Liliah's Pad

USCIS APPROVAL /Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T22:18:00.000-08:00

We received the best Valentine gift yesterday by receiving our approved I-800A from the U.S. Government. It only took 5 weeks. Liliah and I are headed to the state capital tomorrow to get 1 more document certified and then overnight our final few documents to the Chinese Consulate. We are hoping to make next weeks deadline to get our dossier to China.

My Funny Valentine

(first attempts to get her picture)

You made your hat in class today. You love the heart symbol right now. You tell me that you like hearts because they mean love. We made treats for your preschool class. We used construction paper and made hearts and glued tootsie pop suckers to the middle of them and attached little construction leaves on the stick. It looked like a little valentine flower. We spent a few hours over a couple of evenings to complete. It was a fun and easy project to do together.

I love you, my little sweet valentine

You insisted on taking my picture. This is my valentine gift from daddy....thank you, sweetheart!

Flowers, Glasses and Fingerprints

2012-02-11T09:23:00.000-08:00

We went from snow a couple of weeks ago to very mild and sunny weather this week. We couldn't wait to head to the local nursery to buy some flowers to color our world!


Liliah loves to do projects with Mama and that makes me a happy girl too. We potted up some pinks and purples and strategically placed them in the backyard so we could see them from inside.

The other big event, was Liliah got glasses on this day. We discovered at her 4 year old check up that she is near-sighted in one eye. She is now the proud owner and wearer of two pairs of glasses that she picked out.

We then headed in to enjoy some noodles. Liliah decided to try out her noodle slurping skills

slurping, slurping . . .


Yeah, I did it! Liliah, you are beautiful inside and out! The other BIG event was that we visited the USCIS this week and got our fingerprints taken. Hopefully, in 4 weeks (or sooner) we will have the coveted I800-a in our hands. That means our dossier can be sent to our agency and then on to China. We also have been given the gift of what Mei, Mei's name will be!

Ah, Back To The Beach . . .

2012-02-01T19:07:00.000-08:00

We spent the last few of the holidays in Carlsbad, California. We spent a day at Sea World and had wonderful Mexican dinner in Old Town, San Diego. Our favorite past time though, was at the beach. Our hotel was situated just across the street. It was heavenly . . .

My prince for 25 years!


Liliah wanted to take our picture. We have a few bloopers, but these are her best. I love that she took our picture

She saw me writing in the sand . . .

She was very proud of her success. It surprised me . . .

Little Penguin Loves The Snow

2012-01-18T17:30:00.000-08:00


We got boat loads of snow over past couple of days and have been home bound for 3 days. We have found some fun things to do....like baking and cooking yummy meals, putting away our Christmas decorations, lots of art projects AND......

Our first time sledding as a family. Daddy got our little tobogganer going from the top of our driveway

She's fearless


And I greeted her at the bottom . . . .Mama even took some rides down with her! We had a ball!

Watching the birds feeding from the house has been activity that we have all enjoyed. We have large groups visiting us daily and I put new seed out daily.

Out in the garden

She was a helpful little penguin playing with Maddy and shaking off all of the snow from my prized Japanese maple trees

First snowman made at our home

D A N C I N G with G L E E

Welcome to our home, Frosty!

Happy 3rd Forever Family Day

2012-01-12T20:04:00.000-08:00


It's hard to believe it has been *3 years* since we became a family in China! It now feels as if we've always been together. We are beyond blessed to be able to call you our daughter. We will always remember the day we walked into each others lives....how are hearts were changed and expanded beyond anything we could have ever imagined.

Sweet things about you at 4.5 years:

*you are 28lbs and 36" tall and wear a size 3T

*after most meals, you exclaim, "Mama you make a good dinner!!!

*you have a sense of humor, like the other day you pulled a clean pair of underwear over your head and said, look a new pony tail holder!

*you talk about Mei, Mei a lot and how you are going to love her and teach her stuff. You ask if she will have black hair like you?

*after every bath, you ask, "will you how'd me a yiddo bit."

*you like to make up your own songs

*you want to put "lipstick" on when you see me putting mine on..I oblige :)

*you still ask to be rocked in the chair at times

*in the past few months, you like to pretend like you are a baby and make baby sounds

*you love to shake your booty at us which always makes us giggle

*you must have your 2 blankies and pillow with you wherever you are in the house and in the car

*when I ask you if we are blessed, you will say, "yes because of God/Jesus is in our heart and He made us a family!

Update on our journey to Mei, Mei this week: we submitted our I-800A application to the U.S. Immigration office! What a relief to be at this point and have that completed. Hopefully in the next few weeks we'll get an appointment to head to their office for our fingerprints. We also sent off the last couple of documents to our State and a package to the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco. We now have about a 6-8 week wait for the US government to give us the final approval so our dossier can get into our agency's hand and then off to China! This week we will be complete and submit our waiting child application for our agency. We can be listed on their waiting list for future referrals while the balance of our paperwork is going through the system. The unpredictable part is the wait for the referral. There are many families ahead of us. We hope to be matched and get to see her face by summer and going to China by the end of this year! Lord, let it be so...AMEN!

Nana & The Park

2012-01-10T18:59:00.000-08:00

While on vacation we went to the park with Nana ..and got silly.

It was a lovely, sunny day

Mom, I loved sitting in the park with you and chatting.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-08T18:40:00.000-08:00

Carlsbad Beach, California

We spent some time boogieing the night away with my mom and nieces, Katherine and Taylor

The guys stayed downstairs and watched movies

Can you tell who had more fun??

The girls getting their groove on! Katherine and Taylor, thanks for bringing the hats and noise makers . . .

Intermission time . . .


We fit in a game of Yahtzee before we rung in the New Year. This was Liliah's first game and she rolled 2 Yahtzee's and beat her Nana (and everyone else) with a score of 426

Ringing in the Year of 2012 - thanks girls, we had a blast . . .

Huntington Beach, CA - AHHH!

2011-12-31T21:54:00.000-08:00

We are enjoying our vacation in sunny southern California! Huntington Beach is my childhood/teenage stomping ground! My mom spent many Saturdays in the summer taking her girls to the beach. We'd get in our cute little bikinis, pack a picnic lunch and head off to play in the surf and sand. I cherish those days and the memories I have of them.

Familiar sights

She loved digging through the sand and pitching it over her head. We just tried to stay clear!

Time for sandcastle building

Time to head to the water and introduce her to . . .

sticking her toes in and running away. . .

Loving my time at the beach. Thank you sweetie, for catching these moments.

Feeling the pull of the tide . . .

I love this picture of her . We were hunting for seashells for our sandcastle.

We finished our day by heading to the pier in the background and grabbing burgers from Ruby's. We soaked up the sun over our lunch and people watched. It was the perfect day!

Christmas Morning

2011-12-30T10:59:00.000-08:00

The girls on Christmas morning!

Big presents first!!! Daddy bought me a t-ball set

Then off to the next one!

A box full of art supplies . . .

Early morning portrait . . .

It was the best Christmas ever!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-22T19:27:00.000-08:00


Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year! We did not do Christmas cards this year. We have been very busy with Mei, Mei's paperwork. We are so excited to receive our completed Home Study. That means we've cleared our state requirements to adopt. We also had documents certified by our state and just sent the paperwork to the Chinese Consulate today. In the next week or so, we will submit our special needs application request to our agency and head to immigration. We are headed off for a two week vacation - yippee!

Our blooper picture . . . look we have a little elf with us!

Visiting Santa

2011-12-20T21:20:00.000-08:00


I've been watching mommy....

I wanted to do something special to get ready for Santa. I told mommy that I looked prettier than her! I also told mama that Santa is going to say I look pretty in my dress. Mommy said, well...I'm sure he will think that, but there might be alot of kids and he might forget to tell you.

Here I am asking Santa this very thing. He said I looked like a princess . . .

She went right up and sat on his lap. I love how enthralled she is here of him and kept holding onto his fingers. He really is a friendly Santa. She has had all of her pictures with him.

Liliah has drawn pictures for her list to Santa. She made a page for each of us, including our dog. She is enjoying Christmas and is still at the age where she isn't begging me for presents, or how many do I have? It really is very sweet! Next was to head for the water fountain. Her favorite thing to do at this nursery is to dig for and toss the coins!

We had ourselves a ball . . .


See you next year, Santa . . .

Then we went home & made cookies . . . the end!

Gingerbread House

2011-12-17T17:35:00.000-08:00

Making gingerbread houses is an annual event in our home! It's not something I did growing up, but started before we had Liliah to give some moms in our church the opportunity to get some Christmas shopping done. Hubby & I use to do it the old fashioned way of baking and assembling the houses the night before. Now it's a kit for us.

You were so patient all week asking if it was time to make the house. I love your jammies, they say "Wake Up and Smell the Cookies!

Look at your face....I think you are pretending the strategy of your design, while your other hand is sneaking more candy!

Your favorite candy is the little colored balls. You also like the hearts because you say they mean love!

You enjoyed the whole process and stayed until the end! You and daddy have already started demolishing the backside of the house! I love this tradition that you and I have.

O'Christmas Tree

2011-12-04T17:26:00.000-08:00

Liliah's 3rd Christmas since coming home in January 2009. There's nothing better than an excited and giggly 4 year old to decorate the tree. She did a great job and didn't break anything.....unlike her mother who broke one! A branch wasn't done until she had 3-4 ornaments hanging on them.

Love her sweet hands!

A little reindeer showed up to help

Maddy is always trying to sneak kisses to mommy. Don't EVEN THINK about it!

She's wondering which list she made, the naughty or nice list?

Then a little ballerina showed up to dance

May all your Christmas dreams come true!

Malts Are The Best! (Thanksgiving Weekend)

2011-11-29T18:57:00.000-08:00

We went to a local diner over the holiday weekend and had some comfort food with a chocolate peanut butter malt. You can't go to this place without indulging yourself in one of these.

Looks like we have a new fan of this malt! Thanksgiving weekend was lovely. It meant spending time with Liliah the night before Thanksgiving and having her help me cut up green beans with her scissors. Getting 4 days in a row with hubby. Spending Thanksgiving Day with friends. We spent the day after Thanksgiving sleeping in, taking a long walk on a sunny day (which is RARE this time of year) on a local trail with our dog Maddy and Liliah riding all bundled up in her stroller. A visit to the toy store so we could spy out ideas for Christmas. We even had a couple of evenings that we bundled up, went outside so Liliah could ride her bike in the backyard while I gazed up at the stars and gave Maddy her cardio workout. It was so nice to "just be" without all the running around and busyness that one can get pulled into this time of year. We are thankful to be on another journey to our second daughter in China. We have 1 more document to collect before completing our dossier. God has surely blessed our lives and we are humbled and grateful.

Our Tiny Ballerina

2011-11-22T17:17:00.000-08:00

This Fall, you began your first lessons in ballet with Mrs. Sara. It is an hour class of structured ballet, very different than the mommy and me classes. At 4 years old (36" & 27.4 lbs; size 2T) you are the tiniest ballerina. The first class you started paying attention about 1/2 way through the class. You had no idea what those crazy french words like pleau or tondu meant!

You are learning to participate with others

Cooperation . . .

When it is your turn

Remember instruction

Graceful movements

To work in coordination with a group of girls, and to have fun. You are loving your class and daddy & I giggle and get so much joy out of watching you!

Happy Halloween - Happy Birthday Papa!

2011-10-31T18:11:00.000-07:00

Hey, my pumpkin lost his eyeball!

I need to fix him . . .

He looks much better now and ready for his big evening!

I'm a ballerina butterfly

Happy Birthday, Papa~

We are ready to go trick-o-treating. Liliah said, Mommy, you can go as a butterfly too. She also found a pair of butterfly wings for me to wear. Her, Maddy the dog and I ventured out. She was tickled as can be and walked pretty far through the neighborhood. Towards the end, she went to a front door and I didn't see the scary automated tombstone. As soon as the thing activated, she screamed,cried and took off running right past me in a blaze of trail. I gave her a big hug and dried her tears and she happily returned to having fun. She was much more selective about what houses to go up to after that. I think we knocked on 3 more doors and then she said, I have enough candy now and my bucket is getting heavy and I'm a little bit cold. She told me later that she had fun, but next year she wasn't going to go to that house, but only the happy Halloween houses.

Ready for pumpkin duty!

Hunting for pumpkin seeds...

Liliah stayed through the whole process. She cleaned out two pumpkins and didn't leave the table until I was finished with the carving. We are going to toast the pumpkin seeds later this week.

The Great Pumpkin Search

2011-10-19T18:58:00.000-07:00

Could this be my pumpkin

Yep, this is the one, dimples and all!

She made me think of Laura Ingalls (1/2 pint) running to her daddy through the pumpkin patch.

It was such a beautiful October day.

I told daddy, "drive crazy," daddy!

Lots of giggles on this ride......you could hear them coming.

We took the horsey train for a ride around the big farm. There was a little hill that we drove over and on our second trip you said, hands in the air everyone! Mama, I'm lovin' this.

We loved every minute of spending time together and making memories.

Social Skills - Progress

2011-10-12T19:21:00.000-07:00

Liliah has made her first friend this year in pre-school. This is BIG progress for her. She has been content to play alongside others, but not really take an interest in any one particular peer. This is Liliah's second year of pre-school and she has had exposure to her peers through church as well as limited daycare time. Socially, I can see this is an area that suffered in developing because of her early beginnings of orphanage/foster care. When we were in China she was fine with both of us. Once home, she did not like any other woman except for me, but PREFERRED daddy for at least 8 months. Just a couple of months ago, she said I like you mommy, but I love daddy. She said it as a matter of fact and not in a mean tone. I was surprised as I know we have bonded and that she loves me. Daddy talked to her later and realized that she thought she could only love 1 person. She now understands and verbalizes that she loves us BOTH...that you can love more than 1 person. It took her 4 months @ 4 times a week to open up to her main pre-school teacher. The other two aids, she doesn't even remember their names. I have realized that she has to begin to trust someone first (they have to give her room to do so) and then she will like or love them. She can't take on more than 1 person. Today, her teacher said she had to sit down with Liliah because she told another little girl that wanted to play with her and Lily that she didn't like her and took Lily's hand and led them away. In talking with the teacher, I did say that I was glad that she told me about the incident and we'd work on it at home and she'd continue to monitor/work with her in class. I did remind her that this is actually progress. That she actually decided to show interest and pick a friend instead of indifference. I can see that this is Liliah now being able to move out and trust someone with friendship. When I talked with Liliah in the car, I replayed the scenario and put her in the other little girls shoes....asked her how she would feel, would that make her sad? She agreed that it would. I did explain that if there are kids that hit or kick, she doesn't have to play with them, BUT she still needs to be nice. When asking her about being able to love both daddy and I......and explained that she could have more than 1 friend.....she said....hum, I will have to think about that. Soon after, she seemed excited and said, I can have more than two friends! Yes, you can my little one.

Favorite Weekend Pictures

2011-10-05T18:53:00.000-07:00

Getting ready for the cruise with family

Enjoying the sights on the cruise. It was cool, but never rained on us

Getting creative with cousin Kimberlee

My two sweet gals . . .

A Cornfield & The Pirate

2011-09-27T20:23:00.000-07:00

You and I made a trip to the local farm. You have been asking if we could go pick corn on the cob. A funny thing you recently said while eating a chicken leg was, Mom this is good chicken on the cob!

We headed out on our great adventure to find the perfect ears of corn.

We searched high . . .

We searched low . . .

Until we found just the right ones . . .

Mommy stopped to pick some green beans and cucumbers.

I had such a fun time with you at the farm, Liliah. You are such a pleasure to be with and you are always up for an adventure.

This past Saturday, we made an impromptu trip to the children's museum. We went shopping for some new fall clothes for mommy and you were such a big help by letting me try on lots of things and told me what you liked.

It was fun to discover that it was pirate day! You made a treasure map, and a hat in your favorite color. You are trying to say, Arrghh maties!

Pirates can be nice too!

First Day of Pre-School & Friends

2011-09-21T19:07:00.000-07:00

Looking "fabulous" after her first day with no nap.

Mommy dropped by a little early before the end of class. You were so surprised and happy to see me, which of course, I ate it up! This year daddy will take you to school and I will pick you up. You have a new little girl in your class who was also adopted from China. Maybe the two of you will become friends.

We were so happy to have Ami, Mia and Liliah meet for the first time.

Our mommies tried to get a picture of us just before leaving . . .Mia gets "best smile" award, Ami gets the "you make me giggle" award!

All three of you girls are such precious treasures and I loved seeing you together.

Warren and Merrie, thanks for stopping by to have a meal. We really enjoyed the time of fellowship and playtime. We hope to do it again in the future!

Creative . . .

2011-09-20T18:54:00.000-07:00

Liliah made herself some glasses with a little help. Once the frames were complete she knew exactly how to construct the arms.

Here is her silliness while she does one of her favorite activities, puzzles. We may have an engineer on our hands. She prefers cars over dollies and even cut one out and taped it to her bedroom door (much to my chagrin).

Good-bye Summer, We're Gonna Miss You

2011-09-11T21:59:00.000-07:00

We went to one of our state fairs on your birthday weekend. We headed straight to get some seats to catch the Alaskan Piggy race. We giggled and had a good time watching these guys and gals compete.

And they're off . .

Look at her form (she's only 6 months old). I think she was celebrating knowing she was in first!

Ah, sweet victory . . . and grub waiting at the finish line!

Getty up, little pony

Enjoying her sweet ride. She loves to ride and isn't apprehensive at all

We cheered on the lumberjacks as they sawed, chopped, and climbed TALL poles and had a water log roll contest. We also downed a lot of free McDonald's frozen

lemonades

Did some dancing

Indulged in some cotton candy

This has been another FUN summer of new things learned. You have wanted to roller and ice skate since you saw Minnie Mouse do it. You are always eager to learn new things. I think you may grow up to be someone who loves adventure.

You mastered staying upright

And going forward!


You loved it from day 1.


Sweet face, happily playing in your sandbox while I work in the garden.


We spent the summer in our backyard and mostly local, but have enjoyed every minute.

We also enjoyed doing some fun projects together

We sorted, peeled and broke your crayons to create new crayons

Our new crayon rounds! They are fun to look at and use.

We also made our first picture scene and put it in your bathroom to enjoy for the summer. We have also loved going to the library. You love to return them down the shoot and "ring" them up on the scanner. I love our reading time in the evenings before bed.


You also learned to ride a training bike. This was how we found you in the evening after your first day of riding. You have mastered riding in a circle around and round the patio furniture.

Your Birthday

2011-08-30T20:53:00.000-07:00

Your BIG day finally arrived!
(This is also the day 3 years ago that we received a call from our agency saying they had found a little baby girl for us)
We also spent this morning meeting with our social worker on our journey to your baby sister.

You wanted to open your presents as soon as your feet hit the ground out of bed. When I asked you what you wanted for your birthday, you said you would like a big box.

While playing you told us that it was so nice for us to buy this for you. You are asking WHY a lot these days. Often you will know the answer and then tell us. You asked us, why you buy this for me because you lub me?

The only other thing you asked for was a Mickey Mouse cake with sprinkles on it! You and I made the cake a couple nights before, but I told you that the decoration part had to be a surprise. You loved that, but also stood on the couch in our family room trying to peek in as I worked.

You were pleased with cake I made. You said that you are going to be 4 forever because that's how it works

We pray and know that God will continue to bless you, our sweet 4 year old! We can't wait to see all that He has in store for you. All of our love sweet thing!

Happy Birthday - You're 4 Today!

2011-08-25T20:12:00.000-07:00


Happy Birthday little Miss 4 Year Old!

You're going to love being 4 and it sure does look good on you! xoxoxo

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

2011-08-15T21:17:00.000-07:00

This weekend, you and I celebrated a very special day

I know, can you believe it? 25 years together - wow!

Such sweet memories we have made together.

2.7 of these years have been with this little sweet heart. Liliah helped Daddy & Mama celebrate by coloring a sign for our special occasion

Our success is due to our commitment to God and each other. Even in the hard times to realize that we are on the same team and that it's much better to work together than separately. We truly like to spend time together and still crack each other up

I am so glad to be traveling this road together called life. I love you , and baby......you still got it!

Swim Class

2011-08-11T20:27:00.000-07:00

This is my first swimming class without mommy in the pool. I am practicing my ballerina moves while I wait my turn!

I was very calm and listened to the teacher. I went underwater for the first time and didn't panic.

I love her expression and how intently she is listening to instructions.

More ballerina moves


Liliah, I am so glad that you are not afraid and are loving your swim class. Your mama was terrified of swimming as a child. That's not the case now, but I love to watch you take on new things and challenges without fear. If you hesitate, it is because you are observing to see how something is done. Then, you are usually ready to jump in with both feet.

My First Bikini

2011-08-03T20:30:00.000-07:00

Summer has finally arrived in the north and we are taking full advantage and doing all things outside. As you can tell, she's having a ball. I love that she still loves to play in her kiddie pool.

I just knew Liliah's first bikini should be yellow. It's a great color for her and well, she is itsie bitsie teenie weeny

This is her new pose when I say smile!

We introduced her to the fun of water guns and balloons.

And . . . .the ho-pity horse

We had one of those perfect summer weekends. The weather cooperated, as we headed to the fireman's pancake breakfast at firehouse. This is in conjunction with Aqua-fest that is held in our town every July. We took Liliah to have her first experience on their kiddie rides. We went back in the evening for some good food and more rides at night. It's good to just take some time off and spend time together with no plans.

Getting ready to ride the flying dragon

You can see here that she loved it. She rode it twice. I think we have a roller coaster girl on our hands.

Papa & Nana Came To See Us

2011-07-28T16:25:00.000-07:00

Mama thought Nana & I looked so cute together . . .

Enjoying refreshments and each others company . . .

Then it was on to a good game of catch. Nana likes to play games with me.

Papa is always good for a horsey ride . . .

The wilder the better for Liliah

I entertained them with my hula girl moves . . .

First, you swing it to the left . . .


Then you swing it to the right

Big finish!

Next I wanted to showcase my jumping moves . . .

I'm a big jumper . . . off the couch, the stairs, my bed...whatever moves me at the time


Here we are at the Point Defiance Zoo! Dad & Mom, thanks for coming up every year to see us (13 and 3 of those w/Liliah). We always have such fun and make wonderful memories - big kiss!

4th of July Weekend!

2011-07-20T19:09:00.000-07:00

Dinner @ Maggiano's for Mommy's birthday. The food was YUM! I can't count how many stuffed mushrooms my Nanna & Mommy ate. Papa & Nana were there to celebrate with us

Happy 4th of July. In the morning, we headed to the strawberry farm.

All aboard the tractor wagon and ready for a ride out to the fields! It was a new adventure for us.

We were all busy bugs picking strawberries. It was so much fun and our thighs got a good work-out! "The family that picks together....sticks together....

Even my mom (a former farmer girl herself) who is a city girl now and was worried about getting dirty, couldn't resist joining us. I loved hearing her farm stories as a little girl as we rode out and back. Her and hubby picked the largest beauties.

I however, picked more lbs! We went home with over 20 lbs of fresh strawberries

Enjoying each others company......and the fruit of our labors

Liliah also loved running up and down the rows to get to me. I'm glad they didn't weigh her as she put some away. She asked sweetly to eat every time she found one she liked. I finally told her she could eat all she wanted.

It was such a beautiful day and I think we've found a new family summer tradition.

We watched the fireworks around the lake with Papa & Nana. Daddy didn't feel well so he stayed home. Can you believe this picture was taken around 10PM....fireworks go off around 10:30 here and kept going for a couple of hours.

Hoopdedoo!

2011-07-14T19:57:00.000-07:00

Daddy bought her a hula hoop today. She's been asking him for one. She doesn't know how to write her name yet, but she picked right up on spelling her name.

And now for her technique . . . . .

2011-06-26T18:29:00.000-07:00

Heading out to my last day of preschool

Are we ready to go inside?

Well, let's go!

Liliah said this was her big red nose.

Playing hoops with the boys. She loves to play anything that involves a ball and has a good arm when throwing a baseball or when she's tossing a basket.


It's been a fun day! Time to go! See you next year.

Family Visit

2011-06-18T20:08:00.000-07:00

Auntie Diana and my cousin Katherine came to see us. I made up a new name for my auntie, Di YaYa! We went to Eastern, WA for some fun in the sun!

Having some girl time. I really took to my auntie this time and let her hold me and carry me around.

Daddy took a couple of fly fishing classes. He loved it and we'll be going back.

The view from our room. There is a river that runs along the canyon just beyond the tree line.

We took a field trip to Roslyn where the TV show Northern Exposure was filmed

I spotted a flower I just had to have!

It was much harder to pull off, so K.T. helped me! K.T. spent all her time listening to me and playing with me. We even took a bubble bath together.

We finished the weekend toasting marshmallows at home in our newly renovated backyard. This was the first time we used our fire pit.

This was my first S'more! Thank you for coming to see us auntie Di YaYa & K.T. I also got to ride the Space Needle for the first time. Out on the observatory deck, I held on to my pony tails as I was concerned that they would fly away.
We had a great time with you and look forward to more family time together. This was the perfect start to our summer.

Liliah's Sayings

2011-06-07T18:12:00.000-07:00

Liliah's favorite sayings:

Hoad me just a yiddo bit. She says this after bath time and when she wakes up. She will let us cradle her like a baby and wrap her up.
After I get bigger can I go to work too!!!
I want to do that when I get bigger. I am surprised at the things she notices and tells us she wants to do (gymnastics, ride on a sea plane, surf, roller skate, do ballerina spins, parachute)
I want to wear that when I get bigger. This girl likes clothes, but does prefer to play with cars!
Ssh.....quiet, it's got to be a secret! She doesn't know what a secret means...she does this because she thinks whispering to one another is funny. She also uses this line when Darryl & I are talking to each other and she's not a part of the conversation!
I did that yesterday. This means in her past. She uses this daily for all of the things she's done or places we've been. I am also amazed at the things she remembers. We were talking about the 4th of July (last year she was 21/2) and she said, yesterday (last year) the fireworks get in my eyes, I go inside and watch and no fireworks in my eyes.
Mama, I just did a little toot or burp. She thinks potty talk is funny. She announced this at a recent musical we took her to and there was a quiet moment for her to be heard.
We fit in this house Mama. She likes her home and thinks it just the right size for us and our two dogs.
I not doing that!! She's found her little sass and will tells us this sometimes when we correct her
I a good helper
Only Daddy & Mommy do dat. This is things like cooking w/stove and other things we warn her not to do or touch. This also includes cutting her hair.

Daddy surprised mommy and I with two tickets to see Sesame Street. I had fun and watched the whole show.

I had my first Popsicle of the season outside

I even got to wear a tank top

This is one of my favorite moves! I do this after I sing a song or even if I fall.

Helping Daddy Our Backyard Project

2011-05-21T10:49:00.000-07:00

I love to help daddy. I place a big ole' pile of screws in my dress and hand them out to daddy. Sometimes I had so much fun that I stood up and sent them all scattering

Placing them in just like he showed me . . .

Just like daddy showed me . . .

A little footwork never hurts . . .

Admiring my work

I also helped mommy by cutting my bangs!

She still loves me and my little monk hairstyle . . .

Mother's Day

2011-05-16T22:51:00.000-07:00

I had a lovely day with you. You and daddy made me french toast with fruit. We went to church and had a great meal at a local seafood place.

Liliah, I love being your mama. You have brought such joy and clarity to my life. I have grown so much by being a mother to you. I had to wait a long time for you, but it was so worth it. I'd do it all over again to have the chance to love you.

Our relationship has blossomed and we have truly connected.


We know and love each other as though we have always been together.

Practically Perfect In Every Way!

2011-05-02T19:34:00.000-07:00

We pulled out our sunglasses this weekend!

And studied the art of . . . . .

blowing bubbles . . .

and dress twirling . . . .

I want mommy to make me a yellow dress that twirls and goes out "yust a yiddo bit." When I see pretty outfits I like, I quickly and excitedly ask mommy, can I wear that when I get to be a BIG lady like you?

I search the yard for pretty yellow flowers for me and mommy

and place them in water . . .

and pose for mommy . . .

and blow her kisses . . .

I watched Mary Poppins for the first time this weekend and I really like her! I laughed out loud and giggled and I want to wear her dress when I get bigger . . .

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T18:54:00.000-07:00

We colored Easter eggs and made chocolate cupcakes!

We went out to breakfast today and then church service. It was cold outside so we decided to have our Easter egg hunt inside I really liked trying to find where those eggs were. Daddy and Mommy got me an Easter bucket of surprises. I know that Easter is really all about Jesus.

Day #2 Backyard Project

2011-03-24T19:03:00.000-07:00

We have a new wall and steps that lead to my future play area.

Look, I can strut my stuff and head off to new fun adventures.

It's also a great place to relax with one of my favorite people in the whole world!

Even Maddy has found fun things to do on this job site

Under Construction

2011-03-23T21:22:00.000-07:00

We have a backyard project. I am all ready to help out!

Here's what it looks like on Day 1

The area where the palettes are will be my play area! It's not going to be weedy or muddy any longer.

I like to bend down and blow on the whirly gigs! A girl can't be all work and no play!

When I Get Bigger

2011-03-15T19:21:00.000-07:00

(my mother, cousin Taylor and Katherine in the back)

Liliah is starting to ask me, Mama can I do that when I'm bigger?" Here are the first things she voiced that she wanted to do when she got bigger:

Learn to surf (I said we'd watch her)
Fly on a float plane
Go to China.....on a bus
Go to work!
Gymnastics

I love to hear what is on her mind. Last summer, our goal with her speech therapist was to be able to communicate her needs. She has come ALONG ways. We don't have to work as hard at figuring out what she is saying. She will continue to need speech therapy for the next few years is my guess, but we are okay with that.

She calls the past "yesterday" or the "other week." The other day as Daddy was carrying her into the house through the laundry room, he had his hands full and the doors banged into each other. Liliah said, "hey don't be banging Mama's doors around!" I think I may have said that to her once. She also told Daddy the other day that she didn't want to wear a certain pair of undies because they were granny panties!! She is good about letting me pick out her clothes, but I always ask her if she wants to wear it. She has one item in her closet that she kept not wanting to wear and when I asked her if she liked it, she said no!

Disneyland & Family Time

2011-03-13T19:35:00.000-07:00


Mommy and I hopped on a plane to Orange County to see our family. Here's most of my O.C. Posse minus Katherine (9) who is taking the picture.

Minnie has a house here! She planted such pretty flowers around her house that I tried to climb over the fence to see them up close. This was my second trip to Disneyland. I had my first visit over Christmas vacation.

I met Minnie for the very 1st time. I was awestruck....I had so much fun inside her home....I hope she invites me back again.....

I was star struck meeting Mickey for the 1st time! I have been talking about him since I was 2 1/2. I kissed him on his nose and blew him a kiss goodbye.

I was the most relaxed meeting Goofy. I call him "Goopy" and I call my pigtails, "Goopy ears."

Tea cups with Auntie Diana and her girls . . .

Mommy and I had a sweet ride! When we got in the car to go home I asked, can we do this again...and then passed out asleep before we made it to the freeway. We enjoyed San Juan Capistrano w/Papa & Nana and had roadside tacos - yum! We had a family bbq and even wore our bathing suits to "swim" in the spa. Thanks Uncle Randy & Auntie Lori for your all of your hospitality. We came home with a little sunburn and lots of fun memories.

At The Flower Show

2011-02-27T19:24:00.000-08:00

While it was 28 degrees & snow at home, we escaped inside to 70 degrees and lush, spring gardens

So cute and obedient waiting outside to get in!

Beautiful gardens waited for us on the inside! This washer tub reminds me of being at my grandmother's farmhouse

Alice & Wonderland. . . Queen of Hearts

The queen & her princess

There were brilliant tulips everywhere

What fun would gardens be without water . . . Liliah's favorite thing

note to self....give candy after taking a picture!

just 1 more candy . . . please (she only had 3 small pieces, but she made them last for most of the show!)

When we got to the car, Liliah asked, can we do that again? Music to my ears. We are headed to southern California this week to visit family and Mickey

February Fun

2011-02-21T19:20:00.000-08:00

making my first valentine creations

using glitter makes everything pretty

mommy hung them on her new creation

I frosted the sugar cookies all by myself

making pizza at the children's museum

more cheese, please!

I made a hammer

it even works as a telescope

Jammin' to my own tunes . . .

We enjoyed the blue skies and sunshine all weekend. It was cold, but stellar days . . . those are rare for us this time of year . . .we are looking forward to more days of fun at the museum!

Talking. . . .About China . . .

2011-02-07T20:26:00.000-08:00


Liliah is 9 months old and pictured with her foster mom in their home.. I just came across this picture tonight and was blessed and amazed to see Liliah with her hands on the scripture in Psalms 4:8 "He will give you sleep, peace and a safe place to dwell." What a faithful Heavenly Father to bring this to pass in her life! I believe that Liliah was loved and treated well by this family and for that, I am VERY thankful. Liliah is starting to talk about China a little. The other night, there was a PBS special on the Yangtzee River dam. Her and I were headed to the kitchen and I drew her attention to the screen and said, look, Liliah that's China and isn't it pretty. She agreed and as she was being a little helper stirring something, she asked, did daddy and mommy go there? I told her that yes, we did...that she was waiting for us to come and bring her home. She then asked if she could go to China and I said, yes we would take her someday. After that she wanted to know if she could go by bus - very cute! Tonight, Liliah and I were eating dinner (daddy had not gotten home from work yet) and enjoying the slide show on our computer screen. She brought my attention to a picture and I said, yes that is China. She said, that's Liliah's China. I was so happy to be talking with her about this. I always want to be truthful to her in amounts that she can receive. I decided to go get the CD we received on the day we met with the officials of her life in China as a baby. We don't have any accompanying information about them, but they are dated so we know how old she was. Anyways, I thought it would be a good time to show her cute baby pictures of herself. She laughed out loud and was excited to see them. I pointed to the other little girl in this picture saying that she had been adopted too and was no longer in China. That she was with her family. By this time she was playing in the water at the kitchen sink and then, she told me, God gave me a Momma! I was really stunned. . . .(and blessed) by that comment. I have never said that phrase to her! It was at this point, I reaffirmed what she was saying and that she had a China mom and then us as her daddy and mommy forever. She was happy while we talked and played . . . . .I wanted to get this down as these are the first significant talks with her about her history. (we have told her some facts. She also can't help but glean information as she is a magnet in public and people want to stop and talk...I'm starting to think I need to keep this and any info I share to a minimum while she's around) What a journey this is . . .

2011-01-31T08:38:00.000-08:00


A BIG Happy Birthday to you daddy & sweetie!

I started dance class

I can do this . . .

and this . . . I make my routine up as I go . . .

I also pick out my outfit. I thought it would be fun to wear my tutu bathing suite in January with clogs! It is so much fun and my mommy gets to dance along with me!

Aaah, The Weekend. . . .

2011-01-24T20:17:00.000-08:00

sleeping in

homemade blueberry waffles

making brunch after early service with my little helper

fresh air and time in the winter garden

watching my little one play in her sandbox

nap time & snuggles

puzzles

feeding the ducks

our lab swimming in the lake

eating her worth of bread crumbs from the bridge

rocky road ice cream on a cone

family game of candy land

bath time

singing, dancing, giggling at bedtime

L O V E IT!

Liliah's drawing of Minnie Mouse. I was so surprised at her accomplishment! When did she go from scribbling to this composition?

Happy 2nd Gotcha Day

2011-01-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

Two years ago today, you were placed in our arms. Our hearts and lives were forever changed! Some may wonder if God is real because they can't see Him. But I know He is for many reasons, but one of them is you.

We love you Liliah YingXia

Makin Sweet Memories!

2010-12-17T21:01:00.000-08:00

Posing as Frosty. She asked to do this. She has not wanted to do this in the past

We met some sweet friends at a huge light show Jordan was happy to see and take a picture with Frosty. Her little brother Eli (his first Christmas) was game. . . you can see Liliah is a little concerned over him!

Her first pony ride and boy was she excited. I walked with her the second time round and she was so animated, saying Mama, I'm riding a horsey! She was so excited and got in line 3 times to ride.

Sweet Jordan

Riding the choo choo to take in the sights

There are 1 million lights hung throughout the display and they also have realistic scenes of the mountains, the moon and hot air balloons. Our trees here are huge and they had lighted ornaments hanging from them.

Liliah and mommy making sugar cookies for the first time.

This picture cracks me up as I almost missed Maddy licking the bowl while trying to catch some sweet memories. I caught her before she licked the batch! She's such a scalawag when it comes to food.

I caught her eying the decorated tree

She picked out a Nutcracker ornament to buy this year, one of my favs


Our 2nd Annual Gingerbread house endeavor was a success. Liliah said it was pretty and I told her that yes it is, but most importantly that we had FUN. Hope you are enjoying the season with your families!

Santa!

2010-12-12T23:15:00.000-08:00

It's my turn! Keeping my eye on the big guy. . . okay, I'm not afraid . . .

We must be discussing shoes as girls love to do . . .

I think we made the nice list

We saw Santa later and Liliah decided she wanted another picture with him! She is such a joyous child... but not much for smiling on cue. You have to catch her in the act!

The Empress needs her snack!

Cheers, here's to kringel & hot cider on all photo shoots!

Now for some fun . . . my favorite thing I spot every time we go to a nursery . . . a fountain!

The toss . . .

Kurpluck . . . and such joy!

 Last pose in my new Christmas dress that mommy made me . .  

Happy Thanksgiving & First Snow

2010-11-28T19:10:00.000-08:00

Darryl took us to a posh place for our Thanksgiving meal! The food was really good and the views were spectacular on the marina. We do live in such a beautiful place even when overcast. It really helped make the day special since we live away from our families. Thanks sweetie we had a great time.

Liliah's first attempt at buttering her own bread

Success and so proud of her self! We are quite spoiled as Liliah is very easy to take out to dinner as she behaves so well

We had our first snow since Liliah has been home from China on Monday night before Thanksgiving. She had such joy and wonderment in her eyes at seeing it fall. She has been making snow angels in the house and LOVED making them in the real stuff. We stayed home on Tuesday because of the weather and played outside and had hot cocoa. The perfect start to the holidays.

This is the night it started falling just before dark.

She brought the pink bubble rap envelope out to take store the snow in

Maddy also got in on the action.....she loves chasing and hunting for her tennis ball which becomes a snowball after a few throws

Let the fun begin!

My Little Mousekateer & Her Pumpkin!

2010-11-03T17:30:00.000-07:00

Liliah loves Mickey & Minnie Mouse. She talks about them daily for the past 6 months. We had so much fun dressing her up as Minnie....and I must say, I think she looks the part!!

This was Liliah's first trick or treating experience. Last year she was in the hospital recovering from her palette surgery.

Minnie & her "Pluto" just before trick or treating

And we're off . . .

She had so much fun saying trick or treat, gettin' some stash and happily saying Happy Halloween as we went from house to house. She wasn't afraid and even said, Liliah likes ghosts (what?) It brought such joy to my heart and was so fun watching her in this new experience and enjoying herself.

Her first choice of candy from her bucket was a tootsie pop.

S W E E T

My first pumpkin! At first, I didn't want to get my hands in that stuff....then I caught on and liked it

A spoon is much better though . . .

Finished product.....good job Daddy!

2010-10-30T17:52:00.001-07:00

A scrapbook design by Smilebox

The Fashionista!

2010-10-14T17:29:00.000-07:00