Happy Birthday, Julianne!

Cake that our local ice cream parlor gave Julianne.

Ok.. I think we need to teach her the lesson about fire.
Eating at Jade Cafe

Birthday girl!

This time last year, my heart ached knowing that my daughter was turning one and we were not able to be with her to celebrate it. This didn't stop us though since we still held a party with some close friends. This year, however, is that much sweeter since we are able to spoil her with our love on this very special day.

I do think of her birth mother often and pray that she is given peace with the decision she had to make. For whatever the reason, we hope she knows that Julianne is so so loved.

Twas the Night Before Christmas.....

Just for Santa

The girls are huge Star Wars fans (due to Daddy). This was his present from the girls. Note Julianne's shirt too. Half of the girls' presents from Santa were Star Wars (Clone Wars) figures. BTW, Natalie is wearing "dress up" clothes, not anything I put her in - just for the record.

My loves!

Isn't she just beautiful!

They just love their mei mei.

Becoming a Big Girl

Feeding her baby.

Playing with her Nativity Scene

Putting ornaments on her first Christmas Tree

Leah and Natalie playing with the big Nativity Scene

Julianne is not sure what to do.

Watching all the girls grow up from one stage to the next is probably one of the greatest thrills as a parent. All of our fruits of our labors begin to pay off as we see them change into curious, polite and sweet young individuals. I can never pinpoint an actual age where I can say, "This is my favorite age!" because as soon as I say it...the next stage seems just as fun. I have to say, though, that I am truly in awe over how quickly Julianne has changed seemingly overnight from baby to an independent (even sassy) almost two year old. It is as if she woke up one morning last week as a new little girl.....talking in sentences, forcefully making her needs known, role playing with dolls and animals, trying to clean the house (Huh? Where did she learn that one??) etc. It is so rewarding to watch her rock her baby as she soothes her with kisses and a song (nighty night; nighty night..). Again, the fruits of our labor are paying off.

A funny story...I took Julianne to the geneticist last week (no worries there!!) Well, after the nurse left the room , I was trying to comfort her with a lullabye since she was crying. After about thirty seconds of my best soothing sounds, she looked up at me and sternly said, "Stop it!" I thought I didn't hear her correctly so I continued and lo and behold, I heard it again..."Stop it!" I think this is the day that her independence started to reveal itself because on the long way home in the car, she continued to shout my name "Debbie" the entire time. Over and over and over and over.

Halloween '09

Jon's demonstration on knife safety.

Julianne's first Halloween

The neighborhood brawl

The Tooth Fairy flying to the next house.

Queen Amidala

Buzz-buzz

What we've been up to....

The Loehmers and Souths

Baptism Day!

Her first pumpkin patch

The girls - best of friends!

oops!

Life has been good but busy with school starting back up. The beginning of every school year is quite stressful due to more and more expectations placed upon us. The school year has started off well for both of us and we are enjoying every student - yes, every single middle schooler. We feel very blessed since Jon and I teach across the hall from each other.

Julianne has made the transition from Mommy to Babysitter Becky very well. The first few days she cried as we left but then after that she pretty much pushed us out the door. Her day is full of toys, friends, singing/dancing, sleeping...what every kid needs and wants. We are soo soo lucky to have Becky as our sitter.

Since our last post, Julianne was baptised. We had a party with many family and friends. What a wonderful day to celebrate one more Christian in the world!

We also FINALLY met our friend Diana who was instrumental in us getting Julianne. As I have posted in the past, we were leary of adopting Julianne since fears were clouding our decision making. Diana, who I met on a chat group and too adopted from Pingliang SWI, went to the orphanage on a medical mission trip. While there, she gave us video, pictures, and updates on Julianne. She calmed our fears and we proceeded forward with our decision to adopt. Last month, we met her husband and two beautiful daughters in Indianapolis. My two older girls are the same ages as hers and hit it off. I am sure we will meet up again soon!

Simon Says.....

Simon says blow Mommy kisses.

Simon says put your hands in the air.

Simon says march, march, march...

Simon says put your hands on your belly.

Put your hands on your head.................Gotch ya!!

The End of Summer....

Is that Elmo?

Dress up time - Snow White

Sister Day 2009

Sister Day 2009: Swimming - Julianne was slipping a bit so she opted out.

Sister Day 2009: Our picnic lunch

Several of you asked how sister day was. Well, the girls had a blast! This will be the first of many so we plan to continue this event every August 15th. The day included a picnic lunch and a playground which are some of my girls' favorite activities. Once we got home, we filled up our pool and the girls went for a swim. A perfect day.

The First Family Photo

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face........

August 15, 2008 - 9:40 am: The was the first time we saw Liang RuoTing's face. I'd like to have said that the day was bliss but I would be lying. It was probably the most intense, stressful, emotional, joyous day all wrapped up in one.

Maury from our agency called to say that she had matched us with a child. Before we even opened Julianne's file on the computer, we both started crying out of joy but also fear. Fear of the unkonwn. Fear of change. However, once we opened her file and saw those big brown eyes and the beautiful smile, we knew everything was going to be ok. And...her name! Liang Ruoting....how perfect. "Liang" was the red thread connecting her to her sisters and me. Deborah Lee, Leah and Natalie. "RuoTing" means "looks like Grace". We were amazed since Gracie Jo was (is) my neice who passed away on March 6, 2002 at the young age of 18 months. I know that little angel helped pick our Julianne for us.

After scanning her medical information, we quickly called our international adoption doctor on her personal cell phone so she could review the information. Well....she was in Yellowstone National Park with her family getting ready to start their day. She didn't have any of her medical books with her and since Julianne's condition is quite rare she wasn't too familiar with it. From that moment, we took a leap of faith and and we are so glad we did. The rest of the day was one big blur since it was spent racing against the clock to complete paperwork by a certain time. With special needs adoption, a couple has roughly 6-7 hours to research a child's condition and complete paperwork so that the file is not given to another family. Talk about stress! After many tears and hugs, we pressed the "send" button with our Letter of Intent to adopt our sweet little girl.

I look into those brown eyes now and know that God orchestrated that day - August 15, 2oo8!

So to celebrate this day, we have decided to name this day "Sister Day" since this is when our three girls officially became sisters. The day will allow them to rejoice in their love for each other! Not exactly sure what the day will hold but I am sure a playground, hike in the woods and swimming will most likely be on the agenda.

I can't believe it.......

Jon and I just celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary!

My oldest is six! How can that be??

Chuckie Cheese's to celebrate!

Leah is Six! Julianne is a big fan of her big sister.