It's been awhile...

We just returned from the beach and I have a ton of great pictures to post, but before I do that, I need to acknowledge a special anniversary - Referral Day. One year ago, on May 2nd, we received the phone call we had been waiting for for three years...the phone call that changed our lives forever, and in a matter of minutes! Our agency called us that afternoon to tell us that we were parents, to not just one, but two beautiful baby girls, Shang Guan Xin Ling and Shang Guan Xin Long. After all that time waiting, dreaming and loving a baby we had long named LilyKate, we had to wrap our minds around TWINS!

After we got over the initial shock, we cried, laughed and screamed with joy. We were both shaking and crying, and trying our best to write down the information that Kim from our agency was telling us. We were parents! Then she sent some pics and the image above is the first we saw of our daughters - we could not get over how beautiful they were. It was the most amazing day and we got to celebrate with family and friends that evening at the rehearsal dinner for our niece, Erica, and her fiance, Robb. Then the really hard part came...waiting to go get our little sweeties. We had a lot to keep us busy in the interim, but that six weeks felt like an eternity.

They have changed so much since then and are so much a part of us, we can hardly remember what life was like without them...infinitely less colorful and fun, that's for sure. We love these girls with all our hearts and are grateful for every moment we have with them.

LilyKate and Eleanor - Seaside, Florida

May 2, 2009