YIPPPEEEEEEE!!!!!

WE ARE.........

LOA!!

The longest wait of the process is over!  We received news of our letter of acceptance from China today.  It is dated 8-9-11.  Our names and his name on the same official document!!! 
The news came as I was in his room preparing it for the big transformation.  The room is underway, the LOA is here, tomorrow the NVC (National Visa Center)...there will be a sweet little Asian face calling me "mom" before we know it!! 
Here's a Godwink: LOA is 8-9-11.  8-9-05 is the date that started a miracle walk for our family with our oldest son. Hmmm.......

Getting Presents!

A sweet family adopting one of Kell's pals is taking a care package to him.  Hopefully, the "old friends" can get together now and again on this side of the world.

Sweet Henry did some translating for us, AGAIN.  We've given that language a shot and, well, we've decided that Kell will be meeting regularly with Henry just to chat it up in Mandarin.  I don't want him to lose the language.  Hoping to find a way to keep it up locally.  We live NOT close to Atlanta's Chinatown where there are Chinese schools. 

I mean, look at that! 
We are just not that smart able to attend mandarin classes at this time!

Christmas in July?

Before we know it Santa will be here and our boy will be ready!

Kell has a Christmas stocking ready to be hung by the chimney with care.  Thankfully, Ballard rarely changes their designs and I could get him one in the set we already have.  Otherwise, there would have to be six new stockings so we all match...just not in the budget this year!  We are thinking positively about the process...he WILL be home for Christmas!  Please, please, please!

What a great time to arrive.  He'll get to hear the greatest story from the very beginning!  December 25 Kell will attend his first birthday party in his new country.  A new country, a new family, and most importantly, on his way to new life in Christ.  What an honor for our family!

We've all agreed that it's the most important thing we can teach Kell.  So before any ABCs and 123s there will be Jesus and prayer and Bible.  I'm betting it's the first thing he hears because his mommy will be thanking Jesus out loud when I get my hands on that baby!!

Can't wait to share the love!  "Because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ..."  Ephesians 2:4-5.  That's the "riches" we have to share with our boy...God's mercy, love, and saving grace.

One Less....

WE ARE.....

AND WE ARE......

YAY!  Our dossier went to China on June 8.  Our log in date is June 27.  We are now about to wrap up week 4 of the wait for our LOA.  While we're being patient, we're also praying that that our LOA comes...yesterday!  The closer it gets, the more excited we all become!  Burke and Mills have been setting goals for helping Kell learn our language, numbers, etc.   Everything else is a competition, so why not this?  I'm hoping they will challenge each other....who can teach Kell more first!  That would be way more productive than the usual "who can burp the longest" and today's "who can hit the other with the most acorns in 15 seconds".  The good thing is, they can easily entertain themselves during our 2 hour waits for ballgames to start!  Hey, how about reading a book, guys?

As you can tell from the pictures, we are at the beach this week...for baseball, of course!  Is there any vacation that doesn't involve a ballfield?  Not that I know about!  I love every minute of these baseball days.  Sadly, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel for Jack's traveling baseball days....I don't want to go to the light!!  He'll be a senior this year.  I can't believe how quickly the years go (tear, sniff).

We are anxiously awaiting and are so thankful for our little "Asian Sensation"!  He's a rock star at our house, just as he deserves to be!  Hope his family is everything he dreams we will be!  He certainly couldn't be any more wanted and loved...that's for sure!

"Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me."  Mark 9:37
Let the receiving begin....SOON!!!

Kell Berry #18

You know how I said in the last post that Kell is already a part of our days?  Check out the picture below for one example...

That's right, Kell Berry #18.  He's all set up on each and every video game system.  Mills and Burke just play for him when it's his turn...until he gets here.  Sometimes they even get beat by Kell.  Now that's love if I've ever seen it!  My boys are competetive!
And #18 is officially his number for jerseys.  A good friend who is #18 gave Kell a jersey and it became his official number.  He's all set for the gaming at our house!

Yes, I'm Still Here!!

It's been a long time since I posted here.  It's a really busy time of year for everyone.  Adoption news...we received our USCIS (immigration) approval on May 12 and RAN to scan it to Karla!  Our dossier has been wherever it goes to be certified and authenticated.  We hope to be DTC any minute!!
 I had hoped the busyness would take my mind off the waiting...didn't work!  Kell's one of my babies now and he is already a big part of our days.  We talk about him, pray for him, think of him everyday.  Several weeks ago there were a few days where it seemed bad news was all around us...grief, tragedy, illness.  Many friends were suffering and prayers were being lifted for them.  One evening after a longer than usual prayer time, Doug started to close and Burke yelled out, "No!  We haven't prayed for Kell yet!  Close your eyes.  I'll do it."  He said a sweet and sincere prayer for his brother.  Yep, he scolded us!  We hadn't forgotten Kell.  It was more of a time issue, I think!  I hope he always takes care of his little brother that way.  Here's what's been up with us...
                                                                           A prom,,,

                                                                         Another prom...

Young Life Family Camp

Family wedding in the Virgin Islands...

St. John...beautiful...

A 5th grade graduation...

LOTS of baseball...

More baseball...

More baseball...

Summer is finally here and I love it!  I love for my kids to be home just hanging out with lots of friends around.  With 3 baseball schedules we don't have many real "lazy days" but make the most of those we do have!  Kell just may think Americans are crazy when he comes to live with us...he'll adjust!  He'll think everyone's house is full of loud boys and flying balls...and the occasional flying food!!

Thanks to all of you who are supporting us financially, prayerfully, and emotionally.  That's orphan care...that's right, even the moral support! Here's to one less lonely boy in the world, one less broken heart!

Soon he'll be home and he'll know Jesus who will heal his broken heart, and he'll never be alone again...PRAISE GOD!!

"Father to the fatherless, defender of widows-this is God, whose dwelling is holy.  God places the lonely in families"  Psalm 68:5-6