Hi, Abbey, Marley, Payton, and Ethan!! These are our awesome kids above, as seen on our last night’s call from Skype. It’s wonderful to be able to talk to them AND see them each day. We miss them terribly and can’t WAIT to get home to them. But, we know that they are safe and happy and enjoying their time with Granma and Grampa. How’d the Upward games go yesterday?
February 24th, 2008 at 5:29 am
You all look so happy. And I was glad to see new pictures and new information. I am taking pictures to church to show EveryBody !!!
I posted the following on yesterday, but am not sure that it was seen so I hope you will forgive me for posting it again. I just feel that we all need to think about it and thank God…
I lost a dear friend last night. Mr. Chester was a wonderful, vibrant, funny and independent 95 years old. He made a choice for his life and committed suicide. Today I have had questions and tears, but it led me to think about the woman that gave birth to our dear Lainey. This woman made a choice to give her child up. To give her baby up so that this child could have a chance at a better life. In doing so… we are all blessed for now Lainey has wonderful and loving parents who will raise her in a good Christian home with 4 great siblings. Lainey’s life will be wonderful and she will be loved by us all. But I said a prayer that in some way God will find a way to give this woman a serene peace in knowing that Lainey is cared for and loved. Thank you God for Your amazing grace and planning for all our lives. Thank You for Lainey.
February 24th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Hey guys!!! I am so glad to see Lainey ” blooming”. She’s so cute. I am nearly beside myself to see her in person. I think it is great that you’ve been able to see your kids on Skype- sometime you will have to explain that to me. Jack was so happy to see “his” kids again- he was happy to be home I think. I am thanking God for keeping you all well and healthy through this trip, especially Lainey. We love you and all of us check this every morning first thing- I sent the link to the small group. We love you, Anne, Jon, Emily and Julesy.
February 24th, 2008 at 8:47 am
We are so enjoying following your journey! We love the pictures and the way your posts make us feel as if we are almost there with you all. BTW: what is the brand name of the baby carrier you are using in the picture? Lainey looks so comfy and snug.
Again, thanks for letting us all follow along! Lainey is beautiful!!!
ac & fm
http://www.alyzabethan.blogspot.com
February 24th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Thank you for following our journey, ac and fm :) We really enjoy doing the blog, I LOVED following others when we were waiting. I hope that your wait for Alyzabeth shortens! The carrier is an Ergo and it’s great. I like the flexibility…you can use it in the front, back, or like a hip carrier and it goes up to 40lbs. I could have carried my daughter at age 8! lol…
Donna
February 24th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Hi guys! It is me Abbey. I LOVE the pic of the flower and Lainey’s hand! I t is adorable!!! Dad, ah.. we lost the game on the 23. It was a good game though! by half time we where tied 20/20! then we got a bust! Lets see, A girl with braces,curly hair,and a pony tail got the best of us. Guess who! I t was Emliy! the girl from our team last year! We played them again!!!!! =0 But, we did very good, last game with them it was 6/26!!! oh, and the finle score for the game 0n the 23 was 30/20 not bad for a team that killed your buy the last time u played them! well, it is time for breakfast! and oh, we are not going to church cause the trips are sleepy! I do not know who won yet but I will ask them whenthey wake up!
Abbey ps. Love u!!!
February 24th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Donna –
Great pics today!! I really enjoy your writing style…you keep me interested and coming back for more!! We had Kathy as our guide in November and absolutely LOVED her!!! If you think of it, could you tell her Carson and Meggie’s mom says hello?! Also, tell her Carson is doing very well and already speaking English like a big boy! Kathy will take EXCELLENT care of you while you’re there.
Enjoy Guangzhou…it was our favorite leg of the trip!! Get some Starbucks and eat at Lucy’s…those were our favorites!!!
Teresa =)
CCAI WCP, Mom to Meggie and Carson
February 24th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
I agree with Abbey, I love the pic of the flower with Lainey’s hand! Too sweet! She really looks like she has made such good strides. Thank you again for sharing your story with us. It gives me hope and makes it seem like it really will happen for us.
February 24th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
so glad to see you having fun with all the kids back home-maybe I should get that camera thing too? I hope it works well for you!
February 24th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
She is beautiful….loving following your blog. Thanks for all the pics – it is so nice to see Lainey relaxing into your family. Hopefully we’ll see you when you get home! :-)
Laurie
February 24th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I love all the pictures! Guangzhou does seem like it has more “life”. Do you think you’ll see Jenn while you’re in Guangzhou? How fun for you to get the While Swan Barbie :) Enjoy the rest of your days in China!
Blessings,
Pam
February 24th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Glad you guys have moved to what your Dad said is a safer town. He has worried about you guys being so far from home. Not that you are any closer right now, I think he just thinks it is safer. We all miss you three and will be glad when you return home. Lainey seems to change every day. A real cutie. Love Nana and Pawpaw.
February 24th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
I am really enjoying all of the pictures. I must admit the artistic impression pics are my favorite especially her little hand reaching for the rose. We have stared and shared at the many photos that you got of Graeme and again can not thank you enough!!! Lainey is such a blessing.
February 24th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
I love that picture of the kids at home! They’re doing great!
I am so enjoying hearing about your trip….and you’re right…we know where the blessings come from!!!! :-)
February 24th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
I have been checking your blog site morning, noon and night waiting for the next posting. The pictures have been wonderful, especially the one of Randy with Lainey sleeping on his chest, Donna feeding Lainey, Lainey getting a shampoo and those of her smiling. Who else but Randy would find a pick-up basketball game in China? The picture of the three of you at the “finding spot” was emotional. Perhaps the saddest of all though is the picture of the room where she had been living. The room was so sterile – no pictures on the walls or toys scattered around, just infants tied in their cribs. There was nothing to nurture her emotionally or spiritually. It has been wonderful watching her blossom from the scared little girl in the beginning to the smiling, happy girl she is becoming. And that’s only the start of her new life with a family who will love and care for her in a way she has never known. I will continue to pray for you as your time in China comes to an end and you make your way back home. You are very special and I love you.