Happy 2nd birthday sweet, sweet Lily!!!

Here is sweet Lily meeting her Daddy for the 1st time!Lily Hope Jiatong Stanley

What an amazing little treasure. I'm in such awe and wonder when I think of how she came to join our family. How God loved her so much....and He knew we were meant to have her...forever. God had to mold us into his will. He knew which little girl He created would need us and that we needed her. To teach us. To show us. To open our eyes to other children waiting in orphanages due to a small thing called a "special need". God gave us a tender nudge, a gentle tug to follow Him on a journey that He would not fail us..that He would not leave us...if only we would trust Him. A journey that He did not promise would come without challenges, trials, and heartaches. But a journey of healing. a journey of love. a journey of HOPE. So thankful the Lord is still leading us by the hand. taking one step at a time. trusting. following. and loving the four treasures he loaned to us in the meantime!

Lily is so much fun. She has made the most amazing strides will I will share soon as her one year gotcha and home anniversary post will come soon. (September.) All I can say is we are smitten with the baby of the family. She is a true picture of Jesus and the Hope He brings.

I asked each member of our family what they loved most about Hopie..here are their replies.

Brennan- I love her smile! (gulp...immediate tears when he said this!!!)

Bryson- I love how funny she is! She is so silly!!

Lola Joy loves having a playmate to laugh with.

Daddy- I love her belly laugh!

Mommy- I, too, love her silliness and hearing her belly laugh at the sibs!

Lily's favorite things to do are to read books, play with Lola Joy, push a stroller with her blanky and Panda in it, Play COPYCAT-she does something and waits for you to copy her...this continues until you tire out..she never does! She loves food, ice-cream, and to dance.

Thanking God tonight for His precious gifts!!!!

Be the HOPE 4 Orphans!!!

Julie

As soon as we got back to the hotel, I got my first smile!!!
Some of my favorite pics of my sweet baby girl...


Love that tongue!

Beach bum!

What a cheesy grin!!!

That was the biggest cotton candy I've ever seen!

Lol! it was bigger than her head!!! Here she is...enjoying her birthday today!!

God is good!!!

Fun at the lake...

We had the privilege of joining some friends and family for fun at the lake on the 4th. It was such a relaxing and fun day!

Here is Bryson with Chase and Tucker. Tanner and Hunter


Matt and Bren took a spin on the sea doo

The girls were cracking me up on these little kayaks!

Tanner, Darci, Bryson and Brennan takin' a ride on the boat.

Thanks for the fun ride, Stacy!

Lily didn't last long til she was takin' a snooze!

Lola and Lily did some fishing..Lola caught a big catfish.

It was hilarious..and she even gave it a kiss!!

It was so nice to hang out at the lake with everyone and just let loose.

Lovin' me some summa time!!

Julie

Our trip to Louisville

We were able to go along with Doug on his annual business trip once again this year. The kiddos always enjoy this trip so much. It was a lot of fun.
Daddy is just a toy!

Lily is a little water dog...and for somone who HATED water

when she came home...it is nothing short of a miracle!!We would walk to this area where the kids could run and play.These boys are always doing something crazy!How do you like Lily's new CHEESY smile??? Ha..I LOVE IT!!For one night, Doug's sis met me to pick up our kiddos so Doug and I could attend the President's Party Banquet. We were nervous at first about the kids leaving us..but it was so good to get some alone time with my hubbs. We needed it!!! Thanks Aunt Dee!

Hope you are enjoying your summer!

The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with JOY! Psalm 126:3

Be the HOPE 4 Orphans!

Julie

Lola Joy-Home 2 years!

2 years ago today, we brought our Lola Joy home.

What an amazing celebration it was!!!We were all smitten with our newest addition!July 4, 2010

Love this little binky face.

Happy 2 years HOME anniversary sweet Lola Joy!!

We are still smitten with you!

Blessings,

Julie

It's the simple things in life...

We are blessed to live in the country.. but still in the city. We live close to everything in our small town, yet we still live out a road that has land around us...and WE LOVE IT! We were headed to see some fireworks this evening, but the boys had been dying to go play on these...
So we did!!

It was so much fun.

Doug gave the boys an obstacle course and timed them to see how quickly they could do it.

brothers.

sisters.

crazy boys

best friends

Thank you Lord for the simple things.

Blessings from our family to yours,

Julie