Six Months

On November 27th, we reach a milestone in Lilly's adoption.  She will have been with us for six months.  In some ways it's hard to believe we've been home that long.  Our trip to China seems like it just happened.  However, it is also hard to remember a time when Lilly wasn't in our family.  Sometimes, I still can't believe that I flew half way across the world to get Lilly.  The trip was a blur of emotions and memories.  As I look back I am humbled and thankful that God blessed Lilly's adoption the way He did.  Her little heart was ready for us, which we know is only possible through God's graciousness.  She has adapted so well to life with us.  There is no doubt that she was meant to be part of our family all along.  She has been a blessing to us as much as we have been a blessing to her.  She has taught me a great deal about unconditional love and endurance.  She has learned so much and grown so much these past six months.  She has learned to walk, speak a little, use sign language, has learned to enjoy baths and the pool, likes Daisy and stuffed animals, was baptized, turned two, had many 'firsts', and has increased her strength a great deal.  She likes to play and cuddle with her brother.  She's had two surgeries and countless therapy sessions.
As part of her post adoption paperwork, we need to submit eight pictures of her with descriptions along with a report.  I have had fun looking over her pictures.  Here are some of my favorites from the last 6 months.  You can just see her personality blossom.  Although, she has always been a sweet, little lady.  We love you Lilly!

May 27th, 2013 - Gotcha Day

finally liked baths after Liam took them with her

Lilly has been a great eater, despite having a cleft palate and two corrective surgeries.

Baptism Day - July 21st, 2013

First Independence Day

Lilly learned to love the pool.

Second Birthday - September 5th, 2013

Lilly and Daisy have become best friends.  She used to scream in fear every time Daisy came near her.

Surgery #1 - Lilly's a brave little girl!

We traded in the high chair for the booster seat.

First Halloween

Liam's Gotcha Day 2013

Dear Liam,

We are so thankful that God chose you to be our son.  You have given us so much joy.  Today, we celebrate the day that you became our son forever.  On this day we pray for your birth-mother.  We will always be thankful to her for giving you life and making the decision to give you to us.  Liam, you will do great things.  God has a purpose and a plan for your life.  We are blessed to be a part of it.  I hope you always know how much we love you and how very proud we are of you.  You are a great big brother, friend, and son.  No matter where your life takes you, or the obstacles you may face, you have a Heavenly Father that loves you even more than we do.  We love you so much Liam!  Happy Gotcha Day!

Love, Mom & Dad

Liam's Day in Pictures

Liam was in charge of decorating the cupcakes for his class.  He did an excellent job!  They were green of course, because green is Liam's favorite color.

Liam woke up to this and wasn't quite sure what to think.

Lilly was ready to party.

Liam brought his two favorite adoption books to school and his teacher read them.

After Dave and I got home from work we let Liam open his gifts.  He got the Planes movie and two more planes toys.

Lilly is such a party animal!  Grandma Herman bought Liam a Happy Meal for lunch and apparently the box is the best part.

God Found Us You

November 19th is Liam's Gotcha Day - the day he legally became our son.  Liam gets to celebrate at Preschool that day.  We will make cupcakes to share with his class.  He will bring in his two favorite adoption books (A Mother for Choco and God Found Us You).  He will also share pictures with the class -

The day Liam came home from the hospital and stole our hearts - April 10th, 2010

Liam's Gotcha Day - November 19th, 2010

I thought I would share my favorite adoption book here.  It's a perfect story for Liam's adoption. I tear up every time I read it, even after reading it for three years.  God showed me what grace is through Liam.  Every moment of every day I am thankful for the opportunity to be Liam's Mom, but it is so great to have a special day to celebrate it.

Little Fox cuddled up to Mama Fox one night and said sleepily, "Mama, tell me again about the day I came home."

"Oh, yes." Mama said with a smile. "That is my favorite story of all.  When God found us you, it made me the happiest mother in the world."

"Just by comin' home?" Little Fox asked with a yawn.

"Especially by coming home." Mama said

"For so long, I dreamed of you." she said, snuggling closer.

"Bout me?"

"About you.  I dreamed of how you would look, smell, even what you would sound like.  And every day I thought of how wonderful it would be to hold you in my arms."

"I started seeing you everywhere, in the leaves of the giant oak and in the bark of the pine.  Even in the stars!  Oh, how I longed for the day that you would arrive, when God would find us you."

"And then I came?"

"Oh, no.  No matter how much I prayed it would happen, I still had to wait."

"You waited and waited and waited?"

"And waited.  But I knew that someday you'd arrive, when God would find us you."

"It made it hard to see other mamas with their children," she said, like she was telling a secret.

"You were lonely for me?"

"Very. I could not wait until the day you'd come, the day when God would find us you."

"I'd go up to the cliffs and watch for you.  I stood there day...

"After day...

"After day."

"Did you ever want to give up?" Little Fox asked.

"Sometimes," Mama said, rubbing Little Fox's cheek with hers. "but I trusted that God knew you, and knew me and knew when we'd fit perfectly together."

Little Fox paused. "How come I couldn't stay with the mother who had me?"

"She must have had very big reasons to give you up.  She must have thought it was best for you."

"Did she have fur like mine? Eyes like mine?"

"Most likely." Mama smiled softly.

"She must have been as beautiful as you are handsome."

"I think she prayed like crazy that you would be safe, Little Fox.  I think she prayed for me as much as I prayed for her."  Mama's voice got all whispery. "And God answered both our prayers."

"I came then? To you?"

Mama nodded, happy tears in her eyes. "You came then.  When God found us you, you made me the happiest mama in the world."

Little Fox smiled and then thought for a moment.

"Mama, will you be my forever mama?"

"Always and forever.  No matter what." she promised. "This is where you belong.  Here, with me, my sweet child.  You are mine. The best gift in the whole wide world.  I will always love you and treasure you and celebrate the day you came, the day that God found us you."

Mama Fox tucked Little Fox into bed and he giggled through her last kisses.  They said their prayers and whispered, "Nighty night," just like they always did.

Little Fox was glad that he had a cozy home and good food and a mama who loved him very, very much.  And he went to sleep dreaming about the day he came to the big woods...

and first smelled his mama...

and knew he was loved...

and finally was home.

"When God found us you." Mama Fox whispered in his dreams, "you made me the happiest mama in the world."