Shawn update!!

****(before you read this...I will just let you know this is the fourth post I have done tonight....so if you want to see more of our summer...and you have some time on your hands....read the few posts below this!)

I know, I know...I have been bad about updating about where things stand with our son waiting in China...our sweet Shawn!

We received an update on Shawn...which was so wonderful! I asked some questions...and asked for pictures, and we got answers (yay!)...but no pictures (boo!). We also sent him this album!

But I also got lucky enough to get the newspaper ad that was filed when he was first found (called an abandonment ad). This is put in the local paper, and is necessary to run before adoption paperwork can be processed.

I have to admit...it is quite hard to see. In it, is possibly the earliest photo I will ever have of our dear boy. He is one and a half months...and the precious angel is smiling....be still my heart! His whole world just got turned upside down...and yet, he smiles. It makes me want to just cry! And it is also hard to see the rows of babies lined up with him...every one so darling...

I wonder about each one....do they have families? They are all about 4 or 5 now....how many still wait? It could really haunt you and consume you if you really think about it. SO many....too many......yet not enough are going to grow up with the love of a parent......

Without further adieu....

here is our smiley guy! Then....and now.......

Here are the questions that were answered.......

Dear Amy :
First Bao Sha He got your package ,then below are information about bao sha he :
1.Bao Sha He know dad ,mom and siblings .
2.Bao sha he loves little monkey and dog toys .
3.bao sha he `s favorite color is purple .
4.sha he likes dogs .
5.bao sha he `s favorite food are fish ,banana and suckers .
6.bao sha he has started to learn English,sha he can count in English,sha he also can recognize letters .
7.bao sha he is very happy to be adopted .
8.Please bring dog or puppy toy for bao sha he ...

So, what do you think I did the next day? Well I got the darling some dogs and monkeys!! mini pillow pets, Pj's, little blankies.....I'm a woman out of control!! A care package is going to be sent this week....and yes, there will be a HUGE bag of lollipops (suckers!) and stickers for all the kids!!

And where we stand.....we are almost 5 weeks into waiting four our LOA

(Letter of Approval) ---judging by recent time lines, we should be getting it in the next couple of weeks.

After that...there are a bunch or little steps...that move quickly (thank heavens!) and we should receive our Travel Approval in about 8ish weeks after our LOA. Then it's time to get packing! So I am hoping, praying that we get it soon...and I anticipate late November...or early Dec. travel. BUT....that can all change like the wind...so the above could be wishful thinking!

I am praying everyday that we will have our son in our arms as soon as humanely possible....he is very loved ......and so missed!!!!

If you could keep us in your thoughts and prayers I would so appreciate it!!

xoxoxo

AMY

My baby boy is NINE!!

Joseph celebrated his b-day this month!! What a FUN day he had....from morning till night! It seriously made me wish that I had the energy of a nine year old boy!!

Joseph is such an amazing gift to us!! He is sensitive, sweet, yet all boy...and loves sports, and his buddies with a passion!! He also loves his family tons!

Although...he can be a typical brother sometimes....I mean nobody's perfect right?

We had a blast celebrating his ninth year...started with family..then laser tags with friends!

We love you darling boy!!!

Horsin' Around!

One of our favorite trips to make each summer is to the Land of the Little Horses in Gettysburg!

Sam....taken the easy way out....being pulled by none other than muscle woman herself.....

HOPE!!

It's a great day...filled with fun...and not a TV, computer, or video game in sight!

Just fun with family and our great friends....

And some really cute little horses!!

Until...the kids got into some really big trouble......

Just kiddin!

And hopefully, not a sign of things to come!

Yes....that's underwear on his head......sometimes I can't really offer an explanation.....this is one of those times!!

A happy time was had by all!! See ya next summer tiny horseys!

Amazing Day!

At the end of July, we were so incredibly blessed to spend an amazing day with families that traveled with our agency with Hope. Many of them had children that were from the same orphanage as Hope, and some of the families we traveled with!

We also met new friends, and visited with old friends! All of us, sharing the common bond of having incredible children from China!

Many of you know Teresa! We are so fortunate to have become friends with her Mama--and were delighted that we got to share the day with her family!!

The thought that kept going thorugh my head, as I watched all of these kids running, laughing,

being silly and mischeivous.......

and relishing in the beauty of a day with new friends.....

was that every, single, one of these kids was adopted with a special need.

Some repaired, some not, some visible, some not......

BUT...one thing I can assure you is this.....EVERY.SINGLE.ONE. was SPECIAL!

They truly NEEDED one thing.......

Mama's and Daddy's to love them......a FAMILY!

My how these children made my day!

Especially seeing best buddies made within minutes.....regardless of where they came from! The cuties above (My Charlie, and Elaine's Ren) had a discussion about where they came from...went something like this....

Ren: So Charlie, are you adopted from China too?

Charlie: No---I don't think so......but my sister and brother are...and I have a brother still there--he's waited for some papers so we can get him.

Ren: Oh cool!

Charlie: want to go shoot someone with the waterguns?

Ren: YEAH!!!

The beauty in seeing all these kids---some bio, some adopted, all amazing children...all LOVED and HAPPY.....made my heart swell!!

I can't wait to do it again!!!