Updates

I haven't updated for a while.  Somehow there always seems to be something going on.  The last couple of days it is snow.  The kids got out early yesterday and have a late start today.  Snow totals are going to be around 10 inches!  Know how many they predicted?  That would be one inch!  So they missed the mark a little.  Last week they talked all week about the big storm coming and we got 4-5 inches.  This week they planned for very little and we got a ton!  I thought I would update with some pictures.

This is Mia probably 6 months after she got home.  I just saw this picture when looking at others and can't believe how little and tiny she was!  She was 2 1/2 and not walking, no chubby thighs yet either!  She has come so far but was so cute then too.

(older picture of her but she is so cute)

We continue to learn more and more about Molly thanks to her wonderful foster parents!  We are busy working on the dossier and hopefully it will be on its was to China soon.  Molly is ready to come home and we want her to come home so waiting out the rest of the process isn't going to be easy.

Sunday we went four wheeling in the snow but it was so warm there was more mud.

Everyone has a great time when we go!

Travis rode for awhile and then used his sisters as target practice with snowballs.  (though he wasn't allowed to actually hit them)

Last Saturday was the Gigi's Playhouse Gala!

They had the traveling gallery there so we got to see Mia's picture again!

We had a great time.  Once a year I dress up and that is enough for me.  It was fun though and we had a table full of family and friends there this year.  The night is just amazing.  400 some people in a room together because they all love and support someone with down syndrome.  I am so proud of Max and Mia and so thankful God gave us them!

Tomorrow we have court for Max!!!  This is a big day because he will officially become Max Ronglin.  Up until now nothing was final so it is a big deal.  We also can post pictures of him then!  The next blog post will focus on Max!  So many big things going on this week!

Max and Mia are also going to preschool 4 mornings a week now!  Both are ready and doing great.  Mia has a friend there that she talks about.  Melts my heart!  They keep the teachers and associates busy while I enjoy some quiet time and get more cleaning done and run errands while they are gone.

Basketball is over too.  That frees up our nights.  Travis had a great year!  Probably his best.  It was fun to watch him take off this year with a good team and good coach.

His cheering section even gladly went to play I mean support him at his games.

Or try to crawl away!  We often got a sitter for the little ones so we could focus on Travis and that was nice too!

Travis' birthday was last week and he is 17 already!  So hard to believe.  My birthday was Monday and I started the day with Molly singing happy birthday and then in the afternoon got some beautiful flowers and a balloon from her! How amazing is that and that there are such wonderful people out there that helped her do that!  Blew me away and made my day.

 

We have also had some big things this week with the adoption but I will have to wait a week or two to share more there!!!  I promise to share as soon as we can!

Happy Valentine's day

Happy Valentine's Day and a big thank you to whoever donated to our adoptions again!  You have no idea how much that means to us and how much we need it!  Molly is ready to come home and we don't want money to stand in the way!!!

Molly loves animals as you can see.  Maddie does too and we used to be very involved in an animal shelter and are going to start going again!  Hopefully Molly will be content seeing them at the shelter and living with two cats and  two dogs.  Her new thing is she wants a pig.  I mean really really wants us to get her a pet pig.  I need to find a farm so we can visit.  Hopefully when she sees how big and ugly they really are, she will change her mind!  Maddie and her are going to get along so well though and share a huge love of animals!

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She is free again!!!  Molly walked out the orphanage door for the last time!

The papers are signed and it is official.  She will stay with Melissa, Chris and Rayna until we can come and get her.  I was hoping it would be summer but it is likely it won't be until fall.  Of course with God anything is possible though so still praying for summer.  But, I have learned from previous adoptions that God has it planned out already.  He will bring her home when the timing is perfect.

It definitely makes the wait easier knowing she is well loved and taken care of.  Melissa will do a great job getting her heart ready to come home as well!

One more day!

One more day and Molly is back at her foster home!  She will also get the package we sent :)  There will be a lot of changes for Molly this year so please keep her in your prayers!

One more week, that is all.  One more week and Molly is going back home with her wonderful foster family!  One more week in an orphanage, forever!!!  One more week and then she will be treated like the special little girl she is.  Hopefully in a week her package from us will be there waiting for her.  One more week sweet Molly. 

The paperwork never goes as fast as we want but we are making progress.  I can't wait until I can give her a big hug and she has a mom and dad again.  I can't wait until there is one less orphan in the world.  But for now, one more week and she won't spend another night in the orphanage!!!