Happy Gotcha Day Analiese

First layer that Analiese was wearing

Second layer she was wearing

Analiese's choice:  Japanese steak house

Five years ago we were handed one of the most wonderful blessings in the world; our third daughter.  Our meeting did not happen as planned and looking back it was just a tiny hint of how unique our daughter would be and how she would do things her way!

Min Qiu Xia shyly came to us, called us Momma and Baba and fell immediately in love with her Daddy!  That has not changed, she is a Daddy's girl through and through!

Qiu Xia was dressed in two layers and she WOULD not allow us to take anything off of her.  We would eventually have to force her to remove the top layer because the fever she had sky-rocketed and we desperately tried everything to bring it down.

Our sweet girl had an awful ear infection when she came to us and the worst teeth I've ever seen in a small child!  But, in spite of her medical conditions, she was happy and content.

Now, five years later, we know that Min Qiu Xia, Analiese, was really only two years old when she came to us, not the three years the Chinese told us she was.  She also is not the quiet child they described, but the most gregarious child around!

Analiese brings sunshine to everyone and melts the hardest of hearts!  Everyone knows and loves her!  She "works" at the gym concession stand and gets paid with food.  She charmed the young boy who runs the stand and he looks forward to the days she is there with him!

There are days where we are just exhausted parenting this child; she walks to a different drummer than the rest of us. Even though she loves to please us, she doesn't hesitate to do things her way, even if it will get her into trouble!

The past years have been a journey.  Whereas another child's spirit may have been broken with the challenges Analiese has faced, Analiese seems to thrive and grow stronger.  Her medical procedures continue and she still faces years of speech therapy.   But, Analiese handles it all so well.  When we go to Scottish Rite to see the speech therapist and the orthodontist, it is like a visit with friends!

I am always told what an awesome job we have done as parents to Analiese.  We certainly can not take credit for the sunshine she spreads.  We can only thank God that we have her in our lives and pray for wisdom in helping her channel her enthusiasm for life!

We love you Analiese!