Happy 8th!!

 

Eight years ago today I walked into a tiny room at the local government building. Plastic chairs were set up in the waiting room, people were behind counters calling out numbers. It looked like your basic Secretary of State office, except the language that was spoken was Mandarin and it was thousands of miles away from Michigan.

Some people were there for driver's licenses, deeds and other such paper work. I was there to meet my daughter for the very first time.

Seeing you for the first time will be etched in my memory forever. We had prayed for you for years, planned and prepared for your arrival into our home. 

August 8th, 2017 will always be a date burned into our heart and lives. Our first time meeting our Margaret Li Ya.

Maggie still has the best smiles and is one of the kindest souls I know.

She is very interested in how things works. She loves details. She loves to examine and investigate.

She loves to be with her family and is happiest at home. She is our little homebody who cherishes time with her whole family.

Maggie is a great friend and a calm leader. She can quietly lead a room. It is a real gift of hers. 

Anyone who knows Maggie is better for it. She lights up our world and we are so thankful that we get to be her parents. It is one of our greatest blessings in life.

Happy 8th Gotcha Day, my girl. We love you so. You are the best of us and we are excited to see what is in store for you.

We love you, Doodle.

15

 

Happy Birthday to our 15 year old! Colin is currently on a his way home from Ensenada, Mexico having helped build a house for a family in need. I can't wait to hear all about his trip and to hug my boy!

Colin is constantly on the go, whether he is going to or from soccer or hanging out with his friends, he is rarely still.

His great love is still soccer and he will spend another season playing MLSNext with his club team. His dedication to his sport and his passion is inspiring. He works very hard to stay at the level he plays at. It is no easy feat.

Colin is a great friend and a good brother...when he wants to be! He has a big group of friends who stay actively involved in each other's life. 

Colin is active in our church's youth group, especially his life group. Even if he has soccer training, he will still go late and tries to make every life group meeting. They are a great group of boys!

This summer, he chose to spend 3 weeks of his break to serve others. He worked in Detroit for a week, cleaning up yards, streets and school in the heart of Detroit. He is coming home from a week in Mexico, building houses for families who slept on dirt floors and in August he will head to middle school camp as a volunteer  and game coordinator. This was very much his decision and his choice to spend his rare free time. We are so proud of him.

Happy Birthday, Colin. We can't believe that you are 15! We are so proud of your determination and your commitment in all that you do. You work hard and it shows. We pray that the Lord guides your steps in the coming year. We are so excited to see what the Lord has in store for you.

Happiest of Birthdays, my boy. We love you so!

17

Seventeen years ago, this one made me a momma.

17. One year away from "adulthood". One more year of high school. Time surely is a thief.

Jack is active and on the go all the time.

He plays soccer for both high school and club. He works hard at school and challenges himself.

Jack loves to hang out with his friends, exploring every single hot chicken place in Detroit Metro.

Jack is interested in business and enjoys "reselling" clothes on line that he thrifts.

Jack is the typical big brother. He makes sure they know they he is the boss.

Jack is helpful with running his brother and sister to their practices, especially if he gets to drive with the sunroof open on a nice day.

We love you, Jack. We look forward to seeing where the upcoming year will take you.

Lots of big decisions ahead.

We pray that the Lord guides you in all that you do. We pray for wisdom in the decisions that you make.

We know that regardless of what choices you make, we will be right beside you, supporting you.

Happy 17th Birthday, my son. We love you. We are proud of you. We are excited for you and for the future ahead. Lead with kindness. Trust the Lord. Enjoy this exciting year! Time, slow down.

 

Nine and Feeling Fine

Our sweet girl is NINE today! Last year in the single digits.

Maggie spent her day helping me, going to a soccer game and playing with friends.

A very accurate representation of her life.

Helpful. Patient. Friendly

Maggie loves to be with her family the most. She is the happiest at home, with her whole family. With our busy schedule, it doesn't happen very ofter, but when it does, she thrives. 

Maggie is kind and caring and always looks out for her friends. She cares about the people around her and sees the people that others seem to miss. She has a special gift of seeing people and making them feel seen and heard.

She is just the best little friend around.

Maggie is so fun. She likes to tease her brothers and sister, and especially her dad.

She has the best laugh and enjoys singing silly songs and dancing ridiculous dances. 

Happiest 9th Birthday to our girl. We love you and your kind heart and sweet smile and inquisitive mind.  We are looking forward to seeing you grow this year. I know that God has great things in store for you.

Happy Birthday, Maggie Li Ya.

We love you so!

In her 11 era

 

My girl is 11.

She is rocking a new school and 5th grade this year.

She is fully committed to gymnastics. She spends a LOT of time at her gym and she loves every minute of it. 

Macy is looking forward to the new competitive season starting soon.

Macy loves to hang out with her friends, drink dragonfruit Starbucks and all things pre-teen.

Macy is a natural leader and she loves to help all those around her. She still wants to be a teacher when she grows up.

Macy is funny and has all sorts of jokes with her dad. 

She works hard at her sport, she works hard at school and she works hard at being a good friend.

We are so proud of the wonderful young lady that she is growing up to be! Continue to be kind, look out for those around you. Be a good friend. Be confident in who you are.

Happy 11th Birthday, Macy Elizabeth. We love you so!

Seven!

 

Seven years ago, we met this sweet face for the first time. We got to hold her in our arms and we worked so hard for a hint of a smile.

Today, just thinking about her brings a smile to our face, as there is usually a smile on her's.

She lights up our life and we can't really even remember our world before her.

Maggie is about to enter the 3rd grade. She does well in school and works hard in all that she does.

She loves to be with her family, play with her sister and just be at home.

Unfortunately, our family schedule doesn't really allow for much home time, but she handles any sport, any venue with grace. She has her bag packed and ready and just needs to know if this event is indoor or outdoor.

Maggie is thriving and we are so proud of her.

Maggie is inquisitive and asks all of the questions, all of the time. And you better give her the right answer or she will keep asking.

I know that her thirst for knowledge will serve her well in life.

While this is the highlight reel, and adoption comes with many layers, Maggie is a joy and being her parents is a true gift. We are so blessed to call her our daughter.

Happy Gotcha Day, Maggie Li Ya!

We love you so!

14 and feeling fine

 

This boy. He is 14 today. Entering into high school in the fall. Growing like a weed.

 He still love soccer the most, spending almost all of his time doing something involved with his sport.

Colin chose to play soccer with his club MLS Next team this year, which does not allow him to play for his high school. He is excited to continue to play MLS Next with his buddies and travel around the country.

 We are so proud of his hard work and dedication to his sport. He truly gives it his all.

  Colin is lots of fun, making us laugh all the time. He tends to torment his siblings, making sure they are aware of his presence at all time.

Colin does well in school and enjoys hanging out with his friends. He loves to spend time with his life group and youth group at church.

Colin is loyal and kind, ready to help out if needed. 

 We love you, buddy. We are excited to see where life takes you. You are smart and strong, serious and funny. It's an exciting year for you! There will be many new adventures to come and we can't wait to watch!

Happy 14th Birthday, Colin. We love you so!