Saturday, January 31, 2009

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



Thursday, January 1, 2009

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!