The day I'll never forget...

2 years ago today was a day that changed not only my life forever, but our entire family!  The last few weeks, my mind has constantly replayed the events from that day & the weeks leading up to it.  I remember the fear, complete hopelessness & vulnerability I had the 1-2 weeks leading up to September 21, 2010.  I felt something was wrong due to symptoms, but there was nothing I could do to change the inevitable outcome.  A mother’s hopelessness & pain, as you know your baby will probably pass before you is unexplainable!  It was a day of great sorrow & joy! 

Many never think about that day or the baby we lost.  Many may minimize the loss since our child had not lived a day out side of me in this sinful world.  The ones that still remember may never mention our child as they might feel awkward mentioning our baby they never saw or they may not speak of it afraid of making me upset.   

However,

I remember the days I carried our love.

I remember the days of fear I spent of the unknown.

I remember the day I gave birth to our child.

I remember our great loss & hurt from losing our Landon!

Many try to comfort me by saying things as

“This was God’s will.”

or

“Even though it hurts, it’s better off as there was probably something wrong with the baby.”

As I do appreciate people’s words & understand their intentions are not meant to be mean spirited in the least; they were only trying to comfort me.  However, I’ll be honest in saying that none of that makes me feel any better! Please don’t take that to mean I didn’t appreciate your thoughts; I really appreciated that you cared & took the time to say something. 

You see, my brain cannot comprehend how it would be God’s will to take our child.  I will be honest in saying I do not understand why God does not prevent the death of a child.?  I just don’t understand it & do not think I will ever be able to comprehend until I’m in His Kingdom.  Until then, I walk in faith because I know our God is just and loving!

If something was “wrong” with our child, it just didn’t matter to me as Landon was perfect in our eyes!  You can see from the children we have adopted as our own, we don’t find these special needs as being “wrong” but a “special” need – meaning they need special or extra attention or will do things differently.  I know that our children we have adopted (nonetheless ours – just arrived in different route) are not the most severely sick children nor have an extreme or very intricate special need.  Am I being hypocritical or naive saying that it wouldn’t have mattered if something was “wrong” with our baby, but haven’t adopted a child with the most severe/toughest special needs? No!  God has led us to & given us ALL our children!  We did not just spin a wheel & say hummmm, this is the child we want.  Not at all - just like we didn’t spin a wheel for our bio children!  Actually, we’ve spent many hours praying & being prayed for that we would do God’s will!   These are the children our Lord has blessed & entrusted us with!  I don’t know what the future holds & I will just walk in His light!

You see we Loved our Landon before we ever met – just as God Loved us (His children) before we were ever born.  Landon was our child just as much as any of our other children. 

Today I can finally say that I hold a peace that our Landon is with our Maker!  I’m selfish to wish our child was here instead of a place of perfection in all ways!  Do I miss Landon?  Of course and I’d be highly surprised if that ever changed!  Landon is our child & I know we will meet again so that makes the pain bearable! 

This maybe the only pictures I have of our angel 

 but there is not a day that goes by that I don’t miss our baby!  And  Landon will live in my heart until we unite again!

In our bedroom, you can find this at one side of our bed:

Framed are priceless words that Phil wrote about his Dad when he left this earth & were read at his funeral.  The cross was a special gift we were given at the funeral home.

On the other side of our bed, you will see this:

Even after 2 years, I haven’t had the heart to frame our only pictures as I’d planned.  One day I think I will find that strength.

These are a sort of memorial of the ones that have gone before us!  They are so close in our hearts! I feel both of them so near many days in things I see & do, something that happens or is said.  There are signs that are extremely special to me! I know they may not live on this earth but they are still with us!

BW I feel like I live with you every day through my son - your first grandchild!  Those that knew you know how he is like you in so many ways – including not being able to stay on his feet even at the most inappropriate times! Yeah, we chuckle frequently about you falling while carrying the casket to the grave side along with many many precious memories.  Oh the funny & fond celebrations we hold of you!  I wish I had all the stories written down that have been told to us over the years.  I’d say you were one of a kind, but then I have one too much like you to be able to say that!  You would love all your grandchildren, but you & Colt would really relate.  I know it would have tickled you!

Landon, Mommy Loves you very very much!  I do not believe I will ever understand why you did not stay, but I have to not dwell on that today!  Instead, I concentrate on the time I had with you 

& all the joy you brought me in your short stint. I focus on the fact we will be together again!  I miss you every single day, but I’m glad you did not have to deal with this world & you've only known complete happiness!  I thank God for the time He gave you to me & I cherish those moments! I love it when I get special signs of you being close and I always smile! I wish I could hug & kiss you today……..until we meet again, you will forever live in me!  Landon, you may not be walking on this earth but never forgotten...........Love you Forever, my angel!  I will do my best to make today a celebration of your life & not focus on my selfishness of wishing you were here!

Our interesting life, introduction, & fighting for justice.........

I have about 4 blog entries almost complete that needs to be finished & posted, but I thought I'd give you a laugh into our crazy life from this weekend!  

As you know Friday we were blessed with new pictures of Guan Ya.  Then, we had a homecoming & football game.  At homecoming, GiGi was overwhelmed with all the people, noise, & commotion.  For the most part she did not want out of my or Dada's arms.  However, there were some little boys that kept coming back to her to "talk" to her.  GiGi loved the attention & she returned the flirts by teasing them! Yeap, DaDa & Bubba have got their hands full here!  And some boys have already been hinting they liked Guan Ya from her pictures so it's not stopping anytime soon! ha

I don't know if it's the change in weather or if there is some little something going around, but most of us here haven't felt the best this weekend so we stayed inside. 

Yesterday, GiGi continued to throw shoes in the floor - like all of them!  The first time, I said "No, No - Don't do that GiGi".  I was in a hurry so I picked them up as she just looked at me.  
The second time she threw them on the floor, I said "No, GiGi.  You cannot do that.  Come help me pick them up."  Well, she was very resistant & I used hand-over-hand to make her pick them up.  She was not happy about it this time.  
A short time later, she AGAIN throws down all the shoes in the floor.  I again (never raising my voice but getting frustrated as she completely understands) said "No, GiGi.  I've already gotten on to you.  Come pick these up." 
GiGi replied loudly "I aiiin't!  I aiiin't!"  (Yeap, I told you she was already country!)  Yeah, she yelled it twice as if the first time wasn't enough!  Well, I couldn't keep from laughing but it wasn't getting her out of picking them up.  Well, let's say I've met my match with stubbornness & G!  I just thought Macy Jade was stubborn but GiGi, she takes the cake for that prize!  It was at least a 40 min stand/stare-off between she & I.  She used several words during that time such as "No", "Quit It" (because she didn't want me to make her pick up the shoes), & of course more "I Aiiin't".  Well, after a few tears, I'll just say this........she kinda picked up one shoe so I guess I won!  In the words of George Strait, "If you'll buy that, I've got some ocean front property in Arizona."

Ahhh, can you believe that this sweet face

can be so defiant? 

 Whew, this weekend Miss G has been full of loud "No", "I Aiiin't", "Quit It", "TOOOP" (translation STOP) along with a lot of throwing herself on the ground kicking & making puddles of tears within seconds.  DaDa, Macy, or Colt will run pick her up immediately & if I'm close Miss G, yells "Maaaa"  with the biggest grin!  Yeah, she knows the tricks!  If you see me standing in Wal-Mart & I say something like "Don't touch that" & GiGi falls on the floor screaming & crying, I'll probably just stand there and watch her for a bit.  I guess I'm the bad mom, but if I immediately picked her up, I'd have these fits all day!  Trust me I know this to be fact! ha

However, when she says "Love Lu!" or says & signs things like "More Eat" or "More Milk" (yes, she is already signing some that we've taught her) our hearts melts faster than a popsicle on a Mississippi July!

I've failed to introduce you to someone & I feel it is appropriate to let you in on the story.  

Friends, Meet Ricky! 

For Macy's birthday in August, she got a hamster.  Yeah, I wasn't so fond of it but I have to admit Ricky has grown on me over the month.  After Macy got him, we asked the first question most people ask

"So what are you going to name him?"  You know our family is not the norm so when she said Ricky, we were kinda puzzled, but o.k.  But wait, we don't know a Ricky so where did that come from?  So again, we ask the next normal question 

"Why did you name him that?"  Well pals, the rodent was named after Ricky Bretherton.  Who, you may be wondering?  "You know Ricky as in Billy's brother." Macy would explain.  

Billy - who?  "You know Billy the Exterminator."  Oh my, yes, our daughter named her mouse-relative after an exterminator!

You see, Macy likes Billy.  I don't know why she didn't name her hamster Billy.  Maybe it would get too confusing knowing if she was talking about Billy the Exterminator or Billy the Hamster.  Why would one even wonder that?  I mean come on, if my daughter will name her pet rodent after an exterminator, nothing else really needs more explanation! 

We were so busy with getting home from China, school starting, blah, blah, blah that Macy didn't have a birthday party thrown by us like usual.  Some family got together, but not our typical birthday party.  Macy was fine with this.  However, earlier in the year when we asked her about her party, she always told us that she wanted a "Billy" Party.  What's that we'd ask?  "A cake with bugs, snakes, and all the animals that he (Billy) exterminates."  "Plates & napkins" as she continued explaining "would have Billy's picture on it." "For the theme (sometimes we do things as princess make-over, bounce-arounds, fingernails painted, bowling, etc) , Billy will be at the party."  Yes, I know only my child, but she will watch that show as long as I'll let her at a time!  I guess if she couldn't have a "Billy the Exterminator" party then we'd do the next best thing........get a rodent & name it after Billy's brother! 

I'm sure you can see that DaDa & Bubba REALLY have their hands full!  Colt says to me 

"Please mom, No more girls!  The next one has to be a boy!" 

I asked him "Do you not like your sisters?"

 He said "Yes, I love everyone of them, but 3 girls are enough to drive me crazy.   How am I gonna keep the boys off of 3?  At least get me back up before you adopt another girl!" 

I don't want to leave you in fear of our dilemma so....

I will reveal a quick glimpse of our superheros

Til our next stop at fighting for justice!

Yeah - Update on Guan Ya.....

We were so excited to get an update of our Guan Ya!  Phil will definitely have another "go to" model when she gets here!  Isn't she beautiful?!?!?!  Phil may have to buy stock in Black Cat!  I mean really we have 3 beautiful daughters!  ;0)  It wouldn't be the first time he fired up some fireworks (sounding like a machine-gun to "want to be" sneaky boys) to run them off..... I won't mention any names but I still laugh thinking about some boys (about 6 years ago) rolling our yard & then rolling down the hill at the sound of flashlight firecrackers! hehe

From looking at her pictures & reading about her orphanage, it appears she has a nicer orphanage than GiGi was in.  From our understanding Guan Ya is in a foster home at this time.  As we've said tons of times, all orphans need a forever family & love!  We are so blessed that God has chosen us to entrust our newest daughter!

Guan Ya is in the red coat.  These were from her birthday in March.

 

 I'm guessing this was a birthday for another child from the orphanage.  It was taken about 4 months ago.

 Guan Ya in white shirt & long hair.

   Again, I'm guessing this was a birthday for another child from the orphanage.  It was taken in January.

 Guan Ya has on the pink coat with poka dots.

Can you say typical teen look? lol

Guan Ya in the middle. These were taken in June.

Guan Ya peace out!

It never ceases to amaze me how much you can love your child!  We will be traveling to get our daughter before March 9 (her 14th birthday).  This adoption is being expedited so she will not age out before our adoption is complete.  Please continue to pray for all of us!  Blessings!  Niki

Drawing.....

Many don't donate because they consider "a little" donation of $5 not being enough to make a difference. ANY donation is not "a little" to us! We have a great debt on adoptions but every penny helps, adds up, & is appreciated! We have al

most 1,300 friends in Long road to China - our adoption story on FB. If ½ of the people donated $5 it would pay for our first agency fees. If ¼ of the 1,300 donated $5, it would almost pay for One of our airline tickets. See how it adds up? What great power we have in all things when we all come together & do "a little"!

As an incentive, I’m adding a drawing for the next 2 weeks.
$5 donation = 3 entry
$10 donation = 8 entries
$20 donation = 20 entries
$25 donation = 25 entries PLUS a beautiful free silver charm bracelet shipped to you 

     (I'll take a pic & post it.)

As the number of donations increase, I will add items to the drawing. The drawing is for a $50 gift certificate toward Origami Owl party http://kristimayo.origamiowl.com/shop/?id=45 Some of the items we make are similar to some of the items on this site. Super cute! If you decide to place an order, Please let me know so my cousin, Lacy Thompson, can get the credit. She has been wonderful to us & donated a ton of very nice items for our yard sales. If your business would like to donate an item to the drawing, please let me know & I will add your button &/or post about you on our blogsot.

How can you make donations?
--via paypal – first button on the right side of our blogspothttp://long-road-to-china.blogspot.com/ or use email nikisuitor@yahoo.com
--Donations can be made nationwide at any Trustmark National Bank through the account: Phillip Smith or Niki J. Smith's Adoption Account
--Mail donations to
Phil or Niki Smith
P.O. Box 332
Rienzi, MS 38865
-- http://www.gofundme.com/longroadtochina (we get charged the highest interest from this site, but it is also available)

There are more ways to gain entries into the drawings. You've asked how you can help; this is the easiest thing you can do & you can win a prize.
You have no idea how much we would appreciate it if you would do all of the following that you utilize
--> "Like" this with Facebook - 1 entries
--> "Share" this with Facebook - 2 entries
--> "Tweet" our site if you use Tweeter - 1 entries
--> "Pin" on Pinterest - 2 entries
--> Include it in your blogspot or website with a link (even mention it in a post) - you can include our link for http://long-road-to-china.blogspot.com/ or http://www.gofundme.com/longroadtochina - 3 entries each day you mention us
or grab our widget - 3 entries for each day it stays on your site
--> Share it in a group – 2 entries for each
--> Share the ridiculously silly & fun picture of our "Beautiful" family. Just make it go viral; we are a good sport! I’d bet that if you share this picture, you’ll make someone laugh. Laughter is wonderful for everyone so give someone a little free medicine! ;0)
- 1 entries
(If you tweet, pin, blog, share in a group, etc. that will not show through this post, please post below what you did to gain entries so we can add your name to the drawing.)
Entering the drawing just requires a click to like, share, pin, etc. Many have asked to let you know how you can help & this is one way! It seems too easy & often overlooked or not done, but if you will share our story, then you've opened the possibilities greatly of us getting more support through prayers, donations, encouragement, provision, resources, guidance, etc. Please click to help & enter the drawing! ;0)

Shake it G...........

When we adopted GiGi, she was really weak.  We thought it was her special needs not allowing her to sit up from lying down (even while using the rails on the baby bed).  If she fell over (which wasn't uncommon as her balance wasn't really great either) while sitting, she could not sit back up no matter how hard she tried.  However, as we were still in China, she started to grow stronger & was able to use the rails to pull up to a sitting position.  

We've noticed over the weeks that she has gotten much stronger & more balance.  She has always loved to sing & sometimes we recognize the songs - sometimes it's the "Way O', Way O, Hi, Hi'" song (You'd have to know the precious Alexander boys to understand this - I think Tian was the songwriter, but GiGi loved them both!)  Anywho, GiGi had never danced that we have seen, but she started a few days ago.  Needless to say Colt & Macy Jade think it's the greatest!  Colt cheers her on by laughing at her & Macy teaches her new moves & dances with her.  Well, the videographer skills are much lacking as I couldn't get around to her, but I think you can see how far she has come.  

Shake Your Booty GiGi

The Good, Bad, Ugly & Best.......

Woe, the shots fire from all directions some days!  Remember, honest posts, raw emotions, & putting it all out there!  I'm not turning back, quitting or slowing down any -- not even thinking that way or doubting for a second!  However, I'm human & a flawed human!  I don't do great things; I'm doing nothing that others haven't done!  Anyone can follow God's challenging calls & do His will!  God could have called anyone on this mission but He chose us!  I think God not only called Guan Ya to be in our lives, but He called us to be in Guan Ya's life!

Anyone of you or another can walk out on blind faith - it's not easy & others will probably think you are crazy!  Blind faith isn't usually about doing what seems sensible; it isn't about having all the answers. And if you do take this leap of faith, He doesn't promise easy & I never expected easy!  

Moses tried to bargain & persuade God as he didn't think he was good enough.  This wasn't Moses' idea or plan; it was clearly God's plan! Moses' excuses:
I'm a nobody
I don't have all the answers
Someone could do it better
I can't do it
--I definitely related to all the above as we started this mission. 

Years may have passed since the time of Moses, but some things haven't - how people try to deal with God's callings!

Guess what? Even with all the excuses, God didn't change his mind with Moses nor us!  I don't expect Moses' 40 years in the wilderness was easy either but he fulfilled his ministry!  Moses was a man with a calling in his life. Moses had sin & was not perfect!  He was called to lead the Israelite out of Egypt.  Though Moses, God was fulfilling His purpose Moses was just the chosen one to carry out the mission.  We are all called for different missions; we just have to listen, believe, & follow!

What I  didn't realize about this journey is that I'd better not take my big girl panties off....not even to wash them....not even a quick hand wash!  I guess I'll be showering in these big panties the rest of the days! 

 I'm going to start with the bad & ugly so I can end on a good note!  Maybe That will make me feel better as I sleep! 

The things I never thought would happen in this process.  I NEVER thought that others would try to sabotage & get our adoption aborted!  I mean that honestly never even crossed my mind - maybe I'm naive.  I'm not going into specifics about this, but some of the ones you expect to find support & understanding from are the very ones  that so  shocked me!  I cannot believe people will ask to help you & fish for where you need help or your weaknesses only to use your kryptonite to doom your family! 

As humans we all tend to say things we shouldn't but wow some of the things cut deep!  I've said my fair share of hurtful things & things I shouldn't say.   I'm sure I've injected my opinions on "what would be best" for another when I should not have said.  I really really try hard not to do this, but I've noticed that the way I word things can sometimes come across the wrong way.  I've had several to try & completely discourage us, scare us away, make us feel completely incompetent, & just say plain hateful things about us following God's will.  

I've found myself hesitant now to even publicly state we are adopting again - Much less go into details about our amazing & wonderful daughter without first being asked!  Don't think for a second that means I'm doubtful or ashamed of our daughter in any way!  No WAY NEVER!!!  Yes, I still write about it & maybe it's easier for me to articulate with writings as I can use the delete or backspace when I realize I've said something I should not have said.  

As I say that, I want you to know that we can handle the truth & "what ifs" & uncertainties of Every detail about adopting our daughter that is older & deaf-mute!  We know this is not the easy path!  We know that others think we are absolutely crazy!  We know others think we are incompetent!  All I can think about is this:  As long as I'm following my Lord, that is all that matters!  I have to answer to Him one day.  If you aren't a Christian, I pray for you & I doubt you can understand this "crazy" way of thinking!  I pray that you can one day find the peace & understanding that we've found!  I've never felt so comfortable & so much harmony - and I've never been so broke (lol)!  It's only through Him that we are who we are today!

Something I really try to pray hard about is the things I say to others.  When I get hurt by another, I must remember that my tongue can cut deep!  I try to think before I take an action, tell another what "I" think they should do, or try to stop something they are doing....especially if they say they were led by God.  We are not all led in the same way so there is no way for another to decide where God is leading you!  If I cannot be of help in information (I'm not saying only paint the pretty picture - not at all!) or say something nice then I need to remember to say nothing at all if it is only hurtful!  

We are all humans so as I feel beat down by the words of others, I continue to remind myself that I am also flawed & God loves everyone of us!  I pray for God to help me forgive even if it is not asked for!  I will admit that through this process, the ugly darts have been aimed at me which makes it easier for me to forgive & go on!  It's when "Momma Bear" comes out that I have a hard time! 

God has called us to begin this journey with Guan Ya soooooo if YOU don't agree or don't like it please just don't share it with me.  I'm not going to give you a human reasonable answer,because all I can tell you is all I know.......God led us on this path!  No matter what others tell us, We are following God's plan anyway.  A lot of negativity & discouragement doesn't do anyone any good!

We are absolutely determined to give Guan Ya the very best that is available.  That does not mean she will live in a mansion or have the name brand clothing or have all the electronics or most popular "thing".  No, but she will have our unconditional love & forever family & she will know about God's love & how Christ has died on the cross for our sins! AND she will have the best that we can give her with language & communication (meaning yes, both she & we will all learn!)  Yes, we may be tired, but nope we aren't giving up & we will always put in the time & energy to learn what we need to.  It will not happen overnight, but neither did the Arc!

The venomous strikes burn, but God has placed so many more encouraging others in our path!  I cannot tell you how many have touched us in our short period of time of announcing our 2nd adoption!  I've been astounded at the number of you that have given us wonderful guidance, prayers, references, advice, time, offerings, & most of all - shown love toward us & our Guan Ya!  To me, those are the greatest moments & many times, they have brought me to tears as you show your loving cores!  

I've had several that would talk to us honestly & openly about what to expect or how things may be!  I've had messages/calls of offerings, of prayers, items we could use or that Guan Ya could use - from articles of clothing, snacks, teen magazines, craft supplies, accessories, & more (If I left out something specific that has been offered, I'm getting really tired & appreciate everyone of you more than you could know!)  I've had suggestions for help & several that have expressed a great interest in learning sign language.

As I said, I'm getting tired & I guess I should have started with the good & best so I could tire out on the bad, ugly! lol  So many have touched us but I would like to share with you one time in particular.

There are 3 very special girls that are a mess I will admit.  They are sometimes  loud & honest & might embarrass you by stating the truth.  However,  I've always loved them & admired the ladies they are becoming!  This weekend as they were helping & pampering Macy Jade, we began to talk about Guan Ya.  They were so excited the more I talked about our precious daughter & the more I told them about what I knew of her.  They started telling me how they were going to learn sign language & were so excited to start learning.  Then, they started asking if they could make Guan Ya friendship bracelets, tie-dyed shirts & signing it, & other girly things she would like.  I was speechless!  These girls, all under 20, didn't see Guan Ya as being deaf-mute, but as being our daughter & automatically their friend!  Wow, many adults cannot see her for that & to think these girls didn't think any other way.  These beautiful girls completely realized Guan Ya's special needs & they chatted about things she Could do in school with them.  I told them she liked to dance & they were like "Yeap, she will have to be a cheerleader with us"  They proceeded to  think of ways the cheers could be adapted for Guan Ya to know when to start cheering, etc.  Next they talked about going places together & painting nails, fixing hair, & other things girls love to do together!  I honestly cried several times last night thinking about how special these girls were to think of our Guan Ya & how they could incorporate her into their lives.  It never crossed their mind that she might be different & strange, but rather that she would do things differently & how they could support her!  These are Christian girls & they touched my heart in a way they will never understand!  They are more mature than some adults & God used them to comfort me when He knew I needed it!  Cede, Brittany, & Anna thank you so much for our talk yesterday!  I cannot wait to send Guan Ya pictures of you gals & tell her about the special friends awaiting her in the US!  You girls are the best & I love you!

In conclusion, I'm not going to live my life with I'da.  I'da given Guan Ya a great life.  I'da learned sign language. I'da.......  No not I'da; I'm gonna!  I'm gonna do the things God leads us to. I'da rather not think what would happen if I didn't follow God's direct calling for my life so I'm just going to do it!  And that's the Best!  The Best is the assurance, peace, guidance that God gives me!  I don't have all the answers but He does!  I will have hard times (as will everyone) but God will never leave me!  I have His promise & I believe on His word!  

Thank you Lord for entrusting us to this journey!  Help me to forgive as you love us all & no human is perfect!  Your love is sufficient!  Help me to love others as you love!  Forgive me for when I sin!  And thank you for all those that have shown "Your Love" toward us!  Please be with each of those!  Bless their lives as only You can! Move them in the path You have for their lives & each of us for Your glory!  Please be with the orphans around the word; I pray that you will touch hearts to give these children homes!  I pray that others will show Your love for these less fortunate!  I know they are special to You;  use me to assist in any way possible for giving them love & homes. For the lost, please use Your words though my writings to reach each of them.  I pray for the lost that they will be touched & come to know you!  You are the light & the Only way!  I love you & I'm so unworthy.  I trust you with my life & will go wherever you call.  For me, You are all I need to know!  Thank you for sending your Son for a flawed individual as I!  Niki

7 years ago....

7 years ago today was one of those days that changed my life forever!  Another one of the many blessings God has granted to me even though I'm completely undeserving!  I cannot believe 7 years ago my beautiful & precious Macy Jade was born!

There is an indescribable amount of  love that I hold for my little mini-me!  She is a Daddy's girl no doubt & she will tell you that in a Mississippi minute!  She knows how to make him jump even before she asks!  

Up until about 6 weeks ago, she was our baby.  I'll be honest in saying that I was not sure how Macy would respond to GiGi being the baby!  Sure she has had some jealous moments, but I could have never imagined her handling it as she has!  She is  "little momma" to GiGi!  Most of the time Macy treats G as her life size baby doll.  MJ has been the most incredible big sister!  I get so caught up that I sometimes forget to say how very proud I am of her!  

She can be an spit fire, but she wouldn't be my mini-me if not!  I'm so thankful God blessed me with her 7 years ago!  She makes me one proud mamma & I cannot wait to see all the great things God has planned for my special girl!

 I love you soooooooo much Macy Jade!!!! 

 Happy Birthday, Princess!