Nora's first school pic.... Pre-School (2010-2011)

Nora Tai Li

September, 2010

New pics of Nora...

These pics of Nora were taken yesterday after church by my good friend Angie Myers... This was Nora's easter dress this year and I had never gotten her picture taken in it.
Better late than never I always say! =)

Two years ago today we brought Nora home from Ch1na. She met her MeMe and her Papa & Nannie, and Uncle Josh and Aunt Lori for the very first time! (The rest of the family would soon follow).

She didn't quite know what to think after a whirlwind two weeks with us in China. But her new family loved her already and could not wait to meet her.

She loves them very much too....

Isn't she beautiful?

Nora's "Gotcha" Day...

On September 16, 2008 I met my beautiful daughter for the very first time.
I cannot believe how quickly time goes by and how much she has grown into a beautiful silly little girl who loves Dora the Explorer and going to church and singing for the Lord and walking the Greenway with her "Da Da". She is such a blessing to our lives and I cannot imagine my life without her. I can't wait to see what God has in store for Nora Tai Li.

Nora's first day of Pre School...

Today was Nora's first day of Pre-School...

She was such a big girl! She wanted Mama to leave after 15 minutes!
She has already learned going to her Nannie's or Ms. Penny's every morning that the fun does not begin until Mama leaves!

It has been less than 2 years since this beautiful child came into our family and now she is already off to school... I know it's only Pre School.... but it still counts...

I didn't cry this morning... only when I was praying with her before we left....

I am so very thankful for this beautiful child that God has blessed our family with.

I wouldn't change a thing about my journey to motherhood...




With ALL my Love...

Plinky.com question of the day...

Plinky.com question of the day....

"Name a movie that moved you."

"China Cry"


After seeing "China Cry" in 2005 - God dealt with my heart about adopting a child... specifically from China. I had been going through fertility treatments and loved the name Nora for a girl. After seeing this movie (the main character's name is Nora) God confirmed in my heart that I was called to do what I felt so strongly in my heart.

The movie is a true story about a woman named Nora Lam who was persecuted in China in the 1950's for her Christian beliefs. If you ever get a chance to watch it.... you should.

With ALL my Love...

Who is your best friend and why?...

Plinky.com question of the day…

Who is your best friend and why?

My best friend of course is Sherri Denise Epperson Roe.

She was born on July 7, 1980 and just turned the big 30!!! Lol (sorry had to throw that in!).

Sherri is a wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, teacher, preacher, counselor, therapist, chauffeur (not to me), cook, event organizer, decorator or whatever else hat she has to put on at any given time.

Sherri is my best friend for many reasons. We have been friends for 15 years and she has been there for me in the best of times and in the worst of times. She was with me on September 16, 2008 when Nora was placed in my arms for the first time at the Civil Affairs office in Kunming, Ch*na. And she was there on September 16, 2009 when I said goodbye to my mother for the last time at Fike Funeral Home.

Our friendship has had its ups and downs. And I have been so mad at her before that I wanted to choke her. And I am sure she has been that mad at me too. But I would always go back to those times when I needed her most and she was ALWAYS there. Even when know one else was. When everyone else had turned their back on me Sherri was there to wipe my years and send me a flowers and take me for a pedicure and threaten to kill some stupid guy that was not worth the breath we were wasting talking about him.

My friendship with Sherri is probably the most secure friendship I have outside of my immediate family. I never worry that she is going to walk away and not be my friend anymore because of something stupid that I did.

When I think of my friendship with Sherri it reminds me of the Love chapter in
1 Corinthians 13. (NIV)

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.

Verse 8 says “Love never fails”. The ESV (English Standard Version) says
“Love never ends”. I take that as meaning that “true” Love never ends.

My friendship with Sherri is what true love is about. Friends that are friends through the good times and the bad times.

I am glad to say that Sherri Roe is my BFF….

With ALL my Love…

Summertime Fun....

Below are some pics of Nora with her friends that are down from Illinois visiting for the summer..... They are having a great time!






With ALL my Love...

Important Things...

Family…

For anyone who knows me at all…. They know that my Family is the most important thing in my life. (Except for God of course). I love family gatherings. I love cooking for Thanksgiving dinner and the anticipation of everyone arriving. I love cookouts in the summer on the 4^th of July. I love Easter dinner after church and watching the kids hunt eggs after we have had ham and potato salad and green beans. I love having to make sure we have rolls or some type of bread for my brother. I love making my grandmother’s fudge at Christmas and using her tiered glass tray to display them. I love having dinner with the whole family to celebrate someone’s birthday.

But most of all I just LOVE being with my family. They are crazy and fun and hilarious and we are always going on with something. And now that the babies are here (and on the way), we enjoy watching them play with one another and getting to know them and how they interact with each other.

I always wanted a house full of children myself. I wanted to raise them in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and wanted them all to play a different musical instrument so that they could play for mommy when I sing and I would have my own band. =)

When my mom passed away last year I realized just how short life really is. The Lord blessed us exactly one year with Nora and my mom and I am so very thankful for that. But the older I get I just want to spend every moment possible with the people that I love the most……. Nora, My Dad, Jackie, Josh, Lori, Luke, Kenny, My friends Sherri, Kellie, Michelle, Carly, Sara and Johnny….

So in my short 34 years on this earth I have discovered the most important things in life and have a made a list so that I will always have it to look upon when things seem crazy sometimes. Below is a list of those things in no particular order

The Most Important Things In My Life….

My relationship with God

Nora and my calling as a mother

My Immediate Family

My music ministry

Spending time in the word of God

Spending time in Prayer

Getting time with my girlfriends

Spending time with the man in my life

Telling people about the love of Christ

Helping people in need

Being a good steward with what God has blessed me with

Always keeping something to myself that was shared in confidence

I am sure there are other things that are really important too. But If I keep these things in perspective I believe the rest will work out for my good.

I believe this because the word of God in Jeremiah 29:11 says “I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord; plans to prosper you and not harm you; plans to give you a hope and a future.”

Below are pictures of my daughter and my nephew….. they are my hope and my future….

With ALL my love...

Nora's kisses...

This is Nora at her 3 year checkup yesterday blowing me kisses wearing her paper gown while waiting on the pediatrician to come in.  She is such the sweety. ..

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To give HIM Glory...

So I have been going through something the last couple of weeks and I don’t even know how to explain it. I feel the need for an outlet. I kept a blog for almost 3 years while waiting on Nora to get here and it kept me halfway sane….. soooooo… I think it’s time to start blogging again. Even if it’s just to talk about all the silly things that Nora is doing or saying. She is growing up so fast and I want to remember this time with her because I can never get it back.

But I also want this blog to most of all give God glory for all the many blessings in my life. I want every single action that I do to lift up the name of Jesus.

I have also decided to do a weekly blog for a song of the week. With lyrics included. Possibly a video to go along with the lyrics. I love music. It is my other calling in life besides being a mother and I love beautifully written songs. So we will see how that goes.

My hope is that whatever I am talking about will give God glory… for He is worthy…

With ALL my Love…