Bathtime Conversation

Canaan is slowly learning about his sister!
And yes, our bath water is blue! We are all about the bath colors in our house! :)

Welcome to the World Palmer!

Two days ago, I was blessed to witness the birth of my nephew Palmer. It was such an amazing experience watching my baby sister become a Mom! And of course the day brought back so many wonderful memories of the days when Canaan and Ezra were born. It also had me thinking a lot about the moment of our little girl's birth. I've prayed so much for her biological family thinking of that moment. I know the bond that occurs at birth and I can't image going through what our daughter's mother will go through (or more likely, has already gone through) in giving her away. Adoption involves so much heartbreak and so much joy all wrapped together.

Surprise!

This weekend my parents came to visit and we were so excited to finally have a chance to tell them in person that we're adopting! I made a little Chinese takeout box and red fortune cookie with a fortune inside that read, "Right now... Somewhere in China... is your 5th grandbaby! (and it's a girl!)"

Falling in Love a Hundred Times

It's amazing how quickly the kids on the online photolistings can capture your heart so quickly. We have set these ideas of what we can handle, but it's amazing how those things don't seem to matter when you see the face of a little one who desperately needs a family. I have a feeling that our idea about the age of our next child will be the first thing to go out the window! Especially when you hear about a 3 year old child who was considered too old by many, and then spent the next 10 years waiting because of it (and is still waiting)....

I sent out a request this morning to learn more about a little girl whose information was on a photolisting (no picture). She's a little older then what we've been considering and she sounds so sweet (her caretakers describe her as sweet, funny and loving music and dancing).

UPDATE: Seems like this little one I enquired about is not available currently for my agency. Hopefully she will quickly find a family, but if not we could request that her file be sent over.

Who knew...

FBI fingerprinting would come with a treat?! A sucker to keep Canaan happy while he waits on us. Not 10 hours later we already got our results (approved). :)

Her shirt...

Washing one of our little girl's shirts today along with heeps of little boy clothes. :)

So Encouraging

I saw read this today from our agency's blog regarding adoptions in China:  

"News travels fast. And in today’s 24-hour news cycle, newspapers seem to publish a constant and steady stream of articles on the growing decline in international adoption. While one country closes their adoption program, another places tougher requirements on families hoping to adopt. 

As a family considering adoption, don’t lose heart. 

One fact remains: our world is home to a staggering number of orphaned and abandoned children. And every day, Holt continues to find loving families for children who need them. 

In fact, we’re going to let you in on a little secret: Holt International’s China program works with far more children than we have families to match them with! 

In China, a great many children with treatable or manageable conditions are waiting to find loving, adoptive families. Through strong relationships with the Chinese government and social welfare institutes, Holt is able to match many of these children with families in a relatively short timeframe. The process is smooth and reliable, and once you apply to adopt a child with an identified special medical or developmental condition, or an older child, your child can be home in 12-18 months!"