Happy Birthday

The celebration for Piper’s birthday started last weekend on Saturday when her grandparents, along with other family and friends gathered to celebrate. The celebration started by going to church with Michael’s parents and sister. After church, Vicki’s parents joined us at P.F. Changs for lunch. Piper enjoyed the fried rice, but not nearly as much as the cheesecake we had for dessert. After a quick nap, guest arrived for cake and ice cream. Before gifts were opened, items were placed on the floor for Piper to choose from. The choice she makes is suppose to predict her future. She is a smart girl, and headed right for the money, and now has a future with great wealth. This was followed by Piper finally getting to rip paper without getting told, “no”. She did a great job opening gifts, and is now prepared for Christmas. Thank you so much for all the wonderful clothes, toys, and books Piper received.

The celebration concluded on Thursday, as Piper was taken out for a birthday lunch with Mommy and Daddy. After lunch, we marked her height, recorded a short video interview with her, and wrote a letter to her birthparents. We don’t know anything about her birthparents, but will keep the letter with picture from her birthday. We pray that somehow they will find comfort and know that she is loved and being cared for. The video interview consists of Piper telling us what sounds the horse, sheep, cow, dog, and duck make, along with her demonstrating the sign language she knows, and showing some of the words she has learned to say. Piper has enjoyed receiving the many birthday cards that have arrived. She thinks it is a lot of fun when some of the mail is for her. In addition to the cards, she got two very special emails wishing her a happy birthday from two of our China travel guides, David and Nancy.

It has been a wonderful week of celebration, and we now look forward to spending our first Christmas as a family. This has been a truly wonderful year for our family, and we look forward to all that 2007 has to offer. I’m sure with Piper, we won’t have a dull moment around our house.

On a side note, Piper’s newest phrase that she likes to say is “mei mei” (may may). She repeats it over and over for mommy and daddy to hear. For those that don’t know, mei mei is Chinese for “little sister”. Is it just jibber-jabber, wishful thinking, or a sign of things to come?