8 years old!

Katie is our family girl - just a small birthday tonight with Dad's homemade meatballs, and mom's homemade chocolate cake.

There's a reason homemade is better than store bought - licking the bowl!

I thank God and the Doctors at MUSC every year for giving Katie a second chance at life.

Happy Birthday Princess!  Love, Mom

New pics of Sarah!!!!

Oh Happy Day!!  We sent a care package to Sarah and received these pictures!  I just love her big smile - she seems happy in her foster family. :)  

Here she is looking at a picture of big sister in her dance costume - so neat to see our family across the world.  We sent pictures of the kids jumping in the lake and other fun stuff!  

And this is my favorite!! This girl's got PERSONALITY!  Love that mischievous smile - how am I going to wait months to go and get her??!!  

These pictures are such a lifeline - and such welcome reassurance that our daughter is being well cared for and loved.  I'm so thankful that the director and foster family has taken the time to send these - and can't wait to thank them in person.   Praying we will hear something soon about Jenny's approval and in the meantime we'll rest in God's promises and care.

Blessings, 
Kim

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. :)   Psalms 37:4

L. O. A. !!!!!!!!!!!!!

We received our LOA for Sarah today!!!! For those not familiar with adoption lingo, that is the "Letter of Approval" - the final approval from the authorities to adopt Sarah!!  That is a QUICK turnaround - but unfortunately, we are still waiting for Jenny's paperwork.  Hopefully, we will not have to wait the full time to receive her LOA - but it will "catch up" to her sister's.   We need prayer, friends, as little Sarah has waited almost a year for her mom and dad to come and get her - please pray that the government will move our new paperwork for Jenny's adoption up with the rest.  We are so excited - and hoping to hear about Jenny soon!

Blessings, Kim

Colin comes to America!

The welcoming committee - Annie, Kim, and crew

Colin with Annie's boys and a friend!

The Rylands - full of energy after 2 days of travel - Colin will fit right in as he is just as enthusiastic about everything!

The Rylands arrived home with their new 14 year old son last night!!  The plane got in at 8:30 pm  - the problem was it wasn't supposed to arrive until 8:55!! Angie called to ask where we were and everyone was still on the road to the airport, lol.   So they hung out by the gate till we could arrive with banners, video cameras, and welcomers a few minutes later...

When they finally came through we couldn't believe the ease with which Colin greeted everyone and observed everything - completely new surroundings, no language, and he just laughed and played with all the kids.  He was so helpful to Tom - and Angie said she never had to carry a bag the entire trip - he insisted on doing the men's jobs with Tom - he's just darling!  (Thankfully he doesn't know English to hear me describe him as "darling," lol!)    I am blown away at how polite and especially how brave he is - would I have the same courage in his position??

All the kids loved him, and the older boys seemed to have that non-verbal way of communicating and making him laugh at boy sillies - he's going to do great. :)  Six year old brother Tommy, as articulate as most adults, will have him speaking English in no time!

After we returned home, I couldn't help but just sit and think about all the changes this young man is experiencing with such grace.  It brought me to tears to reflect on God's hand in the last few months of Angie's incredible paper chase, and realize how close Colin came to missing the opportunity to become part of this incredible family.   It brings to mind all the other waiting children and the words of Christ;

"with faith the size of a mustard seed, you can move mountains."  

The Rylands have moved mountains of paperwork in their race to China - and have been blessed beyond measure.  We are so happy for them all.

Blessings,
Kim

New pictures, smiles, and flying Barbies!

We  received updated pictures of Jenny this today!  Because of her facial paralysis, she doesn't smile much, but she is reportedly a very happy child.  We were thrilled to get a picture of her smiling and showing her true personality.   We also were able to receive one of her recent compositions, and she talked about her Barbies flying the airplane to the Panda Zoo.  That's my girl!!  My Barbies flew airplanes and space shuttles, too!!

I just can't wait to bring this sweet child home - she is such a determined and brave girl.  I WISH this process could move a lot more quickly!!  Please pray for paperwork to move extraordinarily fast, and our trip to be scheduled as efficiently as possible.  Right now, we are looking at nearly 3 weeks in country which is too long to leave my littlest one! (she gets motion sick and can't go)

Blessings, Kim

HAPPY DAYS - Jake is coming home!!!!

"Jake" (from my last post)  has a wonderful family - right here in town!! I'm am thrilled for them and him.  He will finally have a forever family of his own.  God is good - and we'll even get to meet this little guy! Just wanted to share the good news with everyone who has been praying for him.

Blessings,
Kim

It gets sadder....

I thought "Jake" had found a really sweet family but they can't proceed at this point.  Is there anyone out there who can find it in their heart to bring this boy home?  He is described in glowing terms by those who know him - his latest update from this week is below:

His teacher said he is attending school at the orphanage. He is doing very well in the school. He is a smart little guy. He is outgoing, gets along well with other children, and he takes care of the younger ones. He is very organized. He likes to put things in order. He also likes to help other children organize things. He is a good boy. He's grown fast since his last surgery was done. 

He has waited such a long time.  If money stands in the way, read my post "Leap of Faith."  God never asks anything of us that he won't equip us for - with whatever resources are needed.  Please tell your friends about him.  This little guy deserves a mom to kiss him goodnight, and a dad to take him fishing.

Blessings, Kim