Have You Seen These?

Apparently, if you stare at the pictures, they have the illusion of moving or flowing.  Can you see it?  I think they are neat and so does Jack.  He likes things like this, that doesn't make much sense.

Fifty-five Days

Another Driver in the House?

Seth is now 15 1/2.  We got him the study book for his learner's permit.  He thought it was so easy.  I took him for the test.  He missed a sign.  We'll try again in a couple of weeks.  I'm somewhat relieved, actually. 

Mike took him around the driveway, which is circular, a few times.  He did quite well with the clutch.  We decided that all the children need to learn how to drive the truck.  Jordan did not learn to drive the truck really well until this past summer when she wanted to go kayaking.  Kayaks don't fit too well in her Camry, thus the necessity of trucks.

My children are growing up too fast.


Seth, in the driver's seat






Joy usually ends up being goofy.

A Few New Pictures

I'm very excited to say that a kind family, recently in China, gave me a few pictures of Ivy Xue.  This family adopted the cutie-pie Rebecca from the same orphanage.  The girls look like they are good buddies.  This family is only a days drive away and it would be very nice to be able to visit them next summer, after they've both settled in to a good family routine.
On another note...Ivy Xue's special need is obvious.  She has a repaired cleft-lip.  Her medical does not state she has cleft palate.  Her lip has been repaired, but will need some more surgery later on for appearances sake.  She's still cute, regardless.  This brings me to share our experience in Guangzhou in 2007 with James, a young man from China.  We shared with him that we were there to adopt Joy, and had previously adopted Eva, who was with us.  He noted Eva's appearance and how cute she was.  Then he went on to say that some people adopt children with "broken noses".  We figured out he was referring to children with cl/cp.  Mike shared with him that in the US, these children can have surgeries to repair this need and make their appearance very beautiful.  It seemed that "James" did not care for this special need.  That incident has made me think about Ivy Xue, and possibly her treatment from people.  I pray she has been treated well, regardless of her visible scar on her lip.  The more I look at her pictures, the less I see the scar, the more my heart grows tender towards her.


I love the sweet smile on Ivy Xue's face!


Jordan told me the "peace" sign means, "I am happy".


This is sweet Rebecca with Ivy Xue.  Don't they look like good buddies?

Still Waiting

We are still waiting for our LOA, but feel confidant that we are at least half-way through that wait.  There are some people who have waited much longer than 100 days, but the majority wait less than that.  I'm glad to be at this point.

Funny "Accidental Adoption"

As we anxiously await any news from China about our adoption, I thought I'd post this funny "Accidental Adoption" conversation.  I read this years ago as we were waiting on Eva's referral.  I've made some changes based on the current state of affairs, but all who adopt, know and understand every part of this post.

Honey, sit down. I have some news for you.

What is it?

Well, I don't know how to say this, so I'll just come out with it. I went to the mailbox today and... well, we got an I797C.

A what?!? An I797C? As in, we're going to have a(nother) child?!?

It looks that way.

But how? We've been so careful! I put away all the blank I-800A forms. Didn't you hide our homestudy update?

Of course I did, but don't forget, there was that one night...

What night? (pauses) Ohhh, that night, But it was only once. We were just messing around. I didn't print clearly. I didn't even use ink! (pauses again) But it was kind of fun. (giggles).

It was, wasn't it? I'll never forget how cute you looked getting your fingerprints. So now we've got our I797C, eh? But that doesn't always mean you'll adopt, does it? I mean, shouldn't you see the agency or something, make sure everything's okay?

I already did.

And?

I'm five documents along.

Five documents! And they're all notarized, certified and authenticated okay?

Just great. There was one small scare when the agency couldn't see the Notary's middle initial but it showed up just fine under the magnifying glass.

Thank God.

And you, honey? Are you feeling okay?

I'm feeling fine. As long as I know you're happy about this.

Happy? I'm thrilled! It's always a shock at first when something like this happens, but of course I'm happy.

Author Unknown