Jubilee Turns 8 – With Her Forever Family

Linny Saunders48 Comments
Last week our newest princess had her first birthday with her forever family..
We felt it was easier to just have a very simple celebration….
after all who understands when they’ve
only been in America for 3 days that you
have to stay in bed to eat breakfast??
That could be called torture if you don’t understand it…
So we opted to go out to dinner

wearing our Chinese outfits….Imagine the fun when we saw our friend’s exchange student…
Maybe he would be willing to ask Jubilee what she thought of her family?
It was pretty hysterical…..we asked Harry if he would be willing to do a little interpreting for us?? “Sure!” he said.
Dw said, “Please ask Jubilee what she thinks of her family?”
Harry crouched down and said, “Jubilee! What do you think of your family?”
We all burst out laughing. Harry, dude! We could have said that!!
He hit his head with his palm and laughed…how ’bout asking her in Chinese?
He did finally ask her in Mandarin and she said, “Super!” Later we had cake, ice cream, & presents at home…A bit subdued compared to our normal Birthday bashes, but overall
a good time was had by all….and the birthday girl is officially EIGHT..
and next year she’ll be ready for a full-fledged blast!

48 thoughts on “Jubilee Turns 8 – With Her Forever Family”

  2. It's totally okay and understandable that you had a simple day for her birthday. After all, she already got the best present ever – rescued from a lonely life in China to be taken home to her forever family! What better birthday present is there?

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  4. Happy Birthday, sweet Jubilee, and in time to celebrate with your family! Too funny about Harry. We had the same thing happen to us in Thailand. We asked the waiter to ask Amarin what he wanted to eat. So he did…in English! We all laughed, and then he tried again in Thai. He must have thought we were very demanding that we couldn't even ask our own child what he wanted to eat!

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  6. Happy Birthday sweet Jubilee Promise!

    I've been (mostly lurking) reading your blog for a while now and am so thrilled to see your beautful promise fulfilled! Also, when you get a minute, would you write about where each of your childrens' names came from? They all hav such lovely, unique names and I know at least some of them have a special meaning or reason. I'd love hear them – and bet others would too! 🙂

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  11. I am so happy that this year has began with so many great celebrations! We'll have to have tea soon and let Jubilee have her first play-date with Lib and Ash – of course I know little Miss E will come, too!

    Congrats, mom and dad!

    Love you guys!

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  14. Happy Birthday Jubilee and Elizabeth! How fun! The girls love dressing up as princesses here, too! Too bad we are not closer – we could really have a party with 3 four year old princesses!

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  16. Oh Jubilee! Happy birthday!
    You are a much desired, much prayed for and very beautiful girl!
    May the Lord continue to work in your heart as you understand the gift of family!
    love,
    Holly

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  17. Wow, there's a lot of celebration going on in your house! 🙂

    Happy, Happy 8th Birthday, Miss Jubilee! Oh, how it delights my heart to know that you were home and with your family for your special day, and what a treasure for them to know that you think your family is "super!" 🙂 God bless you dear child and may always know the love of your God and your family!

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  20. Ahhhh!!! Happy, Happy Birthday to miss beautiful, prayed for and adored little Jubilee Promise!

    Also, on another note … was looking at your blog the other day and our little Emma was looking over my shoulder. She was asking about each of your children and then stopped and looked at your Emma for a long time. She told me how pretty she thought she was and then smiled a huge smile when I told her they shared the same name. Then she said "I wish my face was white like that". Ohhh Linny, just broke my heart. We're always telling her how beautiful she is, and she seems to just be brimming w/ confidence. It absolutely broke my heart! But of course she just couldn't have picked a better role model than your Emma!

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  21. I love both of you last two posts….and I love the look Jubilee gives you when she is gazing into your face.

    And, yes, we will consider bringing home one more…

    We have an appointment with DFCS here in GA tomorrow, to talk about foster care adoption. Please, please pray dear sister!!!

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  22. Happy Birthday Princess Jubilee!!! So thankful that you are home with your family where you belong for your birthday – finally! Can't wait to see how much you grow this year!

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  27. Happy Birthday Jubilee!
    You have a "super" family who loves you very much! You are blessed… and they are blessed to have you too!
    Have a wonderful new year!

    Blessings,
    Alycia and family

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  34. Linny, I just now had a chance to look at all the new pictures. They are so great. That Emma is so beautiful and Graham…so handsome. All your children are just precious.
    So happy little Jubilee had her 8th birthday party with her forever family!! She looks so happy. 🙂

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  35. Oh Linn – she looks so happy and so at home already! I've been praying that you all (The Saunders clan) are a fulfillment of a *promise* that she held in her heart from our Father (because we know she sure was to you!). I can't wait to meet her!
    Love, C

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  36. So glad you knew to not overwhelm her with only being home such a short time. This is something only an adoptive momma of an older child would ever get!!!

    The miracle is that she is home in a loving family for her 8th birthday and her 9th can be a blow out!!!

    Loving you!

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  37. It is so encouraging to watch Jubilees story unfold in her forever family. We are adopting a set of siblings where the oldest could be 5 before we get them home. There are so many things that my mind could race to if I let it in adopting older children. Your blog is a breath of fresh air and encouragement to me as we seek to bring our children home!

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  42. love it! and how wonderful that you were able to find out what she thinks of you guys! (although i think it's obvious from her adorable glee-filled face!)
    happy late birthday, jubilee!

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  43. what a GIFT that he was there to translate!! i love it. what a special day for her!

    we're waiting to celebrate clay's 1st birthday with his "twin" in a couple of weeks. even though he turned 1 in the orphanage, we thought we'd give him a couple months to adjust here & celebrate!

    and i just noticed some of your updated pictures. all your treasures are beautiful!! =)

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  45. Happy Belated birthday sweet Jubilee. Last year we arrived home on Sierra's birthday. We spent most of the day in an airplane. So this year on Jan. 23rd will be her really first birthday!!!!

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  47. Oh my goodness, what a treat! Happy Belated Birthdays to your two youngest precious princesses, Jubilee and Elizabeth!!!

    Love and Prayers… May their new years to be blessed beyond measure!

    Reply

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