Final Post - New Blog

Well, the time has come to end this blog. With two little ones at home, keeping up with two blogs is a bit much. It's easier to focus on one blog rather than two. We've had thousands of hits from all over the world on Mia's blog and I hope that everyone will continue to follow her story at our new family blog. You can find it at:

www.gigglesandcurls.blogspot.com

Thanks to all of you that followed our journey from our first post, to our trip to India to meet Mia, bringing her home and all of the adventures since. We've appreciated your support and encouraging posts. Please come visit our new blog! The story continues...

Bollywood

I saw this clip featured on CNN's website several weeks ago and LOVED it! I didn't even think about posting it on my blog until I saw it on another blog. Great idea...I'm gonna steal it! He, he, he! Anyway, enjoy a small taste of bollywood!

CNN's Larry King Live

Steven Curtis Chapman and his family will be guests on CNN's Larry King Live tonight (Thursday). As some of you may know, Steven Curtis Chapman has been a huge adoption advocate and has adopted 3 daughters from China. They recently lost one of their adopted daughters to a tragic accident at their home. They will be speaking tonight about adoption, their recent tragedy and their faith.

Happy 10th

Today is our 10th anniversary! We would have never known 10 years ago how much we would go through together. Life has thrown us some curveballs at times, but more importantly we've been blessed by the greatest joys in life. Through it all we've had each other and for that I'm forever grateful.

The Ever Interesting Ms. M!

Here are some new pics of Miss Personality. If you want to check out Mia's sister's blog you can find it at www.emysjourney.blogspot.com.

Coming soon...MIA'S FIRST CRUSH! Oh, and it's a big one!

Enjoy the slideshow!

OrphanCare International

This is a video from OrphanCare International, an organization born from Dillon International. Mia (as a baby) is shown about half-way through the video (after the white screen that says "Act"). Ian, her little buddy, is also shown in the video.

Prayers for the Chapmans

Tragedy Strikes Steven Curtis Chapman Family
May 23, 2008 12:05 PM
By Suzanne Kayian
LiveDaily Contributor

Steven Curtis Chapman's 5-year-old daughter, Maria Sue, died May 21 after being struck by a car driven by her teenage brother in the driveway of the family's home near Franklin, TN, according to a statement on the Christian singer's website. The girl was air-lifted to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, where she died of her injuries.

A spokesperson for the Tennessee Highway Patrol said Maria was hit by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by her brother, but police have not released the boy's name or exact age. Several children reportedly were playing in the area of the driveway. Police said the boy did not see Maria before the vehicle struck her. "It appears to be a terrible accident," said THP spokesperson Laura McPherson. No charges are expected to be brought.

The accident was witnessed by two other children; Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth, have six children. Maria Sue was the youngest.

A public memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. at Christ Presbyterian Church. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Shaohannah's Hope Ministry, which was founded by the Chapmans after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry's goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption and has provided grants to more than 1,700 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world. The China-born Maria was one of the Chapmans' three children who found their parents via international adoption.

Chapman has called off his planned Saturday (5/24) concert in Orlando, FL.

_____________________

Before the this tragedy struck, Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter, Maria, inspired him to write this song. The words seem somewhat ironic now.




Steven Curtis Chapman is very well known in the adoption world for his courageous efforts to raise awareness for international adoption. Our prayers are with the Chapman family as they cope with this tragic loss...and especially for Maria's brother who will always live with the guilt of that tragic day.

Mia's B-day Party

Mia's actual b-day is the 20th, but we celebrated early this year. Hope you enjoy the pics!

Mia's Little Sister's First Laughing Fit

"Sometimes I'd like to ask God why He allows poverty, famine, and injustice in the world when He could do something about it...but I'm afraid God might ask me the same question." ~Anonymous

IMAX Movie - Mystic India

New Pics

Merry Christmas!

Halloween and a Homecoming

mia and her gramma... spencer, luke and mia

our fairy princess...fake eyelashes, glitter and all!

sisters...together at last!

after 3 months in the hospital, mia's baby sister finally came home!

The Wink

Mia's wink - sound affects included! With a click of the tongue you get two for the price of one!

Mia decided to sleep in her rocker this afternoon! She really didn't want to take a nap and when I noticed that she was finally quiet I peeked in and saw her laying like this. Too cute, huh?

Hall's Hayride

Mia and Blake at the Hall Family Hayride - A nice, friendly handshake before a rowdy game of "let's run circles around Hiley & Brian until we puke"




Mia on Uncle Dave's Tractor

India Camp 2007

Mia's a big sis...three months too soon!

Our new blog...

http://emysjourney.blogspot.com/

June 2006

















July 2007

Mia and her cousin Luke & Uncle Chuck















If you haven't yet seen Mia's homecoming video, it's on the previous post.

Mia's Homecoming Video

I FINALLY FIGURED OUT HOW TO POST THIS! This is a video of Mia's homecoming that my mother and I made last December. It's one of Mia's favorite things to watch. I hope you enjoy it as well.

Don't forget to turn up your volume!
(just click the arrow twice to play the video)

It's A...

GIRL!

Mia's going to have a little sister this November! I'll post the ultrasound pics soon...

Cancun Cutie!

All in One - Our 1st Gotcha Day & Mother's Day

These amazing pictures (in the slide) were taken by our friend, Carl. He is very talented and has an eye for creative and artistic photography. If you'd like to check out his other work just click on this link:

http://www.carlzoch.com/

I'll also attach his site to my links list to the right.

It's hard to believe that we've only known Mia for 1 year now. Sunday, along with celebrating Mother's Day, we also celebrated our 1st Gotcha Day with Mia. It was one year ago on that day that we first met Mia in Kolkata, India. As we left our hotel to take our cab ride to the orphanage we had never felt more prepared and yet unprepared at the same time. The moment that we'd been thinking about for 2 1/2 years was finally here. We pulled up to the orphanage and were escorted in. As we climbed the stairs to the offices, my eyes darted in all directions hoping that by chance I'd catch a glimpse of her. No Mia, just adults, but I knew with each stair step I was getting closer. Dustin and I made ourselves comfortable in two big chairs facing the administrative workers. Anju, the director, had not yet arrived so Dustin and I were left to wait...like two kids on Christmas morning...hearts pounding with anticipation. But this was no Oklahoma Christmas...this was the kind of Christmas were the air was so thick and hot you could almost taste it and we were practically sweating through our clothes. All of that faded from our minds when, as we waited, we could hear babies crying in the background. I strained to hear each one hoping to recognize her voice from the video we had received 6 months earlier. Just then Anju hurried up the stairs, apologized for being late and whisked us into her office. "Where's my baby?", I kept thinking, but I tried to restrain myself and pretend to listen to what she was saying. Just then I heard footsteps behind us. Heart pounding, I turned around and in the doorway, being held by an ayah was our precious Supritha. What happened next I only remember through video. The next thing I know she was in my arms. So tiny, so observant and not even crying...just studying everything. She was wearing a shirt that said "Marie", which I thought was ironic because "Mia" is a form of "Marie". Each day that has followed has only reminded us of the love God has for us that he would bring us such a gift. She is a part of us and was long before she was born. She was meant to be with us and us with her. I am a true believer in the plan God has for our lives...I can't wait to see the plan he has for hers.

Mia and Bear the day we met...

Mia and bear today...