Glamour Shots of a Two Year Chinese Princess

Christmas from the Eyes of a Toddler

Christmas is a time of remembering the birth of one very special little baby...Jesus Christ...sent down from heaven to be Savior of the world. Happy birthday, Jesus!

Here's a synopsis of what Christmas was like through the eyes of one very special little toddler...Sophie Rose...sent to us from God to help us know Him better.

I love all the ornaments on the tree and I'm happy my mama lets me rearrange them daily.

Santa is kinda scary. I want to take a peek at him at the mall but from really far away.

Cookies, candy, or anything sweet is a constant source of temptation as I can't get enough. I ask for cookies at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. More please!

Presents, what can I say. I figured out the whole gift thing on my birthday a month ago and it never seems to end. I love ripping open packages and I believe every gift is for me! Clothes don't excite me much. I want to play with every present I open right away and don't really care to open the next one. I just want to play with one!

I have my very own nativity and I like to play especially with the baby Jesus and the Wisemen's treasure boxes pretending to eat the food contained in them.

I love Christmas carols and on occasion, you can hear me trying to sing along with them. I like the one that says, "Gloooooooooooooooooooooooooo-ria!"

Out of all the food I tried this holiday, I must say that I like ham the best. Forget the mashed potatoes, just give me ham and apple juice and I'm set.

Now that I'm big enough to have my carseat turned around to facing the front, I love driving down the street looking at all the pretty houses lit up with bright colorful lights. I really like the "no-men", "ah-no-mos",and "ho, ho, ho" (snowmen, animals, and santa).

I adore all the excitement of parties, getting all dressed up in my party dress, dancing with my family, fun kids to play with, yummy cookies to devour, and stairs to climb. I could party all night and never get tired.

But the best part of Christmas is singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus and blowing out the candle for Him...over and over. I pray to Him every night and thank Him for the wonderful blessings He gives me daily. I love my Jesus and I know He loves me too.

Forever Family/Gotcha Day One Year Anniversary

Sophie's sooooo excited to dig into her Forever Family Day Celebration cake

Boy Scout Troop 719's littlest mascot

One blessed little girl to have such a loving brother and sister

Our family and the judge who helped us readopt Sophie through the California Juvenile Courts.

Sophie and her Papa celebrating being a forever family at the local Chinese restaurant.

One candle on her ladybug cake that signifies one year of being in the Light, being with the family that God wanted her to be in so she could know Him and grow to love Him with all her heart.

It was on December 8, 2008 when our family united with our sweet baby girl, Sophia Rose. This is known as Forever Family Day, or Gotcha Day in some circles. As we look back on that first day, we all agree it was a day that changed all our lives forever. Adopting a child has got to be one of the most incredible experiences a family can have. We are soooooo thankful that we didn't miss the opportunity. God led us down this amazing path full of the richest blessings anyone on earth can have.

The year flew by so quickly and Sophie has changed a bunch. She has grown 5 1/2 inches and gained 7 pounds! When we first got her she couldn't crawl, walk, sit up without toppling over, or even stand up alone as most 1 year olds can master. But she quickly learned with a little practice and exposure to the floor. Our special princess has learned so much over the last year with her favorite activities being reading books, helping around the house, doing puzzles, and watching Wiggles DVDs.

Although she has had a year full of firsts, i.e. birthday party, holidays, trips to the aquarium, ocean, desert, and museums, the one that will be the most special is the day she was first placed in her mama's arms forever.

Happy Forever Family Day, dear Sophie! Your family loves you with all their hearts!