The pictures will have to say it all...

Baby shower part 2

More photos from the baby shower... I wanted to include a snapshot of everyone that was there, but some people eluded the camera!

Auntie Kendra w/ nieces, Aunt Linda, Tiffany, Brittany, & Theresa

Neighbors: Sue & Annette

Lori & her daughter, Breanna

Renee & her daughter, London

Aunt Pam & great niece, Haley

Mandy, Marisa, & Kelly

My mom (& dad too) attended the shower via Facetime.  Technology rocks!

Fellow adoptive mommies: Kelly & Mandy.  We traveled to Rwanda together.

My dear friend Janine.  We've been friends since college.

Mike was there too.  He kept the dishes clean, coffee fresh, and Kieran entertained.
My sister Katie, in the foreground, made the yummy cupcakes & planned the games.

Marisa's baby shower

Time to celebrate Marisa's homecoming with a baby shower.

The shower was a success, partly due to the delicious food
that my sisters prepared.  No one went hungry!  The games were great too.

They chose a garden theme to match Marisa's room.

Before the party started, I snapped a few pictures of Marisa, Kieran, & cousin Haley.

My sisters, Katie & Kendra, with the kiddos.  Katie & Kendra did a great
job coordinating the baby shower.  It was a lot of fun.  Thanks, girls!

Mommy & Marisa taking a time out from all the festivities so Marisa could
have a quick bottle.  She was worn out from being in the limelight!

Marisa got lots of wonderful gifts, especially adorable outfits & bedding.  Hooray!

Kieran got gifts too from neighbors, family, & friends.  It was so kind of
all of them to think of him too.  He was delighted to get new toys!

Marisa's first birthday

Marisa is already multi-tasking.  Here she's opening her first gift
while chewing on her fingers.  (Teething big time!)

She got a toy barn from Kieran.  I love to watch them play together

Our family :)  Mike took most of the photos during the
party, so I'm glad we got him in at least one picture.

Aunt Berta came to help us celebrate.  She made us some amazingly
yummy eggrolls!  (We're sorry Uncle Mark couldn't come.)

Happy first birthday, Marisa!  We're so glad to be able to celebrate it with you.  

 Uncle Jonathan, cousin Haley, and Auntie Katie were here
to join in the fun.  The babies had a great time playing together. 

Auntie Kendra joined us too.  Thanks for the cute hat!!

Aunt Katie got a gift for Kieran too...so sweet! (He loves it!)

Marisa loved the balloon Daddy brought home.  

She had a blast "eating" her cake.

"Whatever this sticky stuff is, I think I like it!"

"That's all for now folks!"

We were like those who dreamed...

Marisa (11 mos.),  Kieran (39 mos.),  and cousin Haley (7 mos.)
Amazing how quickly they grow up!

Little sister and big brother, so happy together!
What sweet bliss to see our kids enjoying each other's company.

On our trip to the park today, Mike & Kieran spotted some geese.

The geese were in luck, as we had brought some bread to share.

It's been a long time since we've had such a sunny day.
(Marisa is putting baby sunglasses on her wish list.)

Kieran practicing his pose for the next Gap Kids ad.  ;)

"O.K. it's freezing out here, let's move on people!"
For the record, I did have her bundled in three layers.  

We made a quick stop at the playground so the kids could swing.
Then we were off to our favorite coffee shop to warm up!

We've taken many trips to the park with Kieran.  Sometimes, I'd imagine what it would be like to be there with a son and a daughter.  It was a sweet moment today to witness something I had hoped for become realized. This is just one instance of many times recently that I've paused and reflected on the Lord's faithfulness to give me the desires of my heart.  He does hear our prayers!  For those that are waiting to adopt a child, it's worth the wait! (Our dream to adopt from China began ten years ago!) Don't lose heart, just know that when the dream is fulfilled it is so much more precious because of how long you waited.  You will see God's goodness in time.  There is a psalm that beautifully portrays how I feel now that we finally reached the finish line and both our kids are home...

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

 ¹ When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, 

   we were like those who dreamed. 

² Our mouths were filled with laughter, 

   our tongues with songs of joy. 

Then it was said among the nations, 

   “The LORD has done great things for them.” 

³ The LORD has done great things for us, 

   and we are filled with joy.

 ⁴ Restore our fortunes, LORD, 

   like streams in the Negev. 

⁵ Those who sow with tears 

   will reap with songs of joy. 

⁶ Those who go out weeping, 

   carrying seed to sow, 

will return with songs of joy, 

   carrying sheaves with them.