Happy Birthday sweet Mei Mei!

Tomorrow is Sophia's 3rd birthday. It is a bitter sweet day in many ways.

She is not home to celebrate with her forever family, and she is not celebrating with her birth family.

There are two women on opposite continents thinking of her, loving her and missing her. Two women who long to hold her, kiss that sweet face and hold that little body close.

To say that I will be forever grateful to her birth mom for making the decision to give her life is a huge understatement. But I will say that I will love her as my own for the rest of her life, and will cherish having her for a daughter.

I don't know the circumstances that lead to her becoming orphaned, but I do know that those days are coming to an end. We can not wait to get her home!!

Happy Birth day sweet girl. May it be filled with joy.

We love you!

some more pictures of my favorite people

Some of my favorite people

Zhang, 10. With China's blessing..our new daughter! She is said to be very sweet, shy and a hard worker. Hopefully home next winter.

Olivia, 14. Kind, benevolent and sweet.

Michael, 16. Quiet, sweet and an awesome guitar player.

Logan, 6. Brave, too stinkin cute, and all boy!

Mia, 4. Brilliant, beautiful,shy and always a mama's girl.

Sophia, 2 1/2....coming home soon!!! She is said to be very social, loving and not fond of sharing her candy. She is going to fit right in.

Here are some of my F A V O R I T E people in the world! Can't imagine life without them. All of the laundry, the dishes, the car pooling...and the love.

So... now that our paper chase for Sophia is over...and we thought we were settled as a family of 7... God had other plans! We have been blessed with a referral for a beautiful girl. If China gives us the o.k., we will have another daughter!

Crazy, but wonderful.

Claire

Merry Christmas

Lilly and some of Oscar.... checking out the gift stash


Michael and his new guitar

Logan and Mia opening a secret santa gift from the Strand family

Pa, Mia and Livy

Logan and Michael

Logan and Mia at his class party

Our kiddos, can't wait for next year...Sophia will fit great in that space

Logan, Mia, A and J, Isaiah, Kaleb and Josiah

Logan

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas, and a happy and healthy New Year.

Amazing how fast the holiday season sneaks up on me every year. It isn't like the dates change,or I don't get plenty of heads up with the Christmas decor out around town.

But, every year Thanksgiving and Christmas seem to be here before I know it. Maybe it is because we really never have a fall, much less winter down here. I grew up in the north, so swimming in October is still surreal to me. So no change of seasons, or big dip in temps to clue me in.

Or, it could just be that I am loosing my edge as I get older.

But, with God's grace..everything was done, wrapped and ready to go on time.

I know that this holiday is not truely about the gifts, the decorations, parties or getting the perfect photo for your card. It is a time of celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus.

But every year I find myself struggling to not be a Martha and striving to be a Mary. To not get caught up in the world's expectations of how to celebrate, but always working on the ability to put that aside, sit at the feet of Jesus and soak Him in.

I am a work in progress, and so thankfull that He loves us regardless of our short commings

Hope that this New Year is one filled with peace, love and joy.

Love,

Claire

Merry Christmas!

DTC!!! DTC!!!

God granted my Christmas wish...our dossier was mailed to China this morning!

That is a huge step forward in bringing our Sophia home. Now our papers will be logged in and reviewed by the CCAA, China's Center for Adoption Affairs.

If everything is in order, we will receive our letter of acceptance and await travel news. Our time frame to travel is around 4 to 6 months. So, now we wait....again.

But, there is a lot going on to distract me. The kids just started their Christmas break, and we are all looking forward to staying home, relaxing and maybe knocking out some projects.

I also have some shopping left to do. And am looking forward to just being home. Time is going by so fast, I just want to soak things in.

Hope this is a great holiday season for everyone. Take care and don't stress. Jesus isn't asking for us to live up to the world's standards of what the holidays should be. But to love your neighbor as yourself and take care of those who can not take care of themselves.

Love,
Claire

Hanging out

Our newest addition....Lilly



Proof that Bart actually likes her (:


Mia at dinner


Olivia at dinner



Logan at dinner


Michael's eye at dinner.....crazy night, nothing out of the norm.


Logan and A chillin out


KK and his daddy Patrick



Logan chillin with the pets


Football warrior


Michael and Olivia...career night at youth group


Mia's 4th birthday!!!!


Most up to date picture of our Mei Mei

life is so short.....

I hate it when we are given that reminder. Life really is a vapor. We all lost a great person this week- end. Most of you do not know her, but I wish you did.

Julie B. passed away on Saturday evening. She left this world too soon. She was, wow..that is hard to type...always will be one of those people who were just a genuinely nice person. Very caring, kind and always ready to jump in and help out.

Just really too soon. Julie, you will be missed very much. Rest in peace, and will see you again.

Claire