Sunday Snapshot

I still haven't really gotten the hang of the new Sunday Snapshot. So, bare with me guys :)

So here we go, try number 45..okay, not really more like 3. whatever.

This week it is all about Ainsley {what's new?} and her just over the top cuteness...and dislike of grass.

Seriously, y'all. the child is just too much. She has a personality that is unbelievable. She is so joyful.

She smiles constantly and the smile melts your heart. She loves so fiercely.

After being home FOUR whole months life has definitely changed. She has definitely changed.  She used to be unwilling to come within 45 feet of this lovely little dog without screaming uncontrollably...these days she loves to drag her around, but secretly i think Zoey enjoys it :)

Love is an amazing thing. It does amazing things. One amazing thing is making this child chubby. When we got her in China she was anything but that. At 2.5 years old she weighed 11lbs and a 12month outfit fell off of her.

Now, a 24 month hugs her like spandex. Hallelujah.

Her favorite things to do these days are, um...hit, smile, laugh, yell, throw food, eat food, drink sweet tea {and lots of it}, take 4 bottles a day {save your judgement} and yeah to make us all fall helplessly in love.

Life is so good around here.

Happy Sunday!
I used a Nikon D90 and a 100mm lens. I edited all of the photos using photoshop cs5 and a collection of many different actions all mixed together.  


Oh, and most importantly the rain boots were $5 at Target. thankyouverymuch.


Come join the fun @

First Surgery

Ainsley had her first surgery at home this morning {she had many in China}

It was a very simple routine surgery. She had tubes put in her ears. It's not a huge deal really, but for her it was. See, every single surgery in China she was put to sleep, woke up in tremendous pain, and was placed with a new family/orphanage. Every. Time.

This time though, it was different. She was put to sleep but was surrounded by lots of love from her Mama and Nana. When she woke up she wasn't in much pain and she was with the same people she went to sleep with. Such a big difference.

The doctor said Ainsley's ears are very bad. There was a lot of pressure and fluid, which from my experience, is so not fun. I am so glad we have that handled. Please pray for her hearing and that is will improve. The doctor feels this should help.

Since coming home she has been doing well and has played with me on the beloved webcam. SO thankful.

All in all surgery was very easy and gives us hope for the many more our sweet girl will face in the near future.
                                      
Four months ago yesterday we were blessed with a very beautiful little girl in Xi'an China. How thankful we are to call her ours!

Be The Light

God commands us to BE THE LIGHT of the World. We all have been blessed with different lights. My 'light' is mission work and orphans. As most of you know, my heart is in Uganda. After much prayer, God's guiding hand, and amazing stuff that has happened. 

I have to raise a lot of money to go to Uganda. I am at peace because I KNOW God provides. One of my fundraiser is selling this shirt that I have designed. 

If you want to read Why Uganda is my heart just go here :) 

The shirts are $15 ($3 shipping) and all of the proceeds go to my trip to Uganda! 

If you would like a shirt comment or email me at princessblogs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Thank you! 

Sisters

Being a Sister is a big deal and a life long commitment. It's a best friend, forever. It's a lot of hugs and kisses. 

It has been a long road that led these two girls to be sisters. God had a plan. A very beautiful one, too. 

I look at the love these two have and I am in awe. Surely, this must be what heaven is like. It just has to be.

Even when Ainsley leans over and just slaps Anna Grace for no reason but to be playful and the tears start coming and the yelling begins, it's still beautiful...and loud, but beautiful. 

I am so thankful for our little dreams come true. Overwhelmed.

Last year, we dreamed of this. This year, we have it. I am not sure there is anything greater in the world. 

God is good. 

I use a Nikon D90 with a 100mm lens. All photos are basically SOC with a little bit of tweaking on iPhoto because honestly I just didn't have too much time to edit this weekend. More on that later :)

Why Uganda?

Simple, Logical question really. I blame no one for asking either. 

By the way, I definitely know Ainsley is not Ugandan, but she is seriously too cute not to share :) 

Uganda is a beautiful place. The people, the places, the homes, everything about it to me is beautiful. The suffering of course is not but there is beauty in it all. The beauty in the fact that in the greatest poverty they are lifting their hands in Praise to the ONE who rescues them. The ONE who helps them through their life. They rely on Him for everything. Their next meal, to get up in the morning, etc. etc. If only I could comprehend that. I long for that need to need Him in such a way. In America, we are spoiled. We aren't on our knees praising Him every second of the day. If only we could realize how BIG our God still is and how REAL and powerful and MIRACLE-WORKING He is! If Only...and I am not, by any means saying that people in America do not worship or love God. Some do. Some do rely on Him, but is it in the same way? 
Think if you were an Orphan, alone, starving, and on the street...Would you be happy, always smiling, or in a good mood? (not that they always are) If that was all you had ever known? Do you think that ANYONE would choose to live the life they live? That ANY child chooses to be an Orphan?! Any human chooses suffering? I highly doubt it. What is good about not having an Earthly Mommy and Daddy? Not having someone to tuck you in at night, kiss you, or let you know you are so loved? Nothing is good about that. At all. 
It is only by the grace of God I am where I am right now. In a beautiful, comfortable home, with all of the luxuries i could imagine and so do not deserve. From the iPhone, to the i-this and that. All of that is a LUXURY. All of it is not necessary. All of it is just something I have been BLESSED with. 
Don't get me wrong, I love my life here. I love my family, friends and everyone God has put in my path, but God is breaking my heart for what breaks His.  HE is showing me that this lovely life in America is not for me. My life was not meant to be spent donating money online and praying for a child through the internet and hoping someone else will do something because I don't want to step out of my box of comfort and do it myself.. My life was meant to GO and yours was, too. God COMMANDS us to care for the Orphans and Widows in distress. It is not a friendly suggestion. 
I don't feel God has called me to take the 'easy' life. No where have I found that in the Bible. I am told to pick up my cross and follow Him. I plan to do that in the fullest. I believe He has called me to do something so much bigger than myself or my dreams Something so much more than what I can imagine. So much more than being 'normal' 

So, that is Why Uganda. 
I am more than thrilled to be leaving in 50-something days to go to a country I have never stepped foot in, but have loved from the start. My heart is ready. and I just can't wait. 
Please keep me in your prayers in the days to come. For God to direct me and show me more on this trip than I could have ever dreamed.


"Who will GO? Who shall I send?" and I said, "Here i am. Lord, Send ME!"
-Isaiah 6:8 

Uganda 2012

last year i was planning to go on a trip, but it unfortunately {and looking back for good reason} fell through.
this year though, i was ready. january i began searching and praying for God to point me to Uganda and to make a way, like i knew He could and would.
my oh my did He deliver!
on June 3 I will board an airplane to Uganda. the place where my heart has been for so many years and now i will get to be there physically. how.sweet.it.is.
I am THRILLED with the team I am going with and have actually been dreaming and trying to go with them for 2 years. it is so God.
so God that my school approved me to miss so many days of school.
so God that my parents are allowing their 16 year old daughter to board a plane to Africa.
so God that He has perfectly orchestrated a trip.
so God that everything continues to fall in to place
and the list goes on.
Please keep me and the team in your prayers in the days to come as we prepare and go to Uganda.
I still have SO MUCH to do to prepare and a long, long way to go at that with fundraising, packing, school, etc. yet I feel God encouraging me and simply telling me to 'Be still and Know'
I cannot wait to see how things play out and how God blesses our team. it is going to be amazing i know that much.

hey guys,
guess what?

I'M GOING TO UGANDA!!!

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
-1 Chronicles 16:8

easter

Easter is a fantastic time of year. This year it was especially special because our family was complete.

I had to guys, really. I did. 

Last year, Ainsley was not in our plans. This year, Ainsley is all we can talk about. All we can think about. All we can praise God about. {A post on that later} 

she was very tired of pictures at this point :) 

On Saturday we went to Nana's house and had our annual Easter party. All of our friends came over and we dyed eggs, hunted eggs, had a candy table, met the Easter bunny, and amy more things. It was definitely fun! Every year we have done this and it never ceases to be a family favorite. and I got to hold a baby. nothingelsemattersguys.

Ainsley loved dying eggs {and dying herself} she did not stop smiling and talking. She stole the hearts of everyone at the party :) 

It was so much fun! HUGE thanks to Nana for having the party again this year :) 

Today was another blessing. We got up to all of the wonderful surprises that the Easter Bunny had brought us. 

Celebrated Easter for it's true meaning. enter song...Our God's not dead, He's surely alive! 

Stephanie and the boys!

Anyways, we then headed to our sweet Aunt Stephanie's house. We had not been in a few years and it was nice to relive tradition and celebrate as a family. They prepared an absolute fabulous meal and it was so sweet to fellowship with our beloved family that we love so much.

We stayed from about 12-5 which was lovely, fun, and made the comment 'Next year, i am sending invitations with a time!' hehe. Stephanie secretly loves it. We had a fun egg hunt again which consisted of money eggs. 
Which is serious business, y'all. it's m-o-n-e-y after all. 

Andrew especially took it to heart coming out with about $15. Which is enough to buy another power ranger. hallelujah. It's definitely needed because he didn't get 12 for Easter or anything. 

Ainsley and I egg hunted together and did rather well, too. my money is going towards Uganda and Ainsley's will probably go towards animal crackers ;)

Can you tell she LOVES her Mama?

As much fun as all this Easter celebrating is, it is not what this holiday is about. It's about celebrating what Jesus did for you and me. Reflecting, Rejoicing, and Thanking. 

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Easter in the hopes that  you experienced sweet worship with God, His Word, His people and His church today.  

and You can, because He’s not dead.

He’s alive.

Empty Tomb. Risen KING. Rejoice!