Alissa...

First day of preschool... 4yr old class

Very proud of her Ni Hao Kai-lan backpack

She picked it out herself

Eager to play at her school

4 yr old photos take at Lititz Springs Park

Found this hat on etsy... Love it!!!

Alissa started preschool last week..... and it's no surprise she LOVES it! She is my social butterfly for sure! She is in the 3 day program...Wed, Thurs, and Fri. It is a 2 1/2 hour class full or play, stories, snacks, and crafts. My fridge is full of all of her papers. She comes home eager to hang every single paper up... even the parent letter. So proud!

Today I took her to Lititz Springs Park for her 4 yr old pictures. I told her if she was a good listener we would play afterwards. Well, lets just say she was not very cooperative. I was amazed once we got home that there were actually some pics that turned out. Why do pictures have to be so frustrating? I guess I should ask why as a mom do I put such high expectations on these things?!? Oh well, we did get some cute pics. If you are on facebook I posted an album of them on there.

It's beginning to feel like fall here....loving it! Happy Fall!!!

One Year Ago Today....

Meeting Alissa... Zhu Zhen Quan

Our family along with the SWI director

So here it is.... our Family Day! It was 4:45pm at the "Lucky Hotel" in Nanning on Tuesday September 16, 2008 that the name "Zhu Zhen Quan" was called out to us. I cannot hardly believe that one year has gone by. When I look at the pictures above I see a scared little girl who is unable to understand us. I think of all that she has learned over this past year.... how to trust us, that she is loved beyond words, English of course, how to ride in a car seat without fear, and all of the little everyday things. When I look at the pictures below I see a little girl that has now turned 4 with long black hair, who loves to wear dresses, and be told that she is beautiful. I see a little girl that adores her big brother and Daddy. She runs to Daddy when he comes in the door from work. It melts my heart.

It's been fun today to look back on this past year and remember our special Family Day. My heart misses China in a big way today. I think of Alissa's foster family and birth mom as well. I pray for peace and comfort in their lives. We will be forever grateful for them!

So tonight we will celebrate our Family Day! We are planning on going out to our favorite Asian restaurant... Mojos for Chinese noodles, Alissa's favorite! Alissa and I went to the store today and picked up the cutest cake.... a ladybug one for dessert. Ladybugs are big in Chinese adoptions... good luck. We are hoping to look at pictures, our video, and some of the things we brought home from China. It will be a night to not only celebrate becoming a family of four one year ago today, but also to celebrate God's faithfulness during our wait for Alissa as well as this last year! So thanks to our many family and friends for your prayers during our journey and this past year. A special Happy Family Day to our Bethany Sept 08 Travel Group friends! Enjoy this day with your precious girls!!!

Almost a year later...

Family vacation in New Hampshire

Alissa's picture I took this morning

We love you!!!

Happy 4th Birthday Alissa!

Big brother reading a card

he got for her

Standing in front of the tent

New big girl bike!

Happy 4th Birthday Alissa! She is so excited to turn 4! We enjoyed some great family time this morning. It's extra special for us... the first birthday we get to celebrate with her!!! Bacon and cheese omelet's were her request for breakfast. She loved her princess castle tent from Benjamin and her new princess bike from Mommy and Daddy. We are looking forward to celebrating with family today. The menu (her pick)... Chinese noodles and birthday cake.

I have a lot of catching up to do with the blog. Benjamin starts school this week so hopefully I'll have some time to catch up on the summer happenings of our family soon!