a drawer of her own!

Yep, one of the most coveted drawers in our bathroom now belongs to Lilah! I imagine we'll be finding these bath toys all over the third floor, right next to the water puddles!

lilah's room

Lilah's room is almost finished! Just a few more pictures to hang, a dimmer switch to be wired, curtains to be hung and we are ready!

The three pictures below were the first items purchased for Lilah's room (in Nov 2007). I love these prints from Geninne; the scenes and verses depict the little story around our desire for a baby. We couldn't ask for more joy than what we feel right now.

Ask - ask and it shall be given you; matthew 7.7
Believe - all things are possible to him that believeth; mark 9.23
Receive - ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full; john 16.24

[more photos here]

grev, pam and little saltanat - congratulations!

Our wonderful friends, Grev & Pam are the proud parents of a little girl, Saltanat, from Kazakhstan. She is gorgeous and we are absolutely thrilled for this little family! You can check out more pictures on their blog. They are the perfect picture of happiness!

he giveth, and giveth, and giveth again

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

...love this verse...

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

By Annie J. Flint

fourteen months old today

It is hard to predict timelines, but I think we are at the half-way point now. It's been three months since we first saw that precious face, and in another three months we'll be kissing it!

pictures in the yangdong swi gardens

We can't stop staring at these pictures of our little Lilah - every feature is engrained into our minds and hearts. Today I went to Blacks and got them developed over and over and over again! Everywhere you look in our house there's a picture of her!

Along with these two photos we received her measurements; she now has 5 teeth, one more gained in the last 2 months! Her foot length is 11 cms, very good information to know for shoe shopping! Everything else pretty much stayed the same regarding her weight and height.

She is so very very precious.

updated picture of our little beauty

I am still shaking; it feels like referral day all over again. With tears of joy and love overflowing, we received updated pictures today of our little Lilah Grace.

The waiting is tough, it seems to get longer as the days go by, but this beautiful little face will carry us through. In 5 days she will be 14 months.

What an amazing gift to receive these pictures, thank you so much Adele, (from blessedkids).

Psalm 28:7 - "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."

can't help but want to hold her

our little piglet!

Our little Lilah was born in the Year of the Pig! I came across an article recently regarding how many couples in China had planned their pregnancies around the Year of the Pig (2007). Children born in the Year of the Pig are said to be ‘blessed’. I can definitely say that the Lord has blessed us with this precious little one.

Luke 1:45 - And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Psalm 68:19 - Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.

Psalm 71:19 - Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto Thee!

Proverbs 28:20 - A faithful man shall abound with blessings.

canada day, eh

Happy Canada Day from the nation's capital, Ottawa. All being well this day next year our little Lilah will be a Chinese Canadian girl and she will be with us on Parliament Hill celebrating Canada's birthday! I think she would have great fun on this train, it seemed to be a great source of entertainment for the little people!

While I was trying to get a glimpse of our Prime Minister (Stephen Harper) these little girls requested that I take a picture of them! Of course I couldn't say no, they were just so sweet!

A quote I really enjoyed today, spoken by the Governor General, Michaëlle Jean: "Our country is made up of every hope we cherish. Our country is made up of every dream we share". I have to admit, it brought a lump to my throat.

thirteen months old today

You're another month older and we're another month closer to you Lilah Grace.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

lilah's 12 month medical update

Today we received Lilah's 12 month medical update! We are thrilled that she is developing well; she must be adorable looking with those little teeth. Unfortunately we didn't get any pictures, but we will stay optimistic that they will maybe come later. Here are the measurements from her birth and 6 month reports we received previously, and also her 12 month report we received today. I can't wait to hold my precious baby girl!

	BIRTH	6 MONTHS	12 MONTHS
HEIGHT:	53cm	62cm	77cm
WEIGHT:	3.8kg	7.2kg	8.6kg
HEAD SIZE:	33cm	41cm	44cm
CHEST SIZE:	33cm	42cm	45cm
TEETH:	0	0	4

daddy's day

Happy Father's Day Colin!

There is one thing I know for sure, and that is what a fantastic father you will be to our little Lilah girl.

To my daughter - Kisses in the Wind

I hold you in my heart and touch you in my dreams.
You are here each day with me, at least that's how it seems.

I know you wonder where we are, what's taking us so long.
But remember child, I love you so and God will keep you strong.

Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin.
Because tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you.
I promise you, my baby girl, I'm doing all that I can do.

love, love and more love

We can't get enough of our baby girl. We look at her picture many times a day declaring our love for her. I was reminded last Sunday of the following verse, speaking of our Lord Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 1:8 - Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. What a beautiful verse!

care package enroute to yangdong swi

So our agency told us we are allowed to send a care package to the orphanage for our little Lilah. It took us quite a while to figure out what exactly would go into that small package! We finally decided on the following...

- A little dress with matching ruffle bums and a little clip for her beautiful hair.
- A photo book with her mama and baba's pictures in it, so maybe she will recognize us!
- A new dolly since it's her favourite toy.
- Candy for her caregivers and a letter thanking them for looking after her.