Our current status...

When we first sent in our dossier for Clare's adoption in February of 2006, I would never have guessed it would take us 3 years and 2 months to finally see her picture. When we got her referral on April 3rd, I would never have guessed that it would be this long to see her face to face. We have been delayed once again due to the H1N1 virus (swine flu). Our agency has advised that the local adoption center in Clare's province is closed to families coming in for adoption processing and cannot advise when they will be able to give appointments. So, we will wait and pray that God is working something very special here and the revealing of His plan will be nothing short of pure joy! Thank you for your continued prayers.
Stay tuned...we'll keep you posted!!
Blessings,
Anne

Both Hands - Project Day * May 16th

We have had lots of ups and downs since Referral Day. But one tremendous up was our Both Hands Foundation Project Day. It was so wonderful to have our friends and family beside us helping this widow and helping to bring Clare home too. We have been blessed beyond measure! Here's a film that says it all.

We received our referral of Clare !!!

We thank God for this wonderful day and the blessing he has given us in this child. We are so excited to introduce you to Clare! She is just so beautiful and looks so serious (just like her "big" sister, Elizabeth's referral picture). Her Chin*ese name is Shen Yuan Yuan and she is currently living in the Guiz*hou Province in foster care. She is 3 years old, so our girls will be just a little more than 2 years apart. We are so thankful for this precious little girl and can't wait to bring her home forever!!! I'll update you all as soon as we have more information. Our official package arrives Monday.
Love to you all and thank you for your prayers!
Anne

Just missed our date...

It appears that the cut-off date for this month's referrals from Chin*a is March 6th. Although disappointed that our Clare's referral was not in this batch, we are so excited to finally know that we are next! That we will finally see her face in the next batch of referrals that come. Wow...the 3-year wait is coming to an end and we will hold her soon! Stay tuned for further updates!!
Love and blessings this fine day to you all!

Anne

Special happenings in February...

Celebrating Linda's birthday...We love you a bunch!

Practical joker...
she gets that from Don...who gets it's from Uncle Dick!

Our first daffodils...

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day was celebrated with lots of friends...loads of love...and food, games, crafts and just plain fun! See for yourself...





Anyone for bingo?


Bingo!

1*26*2009 Chinese New Year...the Year of the Ox

And so another year begins...the year of the OX...or is it the hug (O) and the kiss (X)...only kidding! Anyway we celebrated grandly thanks to a party hosted by my friend, Teresa. The CNY lesson book and crafts by Sonja were wonderful...and Elizabeth is still enjoying them! Here are a few pictures from the day...

Elizabeth, Miyah, Isabella, and Mei Lin...

Leslie, Susannah, and Corinne having a good time!

Chinese mask by artist, Wyatt...

such concentration...


paper fan by Miyah...



Chinese lantern by Elizabeth...