Fourth of July Fun

Summer in Seattle has been a dream so far this year. Six weeks of sun and warm weather has given us the opportunity to share great summer fun with Lily. She loves going out boating and even swims in Lake Washington's 65 degree water. She loves the water so much that we're considering trading in our boat for one that we can sleep on. Our friend Tim took us out on his boat over the 4th of July weekend for a test "sleep over". Lily passed with flying colors and felt right at home on the water.

For the 4th, we took her to a small town country fireworks show close to our home. She had fun eating kettlecorn and hot dogs and running around the park while Mommy and Daddy took turns chasing her. We wish we could have captured her face when the fireworks started- she was awestruck!





Riding in the dingy with Daddy











Swimming in Lake Washington with Mommy












Watching a DVD before sleeping on Uncle Tim's boat












Having fun while waiting for the fireworks to start in Carnation

Lily playing in the back yard

Lily loves her Obama t-shirt

Lily licking the beater getting ready to enjoy strawberries and whipped cream

Catching up with Lily Mei

I love my brother Eric













Going shopping















My new swimming pool









Nana came to visit!









Lily with an ancient Chinese soldier












Riding the merry-go-round










Swimming with Dad









Water fun at The Children's Museum









Lily and Dad archealogists at The Children's Museum










Mom and Lily at The Children's Museum

Mother Bridge of Love

Once there were two women who never knew each other.

One you do not remember, the other you call Mother.

Two different lives shaped to make you one.

One became your guiding star; the other became your sun.

The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it.

The first gave you a need for love. The second was there to give it.

One gave you a nationality. The other gave you a name.

One gave you a talent. The other gave you aim.

One gave you emotions. The other calmed your fears.

One saw your first sweet smile. The other dried your tears.

One sought for you a home that she could not provide.

The other prayed for a child and her hope was not denied.

And now you ask, of course you do, the question others ask me too:

This place or your birthplace – Which are you a daughter of?

Both of them, my darling, and two different kinds of love.

-Anonymous

Two years ago, on May 15th a mother of a beautiful little two month old baby girl made the decision that she was unable to raise her daughter. Through her heartbreaking loss, I have been blessed. The bittersweet reality of how we've come to know and love our daughter is often in my thoughts. I know that as Lily gets older, I will have to explain how we have become a family. It is my hope that the above poem will help to explain how truly special she is.

This poem is featured on the wonderful website The Mother’s Bridge of Love. http://www.motherbridge.org/ This organization was founded to foster understanding between the East and the West and to help internationally adopted children understand their Chinese heritage.

What a Year It's Been!

As I was tucking Lily in tonight and singing “just one more song” with her memories of this past year filled my thoughts. Through the miracle of adoption, a year ago today Lily Mei was placed in our arms and made our family complete. A fourteen-month old infant who was too weak to sit up on her own now walks, runs, jumps, climbs, and dances. In one short year Lily has learned to chew, use a fork, spoon and knife, serve herself food, pour and drink from a cup and clear her dishes. Words and songs come easy for her and she’s constantly chattering and singing, asking questions and learning how to pronounce everything that is new in her world.

Lily has endured two major surgeries and numerous visits to the ER and her Pediatrician. She has been poked and prodded by more doctors than I can count. In the months following her open heart surgery her development has gone from woefully behind to right on target for her age. She is a kind, happy and curious child.

But what touches my heart the most is that Lily has learned to love and be loved. Tonight when she cupped my face in her hands so that I would look straight into her eyes, she melted my heart. Every time we pull into our driveway Lily says, “I am home!” and with more joy in heart than I will ever be able to explain I always reply, “Yes Lily, you are home.”

Easter Lily

Lily experienced her first Easter this year. She had fun leaving carrots for the Easter Bunny and getting a basket filled with treats the next morning.

Lily's brother Eric joined us for Easter brunch. And to Lily's amazement, the Easter Bunny showed up at the resaurant!



Lily and Mom coloring Easter eggs






"I can do it Mom."

Eric, Pamela, & Lily waiting for brunch

The Easter Bunny showed up!

Xuzhou Sisters meet again

Kathleen and her two daughters visited us again last weekend and we had the pleasure of meeting Marika for the first time. I have been looking forward to this occasion for months...thank you Kathleen!

Mari and Cai Cai (another Xuzhou baby) have been permanent faces in our home since receiving a photo of Lily's first birthday from the orphanage director last March. Lily, Marika and the other Xuzhou babies spent their first year(s) together and they will be forever bonded in sisterhood.

I find it so special that Lily and Mari will have the opportunity to grow up living so close to one another; re-united from another life half-way around the world. They were a little shy at first but quickly warmed up to each other. It was so wonderful to see Mari's sweet smile in person.

"Haven't I seen you before?"

Meeting again after a year apart.

Getting to know each other

Friends again!

Lily Planting Onions

Lily has been with us for 11 months now. 11 months ago she could not make sounds, other than to cry or to make minor coos. She could not sit up or even crawl. Her body was deprived of oxygen due to her heart condition. She was underweight to the point where she couldn't be measured on a scale compared to other children her age.

What a difference 11 months makes. Lily is now speaking full sentences, singing songs, parroting expressions, and walking around with that beautiful smile on her face. She has a positive impact on everyone who comes in contact with her. She is a very bright ray of sunshine in our lives!

And now she's an onion gardener!













Is this the way you do it Daddy?

Lily is a Gardener

Today Lily learned about dirt. Dirt is fun. Dirt is what plants grow in. Dirt needs water. In addition to the pansies shown here, Lily helped Daddy plant tomatoes.

Singin' Along with Dad

Lily is learning to sing and she loves doing it with her mom and dad... or just by herself. This video was taken at bedtime and, as you can see, she is still very attached to a washcloth. Washcloths served as her "security blanket" in the orphanage. When you don't have a teddy bear, or any other soft toy, a washcloth feels pretty good.

Lily is 2 Years Old!!

Sunday was a very special day for us. A year ago we were celebrating Lily's first birthday halfway across the world from her; still waiting with great anticipation to meet her and hold her lovingly in our arms. Her second birthday was so much more special. We were able to celebrate with her; and hold her lovingly in our arms.

Lily was joined by friends from her school and from her neighborhood to have a fun birthday party. She had fun playing, snacking, having her birthday cake with the other kids, and opening her presents.

A year ago Lily was flirting with death as her heart was barely functioning; today her physical and cognitive development is growing at an incredible rate. It is such a joy to experience and share daily the changes in the growth in her communication skills and in her physical abilities.

And Lily is such a happy child. It's rare that she doesn't have a smile on her face and isn't ready to enjoy a playful giggle.

We have been blessed with this wonderful little person.





Lily's birthday cake



"It's my 2nd birthday, and I'll smile if I want to..."



Lily and her friends



Blowing out two candles



Yummy birthday cake!





Lily opening her presents



Misha sharing Lily's birthday party

Lily the 737 Star

On our trip back from Ohio recently on Southwest Airlines, the crew was infatuated with Lily. She was invited to the cockpit by co-pilot Ron Hodges. Hodges shared with us that he and his wife were considering adopting.


The flight attendents spent time interacting with Lily. They told us how much fun they experienced each time they came by our seats.

Lily has the gift of attracting people with her charming personality and fun-loving spirit.

A Visit to Grandma

Lily Mei visited her Grandma Ethel last weekend in Ohio. It was a very special visit because Lily also got to see her two aunties, Lin and Sarah, her cousin Rachael, and her Uncle Vince.

Grandma Ethel threw an early birthday party for Lily and invited a group of her dear friends. These friends said many prayers for Lily when she's was undergoing her heart surgery last year.



Reading a book with Grandma Ethel



Playing with Grandma Ethel



Beautiful mom and daughter



Opening one of the many presents given to Lily



Uncle Vince, Lily, Dad, Grandma, Lin, Rachael, and Sarah