One week ago Friday was the three year anniversary of the day that Eliza was placed into our arms!

Eliza was very excited about her special day, and we made plans to celebrate on Monday evening.

It is SO sweet to see how our two little Chinese cherubs have embraced their stories and can openly talk about them with such pride!

Their time in China is a HUGE part of their story, and something we want them to embrace.

We want them to know that every single day of their lives has been a part of God’s perfect plan for them!

They both are having this truth sink deep into their hearts….and it does so much to our hearts to see that happening.

That Friday we watched Eliza’s China videos and the videos of when she first arrived home.

It was such a sweet time!

We spent most of Monday at the hospital with Eliza, but after all her appointments were done I took her to Wal-Mart so she could pick out a gift for Eliza day!

She chose quickly (which really surprised me!).

Sticking with tradition, Eliza chose the meal and the dessert for her special celebration too!

These kiddos choose some of our favorite food!

Baked chicken legs, sautéed kale, fried rice, and fruit salad!

For dessert she wanted chocolate cupcakes with pink icing and strawberries.

She and I stopped to pick up some powdered sugar at the Coop to make the icing, and she said “Not that one, Mommy! I said I want pink!!”

Too cute!

Addie Mae out did herself, of course, because there was a REASON to make cupcakes, after all!

The icing was not only pink, but strawberry flavored.

Eliza must have thanked me two thousand times for her special celebration.

I must have told her two thousand times how very happy I am that she is our daughter – we are her forever – and that she is HOME.

So, so, so loved.

You all, I will NEVER ever forget how I felt that day in China – standing in that steamy hot Civil Affairs office waiting for them to bring Eliza to us.

Never.

It is etched in my heart forever.

Three years.

In a blink.

And she has come SO far.

I can’t wait to see what the next three years bring.

I am sure they will be full of a whole lot more that we are just not worthy of.