We have Article 5 Pick-Up

We received our 2nd acceptance letter on our adoption paperwork. Now all our paperwork is on its way to Beijing for one final review and for the CCCWA to issue our Travel Approval. The time for travel is still undetermined, but we think it will be mid-December.

We will be taking donations for the orphange, if anyone would also like to be a part of orphan care. The orphanage's greatest need at this time is for long-sleeve onesies, sizes newborn - 6 month. These onesies can be new or very slightly used. Thanks in advance!!

Daniel

"Daniel, please come to the table for lunch."

Gone within seconds.

This boy can literally sleep anywhere, and he prefers hard surfaces!

Happy Birthday, Daniel!

Happy 4th Birthday to the shy boy who HATES all kinds of attention--including the camera. Thus, I could not get a clear picture of him all day, and he wouldn't eat pizza for dinner since we started saying, "Happy Birthday, Daniel!" (He actually ran from the table and hid for quite a while!)

Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy!! 

Gotcha!

Animal Kingdom

Our family would like to give a special shout-out to the family (who wants to remain anonymous) who sent us to Animal Kingdom this past Saturday. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Animal Kingdom was packed, but we didn't mind at all. It felt so good not to run from place to place and watch the clock constantly. Being mostly still and playing occasionally felt so good. It was as if the stress was seeping out of our pours. How nice it was to be together as a family in a different environment!

It seems our "normal" lately is to live on hype, stress, and action. Being called to go to China yearly to adopt (with pre- and post-adoption paperwork, transitions, doctor, dental, and therapy appointments...) and doing all the regular things families do--including homeschooling--take their toll. It felt wonderful to pull away and rest with each other.

Thank you, Dear Family, for thinking of us! We love and appreciate you so much!!

Last update from the orphanage before travel

Today we received an update on Matthew. This will be the last update before Derek and Andrew travel to get the little guy.

Here are some of the things the orphanage nannies told us about Matthew:
Matthew is 32½" tall, weighs 22½ lbs, and wears size 5 shoes.
He likes colorful toys that make noise, but he is afraid of stuffed animals.
He feeds himself but eats slowly. He is not picky about food.
He is a very obedient child who likes the praises of others.

Here are some videos they took of Matthew:

Video 1

Video 2

Video 3

Video 4

Video 5

Matthew, your daddy and brother will be there as soon as they can. You may be celebrating Christmas for the first time this year...as a son!

We love you!!!!