Happy Birthday, Issac!!!

Well, it's official. We have a teenager and he has his dancing shoes on again. The boy's basketball team is sponsoring a Sadie Hawkin's Dance tonight and he's there cuttin' a rug or standing on the boy's side of the commons area (I'm not sure which one, but I would guess the first). He turned 13 at 8:27 pm last night while we were at the high school boy's region finals, so we will be celebrating his birthday on Sunday. He and a few of his friends and family are going to a sport's grill/game room. That is what Issac wanted to do, and he is pretty excited about it.

It's hard to believe how fast the time has gone by. It seems it has just been a few days since I made the picture of him playing his guitar. Look at that sweet little face. We love this little boy/young man like only a mother and father can understand. We thank God every day we have been given such a perfect gift and we are SO BLESSED!!!!!!!

When I originally started this blog, we had hoped we would be travelling to China during this month to bring a very special little girl to our home. But our direction has changed. Now we are praying for the PreApproval of another family to bring home the same very special little girl. She deserves to be in a home with a family, and hopefully, she will have a large family with lots of people to love her.

These past six months have been a roller coaster ride, extreme highs followed by extreme lows. God has been with us and given us the strength and courage to face the issues involved with this disappointment. It has not been easy! But I know, I will not have to face more than He will give me the strength to endure. Please continue to pray for Salem's safety and health until she is home, and pray for us as we continue to do as we are led.

Valentine's Day

Well, I was right. Issac gave me the rolling eyes, "my mom's crazy" look when I started reminiscing about the day we found out we had been chosen to be his parents. Little did I know 13 years ago that on this Valentine's night he would be getting ready to go to a Jr. High dance. He is my little Travolta!! We had a great day and hope everyone enjoyed spending time with their special loved ones.

We are still waiting to hear from Salem's family on their PreApproval. It should be anyday now.

News from Salem

Since my last post, the weather in China did let up for a few days and hopefully things will continue to improve. We received news through a phone call to the SWI that she is well and walking. They are keeping them layered and warm. This was good news to hear. We had assumed she was walking because of the pictures we had seen, but the workers at the orphanage confirmed it. Thank you to anyone reading the blog that made a donation to the Half The Sky program.

Thirteen years ago this week, on Valentine's Day, we were contacted by our adoption agency and they gave us the official word that we had been picked by a birthmother. Valentine's Day is a very special day because of this. When we received that news, our lives changed forever. We are so thankful we were given the opportunity to experience the birth and life of a perfect little boy. Issac will be turning 13 in just a few weeks and I cannot believe how fast the years have passed. We will have a teenager in just a matter of days and he is turning into a wonderful young man. On Valentines' Day, I'm sure I will tell him his story of how we received the news that we had been picked. When he was small, he loved his story, then he just thought I was kinda corny. I'm anxious to hear his reaction this year. I love to make him roll his eyes and give me that look like "my mom's crazy." haha It's amazing how much joy comes in making our children think we've lost our minds.

Hugs, love and kisses to everyone on Valentine's Day!!

The Weather in China

I'm sure many of you have seen the crazy weather that China has been experiencing these past 2-3 weeks. There are so many orphanages that are being affected. I have received information from an organization, Half the Sky, that works with several of the orphanages to make sure they have the needed supplies on a regular basis. This organization has helped the Qingyuan SWI, Salem's orphanage, with so many things in the past.

A lady from Half the Sky has been in touch with most of the orphanages and received requests for things such as space heaters, coal, blankets, etc. Some of the nannies have purchased from their own monies and Half the Sky has committed to them they will receive reimbursment for any supplies they purchase during this crisis. Salem's orphanage has requested space heaters and jackets. They have not been affected with snow, but much colder weather than normal and very wet. All the children have colds and they are trying to keep them warm. Please pray for her health. Since I received this information, it has weighed heavy on my mind. Think how you would feel if you received word that a child you love dearly was half way around the world, sick, and there is no one there to just pick her up and hold her and make things all better.

Please pray for her and another little girl, Eliana, the soon-to-be-daughter of a friend of mine in VA. They are in this orphanage and need your prayers.

Here is the link if you want to donate or know more:
http://www.halfthesky.org/work/littlemouse.php