Somebody had a Birthday..

Well, it was actually yesterday... January 6th that Esther turned the Big "4." For the first time, we officially have a four year old AND a three year old!! And boy is Esther proud to be four and not "three." =)
Esther has been looking forward to her birthday since after Christmas. Since I've gotten home she has asked every day when her birthday wil be and she was so excited to wake up yesterday and find out that it was today!! (Well.. really yesterday!) She told everyone, "It's my Happy Birthday!"
To celebrate her special day, we started off with a gymnastics class at My Gym. Esther had a blast and loved jumping in the balls pitt and climbing all over the place! Mom & Dad were getting their fingerprints done for Asher's adoption, so I was Mrs. Mom for the day.. taking kids to Gym & Karate. (Fortunately, the two are right next door to each other!!) After Gym class, we waited for Kayla & Ian to finish Karate and then went to lunch at a burger place where we had only the best food known to a newly turned four year old (and her three year old sister).. FRENCH FRIES!! We ended up bringing home enough french fries to feed our family for a week!!
After lunch, we came home and as the girls took a nap, I unloaded Esther's birthday present.. one very LARGE Barbie Jeep! It took quite awhile to put together. You'd think that for all you pay for that thing, there would actually be more to it then just the frame and wheels?? Oh well.. at least I know how to put one of those together now!! Esther's party theme was none other than "Dora the Explorer" so we had Dora cups, dishes, ballroons, table cloths, wrapping paper..... prety much everything Dora!!! Shortly after, our guests started to arrive and it was party time!! We only had a few close friends over and just ordered pizza, opened presents and ate cake.. oh wait, Dora cake!!
Esther was so funny opening all of her presents up! She loved ripping the paper and squealed with delight at all of her new toys! She is now the proud owner of more Dora clothes (for her dress-up Dora doll), new books, stickers, dress-up clothing, a new purse and Dora nightgown! (And her new Barbie Jeep!!) For those of you who know Esther, you know how Dora crazy she is!!! As much as I despise that annoying cartoon, she does keep the girls entertained and has taught Esther a lot! A few months ago we were outside during the evening and Esther pointed at something in the sky and said "La Nuna." At first, I had no idea what she was saying, but Elena pointed out she was pointing to the moon, which is "La Nuna" in Spanish! She can also count pretty well in Spanish, too!
When it came time to sing Happy Birthday, Esther joined right in and started singing Happy Birthday to herself! It was so funny to hear. I wish I could have gotten that on video, but I was too busy taking pictures!!
Esther's middle name is Joy, and that's what she brings to our family- JOY. You'd never know she was once a little girl born halfway around the world with a facial deformity, who underwent two different surgeries and was then brought to live in an entire new world with complete strangers. She's such a sweet, joyful little girl and has the biggest, most beautiful smile!!
It's on the girls' birthdays when I really think about their birth parents and their gift(s) of love. We don't know for sure Esther & Emma's birth dates, it's only an estimate. It was someday around this time four years ago that Esther was born and then abandoned by her parents. I like to think that she was lovingly placed on the side of a road because her parent's couldn't care for her because of the cleft lip. It was by God's grace that she was given to our family. I think about her birth parents and wonder if they realize how much joy she has brought to our family. I am so grateful for their sacrifice. Their greatest loss is our greatest joy.
Esther's now four years old and it's so amazing to think she has only been in our lives for almost ten months now!! I remember last year when she turned three while in China and we couldn't be there with her. We are so glad that she was able to celebrate her first birthday with her family and friends. Even though we missed her first three birthdays, this year was just as special and we look forward to all the birthdays we will get to celebrate with her in the future!!

Happy Birthday Esther Joy.