A Sweet Reunion

On our east coast trip, we had the absolute blessing of being reunited with our "China friends," the Ramella family.  We met John and Judy in Hunan Province where we were both going to meet our new daughters for the first time.  At that time, they adopted their daughter, also named Lily, who is just about a year older than our Lily.  John and Judy were and have continued to be an amazing encouragement to both Dave and me.  They have 2 grown children who are out of the house, and then Gracie (now 5) also adopted from China years ago, and now Lily (who is now 3 1/2).  John and Judy just lift us up with their faith in our wonderful Lord, and how they truly want to live a life that pleases Him.  They love the orphan :-).  The Ramellas live on the East Coast, and we were thrilled to be able to go to their home and get the kids together again.

Jumping with Gracie on the backyard trampoline.

From left to right:  Lily and Grace Ramella, Lily, Matthew, Nathan, and Aaron

The two Lily's on their Daddies.

We were treated to an ITALIAN FEAST!!!  Homemade pizza!

Bread and olive oil.

The two Lily's.  Both from Hunan Province, China.  Our girls getting ready to eat.

Macaroni.  We heard so much about this macaroni while we were in China.  When we were in China, and familiar foods were slim pickins, Judy would say, "I can't wait to get home and have some macaroni!"  And I finally got to have some!  Yummmmmm.

The Ramella girls made cupcakes with sprinkles for the occasion.  Obviously, Aaron approves. 

Oh my!  Cannoli.  Yes, please!

Matthew reading a Pinkalicious book to Lily and Aarbear.

John, Judy, me, and Dave!

And I loved this so much that I took a photo of it.  It is hanging over Judy's kitchen sink.  Just in case you cannot read it.  It says:
God's main goal is not leisure, it's likeness.
Not feel better at times but follow better!
Holy Spirit knows what you are going to face next week, month, etc.  So he equips you for the future when he touches on an area of our life.  He touches on a fault.  Painful!  But He will walk with you to help you.
God will maximize your obedience and turn your weakness into a strength.  Romans 8:28

Everyone but Nathan (who is the camera man).

Their Lily is just thriving with her family!  She was also a special needs adoption - and her special need involves dermatology.  Dave is privileged to be dubbed her "angel doctor" by the Ramellas.  You can read about the details of the Lord's provision here in Judy's blog.

Oh man, I miss them already :-).

You never forget the friends you make when you go to adopt a child, that is for sure.

Lily's Gotcha Day!

One year ago today - we met our Lily Claire for the first time!

This is Lily's photo from when she was 9 months old.  It is the oldest photo that we have of her.  It is the photo that is on her file that came from China.  Look at those big brown eyes, and that rosebud mouth.  She has already healed from her lip repair that was down in China when she was 7 months old.  I don't like to think about her enduring that surgery all by herself.

Gotcha Day!  This is when she was first handed off to us in our room at the HuaTian Hotel in Changsha, Hunan.  

This is the two of us last week.  Look how happy she is!

So at home and right in the middle of everything - doing a science experiment with brothers.

Manning the remote for Sunday afternoon football with Daddy.

I cannot imagine our family without her dear scrappy adorable self.  She just warms out heart every day with how much she trusts and loves us all.  What an honor it is to be loved by this little child.  Her brothers all dote on her and have accepted her so completely even from the beginning.  I feel so blessed to get to be her mama.

I miss China.  Such fond fond memories of such a special special time!

Lily's Adoption Hearing

We had our court hearing this morning for Lily's readoption.
I know, it's a bit confusing.  She's already adopted.  However, being REadopted in the States means that she will have a U.S. issued birth certificate.  It also means it will be easier for her to access her benefits, etc. as she grows up.

It was such a cool experience!  We had never been in a courtroom before!  Cameras are actually not usually allowed inside the Superior Court buidling, but they allow the exception for adoptions :-).

Our family!

Waiting our turn to be called back to the judge's anteroom to sign the papers.  You can't see them, but there was a whole room of families with their adopted children.  It was awesome to think about how all of these families were being put together.  So beautiful!

Our turn to meet the judge and sign papers.  This is the Honorable Thomas Cain.  He is such a nice man.  I would imagine that this is one of the nicest parts of his job - finalizing adoptions.  He was smiling the whole time :-).  Dave and I had to raise our right hands and swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.  We promised that we would treat Lily as our natural daughter, with all the rights and privileges and benefits thereof.

The court even gives each child a chance to choose a toy or book.  Lily chose the the little teddy bear that is on the right side of this picture.  She discovered also that the sash on her dress would allow her to babywear her two "babies."  The bulldog, who she calls "Wowo" is from home and her usual travel companion.

Our dear friends came to celebrate and witness the event with us.  The K family is the closest thing to family that we have up here.  So happy they could make it :-).  Afterwards, we walked to downtown San Jose for lunch at the Sonoma Chicken Coop.

Lily is poking her eye here because she is asking if she can try on Nicky's sunglasses.

You can see that he obliged :-).  What a happy day!

We are just so delighted to be Lily's family.  She is truly such a great gift that has been given to us.  It is hard to imagine how life was without her here.  Hoping to update you all in more detail about how her speech is progressing in the coming days.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."

Romans 8:14-16

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Galatians 4:4-6

Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families.

Psalms 68:5-6

I800-A

I sent this off on Tuesday, September 28th. Our I800 application to USCIS. This is the last big hoop before we can get our dossier to China. Of course, we have to wait until they approve this and give us a fingerprinting appointment. In the meantime, I am so thankful to have 3 chicks to cuddle at home while I am waiting for Sweet Pea.

Huge Milestone!

Last Saturday, 8/28/10, we had our last homestudy visit! This time, our social worker came to our house to check it out and also to meet the kids. The picture above is of her talking to Matthew at the end of the visit. Everything went pretty smoothly - she made a couple of suggestions, but I hope and pray that she will write a thorough report that is favorable to our adoption. Our social worker is very nice, and very experienced - a wonderful resource for so many things related to adoption. It will take about a month for the homestudy report to be written, corrected, and finalized. This feels like a huge milestone to have our visits be over (for now - there is still postplacement, when the social worker comes to visit after a child comes home to a family). I will feel even better when the homestudy is finalized!

Thanks to those who have been praying for us. We do so appreciate it :-).