Adjusting to Home

Here are some photo's since we've been home!
The Saturday after we arrived home, we headed up to Heber to say goodbye to my sister who was moving to New Hampshire (sad face). Lizzie jumped on the tramp for the first time, petted my mom and dad's baby horse (born just before we left), and tried out the swing.

That Sunday we took her to eat dinner with the Anderegg family and meet cousins, pet the dog, Buddy, and eat icecream. She has absolutely loved her siblings, and I was able to capture a few of her and her big brother, whom she adores (and he can't get enough of her).

Here is a photo of the girls in their dresses. I found these in a shopping center in Zhengzhou. They turned out perfectly!
Football practice started that following Monday with tryouts the first two days and then team practice Wed-Sat, and Mon-Sat since. Though we don't go to all of them, it is one of the only times we are all together, so we like to go support Josh. Lizzie enjoys the park nearby, but there are no swings. However, there is a lot of space to play in the grass and practice walking.
We like to go for walks. She enjoys discovering new things and being outside.
She always starts out with the sunglasses on, but by the time we're home, they are off and she is anxious to get out.
And this photo I just had to take to show that she is not always happy, we are all adjusting, but she is always adorable!

A Mother's Sacrifice

This is Lizzie with her foster mom at the orphanage...the one you probably read about in my previous post. My mom just happened to snap this photo. Can you see the love in her eyes for my little Lizzie. What a lucky little girl!

I just need to say Thank You to Lizzie's birth mom, for bringing her into the world and trying to find a place for her to receive the help she needed. My heart aches for her, and I have a deep love and concern for her as I contemplate the difficult decision she had to make.

And Thank You to Lizzie's foster mom, whom I love for loving her and giving her a safe environment where she learned to bond and accept and give love. I am indebted to these two women for bringing my daughter to me and making her life the best they possibly could. I pray the Lord will bless them and help them to feel of my gratitude and love.

Treasures

In each of our care packages that we sent to Lizzie, we included a disposable camera, not having any idea if they would be used and/or returned. Well, we did receive them on Gotcha Day, along with her and a special book from the orphanage. It took me a couple weeks to have them developed, but I did. What a treasure. Here are some of them. They really opened my eyes to how she was living! What a rare glimpse into her former life. We are so lucky to have her!

Do you notice the split pants above? Yes, that is her cute little tooshie peaking out. All of the pants she is wearing in the photo's are split pants. And all the seats double as toilets. It is very common in China to see Children with the split pants and sitting in seats like these. I love that they took a few of her in them!

There were 2 other foster children with her, so I'm assuming these other cute toddlers are her foster siblings. Wish I could have brought them all home!

I have to say that this photo (above) is my overall favorite.
That little girl in my orange has my heart!

Most Chinese people live in apartment buildings with courtyards. I'm assuming this is the courtyard by her apartment since it looks as if she spends most of her time there (and the orchard). This is considered the "country".

Scrimmage

Josh had his first scrimmage against a 7th grade B team, and they won. They stopped them and drove them back on almost every defensive drive, and scored a touch-down on one of their offensive drives. It was Lizzie's first football game....one of many to come! Athlete is #11. Do you like their new white jersey's? Pretty sweet! And it was very fun to introduce Lizzie to so many of our football friends. We stayed for two of the other games to support some of our boys from previous years. It is nice not having to be in charge, but we miss "the boys".

Highland Water Park

We met up with several other families from our neighborhood to play. Despite a short rain fall, it was a beautiful and fun day and all seemed to have a good time.

One Month!

It has been one month since GOTCHA DAY, and we are all adjusting and settling into our new family. The kids spoil her and love her, I enjoy rocking her at night, Jake enjoys playing with her. We are so grateful to have this beautiful addition to our family finally in our home.

She is walking really well, constantly jabbering, and trying to repeat many of the words we say. She loves stuffed animals, especially her brother's Pooh Bear and sister's Pink Poodle. She climbs up stairs really well, and has had a good tumble down, but is trying to figure out how to get down. She doesn't like naps or going to bed without holding your hand, loves to cuddle with her favorite yellow blanket from Grandma Dalton and often a slightly wet towel of some kind. She loves to clap and give kisses, prefers mom to anyone (unless mom has just said "No"), will drink milk if it is warmed up but prefers cold chocolate milk. She is a picky eater...we're still trying to figure out eating, but graham crackers or yogurt have become our fall-back (it was PB&J sandwiches, but she's decided this week that she doesn't like them). She'll try anything, just spits it out if it isn't to her liking.

She melts my heart with her smile in the morning, wants big sister to get her out of bed, and big brothers to play with her and carry her around. She loves being outside, bouncing on the trampoline and swinging in my lap. She loves swimming and baths, but hates to have her hair rinsed. She loves lotion on her feat and face, and being wrapped tight in a towel. I love dressing her up, sister loves helping and coordinating her outfits to match. I have two very stylish and beautiful girls!

She loves to hear Grandma and Daddy's voice on the phone, hear music and dance, and to play peek-a-boo. She likes flowers in her hair, but not headbands. She likes Little Einstein video's, and we're working on words around the house and farm animals.

We're trying to figure out our schedule still...naps are random as we've tried to get ready for the kids to start school, and she seems the most tired in the car (not so much when we get home), but we're trying. She makes the most adorable sucking (like she's nursing) when she is falling asleep, and often while she is sleeping.

Brother's and Sister can't get enough of her, and neither can Great Grandma B or Grandma and Grandpa Dalton. Neither can I! She's the perfect fit!

Families are Forever

Our Little AngelLizzie's birthday is officially "unknown". Because we wanted to make the day that has become known as her "Birthday" (3 months prior to the day she was abandoned) a significant and meaningful day, we decided to take her to the temple to be sealed to us for time and all eternity, uniting her to our family forever. All the kids were able to receive special recommends and come in with us, and we were surrounded by dear friends and family. It was such a special time. Nathan, especially, has talked about the Spirit he felt there and how special it was, the mirrors that reflect one another endlessly, and how he was able to wear all white. Lizzie was so tired, but she was so good. She truly is our little angel, and we are so blessed to have her as part of our eternal family!!!

The Anderegg Family

Julie's family

Dad D, Mom D, Heather & Russ, Mat & Jean, Carrie
Grandma B, Monkey Boy, Athlete, Julie & Our Angel, Jake, Princess

Jake's Family

Jon & Michelle, Justin & Leta, Dad & Mom A, Jesse, Chris & Renee
Monkey Boy, Athlete, Julie & Our Angel, Jake, Princess

Family Friends

Glen & Jackie, Mary (she's like family), Matt & Shannon, Jared & Mindy. Kristen & Wayne and Pat & Steve were also there, but we missed them for photo's.

Families are Forever

Mt. Timpanogas Temple

It was such a beautiful evening, topped off with dinner with all of those who could come with us. I hope it will be a day that Lizzie can look back on and know that this day, above all others, is special! It's her Birthday!

Other Photos:




















Waiting for Photo's. My darling Grandma, Lizzie's Great Grandma (she is named after her mother) was able to attend. Lizzie kept running up to her in the temple wanting a hug, and then to Grandma & Grandpa Dalton, Jake, and Mom (Me). She has loved my grandma since the first time she met her. They must have kindred spirits. Other photos are of our dear friends, Mindy & Jared, and of my sister & sister-in-law (Carrie & Jean-Marie), and of course, Jake and my Princess.











Lizzie did not want to sit up for photos, so we finally just let her sit on the ground, and we joined her where she wanted to be. It made us all laugh.











We all had white shoes on inside the temple, but we don't wear our temple shoes outside, so we changed into our black dress shoes and headed outside to the courtyard for photos. Only Ryann and Lizzie had worn white shoes with their outfits to the temple, so they had white outside shoes. I decided to skip the shoes and go in my stockings.











We are all so happy to be together as a family. What a great blessing these precious treasures are in my life.