Langley 6

Being silly at dinner

2008-04-28T16:00:00.000-07:00

We don't know what got into this little girl, but this night she was being soooo silly. We were all laughing at her which made her be even more silly!!
The new crossing the arms thing!! SOOO funny.
Yep..all the food that was on her hands are now in her hair!! We almost always have to have a bath after supper!
Look at that beautiful face!!
Looking at Zack..no telling why.. He's silly too!
Our sweet baby girl!!

My cute outfit

2008-04-28T15:55:00.000-07:00

Isn't she just the cutest thing??
She knows it here!! This outfit was given to us and I love it!! It's capri's and it's just so cute!

She finally figured it out.

2008-04-28T15:47:00.000-07:00

Olivia has looked and looked at my fireplace screen wondering how those logs got behind there, well she finally figured it out!! Now...how many times am I going to have to rescue her from behind there????
Here she goes!!
She made it!!!
Mad because it fell and she didn't like it!! Poor baby!

The latest accomplisment

2008-04-28T15:36:00.000-07:00

She has been trying for months to get on the couch by herself and she finally did it! She's getting so big. All we are thinking about is her falling off and hurting herself, but..God gave her the ability to do this so we know that He was protect her and hopefully keep her from getting hurt too bad if she does fall off!! HAHAHA
Finally, she's up there and with my phone!!
Can you see how proud she is of herself???
Now chillin, and with chips and my phone...see the chips on the couch??? And so it begins!!! :)

Our little princess!

2008-04-28T15:19:00.000-07:00

Olivia went to her first kids birthday party, Emma and Preston's, and this was a sticker in her goodie bag, and I thought it would be cute to put it on her head. She thought it was funny we were laughing at her, but quickly took it off!! :)

Our trip to Nashville!

2008-02-20T06:48:00.000-08:00

For our day off for President's day, Joy and the twins, Heather and her bun in the oven, Olivia and I took a trip to see Lana and Roman. We had a wonderful time, although it was short. The kids did great on the ride and at Lana's house. I love road trips with the girls, so I am ready to do it again!!! :) We all had a wonderful tme and I am glad that we all got to go...well Heather had ALMOST a wonderful time!! She's pregnant you know and the things that come with that aren't always that pleasant, but I am glad that she was able to go!
Luke, the "Blue" twin!! HAHA
Landon, the "Green" twin... People who know about these little boys know that Joy dresses Luke in blue and Landon in green so when I could do this with my camera, I thought it was neat!!
Joy, trying to feed the zoo!! HAHAHA
Sweet little Roman! 3 weeks old.

Don't know why all of them were leaning this way, but it's funny...Roman, Landon, Luke and Olivia!!! Best Buds!!

Mommy and her little girl!

2008-02-20T06:43:00.000-08:00

This beautiful dress was bought by Aunt Andy, Uncle Chris and the kids for Christmas...she looked beautiful in it!! Thank you!!
I didn't mean to, even though some say I did (ANTHONY :) but on this day we matched. I had just bought this shirt with a gift card from Anthony about 2 weeks earlier, but...don't we look all matchy and stuff???

Our adorable children!!

2008-02-15T18:36:00.000-08:00

How beautiful are they???
He still has gorgeous blue eyes and yes...he looks just like me, hope that's good!! :)
My cute Cameron! That's all that needs to be said!!
This smile kills me...wonder if he will grow out of smiling like that? He's so cute!
My sweet Livy!! Look at those teeth.

changing our blogspot.

2008-02-02T09:24:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to let you know that we are changing over our blogspot. Anthony and I thought that the focus should be switched to the family now. The pictures and information will not be much different, but I want the boys to feel included in this and the title of this one excludes them, so...the new blogspot is
www.langley6.blogspot.com We would love for you to follow our journey as a family of 6 now as much as you have followed us until now. Thank you for the comments and keep them coming!!!

The boys on rides

2008-01-29T21:49:00.000-08:00

The boys got on the teapot and after they got off they said, "Maybe we shouldn't have ridden that!!!"

Olivia's first ride!

2008-01-29T21:43:00.000-08:00

The only ride that Olivia could ride was the Dumbo ride. It was cool, you pushed a button and it would go way up in the air. Everytime I went up or down, Olivia would gasp for breath like it got her belly and then giggle. It was so funny. I think she liked it. Cameron and Chase rode in another Dumbo and Anthony tried to get pics of us all coming around, but couldn't find us to do it, so there are all the pictures we have, but I think they are good. Sorry about me looking so rough, it was cold and rainy!!!

Our gorgeous children!!!

2008-01-29T21:38:00.000-08:00

Not really much more I can say...we are really blessed!!!
Zackery-14
Cameron-12.5
Chase-11
Olivia-13 months old!!

Dollywood!

2008-01-29T21:30:00.000-08:00

We had gone to Dollywood in the summer and got rained out, so Mrs. Betty got us raincheck tickets that had to be used by the end of the year, and so, on the last day they were open, Dec. 30, we went to Dollywood. It was of course Olivia's first trip and she did WONDERFUL even though it was raining and cold. It was a great time. We rode the last train of the year there too!! Pretty cool!
Look how cute Anthony looks!! This tree is gorgeous too!
The 8 of us in front of the tree.
Cool pic of a snowman...oh I mean Papaw Willie!
Beautiful pic of Nana!!! Good job Anthony!

Random Christmas with the Langley's and Barrow's

2008-01-29T21:24:00.000-08:00

Opening all those presents exhausted her!! Really it takes so long to open presents with 14 people and it was nap time! SOO pretty!
OMG!! Look at those boys! TWINKIES!!!
Aunt Andy and Olivia just chillin!
Just a cool picture.
Look at that handsome boy, Aaron!!

Opening presents

2008-01-19T00:03:00.000-08:00

This is so funny...Anthony put her on her little people toy!!
Chris opening his tie we gave him.
Andrew opening his Mickey Mouse...he loves Mickey Mouse.
Andrea LOVED her night gowns!!
Brittney with her High School Musical make-up carrier. Typical girl huh???

More with the Langleys and Barrows.

2008-01-18T23:56:00.000-08:00

All 8 grandkids..Aren't they all gorgeous???
Okay, they both got the same thing just in different colors and they BOTH went to the other ones toy. It was soo funny! Olivia LOVES this by the way!! It's a learning chair and it talks and plays music.
Cameron, Aaron and Chase got razors...bit hit too!
We got Papaw the Bourne Ultimatum. It was a great movie!!
Nana with her "Holy" purse we got her. HAHAHA She loves her purses!

Christmas with the Langley's and Barrow's

2008-01-18T23:48:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful time with Anthony's side of the family this year for Christmas. IT was short because of all of our hectic schedules, but we made the best of the time we had. When we are all together, there are 14 people under one roof, so you know it's crowded, but I don't think any of us would have it any other way. We might need a few more beds....Nana and Papaw....:) but other than that the kids get along great, most of the time, and we as adults like to sit and talk and play games if possible!! It was a good time!!
Aunt Andy, Andrew and Olivia. Andrew was about to blink here.
Handsome Aaron.
Beautiful Brittney with her hair straightned. Looks beautiful!!
Silly Andrew, the baby!!!
Beautiful smile Ethan and SILLY Ethan.

Finally got to see my cousin and her family

2008-01-09T00:21:00.000-08:00

My cousin Meredith and her family came over and saw us during our visit!! IT was wonderful seeing them because I haven't seen them in 4 years. Horrible I know. I miss them and love them all.
Jacob, 3rd born and second son and Maddie, the caboose.
Nicholas-2nd born, 1st son.
Justine, oldest, with Zack on computer...AS USUAL!!!
Nick holding Olivia. He liked to do that.
Jacob and Maddie with my parent's dogs. See, they are really gentle. They loved them....

The Dogs!!

2008-01-09T00:12:00.000-08:00

Okay, so my parents have two dogs, a little bitty Terrier that weight about 10 or 12 pounds and then a HUGE Golder Retriever that weights about 110. Shiloah, the little dog, we don't let Olivia play with..she won't hurt her, but she's a little honery!! Now Kayla, the one you think we need to keep her away from, is a BIG BEAR. Olivia climbed ALL OVER HER the whole time and she just let her. I am serious, it's like Kayla didn't even feel her climbing on her. Kayla is such a sweet gentle dog, I love her. I am so glad that she provided entertainment for Olivia too... SOOOO sweet!!
Olivia used Kayla as an obstacle course.
Look at her, she thinks this is just the most fun thing to do.
Over and over...again and again. Cortney and their dog Lucy. My mom gave her this fur coat...isn't she cute??
My mom gave Dawsey, our dog, this Chinese outfit....sooo cute.

Christmas morning with my parents

2008-01-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful Christmas with my parents and my brother and sister-in-law this year. It was of course Olivia's first Christmas with them and the first time in 11 years that we had a baby to open presents, so it was very exciting. She got some great things, well all of us did, and although the time went by fast, it was very enjoyable. We miss our family being so far away and I know they miss us too, so it's great when we can all get together.
Papaw John, my daddy, with Olivia. She was beginning to yawn...it was almost nap time.
These are antlers on her head. My brother got them for the dogs, but it fit on her head so I had to put them on her. She didn't mind....
Meme, my mom, and Uncle Cortney, my brother getting warm by the fire before we opened presents.
My beautiful sister-in-law Kristi. She hates pictures of herself, but I couldn't leave her out...sorry Kristi but I think this is a wonderful picture of you!!
The boys opening their MP3 players that my parents gave them. They are really cool...they love them!!

Christmas with the Meredith's

2008-01-08T23:46:00.000-08:00

Memaw Nancy with all four of our kids.
Memaw Nancy with Olivia.
This is four generations. My mom, her mom-Memaw Nancy, Me and Olivia. Sorry we look so bad, but wanted to get this picture for memories.
The boys opening the gift from Uncle Cortney and Aunt Kristi-Rock Band for XBox 360. They LOVED it!!

My Christmas Dress

2008-01-08T23:37:00.000-08:00

This is the dress that she wore for the Sunday before Christmas. Nana and Papaw bought it for her and she looked beautiful. The boys were in the attic getting the suitcases down because we were leaving after the night service to go to my parents house for Christmas and I walked in to see her doing all of this. I thought it was so funny. NO I didn't let her get any further and made the boys come down as quickly as possible because I was afraid to leave her alone...she probably would try to get up there.
OH and YES!!! She is walking...really started right before we left really well, but at my parents and then at Anthony she barely crawled!! Can't believe it...she's just been with us for 4.58 months, she's not supposed to walk now. Really, we are loving it.
Is she not beautiful??? I love this smile and yes, Chase is behind her making her stand up because she didn't want to!!!
SOOOO beautiful!!
Okay brothers, what are you doing up there?
I have to check this out myself!!
Okay, seems like you need help, here I come!!!

More of Olivia's first Christmas with us!

2008-01-08T23:27:00.000-08:00

Cool picture huh???
Look, it looks like she has lipstick on!!
Getting into her stocking. She loves that ball. It's a princess ball!!
Teething ring. Only 98 cents but she liked it!!
I LOVE this picture. She just seems to have a natural "Model" pose to her, don't you think???

2007-12-22T08:13:00.000-08:00

The kids when they walked in the morning of Christmas!! Yes, they are still sleeping! HAHA
Chase got an XBox live account. For those of you who don't know what that is, let's just say he's happy!!
Cameron wanted a wheelbarrow!! Well, we got him one and he loves it! Our little "Bob the builder!"
Zack FINALLY got a cell phone of his very own. It's a crazer and he couldn't belive it!!! Our teenage, don't really like the fact but hey, he's going to grow up sometime!!!
Livey's Leap Frog! She doesn't know much about it now, but in a little while she will like it I think!!

Olivia's First Christmas with us!!

2007-12-22T07:59:00.000-08:00

We had our first Christmas with all FOUR of our kids! We have ours early, so we opened all the gifts on Friday night and our big ones on Saturday morning! It was great! Unfortunately Olivia is sick. We think she is getting Broncholitis again, or some form of that type of sickness. She is coughing REALLY bad to the point of throwing-up!!! She is running between a 100.8-102.2 fever and not sleeping well. She is on a steriod, Antibiotic and a decongestant not to mention Tylenol and Ibuprofen alternating every 4 hours! So...I hope she gets better before we travel. We might have to get a nebulizer machine to give her more breathing treatments too!! Oh well, she's here and that's all that matters. We can get her well now that she's here with us!!! We are sooo excited to finally have Christmas with her and our boys!
Olivia in front of the Christmas tree. Yes, she's starting to really walk. She stands really well and takes about 20 steps now!
When we opened her My Little Pony, the boys said, "YEAH!!" and so she started clapping too! She amuzes herself!!
Then once it was out of the box, this is the position she goes into. She sucks her fingers with a little of the hair in her mouth. This takes the place of Mama's hair!!! Yes, seems gross, but she really doesn't eat it, just likes to feel it on her lips I guess!
This shirt is from the boys! Well, they didn't know they gave it to her!! HAHAHA This is really true!
These are all her goodies besides her big gift which was a little touch Leap pad with 3 books! She has been so blessed to get so much since she's gotten here, we just got her a few things. Overall, she had a great First Christmas!!
Oh yeah, she actually opened the gifts instead of looking at it!!

Olivias goodies!

2007-12-11T21:39:00.000-08:00

We have started this tradition that when we go to Knoxville for Christmas, we go to the Christmas store and get ornaments for everyone for that year. We let the boys pick out what they find they like and we put their name and the year on it. I want my tree, even when the kids are gone, to be full of those memories and ornaments!! Slap full of them. My in-laws have given the kids one for the year they are born also. Last year, even though Olivia wasn't here, we still got her an ornament and the Langley's got her one with the hopes that she was born in 2006, well, we really thought she'd be here!! :) Anyway, here they are.
Also, I have made a stocking for all 3 of my boys and last year I finished Olivia's in November, so this year, all four of them are up!! I LOVE THEM!! Hope you do too!

The ornament the Langley's got Olivia for her birth year. Yes, she is our princess! We love this one!

We all love the ornament we got her last year. The boys and Anthony helped me pick it out. Our first PINK ornament!! Sooo excited it's on the tree this year.

Mrs. Wanda, Aunt Wanda as we know her from a friend her at the church, gave this one to Olivia. How sweet was that??? IT is so cute, we love it!! Thanks "Aunt" Wanda~

Olivia's stocking I made her!! Isn't it cute???

All four of my children's stockings! I think they are adorable. They will be their stockings forever in my house. What a great memory keepsake huh????

Our first Christmas with our Olivia!!

2007-12-11T21:16:00.000-08:00

I am so sorry that it has been so long since I posted, but for some reason, everytime I tried to post pictures my computer wouldn't let me. So finally, here are some recent ones!
Last year at this time was mine and Anthony's all time lows during this whole process! We thought we would have Olivia atleast by last Christmas and both of us were upset several times during the holiday. Our families still gave gifts to her and it made us think about her in a positive manner, but when all the festivities were over, we just thought about the fact that she wasn't here. Well, our God knew what HE was doing even though we didn't. Little did we know that our little angel was only a month and 5 days old at that time. There is no way that we could have the perfect little girl in our family if we had gotten OUR way with the whole thing. We always knew that God was in control, but to know that you have a child that is somewhere other than with you all the time, much less on the holidays, was one of the hardest things ever. Thank God HE showed us that He was in contol and working everything out "For the good of those who love Him!" Last year we listened to the Third Day song "Wish you a Merry Christmas" and just cried and cried because it talks about a little girl in China having Christmas without a mommy or family and how her family is here doing the holiday thing, but so wanting her with them. It says I pray God will come and hold you in His arms and tell you from my heart I wish you a Merry Christmas. It was the hardest song to listen to, but the only song I wanted to listen to because they knew exactly how we were feeling (because the guitarist of that group was waiting on his little miracle from China also!)
Well, this year, while we were decorating our tree, Anthony played that song and with my little girl in my arms, we danced around and I sang it to here, remembering how I felt last year, and cried just as hard because she IS here and I can't believe it. I looked over at Anthony and tears were streaming down his face too. Our little girl is FINALLY home with us on Christmas..it's so surreal! The end of the song says, It's Christmas time again and now your home, your family is here so you will never be alone, so tonight before you go to sleep I'll hold you in my arms and tell you from my heart, I wish you a Merry Christmas!!! OH MY GOODNESS!!! I am sitting here crying again!! We do get to hold her in our arms and all 3 of our boys and tell all FOUR of our children, I wish you a Merry Christmas.... Thank you God!! This is going to be a WONDERFUL Christmas!!!

Olivia's first picture with Santa. The only one where she isn't SCREAMING!!! I took her fingers out of her mouth, and that was all she wrote!! She wanted AWAY from that Man!!!

The picture going on our Christmas cards!! Our family of 6!

Us at Thanksgiving. Our first one with Olivia and she was only 4 days old for her first one!

There was a dedication service at the church on Nov. 18th. Doesn't she look beautiful? We vowed to bring her up in a Christian home and teach her all about Jesus!! Something she would know nothing about if she was still in China!! Praise God!

Olivia hanging the ornament we got her last year on the tree! I am so glad that she is here to put it up!!

Misc pictures

2007-11-18T00:03:00.000-08:00

Me and my beautiful daughter!!
My four wonderful and gorgeous kids
My kids again..hey, Alana's in there, hey does this look natural??? HUMMM 2 girls!!! :)
Mrs. Shinault, our "adopted" grandmother who lives next door!! Wonderful lady!! Glad she came over!
ALL the gifts!! You better like this one because to get it I took a toy from Preston, I WAS GOING TO GIVE IT BACK, and he cried...hurt my feelings but when the person who gave it to me saw the pictures of this and their toy wasn't there..I am sorry P for taking it...I do love you!! :)

MMMMM Cake

2007-11-17T23:58:00.000-08:00

What is all that noise?? She didn't know what was going on when we started singing and poor Eli cried we were all so loud!! :)
Okay I will try just a little!
YEP! That was good, time for both hands!!
What mommy??? Aren't I beautiful even with icing all over my face???
She was laughing at Lana and Rachel!! SOO funny!! I think the sugar had finally hit her because she didn't smile good at me until now!

Presents!!!

2007-11-17T23:52:00.000-08:00

Okay, she was more interested in the bags, but I really appreciated them. She will too when the bags are gone!! She got great toys and a night outfit and a sweatsuit/jumpsuit type cute outfit!! YEAH! Thanks to everyone!

See what I mean about the bag???
Oh, this one's kinda cool!
MONEY!!! Yeah...mom can buy me a pair of shoes with this!!

More birthday pictures

2007-11-17T23:47:00.000-08:00

Yes she's leaning on the door, but she is standing for a long time by herself...she'll be walking soon!
The toy we gave her to help her to walk...she loved it!
LOOK A BOW!! It didn't last long, but it was there for a little while!
See her cute bib???
The Langley 6!!!

OLIVIA TURNS ONE!!!

2007-11-17T23:38:00.001-08:00

Our little girl will be ONE on Tuesday!! We can't belive that we have been home only 3 months with her but much less that she's already one..I want those 9 months of her life back!! :) We are really glad that we do get to spend her first birthday with her because some parents don't have that privilege. She had a wonderful time with friends. We had alot of kids and their parents here today! It was really a good day. She loved her cake and you can see how much in the later pictures. I can't believe I got to decorate for a GIRLS birthday and it wasn't all girly, but ladybug seemed to be perfect, coming from China like she is, for her first birthday so black and red it was!! Thank you God for this time we've had with Olivia, she's more of a blessing than we ever imagined!! HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY OLIVIA!! WE ALL 5 LOVE YOU!!
The ladybug cake I made...it wasn't perfect, but it was cute
Olivia's own birthday cake...mmmmm
How the table looked!
Our sweet little girl!! Look at those cheeks!!
This is where she opened her presents!! She's so big!

My basketball Man

2007-11-17T23:22:00.000-08:00

Chase has talked about being on the basketball team at school for about 2 years now and this year he was finally able to try-out! There were alot of kids that tried out and he was one of the 16 that made it! He is the only other shoot guard they have and he's doing so good! We are so proud of him and know that he's just going to get better. He has a great coach and his teammates and him are really cool with eachother. He's not hard to spot (HAHAHA) but just in case, he's number 10! They won their first game last Thursday and he was so excited...it was the game he started in!! (WE had to tell him to let his head un-swell!! HAHAHA) We are glad he's having a good time! Maybe this will be the beginning of a scholarship in Basketball!! YEAH!
He's so cute

He got to start on this game
He's doing a great job
LOOK!! He's got his hands on the ball!!
Awww, our two youngest kids!!

More of some great pics

2007-11-17T23:15:00.000-08:00

Maddie and Heather
Joshua, Heather and Maddie
Heather, Maddie and me, Joshua took this picture
Heather, Joshua and Me...Maddie took this picture hahaha
All, the kids are being so loving to eachother, well Olivia is getting Joshua's hair, but she does that in love too!!!

Love these pictures!

2007-11-17T23:10:00.000-08:00

First time with Santa. Maybe he's okay!!
NOOO!! I don't like him!!
Me and Maddie, isn't she cute?
me and handsome Joshua
Maddie, me and Joshua!!

We finally meet!!

2007-11-17T22:55:00.000-08:00

Well, now that my internet is letting me post pictures, I have to catch up!! A couple of weekends ago, Heather, Olivia and I went to visit my friend Jennifer and her great family. We met because 2.5 years ago, we both had a LID of Nov.9 and were supposed to be traveling together to get our baby girls.....well, God spoke to Matt and Jennifer and told them to switch to Special needs and they did. This made us not in the same travel group anymore, so we just talked and kept up with eachther, cried laughed, was excited, heartbroken and relieved...TOGETHER!! I am so glad that God put her and her family in my life! Our trip was wonderful and we, Heather and I, are in love with that family! Maddie (who by the way is gorgeous and if it wasn't for her scars, I would say was NOT special needs!!) took to us like she had known us forever. Maybe she could tell we went to China and loved us, well that would just be me if that was the case but she loved Heather too, so I don't know why, but it was great. We love her voice and her "gruff" little laugh! She is so precious and is the perfect little girl for that family. It's amazing how God puts these babies that fit so well with us in our lives! She is adjusting greatly and I am so proud of her and her parents. Joshua is a trip. He's like a 15 year old. He came into the camper every morning to tell us Good morning and wanted us in the house as fast as possible. And man, he loves to talk!! And grown-up talk too!! He's so cute and sweet and he took to us also, well he was a little sweet on Heather, but can you blame him???? :) We had a wonderful trip. We thank Matt and Jennifer for a wonderful time of food, fun and fellowship and can't wait to see them again! Hope you enjoy the pictures!!
Cutie pie Maddie!!
Is Joshua a great poser or what???
How cute are these kids??
I love this on!! Maddie is learning how to pose now!
Me, Olivia, Maddie and Jennifer!

2007-11-04T20:35:00.000-08:00

My Hunan Girls!

Alana opening her present.

Anthony, her best friend at the church, showing her that it's a bible!

Her seeing that her name is on it!!

She was excited. It's pink and brown and pink is one of her favorite colors! Chase is showing her that it's a real bible and they also found a map with Memphis on it...not Tennessee!! Chase thought that was cool!!

Alana turns FIVE, Yes 5!!

2007-11-04T20:23:00.000-08:00

The whole gang. Langley 6!

2007-10-27T18:45:00.000-07:00

The Langley 6!

Our four kids, Zackery, Cameron, Chase and Olivia

Landon, Olivia and Luke

Olivia and Calleigh

Mommy and Daddy!! IT was a farmer theme for us, so that's why I look like I do!!! IT was fun!

Our ladybug and her friends

2007-10-27T18:38:00.000-07:00

How cute is she???? And look, she's standing up!!

This one is so cute!!

It's Lukey "Pooh" get it???

And Landon too!! HAHAHAHA

Olivia, Luke, Landon and in the front Connor!! Our little pumpkin patch!!

Tired and not smiling

2007-10-27T00:58:00.000-07:00

Well, I thought I would try to get all four of my kids together for a picture...that became a bigger feat than I thought it would. Olivia, whom I thought was in a good mood, did not find anything I did funny therefore, she didn't smile. When I did get her to look atleast AT the camera, one of the big boys didn't look good. Oh my, is this going to be an ongoing thing?? I hope not, it's very tiring!! Oh well, they are all cute anyways, so..here you go, All FOUR of my gorgeous kids!!
Olivia has a tendency to fall asleep ANYWHERE when she is tired!! This day, I had just finished feeding her and she was eating her melties. I went to the back to get the wipes and Anthony came to find me. I mean, I wasn't gone a minute and a half, and when we got into the dining room, there she was SOUND ASLEEP!!! SO funny! I am going to have a whole scrapbook on all the strange places Olivia goes to sleep!! She so cute!! Well, more pics to come because Saturday is fall festival and she is dressed up as..... You will see and she is cute!!

Outside, oh and did I mention it's cold???

On the couch, it was too cold outside. I wish she was smiling, this would have been a great one!!

The view when I first walked into the dining room.

A close-up of our sleeping beauty!!

The beautiful reason for a Tea!

2007-10-24T13:38:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday, Lana, Heather,and Joy planned a Tea to honor Olivia! There was a houseful of people there as you can tell in all the pictures. It was a wonderful time! Olivia taught all the 4-5 year olds how to crawl again!! HAHA! It was funny, Olivia would take off crawling and the little girls wanted to play with her so they followed her, by crawling. I am talking abou 5 year olds..it was halarious!! Olivia got so many clothes and dresses! She is in a size 12 months because of her length and I think they are all about that size. She got a frog that came with it's own blanket!! SOO cute, bows for her hair and Joy got her a big toy..her first one! Lana got her a pair of earrings that are ladybugs. It was a wonderful time and we cannot express the gratitude we have for everyone who attended and everyone who planned it. Olivia is one loved little girl and I personally think she deserves it! I am so blessed to have friends who love her like their own, and some that think they can pay me some money and they own half of her...UH HEM!! You know who you are!! :) Thank you all so much for loving our little girl...I know that she loves you too!! Thank you again!!

You can't get more beautiful than this, unless maybe she had more hair!! HAHA Just kidding. Picture perfect!!

Okay, Aunt Joy is teasing her with icing.

No more teasing...she gave her some!!!!

I think she liked it!! Joy didn't give her much, she said she was saving that taste for her first birthday!! HAHA!

This wasn't at the tea, but the night before. I had bought this last Christmas and am still in love with the outfit. I didn't know how long she would be able to wear it, so I put it on. I think it will last a few more months!! YEAH!!

So blessed with gifts!

2007-10-24T13:32:00.000-07:00

The outfit Alana and Julie got me

Bows, For when she has hair!! :) It's trying to grow

An outfit Lana got me, and she also gave Olivia her first pair of earrings, ladybugs!! SOOO cute!

Some of the gifts

2007-10-24T13:26:00.000-07:00

This is from Mrs. Cindy, it says He's not only my daddy, He's my Hero!!

Her first My Little Pony! She loves it!

Dresses from good family friends!

CUTE bunny outfit from Kim!

Heather gave us many outfits but also the Shaoey and Dot book about adoption. It's about Steven Curtis Chaplin's first adopted daughter! IT's good book and it had Heather and Olivia's picture in it with writing!! Good gift!

Some of the honored guests!

2007-10-24T13:18:00.000-07:00

Ada Gale! Only 2 months old

John Connor, only 2 months old. They are only 2 days apart!

Kathy, our silly and good friend!! :)

JoAnn and Julie watching us open gifts!

Me with my Hunan girls!!

The little girl's tea table!

2007-10-24T13:09:00.000-07:00

All the girls at the table...SOOO CUTE!!

Katie with icing on her mouth..HAHAHA So pretty!

Claudia on the pretty rug...she loved that thing. She is so pretty!

The Beautiful guest of the day!

Our sweet little Alana, well, not so little anymore!!

Hostesses for Olivia's tea

2007-10-22T15:26:00.000-07:00

All the hostesses from the Tea...Heather, Joy, me and Olivia of course, Lana and Mrs. Judy

The hostesses and Olivia

Alana will be 5 in about 10 days. I asked her to read a book to show some of the women how well she reads (on a 4th grade reading level...seriously) and I finally got her to read for us...they were AMAZED!! Not only did she read faster and better than some college kids, she even had inflections in her voice!!

This is a hair clip that Lana got her...with hopes she would have hair!! :) It's a princess tiara..she'll wear it soon!

New things and friends

2007-10-19T13:31:00.000-07:00

Well, Olivia has some new accomplishments. We now have 3 teeth and cut them all in about a week and a half. She has the top 2 and the bottom right. I think she is cutting the bottom left and who knows how many more now. She did really well though. She was fussy more than usual, but now we know why and we know she is teething now for that same reason.
She is saying BATH everytime you turn the water on in the shower and bathtub. She is also saying, "ack" for Zack. We are working on Cam and Chase, but those are harder.
She will be 11 months on Saturday and now weighs 19.6 pounds and is 29 inches long!! She is so long that she has now moved into 12 months. That size is big on her everywhere but her length, but it makes me claustrophobic for her to be in too tight night outfits and I HATE it when pants are too short...just a phobia from my childhood! HAHAH
She is doing well. Her hair is starting to come in also. She has found her, "Girl" voice, as my mom calls it! She is screaching!! It's sooo cute! She plays by herself very well, but she does like for mommy to hold her quite often. That's okay though.
She is STILL putting Everything in her mouth!! Oh my goodness, I hate that. I am so scared of what she finds. I think my house is clean and then...there she is with something nasty in her mouth!
She knows the meaning of the word, "NO!" She listens sometimes, but most of the time she just looks at us and keeps doing whatever it was. She is doing well with the dog food and still is temped with the water.
Lana, Joy and Heather are having a tea for her tomorrow, so that should be fun. It's the first GIRLY thing like that I have been a part of!! WOW!! I really do have a daughter!! :)
Well, here are some pictures. I will put some up this weekend from the tea so you can see how pretty she is! Enjoy!

Her two top teeth! She hates it when we do this, but hey, everyone wants to see her teeth, so get over it girly!! :)

Her new thing...standing on things. She stood on the wipes last night and thought it was so fun. She hasn't fallen yet, so the first time might be her last!! :)

Her with Luke, one of the twins. Isn't this one cute?? Two cute babies!! They are only 5 months apart.

Her with Landon! He is the smily one for pictures. Hey, can you tell them apart??? It's getting harder. Aren't they so cute???

More of her outside!

2007-10-09T08:40:00.001-07:00

These are ALL beautiful!! She takes such good pictures, even when she isn't looking at me!

Our gorgeous little girl!

2007-10-09T08:33:00.001-07:00

Got home yesterday and it was so pretty outside so I thought with her cute outfit on I could go and take some pictures for the photo contest, and these are what I got!! Whatcha think???

Look at her belly sticking out!

This is my FAVORITE one if it wasn't blurry!!!

I love this one too!

More of Alabama trip!

2007-10-09T08:26:00.000-07:00

VERY close to the field!

At the shower. She was just too cute for me to not put this one on here!

Alabama trip

2007-10-09T07:58:00.001-07:00

This weekend we, Olivia and I, took our first road trip together. Lana's friend from Tuscaloosa gave her a baby shower for baby boy Hughey and Jasen really didn't want her traveling by herself, so I said we would go!! :) Well, since we were already going to be in Alabama, we decided to go to the Homecoming game for Alabama...ROLL TIDE ROLL!! They won by the way! Then Sunday was her shower and she got lots of good things for, whatever his name is going to be hahahaha!! (Keegan or Roman maybe)
Here are some pictures and there are going to be more on other pages. For those of you wondering, she did WONDERFUL! She didn't cry and was the center of the attention everywhere we went!! :) Really, she was great! I was very proud of her. Here are some pics!

This is at the sorority house when about 15 people were talking to her and taking pictures of her! See her outfit that Lana let her borrow??? GO ALABAMA!

YES!! She slept for a whole quarter! The noise didn't bother her. I guess we can thank the orphanage for something huh???

Aunt Lana and Olivia at the game!

This is in front of Lana's house (sorority) it's made with tissue paper. The lawn decorations were so cool. You should have seen the people taking pictures of Olivia here!! OH MY GOODNESS!

Mommy, Olivia, and Aunt Lana at the game!! ROLL TIDE ROLL!!

Olivia by herself and with Heather and Russ

2007-10-03T11:56:00.000-07:00

Heather took the pictures of her by herself and they are really good. We had several of her and Russ, but of course Russ is being silly in them!! My favorite one of these is the one where she's looking at up! She's looking at Russ, but it made a great picture! Good job Heather!! :)

Sunday Pictures

2007-10-03T11:48:00.000-07:00

All 6 of us! We will get a professional one done soon too!!

The first one since the airport of just Chase and Olivia

I was tickling her and it made her laugh BIG!!!

Okay, this was not planned, look at their mouths!! OH MY GOODNESS!!

He kisses her like this atleast 5-8 times a day and she laughs almost every time!!

Olivia with the first and second place winners!

2007-09-29T18:05:00.000-07:00

Close-up of Olivia and Hannah! Hannah won over all this year! Yeah Hannah!!

Full view of the beautiful girls! Don't you love the dresses??? I do!!

Our beautiful little Olivia!!

Here is Olivia with Jessi!! Jessi won 2nd overall!! YEAH Jessi! Aren't they beautiful?? Both of these girls are our youth at church, we have some really pretty ones don't we??? Love you both!! By the way, I didn't realize her head bow was that high up, so NO she didn't wear it like that on stage! :)

Our pageant girl!

2007-09-29T17:58:00.000-07:00

Olivia was in her first beauty pageant today. There were 11 little girls ages 0-2 in her age group. She didn't win a trophy, but got a certificate for participating!! We are very proud of her, although she had no idea what she was doing!! HAHAHA Next year she will be walking and have hair!! Maybe we can get a trophy then. Oh well, it was a fun thing. Since I was a little girl I was in pageants, so I guess I will continue the tradition and put her in them too, until she tells me she HATES them!! HAHA! Heather took these pictures and I am so glad she did. I was going to have to count on the boys for that and there's no telling what kind of pictures we would have, but thank goodness Heather did. The stage was dark so some of them are hard to see, but it's the best that could be done, so I hope you like them!! Enjoy!

She heard Anthony talking when we walked out and she was looking at him!

In line at the end. The little girl on the left won! She was a cutie!

The full view!! Wasn't she beautiful???

She is official says George Bush!!!

2007-09-28T12:09:00.000-07:00

YEAH!! We got our citizenship certificate in the mail today that says that as of August 30, 2007 (Zack's 14th birthday) Olivia Denae-Li Langley is officially a US citizen!! This is a major thing for us and eventually she will realize it too! To see what she was brought out of by the grace of God and what potential she has now, it's just undescribable! She IS a blessed little girl, some say lucky, we say blessed! George Bush sent a letter to her too saying Welcome and tells her that she has all the rights that someone born in this country has now and that he wants her to be a vital part of this country. Yes, it's generic, but it is a letter from the president...I don't have one of those!! HAHAHAHA Anyway, it's official and although we knew it, it just makes our hearts feel at ease to know that NOBODY can come and take her away from us...she is ours FOREVER!!! Praise the Lord!!

See, she's excited and don't know what about really!! :)

She's showing you her certificate!

The letter from George Bush. Zack had to hold her, she tried to wrinkle it and can't have that!!

She bounced herself to sleep!!

2007-09-28T12:03:00.000-07:00

I needed to clean the kitchen today because if I didn't, the bugs were going to do it for me....JUST KIDDING, but it was very messy. I even cleaned cabinets, so I was busy. I decided since she would just look at me and cry from the living room that I would put her in her bouncy. Well, she is on meds for her problem and it was getting nap time, but this was just too funny. I saw her and waited until she was actually asleep to take the picture and just as I was about to take the picture, she would slowly bounce again!! IT WAS SOOO FUNNY!! Finally she stopped and I got these pictures. I love pictures like this!

Silly Olivia

2007-09-28T11:58:00.000-07:00

She now has a new laugh! She makes this face and blows through her nose so she makes a sound like she can't breathe!! It's the funniest thing!!

She's so beautiful and I love it when she sucks those fingers when she's tired!1

This is her after her new laugh and she thinks she is sooo funny!! I was trying to get her to do it again, but she just laughed! Silly girl!

Our beautiful little girl just playing!

2007-09-26T22:08:00.000-07:00

She looks like she's very mischievious in this one, but oh how beautiful is she???

I THOUGHT we were getting tired after the hyperness of the breathing treatment, but as you can tell later, NOPE!!!

I thought this was cute, sitting in the basket the church sent flowers in for her arrival, but....

THIS is sooo cute. I love it! She got out quickly, but I got the picture!!

Nothing but beautiful!!

Smiley girl

2007-09-26T22:03:00.000-07:00

I was washing her hair and thought this would be a cute picture...I was right.

She was trying to get the camera, but finally a decent smile..it's been a long time!

Okay, this is AFTER the breathing treatment!! She is like this for about 20-30 min and it is so funny. She puckers her little lips and sucks through her nose and makes a "stuffed nose" sound and she thinks it's so funny!

SHE HATES THE NEBULIZER!!

2007-09-26T21:58:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to show you how much she hates her breathing treatments. We have tried every way possible..watching TV, playing with a toy, singing to her, daddy being silly during it...the only way to do this is to hold her down!! We had one WONDERFUL moment today though right after nap...take a look at the last picture!!

I wonder if she will ever like this???

Anthony and I think that she is saying, "NO,NO,NO" during these, it really sounds like that with a Mama in between!

How sweet this is...she slept through the last 2 min or so of the treatment..SOOO nice!

Sick face and pitching a fit!

2007-09-26T14:27:00.000-07:00

Aren't those eyes sad?? Her nose is red too from her rubbing it...she hates for snot to run down it!!

Aww so sad.

This is the beginning of a fit because I won't pick her up!! So Ready...

SET.....

GO!! Head back and everything. This has been for 3 days now!!!
For those of you wondering, I did pick her up after I got these pictures!! :) She is getting a little better, but thinks that she's supposed to be with me at all times!!!
Man, it feels good to be loved!!

Update on Olivia

2007-09-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

Went to the Dr. and found out that Olivia has Broncholitis. She, like Mary and Molly, is on a nebulizer for a few days. She is also on steriods, antibiotic (because both of her ears are red) and something to dry her up called DAllergy! This morning she is actually talking. We haven't really heard her voice in 2-3 days. She still isn't taking much more than a bottle, but that's okay, she is getting some nutrition and liquids. I laid her down for a nap this morning and she slept IN HER BED for 2 hours!! That's the first time since Sunday night that she slept in her bed. I have been holding her on the couch for the past 2 nights becuase she needs to be propped up. I tried putting the top of her bed up, but she always woke up and she woke up coughing really bad, so I think she felt so bad that she woke up when I wasn't holding her and then got upset so the coughing started. There were a few times I was watching on the monitor and she did wake herself up coughing and it was so sad to see her do that. I guess she knew it was going to hurt becuase she automatically cried BIG alligator tears, made a horrible face and coughed until she was gagging! She hasn't done that so bad this morning. She has had 2 breathing treatments, and oh my goodness it's horrible holding her down...she's is a brut!! I am hoping tomorrow will be even better because she is in a beauty pagent Saturday and her eyes are still kinda "sick" looking. Also, she hasn't smiled much and she HAS to smile...that could make or break us maybe hahaha! Anyway, I think we are getting a little better. Maybe tonight she will sleep in her bed like she has been before she got sick!! PRAY SHE DOES!!

On another note, my youngest Chase, made the basketball team at his middle school. We are so proud of him. He is short, and we all know white men can't jump~ haha, but he made it. He is a GREAT shooter and hustler though. I am glad that he made it because their coach seems to be wonderful, Chase needs to do something like this, and he went to school Monday not feeling good because it was the last day of tryouts!! That's determination.

Oh well. I will post more later. I think she is finished eating her melties and ready to get down now...Until later....

More of FCC campout

2007-09-25T00:09:00.001-07:00

Cameron helping Alana make her lantern. He made him and Olivia one too. You paint them and put glow sticks in then and they do glow, it's pretty neat.

This little girl's name is Mae. She is from Olivia's orphanage. IT's really strange because these are the only two from that orphange from around her, that we know of, and there are about 200 in our group, so it's pretty cool!

Alana and Olivia in front of the bonfire. They needed this last year, but this year it was HOT!!!

Julie and Alana on the hayride. Isn't this a great picture?? They look so much alike it's crazy!!

Olivia is tired. It's almost bedtime and we had just gotten off the hayride. Cameron is such a great big brother. This is his favorite thing for her to do with him...lay on his should and be still! It doesn't happen much, her being still I mean, so I had to get a picture of it!! :)

Olivia is sick!

2007-09-24T23:24:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a crazy weekend in our house. It really started last Monday when Cameron called and asked me to come and check him out of school because he had a HORRIBLE cold. His chest, stomach, head, and throat hurt and it burned his nose to breathe, well really he could only breathe through his mouth. He sounded horrible and when he got home he had a 99.7 temp, so...I kept him home Tuesday and took him to the Dr. because I was already taking Chase for a physical for the basketball team. She gave him some meds that cleared him up so fast, he went back to school on Wednesday and I took him off the meds on Sat because it was making his throat so dry that he couldn't get enough of any drink...so now he's better.

Well, Saturday Olivia seemed fine, but Chase started feeling bad. He then started running a 99.7 temp and felt horrible, so I tended to him and started giving him the meds that the Dr. gave Cameron because it was the same symptoms. He stayed home from Church Sunday, which is a BIG deal, all three of my kids hate missing church, but he felt horrible. Well, Sat night Olivia started feeling warm, but I didn't check her temp. She was irritable, but I didn't think anything of it, well Sunday it started. She started with a 100.7 temp, and that is the lowest it has been. I think it got o 99.7 once, but didn't stay there long. Since Sunday night, we have dealt with almost a steady 102 sometimes 102.4. I am alternating Tylenol and Motrin, giving her baths, giving her the meds the Dr. told me to over the counter, I just put a humidifier in her room! She is NOT feeling well. She cries or whimpers all day long, and last night, Sunday night, we were awake every hour on the hour from 1:30-7:00, well, Olivia and I were. Chase went to school and is feeling alot better, thank you God for that! Olivia on the other hand, I am just now able to lay her down for the night and it's 1:32. I propped the head of her bed up and I hope that helps her sleep. She is rattling pretty bad and I heard it in her lungs today. I have no idea what is going on, but I am taking her to the Dr. as soon as they can get me in tomorrow morning. They said they will probably give me a nebulizer for her, but I hope they take an X-Ray of her chest to make sure it's not pneumonia or something. Her mucous is really thick and she is constantly gaging on it. It's really gross, but that's what is going on.

Keep us in your prayers and pray that this household gets better. It's hard on me when more than one is sick, but I am the mommy so I guess I can handle it!! :) I really just hate it when they are like this, I can't fix it on my own and I don't like it. I know they are going to get sick and that's okay, I just hate it when it's in the middle of the night, which is when it always happens, and I have to wait until morning to try to take them somewhere to help them!! Oh well, I have prayed over them so I will just have to let God do what He's best at!! I will try to post what the Dr. says tomorrow!

Here are a few more pics of her NOT sick!! We went to a FCC (Families with Children from China) picnic and here are some pics from there. They loved her, esp the little girls, and she was the youngest there!! Everyone was so pleased at all she is doing and they all thought she was just gorgeous, although some do think that she is mixed, with what they didn't know, but they thinks it's pretty obvious. That's okay, she still my gorgeous little Chinese daughter and we are extremely blessed and honored to have her.

Here are some pics from an FCC (Families with Chinese Children) campout that we went to Saturday. I don't know how many were there, but it was over 100. There were beautiful Chinese girls and boys all over the place! Alana, Sam and Julie were there and some of the friends of Alana's that were in her orphanage! It's really neat to see them all. Johna and her husband are waiting for their second one, but they are contemplating dropping out because they are LATE in 2006 and don't know if they should/can wait that long. That is a prayer concern. God, please show them clearly what they need to do in this situation!! They, along with the other parents, are wonderful parents and it's so good to have a group that we can get together and see all the other little girls where Olivia knows that she's not alone, well her and Alana, and that there are other families blessed with little girls from China too!
Until tomorrow....

Johna had to put her on the ground so that the girls could get as close as possible to her. HAHA

They all wanted to see her.

She stayed in her stroller for a good bit, maybe because it was sooo hot and she could still see everything.

Cameron, Olivia and me on a hayride, with Julie on the side hahaha

Tati and Rose finally get to hold her hands!! They were so excited! Can you believe that Tati is only 4?? She is so big!! All the girls were so beautiful. These are two of Alana's friends!!

I wore a hat for a few minutes!!

2007-09-21T08:27:00.001-07:00

Bows we don't have much of a problem with, but hats....she hates wearing them. She would rather chew on them, but I got her to smile and take a few pics with a hat on so I had to put them on here!!

The whole cute outfit that Heather and I found for $7.00!!!

She looks so cute in hats I wish she would wear them!!

Sweet girl! Reaching for the camera!

Okay, ALL better!

2007-09-20T20:25:00.000-07:00

Can you see it?? Yes her ear is red, but it went away quick.

Here you can see both of them if you look closely!

Huh, what are you saying??? Still nosey even after getting earrings, but those fingers made it all better!

The ladies that did it wanted to make sure they were even, so I put her on the counter and she smiled at them and grabbed that lady's keys, all was fine after that. They were all glad that she still liked them!!

See, it wasn't as bad as you all thought. Just so you know, she was laughing and smiling and talking for about 2.5 hours afterwards and just fell out at home at almost 8 for bed!! She's doing fine. She hasn't even acted like she knows they are in there!! Cute huh???
Thank you Joy for taking pictures of this "horrible" event! HAHA I appreciate it!

Mommy made me get earrings!!!

2007-09-20T20:12:00.000-07:00

Okay, for those of you who are already saying, "Poor baby" I promise it's not as bad as it looks. I asked Joy to take these pictures as a memory, but I am glad she took them now so that I can show you how bad it really wasn't! She was already not liking me holding her head to put the marks on there, but she would've been okay if they would have gotten it right the first time!!! It took a little while to do that, so she was already ticked! Then, luckily, they double-teamed her! They told me they couldn't do that, but I am glad one lady spoke up and they did! She HATED me holding her head down and I am sure that it stung for a minute, but I PROMISE she only cried for maybe a minute...ask Joy! Anyway, I got the "diamond" earring and they look beautiful in her ears. I have always said that I was going to get my little girls ears pierced, so I did.
The significance of today is first of all it's her 10 month "birthday" but we got her on her 9 month, then today her 10 month she got earrings, then next month on the 20th my friends are having a Tea and "girly" shower for me, then the next month is her 1st birthday! Her first 8 months of life were full of nothing, but her last 4, really 5 with Christmas, of her 1st year are all special!
The other page shows her not upset, so...I love them and I am glad that I did it!!
I say I because Anthony wanted no part of it. Cameron, Joy, Ben, Ethan, Luke and Landon were there so she had support!! HAHAHA

Okay, what are you doing???

Okay already, I don't like this, hurry up and get finished!!

I know it's sad!! OUCH!!! That hurt MaMa!!

Mama trying to calm her down! Such a sad face~!

It's getting better!! But it still hurt!

1 month since Gotcha Day, I'm 10 months old!

2007-09-20T19:48:00.003-07:00

We cannot believe that one month from today, we saw, held, touched and and became parents of our BEAUTIFUL baby girl!! Also, how amazing is it that we did all that on her 9 month "birthday??" Well, to try to explain how that day felt would take WAY too much time but let's just say that your heart can't burst open much more or you will die when your kids are born, and this way NO different. Our hearts were so full of Joy that's it's just remarkable. How do you love a little girl that you have never even held as much as we did??? God, that's it, God. He put her in our hearts and she had lived there for 2 years, so when we saw her and she saw us...it was just like she had just come from my womb. No kidding, it really was just like that. Giving birth to my boys was the best thing that I could imagine going through, until this adoption. Olivia IS our daughter and although I didn't give birth to her, she has been ours from the beginning of time. God just made us wait a LONG time, but oh my, it really was worth the wait. I wish I could say something different there, but I can't. Everyone says it, but it is true!
I took these pictures today to send to my agency so they could see how big and beautiful she was, so I thought that you would like to see them too. She is crawling all over the house, eating dust bunnies, paper, chips and not least of all...BUGS!! I really didn't know that I had all this on my floors, so...I have to watch my little vacuum closely or there is no telling what she might eat!

She does know who we are. The other day we had her blocked off in the living room and I was in the kitchen cooking. I kept walking back and forth and would look in there to see what she was doing, well, she was watching me!! When she realized that I wasn't stopping what I was doing to get her, she yelled, "MaMa!!" I kid you not. I laughed so hard and it was so cute that I had to go and give her a big hug!! She loves it when Anthony comes in...she just jumps for joy and has the biggest grin and that goes for the boys too. Recently, her feet haven't hit the ground from 3:00-6:00 because they just keep giving her to one or the other, but they love it so I love it! I can't believe how they have taken to her. They truly love her, again, like she has always been here. They love to hold her in public, I guess she's a chic magnet or something, but I have to tell them NO!!!

She is getting braver and letting go of what she pulled up on, but she almost immediately falls on her behind, so she's not quite ready, but she's ready to try!!
She is truly a ham. She loves to laugh and jump. She is really a happy baby most of the time. People can't believe how happy she is, but hey, she's loved and taken well care of, why not be happy, right?

We are all truly smittened by her and I don't think it should be any other way!
Thank you God for this true blessing. This could only be of Your hands and we are so grateful that You used us to accompish Your plan. Help us as we raise her to learn about You and all the things You are to us and all the things that You have blessed us with, including all 4 of my wonderful children. Be with us as we are "new" parents again and let her always know that she was given to us by You, and that we love her more than she will ever know. Thank you for our 4 children and help us to be a close family, growing and loving in YOUR name!!!

Until later...

Such a happy and beautiful baby girl!

She just learned how to "zerbert" so this is her doing it!! Funny huh???

For those of you wondering, that is a bruise above her left eye, our right! She had a fall and it left a mark, but she's fine. It's already going away!! Poor baby!!!

Playtime with DADA

2007-09-17T22:14:00.001-07:00

After her bath tonight, while I was getting her dressed for bed, Anthony came in the room to keep her occupied. She doesn't like to be still when we change her, so... well, she got up after I had finished and Anthony decided to play chase with her crawling all around her room and the hallway. She thought it was so fun. Wherever he went, she would follow. She would sit and wait for a minute, but then would be right behind him. One time, he was in the office helping Cameron with Math and she went to the door of every room looking for him. The ones where she is sitting up is where she had looked in the rooms and didn't see him, so she sat up to see where he was. It was so funny! She even looks pretty in white!! Oh and her hair was actually sticking-up tonight!! It's really growing fast thank goodness. Maybe not much longer we will be able to put a bow in it. I tried Sunday just to see what it would do, but it would fall out quickly!! It did however stay long enough for us to laugh at it sticking straight up on top of her head!!
Tonight we are trying to let her cry herself back to sleep, but it's not working. She sits there and cries, "Mama," for a LONG time. When I go in there, she stops crying but wants to be right next to my face. I think there is some separation issues there, so hopefully before she is 1 she will be sleeping through the night and feel secure that we are here...that is a prayer concern you could pray for. It would be very much appreciated.
Well, I will go for now, but soon I will post how she is attaching so well and things that she does. She's really cute and we are so blessed to have her. God took a long time getting her to us, but He knew what He was doing...waiting for the PERFECT baby girl to be born so that she could be part of our family!! Thanks be to God!!
Til later...

Olivia looking for daddy who left and went to help Cameron with homework!

Where did he go????

Cutie on Sunday!

2007-09-17T17:08:00.000-07:00

Heather and I went shopping on Saturday and saw this outfit, I HAD TO BUY IT!! Of course because we found out that she is in a size 1 shoe and we don't have that many, I had to buy shoes to go with it too, but needless to say she was GORGEOUS!! We were going to take a family pictures, but Chase decided to go to a friends house and left before we could get the picture, so we just took these. I will get one of him with Olivia later!! Thought you might like to see how pretty she was!!

Mama and dada with our little girl!

PROUD dada!!

Big brother Zack with his little sister whom he thinks is the most beautiful little girl in the world!! Well, she is isn't she?? HAHA

Big brother Cam-Cam with "OO", his nickname for her!! He also thinks she's beautiful and even changed a poopy diaper by himself!!!

Mama with her long awaited baby girl!!

Needless to say, we are all in love with her and she fits into our family more and more everyday! We are so blessed, I just can't say it enough. It's just a miracle from God how adoption works, it's so hard to explain, but it's just a miracle!! More pics to come!!

The boys new rooms!!

2007-09-14T23:52:00.000-07:00

Zack had to have a teenager room! This one was the hardest, but he LOVES it!!

Is Cameron underwater??? HAHA this one isn't painted, but was a pain trying to figure out the panels. It great and Cameron LOVES it too!

Yes, we painted this whole thing, well mostly my mom! But Chase thinks it's the best thing ever! It's really cool though!

Thank you Meme for all your hard work. The boys love their rooms!!

More pics of our Beautiful little girl!

2007-09-14T23:16:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been two weeks since we came back home. To me, it all still seems like a blur, but I am sure reality will hit when I start looking back on the pictures. It just seems like Olivia has been with us forever. Do you think that you can pray for someone sooo much that they just become part of your life even though they are not physically here? I think that is what happened. She is adjusting very well. We have had some issues because I let her go in the nursery and I don't think she was ready for that. She is so outgoing and easy, I thought it wouldn't be a problem, but I was proved wrong. That's okay though, it's fixable and soon she will be in the nursery with Mrs. Joyce and Mrs. Cindy loving on her. She isn't ready to be left yet I guess!

My mom just left today. She did alot of work painting the boys rooms. I am going to put them up also so you can see. We painted the whole week, mostly her, but I did help!! :0 They all loved them and hopefully we don't have to redo them anymore!!! I am sad that everyone has left, but I am also glad that we are starting our family of 6 now. Hopefully we can get into a routine and hopefully my house will get cleaned and all that good stuff. We were very blessed to have our families here and we can't thank them enough for all they did. We also can't thank our friends enough either. This whole thing has been wonderful and we have been blessed through it all. Thank God for our friends and family!!

Everyone thinks Olivia is just wonderful and she is. I get stopped so many times in WalMart asking about her. Most of them can't even tell that she is Chinese!!! They all say how beautiful she is and when they find out she's 9 months, they are amazed at how dainty yet long she is!! (16.14 pds and 26.6 inches long)

Mom and I figured out today that she wears a size 1 shoe!! Can you believe that? And 6 months is really the ideal size for her in clothes right now, but 6-9 will do! I just can't believe how small she is. I prayed for her to be small but healthy and God answered my prayers!!

Well, she is sleeping pretty good. Still waking up atleast 1 time sometime after 12 for a bottle. She goes to sleep between 8:30 and 9:00 and wakes at 6:00-6:30. Sometimes I can give her a bottle and she will sleep until 8:00!! She is doing well though. She has been in her bed from the first night...she loves it!

We have trials to face like her temper. She is spicy!! But momma's not and that's something we will have to work out, but she doesn't throw that many fits and she is usually a very happy baby. The boys have taken to her like I carried her for 9 months. They think she is just the most beautiful little girl ever, and she is to us!
She still loves her daddy, don't know why!!! HAHAH Just kidding baby. She really does love him and he can ALWAYS get a smile out of her. She calls dada all the time, but when she is mad, hungry or sleepy she calls mama!! Really, she does! I think she likes all of us so far and we are madly in love with her!

Oh well, that's the scoop so far. I will try to write more and send more pics later!
Please still leave comments, I still check this site! Love to you all!

She looks gorgeous in Red!!

Our latest love...the bouncy seat. She bounces all the time by herself and you should see her in this. She laughs and bounces for a LONG time...great thing to have when you need to get housework done!

My two Hunan girls, Olivia and Alana. Aren't they both GORGEOUS!!

The only 2 girls on the Langley side! They are going to be best buds!! Love you Brit!

Landon and Olivia. Landon is 4.5 months old and weighs as much as Olivia, BIG boy!! Look at them both sucking on their fingers!! Such cute babies! Joy and I think they kinda resemble, what do you think?? :)

Finally some sleep!!

2007-09-08T15:13:00.000-07:00

Well, Olivia has slept, only waking up twice, until 6. She likes to take a nap about 2 hours after she wakes up and this morning slept until almost 10!! YEAH!! I think that we might be heading toward starting a routine with our sleeping. I actually feel like a human being since I was able to sleep some!! PRAISE THE LORD!!
My dad, brother and sister-in-law came in this weekend. My dad left today and my brother and sister-in-law are leaving tomorrow. They are in love with Olivia too. I am so glad that all of our family were able to make it to see our precious little girl! These two weeks we have seen my parents, Anthony's parents, my brother and his wife (no kids yet, but waiting!!!, Anthony sister and her husband and 4 kids!! It has been a wonderful time!!
Went to the Dr yesterday and there don't seem to be any reason for her high fever, but she's getting better. I hope it was just a virus, but her veins were so little that they couldn't get any blood for her tithers, so we have to go to the hospital Monday to get them done, FUN, FUN!!
Well, all is getting better. I think we are on our way to our normal life with a little baby girl! IT's been so fun and we are truly blessed with her. She has adapted very well. She knows me and Anthony and the boys and loves everyone. She has finally stopped screaming when we "confine" her in her car seat. She is still eating like a horse, but has only gained 10 oz since we got her. She now weighs 16 pds 14 oz. She is wearing 6 month clothes well and 9 month are too big. She is in a size 2 shoe, barely and just got in a size 2 diaper. She is VERY long, but dainty everywhere else.
Today Alana and her mom and grandparents, Emily and Mrs. Patt, Lana and Jasen came to visit. SHe likes her company and I am so glad all these people want to come and see her. She's not a celebrity, but just loved by many and that touches a mom's heart more than anything. She does have a ready smile for everyone and NEVER sits still, I mean NEVER!! Well, unless she's sleeping hahaha and even then she moves around.
I will post more pics later. Hope you like these. Love you all and until later....

Thursday night she fell asleep while eating snacks in her high chair!! I love those pictures, they are so funny!

Her in the pink dress I bought her before we left. It is a 6 month dress, but the way it's made and her big belly, it's kinda snug. She is beautiful anyway!!

My brother Cortney and my sister-in-law, Kristi with Olivia.

The Meredith clan. My whole side of the family! Aren't we beautiful???

The first week of being at home!

2007-09-06T15:07:00.000-07:00

It has officially been one week since we have been home, well in about 1 hour. Things are going pretty well, except that I am not sleeping very much. Anthony is being really good about helping, but he does have a job and school and I am just the mommy!!! Hard job, but I can take naps if I choose to. :)
Olivia is being very social. She will go to anyone as long as either Anthony or I are close by. She is eating VERY well and LOVES to eat! She is talking and crawling all over the place. She still loves to laugh and when a camera is pointed at her, she knows to look. Man, is she in the right family or what? I told you God knew what He was doing!! :)
All the in-laws left Monday and we had a really great time with them. I am so glad that they were able to be here. It made the arrival at home even more special. I am pretty sure they fell in love with Olivia just like we did, at first sight. My mom came in Sunday and will be here for 2 weeks to help and do some painting in the boys rooms and my dad arrived this morning. This is the first time he has seen her also. My brother and sister-in-law will be coming in the morning to see her so we are all excited about that. My family will be all together for the first time!! I loved the fact that all the Langley's were together and now the Meredith's are going to be too. This has been such a wonderful and blessed experience. I can't explain the joy I feel just looking at Olivia everyday. She is so perfect for us, it's just really amazing. Our God is sooo amazing and so awesome, and I thank Him everyday for the blessing of my 4 wonderful kids.
I told mom it's amazing that 2 people on the other side of the world that we have no ties to and don't know anything about could produce a child that fits just like I had her in our family. That is only a God thing...there's no other explaination about that. We are truly blessed.
All our friends and family have been stopping by and it's been such a joy! Thank you to all who have come by and we look forward to more coming. Please pray though that Olivia gets on our schedule and starts sleeping for 12-13 hours like she did in China...it would help soo much.
Again, thank you and I will post more pics later on.

First night in her crib!! She didn't stay there long, but she is so beautiful in it!!

We had visitors Friday night, and Mr. Gene came in a stuck a sucker in her mouth!!! Crazy man!! :) She loved it, but thankfully she dropped it pretty quickly after he gave it to her and oops, it had to be thrown away!! :) Thanks Gene!!! :)

Tonight,isn't she beautiful??

Her playing in her playpen...didn't last long!!

It's Ali...just kidding. Isn't she cute in her robe?? I love her "shoes!"

FINALLY HOME!!

2007-09-02T20:38:00.001-07:00

We made it home safe and sound around 7 Thursday. When we made it to where people were supposed to be waiting for us, there were about 30-35 family and friends waiting for us. It was such a wonderful welcome home! We are very blessed.
We gave Olivia Benadryl for the 10 hour flight and she slept about 7, so it worked wonderfully! Now our sleeping schedule is WAY off and it's catching up to mommy.
Church was fun. Everyone was so excited to see us. Olivia is doing wonderfully! Here are a few pics from the airport and church!! Love you all, and will post more when my eyes will stay open!

Olivia's coming home outfit and what she looked like when she saw everyone at the airport for the first time.

A beautiful sight, The Langley family of 6

My FOUR beautiful children!! I am so blessed

We were welcomed home with a stork, thanks Joy, in our front yard and a bow on the door. I have always wanted pink stuff in my yard!!!

This is Anthony's whole side of the family. His mom and dad has 2 children and now 8 grandchildren, only 2 girls though!! Big huh?

Wheels up in elven hours and counting!!

2007-08-29T06:23:00.000-07:00

This is on the flight to Hong Kong! It was only thirty minutes.

Pray that Olivia has developed a pattern of sleeping on the plane for tommorow's flights!

Hong Kong is AMAZING

2007-08-29T06:17:00.001-07:00

We are standing atop the Peak Tram Tower 389 meters above sea level. Hong Kong is a beautiful city. We road a train, a bus, a ferry, a tram and a double decker bus. We ate at Burger King and Krispy Kreme!!!!! WoO Hoo!!!!

Last few hours in Guangzhou!!

2007-08-29T06:05:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to share a few pictures of our last hours in Guangzhou before we left for hong Kong!!! We found the red couch!!!

Last post!

2007-08-27T07:10:00.000-07:00

Well, unless the internet is free and we have time on our hands in Hong Kong, then this will be our last post! Thank you so much for following and for your comments while we have been in Chinal. It's been a really stressful 2 weeks, but 2 weeks of our lives that have been the most memorable time also. We are so blessed and we are grateful that God allowed us this journey to get our beautiful little Olivia Denae-Li Langley. She is as perfect as we could expect and blessed beyond comprehension!

I will try to post some pics here and there, but if you are like me, you just look every now and then to see how big and beautiful the little girls get after they come home. It might be a few weeks, but there will be more pictures up soon!

Pray for us as we fly ALL DAY, well your Wednesday night and your Thursday. It's going to be really crazy, but pray for the weather and our safety. Thank you for your prayers so far, they have made us get through this we know! God is so Awesome an so GOOD!!

Boys, we are coming home in less than 72 hours now. We have missed you so much and can't wait to see your smiling faces and hold you in our arms. We know that you are going to adore Olivia and her you.. We can't wait for our family of 6 to be together for the first time!! For all the other friends and family, we have missed you also terribly and can't wait to see you and let to get our know our beautiful little girl! We can't wait to see all of your faces! Please come by if you can and see us this weekend, we may be tired, but want to see all you just the same. Again, pray and God bless all of you..WE LOVE YOU!!

YEAH WE ARE ABOUT TO BE HOME!!! We love you!!!

Anthony, Mysty and Olivia

More pics

2007-08-27T07:06:00.000-07:00

See the little bracelet that I love to chew on?? We have to watch her with it, but a lady just gave it to us at a store we were in. It's got real jade on it..beautiful.

The riverside garden at Shamin Island

Eating again, just like always, but beautiful just like always too!!!

Shopping!!

2007-08-27T06:46:00.000-07:00

We went and finished, well almost finished, the shopping. Got some great things. Here are some pictures from the day!

Freeway in downtown Guangzhou. Pretty cool huh??

Traffic and yes, we were moving. This is how close they drive. It's chaos, but Anthony has figured out that it's organized chaos!! Whatever!

Daddy pushing sleeping Olivia to go shopping! She'll sleep anywhere, but she's good when you are shopping. Daddy says that's good for mommy!!

Jordan, a CHRISTIAN Chinese store owner. Where most of your gifts came from!!

Mommy and her little girl...finally!!

Anthony officially a new dad!!!

2007-08-27T06:26:00.000-07:00

Her fingers are so long, this is how she gets food in her mouth, by sliding it up to her mouth...sooo funny, but she gets it done!

Her in her cute little outfit that Heather bought. Lots of compliments on it!! :)

THE SPIT-UP!! On daddy's favorite shorts!
We went to eat lunch this afternoon and as usual, Olivia ate quite a bit. Well, Anthony went to get her out of her high chair and she spit-up on his favorite pair of shorts. It's the first time she has spit-up the whole time we've had her (officially a week by the way) and for some reason, I thought it was soo funny. Here are some pics to show you the afternoon eating!!

Daddy holding his nose because it stunk and laughing at the same time!!

Mommy laughing so hard, she is crying!! It was halarious!!

She LOVES the remote!

2007-08-26T06:24:00.001-07:00

Okay, this was soo funny! She reached and reached for the remote and probably would've fell off the bed to get to the remote!

There was something loud on the tv and her and daddy looked. Funny huh?

Daddy telling her "NO" and kissing her.

She laughs when you kiss her by her ear

Happy bath time! YEAH!

2007-08-26T06:19:00.001-07:00

These speak for themselves. She's splashing and loving her bath!!

Worn out baby girl

2007-08-26T06:15:00.000-07:00

She fell asleep in the taxi on the way home. Guess she was comfortable!

I took the sling off my shoulder and laid her on the bed and she still didn't wake up...well about 10 min later she did!

See what her shirt says?? How true this is! We love her so much!

Shamin Island

2007-08-26T06:09:00.000-07:00

Our first taxi ride, daddy just paid 16 yuan, a little over $2 to go about 5 miles.

In the middle of the Island. Really pretty.

Walking down the road, where alot of shops are. It's really westernized here!

5 star hotel lobby.

2007-08-26T06:03:00.001-07:00

Last Sunday in China!! YEAH!!!

2007-08-26T05:29:00.000-07:00

Well, we didn't have any chance to go to church today. We weren't offered the chance, so..kinda weird! Anyway, it's 8:43 pm and little Miss Olivia is still awake. She is laying in her crib, kicking her feet, talking and laughing! She hasn't been up past 7 since we have had her, don't know what's going on!!! Oh well, she'll pass out in a little while I guess. She goes to bed earlier than any of the babies almost and sleeps longer than them. Some are pretty close to her, but my goodness, what's going on tonight???

We woke up and went to eat breakfast. Then waited around and went to a Tea place today. We sampled Chinese tea, I only liked one, but I think Anthony liked two. I was able to get a beautiful Tea pot and 6 little cups. We also bought some tea for you, my boys, to try. I also got a pretty little cup and saucer to go with my collection. Very pretty.

Anthony wanted me to tell you that we rode in a taxi for the first time today...and both the drivers only spoke Chinese!!! We had people write where we needed to go so they didn't take us just anywhere! To get back to the hotel, we showed them our room key so they knew which hotel to go to. Yes daddy, we were fine. No worries. It was actually pretty easy. We have to tell you about the driving later....It's VERY scary!

Then we came back and me and Olivia took a long nap while daddy did Greek!! Poor daddy. He's doing well though. When we woke up, we got ready and went to Shamin Island (however you spell it). This is where alot of your presents will come from. We got Olivia a night outfit, and it's beautiful. Anthony wanted to get her a red one, but we let her pick and she picked one that is kinda white and pink, poor daddy. We found a Christian man that has his own shop and bought some things there. He did her American and Chinese name and the meanings of the letters. It's really cool. We are going to put it in a frame with red paper behind it!! Really excited about that!

We came back we went to McD's and now we are here. Oh....Olivia took a bath tonight and DIDN"T CRY! She actually played until I got her out! YEAH it took a week but it happened. I have video, but Anthony says it's child porno, so you will have to see it when we get back. Well, the next page will have pics on it.

We love you all and miss you all alot. Boys, we love you and your comments are so sweet. Keep sending them, we need to hear from you that way. We are so glad that we get to talk to you everyday and don't know what we would have done if we couldn't have. We love you and for us, only 4 more nights!! CAN"T WAIT TO HOLD YOU IN MY ARMS, I know after you hold Olivia right??? HAHAHA

Here is another video!

2007-08-25T17:56:00.000-07:00

Here is another video of Olivia first thing in the morning after waking up. Videos take a significant amount of time to load so we will only load a few. Hope you enjoy. We are going to breakfast and will call you boys when we return. Love you!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hGjJVFLaRs

LOVES TO EAT!

2007-08-25T17:24:00.000-07:00

I have to tell you about how Olivia acted when we went to this restaurant. She may be small, but she LOVES TO EAT!! We ordered her some congi, but it took them like 15 minutes to get it to us. While we were waiting, Olivia got SOOOO mad. She was yelling and screaming, really. I had to get up and walk with her. And to make matters worse, our food came, which was sushi NANA!!! and she was trying to get across the table and get our food. Oh she was soo mad. We finally got some rice brought out and she ate that, so finally she was calm, but for the next 25 minutes all she did was EAT!!! And when I had to stop feeding her to feed myself, she got mad even for the spit second it took me to get my sushi, put it in soy sauce and put it in my mouth!!! Oh my, we have and eater on our hands!! It really was funny. Wish we could've gotten it on camera, but it was very had controlling her and then taping her!! Just thought you would get a laugh out of that. Needless to say, if we put her in the high chair, we better have food waiting for her or we are in trouble!! :0

Hibatchi night, well Japanese night!

2007-08-25T17:11:00.000-07:00

Some people really did sit like the Japanese do...we didn't, high chairs wouldn't work well!!!

Some of our group and where we ate

More of our group at the actual hibatchi grill

She doesn't look all that Chinese, but she can eat with chopsticks!!! She liked this and we thought it was soo funny! She's eating rice.

Funny picture, sorry about the snot, we have had a lot of that lately!!!!

Here I am again!!

2007-08-25T16:58:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness she took a nap because that's all I wanted to do. She did good, slept for about 2 hours and then Anthony took care of her while I slept a little while longer and yes, I am feeling better today but Anthony is starting to feel kinda bad! Thanks for the prayers!

Her in her first dress with stockings on!! She loved them and so did everyone else. She looked really cute. Sorry this one is blurry!

Another cute shot of her outfit!

This is her night outfit. She looked really cute in green! Daddy says she has looked good in every color but I think this is my favorite color on her so far!!
Well, these pictures were taken yesterday, the day I felt horrible, but we are just now putting them up. We will probably be able to put more up tonight, your morning, but then we aren't going to have internet for 24 more hours, so...enjoy today!

Pictures of Medical Exam and in the Hotel Room

2007-08-24T23:26:00.001-07:00

Little Angel!!!!!!!

See my name on my shirt!!!

Waiting for the Doctor. They waited on all of us in one hour. Don't you wish American doctors were that courteous!!

Mysty and Jodie Sweet holdind their precious new babies!

I can hold my own bottle! (well...sometimes)

Medical Exam

2007-08-24T23:17:00.000-07:00

The medical exam went just fine, except Olivia doesn't like people forcing her to hold still. She was awaked from a dead sleep by a woman doctor undressing her and poking around on her belly, head, neck and spine. She was fine with that because Mama was with her all the way. In the next room, they checked her ears, nose and throat. Needless to say, she bit off the tongue depressor and she has no teeth. She did not want the doctor poking around in her ears. Everything was fine, just a snotty nose. Last, they weighed, measured and took her temp. Temp was normal. Weigh was 16 pounds 4 oz (7.4 kg) and her height was 26 3'8 inches (67 cm). We went chopping a Carre four, which is the french version of Walmart. We got some juice, drinks, candy and baby supplies. Mysty is feeling really sick. She is asleep with the baby. Tonight we are going to a fancy Japanese resturant (hibachi steak!!!!) and sushi!!! I hopeshe is feeling better. Our first 24 hours of internet will soon be over. We have alot of paperwork to do this afternoon. When we get some free time I will let you know we are back with a blog. I want to put up some pictures so I will try one blog after this with photos. If I don't get it up in time, we love you and will see you soon. We are praying that the Marriage conference is going well. Love you all. REV TONY

A longer video

2007-08-24T07:20:00.000-07:00

Here she is eating her "treats" that melt in your mouth. She LOVES these things. I guess I better stock up. She keeps looking back because she hears me in the bathroom making her bottle. She does have to know where we both are at all time though. Sorry not much talking, but you can see her little personality and her eating by herself and sitting up nice and tall!! Sooo sweet. Oh, she had a dirty diaper too!! Man, not so sweet!! But hey, she's pooping, so we are happy! Crazy being happy about that huh? But you understand! Hope you like it!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS7r77BvmV8

Surprise!!!!

2007-08-24T04:22:00.000-07:00

Lets try it this way! Click on this link! or cut and paste for a fun surprise!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hbzpgv4H8k

More Pictures of Olivia and Company

2007-08-24T00:52:00.000-07:00

Better Internet connection means more pictures!!!!!

2007-08-24T00:41:00.000-07:00