My Nephew is Home!

Johnathan is finally here.  Thank you God!  

And Speaking of Squeezing!

I might have hijacked the post below from my SIL's blog who hijacked it from her sister's blog.

Hey, we're all family here.

(oh, compare this picture to my sidebar picture - he's gotten bigger!  Little buddy.)

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God is good...all the time.  But some days my radar is more tuned in to this truth than others....Today was the first full day we relished in the reality that Johnathan was safe and happy in his Daddy's arms.  Today was the day that Johnathan ventured for 90 minutes in the outside world to meet the man that would have thoughtfully packed a bag of goodies just for him.  And today is the day that Stripey Man got to hold his Stripey boy....the boy he had been praying for and anxiously plotting their times together.  Today Johnathan got to meet his forever family on Skype...a video conferencing tool that I knew nothing about five years ago but that has played a significant role in my sister's growing family.  Today is the day that six beautiful children got to laugh with and share together in the joy of their precious baby brother....the brother who will snuggle to read books with them, sneak their french fries, and surely will want to do everything his big brothers are doing.  And today is the day that I got to see my sister's life feel slightly more complete....she has dreamed and prayed over this day for days, weeks, months, and in many ways, for years.  Her family is her ministry and her life...I am so very thankful for this most amazing day when she could hear the laughs of all these children at the very same time.  Thank you Jesus.  Truly, God is good, all the time.  We can't wait to see you Johnathan.  We love you!!!

CA is Here!

In addition to the birth of Shayden yesterday, we got word that my nephew Johnathan got his consulate appointment!  (see side bar for his sweet little face)

He is coming home in just over a month!  November 15th is the big airport party day!!!

PTL!

Yesterday was a very, very good day!

Bringing Home Johnathan

9/1/08

**UPDATE**

The adoption agency closed its doors, without warning (I'm sorry, with 2 weeks warning) and filed bankruptcy.  Unfortunately, they have our money.  All of Johnathan's files were transfered to a new agency.  New fees will need to be paid to the new adoption agency.  As you will see below, we really need you to let Oprah know.  Or Ellen.  Or The Today Show.  Really, anyone that might have a few extra bucks to help us get J home as soon as possible.  

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**UPDATE**  - THANK YOU to the anonymous donors....your totals do not show in the Chip In but we sincerely appreciate your donations.

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I'm about to get serious on you.  I know, I usually write funny (or not so - maybe you've just been humoring me all this time) tidbits about life in my family.  However, I'm taking a moment to share something serious.....seriously cool.

I should start by saying that I feel like I have the coolest family.  Really.  I am blessed beyond measure.  But there's an even cooler family out there and I need to tell you about them.  Ron's sister and her husband live down the street (I know - doesn't that ROCK!) and they have 7 children.  Ok, I am already getting ahead of myself.  Maybe I should just have you watch the video.....those 3 minutes will tell the story better than I ever could.

A Father's Love 3/11/08

So, friends, family, anyone in cyberspace that is listening:  I need some help.  It is freakishly expensive to bring home children from China.  Freakishly.  As in, more than $20,000 each time you do it.  And, as you saw from the video, they have already done it twice.  Johnathan will be the 3rd little one to come home in just over 2 years.  Do the math.  Yikes.  

With 6 (almost 7) children to care for, that's a ton of moola.  But, if I can tap into a couple lattes from each one of you, we start to make some progress.  I'm setting my first goal at $2,000.  Its only 10% of what is needed but hey, you gotta start somewhere!

Its what any good and loving aunt would do.  And please, if any of you know Oprah, send her my blog link.  Then we can all go back to drinking lattes.

Click on the link to the right.  Help bring my nephew home.  Peace.