My life will never be the same!

I officially have a walker! Mariah has been toddling around for quite a while, but was very determined to walk when she wanted. We knew she would be able to, but that she would definitely be the one to decide:) Tonight after church was the time! She took off and has been walking everywhere and VERY fast! She also has decided that she has to carry her two purses she got for Christmas from NanNan. It's hilarious! I kept her up way too late, because I was just so excited to see her walking everywhere! Had to call the grandparents, take video and take pics, of course! I guess the baby phase is officially over, although most would argue that it was over several months back!

Snow and more celebrating!

Mariah's first time in the snow! She was a little uncertain at first, but loved it when she got to throw snow at Daddy's face!



Bundled up in her blankie after playing in the snow
Christmas with my side of the family...

Me and Mom
Mariah with PaPa Stanz,
NanNan
Dancing with NanNan and Viv
with cousin Viv,
Uncle Joe,
Uncle Matt,
Mommy,
Daddy,
Aunt Mandy,
and cousin Vi.

We have been so blessed to spend the Christmas holiday with our precious, generous, hospitable, and loving families! We have been well fed, well entertained, well gifted, and well loved!!! Thank you to both of our wonderful families!!!

Celebrating

Christmas Morning...stroller from Santa!!

Christmas Eve....pictures by the tree before bed! Mariah has become a pro at touching the tree with "one finger."

Making (eating) yummy cookies for Santa!

Looking out at the snow!
Loving on some wrapping paper!
Festival of lights with....Poppy,
YaYa
Uncle Reece,
Mommy,
and Daddy!
Quick family pic at the Festival of Lights in Wichita Falls, TX.

Opening her sweet Cabbage Patch doll from YaYa and Poppy.

Christmas at Grandma Lucy's!

We still have Christmas with my family tomorrow (it got snowed out today), but this is how we've celebrated so far! I hope you all had a wonderful and safe Christmas!! We look forward to our continued celebration!!


MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Chairs!

If you saw me with smudged makeup at church today, this is what kicked it off.....seeing my BABY in a CHAIR for Bible class!! Where has the time gone? I can't believe she is no longer sitting in the table in those little baby chairs. I definitely had a little emotional breakdown this morning over that, followed by sweet comments from friends about Mariah's adoption and how we have a "daughter" (tear), the precious video during service and then final singing of "There's a Stirring" while the whole church surrounded the ministers and elders. Such a sweet and emotional morning. It finally sunk in today that we really do get to keep Mariah forever! I was wondering when the tears would just start flowing...guess I got my answer!


By the way, Mariah's teacher said that she stayed in her chair the whole time...very impressive! I was actually a little nervous that she'd topple over!

Introducing.....

Mariah Lucy

We love you, precious baby girl!! We are incredibly thankful to God for giving us such the amazing gift of YOU! We are blessed to have had you in our home since September 2008 and call you ours forever on December 4, 2009! Welcome home, sweet baby girl! We love you more than you will ever know!!!
God is SO good!!!

15 months old (November 22nd)






The day we met you!!!

A HUGE thank you to all of our family and friends who have supported us through our entire journey!!! Mariah is so blessed to have such loving family and friends around her!!! Thank you for instantly welcoming her into your hearts, as we have!!