HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Lily is a one year old girl...no longer an infant but a toddler!! Everyday she is walking more than the day before and her laugh and giggles get a little louder. We celebrated with a spaghetti and meatball dinner..as you tell she really enjoys her Italian. Today was a day that I thought a lot about being Thankful. I am so thankful for:

The beautiful baby that entered our lives on October 20, 2008.

That Lily's birth mother choose Life.

That China has allowed us the privilege to parent one of their daughters.

That Lily was well cared for and loved in the Yugan Orphanage.

That Lily only spent 8.5 months in the orphanage.

That we were able to be together for 3.5 months before her first birthday. This was truly a gift!

That we saw Lily's first tooth, Christmas, step, word, clap, kiss, point and her first birthday!

That Lily loves to be hugged, cuddled, rocked and kissed!

That she has two wonderful big brothers who love and protect her!

Even with all that I have to be thankful for I can't help but feel some sadness today. Sadness that a women and maybe a family are grieving for the daughter they let go a year ago today. Sadness that Lily's birth mom will never know how loved and safe her daughter is. My only wish is that somehow this birth mom will someday feel peace about her decision. I am so thankful that I have Lily Mei Chun as a daughter.