Miracle

We brought Avery Grace home August 2011.  When we received our refrerral, it said she had no knee caps.  When we met her on August 8, we were told she would not be able to walk.  Her foster family of 4 months had taken her to a Doctor in Chongching, who x-rayed her legs and said she would not walk.
After 8 months of therapy, surgery, casting, and bracing, Avery is a WALKING miracle.  Literally!
God is still in the miracle business!  Thank you Lord for your work in her life. 

video coming soon!

Hip Hoppity Hop!

Happy Easter from the Carrington Family.  We stayed in town this year for Easter.  The kids were bummed about not seeing their cousins, but we had baseball and lacrosse until late Saturday and couldn't make it over to Atlanta!
We did enjoy going to our church's amazing Easter service, where God truly was at work!  It was a great time of worship and remembrance of God's amazing love for ME and that our Savior is alive.  I get so emotional each year I as think about what He endured on that cross to cover my sins.  What an amazing love He has for us...for me.
Here are some fun and funny pictures from a great family day celebrating the amazing and risen God we serve!

She is 2!

Tonight, on the eve of Avery's 2nd birthday, I remember how we celebrated her birth last year.  With just a picture and lots of love in our hearts, we sang and ate cake and thought of our precious daughter and sister across the world!

I can only imagine, 2 years ago tonight, her birth mom was probably experiencing early birth pains, contractions...knowing the time was near to give birth to her child.  I often wonder if she knew she was having a girl?  If she knew she would be giving her up?  If she knew what was to come?
I cannot even begin to comprehend the 5 days that Avery spent in her birth mothers arms before she was left on the orphanage steps...no note, no clothes, nothing but a blanket around her.  I wonder if Avery was held tightly, loved, nursed, rocked, cuddled, felt her mom's heartbeat on her skin?  I cannot even begin to understand what her birth mom must have went through leading up to the day she left.  I want to believe that she had faith that God would bring us to her.  I wonder if she could ever fathom that her daughter by birth lives in Birmingham, Alabama and is the youngest of 4 kids and loved dearly?
I pray that she feels the peace deep in her heart that Avery is loved and cared for.  I pray for her salvation, that one day Avery and I can both meet this brave woman who chose life for her child.
So, until the day we meet, may she experience peace, that can only come from the Lord that "God is good"  He cares for the orphans!  He cared enough to stir the hearts of an ordinary family in Alabama to step out of their comfort zone.  To be uncomfortable for a moment.  To have faith that God would provide.  God is in the details of an unborn child's life, and we are forever blessed!
Happy Birthday, sweet, strong, loving, playful, determined, feisty, loved daughter of mine! 
I loved YOU before I knew YOU!

SpringFlings

Can it really be April 1st?  Slow down time!  Please! 
It is going way too fast.  We are having a wonderful, warm and busy Spring, so I guess the weeks go by before I can even think about blogging.
Avery's 2nd Birthday is April 3, so we celebrated  with Meme and Pop this weekend.  The kids had so much fun singing to her and helping her with her presents, although she was pretty good at ripping them open.
My hopes were to have her walking by her 2nd birthday, but we are not there yet. Aside from walking on her own, she can pretty much do everything else, so she is a happy little camper. We continue to see HUGE strides in her everyday.

 

Gray had his first soccer game on Sunday.  I was so thankful that this day finally came because he has asked me for the past 2 months, "when he plays Soccer?" and has also worn his soccer cleats everywhere.  Needless to say, He has BEEN ready and was ready when Sunday at 3:30 rolled around.  I couldn't help but notice a little swagger in his step out there on the field.  No doubt he has older brothers!

 Uncle Steven and Aunt Bekah came to watch Gray's big soccer debut!

 Grandad giving Gray some tips!

 

Gray has also been busy with swim lessons.  Trying to get him swimming before the summer and he is a natural in the water.  I am so proud of him...He is growing up too fast.

 So what else have we been up to?  The beach for Spring Break was an amazing trip!

 

Owen showed off his mad acting skillz.....not really.  I am pretty sure he sang maybe a few words during the program, but he loved wearing that hat at school!