Boxes rock!

This is proof that you are never too old to play with the box!

Miss Y, having a great time with the box a gift came in.

My Mothers' Day

Miss M and Miss Y gave me a wonderful Mothers' Day!  I knew this holiday might be kind of strange for Miss Y, especially since she had only been home for two weeks by then.  They are both so sweet, and their hearts are so full.

My day started with breakfast, "monkey bread", made by Baba and the girls the day before.  (Monkey bread rocks...trust me!)  Then after church, each of my precious daughters took a turn giving me their beautiful gift.

I am so blessed.

Miss Y made this beautiful hanging!  These are boats, folded by her.  When I opened the gift bag and lifted the string, out they came, one by one.  Miss Y is so creative.

Miss M painted this lovely train for me! 

I am so blessed to have such wonderful daughters, and a wonderful husband who helped these two cutie pies with their gifts.

I love being a Mama!



Bubbles Rock!

Bubbles rock, don't they?  It's wonderful to see the girls having such fun! 

They have spent a lot of time over the past couple of weeks using the bubbles.  We've had some bubble juice spills, but mostly they have had a great time. 

Running makes better bubbles.

Caught mid-swipe!

Relaxin' with the bubbles!

The Bed

Making our beds is something all of us most of us do on a regular basis.  Honestly, I do make our bed every morning.  It feels good to walk into our bedroom later in the day and see the bed made.  It just feels good to see that!

I think Miss Y understood that.  About a week after we returned home, she started making her bed.  She had been throwing the covers in the general direction of the head of the bed.  We had decided not to make a big deal about the bed at this time, since we had just arrived home 8 days earlier. 

Well, it took Miss Y a LOT longer than normal to get dressed after breakfast this particular Saturday (5/5/12).  When she finally came back downstairs, seriously, 20 minutes later, and dragged me back up the stairs (this kid is strong!), I found out what she had been doing.  Imagine my surprise and joy when I saw this:

You should have seen Miss Y's face!  She was beaming with pride!  Isn't it beautiful???  She does this daily.  Due to her disability, it takes her much longer than it takes you and I.  And yet, she continues to do this daily. 

She keeps her room quite tidy.  I'm sure this is because of her upbringing, but it is still nice to see her take such responsibility and care for her room and possessions. 

I am one proud Mama.  :)

Too Big for Swings?

We took Miss Y and Miss M to the park.  Miss M had a great time, like normal, but Miss Y was quite reluctant to participate at first.  Eventually she joined us at the swings.

Miss Y and Baba at the park.

No one, not ever, is too big for swings.

China Pictures

Hello Everyone,

I apologize for not posting more.  I was unable to get connected to blogger from China!  Blogger wasn't blocked; it seemed to be something with a server or other technical issue. 

Anyway, I had hoped to post more when we returned home, but I have been crazy-busy with a 13-year old!  I have been trying to get to many things, including the blog.  So, finally, here are some pictures from China!

Just after receiving Miss Y.

After we received Miss Y, we went out for lunch.  The new sisters were off to a great start together!

We visited the Forbidden City.  Here the girls are taking a break.

We visited the Great Wall.

We saw the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube.

Miss M and Miss Y observing the panda enclosure at the Guangzhou Zoo.  Was it HOT that day!!!!

Riding the train from Guangzhou to Hong Kong.

This is the 747 that would take us from Hong Kong to Chicago.  Notice the windows!

It is time for me to go!  Hope to have more posted for you soon!

We have Y!

Praise God!  We have Y!  We received Y on Sunday and she is doing well!  She is very, very sweet and is trying to fit in with her new family.  Y and M are getting along well, and I am proud of both of them!  This has to be hard on both girls as they both adjust to big changes.

Monday we finalized Y's adoption, so she is officially our daughter! 

Today we visited Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.  Then we took a rickshaw ride to the Hutong area and enjoyed tea with a local resident.  After tea, we visited a silk factory, and finally had a late lunch.

Tomorrow we will visit the notary and have our paperwork notarized.

Thursday we will visit the Great Wall, and I will finally get my picture of all four of us on the wall!

I have pictures, but am having trouble posting them.  I will try again soon!

Please pray for Y, that she would continue to do well with her new family.  She has been missing her nanny and her friends, so please also pray that her heart would be comforted.  Please also pray that the bond we have started as a family would continue to grow.

Thank you for your prayers!  More to come soon!