All I Really Want for Christmas

Lu La Hui before he became Nolan Hui Wells

taken in China exactly 1 year ago

Last year as we waited to bring Nolan home, this song brought tears of sadness & frustration over having to wait to bring him home where he belonged. This year, the song brings tears of joy and yet sadness for the many kiddos it still represents.

All I really Want

Well, I don't know if you remember me or not

I'm one of the kids they brought in from the home

I was the red-haired boy in an old, green flannel shirt

You may not have seen me, I was standing off alone

I didn't come and talk to you 'cause that's never worked before

And you'll probably never see this letter anyway

But just in case there's something you can do to help me out

I'll ask you one more time

All I really want for Christmas is someone to tuck me in

A shoulder to cry on if I lose, shoulders to ride on if I win

There's so much I could ask for, but there's just one thing I need

All I really want for Christmas is a family

Well, I guess I should go ahead and tell you now

If it's really true about that list you have

Somehow I always seen to end up is a fight

But I'm really trying hard not to be bad

But maybe if I had a brother or a dad to wrestle with

Maybe they could teach me how to get along

And from everything I've heard, it sounds like the greatest gift on earth
Would be a mom

All I really want for Christmas is someone who'll be here

To sing me happy birthday for the next 100 years

It's okay of they're not perfect or even if they're a little broken

That's alright, cause so am I

Well, I guess I should go, it's almost time for bed

Maybe next time I write you I'll be at home
'Cause all I really want for Christmas is someone to tuck me in

Tell me I'll never be alone, someone whose love will never end

Of all that I could ask for, there's just one thing I need

All I really want for Christmas is a family

-Steven Curtis Chapman

One year later, Nolan Wells, HOME with his family.

Nolan's First Christmas

So good to start the holiday season off this year! Last year at this time we were waiting to bring Nolan home, and after some unexpected delays the Christmas season was not very joyful. But this year, this first picture makes me SO happy!

SIX stockings hung by the fireplace! Nolan proudly shows us over and over which stocking belongs to him. It's the biggest one, all the way on the right.

Playing with Daddy's Christmas village

First trip to pick out the Christmas tree


" Ho Ho Ho"



Helping with the lights



Checking out the nativity

Toasting with Hot Chocolate at our annual family tree trimming party.
We all wear our jammies, eat yummy Christmas treats, & decorate the tree, all while classic Christmas tunes play in the background. (One of my favorite times of the year!)

Opps I dropped my nummy...

...and the dog is eating it!

Hanging ornaments

We let Nolan hang some too....

he put them all on 1 branch!

My personal fav of the night... Big bro helping little bro. Nolan thinks Landon hung the moon!

Family Pics

Special thanks to Carrie Walker at Beautiful One Photography. We fought the elements, a VERY windy day, and one super cranky, obstinant 2 year old, and still Carrie was able to catch some very special pics for us. Thanks, Carrie! You're the best!

No family pics yet, but here are some snapshots...

Outfit designed by Summerlyn...

Outfit designed by Mama!

The Devo look..... the kids don't understand when we say this!
"Devo... who... what?"

Ready for pictures... well he looked good but was a complete stinker

when picture time came! I hope we at least got 1 good one of all of us!

Holding a Oleander Wasp Caterpillar

Enjoying a visit from cousins EmmaLyn & Ian who are 6 months older.

Elefun... not so fun after hours of playing!

(Uncle Robert pictured here)

Not sure what to make of the cousins in the tub too.

It's been 8 months already!

Yesterday Nolan celebrated 8 months home. It's been an interesting week and a half, he has hit a rough patch, but after 8 months I have come to know the signs. First, he starts having trouble going to sleep at nap time and at night. He doesn't cry he just stays awake talking, but I believe that he is avoiding sleep out of some type of insecurity or fear. Next the testing begins, it's almost if he's asking, "if I'm naughty, will they still love me/keep me? If I have an accident in my pants, will they still love me/keep me? If I hit, if I refuse to obey, if I am unbearably cranky & difficult.... and so on. In general during this time he is cranky for no apparent reason (which abnormal for him).

I am so thankful that God has allowed me to catch on to this pattern. When I recognize the symptoms, I have to remind myself again that it has been only 8 months, even though it seems like forever to us (in a good way). When these spells reappear, I go back to using the hip hammock for Mommy time and I am always amazed at how he positively & quickly responds.

Tomorrow we have our first "official" family photos with the whole family. I will be sure to post some soon.

Singing Jesus Loves Me....

October has been busy so far!

Here's a few pics of all that has been going on:

Nolan & his buddy, Lincoln taking in the world from their favorite spot.

Summerlyn & Mimi went to see The Blue Man group for their Bdays. Although they could not describe the experience, they both loved it!

L& S playing making mud while Dad & Mom got away to the beach for a few days.

Hooray for Papa & Mimi coming to give us some much needed R&R!

We were able to sneak away to the beach for a few days, admittedly, I was concerned about how Nolan would do, but he was thrilled to have his Mimi here. She caters to the "little emperor" in him and they both love every minute of it!

Summerlyn requested a room makeover for her 8th Bday.

Here are a few pics of the finished results.

Whew, am I glad that project is over! It was supposed to be simple -Ha Ha!

The Bday girl with what Nolan calls the "Happy" cake.

We enjoyed a day at the beach.
(Yep, N needs a haircut!)



N chasing seagulls.




Lorelei says she can put sunscreen on herself now!


Soccer season is in full swing, keeping Milton busy coaching &

Landon busy playing.