One month home!

As I look back on our first day with our daughter, I am amazed at the journey the little girl in this picture has been on and the strides she's made since being with us.

She became an instant baby sister to three other siblings. Here she is with her "big sis".

Monkey see, monkey do.

Lola got a baby doll brush and decided to play hair salon with Lily. ;-)My girls LOVE to be read to...have I mentioned they have the best big bros? I am tellin' ya, they do this all the time...without being asked. I wish I had a pic of Bryson with them, but I don't, but he is ALWAYS entertaining them and making them laugh!!!

Lily and her thumb.. We have lots of pics with her sucking her thumb. It is her best friend. ha. I don't know what we will do when her palate is repaired and she has weights on her arms..no thumb for at least 10 days...please pray for us!! ha.

As I looked at the first pic and remember back to Lily and the transformation she has made since meeting her, I'm emotional. I have to say, this little one has had a rough life. What she has endured in her little lifetime is one that NO CHILD or human being for that matter should ever have to go through. BUT, the fact that she is here, the fact that she fought through, she didn't give up, she IS just brings me to tears. My girls are so true to their names...JOY and HOPE. Lily is HOPE. Lily has learned so much. She has opened up a lot, although I cannot wait to see her continue to develop, open up, and grow and become the beautiful butterfly that was once hidden...hidden in a cocoon. She has seen many dr's and will see many more. Her palate repair surgery is scheduled for Jan. 11, but we're on the waiting list if someone cancels. We would like to get her in as soon as possible, as we know this will help her be able to communicate with us. But right now, for us and for Lily, we are working each day her help her feel wanted and loved, safe and happy, and to learn all she can. Seeing her smile until her brown eyes disappear, hearing her quiet giggle once in a while, watching her interact with her brothers and sister, reading stories, singing songs (Father Abraham with Daddy is a hoot! Wheels on the bus with Lolee), and sneaking in a snuggle are all we need.
We are so proud of you, Lily. You are a treasure!!!!!!

Happy Fall!

It's been a while...ha! To say we've been busy is an understatement...but we took some time to head out to a pumpkin patch with some of our favorite people in the world!

Here are my four kiddos.Me and my little punkin's!

Bryson Quinn had a blast on all of these home-made activites.

So did Brennan!

The three little pumpkin princesses!

Brennan, Bryson and best bud Cole!

Trying to get this pic was hilarious! This is as good as it gets!

Here's the whole gang. We hopped on the wagon to head out to the pumpkin patch.

LOVE this PRECIOUS Family!!!!

I think the girls were happy with the pumpkin they picked:-)

The boys took their time trying to find the perfect one!

Daddy and his girls. Love this pic..the sunset was just beautiful.

Thanks for a fun-filled evening Kightlinger fam! Looking forward to doing it again next year!

Today after church I wanted to snap a few pics of the kiddos and capture some of the beauty of fall.

Our little Hopers

Brenners

Brydy Quinners

Brothers

A Momma has to try, but didn't get any great ones of all 4...maybe next time. ha

Our little JOY JOY

We are thankful to be a family of 6. Lily is doing very well. She and LJ are a hoot...sharing toys...or stealing toys. I ALWAYS have a baby if not both babies in my lap. Making time for ALL FOUR children is a balancing act..and we're doing everything we can to make all of our children feel treasured and loved. When the girls are napping or asleep we make that our special time with our boys. This weekend I was able to take the boys to see my nephew play in the band...so these moments are precious with them. Each day it's getting easier. I am getting the hang of doing everything double. Lily is walking arond everywhere now and we are so proud of the strides she has already made. She is quiet, calm, and absolutely precious.

We are so blessed to be called her family.

Happy Fall!

The first song on this playlist is dedicated to our Lily Hopers...I heard this song and thought of her. I love you just the way you are sweet baby girl!!!

Home Sweet Home!

I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to be HOME. The flight home was... LOOONG. :-) Our little princess wasn't sleepy..hee hee..soo...she was awake all but 2 hrs. and 50 min. of 22 hours of flying and layovers..etc. ha. She was an angel though and played and giggled and snuggled. Needless to say, Doug and I were exhausted from entertaining, but nothing matters now..all is forgotten..well almost. And we're sooo happy to be home. As we arrived in Louisville our hearts were pounding with anxious excitement to see our family and friends. We caught a glimpse of our 3 kiddos waiting for us and the tears began. It was such a SWEET homecoming. Here are some pics Doug took. sorry, they're not great, but it's all I have until I can steal some from someone else. :-)

Big brother Bryson holding little Hopie. Brennan was next.


And finally, the new big sis, Lola Joy held her partner in crime.:-)



Finally!!!! All four kiddos together!!!!!

Stanley..party of SIX!!!

This is how Bryson felt about us being home that night...priceless!!!

Once home, life began for us and we are beginning to start our new normal. Sat. we had two basketball games. It was interesting trying to watch my girls while Doug was coaching and the boys were playing ball. Thanks to some of the bball Moms for the helping hands!!! We went to church on Sunday. It was so nice to be back in the house of the Lord. Thanks to our sweet church family for all of the prayers and love. We are so blessed. Monday morning the boys were off to school.:-( I don't feel like I've had enough time with them, but then again, I never do. :-( They're growing up so fast. So, the girls and I tackled our first day by ourselves as Daddy went back to work. shew. I did it. And I was EXHAUSTED!! ha!

Here are some pics of the girls while the guys are away.

We love our new puzzle Cheddar..thanks!:-)

Sweet Sisters!

I took the girls in the stroller for a little walk. Lily was out in no time. All she needed was her thumb!

How is everyone sleeping? Sleep?? What's that?? Ha! Well, hmm..we play musical beds..again..(we did this with the boys too). The girls do acrobats while sleeping. Ha. They turn in cirlces and flip and flop. It's definitely a hoot.

How are the boys doing? They are the most amazing big brothers and sons we could ever pray for. They help in any and every way possible and totally blow me away with their love, compassion, and consideration for others. They will make some amazing husbands and Dad's someday. I'm just sayin'!:-)

How is Lola adjusting to Lily? Lola Joy is the most thoughtful big sis. She gets them matching toys. One for you, one for me. She gets me food for Lily, sippy cups, toys, etc. She smiles and adoringly talks about her sister. So far. :-) Lily watches everything Lola Joy does. They are precious together.

What does Lily think of her new home/family? Lily seems to be happy now that she is home. She loves to crawl all around our house and explore all of the new things around her. As for her family? She has the BEST extended family, brothers and sister and friends..that's for sure. She has taken to all of them! She allows the boys to carry her all over the house. And her Daddy and I are smitten with her. We want to do everything we can to help her become the beautiful creation God intended her to be. We are praying for healing for her heart and mind from the things she's had to endure in her first year of life. We aren't perfect people, or perfect parents. We are praying for Wisdom and Guidance from our God to mold us and make us and USE US for HIS GLORY. We do not know what the future holds for Lily Hope, but she now has a HOPE and a FUTURE because of our Lord and his compassion for the Fatherless. He set the lonely in our hearts for her...and for Lola Joy..and right now...

our hearts are FULL!

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!!!!

The Stanley Family

We would like to thank everyone who made the long drive to Louisville to welcome us home. I know it was difficult to work out getting there, but it meant the world to us to be welcomed home by the BEST FAMILY AND FRIENDS in the WORLD!!! We love you guys!!!!

we're in Hong Kong!

Just wanted to let you know we made it safely to Hong Kong. yahoo..one step closer. Your comments made us cry...and gave us just what we needed to make it home. Thanks with all our hearts for your prayers and sweet words of encouragement!
We love you guys soo much!

See you TOMORROW! AAAHHHH!!!!

Blessings for the last time from China!
Doug, Julie and Lily

ps. there was a burger king at the airport..we scarfed that down..YUM!

15 hour flight...yikes!!!???

Our last night in Guangzhou!

I cannot believe I am typing that this is our last night in Guangzhou. This has been an incredible trip. One that we'll never forget. It hasn't been an easy one, though. We started off with Doug having surgery right before we left. He has been a trooper, but I know he has endured A LOT of pain and really tried to be strong for me. This is an emotional ride in itself, and with the added stress, pain, and worry for doug, shew, it's just been challenging to say the least. Leaving behind our other three children has ripped our hearts in two. We know how important the time we've spent with Lily has been, but it hasn't made missing our children and our heartaches for them go away by any means. Skyping was wonderful, but so difficult to hold back the tears..especially when one of them was crying. Bryson was the one that had the hardest time this time. Bren did when we went to Ethiopia. Lola Joy has started some temper tantrums we hear, so we're thinking this is her way of expressing that she misses us as well. The past few days, Doug and I had some kind of stomach issues. We were visiting the restrooms frequently to say the least, smells made us even sicker, and seeing the foods here just made us want to throw up..so it's been ONE CRAZY RIDE!! We are dreading the 23 hours of travels home, but cannot wait to get home. Doug asked me to click my ruby slippers cause there is NO PLACE LIKE HOME!! Lily is doing well. The only struggle we have with her is bedtime at night. She just falls asleep so easily in the daytime, but tonight she SCREAMED! Finally she fell asleep on my chest. I held her until she was really good and asleep and laid her in bed with us (where she has slept each night with us). We know there will be many challenges when we get home. The challenges of giving attention to all four of our children and making all of them feel treasured and special. Going ANYWHERE with the little girls will be a challenge.ha. School, homework, work, ballgames. Laundry.Surgeries. and more. Yep, it will all be there waiting for us. But God has called us to this place and He will equip us and see us through. Please keep us in your prayers as we fly...and return home.
I have to say a HUGE thank you to our "VILLAGE" back home that helped keep our kids going through all of this. Words cannot express our gratitude. We know we are so blessed and have shared that with everyone here. You are priceless and we thank God for the BEST FAMILY and Friends ever!
And to our 3 babies at home...WE'LL be home soon! We're are so proud of you! Can't wait to snuggle and catch up on everything. You're the best little ones a Momma could ever have. LOVE YOU!!!!!

Thanks for the love and prayers,
Doug, Julie and Lily

We fly out at 9:50 a.m. tomorrow morning for Hong Kong. We spend the night there and hop on our flight to Michigan. It's at 9 something a.m. We aren't sure if we'll post in hong kong, but if not, hope to see you in Louisville on the 17th at 4:39 p.m.
pray for lily and mommy and daddy on the looong flight:-)

Laughing with Lily

Red Couch photos!

Today was a fun day. We started off by going to a Buddhist temple, a museum, and shopping. While other families had their child blessed by monks, Doug and I stood in the back and prayed to God for Lily Hope and for China. There aren't many Christians here. :-( They need our prayers.

The shopping was fun. As you can see, it was raining, but we didn't mind! We came in for a little down time, then it was off to have the traditional red couch photos. All of the adoptive families get pics on these famous couches. It was a sight!

Here is Momma and Hopie:-) awaiting our turn.

Here she is with her sweet Daddy! So precious.
True Love!!!!

Lily wasn't so sure why everyone was staring at us!

As soon as I sat her down, she BAWLED!!!! Isn't this pic hilarious? Our new friends have the little girl in the front row on the right..she was asleep. too funny!!! love that girl.

30 pics later...ha!!! Sweet babies!!

Here are the families in our group.

After red couch photos, we all headed to a Thai restaurant. This is what the guy sittin' across from Doug ate...ha!! Doug ate chicken wings. I had some noodles with chicken.

We were blessed to eat with these wonderful people!!

Lily is really doing well attaching to us. She is all smiles with us now. She is laughing with us and we are enjoying her so much. She is really an easy going baby for the most part. The one thing she doesn't like??? BEDTIME!! She fights it..yep..she is soo a STANLEY!!!!!!!! The other day we were walking down the street and a Christian song came to mind that reminded me of what Lily is going through...

This is where the healing begins..

This is where the healing starts!

It is amazing to be a part of this journey.

Keep prayin'!

Love,

Doug, Julie, and Lily