Have you heard the news?

I am going to be a jie jie which means big sister. Mommy and Daddy keep asking me if I want a little sister and I say, "no." But I think since I am almost two, they know that "no" is my answer to pretty much everything they ask; therefore, they don't take much stock in my answer.

I can't imagine sharing Mommy and Daddy with anyone else and I really can't imagine sharing my toys. I have lots of time to get used to the idea, though. My friends Beck and Scarlett are about to have babies in their house, so I'll have to watch how they do and ask them for advice when the time comes.

In all fairness, Mommy and Daddy are going to do a blog for my sister. There's not much there yet but there will be in the future. Here's the link: Make room for mei mei.

C-ya!

Lindy Li

Going back to Cali, Cali, Cali...

Mommy and I traveled to California last week to visit Uncle Jeff, Aunt Dani, and Bryce and Brendan. It was ironic that I was in CA on April 13, 2007 a year after becoming a US Citizen in San Francisco on April 13, 2006.

Mommy was really nervous about traveling with me on a plane because I am such a busy girl. She loaded up her bag with books, crayons, coloring books, and some new markers that only show on special paper and off we went. Mommy was thrilled to learn there were only 4 other people on the flight and we had the back row to ourself. I got to sit in the window seat and still can't believe we were flying in the clouds. A nice flight attendant named Sophie brought me food and these funny looking things that had music coming out of them. I even fell asleep for 30 minutes much to Mommy's surprise. Uncle Jeff picked us up at the airport and the fun began.

My cousins Bryce and Brendan have A LOT of toys!!! I had so much fun playing with them. I really DROVE Brendan crazy and Bryce got a bit mad at me when I played with his special Blue's Clues notebook and crayon. All in all, we had lots of giggles together! Brendan let me sleep in his crib while he slept in a big boy bed in Bryce's room. Thanks Bren!!! I was kind of bossy and Mommy got mad at me when she heard me saying, "no" and "mine." I sat in a naughty spot more than once!!! Aunt Dani and Uncle Jeff were very nice to me and took perfect care of me and Mommy.

Mommy took me to the church where she and Daddy got married and I got to meet some of her old friends. We also got to go visit Mommy's friend, Ms. Pamela. She was Mommy's maid of honor in Mommy and Daddy's wedding a LONG time ago. Ms. Pamela made me a beautiful ladybug outfit and some new bows. I had popcorn for the first time, too. Ms. Pamela was very excited to meet me because she is going to have a Chinese daughter like me one day. Mommy and Ms. Pamela had lots to talk about!!!

Mommy said I did a great job on the trip home and she even shared some cookies with me. I had lots of fun in California but was very happy to see Daddy again. Thanks for everything Uncle Jeff, Aunt Dani, Bryce, and Brendan. I love you!!!

Bluebonnet beauty

For you non-Texans, the Texas state flower is the bluebonnet. This year we've been blessed with some much-needed rain which gave way to one of the prettiest years I've seen of bluebonnets. Bluebonnets don't last long but when they're here it sure is a treat for the eye.

A couple of weeks ago, in a very impromptu move we took some pictures of Lindy among the bluebonnets. Unfortunately, there were too many distratctions and not enough time so we didn't get the best pictures but thought we'd share them anyway.

Easter 2007

Our first Easter with Lindy was a blur last year since we had just gotten home from China. This year we had the privilege of spending the day with the Brown family. Ever since we've lived in Texas, we've spent many Easter Sundays with the Browns. Don and I have sweet memories of hiding eggs for Erin and Emily to hunt in the back yard. Now Erin is 18 and about to graduate high school and Emily is 14 and will begin high school in the fall. So, it was eggstra (sorry couldn't resist) special for us to see the girls hide eggs for Lindy to hunt.

The weather was cold and drizzly so Lindy didn't get to wear the dress we had picked out for her but that's okay we resorted to a plan C for warmth. We also resorted to hiding eggs inside. We hadn't prepped Lindy at all about the Easter bunny or looking for eggs but boy did she ever catch on quickly. We handed her the basket and she just started picking them up instantly and putting them in her basket. She even pointed to the hard to reach ones and found just about every one of them.

As you can see, the poor child doesn't get any attention! It was a fun day for us and we feel so grateful to have special friends who have "adopted" us and treat us like family.

A day we will never forget

It is so hard to believe that one year ago today in a far away land our lives were forever changed when a beautiful Chinese baby named Fan Xiao Jia (translation "Joyful Dawn") was placed in our arms for the first time. Suddenly, after eight years of wanting a child and a long adoption journey, we were parents. We FINALLY had our sweet baby girl for whom we had prayed and cried many tears. It is fitting that in Psalm 30:5 it says, "...weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." We received Lindy at about 10:00 in the morning and oh the joy she has brought to us and those her know her.

God is such a faithful and loving God! He heard our desperate cries to become parents, he heard our pleas for a happy and healthy baby (okay, and cute one, too), and he answered them so perfectly when he CHOSE Fan Xiao Jia for us. He knows what we don't--the circumstances of her birth, her birth parents, her foster parents, and so many other things. We know that just about the time she was conceived, we decided to take the plunge and begin our adoption journey.

In many ways, it seems like this special "Gotcha Day" moment was yesterday. We can't believe it has been a year. In other ways, it seems like it was a lifetime ago because it feels like Lindy has always been a part of us. With each passing day, she has spent more of her life with us than in China. Even though we may have missed some of Lindy's firsts, we have had the joy of experiencing all of her firsts with us and so many of her special baby milestones. We saw her crawl and walk for the first time and now we watch her run. We have heard her as her baby babble (which to some sounded like Chinese) has turned to distinguishable English words and an ever-growing vocabulary. Best of all, we have the special privilege of being called, "Mommy & Daddy."

When we met Lindy there were tears--hers and ours. As can only be expected, from time to time there are STILL tears--hers and ours. When we first met Lindy there were smiles and laughter--only ours. Now, everyday there are smiles and laughter--hers and ours.

We love our darling daughter so very much and happily celebrate this first anniversary of when we met Lindy and finally became a family. Although April 4, 2006 is the day it all became OFFICIAL and LEGAL, April 3rd will ALWAYS be "Gotcha Day" and an extra special day to us.

Below is a slideshow of some highlights of our first year with Lindy. Click View All Images and it should start it for you. Enjoy!

Much love,
Don, Lisa, & Lindy Li-Xiao