Dennis Brown Bar and Shoes are In

Today we picked up Sophie Wei's Dennis Brown Bar and Shoes. This system will help continue with her club feet therapy.

We feel so blessed that we only had to pay a small portion for them although we would any thing to help her it sure does help.

My memory card reader is broken so I will post photos of it later. Like Rick said, "she will be wearing it for two or four years so we have plenty of time to take pictures later."

Even though Sophie Wei was slightly asleep when we put them on her she did not mind at all! She must remember it from China??!

I also finally emailed Sophie Wei's Surgeon and asked the correct spelling of name of the third procedure that they are going to do...it is called Pemberton Osteotomy.

Certification Of Citizenship Arrives

Ever since I saw my blogger friend Sharon post about her daughters Certification of Citizenship coming in the mail I have been checking for Sophie Wei's every day since then knowing that ours should not be too far behind since we are a few weeks behind their time line........I am sure the mail person has been very happy with us since I have been checking the mail EVERYDAY waiting for it!! Not that I ever thought it was not coming but because there is nothing like seeing the document and having it in our hands and it means so much for Sophie Wei.

Good news, today Sophie Wei received her Certification Of Citizenship and letter from the White House in the mail today.

Here is what the letter said, same as Simone's. Special day for us!!

"Dear Fellow American,

I am pleased to congratulate you on becoming a United States citizen. You are now a part of a great and blessed nation. I know your family and friends are proud of you on this special day.

Americans are united across the generations by grand and enduring ideals. The grandest of these ideals is an unfolding promise that everyone belongs, that everyone deserves a chance, and that no insignificant person was ever born. Our country has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by principles that move us beyond our backgrounds, and lift us above our interests, and teach us what it means to be citizens. Every citizen must uphold these principles. And every new citizen, by embracing these ideals, makes our country more, not less, American.

As you begin to participate fully in our democracy, remember that what you do is as important as anything the government does. I ask you to serve your new nation, beginning with your neighbor. I ask you to be citizens building communities of service and a nation of character. Americans are generous and strong and decent not because we believe in ourselves, but because we hold beliefs beyond ourselves. When this spirit of citizenship is missing, no government program can replace it. When this spirit is present, no wrong can stand against it.

Welcome to the joy, responsibility, and freedom of American citizenship. God bless you, and God bless America.

Sincerely,
George W. Bush"

Visit from Cam and Chris

Sophie Wei, Simone and Auntie Cami.

This evening we had the pleasure of spending it with our good friends Cami and Chris! They came up to visit and meet Sophie Wei! We had such a fun evening catching up.

We missed Sophie Wei's scheduled nap due to Simone's gymnastics lesson and therefore the rest of the day she was so grumpy so it was nice to end the day on a high.

In the above photo Sophie Wei was giving them some love.

Below: This is how the girls started "warming up" for our fun evening. They were trying to scare Chris by hiding behind the sofa and screaming silliness at him.

Can you hear me???

Simone is showing us below how far she can jump!

Sophie Wei kept trying to convince Cam that she needed the cookie.

Sophie Wei really took to Cam and Chris.

Can I use your fork?

Then there were shoulder rides which the girls know all about from their Daddy.

Simone's turn.

It was such a fun relaxing evening with A LOT of LAUGHS!

See you in a week in a half at the beach! Until we meet again.

Cox Family

We received this Willow Tree gift set from our friends Bill and Nadine and the Girls. It is called "Sisters By Heart".

(This photo of the Coxes above was taken last summer, July 2007 ,while we visited each other on the Beach.)

I loved what Nadine wrote in her card to us:
"A friend on her blog compared adoption to a mobile-"
"Picture a mobile, floating effortlessly. Now wrap one side and watch it careen out of balance. Over time, the motion slows and regains balance....it would be the same for our family."

Then Nadine also writes: "You sent your mobile spinning with the addition of Simone, but everyone found their place. Now it's spinning again, but soon it will settle back to balance, better than ever!!"

Very well put. I could of not described it better myself. When I called Nadine to thank her for the gift we had such a great talk about transitions, adjustments, following your gut and just knowing what your child needs and listening to that. It is so comforting to have someone who has/is going through some of the same issues as we are. I so appreciate her friendship, advice and wisdom.

We also received this one from John and Cheryl Laxson when we arrived home with Simone called "New Life."

My Mother in Law also gave me this one with the word "Hope" attached to it, which is one of Simone's middle names.

We are so thankful for their friendship and so happy to have them in ourlives.

We love you guys!!!
Lian, Jenna and Simone (These photos were also taken last summer.) We can't wait to get together again!! Until we meet again.

Special Gifts

When we arrived home from China a package awaited us on the counter! When I looked I noticed it was for Sophie Wei and Simone. It was from Denise and Maggie!

I met Denise through her blog and she is the mother to five adorable children. Here daughter Maggie is from the same Orphanage as Sophie Wei in Chengdu!! She answered a lot of questions about Chengdu, etc. She also gave us one photo of Sophie Wei that she received from her disposable camera that she sent to the Orphanage.

I also followed her while she was in Chengdu and Guangzhou. It was so neat to see photos of the places they went while in Chengdu knowing that we would be there soon.

I also enjoyed reading her posts about Why Special Needs. Part One and Part Two. If anyone is reading this and is considering and have not made up your mind you need to read this! Reading about their blessing will bring tears to your eyes.

Thanks Denise for thinking of our girls. You are so thoughtful!!!!!!! God Bless YOU and Your Family!!

Here is part of the Big Sister Gift that they sent Simone. She loved every thing about the Fairy Set!!! You can tell by the smile on her face.
And her bling ring :O)
The cute dress they sent Sophie Wei.
Fun lady bug bowl, plate, fork and spoon. We love lady bugs at our house!!!
Maybe this Fairy Wand will work as a spoon.
The girls were snacking on some liquorish.


Thanks again Denise and Maggie.
Photos taken on June 23rd, 2008.

Brace and Shoes Ordered

Today we went to have Sophie Wei fitted for her Dennis Brown Bar and Shoes. This will help continue with her club feet therapy that she has already started in China.

While in Chengdu she wore the brace from 5pm until she awoke in the morning, around 12-14 hours we were told by the physical therapist at her orphanage.

Sophie Wei was amazing with the Doctor and all smiles. Simone was so well behaved. Things are moving along nicely.

The brace and shoes will arrive in six days.

Cousin Brandon and Grandma Jones

Sophie Wei meets her one of her big Cousins, Brandon, for the first time today. We also had a nice visit with my Mother In Law, Grandma Jones.
Sophie was treating Brandon just like her Babba. She was playing ruff with him, it was so funny.
Brandon and Simone playing on the electric piano. Can't wait to spend more time with you Brandon in a couple of weeks.


Sophie Wei enjoying the tiny doll house toys that Grandma Jones gave Simone a few years ago. Look at her smile, she is such a JOY!