2009- The Year of the Ox

The dragon roars





Today we celebrated the Chinese New Year by attending a celebration in Seattle’s International District. Lily loved watching the Dragons dance through street and kick off the Year of the Ox with firecrackers at the Gateway to Seattle’s Chinatown. We had an opportunity to mingle with other adoptive families and Chinese families who were also sharing the tradition of the “Spring Festival”.

The director from Lily’s orphanage sent us a special “New Year’s Greeting” and shared pictures of the orphanage all decorated for the occasion.

Last weekend we had a very special visit from another Xuzhou mommy, Kathleen and her adopted daughter Mia. In mid-February Kathleen will be traveling to China to bring home a second adopted daughter, Marika. (Marika is one of the little girls in Lily’s birthday picture) Who would have ever guessed that one of Lily’s best little friends from the orphanage would be living in Seattle! We can’t wait until these two little girls are reunited and we look forward to a wonderful new friendship with Kathleen and her two beautiful little girls.

Kathleen and Mia visit us last weekend

Waiting for the dragons


Seattle's China Gate


The big dragon slithers on by


Lily shielding her ear from
the firecrackers


Lily in her traditional Chinese clothes to celebrate the New Year

Painting Lily's Chinese name- Chu Fu Rong ("beautiful flower")

Talking with Chinese families

Lily with Dad in the Chinese pavilion

A Very Special Adoption Day

The last day of 2008 was a very special adoption day for us. Lily Mei was "re-adopted" in America so she could have an American birth certificate to accompany her Chinese birth certificate. And moments later John's adoption of Eric was finalized. Joining us for this special occasion was Nana (Barbara) and the Bashinski family; Scott, Kelly, and Justin.

During the proceeding, the judge asked John and Eric to talk about their decision to become father and son. John talked about being a part of Eric's life since he was 16 years old, learning to love him as his real son, and working hard to model what a father should be. Eric talked about John being more a part of his life in one month than his biological father had been in his whole life.

Lily Mei was in her glory, wearing traditional Chinese clothing and carrying her ever-present purse. She strutted through the courthouse as if she knew this was an important day; a day that added more confirmation that she was now an American.

After the preceding we all enjoyed an early dinner at a local steakhouse and then returned to our home. There, we exchanged Christmas presents with the Bashinskis. Lily was thrilled with her new rocking horse and doll house.

Lily and big-brother

Eric on their way to

the courtroom

Look out,

here I come

Waiting for the

proceedings

to begin

The swearing in.

Eric says "I do."

Posing with the judge

Our family

Pam, Lily, and

godmother Kelly

Proud grandmother

Barbara and handsome

grandson Eric

"I'm an American!"

Scott gives Lily her

first ride on her new

rocking horse.

One last Christmas

present to unwrap...

Lily's new doll house.

These ribbons and bows

are a real pain in the neck!