Christmas in China

Here are some pictures of Elli celebrating Christmas at New Day Foster Home in China last year.  New Day does an amazing job of taking pictures of all the children and posting scrapbooks.  We are so thankful to New Day for their love of these precious children.

Elli was named "Kiah" at New Day Foster Home.  The caption for this picture was:  "Kiah sips tea out of her new tea cup."

Christmas Lights

Our family has a tradition every December 23rd.  We get McDonald's french fries and drive around looking at Christmas lights.  It was so fun seeing the awe and wonder in a little one's eyes again.

This is one of our favorite houses to see.  They have an incredible display of Christmas lights and animated decorations.

Family Games!

We've been having fun playing family games over Christmas break.  Elli joined the fun playing Twister.  Elli got a cute game for Christmas called Uno Moo.  Our family got some new games too...Ticket to Ride, Risk 2210 A.D., and a second expansion pack for a family-favorite game called Dominion.

Eating Out

We were out and about before Christmas and stopped in Applebee's for a yummy lunch.  The waiters love Elli!  She is doing so well holding her crayons and eating utensils.

Making Fudge!

Kaitlyn and I had fun making fudge last night!

Future Ballerina?

Mama and Elli

Christmas Music!

Christmas music has been in the air!  Brady performed "Hot Chocolate" from Polar Express in two Christmas piano recitals!  He did a great job!  His fingers can really fly!  Brady also played percussion in his 8th grade band Holiday concert.

This first picture is Brady performing in my piano studio's recital.  We performed for the residents at a beautiful new resort-like retirement community.  They had an on-site theater with comfy loveseats for seating!

Brady performed at his piano teacher's Christmas recital too.

Brady (standing in the back) played snare, marimba, and tambourine in the school band concert.

Our Precious Angel

Elli Saw Santa!

Elli was excited to see Santa Claus!  She was a vision of sweetness.  When the girl came up to take our order before seeing Santa, Elli immediately said, "Good girl!" :) Elli was also prepared to tell Santa she wanted "toe" (toys) for Christmas.  When asked what Santa says, Elli places her hand on her tummy and says in her lowest voice, "Ho ho ho!"

Mama's Little Helper...Making Pizzas

Elli likes to make and eat pizza.  I think Elli knows what pizza is now, but she used to point to her nose when we said pizza.  The Mandarin Chinese word for nose is "bi zi" (bee dzuh), which sounds a lot like pizza!  So cute! 

Hats & Scarves

Here are some pictures of the absolutely beautiful crocheted hats and scarves made by my sister-in-law, Ida.  She also made the adorable pink hat and scarf that Elli was wearing in the "Art Show" post.   

Elli and Mama

Kaitlyn

Ida also made Elli the cutest little slippers (on the right).

Monkey Cupcakes!

Brady made monkey cupcakes for his Scout Christmas party.  The cupcakes are frosted with chocolate icing.  The monkey eyes are chocolate chips.  The ears are Nutter Butters, split and halved.  The nose/mouth are vanilla wafers with red decorator icing.  They are so cute!

"Ooh-ooh-aah-aah!"

Art Show

Kaitlyn had a photograph accepted in a student high school visual arts competition!  Kaitlyn had taken the photo on our China adoption trip.  We attended the art show this evening.  Elli was pretty as a picture wearing her hat and scarf made by her Aunt Ida.

Bell Ringer!

A sweet old man let Elli ring the Salvation Army bell.  Elli is so precious!  She attracted a shopper right away!

Eggs

Elli likes warm eggs for breakfast.  She has learned so many words as I hold her in one arm and we cook together...skillet, spatula, stove, hot, salt, pepper, cooking, etc., and Mama has learned how to crack eggs with one hand!  :)

Rock-a-bye Baby

Dermatologist Appointment

Elli saw the dermatologist this week to check out the little bumps under the skin on her chin.  They are not calcium deposits.  The doctor said it was scar tissue that had formed from something.  Based on pictures we received and the scars on Elli's face and body, we are pretty sure she had chicken pox when she was in China.  The doctor also commented on all the scarring on Elli's chest and shoulder area.  Elli has the chest scar from her open heart surgery for TOF, but there are several other scars on her chest, the back of her head, and on the back of her right shoulder where apparently tubes might have been inserted.  Elli also had one keloid scar on her right shoulder that we had treated.


When I look at the scars on our little Elli, I think about all that she has been through as just a little baby.  I will hold her tight and pray that God will continue to watch over her and keep her heart healthy.


Here are some pictures of Elli from a CD we received from New Day.  She was three to four months old here.  As a precaution, our pediatrician has started over all of her vaccinations.  Elli also had to get the chicken pox vaccine since she was under one year old when she got chicken pox.  Poor little thing... :( 

Decorating the Christmas Tree!

Last Friday, Elli helped put the "tar!" on top of the tree.  This is going to be a very special Christmas. 

Fever

Elli had a fever last weekend after Thanksgiving.  Mama and Elli had to stay home from church on Sunday.  Snuggling and Sesame Street helped her feel better...

Adoption Awareness Month

November is Adoption Awareness Month.  As we celebrate the joys of our adoption, my heart is also sad when I think about Elli's birth mother and father.  I pray that God will comfort them and help heal their pain as only He can do.
Here is a story written by the mom of one of my piano students.  Her family, sister's family, and niece's family all adopted little girls from China and were an inspiration to us.

One day my daughter Hannah who we adopted from China asked about meeting her birth mother. The question arose after one of her friends who was adopted domestically was able to meet her birth mother. Hannah was thrilled for her friend, but she wanted to meet her birth mother too. I had to explain to Hannah that it would be impossible to meet her birth mother because out of a desperate situation she had to leave her baby on the steps of a hospital. I also explained that I believed in my heart that her birth mother grieves every day over her decision and that she loves her very much. I hope that one day that this grieving mother will know that her daughter has an amazing life with a family who adores her.

Hannah's next question was "If I cannot meet her on this earth then I hope I meet her in heaven, but what if she does not know Jesus?" My response to my daughter was that it is important that we live every day of our lives as an example of Christ. We are to be a light in a dark world, so those who do not know the Lord will come to know Him. We also need to pray that God provides the same light to her birth mother in China. I believe God will answer Hannah's prayer. Can you imagine the beautiful reunion that will be had in heaven on the glorious day when this grieving mother is able to hold her daughter for the first time.

If I could say one thing to Hannah's birth mother, I would say thank you. Thank you for not aborting your beautiful baby. Thank you for loving her so much to give her life. She is truly a gift. God has BIG plans for her. I am so grateful God has honored me with the opportunity to raise her.


~Linda

Thanksgiving Dinner

Elli enjoyed her Thanksgiving dinner, especially the mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie!  Her aunt and uncle from out of state and her grandpa were here to celebrate Elli's first Thanksgiving with us.  We have so much to be thankful for this year.

"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

China trip pic...Lotus Market

Here are some pictures inside the Chinese Lotus Market in Zhengzhou.  There were three floors.  The first floor was a market of various items such as jewelry and clothing.  The second and third floors had food and other items similar to a Wal-Mart.  The shopping carts were magnetic to move on the escalator ramps.  Some foods that were available were very unusual such as chicken toe, and open bins of intestines and eels.  Some things we bought were baby formula, rice crackers, Pringles, hot chocolate mix, diapers, and a diaper bag.