Potty Training

Well, guess who is using the potty? Yes, it's Lilly! After coming home from our weekend camping trip (well staying in a rustic cabin is as close to camping as I get!), I decided that I would try potty training Lilly on Monday. It was Memorial Day and David was home so I thought that I might just need his help in managing everybody else while Lilly and me did the potty thing! It was so easy that I really didn't need his help, but we enjoyed his being at home just the same! She has done amazingly well! It's like she was just waiting on me to take off her diaper and put her on the potty. She loves wearing her big girl panties and those M and M's help a little too! I am so proud of our Lilly girl! A little news on Ellie: We have been told by our agency, Children of the World, that we are getting an update on Ellie including a recent picture. Their agency representative is in Kunming with another adoptive family and is planning to pick up the update and Fed-Ex it to us! It simply can not get here fast enough. We still do not know if her lip has been repaired. We are trusting in God's sovereignty, and if it has not been repaired, then that's ok. The pictures we have are 13 months old so we can not wait to see how she has grown. I am betting that she has a headful of beautiful black hair. We hope and pray we will receive it by next week at the latest. Still no word on our LOA (Letter of Acceptance). It could be only a week away or a month or more away. We just don't know. Once that comes, it will likely be at least another 6 weeks before travel. We are getting closer though!
I just have to add that our hearts broke last week when we heard about the tragic death of Maria Chapman, Stephen Curtis Chapman's adopted daughter. It was an article on the Chapman family's adoptions that actually first led David and me to consider adopting a child from China. We continue to pray for their healing and and for God's peace to surround them each and every day.

One Year as a Forever Family

Wow! It's simply hard to believe that one year ago today I finally met the little girl that I had prayed for and loved for months. This past year has been full of joy, delightful surprises, and new beginnings. Lilly has learned a great deal in the past year. She couldn't walk at all this time last year or even push herself into a sitting position. She had never heard English before meeting us. Now Lilly runs, jumps, talks in 3-4 word sentences, and is a bundle of energy always ready to go!
This past year we have also experienced many sad and difficult times. First, Lilly's illness in China and our "hospital tour" consisting of 3 different hospitals in 2 different Chinese cities. Lilly's continued fight for health once we got home, and her open heart surgery last June. We gained a daughter in the last year, but had to say goodbye to my dear grandfather. Lilly also had to part with her great-grandfather whom she only knew for 6 short months. Lilly loved her GG and called for him often after he died. During these difficult times, our faith saw us through. "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
Our God is truly an awesome God. I feel so unworthy to have been given such a precious gift as Lilly. I am honored to be her mother. I thank God for giving David and me the courage to adopt. I thank God for choosing us to take care of one of his children whom he loves far more than we ever could. I thank God for seeing us through the trials of this past year. I thank God for healing Lilly's heart through the skilled hands of a surgeon at MUSC. I thank God that his power is revealed in my weakness. As Jen reminded me during our trials in China, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9 I hope it is obvious to all who know us or read this that our choosing to adopt a child (soon to be children) is not just something to do or a need to be filled. No, it is simply our choosing to be obedient to our God. "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27 We serve a mighty God and without him, David and I could not even attempt to do this. Praise to him who makes all things possible! "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

This picture was taken one year ago today in the Civil Affairs Building in Changsha, Hunan China. This is the moment we first met our baby, Lilly Kaishu! What a blessing!

Here is our Lilly waking up in her crib in the orphanage. This photo was taken in February of 2007 when Lilly was known as "Su Su" and was about 16 months old. Adele at Blessed Kids made this and many other photos of Lilly possible.

Here's Lilly waking up this morning, a year after joining our family. A year ago today, Chen Kai Shu woke up in her crib in the orphanage in Chenzhou City, China for the very last time. Every morning since, she has woken up in a home full of love. A home filled with love for a precious baby girl born on the other side of the world and love for an amazing God who brought us together. Adoption is indeed a miracle and is the work of our loving Heavenly Father.

This picture was taken in early June last year when Lilly had only been home for about 2 weeks.

And here is our Lilly girl in the same chair on our porch not quite a year later. She has changed quite a bit and has grown alot! She has gained about 7 pounds and grown about 5 inches taller.

Lilly has always, from day one, felt my hair between her fingers as she is doing here. While she does this she also sucks her tongue, and it is just precious. We watched her "Gotcha Day" video today and saw her doing this while we were still in the Civil Affairs Building.

We are so blessed to have been chosen by God to be Lilly's parents. What a gift! "Every good and perfect gift is from above. . ." James 1:17 For this and all gifts, we praise our Father in heaven and offer him our hearts full of love and gratitude.

Lilly loves her Daddy and oh, does her Daddy love her! It all started a year ago today!!

Not only was today our first anniversary of being together as a forever family, it was also David's birthday! Here he is surrounded by all the little ones who call him "Dad". However one little one is missing, and David mentioned her today saying "we will be heading to China to get Ellie soon. " "Soon" just can't come soon enough when it comes to finally holding your child who has been in your heart for months. We're coming Ellie! We just don't know how "soon" it will be.

Country Living

Shelby and Katie taking a break to show off their piles of weeds. They are a huge help around the house and the garden! Thanks girls!!!

Shelby and Katie hard at work doing some serious gardening! It's a hot and dirty job but someone's got to do it!

Gardening by Fulton! He doesn't care for weeding too much, but he wanted to be included in the pictures. SO this one is pretty much a staged photo- LOL!!!

Fulton is better suited for picking blackberries- instant gratification. He and David picked a bucketful of blackberries from around our property. Yummy! Time to make blackberry jam.

Ethan helped a little and now he's tired and ready for a break- A cold Caprisun and blackberries!

Log In Date - WHAT???

We received our Log in Date (LID) this past Wednesday. It was quite a disappointment to say the least. We were dossier to China (DTC) on March 4. Typically a dossier is logged in within a few days to 2 weeks. Well, our LID is April 7. What a shock! We took some pictures of Lilly showing a range of emotions through her facial expressions. These pretty much sum up how we feel about this LID!


"WHAT? April 7?"

"Please say it isn't so!!!"

"This is not right! That's over 4 weeks!"

"I really want Ellie to come home soon!"

"This is just too much for a 2 year old to take!"

Our Chenzhou Reunion and a Birthday

We had such a wonderful time at Sarah Mei's family's farm. Thank you H. family for having us all! Here are all the siblings with Lilly, Lainie, and Sarah Mei. Adoption is so beautiful. To think that less than a year ago, these girls were orphans, the forgotten members of this world. Yet today, they are surrounded by loving families who cherish them. Now that is truly precious!

Lainie and Lilly having fun on the tricycle out in the barn. What cutie pies!

It didn't take long to figure out that Lilly and Sarah Mei are the "wild girls". Here they are zooming through the kitchen while Lainie, in the background, is content to stand with her mom.

Lainie, Lilly, and Sarah Mei reunited again. Aren't they precious? We sure think so!! All 3 girls were on the same Special Needs list with CWA back in December of 2006. They all had heart defects and lived together in the Chenzhou City Children's Welfare Institute in Hunan, China until the day they met their "forever families". Lilly is the oldest of the three. She turned 2 in October. Sarah Mei was 2 in January and Lainie is the baby of the group as she turned 2 in February. As you can see, they are all doing well now.

Fulton was celebrating his 7th birthday with his family. He had a great time and received lots of cool gifts. I must tell you the story of this cake. I tried and tried to make white icing red and forgot how difficult that is. That's why the icing is hot pink. Fulton was very kind and said that he was really glad that it was a family party and not a friend party. He said he would have been embarrassed had his friends seen his pink cake! Can't say I blame him!!! Things get worse. . .

I put the cake in the oven instead of covering it to preserve all the icing, but I forgot it was in there. I turned the oven on to have it ready to keep the pizzas warm. Well, needless to say, I didn't remember that the cake was in the oven until I opened the oven to put the pizzas in. Thus we had a "twice-baked cookie cake". That explains the flattened look of the baseballs! What a good laugh! And most importantly, it still tasted very yummy!

Fulton is thanking future-Uncle Nick and his Aunt Michelle for his present. Michelle and Nick got engaged a few months ago and are to be married next April. Michelle is my sister, and we are so happy for the two of them.

Ethan's slam-dunking already!!! Well, not really! Ethan's future Uncle Nick had the great idea of holding Ethan up and doing some "trick photography" so you couldn't tell. Ethan had fun!

As we wait for Ellie!

As we wait for Ellie, we have been very busy! Here is a glimpse of some of the fun we have all had over the last several weeks! Missing are pictures of David and the boys fishing- forgot to take the camera-oops! Also missing are pictures from baseball games. We have been out at the field quite a bit, but again we have forgotten the camera! We' ll do better, and yes, we have plenty of games left to capture Fulton doing his thing!


My dear friend Cyndi invited us to go along with her to the Casting Crowns concert. Cyndi rode with another friend so I don't have a picture of her. Here are my good friends Sharon and Kim.
It was a wonderful evening and and a very moving time of worship for me. Thank you, Cyndi!

Getting a hug from Katie before going to the concert.

David playing his role as the "strong" father! Here he is man-handeling Lilly and Ethan as we were attempting to get everybody in position for a picture with friends of ours who were visiting. They have 4 children so it was quite the task!

Lilly had quite a good time playing in a puddle on our patio. It was just the 2 of us at home, and it was so fun watching her delight in a simple puddle of water.

Have I ever mentioned that Lilly loves to climb? Well she does. Here she is taking a rest on Mimi's coffee table. Notice the Easter candy she is waiting ever so patiently for some sweet soul to open for her.

Shelby and Katie opened up "S & K Nail Salon" on a recent Friday night. I received a pedicure and manicure as well as a massage. I was treated marvelously I might add. When I was finished, little Miss Lilly had to be pampered as well!

Just minding her own business as her cute little footsies soak! Like they needed it! Feet don't get much cuter than her little size 4s!

Lilly really enjoyed soaking her feet in the tub. "This is the life, Mommy!" Too bad Ellie was not here to join in on the fun!

Now Lilly is all the way in the foot tub! Can you tell she had a blast at her first "nail salon"?

Happy Resurrection Day!

We had a wonderful day celebrating the resurrection of our Lord. Our church's sunrise service was beautiful. Each year it is held down by the pond, and it is so amazing to take in all of God's creation. We hope that you also had a special day with family remembering the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross over 2,000 years ago, and that He lives today!


What a lovely little group except that we are missing Ellie. Next year there will be 6- WOW!

Ready to go to the sunrise service. Thankfully it started at 8:00 not 6:00, so we made it on time- no small feat for this group. Here Lilly is practicing showing that she is 2 years old. She has a little trouble holding down that other finger. Oh well, she will be ready when she turns 3!

Ethan and Lilly enjoying the candy from their eggs that they found at our church's Easter egg hunt.

Lilly looks a little confused, but she had lots of helpers who spotted the eggs and then led her straight to them. Thanks to Katie and Mary Francis for helping Lilly find her first Easter eggs.

It was quite a brisk morning since Easter was celebrated so early this year. Ethan also had a great time hunting for eggs.

Fulton showing off his loot. He found more than most children and with a little coaxing, he did share a few eggs with his siblings and others.

Katie and Lilly taking a break from finding eggs. Lilly sure enjoyed her first Easter Egg hunt.

Introducing. . .

Ellie Jean Yuanying (named for her special great- granddaddy, Gene)
Born: September 20, 2006 From: Yunnan Province, China


We are so excited to be on this journey again to a daughter who waits for us in China. Ellie's story begins quite differently than Lilly's. After living the miracle of Lilly's adoption and seeing God's fingerprints on so many aspects of our ordeal in China, David and I both knew that we would adopt a special needs child again from China. Quite frankly, how could we not? God had so clearly delivered us through probably the most difficult experience we had ever faced in our lives. We simply could not say "Thanks God for providing for our EVERY need, but we can't do that again so please find somebody else to take the next orphan." No, we both knew we would go back for another child, we just didn't know when. I really felt the pull on my heart to China during my friend Sharon's adoption trip last August. I knew then that there was another child waiting in China for us. I didn't know where she was or when I would find her, but I knew she was waiting.


Fast forward to October 15, this is the day that I first saw the beautiful face of Wu Yuan Ying. A lady posted on a Yahoo group (for families of SN children from China) that this little girl was listed with a small agency in Alabama and was still waiting for a family. As soon as I saw her face I said to myself "You might be Ellie!" David and I talked and prayed. We researched the agency, Children of the World, and found out that they are a wonderful Christian agency who does a tremendous amount of humanitarian work around the world. We researched cleft lip and palate. Initially David shared with me that he felt the timing was not right because he felt "something" was getting ready to happen to our family. On Friday, November 9, we had to give the agency an answer because another family had become interested in Ying Ying. We said YES and began paperwork the next day.

Sadly, on Monday, November 12, I was told that my grandfather had been diagnosed the Friday before with liver cancer. This was the "something" that David had felt was coming to our family. We tried to proceed with paperwork and attending Dr. visits with my grandfather. By Wednesday, I was an emotional wreck so David said we could not proceed with the adoption at this time. The other family accepted Ying Ying. I was elated for her and sad for us, but I also knew this must be the right decision as I am a nurse and my grandfather helped raise me so I knew I would be very involved in his care in the coming months.

Only God knew that Granddaddy would live just 3 1/2 weeks from his diagnosis. The aggressive cancer started in another area of his body and had spread to the liver. He died on December 5, 2007. We were distraught, but our life with 5 children continued. On December 10, the same lady posted again on the Yahoo group that Wu Yuan Ying was available again as the other family could not proceed with her adoption. Her file was to be returned to China the next week if a family did not come forward. David and I prayed for a week and decided on December 16 that God had given us a second chance to be her parents. Ying Ying was the rainbow after the storm for our family. God gives and He takes away. He took my grandfather earlier that any of us wanted, but He also gave us a new daughter. How good our God is.

Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year

Lilly enjoyed her first Valentine's Day party and ate lots and lots of candy!

Lilly had a wonderful time helping to decorate her cookie. Well, actually she just had fun eating all the M and M's.

Shelby, Katie, and Fulton decorating their bags at our homeschool Valentine's Day Party.

Celebrating Valentine's Day at Chuck E. Cheese. It was great fun for all of us!!!

Katie and Ethan having fun in the tunnels at Chuck E. Cheese.

Lilly was afraid of Clifford so here I am with Lilly. A tight squeeze for sure!

To celebrate CNY, we ate Chinese food with our good friends, the Millenders and then shot LOTS of fireworks. Lilly really liked the sparklers, but she was a little dangerous with it! No concept of fire!

Bailey, Lilly, and Brinley taking a break from the fireworks! What cutie pies!