It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Christmas season is here and we have had so much fun getting ready.  

Lilly loves all the decorations and seems very excited to be celebrating her first Christmas.

The corner cabinet is new to our family this year.  Dave found it at the church rummage sale.  We wonder how we managed without it.  It's perfect for storing some of the kids' toys.  It's also been fun to decorate.

front entryway

Dave decorated the outside of the house with cool white lights.

This year instead of using cool white lights, like we normally do, we used colored lights.  The kids approve!

Every night, after dinner, we do Advent devotions together as a family.  Each devotion has a corresponding ornament that we put on our tree.  We also add a new character to our nativity.  We light our Advent wreath and sing an Advent song.  It's a great way to count down to Christmas, but also keeps the focus on the true meaning of Christmas. 

"Come quickly Lord, and prepare our hearts for your coming. Amen"  

Even the kids' play kitchen is decorated for Christmas.

Every member of the family, including Daisy, has a stocking.

Liam made baby Jesus in Preschool.  This will be a decoration we put out from now on.  We are so thankful Liam attends a Lutheran school where he is taught about Jesus.

Our family ornament this year - made with the thumb print of every member of the family.  Liam wanted to have a red nose.  Lilly's thumb is barely bigger than her nose.

And of course, it wouldn't be Christmas until the women in the family have a cookie/candy baking weekend.  It was great to have Grandma Letsch join us this year.  It brought back many great memories!

We still look forward to making a gingerbread house with the kids and attending Liam's Christmas programs.  We have really made an effort to savor all the Christmas moments this year.  We love the old traditions we carry on and the new ones we are making as a family.

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.