Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

There was a 'monkeys jumping on the bed' incident this past week at Aunt JJ's house. Don't know for sure, but I believe Elle was jumping on Ami's bed and fell off. 'My pinky toe hurts', she cried, but her entire foot and knee swelled. She says it doesn't hurt anymore, but is still limping four days later. I think it's still bruised and stiff. Hopefully the pedicure Aunt JJ and Michaela gave her will continue to work its magic.

This is Elle's first injury not caused by us. ;) Sorry baby!

Happy Gotcha Day Elle Mae-Li!

It was three years ago today that Elle was placed in our waiting and ready arms! It seems like just yesterday! Such wonderful memories of that day...holding our precious Elle for the very first time and soaking her all up. Today we remember and give thanks for His perfect provision. We also celebrate the lovely little girl she is and joy in her sweet spirit.

Today we also celebrate our niece, Ami, who traveled with our dear Elle in coming home to Chris, Jocelyn and family. What a privilege to have witnessed her arrival - we are so proud of you, Ami Jo-Li!

In honor of Elle today, we re-told her Gotcha Day story a few times, had a tea party, wore pig-tails, went out to eat for her favorite food (chip-mole), and gave her another charm to add to her bracelet. This was the first year that she really appreciated the bracelet. It was fun to see her so excited about her 'Special Sister' charm.

We love you Elle - you are a perfect gift from God!

Fun with Elle

Elle is a lot of fun...

Has her favorite shirt that she would wear every day if I let her.
Getting into the accessories - headbands, pony tails, necklaces, etc...
Loved her first experience with creme brulee. After her first bite she hugged and thanked us. LOL!
Playing in the backyard on her own - collecting sticks, dandelions and swinging, all by herself and so proud. Of course, I have an eye on her at all times.
Writing notes with her colored pencils on her pads of paper.
Counting to 12.
Knows the alphabet.
Working on writing her name.
Adores tea parties - likes lemon zinger and pepermint tea best.
Jumps off anything - even backwards off things.
Climbs the wall at the park.
Eating apple off core.
Enjoys reading books.
Pooh is her favorite video.
Eats and savors all foods.
Loves playing 'ball catch' with Dada.
Falls right to sleep at nap time and lately has been sleeping about 1 1/2 hours. I think Zane may be wearing her out.
Excelling with her words and sentences.
Treasures song time with Mama and sings with all her heart.
Learning John 3:16

Favorite shirt & 'Elle' socks from China, Tea with Grandma W's china, Apple off the core

China bound & Travel site

Our tickets are purchased and we’re China bound this Thursday, September 3. We appreciate your continued prayers for safety, health, and our union with Zane on Monday, September 7. Thank you for your love and encouragement through our adoption journey.

This will be my last post here until we return from China. We have a travel site and will be posting our journey there. You've probably received an email with those details. If I happened to miss you, email me and I'll give you the link.

“Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.” Ephesians 1:4-5 (The Message)

Creme Brulee

I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE creme brulee from Whole Foods! It is my favorite dessert and indulgence and WF's is the best I've ever tasted, besides my homemade, which is pretty awesome! ;) They make it in these little to go cups and even the sugar top is crusty-hard! It's not cheap at $2.99 a cup, but for every once in awhile, and only consuming half at a time, I'm getting two desserts out of it! :)

I picked one up last night and just had the first half...it is soooooooooooooooo delicious! I was just enjoying the creme coating over my lips and how incredibly delicious it is when I thought, 'BUT NOT BETTER THAN FINALLY HOLDING ZANE'! :)

Travel Praise

Our travel is confirmed for September 3-17 and we have tickets! We received an earlier consulate appointment allowing us to return on the 17th, so we'll be able to make the surgeon appointment on the 18th. We appreciate all the prayers that were offered - God answered and supplies all our needs!

If you were here right now, you'd hear...

Elle: China 5 days. I so happy!

Mama: I'm soooooooo happy too!

We've decided to fly into Beijing (had kicked around the idea of flying into Hong Kong) and opt out of a day of the regular tour (that we did last time) to go on another adventure. I'll post more about that when we get confirmation.

Today we are doing chores, cleaning, finishing last minute projects, laundry, etc.... Packing will probably start tomorrow. Right now, most of what we're taking is just all piled up - ready to be placed in its spot.

We are praying over Zane - his protection, preparation, peace and our union on Monday, September 7. Can't wait!!!

"When a woman labors, she has a hard time, there's no getting around it. But when the baby is born, there is joy in the birth. This new life in the world wipes out memory of the pain." John 16:21

3 Years Ago, Yesterday

My SIL reminded me yesterday that it was three years ago that we first laid eyes on our girls (we adopted our girls from China at the same time)! It's hard to believe it's been three years - three wonderful years! With TA yesterday, we experienced all that same joy over again. What a great day August 25 is; I love August 25; it's my new favorite day!

Holding Elle this morning and anticipating Zane - God has been so good and His ways are best - we are so blessed by our children and we are so grateful.

Here was our first look at Elle and another video of her practicing some Chinese vocabulary - she's getting good. :) (Can you believe that this past January we were concerned that she wasn't speaking and now she's bilingual! LOL!) Also posted is a video around Elle's bday in 2008. She was almost 2 years old and we were visiting my parents. Eric was testing downloading video from tape and condensing for easy upload for our trip and used this clip, so thought I'd share. I can't believe how 'baby' she was just 1 1/2 years ago!