Spring 2019

(It's been far too long since I've posted here. So, why not? Two in one day!) Check out my beauties!

Every year, we take pictures of them in Chinese dresses. This year, the photo shoot coincided with a trip to see Grandma and Grandpa in southern Florida!

My beautiful, big 9 year old! 

Elsie is now 8!

It also was Easter Sunday!

Mother's Day 2019

Thankful. On Mother’s Day 2019. I am so thankful. Thankful for my mom who is thoughtful and hard-working and selfless and so incredibly generous. Thankful she’ll bend over backwards to love and serve me and my family. I’m also thankful for a second mom I’ve gained through marriage. One who dropped everything and made arrangements to drive three and half hours with just 24 hours notice to come and care for my little bit sick and very crazy children so that Mark and I could attend a wedding this weekend.

But mostly I’m thankful for the two little ladies who make me a mom. It’s a title I yearned for for a very. long. time. And now that they’ve been mine for almost six years, I’m so thankful. Thankful for Emma who was absolutely beaming about the Mother’s Day gift she painted for me. Thankful for Elsie’s random kiss on the cheek while I read her a book this afternoon. Thankful that I was breaking down with tears as I read I Love You Like Crazy Cakes to them before bed. It’s not just a book, it’s our life. It’s our story.

Today was far from perfect. We’ve had a stomach bug ravaging our house for a full week now and I was on the couch for the better part of today. There was no Mother’s Day brunch, no flowers, no perfect pictures of us in beautiful dresses. But this day was wonderful because I chose to be so SO grateful.

Sharing our story

I recently shared part of our story on an adoption blog I've been following off and on through the years. October's focus was developmental delay so I wrote specifically about Elsie. If you haven't seen it, check it out.

https://www.nohandsbutours.com/2017/10/21/fighting-to-slow-down/

Easter 2017

Pretty girls!

Emma has learned to sit still and smile no matter what Elsie is doing...

...well, almost.

"All I want for my birthday is my..."

"Two Front Teeth"

says Emma this year!

Emma, you may be toothless, but you are still beautiful, inside and out!  We are so thankful God has chosen us to be your parents. You continue to learn so much so quickly. This is likely due to two things: You read a lot of books and you ask a lot of questions. You also love to pretend and play. You laugh easily and sing often. You do not like to be alone. If you're not reading, you want to be talking with others. You love cuddling and kisses. 

One of our favorite things is what you do each morning we drop you off at school, usually it's Daddy, but occasionally, it's me. After you walk around the car and get up to the sidewalk, you turn around. With a big grin, you raise your arm and stick up three fingers to make an "I love you" sign that your Nana taught you years ago. Our hearts melt each time. What a sweet little girl you are! We love you, too, Emma Hope, more than you'll ever know.

Jump for joy

Elsie is 6!

We celebrated a few days early at a trampoline park called Sky Zone. Have you been there? It's a blast! We all had so much fun!

 

 

 

Mark also captured our happy little princess the day of her birthday.

 

 

Elsie continues to learn and grow so much. She has more and more words ("Emma" and "happy" are so clear) and more and more distinct signs (the letter "e", and "want" + something). She is so observant. I pulled out a carrot the other day and she opened the drawer and reached for the peeler. And she's beginning to help me with household chores, matching socks and emptying the dishwasher (which makes my heart race each time!).  

Elsie, you are such a delight! Your smile and laugh bring us so much joy. We are so thankful God chose us to be your parents and we can't wait to see all your growth this next year. We love you so much! 

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Happy Chinese New Year 2017