ADOPTION UPDATE

It's been a while since I've mentioned our Vietnam adoption. Today I feel like posting an update. As you can see by the new ticker, it isn't a particularly happy update. I know GOD has a plan, our family is absolutely proof of that. Look at us! 6 new children in 4 years, after raising 5 daughters! WHO would have ever thought? RIGHT? And I always say, " sit back and watch GOD'S plans unfold for you, it's amazing to live through", but it's still so hard to see and feel your dream slowly die. We were SO close to bringing home our last child. When we lost Vu Thi Men, we received a new referral, but that little girl's paperwork came the same day the Gov. of Vietnam decided to stop second referrals for families like mine, who's birth moms reclaimed their children. We have been waiting for Vietnam to reconsider their stand on this, but so far they have not. Our paperwork is still in Vietnam and still up to date, but our agency is closing it's doors on April 13th. Without them, we are finished. We need our agency. They have already stayed open an additional 3 months hoping to complete our adoption. We are praying the Vietnam Gov. officials in charge of adoptions will find it in their hearts to allow the few families in the same position as we are, to complete their adoptions soon. As I am writing this post, I am being reminded GOD HAS A PLAN, LET HIM DO HIS WORK. I'm trying, I really am trying.

Daddy's Little Helpers

Some were happy and some were not, as you can see by Amy's unenthusiastic expression. But everyone helped Daddy make the new sandbox on his day off. Poor Daddy, even on President's Day he doesn't get a break. Paisley and Ryan had a great time, maybe they're watching too much HANDY MANNY? Austin was oblivious to all the sawing and hammering going on, he was busy playing in the little turtle sand box, and sneaking candy from the kitchen.
I guess I should have taken a pic of the finished product. I'll do that tomorrow. It's pretty nice. 5x5, full of sand, and on the patio in the shade.
What a lifesaver this will be for me. The old big sandbox was at the end of the yard. WAY too far from the house for me to watch what was going on. Now I can sit on the patio and watch TV, or read and keep an eye on the little darlings.

WE HAVE PIGS!

And I can't keep Paisley out of the cage! She loves her piggies and won't leave them alone. She takes them for walks around the house in her doll stroller, poor things. Yes, "Mommy" has bows in ger hair. Watch out Daddy, you're next!

THEN & NOW

Ryan & his cake

&

Meg's Referral Pic & Today

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?????????

WOW What a celebration we will have today, and Oh the memories...
Today we met Megan for the first time 4 years ago. How our little family has changed in those 4 short years. What a day that was!!! I can remember it like it was yesterday. She was so scared but trying to be so brave. She was never told about her adoption until a few minutes before meeting us while in the taxi riding from her orphanage GSWI, to the Civil Affairs office in Guangzhou. Wish we had known that, we thought she was prepared. She is WAY too confident now LOL. A typical American Girl.
And.....It's Mr. Ryan's 6th BIRTHDAY today!!!!!! What a surprise HE was!!!!!!
I'm sure there is a family in China today wondering what happened to their precious baby boy born with a severe bilateral CL/CP. I wish there was a way to let them know he is a handsome, ( he said "MOM girls are CUTE, boys are HANDSOME) happy, and healthy little boy who is loved more than words can express.
It's PRESIDENT'S DAY, no school and mike is off work! We are all together for the day, how perfect!!!

OUR DOUBLE RED THREAD

~~~~~~~~

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY

RYAN JOSEPH DU XUAN

~~~~~~~~~

HAPPY 4th "GOTCHA DAY"

ANNIVERSARY

MEGAN NOEL' MENG YAN

XOXOXOXO

Mommy & Daddy

HAPPY 17th BIRTHDAY

TAYLOR

XOXO

GRANDMA & GRANDPA

IT'S GROUNDHOG DAY!

Have you figured it out yet???

We're transplants from

PITTSBURGH!!!!

OH YA!!!

YA BABY!!!!!!

WOO-HOO!!!!

GO TEAM

STEELERS #1

GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOD has blessed us again!!!

WE HAVE A NEW DAUGHTER

MOLLY GRACE ALEXANDRA

BOGOTA COLUMBIA

11 YRS OLD

Yes, you read that right. We have a new little girl and we couldn't be happier! She's a beautiful, sweet, young lady, born in Bogota Columbia. We are so amazed by her and love her dearly. Now we have 2 "Hot Tamales" (Molly & Amy) and Meg has a virtual twin. Meg & Molly are only 3 months apart in age and share a bedroom. They love having a sister to share everything with but I think I'm in BIG trouble! They LOVE the mall and Oh! Can they shop!

Our life is incredibly happy and full and I am so grateful that God has blessed us with another child. I love sitting back and watching HIS plan for our lives unfold. It never ceases to amaze me!

I know you are all waiting to see our new beauty, so HERE SHE IS...

We have some fantastic news to announce...as soon as I get all these bunnies to bed!

BIG NEWS IS COMING!

For Megan & Ryan

For Austin & Paisley

DRAGON DANCE

Today we had the pleasure of watching our very first

DRAGON DANCE in honor of CHINESE NEW YEAR.

As Ryan said,

" It was AWESOME Mom"

Christmas Eve

I finally got my Christmas pic downloaded. Here are a few from Christmas Eve. Michelle & Ted have an annual Christmas Eve party. The DJ was a hit, my boys danced all night. Ryan and Austin especially liked the Jewish dance . I don't know the name of it, but it's VERY popular in our family since many celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah. And of course Santa was there for a few minutes between rooftop stops. As you can see, Paisley was glad when he left.

Meg had a wonderful birthday today. She absolutely loved her Chinese cake. Here she is picking it up, all 10 pounds of it. She wanted you all to see her new shoes. She was looking for the cupcake Converse but couldn't find them, but she found these at "Justice" her new favorite store.