She calls me Mommy

I have to admit that having spent the past almost twelve years bringing up my darling four children, I have taken the title "mommy" for granted. I hear it so many times during the day....sometimes at night I hear it in my sleep (and their sleep) And if being honest, there are days that I just don't want to hear "mommy can I....mommy she hit me..... Mommy I want.... Mommy he's looking at me...mama....mama....mama!". Ugh!

But today.....today the Lord opened my eyes to something so special...

In the last few days Ellie has started calling me "Mommy". Now she has called me "Mama" since the day we met, a little over three months ago. But even though it was music to my ears the first time I heard it.....I soon came to realize that she called her nannies at New Hope "mama" too. Don't get me wrong...I am forever grateful to her nannies that loved her so very much! And I feel like they deserve the title "Mama"! The picture below is of a very special nanny to Ellie. Even today when Ellie sees this picture she points to her and says "mama".

But now my sweet baby girl calls ME Mommy! To me this is very significant. It is as if she understands now that I'm not just another nanny...that I won't be changing shifts, or moving to another job. I pray that she is really being to feel my love, to know that I'm here for her all of the time, that she will always have a warm place in my arms.....that I am her "Mommy" today and always.

What a gift that I am blessed with these five precious children and that God has chosen me to be their mother. Now the title "Mommy" has an even deeper meaning for me.

Thank you Heavenly Father for this special gift.......and for allowing me to be her Mommy!

 

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New beginnings

This week has been one amazing week for our Ellie. She has had a week filled with new beginnings.

To start our week, Ellie received her first set of wheels! Our new friend, Mr Eric, brought Ellie her first wheelchair. We are trying this one out to figure what Ellie likes or needs on her new one that will be ordered soon. She tried the wheelchair at physical therapy last Friday. She was very shy at first, and nervous about trying it out. But quickly at PT she figured out how to maneuver the chair by herself. But on Monday when she was in the comfort of her home, and she sat in that chair, she experienced a whole new world.

She was able to reach the piano by herself. She could go into the pantry and pick out her own snacks! She could even look out of the window on her own.

She loves being in her "stroller" as she calls it! Outside she can chase the other children, or go as she pleases. The very next day she wanted to go all by herself to get the kids from school. She did almost the entire way by herself. Ellie is loving her independence! And we are learning to watch our toes when she comes close. Once again, she amazes us, and everyone who meets her!

Today was another "new beginning" for Ellie, a day I dreamed about ever since I found her special gown last March. Today, november 18th, our baby girl was baptized! Baptism is such a special sacrament in our faith. And we were so excited to share in this moment with her.

At the beginning of the ceremony she was not happy at all. I think she was nervous about what was happening. I've learned that she does not like anything out of her routine! She cried for most of the beginning.

Our good friends, Brian and Lisa, are her godparents. We are so blessed to have them in our lives, and Ellie's!

She cried until this moment.....well until after it.......

Welcome to our Catholic faith Elizabeth Xiao Fang

"Every precious gift comes from above." James 1:17

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Updates....and more!

It has been two months and 3 days since my precious girl was placed in my arms.....

This was the very first moment Elli was placed in my arms.

It only took her a few moments to give me a glimpse of her amazing personalty

And now, we have learned more and more every day about this remarkable, wonderful gift we have been given.

Ellie loves to sing, and if you are singing the right song you might be able to join her. She was afraid of dogs at first, but now LOVES Molly, and refers to every dog we see as Molly! She enjoys her bath very much, but doesn't like it when her fingers get all wrinkly. She is shy at first with most people, but quickly warms up to everyone. She is amazing at climbing, and loves to sit on anything.....even a bowl turned upside down, a toy, a bench, or her brother! And she can also zoom across the kitchen floor on a turned over bowl, bucket, or plastic pumpkin (which, by the way, made her big brothers and sisters roll on the floor with laughter)! She is amazing! She loves to smile and giggle!!....and boy, those dimples can melt your heart....

Her English vocabulary is building so quickly! She repeats almost anything now. She always says "God bless you" when somebody sneezes (even herself), "excuse me" after she burps....or does something else that also makes her giggle! And if anyone falls, cries, or gets any kind of boo-boo, she will repeat over and over again "are you okay?" until that "injured" person says back to her "Yes, Ellie, I'm okay". During the day when the other children are in school, she misses them periodically. So she will go around the house singing "Where is Thomas (or whomever it is she is missing)? Where is Thomas? He's at school, he's at school." it's so cute!!!

Another great blessing, is that we have been able to make great strides in her medical treatment plan! She has seen her physical therapist for the last three weeks, and enjoys her time with her. Ellie even got measured last Friday for her first wheelchair. We are super excited about her getting a chair....she will be so happy to be more independent. Last week she saw her urologist, neurologist, and orthopedic surgeon. We have several tests scheduled to have her completely evaluated to ensure we are caring for her Spina Bifida in the best possible way. Thursday, she will be having surgery on her ankles and feet to hopefully lengthen her tendons. Right now her little adorable feet and ankles are contracted in the pointed position. With this surgery, and with the use of casts and braces, the doctor is hoping to be able to correct her feet to the neutral position. So even though our little princess may not be able to walk, she can still wear whatever fancy shoes she would like!

So please pray for her as she endures all of these upcoming procedures, and the surgery. Please pray that she will have quick healing.

God is so good, and His love is everlasting. Ellie, and all of my beautiful children, are everyday reminders of His love and goodness. I love them so much, and oh, how much more that He loves all of us! Praise you Heavenly Father, and thank you for my babies!

 

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Happy 3rd Birthday to our little Ladybug!

I am so happy to share with you that yesterday we shared Ellie's first birthday party with us here at home. If you read my post from last year on her birthday...it was a bitter sweet day for us. We were so sad to not be able to share her 2nd birthday with her, but God gave us a great gift....a reminder that He was listening to our prayers, and taking care of our girl while we were apart....He gave us snow!!! Yes, last year on Ellie's birthday my other children got to play in snow for the very first time!! (check out the post from last year)! It was so much fun, but this year has been even better so far. Her birthday is not until Monday, the 29th, but we celebrated with a great party yesterday.

We started with making her cake. She and Anna helped to decorate it.

We had some wonderful friends come join us for the fun!

She carefully added her three candles.....

Once they were lit, and we were signing "Happy birthday", she was fascinated by the candles, but wasn't sure how to blow them out. After a little help for her brothers, she quickly learned!

She had a blast opening her gifts!

And we were super excited about giving her the motorized car we got for her. Now she can keep up with her brothers and sisters while they play outside on their bikes and scooters! She loves it!

 

She wouldn't stop dancing and wiggling on it...she was so excited!

We had soooooo much fun!

She loves her brothers and sisters.....and they LOVE her!

We praise and thank our amazing God for allowing us to love this precious and beautiful ladybug!

 

 

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My van and my heart are full!

I know it's been a while since I posted....but Ive been a bit busy!

Yes, life with five kids is busy, but fun....loud, but happy....crazy, but joyful....crowded, but surrounded with love....we are loving life!

Ellie is such a joy for our family....and we are confirmed everyday that God designed her for our family, and us for her! Sometimes, it's hard to believe that she has only been home with us for a little over three weeks.

We love our Chinese princess!

It hasn't taken her long to warm up to her BaBa (Daddy). She is bonding more every day. For the last two Sundays she only wanted him to hold her during church! She loves her brothers and sisters! And loves to play with each of them. She wasn't too happy with Molly, our dog, at first...but it hasn't taken her long to love her too. Now she squeals with delight every time Molly gets close to her!

This was her first night home....and she wasn't sure about Molly yet.

Ellie is amazing! She amazes us everyday with something new! She is learning so much English... And can usually tell us what she needs or wants. And of course she is still singing!!!! Her favorite songs are The Wheels on the Bus, ABC, Twinkle Twinkle little star, and Two Little Tigers (in Mandarin). She has even started helping us tuck the other kids in bed. She sings along with us as we tuck them in. It is sooooo adorable!

Her limited mobility does not stop her at all! She has figured out how much fun the stairs in our house. And loves for us to watch her climb up and down them. She loves to go to the playground...and climbs all over the equipment! She is amazing! She is wonderful.....she is so very loved!

I've heard from so many people how lucky she is to have come into our family....yet Steven and I feel like we are the lucky ones....she has brought so much joy to our lives, and has taught us so much already!

These children God has entrusted to us....are such wondrous blessing!

Thank you Lord for our treasures.......

They are wearing their big brother and big sister shirts

First time on the trampoline...she LOVED it!

Playing rock band with her brothers...she was really singing!

Getting ready for bed....well sort of....

 

Getting into mischief with Thomas...they were both tearing up paper, and chasing each other!

Learning how much fun it is to lick the bowl after we make brownies...yum!

 

They LOVE each other!

 

And they have so much fun together!

 

We love our little ladybug!

Please keep Ellie in your prayers as we begin our appointments this month with all of her specialists. Thank you!

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Together at last!

I apologize for not posting earlier. We have been back since Sat night...but I've been a little busy loving on my other babies too! And, well since its 4:30in the morning, (jet lag is still kicking my butt).... I thought this might be a good time to update everyone. We made it home with several bumps along the road (or air). And it felt so good to be back together with our sweet Ellie.

We started our trip back home on Sat around 6:30 am, China time, 3:30 Friday afternoon Nevada time, to be at the airport by 8:30. A huge blessing for Ellie and I is that we were flying back on the same plane with two other families from our travel group. It was wonderful to have them to hang out with in the airports, and visit with on the plane. Our plane leaving China left with no delays!! We were so happy to finally being heading home. Ellie feel asleep with take off, and I was happy to think this was a great start to out long ride home. Well.....about 20 min later they served our first meal....and she woke up.

She stayed AWAKE the rest of the ride....yes! All 12.5 hours ( well minus her 20 minute cate nap). Despite my best efforts of medication, bottles, walking, and rocking....nothing worked! Although I do have to say my ever amazing girl was delightful. She only had a few struggling moments. But for the most part she was very good. But she was wired by the time we landed in San Fransico! And I was very tired!

But not too tired to rejoice with the other families over the United States' newest citizens.......

They were so tired....but Ellie was being so silly!

They became US citizens the moment they landed on US soil!

We had a wonderful time visiting with our friends at the San Fransico airport until we had to say our final goodbyes. It was hard to say goodbye to these friends we have made, and shared in this tremendous moment in each of our lives. They will forever be in my heart.

After I put Ellie in her coming home outfit, she knocked out...

We only had an hour and a half flight home, and she slept most of the way. But when we started landing, she woke up screaming. And she didn't stop until we were off of the plane, about 30 minutes later. My poor baby cried, and cried. Nothing would console her, and she was moving all over the place, she was so tired, and so confused. It was so very hard for me, because there was nothing I could do for her....and we were stuck on a plane, surrounded by some very comforting people, and some very frustrated people.

When we finally got off the plane, and I was able to calm her down, we were off to find our family. I was so excited...until I realized I went to the wrong baggage claim, and had to take a shuttle to the other side of the airport! The driver gave me a little attitude about helping me fold up the stroller to get onto the shuttle....and I lost it! I was so tired, and so sad..... I sat on the back on the shuttle , holding Ellie, and cried so hard! I could not stop crying.... I was tired, but I was also sad about the fact that this sweet baby I was holding is my daughter, but I still have so much to learn about her, she still has so much to learn about me, she is still learning to trust me, and learning to allow me to comfort her. It was a though moment. It's as if I could finally see the finish line, but just fell down... I felt so tired.

Finally we arrived to the correct terminal... And I started looking for our family....who was very patiently waiting....and a peace washed over me....when I saw them....

This was the first moment they all saw her.

I was showing her the photo album, with the pictures of everyone.

 

We missed each other so much....and Ellie was still unsure!

 

It felt so good to be back in his arms.

The dimples started to appear!

 

Her big sister loves her so much....they all do.

 

She has no idea yet, how much love we have for her!

 

Together at last!

Now....we can finally start our life together, and see what mighty things our good and gracious God...has in store for our family....and this amazing girl!

Thank you for following our journey! I hope to post here regularly over the next year, sharing with all of our friends, the story of Ellie!

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