Thankful

Today, we took Liana to church for the first time.  We brought her in with us instead of putting her in with other two year olds.  It's too soon for her to be able to handle a class of other kids.  For one thing, she's not like a two year old yet.  She would be so far behind the other kids.  For another, she is still adjusting to all of the new things in her life and this would just be too much for her.  I was a little worried about her being in with us because our church is huge...enormous...and the worship is amazing but very loud so I didn't know how she would handle that.  She handled it great though and it was amazing to have her in my arms as we sang.  She even raised her hand at one point like some of the other people around us.  I felt this amazement wash over me having her at church.  We have prayed and had others pray for her and this adoption so many times at church, I just couldn't believe that she was actually there with us.  We sang one song with the words "I'm no orphan anymore" and I teared up.  It was all I could do to keep singing.  She's no orphan anymore!  Having Liana there with us, it just struck me, God brought her here.  After all we went through to get her here, she's here!  He did it!  I just feel so, so blessed and thankful that He chose us to be her family and helped us to get her home. 

Later, we finally had a birthday party for her.  She got to have her party at the orphanage on her actual birthday but we wanted to celebrate at home with her too and this was the first weekend that hasn't been crazy since we've been home.  We just had pizza, presents and cake with the five of us but it was fun.  It was funny when she opened her presents, she was very possessive of them.  If Ethan came near, she would grab up her toy and make this little ornery sound at him, like back off, it's mine!  For a child who has had no possessions, I found it pretty funny and we cheered her on.  It is her "birthday" after all!

Looking pretty for church

All cozy in a blanket Oma made her

Ready to party!

How do we do this?

Okay, I've got this present thing down now!

Always the goofball!

Loving on her new unicorn from Uncle Tim, Aunt Carri and cousin Taylor!

Pretty sure she's telling Ethan off here

Ready for cake

 Ethan flexing

My birthday helper girl

Mmm...cake

She makes such a cute Minnie