Pics With Big Brother

I took advantage of some nice weather and snapped some pics of Josiah with the littles. 

They love their big brother and think he's the coolest person on the planet (besides Baba, of course)!

These two are quite comical together. I really need to get a picture of them when they are "discussing" something. Lily will tell him off with her hands on her hips as if she were his teacher. Then he actually falls for it and the two of them stand there telling each other off. It's hilarious and something I NEVER imagined when I dreamed of adoption...that my towering teenager would engage in a debate multiple times a day with a Type A personality toddler/drill sergeant. Of course, he has a smirk on his face the whole time, so I know this is his personal form of entertainment. :)

I CANNOT believe I got this next series of pictures. Notice the action going on: Lily is playing with the branch, then lets go. It hit Josiah in the face (more like his hair) and they have a good laugh over it. I was impressed I actually got all the action of it!!

Oh gosh I love these two!!

A Bit Of Good News

I just found out that the papers that the Embassy rejected last week were finally accepted and will suffice. 

I was kind of worried for a bit because there was a worst-case scenario in place in case they were rejected again...I'd have to re-do the entire document...from scratch.

So I should be DTC (dossier to China) by next week!!

In the meantime, Lily tried her hand (both hands) at baseball.

Because one glove just won't do:

 I love this pic!!

 Crazy smile :)

So sweet.

In other adoption news, I am currently beginning advocating for children from China that are available for adoption. I will do a separate post for these children as I receive their updates. I'm very excited about where the Lord is leading me right now. I know that a time will come when I am done adopting, and for some people, that's it, they're done and they move on with their lives without looking back. But I've been changed. My heart has been changed. And if I don't continue to make a difference to the ones left behind, then shame on me. 

That is why I chose "Is There Not A Cause?" for the title of my blog in the first place. Because when I look at Johnny and Lily I don't just see the children standing before me...I also see a nation.

I didn't choose to adopt because I couldn't have children. I didn't choose China because it was the best "whatever" for adoption. Not to diminish why others chose China...cheapest program, most dependable, etc. But that wasn't me.

And actually, that's a post for another day...but for today,

I will continue to bring awareness to the cause of the orphan...to the ones left behind.

Johnny's Concert

This week Johnny had a concert at school. Let's just say it was a real eye-opener for hubby and I!! 

Johnny didn't sing...refused to dance. Instead he put his head in his shirt, almost took his shirt off once, put his arms in his shirt, made faces, spaced off, rolled his eyes, and finally sat down...when he was supposed to be standing.

Did I get upset? Did I freak out and think, "Why is my son the only one not participating??" No, I actually didn't. I sighed, then laughed...I looked over at my husband and his head was in his hands...but he was smirking at the same time. And I knew he was thinking what I was thinking...I wouldn't have him any other way. Johnny dances to the beat of his own drum. He is somehow the happiest child I know... he is just a bucket of fun! And it amazes me because I know some of his past. I know people who have traumatic pasts like his and they are not walking around with a smile 24/7. 

I remembered the movie "Parenthood" where Steve Martin's character is freaking out at his child's school program...and I decided to be the parent who rolls with it rather than the one losing his mind!

We got to visit Johnny's classroom afterward so he could show us the projects he's been working on.

Yes, Lily's smile is as fake as they come. :)

See, look at that smile!!

Such a sweet little boy.

I am definitely framing this pic...it's one of my favorites.

I'm already starting to wonder what his new brother will be like. I have four children and although they are all well-behaved, not one of them has been calm! I have a feeling the next two won't be either. ;)

Incompetence

That is the only word to describe it. 

There are so many hurdles in the adoption world that the general public has NO idea...not a clue what we adoptive parents go through.

But what do you do when you seriously wonder if the person behind the counter is either completely incompetent or they have something personal against you?

I received a phone call from my agency with bad news. The Chinese Embassy rejected two of my forms...because the notary stamped her name, but did not sign it...she had her co-worker sign.

But that wasn't the first mistake she made. Back when she signed the form in February she wrote two different dates wrong on her notary stamp.

This is the 4th time I've had to deal with this same woman...over JUST notarizing two documents.  And today when I took the form in for her to fix it, she gave me grief...until I told her this was for an adoption and the Chinese Embassy in Chicago rejected it because she didn't do her job.

Then she apologized...and FINALLY did her job.

Is it really that hard to stamp something, date it, and sign your name? Monkeys could do it...why can't she?

I was so mad I had steam coming out of my ears. And then I remembered...Greater is He that lives in me than he that is in the world. I calmed myself down and prayed for her...did the thought run through my mind...God smite her? Maybe...but I forgave her instead. I don't know how much time this has cost me. This happened with our last adoption...and it was with the doctor...apparently someone who has gone through 10+ years of college doesn't know the difference between circling "yes" and circling "no." 

Ugh!

I was supposed to be DTC this week. 

Then I was told because there are so many people in the system right now for China adoptions, that the Embassy is behind, and with Memorial Day, they will be even more behind. 

I know, I know...patience.

My Little Graduate

Graduating from High School? College? 

No...Pre-school, of course!!

If my hubby were writing this blog, he would talk about how crazy it is that there's graduations for every grade now and it's just the world's way of keeping us busier. Of course, he's right, but who cares? We're Moms!!!! We LIVE for this stuff!! And of course, he was there and loved every minute of it!

Lily reciting the Pledge of Allegiance...so many thoughts were going through my head during this. Where she was 1 1/2 years ago, and where she's at today. Nothing short of amazing! 

I love the belly hanging out, lol.

All dressed to receive her "diploma."

 This cracks me up...Lily was the only one too short to climb up on the podium and needed help, ha ha.

 So proud!!

Daddy's girl!

I can't believe that little peanut is going to be in kindergarten in the fall!!

More Fun In The Sun

I haven't received word from my agency concerning my dossier, whether it's still at the Chinese Embassy in Chicago or elsewhere. 

So in the meantime, when the weather is nice, we try to enjoy it. We've had an incredibly crazy amount of rain...but today, there was some SUN!!!

I absolutely looooove this picture of Lily. I love the sun on her face and the rich color behind her.  I will probably be framing this one...after I edit out her band-aids on her arm...poor girl had her kindergarden vaccinations today. :(

Lily stopping to smell the flowers. What a sweetie!!

 Brianna and Lily Anna going over their water balloon battle plans.

Brianna is ruthless. I had my camera so I told her not to hit the camera...she aimed for my pants and right after I took this shot, the balloon burst and went all. over. me. Just to show you my kids aren't afraid of me one bit...she ran off laughing.

This is one of the most precious pictures I've ever taken...and my camera failed me...I am POSITIVE I had it focused in on Josiah and Lily...but instead I have crisp trees and blurred kiddos. Ugh. I wanted to chuck my camera after I saw this. This is one of my main photography frustrations...something looks clear in my camera play-back window, but on the computer blown up...yep, out of focus. Oh well, I'll get it right next time.

Lol...ummm, don't count his ribs, k? I swear I AM feeding this boy and no he does not have a tapeworm, tee hee!!!! 

This picture of Johnny makes me want ten more boys from China!!

I'm patting myself on the back for this photo...perfect action shot...and if you look closely at the water, you can see the balloon bits floating in it. 

They were in the bucket when Brianna filled it up.

What a trooper!! That was a whole lot of water on that little body!!

Prayerfully I'll have some news this week concerning my dossier! I'm getting anxious and I've got China on my brain. I've been waking up in the middle of the night again praying for my new littles, so I know I'm getting close!

Happy 7th Birthday, Johnny!!!

Friday was Johnny's 7th birthday, and wow, was that boy excited!!!! He has talked about it non-stop for a month...so much so, that I was even counting down the days just so I didn't have to hear about it ALL.  DAY.  LONG!!

 Just kidding...sort of.

He brought cupcakes to school and we went to a Chinese restaurant for supper. Then, of course, home for cake and presents.

Are we ready yet??

Johnny has the most contagious smile!!

Getting ready for cake.

Lol. He does this every time Happy Birthday is sung. Probably because Baba is horribly off key! :)

Manners are not in Lily Anna's vocabulary.

Unhinging her jaw to shove in the cake...

Yep, no manners. 

Johnny had a great birthday. Brianna and the littles camped out on the living room floor for the night. Johnny thought that was the coolest thing ever.

Happy 7th Birthday, Johnny Le Hai!

That Ain't Right

What's wrong with this picture?

Brianna sometimes doesn't know her age...or doesn't care.  She's my wild child and I love her to pieces! This is why she gets along so well with a 7 and 5 year old...she forgets her age and turns into a toddler!

You go girl! Lol. :)

Sisters

When I pondered adoption so many years ago, this is exactly what I imagined.

Although I pictured them both clothed. :)

I wonder if the next two will keep their clothes on?

Probably not. :)