Chris and Melissa

A week after Molly came into the orphanage Melissa walked in the doors.  She was planning to foster another little girl but instead ended up leaving with Molly.  She took her home, named her Hylah Jessie and loved her like her own.

She had been through so much before Melissa got her.

Melissa then met and married Chris who loved her like his own as well.

Most orphans don't get this kind of love.

You can see in all the pictures how much they love her.

I also can see a difference in Molly when she is with Melissa and Chris vs pictures taken in the orphanage.  The sparkle is gone but quickly returns when she is with them again.

Melissa loved/loves this girl so unselfishly that she took her back to the orphanage this past spring to give her the chance to get paper ready and find a family.

There are so many waiting children in China.  The chance for older children, especially those with special needs, is slim at best.  Their future in China is grim.  At 14 they age out of the system and all chances are lost if they don't have a family by then.  14 and no family.

Thankfully Hylah Jessie had so many people that loved her and weren't going to rest until she had a family.  There were several people involved in this and lead us to our Molly.  We are beyond thankful for all of them.

Max was just home and we weren't looking to adopt at this point.  But, we kept going back to this little girl with a tragic yet amazing story.  All of which we don't really even know yet.  We kept asking if another family stepped forward yet and no one had.  We didn't want her to wait any longer.  We emailed back and forth with Melissa and even got to skype Melissa and Chris.

When we prayed and searched deep we couldn't find one reason not to adopt her.  Well I guess money was one but God has that covered.  

Molly is currently in the orphanage but they got her for a visit recently and soon will be bringing her back home until we can come and get her.  I can't tell you what a blessing that is.  The wait will be easier knowing how loved and taken care of she will be.  She will also freshen up on English and be as ready as she can be to come to the US.  It will help make her transition to our family as easy as it can be.

But, Melissa and Chris have a lot going on right now aside from Molly!  First Chris shares a birthday with Molly and second Melissa's is today!  The most important thing is they are expecting their own little girl any day now!  Sweet Rayna is going to make her entrance into the world at any minute.  She is going to have the best parents ever!

Happy Birthday Chris and Melissa!  I can't wait to see pictures of Rayna in your arms!  You guys will always be a part of our family and we are so thankful for that and for you guys!