I'm pretty sure fun was had by all! Lilee's party was so much fun & I think she celebrated her little legs off :D

Of course Friday was her birthday, but she didn't really care that much. We did let her open "3" presents since it was her actual birthday, but she honestly was like 'Okay, great presents, except for a A*bby Cad*aby backpack I got at T*arget in the dollar section! Now THAT was a huge hit & she absolutely wents nuts for it!






Now, Saturday morning a different story! The very first thing she said to me when she got up was "Today is my birthday & I'm having a party" She was SOOOOOOO excited!! A BIG thank you to my sister & brother in law for letting us use your house for the party, & for all your help!! Thank you to both our families that made her special day even more special! She loved every minute of it, and by the end of the day, she was EXHAUSTED!! (Chuck & I thank YOU for that as well) hahahahaha


Telling Amber all about it!!


Okay, I think she MAY have her picture taken a tad too much, this was not posed, she did this all her self...well in my defense she also thought of the pose for this picture as well....

Cousin Sarah getting Lilee ready to open presents!!!

Has anyone seen Lilee??


There she is


She is either bored or being shy about all the singing


Oh, she is starting to perk up


Honestly, have you ever SEEN such a happy birthday girl!


Now, that puts a smile on her face!

Okay, I just want everyone to know that not EVERY picture I take of the princess is perfect every time (I know hard to believe), but we take SO many pictures & I just post the ones that make the cut.....below is a TERRIFIC example of the anatomy of a photo shoot......











At least everyone is smiling!!


Hanging out with my cousin Ty.




Apparently, bubbles are hysterical!


We just love this little monkey so much! She is the most wonderful, sassy little thing & we can't wait to see what the year of being 3 brings!

THE END!

Our Birthday Girl!

Happy 3rd Birthday to our Sassy Sunshine!

Daddy & Mommy love you oh SO much. You are such a light in our lives & we feel blessed everyday that you are our daughter! We are the lucky ones!

We love you Sweet Monkey!

I'm going to take a moment on here to post about something other than the Princess we call Lilee....


On Thursday we lost our sweet baby girl Brosia, it is with such a heavy heart and through tears that I am posting this. She was our first baby.

A little back story.......When we moved into our first home we had just started our long road with infertility so both Chuck & I decided to get a dog. We both wanted a Lab because they were good family dogs & we had researched them & we knew this is what we wanted. BUT, little did we know there was another plan for us. I work in Classified Sales so a guy walked in with this puppy saying that he wanted to place an ad for his puppies that he had for sale. Right when I saw the puppy I KNEW WITHOUT A DOUBT that she was MY puppy. But, she wasn't a Lab. She was the most beautiful red Siberian Husky with THE most piercing blue eyes. I didn't know a thing about Huskies, I just knew she was mine! I told the guy that we were looking for a puppy, but I would have to talk with my husband. That night we talked & researched & decided to get her. I called the guy & he said that he actually had a couple that wanted her, but he saved her for me because he also KNEW she was my dog!!

Brosia was the smartest most gentle dog that I have ever known. She gave the best kisses & even hugs. I miss her terribly.....WE miss her terribly. She was loved by a lot of people. I know it has only been 4 1/2 days since she hasn't been here, but I miss her so! Everything reminds me of her. Another hard part is Lilee wondering were Brosia is. I'm sort of glad that she is a little too young to understand that she isn't coming back, but she misses her too. Chuck & I are pretty sure she thought Brosia was her sister because the odd thing is she is TERRIFIED of other dogs, big or small, but not Brosia they played all day long, their favorite game was hide and seek & it was the BEST thing to watch!







This picture is of the second day we were home from China


A Princess & her dog....










We lost her so quickly & we weren't prepared, but are you ever really prepared? Lilee & I were playing ball with her inside & she was running & prancing around & the next minute she wasn't, the Vet later told us it was an anuersym & she died very quickly. It doesn't make it easier.

We love you sweet girl & we miss you!

Doesn't everyone go to the Grocery looking like this?????

Adoption Picnic

This was our fourth year attending the adoption picnic & this was the first year Lilee participated in the playground & the pony rides. Yes, she actually rode a pony! The first time we were in line she changed her mind. Then Daddy took her & it was almost her turn & again....she changed her mind. So, the mean Mommy I am when she asked again, I stood in line with her & then when it was her turn....I actually made her get on and guess what.....SHE LOVED IT! And I SOOOOO wish I would have had my video camera because she was giggling the sweetest giggles the guy that was leading her pony even said "Now, I'm so tired from doing this all day, but her giggles have made it worth it" We were so proud of her & she had so much fun!!!



This was before we left for the picnic, I wanted to take a picture of her, of course she had another idea...

She had to hold both the pillow & Nemo



I asked her to put them down so I could get a picture of her shirt & this is what I got!



Then she wanted to make a deal, if I took a picture of her bunny then she would put down her Nemo, so...

here is the bunny (I'm such a sucker) :D

Okay Mom, take my picture!



My first experience with face painting....notice it is on her hand! Oh well, she did pick the color of her flower though!


Ummmm Mom, that wasn't so bad.... so I think I need one on this hand now!


Weeeeee


My two favorite people!



Daddy, are you sure about this, it looks really high!

Hang on Punkin'!

I'm not sure who is having more fun????


Just hanging around!

Gymnastics has made her so much stronger!


Our sweet girl, having so much fun!

The big one she will go down, now this one....a different story (go figure)


Lilee hitching a ride with her husband Caleb

Aren't they so sweet!


We think it is true love!


I'm not so sure about this


Okay baby, here we go...


Maybe this isn't so bad...


Why haven't I been doing this all my life!!!


I'm not kidding I wish that you all could have heard that delicious giggle!

A loss for words....

For some reason I am at a loss for words at what to say about the tragedy that struck Steven Curtis Chapman & his family. I haven't posted about it & it isn't because I didn't want to, it is because I just feel again.... at a loss for words.

I suppose that we feel so connected to him because his story is like ours. The bond in the adoption community is SO STRONG & I think it is because we ALL know that it is NOT an easy process, so when you meet or see someone that has adopted it is like an instant camaraderie. They KNOW, they get it. They understand the MOUNTAINS of paperwork, they understand the wait, that at times is PAINFUL, they understand the feeling of going to a foreign country...the excitement...the nervousness.....the JOY! I am just sad for the Chapman family & what they are going through, I could never imagine the pain. I pray for them whenever I think of them just so if by chance they feel a little peace.

His music has always been inspiring & we have listened to him for a long time, but he is also one of THE BIGGEST advocates for adoption & he trys to spread the word about adoption wherever he is. He let us (the world) into his life & shared his adoption stories with us & he didn't have to, but he did because he has a passion for it. Below is a song that he wrote for his two youngest daughters of course the youngest being Maria.



***pause the music at the bottom if you are going to watch this video****


"Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman
lyrics below...

She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders

It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me
Saying "Dad, I need you

There's a ball at the castle
And I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I danced with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I danced with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of her dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I danced with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I danced with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

She will be gone

Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned
She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I danced with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I danced with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone