Family Celebration at the Lake

Late yesterday afternoon, I was bemoaning the fact that our family was not spending as much time together as we used to. Even breakfast and lunch had become something everyone grabbed on their own to fit into their own schedule. Michael had a great idea! He picked up already cooked hot dogs on his way home from work and we set off for an evening picnic and hike along the lake! This has got to be one of our favorite recent family times together! It was a very special evening!

Family Celebration at the Lake Continued

Another reminder for us to cherish our family and guard our times together!

During the last leg of the hike, the girls in the family sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic".

One Year Anniversay - September 1, 2009

September 1 is the anniversary of the day that we first received Lydia. The emotions of that day are still as fresh as if it were yesterday. September 2 is the official day of adoption and it was that day that we spent visiting various officials in China committing ourselves to faithfully love and care for Lydia Grace.

Lydia has grown so much over this past year! I don't often have time to post comments on our blog. Maris is my ever faithful photographer who keeps everyone up to date.

We continue to be in awe of God placing this precious child in our family. She may look quiet and demure in these photos but one of our daughters has nicknamed Lydia "tornadita", a made-up word meaning "little tornado" (if that gives you any idea of her energy level and personality)!

walking the dogs!

Spring!

Lydia loves to go outside and pick flowers!

Cowgirl

Little Lydie loves playing cowgirl in Ryan's room.

Somersaults!

This is Lydie doing an actual somersault!!

Back in August before we went to China, we had planned that each family member would work with Lydia to increase her muscle strength and coordination. Obviously, the joke was on us!

For the Glory of His Name

Maris & Lydie

Story time!

Lydia loves to come into her room, sit on her own tiny little rocking chair, and read one of her favorite books, Brown Bear, Brown Bear.

More pics!!

Anniversaries

Last Sunday marked the 3 year anniversary of the log-in-date (LID) of our dossier in China. We actually forgot the LID anniversary but were reminded by one of the other families we traveled with to China. Lydia has been home for 4 1/2 months and she is now 16 months old!

We have had several requests to post new photos of Lydia - so here they are. I would love to write some wonderful, insightful remarks about adoption - about both the joys and the challenges but mostly the joys. But for now I want to spend my time being wife and mother - which is afterall, the way it should be. As Ryan has said many times over, "What would we ever do without Lydia?" We cherish her as we cherish each other and we are so glad that God brought us on this journey.

From time to time, our family will continue to update with news and photos.

For the glory of His name

Such a Cutie Pie!

It is so awesome having Lydia here! and so very diificult to imagine life without her!

She is our ultimate hugs and kiss giver each day! She is also our general entertainment as she loves to dance, and sing and be the center of attention!

She also loves to imitate every single thing we do! Earlier this month when she had a bit of a cold, you would often see her running around the house with a tissue blowing her nose!

Maris!