China News

We have been busy around here!

We keep up with our regular work load, the farm, and lots of fun has been thrown in there too.

Blake and I have been finishing some things for our trip! This weekend we listened to our last webinar and it was about our trip to China and all that it will entail. It was good! Lots and lots of information! We also downloaded a translation app onto my phone. It has been fun to type things into it and listen to it in Cantonese!! Lane’s comments as he listens to it are hilarious!

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The kids and I also painted Eliza’s room last week. It was so dark, and I just envisioned Eliza’s room bright and cheery! Bright it is now! I hope it grows on me! We don’t really even know if Eliza will sleep in this room….we will do whatever needs to be done that is best for her….which may mean she co-sleeps with Blake and I.

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Addie has been gathering things on our list and making a pile! The pile is starting to look ominous! Things like clothes pins (so we can wash some laundry in the bathtub and hang it to dry), disposable gloves (for the unknowns that we hopefully won’t have to deal with), umbrellas (we hear it rains a lot in Guangzhou), diapers, wipes, the gifts for our guides and others in China, snacks for Eliza, my food, all the “just in case” medications……. It will be a mountain before we are done!

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Grant told us yesterday that Eliza’s first word is going to be “Grant.” We told him that we would teach her to say his name the way Lane used to say it – “Dwanty!” She already has him wrapped around her pinky finger, so I imagine she could call him anything and he would come running! So sweet.

Our Article 5 did not get dropped off when we originally thought it would on May 26th, but it was dropped off May 29th. It will be picked up one week from today, June 16th!!! We officially start our wait for Travel Approval on June 17th. Yahoo!!! Once we have Travel Approval we will leave for China two weeks from then. It is coming up fast!!

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We are picturing Eliza with us in all the things that we are doing. We talk about what she would think, if she would be excited or scared, what she would be doing, if she will be able to keep up without being carried…..we are beyond excited to see fruition to these dreams! We are praying that her transition will go well and we will see some of these sweet smiles from her not too long after we meet!

Eliza June 2014

Blake and I had a sweet (and very late!) time of prayer together last night. We focused our prayers on Eliza, all the specifics of the trip, and Kayla and the boys being at home. I am so thankful for the peace the Lord has afforded me because of Blake’s prayers over me last night. A peace that passes all understanding! God is so good! He WILL strengthen us because we ARE weak! He will NOT leave us! He WILL be with us every step of the way!

We would covet any and all prayers on our behalf. We need you now! We need you to pray!

It won’t be long now……we are coming baby girl!!

Summer Fun!

Friday night we planned some summer fun at home. Lane and Chad couldn’t wait for evening to arrive and the fun to begin! First we roasted hot dogs, had potato salad, fruit salad, and fresh salsa with chips. It was yummy!

Grant has a blast wherever he is at – even roasting hot dogs for everyone!

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David joined us…..

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and sweet Gail joined us too!

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After we ate, three crazy boys swam!

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Kayla’s cute pup, Anaya, entertained herself playing soccer. She is such a great pup!

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Then it was time for some dessert! Addie Mae made us some homemade marsh mellows. They tasted just like real marsh mellows! Chad and Lane loved that they could have them! We tried to roast them, but that didn’t work out so good, so we just ate them cold.

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Blake and some of the kids set up the tent. This party was going to go all night long!

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Gail and David left after dark, but the rest of us slept under the stars. It was such a BEAUTIFUL night. So much fun!!!

Saturday morning Blake made us breakfast over the fire! I made some sunrise smoothies, with credits to The Pioneer Woman, even though we modified the recipe some.

Yummy, yummy!

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Lane loves to finish the cold sips of coffee in the bottom of my cup!

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This was a wonderful break from the craziness of life! And my kind of camping….40 steps from the backdoor of the house!! We all agreed that we need to do this again soon, very soon. Summer is racing by already!

Eliza Claire Shop

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Written by Kayla-

I have a pretty exciting announcement to make! I am opening an insta shop of little girls clothing to help fundraise for Chinese orphans in need of forever families. So much cuteness going up for sale I can hardly stand it!

Check it out here- http://instagram.com/elizaclaireshop#

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The first sale will be Monday, June 9th. That’s right- this week! I’ll be posting some adorable items size 9 months to 3T. Please check out the shop policies post on the instagram page to see how buying works. If you don’t have an instagram, simply email me at elizaclaireshop@gmail.com to claim the item!

Please spread the word! Let’s help bring these children home.

-Kayla

A Great End To This Day!!!

We just got an e-mail from our sweet caseworker that said “Call me when you get this! I want to hear the screams! I don’t care that it is late!”

Scream I did!! Everyone thought something was VERY wrong! But this was just the best gift God could have given us to end this day!

Another update about Eliza!! (We were not expecting this!!) With photos!!!! Check these out!!!

Eliza 2 June 2014

Eliza June 2014

Apparently, she likes to eat sweets too!!! Hurry up paperwork!! We can’t stand this anymore!! The happy tears are flowing hard tonight……