HAPPY ELIZABETH DAY!!

Elizabeth's referral photo-we think it was taken in Dec'o6

meeting Yan Hui Ling for the very first time-if you click on the pic you can see her look-"who are you lady?!"

our first photo together..I hate it. I hate seeing how utterly upset she was...and to be honest, John and I were doing our best to hold back tears as well...as soon as the photo session was over we both had tears running down our cheeks

look at that sad, scared face.

these 2 were after having her for 1 week-not so scared anymore and oh so precious!

after 3 months -already liking sparkly things! :)

these 2 are from our 6 month mark

these 2 are from the 9month mark
look at that smile!




Miss Elizabeth HuiLing today -November 5th, 2008

We are celebrating Elizabeth HuiLing Day today, 11/5 because that is our official adoption day. We received her on November 4th, but she technically was just ours in guardianship...so we decided to celebrate the day she became OURS. that and because yesterday was election day and we didn't want her day overshadowed. :)

when we look at her pics from 1 year ago, she is hardly recognizable to us. of course there is a resemblance and of course it's her...but there is something different in her now. it's not just that she's grown up....to me, it's her countenance. when I look at her "then and now" pics, I see joy now. I see the effects of love....I see a little girl who KNOWS she is not alone anymore...a little girl who absolutely LOVES being part of a family.

some quick fun facts:

then:30 inches and 20 pounds and size 4 shoe

now: 33 inches and 22 pounds and size 6.5 shoe

she is left handed

she has HATED having covers on her...until about a week ago

she is starting to speak better and better..even other people are starting to understand her!

she LOVED music when we received her..and she loves it still -more than anyone I know.

she is pretty adventurous -much more than the other 2 kids

Elizabeth -the last year has been a tough one on all of us. For you especially -as you were forced to leave everything you've ever known, everything familiar and comfortable. With a timid but brave heart, you came to us and learned to trust us.

It has taken all of us pretty much this whole year to adjust and meld together as a family of 5. I was just thinking the other day that you have finally found your niche with your brother and sister and now the 3 of you play wonderfully together. You have learned so much...how to be a sister, a daughter, how to eat with a fork, how to understand and speak English, how to play...just play -you didn't even know how to do that when you came to us....so much in such a short time.

Even though this year has been tough and we still have a long road ahead of us, you have brought us joy and laughter. You are down right silly and because of that, you fit right in. :) Your smile is infectious and your laughter contagious. I waited for so long to hear that giggle of yours...and it still is one of the sweetest sounds I'll ever hear.

I love you Elizabeth HuiLing. and I look forward to what God has in store for us in this next year, as He weaves our hearts togehter even more.

To celebrate Elizabeth Day -we went out to eat at P*F Ch*ngs..but before we did, we let Elizabeth release 1 red balloon -signifying her 1 year with us.

I had to add this just cuz it's cute! :)

after dinner we ran over to Se*rs b'cuz my dishwasher broke about 10 days ago and the warranty company is going to give us a buy-out on it..so while we were pricing out dishwashers the kids found a movie to watch. :)