Sunday, January 23, 2011

5 years old today!

Two years ago a little girl woke up in a hotel in China.  She was leaving China that day for her new home in America.  She was with her Mommy and her Daddy and her brother, David, but she had only met them 11 days before.  It was January 23rd and it was her 3rd birthday.  Many hours and plane miles later she arrived at her new house, and because of the time change, it was still her birthday.  Family members she had never met before stood around a dining room table and sang Happy Birthday to her in a language she did not  understand.  When given a wrapped present she did not know what to do with it.  But she went to bed that night surrounded by a family who already felt great love for this child.
Today, 2 years later, the same little girl and the same family members gathered around the same dining room table and sang happy birthday .  She knew the words to the song now and sang along with them...and when it was time to open her presents, she knew what to do.  Much has changed for this little girl.  Even more has changed for her family.  And every year on January 23rd we will gather around and celebrate Sierra's birthday and remember the night when a very brave three year old walked into our front door and made herself home in our hearts.  Happy 5th Birthday Sierra.  We love you so much!!
                                 
                                              Sierra's first night home and her 3rd birthday!




Sierra turning 4!



Now she is 5!!!



8 comments:

  1. OMG - what a sweet, sweet post...thanks for the tears right before I crawl into bed Kathie! Happy Birthday sweet Sierra. You are a very special little girl to me even though we have never met...but I intend to meet you ...someday :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love seeing the pictures from year to year! Happy Birthday Miss Sierra!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Happy birthday sweet girl, I love the pictures you shared! I didn't realize her birthday was so close to when you came home!
    Blessings friend!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wasn't it the best Chocolate cake ever? Sierra is so beautiful! Love this post. :) trina

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happy Birthday Sierra! Love the smile!!! I can tell how joy-filled she is now that she is home with her family!

    BTW, when is she coming for a day of school? ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Happy Birthday, Sierra! Look how she has bloomed and grown in confidence and joy!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a transformation! It's amazing what the love of a family can do. She grows more beautiful each year.

    Happy birthday, Sierra! You certainly are a blessing to your family.

    Much Love,
    Kathie

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sierra, Hope you had a WONDERFUL Birthday!!! Love Stephe & G

    ReplyDelete