Merry Christmas!

Celebrating Christmas Day with "my best friend"!

And the Countdown Begins...

...And "you-know-who" motivated Lia's courageous step up to Santa...Rosie's sense of adventure is a true inspiration.  Don't let her size fool you! She is a power packed little tike.

Now that I'm officially on vacation from school, I can truly slow down and enjoy the girls.  They are getting so big! Rosie's language skills are taking off and their friendship is so sweet to watch develop.  We ate out tonight (ah....should have had a glass of wine with dinner), and while waiting for Christmas cookies, they colored some clipart I had given them and they quietly sang Jingle Bells together.  Rosie actually loves music (we had noticed that when we adopted her in China).  During the Christmas concert at our church 2 Sundays ago, we saw how she really projects (it took me by surprise); smiling and moving to the beat, and  singing really nicely!  Rosie is such a happy kid, and fun loving! I had learned about the concept of "grading" when we adopted her, and she has learned to fine tune things pretty well, including her singing.  She had to learn how to regulate between picking up/putting down heavy or light objects, touching gently, and talking in a regular voice.  We still do occasionally have to remind her to calm herself down, but the sweet singing has definitely become so natural.  So she is making a lot of interesting strides!

The girls truly complement each other, which lends itself to some funny times.  Lia gets such a kick out of Rosie's spontaneousness and often will just crack up laughing, while Rosie loves just having a big sister to copy.  Last week, Rosie by accident, fell off one of the childrens Graco furniture stools, and it was kind of like "Now you see Rosie, and now you don't"...(by the way, she never gets hurt; I swear she bounces).  Since Rosie is very independent, and takes life in stride, it didn't rattle her at all.  The whole scenario made Lia giggle like crazy! Of course, Rosie probably just loves the simple concept of commeraderie, and just plain having a sister so close in age (3 months apart!). 

Lia just adores Rosie, and Rosie adores Lia.  I guess because they are so different, they admire each other's qualities. They definitely are also on different internal "clocks", if that's how you say it.  Rosie is last to bed and first to rise, while Lia needs time to wind up.  So Rosie is developing patience for Lia to wake up.  We are all looking forward to being home together, and especially excited about Keith's blueberry or raspberry pancakes with tiny chocolate chips. (I kinda like making quinoa, almond and blueberry breakfasts, super healthy...but not as fun! Lia is my biggest fan at trying my latest health ideas.  Thanks Lia!).  Last weekend, he and the girls put together a gingerbread house. I swear he enjoyed the project more than them.  Keith just loves cooking for them and getting them involved, playing board games or making cake pops. So, in between the crazy last minute shopping, and mailing gifts and cards out, we are enjoying just being together. And wishing you a very Merry Christmas from our house to yours. 

On Halloween Night, I Had Enough Sweets in My Life without Eating Chocolate

When the girls came home from school, they ran into their room to get dressed.  They busily put on princess clothes and then added Elsa and Anna accessories that they had in their dress up chest.  My cousin Linda had bought the baseball cap with attached braid, which was perfect for Rosie's Halloween Night.  Lia had gotten a few Frozen accessories for her birthday (the wand and warm gloves for Winter, Sven and Olaf too), so she was determined to transform into a true Elsa. By the time we were finally ready to go Trick or Treating, it was so dark!  It was hysterical when our one neighbor brought out the bowl of candy and told the girls, "Take what you like"...What magical words for Rosie to hear!!!!!  Her little brain must have exploded with excitement as her tiny hands spread out as far as they could to reach into the bowl of candy (Mommy reined in Rosie on this one, sorry little one.  We are always learning limits, aren't we!).  Since our neighborhood has a few hills, and long driveways, we just did 2 houses and we were done.  We then did cheat a bit and didn't do anymore walking; we just had to get into the car to Trick or Treat at our friend Doreen's and also Richie's. (Hey Richie, so glad that you were a gigantic carrot.  It was so easy to spot you in your neighborhood! And really, who was the guy that answered your door???).  In the car on the way back home, the girls were falling asleep.

 However, they did get a second wind when we came home with their candy!  Keith sat with them on the floor as they got into the childhood trance of looking at all of the different kinds of candy from our neighbors!  What a fun night!

We Love You to the Moon and Back!

Today we celebrated Lia's 5th Birthday!  It's hard to believe that she turned 5.  When we asked her what she would like for her birthday, she said, "Anything Frozen".  So she did get surprised with a lot of Frozen things, including the Frozen pajamas that she is wearing in the photo.  Of course, she had to put them on right away (our little fashionista)!  But her favorite present was a blue bracelet with the words "Let It Go" printed on it.  Lia has been fighting a cold, so she was quiet, but very sweet.  

Looking back...photos that put me over the edge...

Pardon me for getting mushy, but I never had a sister.  So this is all new to me!  And I'm just loving it, even if I'm only watching the process...

This photo was taken at Gayhead Beach 2 weeks ago.  

I love how they are just starting to jump.  It makes me think of what adventures lie ahead, and how exciting it will be for them.

We get a lot of photos like this, where Lia is hugging Rosie with her head down; Rosie beaming.  Purely unconditional...

...Sharing the anticipation of fun that they share!

And how Lia loves to help Rosie or takes care of her...

Fashionistas

Getting ready to do errands is time consuming!  (Mommy is exhausted!!!!)

  Lia chose the dress, and Rosie followed suit.  Rosie decided to put leggings on, under the dress, and then Lia thought that was such a wonderful concept too.  Lia did her own piggy tails; Rosie needed some help from me. Lia is a flip flop girl all the way; Rosie is so not into flip flops.  (She likes to put on Lia's fisherman sandals when I'm not looking). Rosie and Lia put a purse on each arm...that makes total sense when I think about it. Two arms warrant two purses! Check out Rosie's gold metallic purse.  

Getting the mail has never been so much fun!

  I love the mismatched clothes on Lia and the bucket shaped hat on Rosie.  It just puts me over the edge... Lia's shirt and skirt are her all time favorites, and she loves putting them together (even though it's red and pink!).  Lia is usually an accessory girl, especially hair clips and headbands, worn at the same time.  Some days, she is a "bang girl" and other days she clips her bangs off her face, with metallic clips of course.  Rosie could care less.  She starts out with bows, and they usually are out within a half hour.  

Lia is much more deliberate about all her details, whereas Rosie just loves grabbing something and putting it on quickly.  I guess that's why this photo is so crazy fun because Rosie actually did great matching her clothes!!!! 

Questions for you...

Does Lucy really need accessories?  And don't you think that Ethel does look rather stunning with her knotted pearls, purse, and ribbon tied on the side? I bet she thoroughly enjoyed putting that look all together.  I get a kick out of the similar outfit...but different attitudes.  And the colossal friendship that they share.  And how it usually comes down to hats and purses...no matter what age or what era.

  I hate to compare Lia and Rosie to these icons,  but they sure have something going with each other, don't they?!  

Happy 1st Gotcha Day!

Then; We waited in a large room at the Shanghai Children's Home with 3 other families. As we waited, Lia ran around the room and could not contain herself.  The door finally opened, and Rosie walked in with her nanny, and we all whispered to each other, "That's her!".  Our hearts stopped.  This photo was taken seconds after we met Rosie.   Rosie actually kissed me, with some prompting from her nanny and our guide, and didn't cry at all.  She was very sweet and timid, but also had sadness and fear in her face. When I picked her up to hold her close, her legs were like boards sticking straight out; they didn't wrap around me.  It was so painful to see a little one being like that; I knew that she hardly ever was picked up.  

Now; Rosie and Lia are best friends.  They love being close to each other, giggling, running around, and being silly.  Their favorite pastimes include drawing together, dressing up as princesses, and singing songs from the movie Frozen (they pretend to be Elsa and Anna).  And when I pick up Rosie (she often asks to be picked up!), she wraps her legs around me and snuggles her head on my chest.  She has learned what it means to be loved and safe, and will often tell us that she loves us.  At times, I doubted God's plan, and often times was humbled just thinking how Rosie accepted her new family so easily.  The only time I ever saw her sad was when we drove away from the orphanage; she had car sickness.  Rosie always has a smile on her face, and is full of life!

"So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." 1 Cor 3:7

I'm just in awe of what God has done.  In one year, Rosie is exploding with language, and is the happiest kid ever.  She wakes up happy and goes to sleep happy!  Her energy level has always been rather high, but she has become confident as a member of our family now.  Her personality is friendly and thoughtful.  She is very aware of her surroundings.  She is full of life, and has a fun sense of humor!  Not quite the girly girl as Lia, but a bouncy, energetic kid ready for adventure!

If we have an errand to go on, she's ready to run out the door in excitement!  If there's a new food on her plate, she's trying it!  If we're playing tag in the house, she's running hysterically laughing while running!  If she's praying at night, she's remembering all her teachers and friends!  If one of us skips having ice cream, she's asking us, "What about you?".  She's more than willing to share, and she always says thank you for things.

As we approach the 1 year mark of her Gotcha Day of June 17, we are just so thankful for Rosie.  It's been a tough adjustment for her; learning a new language, coming from an orphanage to a "family", learning what a mom, a dad and a sister are, but we are so glad that we took this path.   It's been very challenging at times, but we are just so in love with Rosie!   With a very grateful heart, we look up to God, and thank Him, who orchestrated this so perfectly.  More than I could have envisioned.

Readopting Rosie!

This afternoon, we readopted Rosie in Family Court.  This was our last phase of U.S. paperwork.  Judge Posner and staff were very helpful and so excited to help us through this process.  
We waited and waited, and then both doors opened up, and we were greeted by Judge Posner saying, "This must be YiRu!".

What a happy occasion! I instantly loved the judge, especially when I saw
 "All the Greats Know How to Keep It Simple".

Here's Rosie beforehand, getting ready for Family Court…got to look pretty!

Every time the judge said Rosie's name, she raised her hand and yelled, "Me!". 

The judge went through paperwork with us, including verifying with us what Rosie's full name will be. Although the tone of the room got serious, I could not resist a once in a lifetime chance of taking the above photo.  All you camera bugs understand that one, right?  (I've only gotten in trouble 2 times for taking photos so far---in a baggage claim at the airport…don't ever do that…. and The Plaza Hotel…but I guess the Plaza doesn't count, because I got Keith in trouble for that one….sorry Keith).

 Anyhow, Keith is laughing about this one today, thinking, wow, she got away with this one????

Judge Posner welcomed us with open arms and let the girls

pick out teddy bears to remember this special day.

Cousins are Connected Heart to Heart, Distance and Time Will Never Break Them Apart

Christian and Kieran came up to visit us last weekend.  

Here's a throw back photo of when Kieran first met Lia (3 months after we adopted her), and they became instant buddies.  They actually share the same birthday, so we have been calling him each birthday to celebrate over the phone.  

Of course, we had to go to Lia's favorite place ever, Adam's.

Big Eyes, Little Eyes Game, and Lia wins every time…without even trying…but Christian gets an A for effort, for sure.

Hanging out at the Culinary with Kieran

After lots of sledding in the yard, it's so much fun to warm up with homemade hot cocoa.

Lia and Kieran got along really well and…

Christian and Rosie were inseparable.  

It was actually warm on the Walkway.  Nothing like getting some Vitamin D, after a cold, long Winter!

  

 

Rosie is always so creative about doing new things.  She didn't like sledding for the longest time, but she got it figured out now…she just cracks us up!

Happy 4th Birthday Rosie!

Rosie's birthday was very memorable, considering that it was the first time she ever celebrated a birthday.   We decided to take the girls to a local steakhouse in the area.  Although she loved her  "Northern Lights" ice cube, it was not going to stay in her drink for long!

And here's the girls "trying" to be patient while waiting for dinner, as their drinks keep changing colors…

 

The moose delivered a birthday cake for Rosie and she did do the traditional thing; yes, she did kiss the moose.  It cracks me up to see Rosie's bangs flying up during her first attempt of blowing out the candle! She is getting to be a pro at this…

Rosie's party was this past Saturday.  She was so extremely excited and so sweet.  When she opened her gifts, she first said thank you, and then opened them. We just had the best time celebrating with our friends, and are so overwhelmed with memories of the evening.   Happy Birthday Rosie!