Lily Orphan Care Center

Another mom who has a daughter from the same area as Grace, was able to direct me to a video that has Grace in it. This video was shot last spring and talks about the Lily Orphan Care Center that Grace has received care at.   She appears around 30 seconds into the video for just a few seconds.  I can't begin to tell you what every second of video and every picture means to an adoptive mom's heart as she waits to go bring her child home.  

Merry Christmas and Happy LOA!

While we were in Frankenmuth, we received our Letter of Approval from China for Grace - this is a huge step and will have us in China within the next few months!  We also spotted a picture of Grace from our agency's newsletter.  Baby girl is front row center.  She is looking very healthy and such a blessing to keep seeing her face.

More Pictures and Reviewed!!

A few weeks ago a fellow adoptive mom spotted our Grace in some pictures.   It turns out a professional photographer went with our adoption agency to China this past spring and snapped several albums of pictures of the care centers our agency runs.  They just happened to go to Grace's.   We were able to download all these amazing photos along with dozens of other pictures of her nannies and friends.  With Matthew we waited forever er to ever get a picture of him.  I am savorying and so thankful for every little glimpse we get into Grace's life.  

We found out today that our file is currently under review, which means that next big piece of paper should be on its way in a week or so!!! This is good because the government computer system is shutting down for a week at the first of the year.  Grace we are getting closer!!

photos are compliments of Sandy Puc Photography

Updates!

New pictures!! Since we were able to take over Grace's sponsorship, we were able to get pictures from all of her reports this past year.  Little miss is growing - in fact the update indicates she is about 5 pounds heavier than we thought.  They describe her as strong, sturdy and naughty! She will hide her favorite toy in her crib to keep it away from others.  It was also neat to hear that she was speaking and imitating more.  C'mon paperwork - we are ready to bring our Grace home! 

    January 2014

   

 (we have the matching pants to the above outfit- Matthew wore the pants the day we met him)

July 2014

Christmas Fun

Since we aren't in post surgery recovery mode this year, Christmas has been a little more fun.  We started the evening at our favorite hot dog place - Dan's Dogs.  It is such a  sweet little 50's restaurant and their Christmas decorations are the best with antique Christmas bulbs hanging from the ceiling.

We got to go to see the Christmas lights at the drive thru display at the fair grounds.  Complete with a visit from Santa who visited our car.  

We continued our Christmas light ride and even got to see a house that is decorated identical to the Christmas Vacation house.

This morning we attended Adventure Village at church.  I lost a best with my friend Heidi - I bet her that she couldn't get Jeff to dress up in the nativity clothes.  It was worth losing the bet!

Gracie's first outfit

Couldn't resist and bought Gracie her first outfit.  It's starting to feel real,  hopefully we hear some news about our paperwork soon! 

Care package

Next set of paperwork is done and I finally got Grace's care package sent off to China.  When I sent Matthew's, I had such a grand notion about his care package.  I figured the nannies would sit with him and show him his photo album of our family pictures and that the lovey-blanket I sent would be his new favorite security item.  I even pictured all the photos that would get taken with the camera I sent.  None of that happened, the photo album and blanket were untouched and the camera never yielded a picture.  So this time I am a little more in reality.  I know now that the nannies would love to sit with each child, but there usually just always isn't time to share albums and take pictures.  Kids don't usually receive the play things, because it's too hard to keep them clean and sanitary in an institutional environment.    I do pray Grace gets to see pictures of her new mama and daddy and somehow she can process that we are hers, but it would be even nice if just one of her caregivers gave her just a little more attention for the day.  Everything else I hope blesses a little one that needs them the most.

                                    

This adoption process as a whole, is a lot more surreal than last time.  This time I know a little better the sadness and anxiety that awaits Grace.  Ripping someone from everything they know is devestating.  I also know how hard and tiring it can be to adjust your life and family to a new little one who is grieving and doesn't usually understand you.  All the new medical stuff that awaits - ugh... 

However I also know the joy that is coming.  Waiting till we get to finally have Grace in our arms.  Getting to watch her blossom into our family.  Getting to hear I love you for the first time.  Dolls and hair bows ❤️❤️❤️ Best of all, seeing God's hand in her life as her story unfolds in her new home and family.