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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