.  Many of you know blogging is not typically my thing.  Enjoy it while it lasts.  I 'll make every effort to keep it up as much a possible.  Ruthey all ready has me on my toes.