October 2007

Less than a month after returning home from China, Luke’s long anticipated final adoption hearing was held on Wednesday, October 10, 2007, 9:30am at Family Court on Punchbowl Street. The men from our bible study group came to support us as well as Papa, Nana, and the Crabbe-Jones ohana. As was her custom in China during official business, Lilia slept through most of it. She did perk up for the celebratory lunch we had afterwards at the Willows.

Our bible study group surprised us with a mini shower two weeks after our return home. The biggest surprise of all was a shower the Crabbe cousins threw for me (Mom) up at The Lodge. There were also many other family parties during our first couple of months home, and Lilia handled it all with ease. As you can see from one of her post-bath photos, just 8 days of being home with a steady, predictable routine made the world of difference for our little girl’s mood.

The holidays were upon us before we knew it, and Lilia thoroughly enjoyed all of the activity. We had family over for Chinese food the day after Christmas for Lilia’s first birthday. We fear that may become an annual tradition.

Luke and Lilia have their moments as I would guess all siblings do. It has been a joy to watch their relationship develop as Lilia’s personality emerges. The journey to two kids has been tumultuous, trying, exhausting, and oh so worth it. As so many before us have noted, we are tremendously blessed as adoptive parents. These two have brought us to a much deeper understanding of our faith and our ability to love.

I didn’t give you the gift of life
but in my heart I know
the love I feel is deep and real
as if it had been so.
For us to find each other
is like a dream come true.
No, I didn’t give you the gift of life;
Life gave me the gift of you.
-Author unknown