In the eyes of my children..........

I am blessed beyond measure. Thank you GOD.

3 years ago.....

Three years ago we brought home our sweet Sofia Alma LiYi from Guanzhou China. It's hard to believe how fast the time has gone by. She has grown so much. Our lives have been changed forever by the gift of her in our lives.

Her welcoming group remains to be her closest friends. "Her" Jeanne is "betest bid grl friend"

This was one of the first weeks picture. She didn't want to be held but would snuggle in real close.

She still remains silly, silly, silly.

She loves to eat. Her favorite is frosting, pizza, noodles and goldfish still.

She is a total mama's girl! This is a rare picture. I appreciate the mama girl thing since Lize is a daddy's girl. When were out together Sofi like to tell people "We're the ladies"!

She loves to fly now but still hates riding in the car.

She has the greatest imagination. I love to listen and watch her play. Her creativity is amazing.

Her favorite place in the "whole wold" is the beach. I can't believe that God thought I was the best choice for Sofia but I'm not giving her back and I wouldn't change a thing! Thank you God!!!

Everyday fun......

Some 10 + years up the road Luke will appreciate being surrounded by all these ladies. All these little people are under 4. A wonderful age where everything is magical, fun and mommy is still #1.

Sofi and "her" Jackie. Sofi doesn't like to share her but she's still one of my best friends.

The train at the pumpkin patch. We were all in agreement that a chilly WI pumpkin patch is much more fun.

Tinkerbell and Pirate Will.

Lize loves the sand at the beach.

Aunt Debby and Uncle Michael came to visit. The girls wouldn't let them be.

Random China pictures from last year......

Sweet little Sara was from the same waiting list Lize was on from AAC.

Somehow I don't think the "union" would ok this in the US.

Shelia and her daughter Quinn.

Faith and Lize have remained close friends. Faith has a wonderful servants heart. She is also a very motherly soul.

Lize's friend Lily. Lily is the sweetest child i've ever met.

Vicki and I have remained close. Our famlies are now intertwined for life.

I still can't believe how fast this year has gone by. It feels as if Lize has always been here. She was worth every ounce of heartache waiting. I sometimes get asked if she's "mine or adopted"....

I can assure you she's mine! No matter where she grew, she was destined to be my daughter and part of our family.

1 year ago today...

One year ago today Izabela Grace (Lize) was placed in our arms. She is just as sweet, loving, SILLY, angelic as the day we got her. She has added to our family in ways we didn't even know we were lacking. She is the most joyful child I've ever come to know. Thank you GOD for blessing us with Lize.

Lize is a climber. We find her always looking for smewhere to climb. Like the counter, table, desk, refrigerator....If it's climbable...she's there.

Lize loves to eat. Her favorite is McD, baked chips and Pizza of any kind. She loves stawberry milkshakes. She loves her "bear bear" and "pint bankte". She has a sweet soul and hates to see anyone cry or be sad. She loves hugs.

She loves to "weard dwesses", "go to da beatch", "pway wit hannah". Her favorite of all is to "nuggle mamma"