Sisters

The girls were delighted to find matching bathing suits.

There has been a lot of growth in these two sisters over the last few months.

I can't imagine life without them.

They have taught me more about myself than I ever knew.

They have blessed us beyond imagination.

From very hard times and tantrums to true love and real tears,

it's all worth it.

Every bit.

I don't mind telling you...

I seem to be paralyzed.

Adoption wise.

Everyone I know who is traveling in the next two months seems to have piles of stuff in their bedrooms, clothes bought, gifts ordered, suitcases out,

and all I got is this:
Yep. A bathing suit. Don't ask me why.

No bed. No clothes. No anything.

Maybe I'm in denial?

In about five or six weeks, we are having a boy.

Not much to deny there.

We signed.
Guess what else?

I do NOT have the gift of hospitality.

And I have to buy FIVE gifts for wonderful people in China whom I've never met.

That is intimidating.

Ruby gave me some great ideas but I still haven't done anything about it.

Then there is the travel procedure which I don't really understand.
Where we go in each city for the fun stuff, who has to plan that, when, where, what,

et cetera, et cetera, et cetera (Hearing Yule Brenner here).

We did decide to go to Beijing before picking up Joshua.

That's a relief.

Bob wants to go see The Great Wall.

The Great Wall we shall see.

He is so right.

Oh, then there are the plans we need, to take care of those left behind.
But that's another blog post.

I DO have empty space ready and waiting.
We haven't got the bed yet because...

the little boys will jump on it.

And one will fall off and bump his head.

Then mama called the doctor

and the doctor said.......

See?

I'm a wreck.

VBS and School to Career

While everyone else was playing with the panda bears at VBS Pandamania....
and singing on the worship team....
and hanging with girlfriends....
lots of girlfriends....

Erika and her friend Sophie were hard at work learning all about a career in the health care field. They attended an excellent day camp held at the local hospital that introduced them to all aspects of healthcare. They performed and learned about lots of tests, got blood typed, CPR and first aid training, got a cast put on, visited local doctors and outdoor rescue center and there was much more.
She has a certificate. Way to go, Erika.
Erika and Sophie in their hospital garb.They are super cute together and good support for each other.
Announcing: Future OB Nurses of America. So they say.
Erika went on to complete the American Red Cross Babysitting course in a nearby city the following week. Her first words to me when she graduated were, "Mom, now I can earn money for college." That girl is going places! So proud.

I'm A Believer

I believe in early intervention.

Because it really works.

Both my boys and our girl, who had less than ideal birth circumstances, benefited from a little extra guidance and support during their first three years.

On the third birthday, they either graduate or move into the school system.

I am happy to say that last week Micah graduated.

Thank you, Emily.You showed my kids how to learn and you helped me
see potential when I worried about the future.

Friends Forever?

Something I did not expect were the friendships and support I would find from fellow adoptive families. I have been amazed at the willingness of others to answer my questions, no matter how dumb, or have incredible patience when I asked the same question more than once. You know who you are.

I don't why this surprised me. I have appreciated the blog world immensely for providing insight into other families that look a bit like mine in one way or another. It helps to not feel alone because in the words of Sonia, "Adoption is not for wimps."

Thanks to a Yahoo group for the particular orphanage that Joshua is in, I already knew who these kids were in the picture that Andrea sent when she delivered our package. I have virtually met the adoptive moms and their families through their blogs.

All 3 of these precious children have life threatening heart disease. None of us knows what the future holds, only that these babes need their families AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Joshua, Joshua, and Elisyn

Elisyn will meet her new family in a few short weeks. Hopefully, our Joshua will be in our arms by the beginning of September and Sonia's Joshua will become an American soon after if all goes well.

Did you know that these two boys are best friends?

Jean not only continues to adopt from China (her family is amazing) but advocates for many older special needs children. She had both boys highlighted on the side of her blog where their families found them.

They will both be named Joshua and we hope to maintain a connection after we are all stateside.

How cool is that?
Peace little ones.

Each night I pray that your hearts will be healed both emotionally and physically as we prepare to bring you home where you belong.

Orphan No More

(Fixed the link, sorry)

When I saw Sonia's post I caught my breath.

Because you see, I have the same picture

of our own son in the big yellow egg.
Just like Sonia talks about in this post,

I can't wait to see the "after" pictures.

Orphan no more!

God places the lonely in families;
he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.
Psalm 68:6

Awesome Threesome

Our girl came for her weekend this month.

We are so blessed to have this time together.

I will give those deep dark pools whatever they want!
And now for tonight's entertainment!
Oh, no! He wouldn't.Yes he did.And she loves it.The awesome threesome.Trying out the unicorn style.
Beautiful.Surprise. Cracks me up every time.Erika took these bathing beauty pics and I love this one.
Grin, Micah, grin!He did it!When you are trying to unload your groceries and you have 3 little people, sometimes it is necessary to contain them in one place.Everyone was either working or at VBS this week.
I was blessed to have special time with my littles each morning.

China Pictures

I woke up hoping for pictures of our boy.

I was not disappointed.
Many heartfelt thanks to Andrea for delivering our package with love and taking pictures so that those of us at home can be connected to our kids who are waiting.

I am praying for Andrea and her daughter and her new son as they navigate China and prepare to bring him home. He is also a heart baby and it amazes me how we have bonded with people who are facing similar journeys. Andrea visited 3 children at Joshua's orphanage who all have extremely serious heart issues and she understands how precious the updates are when your child is so critically ill.

She reported that Joshua is sweet, adorable, bright, active, and happy. I love all those wonderful adjectives. He looks genuinely happy and excited to get the presents that we sent.
Andrea was even able to talk to the head ayi and the orphanage doctor for a bit more information on the heart kids.

Hoping our Article 5 is picked up this week.

It is really happening.

I am pinching myself.

We are adopting a boy from China.

I am making a list of the lists I need to make.

Actually I am spinning my wheels.

I am about to go with "as long as I have my passport and toothbrush I'll be good" mentality.

Andrea did confirm that Joshua is probably pretty close to size 5 clothes. I may get him a few size 4 bottoms just in case. Now I can start getting him some clothes and we can think about setting up the bed soon. He will only come with the clothes on his back. This is new ground for me as most of my other kids came with the ubiquitous black garbage bag of stuff. He will have NOTHING except a few pictures of him through the years.

Heart breaking.

For all my kids.

Not having anything tangible to document their past.

A hard journey.

Gone Again

She is gone again.

The big sister.

Off to cow camp.

Remember when we visited here a few weeks ago?
A job offer was tossed out and she grabbed it.

The cows were calling her name.

Which meant another farewell.

Good-bye sweet girl.
Good-bye little bro.
Good-bye little man.
Those stunning eyes say, "I WILL miss my people."Micah hung on.
Don't be sad sweet boy. It's for the cows.Love you buddy.Bye little sister.
It's ok, Cora. I will come back.
Give me a big sister squeeze.
Bye, Dad. I love you.The youngest middlest child is in severe trauma that
his older people are leaving him behind a lot these days..
Ready to roll.
Going, going,.....Gone.
I got two hugs.

Say hello to the cows for me.

Stay safe and be blessed.