It's only the beginning...

This week we celebrated AnGrace's 4th birthday and the second anniversary of her adoption. She has grown in amazing ways since that first time we held her and became her forever family. Physically, she has grown six inches, gained 10 pounds and now wears glasses. She also has grown to be a sweet, compassionate, thoughtful girl who loves to be read to, has a great imagination and is very athletic. We continue to be grateful for God's gift of this sweet girl.

As we close out the second year of her home-coming, we also are closing out this blog in order to put it in book form. We pray it will be a blessing to AnGrace in the future as she grows older and more curious about her adoption and our time in China. While it's the end of the blog, it's only the beginning of our life with her...

Having a great little sister (FromEmme)

I love having a little sister even though she talks A LOT! She chats all the time about non-sense.
She is so fun to play with! She makes up little games and always says "Hey em, do you wanna play wif me?" She says it with the sweetest little voice! I love having her as a little sister but she can be annoying saying the same thing over and over sooo many times!I love when she sings! She always sings, Twinkle Twinkle(that's what she calls it), way in a manger (she calls it) and ABC's! Her singing voice is soo sweet! I love it
It's been a whole different world when she came home! but it's been great! She's the best littke sister I could ever have!
-Emme 10

One Year!

It has now been over a year since AnGrace has been home. We celebrated her one year adoption anniversary and her 3rd birthday at the same time with lots of Chinese food (especially Wonton Soup), lots of friends and lots of gifts. It's been an amazing year!

AnGrace is a perfectly normal 3 year old - talking, playing, running, riding her bike, throwing fits, and not wanting to slow down. She makes us all laugh consistently with her facial expressions and hilarious comments. Today, she looked a picture of Emme as a newborn and told me "...when Emme was born in China..." Just a few things to confuse her. It seems as if she's always been a part of our family.

We continue to feel blessed and fortunate to be a part of her life.

Six Months!

So blogging is not exactly a priority...here's a bit of an update!

Life with AnGrace...

Speaking has come a LONG way! While some things are difficult to understand, she has a huge vocabulary and is doing a great job communicating.

Being outside is huge! Whether it's bubbles, a walk or sidewalk chalk, she can't get enough. The newest is going to the pool. Even when it's way to cold for Dan or I, she stays in with her sisters. She's also had a few fits when we can't go!

One of her favorite things is going to church; she yells "Jesus" when we pull in the parking lot. Her terrific Sunday school teachers have done wonders with making her feel welcomed and loved.

Singing has recently become an interest. She never tires of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Jesus Loves Me and the ABC's...sometimes to the detriment of her singing companions.

Potty training is done and was easy...thanks to her wonderful nannies in China!

She's grown about 2 inches and gained 3 pounds in 5 months...obviously meal time is well-loved. Thankfully, she's not super picky. Ice cream is often asked for in the morning...no, she doesn't get it!

Play dates with her friends Chloe and Harper are highlights. It's amazing to watch her warm up to others and interact.

Wednesday marks the six month anniversary of AnGrace's adoption. As we have been the entire six months, we are in awe of God's grace. She daily amazes us with everything! Words can't express how grateful we are for the Lord choosing her for our family.

FAQ's

Ok, after a month of being home, it's finally time for me (Debbi) to post. We are now happily into a routine of life as a family of six. AnGrace loves her sisters to death, but also needs for them to be at school during the week. The delight on her face when they get home in the afternoon is priceless.
There have been a number of inquiries about AnGrace, so here are some answers...

How is AnGrace adjusting? Amazingly well! She is eating well, sleeping well, smiling, laughing, hugging, kissing, imagining. Every week brings new and exciting experiences, as well as opportunities to work through issues unique to adopting a toddler. She has blended into our family beautifully and we are so grateful the Lord chose us to be her parents.

How are the girls enjoying having a new sister? Are you kidding?! They can't get enough of her. I don't think we've heard a single complaint. Tonight we left AnGrace with them while we went out for dinner; she was overjoyed to see us when we returned, but they had no problems whatsoever while we were gone.

Does she speak any Chinese...or any English? We're not sure about the Chinese. She babbles and sings confidently, but to our ears it sounds like gibberish. It well may be toddler Cantonese, but we have no way of knowing! As far as English goes, she is understanding a lot, and beginning to speak a few words. Right now, her vocabulary consists of about 10 words - hello, bye-bye, thank you, etc., as well as imitating whatever her sisters ask her to say. She has an adorable voice...no bias here!

What does she like to do? AnGrace loves life, so I'm not sure she has a favorite...books are high on the list (good thing in this family!), as well as playing with her doll house, playing with noisy electronic toys and watching me cook and bake. She also would live outside if we'd let her. Once Spring hits, I guess we'll be out a lot.

How is her arm? Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that she actually is missing part of her arm. She can do everything any other two year old can do. She uses the arm remarkably well to hold things, push things, crawl (when pretending she's a dog or a baby), wash herself, the list could go on. We'll go to an orthopedic doctor at the end of February, but we don't anticipate doing anything for a while. Sometime later, at her lead, we probably will get a prosthetic hand for her, but from what we hear, kids with her limb difference prefer just using the arm they have.

How are YOU doing? Great! AnGrace has made it easy! Sleeping through the night is huge! She's such a fun little girl to be around - it feels like we've always had her. It's been fun to go back through the fun times of parenting a toddler - the library, the sweet hugs and kisses, the awe of new experiences. After two years of waiting for this, I am feeling so blessed to have AnGrace as our daughter. Almost ten years ago, I received a pewter necklace of three girls - my three girls. Before we left for China I wore it one last time and told one of the girls a good Christmas gift would be another one with four girls. So, I now have a pewter necklace with my four girls. I feel complete, fulfilled...that's how I'm doing.

Another Sister's Point of View(Brooke)

Our dreams have finally come true! We waited for so long, and she is finally here! It is so fun to watch her as she walks around singing pretty loudly. At first it was sort of hard to believe she was here, but now it feels like she's been a part of the family all of her life. It was so cute to see her opening her gifts and then playing contently with only a few for hours. I am so glad we were able to get her before Christmas!
She is a very happy little girl and we see her beautiful smile a lot! It makes me smile when I hear her beautiful laugh.She has opened up so quickly to us; she loves all the attention and spoiling that she gets from us. Our prayers for her preparation for us were answered. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us next!

All I really want for Christmas

Brooke made Debbi a Christmas CD and it was playing in the background as our children played with their newly opened presents. I sat watching AnGrace play with her new toys and plates pretending to cook a feast and in the background I heard this song playing and tears began to stream down my cheeks. It was the very same song I heard two years ago on the day we were told that we would be able to adopt. Now almost two years to the day playing on the ground with a smile on her face was AnGrace, God's God's gracious gift to our family.

All I really want by Steven Curtis Chapman

All I really want for Christmas is someone to tuck me in
A shoulder to cry on if I lose, shoulders to ride on if I win
There's so much I could ask for, but there's just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas is a family

All I really want for Christmas is someone who'll be here
To sing me happy birthday for the next 100 years
And it's okay if they're not perfect or even if they're a little broken
That's all right, 'cause so am I

'Cause all I really want for Christmas is someone to tuck me in
Tell me I'll never be alone, someone who's love will never end
Of all that I could ask for well, there's just one thing I need
All I want for Christmas is a family.

Merry Christmas AnGrace! Welcome to your forever family.