We're going back to China!

Can you believe it?! We are so excited to be starting the adoption process again. We have talked about adopting again ever since returning home with Maimie. God has really given us a heart for China's orphaned children, and we've discussed several ways to care for China's orphans as a family. After much prayer, we feel God is leading us to return to China to bring another child into our family.


On the evening of October 2, we made the decision to adopt. The next night we ordered Chinese food for supper and broke the news to the kids. They were all very enthusiastic about having a new little sister.
We already saw an example of God in the details. I filled out the application for Lifelink on October 5 and wrote a check for $250 (application fee). That same day Steve received a phone call from CEFCU promising us a refund from an expired home refinancing application. Our account was credited $245. Nice! The application was sent on the 6th of October.


On Sunday, October 11, Maimie's birthday, we broke the news to Grandpa and Grandma. Mikaela and I made hair ribbons that said "Big Sister" and tied them in Maimie's braids.


Today,Tuesday will be our first homestudy visit with Laura, who was also our case worker for Maimie's adoption.
The process will be different this time around. We are beginning with the special needs/waiting child route. The estimated wait from beginning (now) to travel is about 12 to 24 months. We have asked for a little girl from age 1-3 with an unrepaired or repaired cleft lip/palate. We are, of course, open to whatever God may choose for us.

Guess who's 4 now?

Maimie turned 4 years old on Sunday! She's been asking for weeks if it was her birthday yet. Maimie knows her birthday is October 11, but she just kept asking every day if it was her day. On Sunday she told several people at church," Tomorrow is my birthday." Oh, well.


She took treat bags to Sunday school to pass out for the other kids. After church we went to Jacob's football game while Maimie took a nap. She then watched one of her fave movies, Aladdin.


Sunday evening we had a Ni Hao, Kai Lan birthday party and invited Grandpa and Grandma for pizza and cake and ice cream. Maimie played pin the flower bow on Kai Lan's hair.


Then she opened presents. She was just so animated and thanking everyone for her gifts. It was a lot of fun.

Playing Wii swordfighting

Indianapolis Colts Game

Yesterday was a big day for our 3 guys. Jacob's JFL team took a bus trip to the Indianapolis Colts game, and Steve took Jacob and Joseph.


That morning they were all up by 4:30am and out the door by 4:50am. (That can only happen with guys!) They rode in chartered buses for the 3 hour trip to the new Lucas Oil Dome.


After watching the Colts game, Jacob and his JFL team had the opportunity to suit up and scrimmage other JFL teams on the astroturf.

What an exciting time!

In the beginning and Humpy Dumpy

There's nothing sweeter than a little sweetie saying a Bible verse. Maimie's speech is improving to the point that you can usually kind of figure out what she's driving at. Here she is saying Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Sometimes created comes out sounding like cremated and I have to chuckle!


I've got a new favorite nursery rhyme. Humpy Dumpy. I have to say, the title doesn't really conjure up images of the usual large white egg with the blue collar and little blue legs hanging over the side of a big brick wall. But never mind that. Just listen for yourself: