Our Magic Boat Journey to and Over the Ocean

Click HERE to Watch our Video of this Magical Trip

It is not possible to put into words--what it’s like to share this magical trip with a little girl that was “watching the world from the inside out” for so long. And then had her world opened up to her--just like Jasmine--taken for a ride on Aladin’s Magic Carpet--she was awed at every turn. Her world will never be the same--and she is very grateful for that. She says it with her words, her eyes and every single breath she takes.

This face was worth all the wait--the saving--the sweating--the work. :) Priceless! She just say the princesses arrive on the upper deck!
 

We packed up our bags and put them outside our door--for pick-up to head home--and then scurried down the hallway--in a HUGE hurry-to catch the Mickey “See ya Real Soon” show. Her little hand in mine--she said, “Mom. You’re the best Mom in the whole world!” Clearly she was delighted that I would take her to see the Characters one more time. Daddy thought it was too late--ok it was late--but this was a once in a lifetime trip (or so we thought before we went--now we dream of another voyage with Disney) and I didn’t want her to miss a thing. So--we went--Daddy hung back at the room and relaxed.

When we got there--the Characters were signing Autographs again--we had brought our book--and she was delighted to meet Daisy for the first time--and we both had to say “See Ya Later” to Mickey--and thank him for a magical voyage. And then she insisted on seeing Princess Belle one more time. Where we were blessed with another special moment--as Belle said to her “Don’t worry Izabella--we’ll see you again soon!” We both stopped and looked at her and I said, ‘Izabella, how did she remember your name? Wow! You must be very special!”

Indeed she is--every where we went--the staff at the pool, the wait staff, the stateroom hostess--EVERYWHERE--they referred to her as PRINCESS. Even if she didn’t have her crown on. You can recognize a true princess even if she doesn’t have a crown on--just by the way she carries herself, and by the way she treats people. If you’re a true princess--it shows all over you from the inside out. Daddy and I knew she was royalty when we met her--and everyday she proves this is so.

One of the moments in this video--that I un-wittingly caught on video--was how Chip and Dale treated our little princess. If you watch close--you’ll see how he treats her with such tender, loving, gentle care--and then does something that chokes me up just thinking about it--while on bended knee--HE KISSED her little hand. Watch her face light up as she looks to me after!

This is also evident at the Princess Gathering in the Grand Atrium of the ship. She is wearing Belle’s Christmas Ball Gown--on loan from one of the other little girls waiting in line ahead of us. The minute she put that dress on--she stepped into princess mode--and never fell out. Watch her as the princesses arrive--and as she plays with the other princesses as they wait the arrival of the princesses. Her hands--and her facial expressions. She often looks down at her lap--as if to remind herself--she really is a princess--lifts her head--and kicks into princess style with the hand movements and facial expressions and kind words of encouragement and direction. It’s a treasure to watch in real life--and on video.  And Ahhhh...the magic of sharing this magical boat with other little girls that have the same journey she did! Little Jasmine happens to be a travel buddy of a family in our local group of families that adopted from China! God is so good! The companionship of the America world Families--was a treasure. 

Another magical moment--that was NON-Disney--was our trip to the ocean in Cocoa Beach. I spent 10 years in California--so I was familiar with the ocean--they had never been. So watching them experience the sand, the beach and all the treasures of the sea--was so SWEET. This section of the video always brings a tear to my heart--as I think of how far we’ve come. When I see the pictures of MY family on the beach--I think of how far I’ve come since the days on the beaches of California--single and wanting a family to share it with. Last week on the shores of Florida--I realized that dream too. And sharing it with them is a HUGE treasure. If you listen to the words of the Disney song playing--”I see the Light-from the Disney Movie Tangled” it describes exactly what I was thinking when we were there--parts of it even make me wonder if this isn’t exactly what Izabella was thinking too--on the days after she met us in China and on that sandy beach last week.

I See the Light Lyrics

From Tangled (Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi)
 
All those days

Watching from the windows

All those years
Outside looking in


All that time

Never even knowing

Just how blind I’ve been
Now I’m here


Blinking in the starlight

Now I’m here

Suddenly I see

Standing here

It’s oh, so clear

I’m where I’m meant to be

And at last, I see the light

And it’s like the fog has lifted

And at last, I see the light

And it’s like the sky is new

And it’s warm and real and bright

And the world has somehow shifted


All at once

Everything looks different

Now that I see you
All those days

Chasing down a daydream


All those years

Living in a blur

All that time

Never truly seeing

Things the way they were


Now she’s here

Shining in the starlight

Now she’s here

Suddenly I know


If she’s here

It’s crystal clear

I’m where I’m meant to go

And at last, I see the light

And it’s like the fog has lifted

And at last, I see the light

And it’s like the sky is new

And it’s warm and real and bright

And the world has somehow shifted

All at once

Everything is different

Now that I see you


Now that I see you

After The Cast of Disney Characters headed up the stairs to bed--and the Golden Shine-y papers floated down on us in celebration of an amazing voyage--she looked up at me and said, “Mommy. That was SO FUN!” I said, ‘Oh Yes it was. Thank you for such a great trip Izabella. I had so much fun too.” She said, “NO! THANK-YOU Mom!” How can a 4-year old understand that kind of gratitude.

Sooo many wonderful moments--I will treasure--all because I shared them with my sweet daughter Izabella and the man that made her a reality in our life. But none as treasured as her! She’s a treasure beyond my imagination.

I only hope someday she understands--how grateful I am--to call her my daughter! That my words of gratitude--although seem silly to her right now-are the truth of my heart. She made this trip so magical.

And every Disney Crew Member--clearly made this a magical trip--and very special to this tender, very special little girl.

Thank-you God. Thank-you. 







Mommy! I Danced with Donald!

Please Read!

If you are a follower of our journey to Izabella--you'll love this book --Chasing China; A Daughter's Quest for Truth [Kindle Edition] $2.99 @ amazon.com. I

It is an easy read--and I (a very slow reader) read it in a matter of hours. I can't stress enough what an important work this book is in the plight of orphans around the world. I promise it will touch you deeply--in places you never knew existed.

I believe --A good book stays with you after you turn the last page....this one did!

I'm not a huge reader or even movie-goer. I would like to be, but never find time to read or sit through a movie, and if I do, I lose interest easily. I can't watch a movie, or read a book more than once (with a very few exceptions). But those few I do get through--that I love the most--are those that get my gears moving and I can't shake it out of my head for days! The book or movie that seemed to reach into a part of my heart I didn't know existed--and bring it to the forefront in an astonishingly BIG way. Leaving me thinking about it's impact and what to do about it for days. This one--is one of those books! I'm still struggling with what to with the part of me this book touched--that's hitting me in the face everyday now that I've read it.

After finishing it--I looked at my precious daughter and couldn't separate Mia from her for days. The only word I have for that feeling is 'haunting"! Kay Bratt's ability to carry me with ease through this book-and leave me haunted by the facts in this fictional story--are a gift-to me and anyone who reads it.

I immediately wanted everyone I know--adoption family or not-to read it--so they would stop with the assumptions about the reason she is our daughter--her history. They'd open their minds and hearts to the plight of a reality that is so far from the comfort of the arms of their beautiful--but oh so protective---I'd even say cocooned-- families. I wanted them to read it so they would understand--there are so many children out there--that need the love of a family. That their life challenges are so far from our imagination--we can not begin to imagine the heart ache-the yearning they will feel--forever--not knowing. That they would open their hearts-their minds and their souls to these children--not just in China.

So--I'm writing this--in hopes--some non-adoptive families--might dare to give this book a chance. Even if you don't open your home to an orphan--that your mind would be opened to the REALITY of an orphan and be a little more sensitive to an adopted children-when you meet them in your everyday life. That they might find a way to "give back" to those that are helping these children--by donating to an organization (here are a few to check out--their work is amazing--An Orphans Wish or Starfish Foster Home, Love without Boundries Foundation, or  Half The Sky Foundation) that is dedicated to helping them get the surgery they need, supporting their families so they don't need to abandon them to get their child the life-saving surgery they need. The organizations that are doing everything they can to get these children the family they need. It might seem a small donation--but it's huge in the lives of a child.

AND if you dare--follow them on facebook--their day-to-day impact plays out before you. As children are given the hope of life--some the gift of a family--all the love of someone that cares. If noting else--it's a good daily reminder--that you are blessed in so many ways--that children around the world may never know.

As we waited for our daughter's face and location to be revealed to us--I thought of her birth parents--her journey--her circumstances--but only in a way that I could understand from the comforts of America. As adoptive families--we think we know the circumstances surrounding our children's early years. We also think we will never know--and find it easier not knowing for many reasons.

BUT--the minute we met her--I couldn't shake the guilt that I was privileged to call this girl my own-love her with all my heart--all at her birth parents sacrifice. It still bothers me. And as our daughter opens up--we realize this is not something that will never be comfortable--for anyone.

This book is not for the blind adoptive parent that thinks the past should be tucked away and we should stay focused on the future. The parent(s) that believe their child doesn't remember (she/he is too young). It is for those that want the truth of the story of their child and so many orphans--not just in China. That acknowledge their deep, many times self-inflicted suffocation of that need--to remember-to know--the details of their life before they found themselves alone at such a tender age.

If nothing else--this book reminds those of us--with big wonderful western families (rich or poor)--that they have a HUGE blessing in their family. Never to be taken for granted-to be cherished-honored and respected in everyway.

Thank you Kay Bratt--not just for writing this book--but for your un-selfish service/gift to orphans in China. Your heart is special--your determination inspiring! 

 --------------------------------------------------------

Chasing China; A Daughter's Quest for Truth [Kindle Edition] 

by Kay Bratt --Only $2.99 on Amazon.com 

Book Overview: Mia is beautiful, talented and has the world at her fingertips. But what makes her different than the average college student who juggles a heavy workload and a rat of a boyfriend? Many years ago she was born to an unknown family in China but soon discarded to fend for herself in a busy train station.  Fate stepped in when Mia was taken to the local orphanage and adopted at the age of four by her American family. Life has been good for her, or at least as much as she has allowed it to be while pushing her deep feelings of abandonment to the back of her mind. Finally she has decided that in order to move forward, she must confront her past. Mia takes a journey to the mysterious land of her birth and embarks on a mission to find answers. As she follows the invisible red thread back through her motherland, she is enamored by the history and culture of her heritage--strengthening her resolve to get to the truth, even as Chinese officials struggle to keep it buried. With her unwavering spirit of determination, Mia battles the forces stacked against her and faces mystery, danger, a dash of romance, and finally a conclusion that will change her life.  91,000 words, 344 pages.

Mommy. What's that Red Dot Right There?

Izabella loves the mirror. She talks to herself in front of the mirror. She even plays with her imaginary friends in the mirror. It's so fun to watch her.

This morning she found a Red Dot between her eye brows. I looked and didn't see anything. So I dismissed it and moved on.

Later that morning--at school I saw it--the RED DOT! And I said with a bit of concern in my voice, 'Hmmmm...there is a red dot there Izabella. I wonder what that is."

She immediately responded, "Don't worry Mommy it's just a part of my body. It's ok. It will go away into my body. I think maybe it's there to help me have good ideas!"

She's so amazing how she processes things. I just love this girl. She's a gem...truly...deeply.

After leaving her at school,  I couldn't stop thinking about how much I love her little mind--and how she shares her thoughts, feelings and emotions about what's going on with her and around her so freely and openly. I remembered the days when I posted on this blog and I longed for the day she could share what she was thinking about the world around her, her feelings, her beautiful mind.

Then I realized I couldn't remember what it was like when she couldn't communicate with us. I thought--how is that possible I don't remember those days--they were not that long ago.

Then I realized, it's because she has never had a problem communicating with us. She has always communicated what she wanted, what she needed and how she was feeling. Even in those early minutes, hours and days of meeting her in China. And we have always marveled at how she just knows what we're saying to her--and we just know what she's saying, needing, wanting. And we happily listen, give her what she needs and meet her needs. It's magical I tell you--and the only way I remember those days is by watching video I took of her from those days.

Magical. I love this girl beyond life itself.

Izabella's Orphanage Supporting Organization--Half the Sky Foundation--Fundraiser

What can I say--except that this organization is powerful organization that's helping orphanages provide "NURTURING" care to the hundreds of thousands of orphans--just like Izabella everyday. And this give away--supports their efforts.

We are endeared to them for their support of our Izabella--although it's hard to believe--now when you see her sweet face and hear her sweet, smart and joyful voice, feel her sweet heart--she was an orphan--and they did the best they could to be sure she understood Love. And oh she does--Thank God she does.

Take a peek at this fundraiser--

There are three of these going on everyday for 12 days. This link is to Izabella's Organizations Supporting Foundation--but there are two others 'An Orphan's Wish" and "Pearl River Outreach" that do the same kind of work--and equally amazing and wonderful.

Each blog is giving away 3 different items each day--for 12 days to enter each you have to enter each. 

Check it out and enter today!





http://www.thelongroadtochina.com/

Just cause I can't NOT share her sweetness with you here are a couple photos of our Sweet Izabella--two from our 2nd Year Family Day this year--we brought home Family Day gifts for her for every year til she is 18. This year she got a new chinese princess dress for HER and one for her BARBIE. From CHINA--with love from her Love Mommy and Love Daddy.

And this one from the week before we met her--oh how far you've come my sweet girl.

Mommy I need a coin!

Today I had a meeting at Panera Bread. Izabella accompanies me to these meetings--thank God most of my clients are very good with doing this for me. Allows me to take care of our girl--at home. Talk about blessings. Anyway--we decided to hit the "bread bar" to pick up some of Daddy's favorite bread for dinner. While we were waiting in line. Here's what transpired next. 

I: Mommy do you have cash? You can use cash mommy. 

M: Yes. I know. And Yes I have cash. But we'll pay with Mommy's cash card. 

Waiting patiently in line. 

I: Peers into the clear box in front of her that has a bunch of coins dropped in, she looks up at me and say's Mommy I need a money for Ruby?

(Ruby is a little girl--with a heart defect--waiting for her Mommy and Daddy to come get her. They live here in our area--and we have playdates with Ruby's family during the summer. You can read their about their amazing journey to Ruby and their family here. They leave on November 25th and meet Ruby on November 28th. Caution..little Ruby is adorable! Izabella is very excited about her coming home, having a family and playing with her this summer at the park. And we will meet them at our Chinese New Years Celebration.)

M: What?

I: I need to put money in for Ruby. So she can get better. 

M: Oh. Ok. Here is some money. 

I: Puts it in and says, "Now I hope Ruby can get better." Then she examines the box closely--almost pressing her little nose against the little box--and says--"Mommy. Where is my coin in there? Can you see it?" 

The clear box was for donations to the "Children and Families of Iowa" organization. 

That girl. I'll tell you. Something else. :) Something pretty special. Such a huge heart!

This video was taken after Izabella's dance class one day a couple weeks ago. She dances in and out of dance class every week.

I was watching X-Factor tonight--the little girl Rachel on there was adopted--she was a crack baby when they made her a part of their family. Her parents were so clearly proud of her. My mind of course wondered to the day that Izabella would do something amazing as a young woman--and how I'd be busting at the seams with pride. Then I looked over at her--and realized--this girl makes me sooooo deeply proud everyday. The way she loves and cares about everyone. The way she reaches out to those that need help--prays for their health and safety--and just plain loves life--regardless of her traumatic beginnings has a beautiful and joyful heart. Everyone she meets is touched by her special heart--and I am so proud--she is ours! Thank you God for finding us Izabella.

I am proud a million times a day--no one event--no big event--can make me prouder than I am of you all day long.

Happy Family Day Izabella-Love, Your LOVE Mommy and Daddy!

This is a raw un-edited Mommy's heart --my gift to my sweet daughter--on the day we honor God's Blessing of her--to us--our family. 

A picture speaks a thousand words. What a difference two years makes.

Izabella and Mommy--Just a few hours after we met our precious, precious girl in Xi'an City, Shaanix Province, China -- 2-years ago today.

Izabella and Mommy--October 2011

We have all grown in this past 2 years together as a family of 3. We've aged considerably, she has taught us so many things about ourselves and the world around us--and she has adjusted and grown by leaps and bounds. You can see the maturity in her face. She's as JOY-ful as always. What you don't see is how brilliant she is in so many, many ways. 

--Her wobbly little legs are now strong and powerful. Where she initially couldn't walk with much stability--she now races up and down the sidewalk giggling and laughing with no fear of falling and great confidence.

--She's been dancing since our first days together--her stand in place wiggle has transformed to the most beautiful graceful movements that show signs she is going to be an amazing contemporary dancer-with all the emotion of a matured dancer years her senior. 

--Her little confused and scared heart--has revealed itself to be the most loving, sweet heart we have ever witnessed. 

--She always understood what we were saying to her. This--even not knowing a lick of english in her life. But her language now--is up with her 4.5 year old peers in school. So much so--the teacher didn't realize she had only been submersed in english for just 22 months at the start of school. And those language skills have proved a gift--to unlocking her memories--still fresh in her little mind--like all these little ones--giving us a little glimpse into what her life was like the day she said goodbye to her China Mommy and Daddy and her nannies the day we met her. 

With all the challenges this presents to us as parents on the recieving end of this information from our precious sweet baby girl--and the fact that as much as we read--we felt completely incompetent. All we could do--and as instructed by professionals that know much more than we do about these things--was walk through the door to her past--and be there with her--hold her and hug her. It was her first waking moment of grieving (previously--her greiving was done at night during sleep--in the from of night terrors--that she didn't remember the next morning.) This is a new development this year and a mile stone in ability to let go and reconcile with her past. Of course we know there is more to be done in this area--a lifetime of reconciling--as she grows and matures. However, it was as if sharing this memory with us--released her to be "sad"and released her to move on to the next step for her--in trying to make sense of this crazy life she finds herself in. 

--She continues to blow our minds with her ability to process her traumatic past and every situation she finds her little self in. A gift that serves her well in dealing with her past as well as the sometimes crazy world around her, and will serve her well all the years of her life.

Here is a little "bit" I wrote and never posted about how she has processed her new family--her China family--and all the things that have happened in her short 4-year life--well this is pretty phenomenal!  She has taught me so much--thank you Izabella for sharing your heart and your wise soul.

"Mommy, tell me about the day I was born." This has to be the question of the summer. Initially I thought she was asking about her China Mommy. So I would tell her I can't tell her about that day because I wasn't there. Her China Mommy and Daddy were there with her. Then I'd tell her--her story--of how we can assume somethings--mostly that they loved her. This is a gift for her--that is a question mark for so many--but her story is one of sacrifice to give life. Then I'd tell her the story of how she grew in my heart and how we came to meet her in China and bring her home. As the summer progressed, she'd ask me to tell her that story--and I'd happily oblige. Recently, she asked me again, "Tell me the story about the day I was born, the day you came to China to get me." Wow. She has processed all this information as factual as I can give it to her without embellishments, and age appropriate as I can--to the point where she now refers to the day we met--as the day she was born. Here words. Her conclusion. Precious I tell you.

That day was like giving birth. Complete with all the gripping each others hand as we approached the Xi'an City Airport. I thought Dan would break every finger on my hand. I'll never forget that part. Walking into the hotel room to see a crib set up--empty waiting for the arrival of our little girl. Settling in our hotel room as our new home--away from home--preparing the perfect place to bring her home. The rush across a crazy busy street to the big Chinese Government building--Civil Affairs Office. Asking our guide where she was, she replied--"she's on her way here." To the moment when she appeared in the room on the hip of her Ayi and all I could say was, "Oh she's beautiful!" I imagine--that is what I would have said in the delivery room--if i gave birth to her of my body. Just like a babe covered with the blood and fluids of the mothers womb--our girl was dressed in clothes that were very boyish--she needed a bath--and was covered with scratches and scars. I wouldn't even notice any of that--until much later when we looked back at pictures of her. She was simply beautiful to us--so much so we called her from the day we met her (she was "born" as she puts it) "Our Chinese Princess".

One evening during our nightime routine"Mommy Izabella Chat" she wanted to talk about the day we met her in China. I asked her what she remembered about that day. She said, "Oh. I didn't like Mommy. I just like Daddy."

 That's right. I asked her why and she said, "You not look like me Mommy." Of course, how silly of me to not know that. Surely my green eyes were a scarey sight to a little girl in a world full of brown eyes and black hair. Even the locals wanted pictures with me--and it was then I realized--like her--it must have been my green eyes. When I'm happy-they are really green. I"m sure they were super green that day. Then she said, "But you look like me now Mommy." Ahhhh.... :)

She now says--I have TWO Mommies and TWO Daddies! ONE--China Mommy and ONE Love Mommy (that's me.) ONE China Daddy and ONE Love Daddy. These are her words--I never like the label Forever Mommy--so we don't use the term Forever Family or Forever Mommy or Forever Daddy here. In doing so--we allowed her to come up with her own description of what label she wanted to give us. Frankly--I think it's precious. As demonstarted in the above story 

--She bonded with Daddy from the start--as evidence in this photo the first day we met her--headed to our hotel HOME--her sweet little hand wrapped around his back--so loving and trusting. Her bond with Daddy this past year has been a miracle to watch. She is the center of her Daddy's world--he's lost without hearing from her while at work. She has his sense of humor and loves to giggle and be "silly and goofy" with him. Their favorite game on the phone each day she calls him--and says, "Hello. Hello? Are you there? Are you there?" repeat refrain...over and over again. No matter what a bad day he's having--I hear his voice lifted to the heavens in JOY when she does this. 

"Izabella your Daddy sent a very special text to me this year--I want to share it with you. He said, "I know I've told you this before but, thank you for brings Izabella into my life. She makes me laugh and I hope that never changes. She is the best thing that ever happened to me."

--Her humor is balanced with a compassionate, sensitive side. Dad and I like to say she got the best of both of us--his humor and my sensitive nature. This morning is the perfect example of this. We discussed today is Family Day--and how we'd celebrate. Here's how we started our day.

Mommy: "Good Morning Izabella!" Hair all mussed and in her face--so much so I couldn't see her precious face. As I whissped it away from her face and gleefully telling her I found you my little Izabella.

I: A groggy- "Good Morning Mommy! I so tired! I not sleep good."

Mommy: "Ahhh...I'm sorry. Then go back to sleep." As I snuggled her in tight to my chest to love on her rubbing her back.

I: "No Mommy. Isn't it Family Day today?!"
Mommy: A tear rushed to my eye, the world stopped for a moment, my heart warmed so sweetly, as I  replied--my voice cracked-EVER so slightly--"Yes it is."

I: Her head buried in my chest, my arms wrapped so tightly around her--I couldn't hold her close enough, she said, "Mommy have happy tears?"

Mommy: The emotions flooded my eyes, my chest tightened with deep emotion, as I said, 'Oh yes. Mommy have happy tears. I am soooo very glad you are here with us--and that God found us YOU and we met you 2-years ago today. So VERY HAPPY." The truth is--no only was I  overwelmed with pure and utter Joy of the kind I have experienced so often since we met her--but I was stunned yet again--that she is so sensitive--that she could "HEAR the tears" in my voice--when I utter just three little words--and tried to conceal it from her even. She is so amazing and so sweetly, compassionately and genuinely sensitive and loving.

I: "I love you Mommy. Forever and ever!"

Mommy: "Oh me too Izabella. I love you too--forever and ever."

I: "Mommy tell me about the day I was born."

Mommy: "Ok...well....let's get you ready for school and I'll tell you all about it." And we did. As we dressed, brushed our teeth, jumped in the car, buckled up and headed to school...all throughout she'd say over and over again, "Then what happened Mommy? What happened next Mommy?" In the car on the way to school--we got to the day she walked through the door in the arms of her Nanny and she was so scared....

I: She stopped me and said, "But Mommy my China Daddy told me it would be ok."

Mommy: "Really? That's great. Was your China Daddy there with you? Or could you not see him--just hear him?"

I: "Oh I just look up at the sky and I hear him in my ear." as she looks to the sky through her window and points to her ear. "Mommy, wouldn't be cool if we could all be together in the same place?"
I don't know if she meant her China Daddy (bio father) or God her Daddy in heaven. She talks about God talking to her all the time. She even thinks God lives in China taking care of all the children without families and she wants to go be with Him and help them. I didn't clarify with her. I just left it alone.
In the parking lot--we had to wrap up the story--so...

Mommy: "At the end of the day we met you--after you had met many of your new family on the computer from our hotel room, we put you in a warm fuzzy PINK pj's and you snuggled down on Daddy's chest and fell fast asleep."  As captured in the picture below--NOTE--she is holding tight to those keys--the ones she wouldn't put down from the moment we gave them to her in the Civil Affairs Office--even when she went potty. She loved them--still does--Daddy just changed the batteries for her. The "beep, beep" that sounded like a rickshaw (ironically our ride back to the hotel after meeting her was in a rickshaw) horn--the symbol almost completely worn off with wear from her pressing so much. Eventually, she learned--it was HERS and no one was going to take it away. Just like our LOVE--it's hers for ever--no one will take it away.

I: As we entered the school foyer--the director of the school greeted us. She let go of my hand and ran towards her yelling, "Did you know I fell asleep on my Daddy chest in China?" 

Ahh.....sweet girl. :) I was sure to share with her teacher this was our Family Day--thinking she would be sharing it a lot today. The teacher replied that YES--she heard all about it yesterday. Very exciting. I said, "Yes it is. We will celebrate tonight." And I quickly headed out the door--choked up all the way to the car--with the un-shakeable overwhelming feeling of gratitude and pure JOY that God had Blessed us so extraordinarily! 

She finally started naming her "babies" (stuffed animals). This beautiful lamb-given to her by one of my best friends from high school and her family, Laura--she has named "Franny." Ironically, it is the first baby to get a name--other than her horse CHINA, that was named in the store before we bought him. :) 

--She is now--43 pounds, 42" tall. But, she is soooooo little here--just 28 pounds and 30"tall! I am always amazed when I see these images of her at 28 months and so tiny. Now 2 years later--a full grown 4.5 year old! Crazy I tell you. 

I will close with the same closing as the post from China the day we met--cause I still feel the same way--would only add--her beauty continues to astound us--inside and out this girl is a gift of immeasurable value. I am deeply grateful--so deeply: 

Love,

Izabella's mom! I'm a MOM! Finally! and never imagined it would be to such a beautiful chinese princess! I love her beyond words!

OK...I can't stand it any longer...

....the sight of my precious Izabella's blog untouched except a few "mistake" postings from my phone. It has been a really hectic, sometimes very stressful summer. But through it all...Izabella continued to have fun at just about anything--including playing happily by my side in my studio, and grow, and laugh and learn more than I think a 4-year old can learn in one summer. She has astonished us in so many ways.

We are creeping quickly up on our 2nd Anniversary Family Day--the most amazing day of my life, our lives. The day we met the most precious little girl anyone could possibly ask for--October 26. I will post an update soon and an anniversary post for sure. But, I just have to share some little things she's done and said recently.















This morning! Izabella said, "I have two Mommy's--a China Mommy and a Love Mommy!"














Over the summer she's become aware of her skin color--Izabella has recently been talking and asking a lot about skin color. The other day she came running into my studio and said, "Mommy Look. I have white skin on this side of my arm like you--and peach skin on this side." Big smiles.

You know how the inside of your arm is a lighter color than the outside--she was thrilled to have a little of us and a little of her all in one Izabella. 

We were at the park on Sunday--and there was just one other boy there. Izabella loves the sand box and was playing with her toys--when the boy approached. I told her she could share her toys with him--if he would like to play. This is the conversation that insued:

Izabella: Hi! My name is Izabella. What's your name?
Jackson: My name is Jackson.
Izabella: Hi Jackson. I'm from China.
Jackson: I figured as much.
Izabella: --giggles--and proceeded to pull out some toys from her bag--then she got to her sand dump truck "And I have a BIG TRUCK. Just like the one my Daddy has a work! It's really big! Do you have a Daddy?"
Jackson: No I don't have a Daddy.
Izabella: Oh? Who is here with you?
Jackson: My Mom. She's right there with my Dog.
Izabella: Oh! I'm here with my Mommy too. What is your Dogs name?

About 15 minutes into playing together--really sweetly--she yelled--hey Mom her Mommy is a Boy. Yikes what? Geeez....turns out--Jackson had two Mommies too--no Daddy--and the Mommy at the park was soooo nice and a very loving Mom. We had a wonderful conversation while we watched our children play. Later, I explained that Jackson had two Mommies too--she thought that was pretty sweet! 

"Mommy. I have a question." This usually means she has something to tell me. And usually it's pretty fun to listen to."

"Mommy. Did you know that when butterflys go to sleep and die they lay some eggs out. Then the eggs move and do the work and become brothers and sisters and do what their Mommy and  Daddy did all over again."

We went to the grocery store on Sunday. Izabella loves to help me with all things! And frankly--I love having her next to me to do it all. We opted to drive up for our groceries--as the parking lot is a pretty scarey place--trying to navigate the cart full of groceries and a 4 year old at the same time. But even without a cart--I'm always focused on getting us to the care safely--buckling her up--and answering her million questions as we go. I then made my way to the exit to go home--when I hear Izabella say, "Mommy! We don't have our GROCERIES." Oh goodness--God was so good to me to give me a 4-year old when I was 50 something! She fills in where my memory lacks.

"Mommy. I miss my lovin'!" This is the sweetest thing to hear. She--loves her Mommy and Daddy lovin' and can't get enough of it and we I can't love on her enough. Can you tell by this pic below--on our 12th Anniversary--September 25th.

I: Mommy. I want to go to be with God.

Oh Izabella, if you went to be with God, I wouldn't see you anymore and I'd miss you sooo much!
I: No Mommy. I just go to China and be with God and help him take care of all the girls and boys that don't have a Mommy and Daddy.
She talks about God and Jesus alot when talking about China. "God found me and took me to the Pink Castle. Then he found my Mommy and Daddy." "Jesus was with me in the hospital when the God fixed my heart." When I ask her if she was scared living in the pink castle with no Mommy and Daddy she always responds promptly and confidently, and I'd say even matter of factly, "No Mommy God was with me. I wasn't scared."

Playing with her play doctor's kit, she invented a oxygen mask--from 1/2 of a plastic easter egg shell. She held it up to my face and said, "Mommy. Breath. You feel better." I wondered how she knew this, so I asked her. She said, "Oh. Doctor tell me." I asked what doctor she was referring to. She said, "He look like me Mommy. You know black hair and black eyes." At the hospital? I asked. "No. At the Pink Castle."

We did our nighttime routine--she settled into her toddler bed--I into the couch to "sit for a little bit" (as she says to me every night) with her. It was pitch black--I was dozing off--when I felt little fingers on my arm and Izabella saying, "Mommy. Can I nuggle a little bit?" Absolutely. It has become a pretty regular thing now--we "nuggle" (snuggle) together on the couch for a bit. Then when she's ready she'll say, "Mommy. I go to my bed now?" and off she goes.

I: "Mommy. I want to be on the-X."
What's the X?
I: You know that show they sing on?
Oh. X-Factor.
I: Yes! Mommy. When I grow up. I'm going to be on the X-Factor and ALL the judges are going to say YES and I'll be a TV Star.

She does love to sing and dance! You never know.

We were headed to the Omaha Zoo--and just before we got there. Izabella said, "Mommy. I'm so excited! I'm so excited my eyes and my whole body are going to come right our my eyes!" Then as we approached the pumpkin patch recently--she said, "Mommy. I'm so excited my eyeballs are going to come right out of my head forever and ever!" As we got closer--to the pumpkin patch--she proclaims perched atop Dan's shoulders, "Is this cool or what Mom!? Is this cool or what?"


She was playing with her baby dolls on the floor directly behind my chair in my studio when I heard her talking to her baby, "Don't worry baby. It will be alright. I will NEVER EVER LEAVE YOU."

We were grocery shopping one day--after a visit from my sister Shelly and her husband Topher. Topher's favorite vegetable is Brussel Sprouts. So we had some during their visit. As we were gathering our produce she said, "Mommy. Can we get some Brussel Sprouts?" Ahhh...yeah...we can.

"But Mommy. I'm just a little girl. I can't do that." 


"Mommy. We need to have a little talk." with her hands firmly on her hips--looking up at me in complete seriousness.

"Mommy. I'm going to miss "tana" (our dog Montana) when she go to heaven to be with God. I don't want her to go to God yet." 

One Sunday morning we were all laying in bed being silly and just hanging out. We had just found out a few days earlier--one of her little friends still at the orphanage in China--had finally found his family. Izabella had been praying for her friend "Ma Teng" for months and months. After we received the good news--that night I told her she didn't need to pray for Ma Teng to have a family anymore. I used it as a way to show her God listens to our prayers when we pray--and He answers. Then a few days later--in bed that Sunday morning--Izabella looks at me and said, "Mommy. I prayed to God and asked him to let your Daddy and your Grammy out of heaven. And he said Yes!"

So many things to write down..so little time. More later...promise Izabella.