Update On Fu Chao And His Birthday!!

I asked our agency for an update on Fu Chao's weight, height, etc and I received pictures as well!!

Beyond adorable!

And guess what? Today's his birthday!!!

He is 8 years old...but guess what his measurements say? He's the size of a 5 year old!!!

I measured Lily and he is her exact height. Oh my. 

I'm going to have to see this for myself because he doesn't look that tiny to me!

With international adoption a child is usually one year smaller than their bio age, so I was expecting that. I really thought him and Johnny would be the same height...not by a long shot. 

Thank God I kept some of Johnny's old clothes! So this will be Johnny's big brother? His big little brother? Ha!

I have always been kind of suspicious of Fu Chao's age because he was found as a toddler and they guesstimated his age to be 3 1/2 at the age of his abandonment. I'm glad I'm adopting him in the winter, as I will keep him out of public school until next fall, that way I can evaluate where he is at growth-wise by then. If I am still questioning his age by then, I will discuss which grade level he should be in. This is new territory for me!

Fu Chao had his birthday last night in China, and we sent him a cake, so prayerfully I will receive more pictures of him this week!

And maybe that little Travel Approval will show up as well!

Last Update On Lulu!!!

Merry Christmas to ME!!!!

I'm amazed at the little things God does in my life...just to see me smile. Last night at 9:00 pm (yes, at night) I received an email from my agency with an update on Lulu. The email must have just come in because she forwarded it to me right before she was going to be gone for a two week vacation.

Lulu is tiny!!! Her measurements show that she is about the size of a 3 year old...and she just turned 5! Lily was little, but ummm....round. Tee hee.

So here is Miss Lulu, one last time before I see this little sprout face to face:

Umm...is that Mountain Dew in that cup?? I'm hoping it's pineapple juice or something, or my little one will be going through caffeine with-drawl!! This pic kind of cracks me up...either her eyes are slightly shut when they took the pic or she's sick of having her picture taken, because that's the exact look Johnny gives me when I pull out the camera.

I love her little smile!!

Johnny asked me why her closet was outside. I still haven't quit laughing about that one.

My little girl...love that smirk!

Now that I know my agency worker will be gone for two weeks, I'm wondering if I will receive Fu Chao's update until she gets back. Right now I'm just wondering about that Travel Approval. If it gets here this week it could be a total game changer and I would leave in January. 

Wow!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Travel Approval Has Been Issued!

I found out today that my Travel Approval was issued last week!!!

BUT...that really means nothing. Ha! It could be here by the end of this week, or the week after, or the week after. Honestly though, most people receive it about a week after it shows up in the system, so I'm still hopeful for this Thursday or Friday!!!

Consulate appointments are filling up for January, so it really is coming down to the wire to see if we can even make Jan travel. Honestly, in my heart of hearts, it doesn't matter to me. I know that God has a designated time for my life to intersect with Fu Chao's and Lulu's lives, so when providence is at work...well, who am I to mess with that?

This has been a wonderful adoption journey and I cannot describe the peace that has accompanied it. 

Have a blessed holiday everyone!

Merry Christmas!!

So Precious!

When you see your children begin to engage with the things of God, it melts your heart. 

If you are someone who has pondered adopting an older child, here is proof that they have tender hearts, open to the Gospel, regardless of you being the missing equation from their early years. 

Lily Anna was 4 at the time of adoption. Johnny was 5 1/2. 

They have been grafted in, not only into our family, but into the kingdom of God as well!

Officially In My TA Wait!!

Sorry, no pics to post, but just wanted to quick post that I am officially waiting on my Travel Approval!!! I just looked up my stats from my adoption with Johnny and Lily and my TA wait was 3 weeks and I traveled 2 1/2 weeks after that. If I follow the same timeline, it will definitely push me into February travel, due to Chinese New Year...just like last time. :)

Johnny Asked Jesus Into His Heart!!

Sunday was a very special day in our house...my little man gave his heart to Jesus! 

Johnny has been my personal mission field for some time now. Lily asked Jesus into her heart on Father's Day and it was one of the most precious things I've seen. She said, "I want to wo ai ni Jesus." Which means I want to love Jesus. 

That night we asked both Johnny and Lily if they wanted to make Jesus their Lord and Savior...but only one was ready. Johnny had no desire. He was a total skeptic. I would read the Bible and to him it was just a story...he just didn't get it, nor did he want to. I had never been in this position before...believing for your own child to open their heart to God...when they had NEVER heard the gospel in their life, never heard the name Jesus, nothing. This is something we just do not have to deal with in America. 

If you think America has turned atheistic, go to a foreign land where He is not welcome and His name is not spoken. Then you will realize we Americans have no excuse. 

Something changed in Johnny's heart when he found out that Fu Chao was the little boy sitting next to him at his party in the orphanage. I told Johnny that God did that and for some reason, it clicked with him. He got it. Because there was NO other explanation for how that happened. It was the thing that clicked with him...when he realized that God put them together even back then. That he was seated RIGHT NEXT TO HIS FUTURE BROTHER!! 

So Sunday night, he said the prayer of salvation and this little boy has been completely different! It's like a light bulb has switched on inside him...well, because it has!

I knew amazing things were going to come from that picture of the two of them together. Johnny and Fu Chao's story has already been around Facebook and people have shared it in their churches, as well as in our local newspaper, but of all the things that have happened, this is the one that amazes me the most...that this would be the one thing that would open my son's heart to God. 

 Did God put them together as a sign to them years later? To show them that He was with them even then? Yes, absolutely, because I believe in His providence. 

I am excited for the day when Fu Chao "gets it" as well, and recognizes what God did even before they knew His name!

Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Vs. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Vs. 13 For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Lulu's 5th Birthday Pics!!!

I received these last week, but waited on posting them because I was in shock-mode at these photos. I immediately thought -where are the children??? She is surrounded by teenagers and to be honest I went into panic mode. Her birthday was over the weekend so I finally figured out that all the children who were in foster care probably were home for the weekend, but that kind of bummed me out even more...why is she still in the orphanage and not in foster care like the other little ones?? I wanted to reach through the screen and just get her out of there!!!

The video I received about a month ago was of Lulu in school and she was having fun and happy. In these pics she's surrounded by people 3 times her age and she's still happy and having fun. So you know what? I'm ok with this. If she can roll with it, so can I!

So here's my pint-sized Lulu!!

The little boy next to her was in some pictures I have of her from a previous update. I hope he's going to be ok when she leaves, because it's obvious from these pics and the ones before that they are close!

Ok, I can't help but look at the girl in the pink jacket and wonder...is she available for adoption? Look at her face! She looks sad. I keep saying we're done adopting, and then I see a face and I'm DONE FOR!!!!

So this must be the face she makes when she doesn't approve of something? I'll keep that in mind for a later date! Perhaps that baby is getting on her nerves or something...or perhaps she doesn't like cake?? Ha ha.

Look at her and her little friend sharing a laugh!

Last week I realized that both my little girls are currently 5 and both my boys are currently 7. By the time January rolls around they will be ages 5, 6, 7, and 8!

I'm going to be one busy Mama!!

Happy 5th Birthday Lulu!!!

Decorating The Christmas Tree

I live for these moments! I turn on Christmas music, make hot chocolate, and totally give myself over to my sentimental side!

Lily Anna's 2nd Christmas!

Johnny and Lily Anna with Baba.

Johnny's 2nd Christmas as well!

A little blurry, but I LOVE his smile!!

Brianna and Lily Anna

Beautiful Brianna!

Josiah with our Boston Terrier. :)

None of these are edited...maybe I'll do that when I have time...yeah, right!!