For some reason our kids remember more the day they come home and enter the US as their "gottcha day". The day they actually met the rest of their huge, mega family :) I remember our Christmas Eve. 2 yrs ago when we flew home and landed in Dulles, Va. at just about this time 10:30 pm.. I was exhausted but so glad to be home with them....
Bringing a child home on Christmas Eve was very special but actually it always is very special....It is like giving birth but almost better. You don't have the physical part of the birth to heal from but sometimes you have the emotional transitional time that you go thru....However it is an experience that brings me great joy.
Tonite as I remember where these 2 precious children ( Andrew and Gracie) have come from to what they are it is a journey we are still on but it is amazing to have seen them change....Actually to see a new life in them emerge from ashes of neglect and lack of love. I feel so blessed tonite as I reflect on all of my children.
In my thoughts though I know that if I had not given my life to a child that was born on this nite over 2,000 yrs ago ( Jesus) none of these children would be here tonite. I welcomed Him into my heart when I was 12 and I have never looked back ....I have been on a journey with my Lord and Savior and I could share many things but the one I am most grateful for tonite is the love He gave me by forgiving me and placing His love for orphans and children in my heart . I hope you know my savior personally. It has been an amazing journey and one that continues...I am busting to share some news soon :)
Merry Christmas from the Briggs family.......
" Michael"- Isaiah got married to "Rose"- Selah this afternoon. Mya officiated and Ava " Clare" was the mom of the bride :) 
These were some of the decorations....
This was their fort ...because you know you need a fort at every wedding....
And a tea party....
This was Gracie's part to wear this head piece and smile .
Do you see how thick and chunky his food is? When we brought him home he was on a bottle of thin like milk with little food added in. We gradually added a healthy diet and calories and he is healthy now . He gave up the bottle in Oct. 2010- home 10 months. He was spoon fed until recently and now is beginning to eat more solid food and to feed himself...
Gracie got her Winnie the Pooh and she saw her sisters from Ghana carrying their babies this way....
My brother, Johnny and his son, John came up for the afternoon. It was very good to spend time with them...The kids all loved it. They live about 2 hrs away so we don't get to see them as much as we would like. When we do we enjoy it. Uncle Johnny got to meet his grand niece, Kloe....
Isaiah has such a pure heart...I watched him give Uncle Johnny many hugs.
Lila, Selah and Ava playing with their new gifts from Uncle Johnny.
I always take a shot of the kids waiting to come downstairs...waiting- being patient :) 
Going thru their stockings- 25 hanging on our fireplace in the dining area.
Before they were unrwrapped....
Ogainized chaos :)
Surprises and figuring out ,"How you work this thing."
Naptime
Andrew loved his trampoline that he can use inside.
This was the nite sky and it was very strange with a covering of clouds and I guess a front coming thru....But a peaceful end to a very busy day of lots of energy. 
Here she is almost 2 weeks old .
Out like a light...eats, sleeps and excretes mostly :)
Lila loves music and she loves to perform...so perfect thing for her to do - A Christmas Program :)
Ava and Isaiah were great....
Luke , Selah, Mya and even Gracie were in it. 
