And now... a Break from our Usual country of Discussion....

Two years ago, I was a part of a mission team that went to Swaziland, Africa to learn more about the AIDS pandemic there. It was a life changing experience to say the least. I met people there that I dearly love... we shared meals and faith and heartache and hope. I also met several children, orphaned and vulnerable children, and they were the final push I needed to start the adoption process. I think of them often and pray that life will somehow improve for them.



Well, there is a Swaziland Mission team off on another adventure... this time without me. I am sad that I am not with them, but also know that I am where I need to be right now! If you would like to follow the journey of the team, there are two different team members blogging about thier experiences. (Which presently are a lot of bad travel expereinces) The blogs are:
swazilandjourney.blogspot.com
and
swazijohn.blogspot.com

Check out the adventure. I am sure you be glad you did! ( if they ever arrive!)

Lillie's Ethnicity

A couple of months ago I emailed a woman named Jane Liedtke. She is the founder of Our Chinese Daughters Foundation, lives in China with her daughter and works to make sure that families have opportunities to learn about their child's first country. I sent her Lillie's picture and asked her about what ethnic group Lillie might be from. I had previously had a doctor tell me that she thought Lillie looked very "traditional Chinese", so I expected to hear that she looked like the Han majority. I was surprised with her answer:
"She has features that would seem like she's not han but from a minority group such as Tu or Dong which are in the region - (such as her eyes and forehead), also has a very Jiangxi looking face shape which is downriver toward Wuhan. Not the typical Sichuan face for sure."
I looked into these groups, found a little information but not anything very detailed. Then, the National Geographic issue about China came out in May. I didn't get much time to really read it, but recently finally sat down with the magazine, only to find out there is an entire article about the Dong minority! The picture below was the first on the page and immediately caught my attention.

I then went to the website and found several more pictures. Here is the site:

ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/05/china/guizhou/amy-tan-text

There are several pictures and a "video" of pictures together. Though I wouldn't say that I saw similarities in all of the pictures, there were a few that showed children that I thought really favored Lillie. In the video, there is one picture of three little girls with wet hair, one of which really looks like her.

I know that I will never really know much about Lillie's past, but it was exciting to see more about a group of people that might hold a connection to my daughter's story. Check out the article and the pictures.... It's very interesting! And...let me know what YOU think!

The Bluegrass Fair...and much more.

This past week, Lillie and I joined some friends to enjoy time at the Bluegrass Fair. We went around 6:00 and were able to really enjoy the evening. It wasn't too hot, the lines were not long...a perfect night for 2 ad 3 year olds. My dad, who is in the Lion's Club, got us the tickets. We even got to visit Babop while we were there since he was working that evening.







It is hard to believe, but we arrived in the Lexington Airport one year ago today, exhausted, but glad to be home. Lillie has come so far in this year...and has had the wonderful opportunity to develop very special relationships with the people wher were complete strangers one year ago.

On another note, I would like to ask for your prayers. I have not often asked this, but today we found out that my dad has cancer. He, and the rest of the family are remaining optomistic, but I know that the next several weeks will be hard on him. He is an amazing man and father and a blessing to all who know him. Thank you.

A Special Day

Last week, Lillie and I went to visit some very dear friends.



When I first started teaching, Rena was my instructional assistant and we became instant friends and learned a lot from one other. I was young and green - she was a wonderful mommy of three children and a blessing to me and the children in our classroom.
Rena and her family have been a part of my life for 19 years....and I have had the chance to watch all three of her children grow up and become parents themselves. All of the grandchildren were at her house last Thursday, so Lillie and I went to visit! We swam, played in bubbles, played barbies, chased lightening bugs...and so much more!

Claudia and John, the two oldest, were both in my preschool class and it was wonderful to see how they have grown. Ashton and Amya both live in Florida, and I don't get to see them very often but they are just precious. Jacob and the baby both are just as cute as can be...and look like thier daddy!

It was such a blessing to spend the day with this wonderful group of people...we may not see one another as often as we should, but when we do get together, it is like being with family - and I guess in many ways, they are!

I've Got Style!

YES, these pictures were taken in July!



NO, I did not choose the outfit!



What can I say, this is one girl who has her own style!!!!!!
You should have seen the look on Nai Nai's face when we got to her house!

Summer Fun in Glasgow

These are a few of the pictures from our recent trip to Glasgow. Lillie loved swimming and seeing all of her cousins. (Some of our pictures have not been downloaded to my computer) We got to play, watch Tip play baseball, watch Alexander play kickball, play on the jungle gym with Mariel, meet Miller's freind Amber, ride bikes with Depp and swim with Sims and Caroline. Lillie also got a chance to meet Caroline's friend, Elizabeth.... and loved her! Not only was it great fun to play with "Eh-beth" but now Lillie has learned one of her middle names! We are going back this week-end and I know it will be another wonderful adventure! Lillie and I are blessed with a wonderful extended family and we thank God for them every night.

Early Evening Gown GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!

I found this site and just love all the things that this creative mommy has made! She makes me want to do more sewing!

Early Evening Gown GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!

Gotcha Day - One Year Later!

One Year..... 12 months.....365 days..... It sounds like a long time, but feels like a blink of an eye. It has been a year full of changes for Lillie and me.
A YEAR AGO... I picked up a scared, timid little girl. She was still taking a bottle and eating congee and steamed eggs for most meals.


LAST NIGHT, we had dinner with my family. She had fried chicken and corn and grapes and pasta salad ( yes, we are in the South!). She gave everyone hugs and when we left said, " Love you, Babop. Love you, Nai Nai."


WHEN WE FIRST ARRIVED HOME... Lillie was speaking a little Mandrin and slowly learning a few words in English. She was reserved in her play and in her affection toward me.

TODAY... She is a talkative girl, exploring her language and understanding of concepts through conversations ( all the time!) She is quick to give a hug, will give me kisses (this has happened in the last few months. Previously, she would give me a kiss if I kissed her....mostly hello or goodbye. We would go days with her telling me " Too much kisses" or "No kissing, mommy") and loves to sing and dance!

OUR FIRST NIGHT... Bed time was stressful for a scared little girl and a brand new mommy. She woke up several times in the night crying and had difficulty feeling secure.

LAST NIGHT... Lillie fell asleep next to me. She said good night and curled up beside me. Sleep is still something Lillie struggles with, but we have made great improvements over the last year!

Lillie is a blessing. We have had some difficult moments and some amazing moments. All of them, however, are moments together. We have moved from a time when, though I loved her dearly, she seemed like a visitor to feeling like a family...One that I know truly belongs together.

A Match made In Heaven

Fabulous!

Lillie loves to sing and dance! She was so excited to find mom's headset microphone for her computer...which led to an impromptu concert! She even put on her own lipstick for the event!

4th of July

July 4th of last year is a bit of a blur... mom and I were preparing to board a plane early the next morning to begin our journey to China and Lillie. A year later, and Lillie is here and full of curiosity!


Although it was an overcast and rainy day, we went downtown for a while, then spent time with Nai Nai and Babop. Lillie helped deliver cookies to everyone and was very excited about the prospect of seeing fireworks. "Pop, pop, pop, Mommy!" Of course, once we got there, she was distracted by the bird poop in front of her...but did seems to also enjoy the "sparklies"! She talked non stop, sang and danced, dressed herself...
It might have been the day to celebrate the birth of our Nation, but is was also a day to celebrate the beautiful little girl that my journey led me toward this time last year!

Below are pictures of Lillie playing beauty shop with Nai Nai. She loves jewelry and brought in several of mom's necklaces and earrings and wanted her to try them on. She even decided to try and put the earrings on for her!