So blessed to be a family of four!

Tim and I never thought it would take us twelve years 

to become a family of four. 

But today, we stand amazed at how God has written our story. 

It is a story that points only to Him! 

We are truly so blessed. 

All of the years of waiting were hard, 

and often really painful. 

And yet, we can honestly say today 

that it has all been worth the wait. 

Thank you, Lord, for our two sweet boys...

YOUR two sweet boys.

Coming home was really special! 

Braden, Tim's parents and my parents met us at the airport. 

We were so excited to see all of them...especially our little Braden. 

We didn't know exactly how he was going to react 

when he saw us coming off the concourse. 

We knew he would be excited, 

but nothing could have prepared us for what he did. 

It was the most precious thing to see.

He ran straight to his little brother. 

You may need some tissue for this these. :) 

Here are some other pictures from our homecoming day...

We made it home!

It has been a whirlwind, but the most wonderful Thanksgiving ever! Photo's and pictures to come... Thank you for praying us home. God is so GOOD!!! :)

We'll See You Soon

This Thanksgiving we have so much to be thankful for.  

One, is such a loving and supportive church family.  

As you all meet for your annual Thanksgiving Dinner, 

we want to send you this greeting.  

Be home soon with such a wonderful gift from God!

Our last day with the other CCAI families...

We enjoyed a pizza party together and took some "good-bye" photos. 

These are some very special families, and we will miss them! 

Such little cuties! :)

Fun Times!

Fun after bath!

Daddy is funny!

Fun at the Playground!

Guangzhou Cuisine

We had a great dinner the other night with the entire group of 

six families here in Guangzhou using CCAI 

as their adoption agency.  

Here are some great pics of what we could have had.

I actually did have some of these cute little shrimp.

All I could think about was the movie Shark Tale when the little shrimp

was saying, "No, don't eat me...no."

 Awesome looking turtle!!!

 More turtle

 Gator Tail!!!

 Frog legs anyone?

 No one can eat just one

 Yummy

I was highly upset when I found out there was no "Old Bay Seasoning" here in Guangzhou!

Joshua has that look... "What did I just eat?"

Table 1 of 2

Tour of Guangzhou

Today we went on a tour of Guangzhou. 

Part of the tour included visiting a Buddhist temple. 

Watching the people burning incense and bowing to empty gods 

was so heartbreaking. 

I found myself getting really sad, 

and a hopeless feeling came over me. 

I kept thinking, what can I do? 

How can I tell these people that they can find true hope only in Jesus...

I can't speak their language, 

and we only have 45 minutes before we move on to the next part of the city tour. 

As I was sharing this with Tim, he said to me, 

"I know it is really sad. 

But try to think about it this way...

we are rescuing one little boy from this emptiness, 

which would most likely be his destiny, 

and giving him the opportunity to come to know and hear about Jesus 

every day of his life." 

It became even clearer to me today...

God has not brought Joshua to us just to give him a family 

with a mommy, a daddy and a big brother. 

Although, that will be so special for him! 

His greater purpose in bringing this precious little boy to us 

is to open the door for him to one day give his heart to Jesus, 

and to become part of the greater family of the one TRUE God. 

My eyes continue to be opened to the truth 

that all of this is just a part of a much bigger picture! 

Here are some photos and videos of our day...

So much to be thankful for!

Today was a day of paperwork...lots of paperwork! 

We also got the results of Joshua's TB test. 

Everything came back normal. 

Tomorrow we are looking forward to going on a local tour 

which includes going to an arts and crafts shopping area. 

We will try to get more pictures and videos 

of Joshua while we are out and about. 

He continues to amaze us with how he is opening up to us 

and learning new things each day. 

Two days ago he would not go near the ladder to the slide.

Today he can climb up it with no help!

He is starting to understand English words and phrases 

such as "come here," "no touch," "no throw," 

"kisses," "up," "give this to mommy/daddy," and "look at mommy/daddy."

He has been sleeping better, too. 

He hasn't had any night terrors the past two nights, 

so that is such a praise!

Thank you for your prayers regarding this.  

He still wakes up crying, and sometimes screaming, in the morning, though...

probably trying to make sense of where he is, 

and who we are, as he wakes out of his sleep. 

It is either that, or he is just not a morning person. :)

We love him so much, and we are so thankful 

that God would choose us to be the parents of this sweet child. 

Truly, we have so much to be thankful for! 

So...only 5 more days!!! 

We cannot wait to get home to Braden, 

and to the rest of our family and friends!

Enjoying Guangzhou...

We really enjoyed our first day in Guangzhou. 

Mostly because it brings us one day closer to holding Braden. 

The day began with a delicious breakfast at the hotel cafe. 

We couldn't believe how many families were there 

with little adopted children. 

There were Chinese babies and toddlers everywhere! 

We just assumed that most of the families were American, 

but have been surprised to meet many families 

adopting Chinese children who are from France and Spain. 

Several families had older children with them 

that they had previously adopted 

and were back for their second, third, fourth, (etc.) Chinese child. 

One family has eleven children...

3 biological children and 8 special needs Chinese children. 

Such a beautiful thing to see. 

It is a testimony that when God calls you to do something, 

He always gives you the heart and the resources to do so. 

We have seen this over and over again in our own adoption journey. 

All of you have been such a big part of the way He has provided for us, 

and we are so grateful to you and for you! 

Here are some pictures and videos of our walk 

through a really nice part of Guangzou yesterday,

called Shamian Island. 

Joshua also had his medical examination today. 

He cooperated really well during the exam,

but he didn't like the TB test shot too much!

Poor little guy.

We go tomorrow to get the results.

We made it to Guangzhou!!

For the first time in his little life, Joshua left what cities he knew as familiar.  We boarded a plane and headed to Guangzhou (not too far from Hong Kong).  On Monday, at the US Embassy, here in Guangzhou, a judge will swear us in as the parents of little Joshua.  

We were a little concerned about how he would do with his first experience on an airplane.  Wouldn't you know it- when we arrived at our gate inside the airport, there was a huge playground.  Really Lord- you would put us right next to a huge, indoor playground...in an airport!!??

Then on the plane we were so grateful to God.  Joshua was AMAZING!  He ate and played, ate and played and ate and played some more.  The changes in altitude didn't seem to bother him one bit.  

Thank you all for your prayers.  We definitely feel them.  Keep them coming... two huge airplane rides left (one to Tokyo, and then on to Chicago)  He didn't even nap today and we're just putting him down (7:30pm our time / 6:30am your time).

God has been so amazing through this process.  Specifically we would ask you to lift little Joshua up in prayer for his sleeping.  At different times throughout the night or his nap time he will randomly wake up crying and screaming.  The adoption agency warned us that children may have what's called "night terrors."  We ask that our God will take these away from him and that Joshua will experience good rest.  We hope that as he bonds with us that he will understand and trust that we will love him and provide for him.  Well after a good bath...it's off to bed.