Monday, April 28, 2008

Sewing with Nai Nai




Thursday, April 24, 2008

A Special Visitor on Lillie's 2nd Birthday

On her second birthday, I sent Lillie a cake and hoped that she would have a chance to share it with her friends. She was, however, blessed with some special company I knew nothing about at the time. A woman named Melissa and her beautiful daughter were in Fuling for a visit. Marie is also a Fulinger and had come to spend some time at her first home. These are just a few pictures I received a few weeks later after Melissa inquired about who Yun's family would be.





A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from Melissa asking about how Lillie was doing. I replied, telling her that Lillie was full of energy... and quite the drama queen. I told her about how funny she is and how she loves to play with her
dolls and to dance and sing. Her response was:
' I can't believe that is the same child!!!??? She was always so sad when I saw her, but clearly she has found profound happiness and joy. "
It was a powerful moment for me. A moment when I knew just how little I knew about my daughter's life before, and how much it has changed since we became a family. I thank God for the many people that have been in my daughter's short life...and for the many Fuling families that went before me and have provided support the the SWI. I only pray I can also make the same impact on another family!

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Thoughts of China

Three years ago today, my beautiful daughter was found by the gatekeeper at the Fuling Social Welfare Institute. As you can see, she was dressed in a pink outfit and wrapped in blankets. Though paperwork said nothing was with her, the pictures show a small plastic bag with formula inside.



My thoughts over the last several days have gone to a woman in China who had to give up her child three years ago today. I don't know why she made the choice...whether it was because of the one child policy, because of limited resources, because of Lillie's limb difference.... but I feel certain that it was painful to leave the child she carried 9 months. I can't even begin to understand the pain that must go along with not knowing the future of your baby. I have cried a few times, feeling the overwhelming joy I experienced since Lillie's arrival...knowing she must feel the same overwhelming pain. I pray that she can feel a sense of peace. That she knows Lillie is loved. That she will somehow know that she is included in our prayers, along with the others in China who love Lillie.
I am so thankful for the pictures I have of Lillie's first day at the SWI because I think they will help Lillie know she was loved, even as she was beginning her life at Fuling SWI.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Happy Birthday - Part 2

Saturday, Lillie had a birthday party. She had friends and family surrounding her.
I can't help but think about the contrast of this birthday as compared to her first two. I am thankful that she was with nannies who loved her and that she had friends and the cake I sent, but it does not begin to compare to being with her family.

I think these pictures tell the story....








I thank God for my daughter and for the chance to be together for her third birthday!

Birthday Girl...part 1

Saturday, April 19th was Lillie's birthday and we had a wonderful day! Here are a few pictures from the early part of the day... pre party! Lillie was ready to open her presents as soon as she woke up! I can't believe my girl is now a 3 year old!

Monday, April 07, 2008

Princess Lillie




Lillie got a princess set as a late Christmas gift. She loves the jewels and the high heals. With her prosthetic foot, I wasn't sure how well she would do with the shoes. Well....... she tried and tried and finally got to where she could walk in them! That's my girl! The last picture shows her trying to walk in them. (If you are wondering about the red mark across her right foot, it is from the elastic band of her "shiny shoes"....Dorothy shoes in pink!)

Friday, April 04, 2008

More Pretty In Pink Pictures





Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Think Pink





Well, as many of you know, Lillie is very impatient about having long hair. She wants to put her hair in a pony tail...not so easy at this point! Well, I found this wig and purse set on sale and..... the rest is history. She loves it, of course. And the purse is now one of the 4 she carries all the time! She is such a funny little girl!
Jessie....this wig definately reminds me of you!
Lilypie Date is set Ticker