Xander's birthday

Dear March 26^th,

For such a long time, we begrudgingly referred to you as the date of our “first wedding.” This, meaning the date Jeremy’s family drove hundreds of miles to be celebrate with us, the date for which my mom made over 500 cream puffs, the date inscribed on hundreds of wedding invitations, the date for which my relative made a massive wedding cake that was never eaten… you get the idea. Yes, the very date that we called off our wedding just a few hours before it was supposed to occur.

So… I was thrilled to find out that our Xander’s birthday also fell upon this day. Finally, we could find something else to associate you with. YAY!

Love,

The girl who hated being the talk of the town

Dear Self,

When you began the tradition of making breakfast in bed for the birthday child, you created a monster. It started out so simple—with a couple of kiddos who wanted toaster waffles and chocolate milk for breakfast. How could you have known that you would someday have eight children with long, detailed lists of breakfast foods compiled months in advance?! Sigh. Next time you have to get up early to prepare sausage and eggs on an English muffin, mangoes, berries, donuts, and strawberry milk (Xander’s breakfast of choice yesterday) and you can hardly keep your eyes open, try to remember the happy, sparkly eyes that will soon greet you as you walk into their bedroom. Truly, it’s worth it.

Love,

A short order cook

Dear Taylor and Parker,

I love you!!! I love how willing you are to help with parties and even plan some of the activities. Taylor, I love the superhero training course you planned. I love that you included Graci by having her dress up as a princess and telling the superheroes it was their mission to save her. Parker, I love how you said that your superhero power was your good looks! I want you both to know that when I later dubbed you the villains and blindfolded you so that the superheroes could get you with their silly string, I truly thought that you would pretty much just stand there. How was I to know that you would both take off running into the darkness! Taylor, I’m so sorry about your goose egg from running into the shed. And Parker, I really did try to warn you that you were about to run into the rocks. Ouch. You definitely earned “brothers of the year.”

Love,

Mom

Dear Jeremy,

Thanks for taking their places and becoming the villain. You are a good sport. I know that birthday parties aren’t so much “your thing” but I appreciate you helping anyway. If you didn’t have a fun time, you fooled me!

Love,

The party planner

Dear Annie,

You should feel privileged to know that you were the only girl Xander invited to his party. I love how your “superhero” was Jessie, from Toy Story. I love how you pretty much live at our house. I love that you are such a good friend to Jesi, Xander, Lexi, and Sophi. I love that Xander has already decided he’s going to marry you, and that he is sincerely worried he might get too nervous to ask when the time comes. By the way, you should know that Xander has already named four of your children—Belle, Cinderella, Prince Charming, and Larry.

Love,

Your future mother-in-law???

Dear Cael,

I don’t know if you remember, but when Xander first arrived here from China, you asked your mom why you didn’t have big leg muscles like him. I want you to know what an impact that one question has had on Xander’s life! His face brightened when he heard about it, and from that moment on, he was more comfortable in his own skin. Thank you for changing his perception of himself.

Love,

A grateful mom

Dear Jesi,

I think you make an exceptional spidergirl!

Love,

Someone who’s enamoured with you

Dear weather,

Why don’t you ever seem to cooperate with my parties!

Love,

Someone who just wanted to keep the party outside

Dear Birthday Boy,

Xander, I cannot express how much I love you. You have exceeded all of our expectations. You are sweet, funny, thoughtful, charismatic, and tender beyond anything I’ve ever seen. I am so proud of the way you have embraced this new life that is yours. I am so grateful that you are my boy forever and ever. I love your sweet hugs, your soft skin, your infectious smile, your helpful nature, and your amazing, beautiful brown eyes that I could stare into forever. Thank you for accepting us as your family. Thank you for your unconditional love. We know that you will accomplish whatever you want to in this life with your determination and spunk. Happy 6^th birthday, little Dang Xu Chu.

Love,

Mommy

August 31, 2010

Dear 6:30 a.m.,

You came too soon. It was such a good dream…

Love,
A girl who loves her bed



Dear 8:00 a.m.,

Lunches packed—check.
Folders signed—check.
Backpacks ready-check.
Hair braided—check.
Kids looking spiffy—check.
Breakfast fed—check.
Prayers said-check.
Myself looking presentable for carpool—

Looks like you came too early as well.

Love,
One scary looking mom


Dear mothers of kindergarteners,

When you sign up to make playdough for the class, be sure to have your husband around. You’ll need the extra help stirring the big pot of dough as it starts to thicken and your arm starts to fall off. Also, add the food coloring BEFORE the dough thickens. That way it won’t be all streaky and weird-looking and you won’t feel embarrassed when you drop it off to the teacher.

Love,
A fellow mother


Dear kindergarten class,

Thank-you for letting me visit today. You were so quiet and good as I read the story about things that make us unique and special. I love that you smiled and oohed and ahhed when I brought Xander up to show his “muscles” off. I love that when he showed his “peace toes,” several of you said, “COOL!” I loved how you nodded your heads solemnly when I asked if you would stick up for Xander if anyone ever teased him about his legs or his special stockings. I am so glad for sweet kids like you!

Love,
A grateful mommy


Dear Dr. Daynes,

You are my favorite pediatrician. You always make me feel like you really do care about my family. Because of your son’s autism, you can relate to us in ways that other doctors cannot. I am grateful for that! Thank you for being so patient with Elli during her kindergarten check-up. Thanks for being so kind when I had to run home and get Elli’s Chinese immunization card and took forever finding it. Thanks for knowing that it would take three nurses to hold Elli down for her shots—and for being so kind and understanding about her screams. You do not have my permission to move. Ever.

Love,
A happy patient


Dear CCAI,

We were so thrilled to receive our LOA for Dang Qing Yin today!!! Woo-hoo!!!! You have been tremendous throughout this whole process. Thank you for always making us feel like you are cheering for us!!

Love,
A family very excited to go back to China!


Dear Elli,

Next time you tell me you want a frosty, and I drive all the way to Wendy's to get you one, maybe you should eat it instead of throwing it. And maybe tomorrow we could work on eating lunch in less than an hour. Just a thought.

Love,
Mommy


Dear Garden,

You are providing us with lots of yummy food!!! I especially loved the potatoes, carrots and onions we ate yesterday—mmmmm!! You’ve been patient with our lack of weeding. I had planned to fix that today but was only able to spend approximately 3.5 minutes with you before getting an urgent call that I needed to overnight a check for our adoption. Luckily, my kids took over—and you are looking spiffy.

Love,
A veggie-lover


Dear US Department of Homeland Security,

Are you kidding me? An extra $670 because we are adopting two at once? Hello?!!! We’re already approved for two—and I know that there isn’t all kinds of extra work involved for you. I mean, really, how much can one more sheet of paper cost?

Apparently, $670.

Sincerely (not love),
Fed-up with our government’s role in making adoption cost so much and take so long


Dear UPS Store,

When you advertise that the pick-up time for overnight delivery is 5:30, you should abide by it. That way, when a customer shows up at 5:23 and you tell them that the truck left 10 minutes ago, they won’t feel like screaming. Or crying. And telling them that there is another store just 25 minutes away that has pick-up at 6:00 probably won’t make them feel better, because HOW ARE THEY TO TRUST THAT THAT PICK-UP WASN’T EARLY TOO?

I’m thinking that maybe you ought to pay for the dinner I ended up buying my family after getting stuck in rush hour traffic while driving to a fed-ex location across the valley. And the clothes I ended up buying at Seagull Book while I waited for my dinner order to be ready. After all, if you had really had a pick-up at 5:30 like you said, we would be almost $100 richer!

Ok, I’m just kidding. Kind-of.

Love,
Someone who just wants to bring her kiddos home


Dear Jeremy,

This is the first time you’re hearing about the clothes from Seagull Book. Try to love me anyway.

Love,
A girl who loves a cute skirt!

P.S. Before you get after me, you should know that in my bag of clothes is a Utah Toffee Truffle just for you! (:
P.P.S. Thank-you for taking all three older kids to the orthodontist today. You are such a good man!


Dear Taylor,

You were a champ for taking care of Elli’s diaper today. I had no idea that when Parker said she had leaked that it meant what it meant. I’m not sure how you stood the smell. I thought I was going to pass out when I came in the house. You scored extra points with me!

Love,
Mom


Dear Massaman Curry,

I think you may be my favorite food EVER! I think you were worth the whole mailing-hassle. Especially when you add in the cute skirt.

Love,
A fan


Dear Graci, Taylor, Parker, Jesi, Xander, and Elli,

I am so proud of you! I couldn’t ask for better children. I love that you belong to ME!

Love,
Mom


Dear Dang Ling You and Dang Qing Yin,

We are itching to get you in our arms!! We feel so much closer now that we have that second LOA. It’s looking like we might be spending Thanksgiving with you in China! Oh, and guess what-- we have finally decided on your American names!! We hope that you will love them. They are:

Alexis Li and Sophia Breanne

Beautiful names for beautiful girls. We can’t wait to meet you!

Love,
Your new family


Dear self,

Next time when you fold a big load of laundry in the hallway, try not to become distracted before it is put away. That way, you will avoid folding it twice.

Love,
The voice of reason


Dear commenters,

Thank you for your sweet thoughts about my post on Elli's blog. It's always hard to open up and share personal things and you make me glad that I do.

Love,
The author


Dear kitchen floor,

What is making you sooo sticky?! And why do I hate to mop so much??!!
Wah!

Love,
I just want a maid!


And finally,
Dear 10:30 p.m.

You will be here in fourteen minutes! That means I will soon be cuddled up with my sweetie watching a rerun of Dick Van Dyke and settling into a peaceful night’s sleep.

Well, until one of the kids wakes up.

I love you!

Love,
A girl who loves her bed



Oh, and I'm adding just one more!

Dear Readers,

Please consider going to this site: http://beadingtochina.blogspot.com/
and bidding on some items to help my amazing friend, Holly, adopt her little girl.

Love,
Someone who knows how expensive adoption is

Caribbean continued... otherwise entitled "The Longest Post Ever"

Dear Jeremy,

You asked me to take over writing about the rest of our trip. I hope it’s ok that I’m doing it in letters. I’m just kind of in the mood.

Love,
Your honey

P.S. You need to get that Harley out of your sweet little head.


Dear Teresa,

When we came into your store to get the alterations done for Graci’s dress, Grace couldn’t keep her eyes off the sparkling tiaras. You must have noticed because you brought Graci one that had been slightly broken and told her that we could take it to a jeweler to get fixed and she could have it! I thought it was so sweet of you, but didn’t realize until later that it was a $250 tiara! WOW. That was so extremely generous of you. You should know that when we took it to get fixed and they heard Graci’s story that they did it for free. People are so good. I also want you to know that Graci LOVED wearing it, and it set off her dress perfectly. The night that she wore it to dinner, I heard more than one little girl exclaim, “Look, it’s another princess!”

Love,
A grateful mom



Dear Snow White,

We are convinced you are the real thing! Your voice, your charm, your mannerisms—you were perfect! And we found it very “princessy” that you would take time to visit the kid’s club and teach the children to do-si-do. Jessica especially loved that. And you are now Xander’s #1 top favorite princess—pretty cool!

Love,
A family who adores you












Dear Tiana,

You are my Graci’s new favorite princess. Thank you for taking so much time to talk to her. Thank-you for remembering her each time she came back to see you. You will be happy to know that she now has a porcelin replica of you sitting on her dresser (from her sweet Daddy). (:

Love,
Someone who needs to go out and see your movie





Dear Cinderella,

I am so sorry that Xander experienced stage fright and couldn’t make himself get down on one knee. It would have been a perfect photo-op, but I still think the one we got was pretty darn cute.

Love,
The mother of a prince





Dear Belle,

You are beautiful! We loved hearing you sing in the musical. I want your dress.

Love,
A princess wannabe






Dear Nassau,

I would love to spend a week getting to know you a bit better. As it is, I fell in love with your charm and beauty. Loved your people. Loved your beaches. Didn’t love your heat and humidity. (Just look what happened when we pulled the camera out of the bag!) I definitely want to visit you again, but next time I’ll try to come when it’s a bit cooler.

Love,
A fan







Dear Atlantis Aquarium,

Thank-you for giving us a discount upon finding out we were a Make-a-Wish family! We LOVED visiting you! We were fascinated with the variety of fish and sea creatures on display. We will definitely send friends and family your way!

Love,
A happy family






















Dear Sawtooth shark,

I can’t decide if I think you are beautiful or one of the ugliest creatures ever. You fascinated me and my children. Are you for real?

Love,
Can’t decide if I’m a fan


Dear readers,

You are about to see approximately 5,000 pictures of us parasailing. Just so you know, it was every bit as cool as it looks. You should definitely include it on your list of things to do someday. It only cost (gulp) $420 for the seven of us to go. Thank-you, Make-a-Wish, for giving us an allowance that allowed us to do it! This will go down as one of our favorite family memories ever. We absolutely loved every second of it.

Love,
The newest parasailing fans!



































Dear Toy Story, The Musical,

WOW, WOW, WOW! We were in AWE the entire show! The costumes, the special effects, the music—it was every bit on par with Broadway. Jeremy and I kept exchanging looks of amazement throughout the production and our kids were riveted. I am uber-impressed!

Love,
A girl in love









Dear Alex,

I think you are my favorite person from the trip. I don’t know that I have ever met a sweeter and more humble man. Your smile and gracious ways just made our day. Thank you for cleaning up all of our messes each day, preparing our beds each night, leaving us fun “animals” and chocolates. and for being attentive to our every need. We both so wish we had taken a picture with you.

Love,
Jeremy and Christianne


Dear Disney,

WE LOVE YOU! We love everything Disney! You plan out everything to the very last detail and somehow manage to make every minute magical. You are the best ever!

Love,
A Disney family



Dear Castaway Cay,

You are paradise! What other place on earth can you snorkel, ride bikes, eat all the food you want, go on waterslides into the ocean, have a dance party with Stitch, and leave the little ones to play in their own private “club” making sandcastles and going on treasure hunts while you enjoy relaxing on a beautiful beach?

Love,
A girl who could go there every day



(Again, what the humidity does to the camera!)






Dear Colin,

Thank you for everything you did to make Graci feel special throughout the cruise. From the plates of treats left on her pillow to the special notes on her door each day to arranging a special “party” just for Make-a-Wish families to meet with Captain Mickey, to giving us snorkel and tube equipment for FREE, you went above and beyond in making our wish girl feel special.

Love,
Two grateful parents




Dear cast and crew of “Dreams,”

This was one of the most amazing productions ever. We loved every single second. You had both of us in tears thinking of our Graci’s dream coming true and also of all the children out there who aren’t as fortunate. The show was fantastic on every level. I just wish that every child in the world was able to be there.

Love,
Parents of kids who love to dream




Dear Violeta and Andy,

You were the best. Thank-you for paying attention to every detail and making each of us feel special and important. We loved your magic tricks and your accents and the way you didn’t even blink when Taylor would order THREE entrees at once. You were super cool.

Love,
Table 28






Dear Pirate Deck Party,

I’m not sure why you kept zoning in on OUR children and OUR family and putting our images up on the big screen, but it sure made the kids happy!! They loved watching themselves dance and smile and they loved seeing all of the characters in their pirate gear. We also thought it pretty sweet that you served another ENTIRE dinner just three hours after eating our FIRST dinner. Awesome. Jeremy was especially thrilled to find turkey legs (his favorite part about Disneyland) and I loved the warm crepes with ice-cream and topping—yummy! You put on a great party!

Love,
The fam




















Dear Jesi and Xander,

You were SO MUCH FUN to have on this trip! I loved watching the wonder in your eyes as you saw and experienced things for the first time. I loved that you dared to go parasailing, I loved watching you in the ocean, I loved seeing your faces as you met your favorite characters, I loved the looks on your faces when we said “yes” to almost anything you wanted to do or see or eat! I loved that you were confident enough to walk into the kids club and not look back, and I loved spying on you and watching you enjoy the amazing activities they had planned for you. I love that you are such dear friends. I love YOU!

Love,
Mommy





Dear Parker and Taylor,

I LOVED watching you enjoy your independence throughout the cruise. From watching movies on the main deck while enjoying the swimming pool to having fun at the arcades to playing in the oceaneer lab to ordering room service after midnight—you two really played it up! I am glad that we are able to trust you and that you had so much fun making your own decisions about what to do and where to hang out. I hope you thoroughly enjoyed not having a curfew for a few days, because it will be awhile before that happens again! I’m so glad you are such good friends and made so many great memories together.

Love,
Mom



Dear Deck 4,

Because of you, we discovered a new family favorite-- shuffleboard! I am now convinced that if we ever are able to build a new home, it must have a long enough deck to accommodate this game! We loved the views as we played and we loved staring off at the beautiful sunsets. We're so glad not many families discovered your charm!

Love,
the Greens



Dear self,

In the future, try not to get in any pictures right after you have gone swimming. Unless you remember to wear waterproof mascara. Also, just because all of the food was free didn't mean you needed to eat all of it.

Love,
The voice of reason








Dear cruise packages everywhere,

Don’t you feel just a bit like you’re cheating when you call it a “five day cruise” but require that everyone be off the ship by 9:00 a.m. on the fifth “day?” I’m just sayin’…

Love,
A girl who didn’t want to leave



Dear Gatorland,

When we found ourselves at the airport with several hours to spare before our flight home, we decided to pay you a visit. We were thrilled upon arriving to find that Make-a-Wish families get in free. Thank-you!! Just thinking about you now makes me smile. You were a cross between a small-town county fair (minus the rides) and a zoo (minus almost all of the animals). We loved watching the alligators “jump” for food. We loved seeing the white alligators and found them quite beautiful. We loved people watching. We loved the rootbeer floats. We loved leaving. (Did I just say that?)

Love,
Gator fans

P.S. To be fair, I think we would have loved leaving less if it hadn’t felt like 110 degrees outside and if we wouldn’t have been exhausted from the few hours of sleep we had gotten on the last night of the cruise. And I think everyone should have the chance to visit Gatorland. Once.




Dear Gator wrestler,

You are OUT OF YOUR MIND.

Love,
Someone who tries to stay away from large teeth




Dear Mom and Dad,

Words can never express our gratitude for your willingness to watch Elli. Though we missed her, we were soooooooo glad that we didn’t bring her along. She would not have enjoyed the cruise, and we would have enjoyed it 1,000 x less if she had been there. You are amazing and we love you!

Love,
All of us



Dear Kent and Terri,

How sweet of you to be there with a sign to welcome us home at the airport! We had no idea that you would be there, but should have—knowing how thoughtful you have been through this whole process. Once again, thank-you for EVERYTHING. It truly was magic. We are so so grateful.

Love,
Our family


Dear Graci,

Oh how I love you! I hope that the Disney Cruise was everything you ever dreamed of. I loved watching you throughout the trip. I loved watching you with the princesses, and I hope you know that you are the prettiest one of all! I loved seeing your face each time something special happened just for you. I loved that you were so enamoured with the characters and that you would spend so much of your time taking pictures with them. I loved giving you the freedom to do almost anything you wanted over the course of the cruise. I loved shopping with you. I loved seeing your fuzzy pants and sandals under your “poofy dress” as you walked down the stairs. I love you so much, my sweet Graci. I am so grateful for the memories you have made and for the magic you experienced. I hope you will always remember that it is because YOU ARE LOVED by so many people.

Love,
Mom



And finally, Dear Elli,

It was SO GOOD to see you again!!

Love,
Us