Forever Family Day #5

This child has been home 5 years,

...Yes 5

Where did the time go?

When she came home she couldn't sit up

she stared forever at her hands

turning them back and forth back and forth

I am pretty sure just to block me out:0)

and when she wasn't enthralled with her hands

she was sleeping and sleeping....

Now she is this forever changing little person

sometimes she drives me crazy

sometimes she is one very large whine

but even in those times I am so happy she is mine

My daughter

A girl that is the perfect fit

she completes my little family
I will never tire of the endless I love yous

The way she cuddles

the way she says the same thing before bed each night

the way her socks never EVER match her outfit

How there is only one way she'll wear her hair.

When I dreamed of my daughter

My dream never ever could have touched reality

For our anniversary we usually go out of town

but when asked what Lily wanted to do

she wanted to stay home

and have Nonnie and papa over for dinner.

The day was a bit too nice to stay home

so we went to the zoo

We love the zoo

baby tiger came too

It was the perfect family day

Then we came home and ate dinner

and then topped it off with not one but 2 desserts.

An Itty Bitty Cake

And our very first smores!

Complete with our Nonnie and Papa

Forever Family Day #4

Four years ago this week this woman entrusted me with the best gift I've ever recieved.

She handed me the baby she nicknamed Rubi and had cradled for me for 6 months.
She brought her son to say goodbye.
The rest of Evelyns family stayed at home to take care of her newborn baby.


All that day we stared at our miracle and she stared wide eyed at us.

And now it is our annual celebration with that same teeny tiny baby.
Who has grown and remains just as much our miracle, as she was ,the day
we recieved her picture.


Our family went to San Francisco to celebrate.
It is the second year in a row we have taken this particular road trip.
I think it will be tradition.

This year we went to the zoo.
As is Lily's style, she did not have time or interest in posing for pictures.
So all our shots are candid.



The San Francisco Zoo has a fantastic train pulled by a actual steam engine.
Much smaller in size but impressive none the less.


A little cotton candy was in order for our special day.

We went on a bear hunt and actually found a bear!

She humored us with a smile.

The one and only for the camera.

This is my effort at getting a cool shot of my girl and I as you can see my girl left and it is just one splendidly happy mommy.

There are so many wonderful things about adoption. For me one of the best things is that my family will never be taken for granted. All children are special and I know that all families feel this way, but when your family is made through adoption, as parents you have to work so hard to become a family, that when your child looks into your eyes and says I love you mommy I think it is just a little sweeter. I love my baby girl so much and am just so lucky that the stars aligned just right and she was placed in my arms on May day.

Forever Family Day- Academy of Science

We made the treck to San Francisco today and it was well worth the trip. Lily was so very excited to see all of the animals and was bouncing up and down pretty much the whole time we were there. Last year when we took her to Sea World she spent most of the day crying so I was not sure quite what to expect. What a difference a year makes. She was nothing short of enthusiastic the entire day.

She wanted to climb the turtle. When it was time to move on she was a little heartbroken. she decided to give him a smooch goodbye.

Fish do not photograph well or we are not sure of the setting. Either way he is the only one to make the cut.

Oh, one more this fish, also made the cut. Once again Lily would not join in the juvenile fun. Perhaps she was wise to decline.

However, butterflies and frogs in the rainforest exhibit photograph very very well!

This guy was our favorite.

Couldn't leave without a shot of the albino alligator. His name is Claude apparently he is very sophisticated.

My girl, is quite enthusiastic about penguins! No penguin pics turned out, but they like shiny things, kinda like me, so they were fun to play with. We are listening to penguin facts here...

and here.....

And here. That little face takes my breath away. Really no fancy camera needed to make her look sweet and angelic.

On the way home...
After singing Old McDonald loudly, clearly trying to fight sleep, she gave up.

Then we went out to dinner where we topped it off with mile high mudpie. We are wide awake.
And what is a celebration without a sugar crash.

Time for bed sweet girl. Love you to the moon and back!

FFF and Forever Family Day

Happy Forever Family Day!Look what arrived in the mail just in time!


It is our 3rd Forever Family Day Celebration. This evening 3 years ago we flew to Guatemala in anticipation of becoming parents. We were beyond nervous and excited and full of the most anticipation I could of ever imagined. I could not have imagined how this little being would fulfill my life. She has made my loving relationship with my husband all the more fulfilling we are now truly a family! She has added laughter and squeals and some tantrums too and it is just perfect. I am so incredibly greatful to be her mommy. We are driving to San Francisco tomorrow and going to the Academy of Sciences which is an aquarium, planetarium, and indoor rainforest all in one. Expect picture overload later as it is my first chance to use my fancy new camera.

To see our journey to Lily video click here

Shhhh!

I ordered this for Lilyana's upcoming Forever and ever day! I am so excited and just for all you smarty pants out there yes it will say her name. I ordered it from etsy. Her store is now in my blogroll. La Chapina is what it is called. I have been coveting it for a very long time Lily's 3rd Forever Family Day is the perfect reason to get it. Can't wait to show off the real deal.

FF Day #2

Forever family day #2. Here is exactly what we were doing 2 years ago at this time. I don't have much time but wanted to repost our forever family slide show.

Cinco de Mayo

FOREVER FAMILY CELEBRATION

CINCO DE MAYO

THIS IS MY LITTLE DARLING ALL DRESSED UP FOR HER CELEBRATION. I can not believe how much she has grown and changed in one years time. Oh, how one wonderful being can change everything. She is absolutely amazing. To think back on the little sweet soul that entered our lives with the easy smile and quiet ways. When she first came to us she slept all the time. I think she kept going to sleep in hopes that when she awoke she would see something familiar. To her dismay we kept appearing at her bedside. I can not imagine my world changing so much in a day. Lily is a prime example that children are truly resilient.
We invited Nonnie and Papa and Grandma and Grandpa to help us celebrate and honor our forever family. Lily showed off quite a bit and decided food was not for eating but for playing. We left our waiter a hefty tip and Lily left a giant mess. We must explore everything!
And here is the true face of Lily. Sugar and SPICE mixed in with a whole lot of silliness. I just love it!
She is getting one of her molars. OWEE. That finger is almost permanently in her mouth.

Can you tell it's time to go? She didn't even want to try the ice cream. Yes to all of you out there who have thought us mean and torturous to not feed our darling the sweet stuff. We have decided to let her try her hand at an occasional sugary snack. so far our efforts have been thwarted and sweets have been rejected. I assume that it is only a temporary dislike.