Travel Approval Arrives!!

We received word today from our agency of our travel approval from China! It looks like our Consulate appointment will be on November 10th in Guangzhou, China!! This will be the last leg of our tour in China...which means that we will be leaving a lot earlier than we expected! Once our Consulate appointment is confirmed, our agency and Lotus travel will be working together to get us our travel arrangements! It looks like we may be traveling the last week of October!

Once we get our travel arrangements set in stone, I will post this information on our blog!

WHOO-HOO! We are getting closer and closer!

Prayer requests:

1. Pray for healthy bonding and attachment with our daughter
2. Pray for good communication (understanding) with our daughter
3. Pray for safe travels

Okay....I am feeling a bit nauseous.

More details to come...........

Got the Blues?

John and I went and saw one of our favorite blues artists Tab Benoit. He is a Cajun from Louisiana. He is not all about music, but as we were able to speak to him before the show, we found out that his passion lies much deeper than the music he plays. Have you ever seen Hurricane on the Bayou? If not, I recommend it. Tab is known as the Voice of the Wetlands. He is an activist on what is happening regarding the Wetlands in southern Louisiana. Just a couple of weeks ago, we experienced (in Kentucky) Hurricane Ike....the reason why we experienced this hurricane the way we did is because of what is going on in the Wetlands. This film was eye opening and very informative. I am not an environmentalist, but God has given us dominion over this planet..we have stewardship over it...so we need to do our part and take care of it.

I don't know why, but something about the blues makes me happy. It puts a smile on my face. I am not sure if it's those awesome guitar parts or the lyrics of the songs where we can relate and know that someone out there understands.

Regardless, it's good stuff. If you are in the mood for some good music...turn on some Tab. And as my dad would say, "Get ready to blues out!"

Registering Day!!

Claudine just loves soft blankets for Lydia!

"I have a scanner and I'm not afraid to use it!"

Okay, we couldn't resist.....

John having fun scanning!

Pastor, this one is for you!

How does this thing work?

I just love snuggly soft stuffed animals! I think I found my new best friend!

John and I just had such a fun time registering for items for Lydia! I must say, we were so exhausted after going to two different stores....we went to Target and Babies R Us. Going to Babies R Us was so overwhelming...wow...that store ROCKED!

At times during our little adventure, we would just pause and look at each other...and think..we are going to be parents and we are registering!!!

It looks like we got our first shower on the calendar--October 10th!! How exciting!

Baby Formula Scare in China

We found out yesterday that there have been 2 children (I think as of last night the death toll has rose to 4) that have passed away and over 6,000 children that are very ill because of the contaminated formula. This baby formula is (from what I have read) the most popular formula used in China.

I frantically called our agency inquiring about this and to see if Lydia was okay. We heard back and Lydia is fine. They said that the orphanage would contact our agency if anything happened. We also found out that the orphanage that Lydia is at did not use this type of baby formula. Thanks be to GOD!!

No news is good news in this case. Another reminder from the Lord that I have no control over this adoption process. Thank you Lord for watching over Lydia.

Lydia--Jesus loves you and is protecting you. Please do not be scared. We will be coming to get you soon. I am just so thankful that our God is there with you. It is so good to trust Him. We cannot wait to tell you all about Him.

Hang tight pumpkin...the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

Lydia is 17 months today!

17 months ago today, our daugther was born. Thank you Lord for such a precious gift.

Happy 17 months Lydia. Mama and Baba love you so much!

Not too much longer now.....sweetheart...not too much longer.........

Just in: New updates on Lydia!!

These are updated pictures of our sweet daughter Lydia that we just received!! Isn't she just gorgeous?! John and I can't wait to see her smile! We are just in love!!

Her latest measurements are:

Height: 30.7 inches tall

Weight: 23.5 lbs.

Head size: 17.7 inches

Chest size: 18.8 inches

Feet Length: 4.7 inches

The Lord has wonderful timing--I totally needed some encouragement today.

Joy...Joy...Joy...Joy.......

Grazie. Gracias. Merci. Eucharistia.

No matter how you say it...Thank you!

Thanks so much to everyone who has been a part of bringing our daughter home. We could not have done it without you. The Lord has shown us so much through this whole process...especially through the generosity of friends and family!

May the Lord bless you as you have been a blessing to us!

Ever so grateful,

John and Claudine

Information about Lydia.....

When we got all of Lydia's medical stats, we sent them to her doctor right away to make sure that she was a healthy child. Doctor called us on Monday night to go through all the medical information and Lydia looks like she is in good health! Yea!

Since we received doctor's approval, we sent our referral acceptance to our agency yesterday and they received it today! They will then send it to China.

In a couple of weeks, we will have some travel information nailed down and some updated pictures of Lydia! As soon as I get that information...I will post them on the blog!

By the way, we also found out some wonderful information on her that orphange sent us:
>Lydia loves to play with other children and her favorite toys are dolls
>Lydia likes to be spoken to one on one
>Lydia is active and outgoing
>Lydia likes to sing and laugh

First, we had prayer, then we gave her a name, then we were given a picture, and now a we know of her personality....we just love you Lydia!

In case you were wondering....her name will be ...Lydia Zhu Li Super
(Zhu is pronounced joo and Li is pronounced lee--like "Julie")

Ahhhh.....the Smokies......

John and Sophia at Abrams Falls

Smoky Mountains

John Dick hiking away

Me and my hiking buddy-Joanna

The victorious hikers who climbed Mt. LeConte

We did a short hike with the kiddos at Porter's Creek

The victorious hikers conquering the mountain

Referral celebration dinner

Beautiful Abram Falls

Hiking we will go...a hiking we will go..hi-ho the merry-o, a hiking we will go!

The top of Mt. LeConte. Yea! They made it!

The Bold family and Joanna at Abrams Falls

John and I at Abrams Falls

Doesn't this look like some scene from Lord of the Rings? It was taken on the Mt. LeConte hike.

The gang at Bear Camp Grill--yummy country breakfast!

Nothing like having the mountains, some great hiking, wonderful food and amazing company over a long weekend getaway. What a great way to celebrate the coming of Lydia.

These are just a few pictures taken from our sweet getaway.

Need I say more? Enjoy!

Details about the call.....

I have had many people ask me about the details of "the call". I wish I could have recorded the whole morning. It was simply amazing.

Well, we read on RQ that morning that it could be Tuesday, September 2nd or 3rd. I immediately called John and told him the news. John wasn't going in until later that morning so we wondered if we did get the call...what time would it be? I quickly emailed our family coordinator at our agency to see if she had heard any news. I heard no response. I kept my cell phone on me at work...just incase. Of course, the day after a holiday at the bank is pretty busy. So, needless to say, I was slammed. As I was waiting on several customers, my phone rang. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and the number on my phone was from our agency. I started to sweat because I couldn't answer my phone in time before the vm would pick up. After the customers left and I heard my phone "ding" when a vm message was completed...I told my co-worker that I needed her to come into my office while I take this call. I told her...This might be it!

Christina comes running over to my office, I call the agency...not once, but 5 times! It was busy! Finally, I got through. I asked for our family coordinator and she got on the phone. The first words she said to me was, "You have been waiting for this call for the past 3 1/2 years!" I replied, "ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!?!" Thankfully, Christina was in the office with me trying to calm me down. I started to break out in a cold sweat and needed to sit down. :) She asked me if I had pen and some paper handy. Yes...I did, but who was going to write this down for me as at this point I could hardly hold a pen (I was shaking like crazy!). Our family coordinator began to tell me some details about our daughter. I was in shock. I had to keep asking our coordinator to repeat the spelling because I just couldn't write! She must get that a lot?!

After the call, I immediately called John. Thank goodness he didn't go into work early--otherwise, he would've missed the whole thing! I called John and told him we got the call..he was like, "What?!" I then told him all the information we had about our daughter. We prayed and next thing I know, we have pictures being sent to us via email. Oh, the great things about technology! I downloaded her picture and there she was. Zhu Li Ying. What a precious gift from God! I immediately sent the pictures to John. We cried. At this point, I totally needed a hug from my husband. He said that he would try to come by the office on his way to work. The last picture is that hug that I was wanting. Don't I have such a sweet husband?

From there on out, I went screaming throughout the bank..."I got her pictures! I got her pictures!" I think everyone was in shock too! I was proud Mama. As a teller, I have to make sure I have my head on straight...especially since I count money for a living! So, since my head wasn't on as straight as I anticipated, I left work with this glow about me...thinking of my daughter...Lydia...she is so beautiful..if I must say so myself.

After I left work, I spent the rest of the day on the phone with family and friends. It was a good thing I left work--I would've been completely useless.

So, we are on the last leg of the tour.....ALL thanks to our God for getting us here. Thank you Lord for picking out the most perfect daughter for us.

We are on our way Lydia...it won't be long now....

One moment can change your life forever......

After 3 1/2 years....

John and I introduce to you our daughter....

Name: Zhu Li Ying

DOB: 04/16/2007

From: Guangxi Province

Currently located: Xingye Welfare Institute

She is walking, sitting up on her own, crawling and currently has 6 teeth.

Once we get her measurements translated, we will send out that information also.

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.......

Absolutely Overjoyed,

Mama and BaBa

HAPPY SEPTEMBER!!!!!

Hello folks,

Well, we made it to September! John and I were planning on going to Ohio this weekend, but with our crazy schedule, we decided to take a day off to chill out. We will be seeing Grandma in a couple of weeks. Doctors are saying that after two months, her health will start declining.

On another note, we have been reading on the Rumor Queen site that 3 Eurpoean agencies are stating that 2-9-06 is the cut-off. Yes, that means that we will be in this batch!! We may be hearing some news within the next couple of days.
HOWEVER, we are not going to be anxious about this news. Our pastor has been going through the book of Matthew lately and he just so happened to land on the end of Matthew 6. Ya know, that great passage about not being anxious, but trusting God. Our anxiety is telling the world that we do not trust our Lord. If you have some time, I highly recommend listening to it. If you go to www.communitypca.org and on the right hand side of the screen you will see Sermon Series. Select "Do not be Anxious." Good stuff...simply good stuff.

We will certainly keep you posted..thanks!