Monday, February 15, 2010

Gracie Turns One and Grammy & Papa Boots Visit

We came into the new year expecting a bit of quiet. We hoped to slow down...chill a little after the hubbub of the holidays.... yeah, that didn't happen. Many unexpected adventures were about to make their appearance in our lives.

First, Gracie's re-adoption took place in early Jan. There is a previous post regarding this with pictures. But it was a special day because Gracie became 100% officially a Foote and her name was changed from her Ethiopian name: Tsegaynesh to Aria-Lu Grace Foote ("Gracie").

Second, the earthquake in Haiti. On January 12 the lives of millions of Haitians were tragically interrupted. Little did we know that God would make the tragedy of that earthquake very personal to us. I cannot share most of the details at this time, but we have been on the faith journey of a life time regarding one specific orphan in Haiti. When we can, we will tell you the whole story. For now, just know that a 6 year old orphan girl (and thousands of others) in Haiti needs your prayers tonight. Also, see my previous post on some action you can take to support pre-quake orphans in need of families.

Our first event in the new year was a revival in Tucumcari, NM. It was truly the middle of nowhere...but there in the middle of nowhere was God. We met some of the most amazing people during that revival. I truly expect God to transform Tucumcari by the work He is doing in just the handful of lives by which we were personally impacted. Below is a picture of Billy and I on the famous Route 66. There were murals like this one all over the town.


Though it is really hard to believe - Gracie turned one this month - Jan. 22, 2010. We decided to make her birthday party part of our weekly house church meeting on the week of Billy's parents' visit. We gathered our family, church body and a few close friends and celebrated Gracie's miraculous life and gave praise to God for the amazing work He has done in her. Our first picture of Gracie was of her in pajamas with Eric Carle's "Hungry Caterpillar" on the front. So, in honor of that special theme written on her life we made her first birthday party into "a beautiful butterfly" theme - for indeed, she has blossomed into a very healthy butterfly!
BC and Winky were so sweet to drive down and join us for the special occasion. Below are pictures of their visit and Gracie's first birthday party:

We stopped in Wimberly at a dude ranch that Winky used to visit on vacation with her family as a young girl.

Then we had lunch at a fabulous place called "The Leaning Pear"
Libby LOVES to show our picture books to anyone who will give the time. Grammy was given the personal "photo tour".
The gift table at Gracie's party.

Fifi and Sha (what Libby calls them!) - A precious couple in our house church came early to help prepare the rice (Iranian style - YUM!)
Me and the birthday girl.


Love this picture of Gracie and Winky. Gracie is holding up her dress with the most delicate hands and lifted pinkie finger. What an angel!
Who can resist that smile?.... NO ONE!
Those sweet delicate hands again.
I adore this picture! Libby, of course, insisted on wearing her "power girl" shirt to the party. I have to wash it almost every day.... This picture says a whole lot about the complete opposites these two are. Love 'em both sooooo much!

Winky with the prettiest Chicken you ever saw... haha! Chicken = Katie... again, a nickname given by Libby.

Billy and Libby with Grammy, Gracie and Papa Boots

The sweet, proud grandparents of the birthday girl.

Maliah and Libby

The XTI dorm girls helped get the party started.

Gracie playing peek-a-boo from under a table.



Worship at house church.


Gracie and her cake!

Family photo.

Having fun at Mi Tierra's!


Dresses we found at the market. The girls will be so cute in these on the beach this May!

Grammy and Papa Boots bought Libby her first real cowgirl hat. She is the cutest Chinese cowgirl I've ever seen.


We helped Gracie open her gifts the day after the party. Here you can see the card and gift card sent to Gracie from Aunt Wendy, Uncle Robbie and Brooke.


One of many precious outfits Gracie received. This one is from BC and Winky.

The Graham family went in together to purchase Gracie's first "everywhere chair". Her name is monogramed on it too.

A special gift from Grammy. Each of Grammy's granddaughters has this special toy.

And then there was my birthday... the big 35... and my father-in-law sweetly reminded me on this card that I'm halfway to 70!

My gift from BC and Winky... CLINIQUE! Yeah!!!!
Also - don't have a picture of it, but my parents helped me purchase a Shark Steam Mop... love it!
The eating of birthday cake continued for a couple of days... and so did the wearing of the cowgirl hat. In fact - the later still continues.



3 comments:

Katie said...

I'm pretty sure this makes the
236th time I've looked at these pictures of the girls (maybe I'm exaggerating a wee bit), but they NEVER get old!

Love you!
Chicken

Shawna McCabe said...

Yea!! Love, love seeing all these pics. It has been too long since you've posted photos of all your peeps. Can I sign J. Paul up for guitar lessons with Billy? He would love that. He's got a guitar, too, and it gets a lot of use. He usually doesn't sing when he plays though. I can't wait to hear the first song Libby writes. Sounds I won't have to wait very long.

Big hugs to you, sweet friend! :) sm

Debi said...

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY Sweet Gracie,
Praying that God would bless you and keep you.
You are so loved by God, your family and friends.
Love and hugs and prayers,
Debi