Birthday

Jude Fuzhi's birthday was Aug. 18. He turned 4. We weren't able to be there, but we did send him some presents, including the outfit he's wearing in this photo. We also sent him some photos, and he's looking at the album of them. This was the first time he laid eyes on us.

We wish we had been able to spend his birthday with him, but we will next time. We're just happy the things we sent him made it and he looks so good.

Happy birthday baby!

When we were waiting to go to China in 2008, we were delayed because of paperwork and we hoped to travel and bring Jake home before his 2nd birthday. We made it by 10 days. This time around, there was really no hope of beating the birthday, so as the time ticked across the world, our son celebrated turning 4 without us yesterday, which was today in China. We hope he had a great day with his foster family, and we can't wait to celebrate today with Chinese food and a birthday cake. His gifts were sent last week, and hopefully he enjoyed them. Here's the birthday boy in his younger years and the gifts we sent him through a wonderful woman in China.

Fuzhi aka Jude 

Outfit 

Snacks for the orphanage.

(We were told a birthday cake would be too hard to deliver as the orphanage is in a remote location) 

Toys and photo album of pics we sent of his family.

A new leap

In May 2013, our world once more was blessed as we saw the face of our second child for the first time. Happy with our dossier behind us, one that with the blessings of a full life took longer to complete than we hoped, we learned the same week that our second-born is waiting for us in Chongqing, China. Our agency sent us your file, little one, and we fell in love. Your brother talks about you every day and prays for you every night, and your parents long to hold you in their arms. In July we learned that we have pre-approval for this adoption to be finalized, and just this last week we found out we soon will have the official OK. This blog became a whole lot richer tonight as we updated the status of our "son" to our "sons."

Our first family portrait

The best day of our lives

Oct. 5, 2008, was indeed the best day of our lives. That was when we finally met the little boy we had only known through photographs and information from a few sheets of paper. Our meeting happened in our room in the Bell Tower Hotel, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, People's Republic of China. Our little boy, a baby really, was 3 weeks shy of his 2nd birthday. Now, he's a big boy, in kindergarten and almost 6 years old. Look at him then and now.

We were very blessed that day and have been blessed every day since. We love you Jacob and are so proud to call ourselves your parents.

Well worth watching

This is an amazing 20 minute or so video. Well worth watching if you have adopted from China. All I can say is Mama Kong is an amazing woman. Her husband's not a bad guy either. ... Kevin

See Website HERE

Eyes on the future

Time continues to fly, and my goal of doing a better job at recording our lives seems to be falling by the wayside. But know as you read this some day son that our time as a family was the most fulfilling, fun and beautiful time of our lives, even if not every aspect was covered on these blog pages. Today you spoke of how you cannot wait to start kindergarten, and as I smiled and nodded in excitement for you, I prayed a little for time to slow so that you don't grow up quite so fast. While I probably always will try to rope in time's flight, I find myself learning to savor the moments and even looking forward to future memories and milestones, like kindergarten beginning. Good friends and family in our lives have made those times even more special. So here's to starting kindergarten, and saving ladybugs from certain doom, carnival rides and bedtime stories. All of these things we can savor a little more, until time brings us more joys and adventures. Love you Little Man, Mom

Fancy Day - I Hope You Dance

Last Wednesday was Fancy Day for Jake's pre-kindergarten class. The kids were told to dress up in their fanciest clothes — and boy did they! Some were pretty fancy. Jake dressed in his suit and wore the hat he wore a couple of years ago at his cousin's wedding.

The kids learned etiquette — we're talking real table manners, such as putting the napkin in your lap, not eating until everyone had been served, putting your napkin on your plate when you were done and not getting up until everyone was finished.

They also had a dance, which must have been fun to see. Jake's teacher called it a "pre-K prom." Jake had a good time, and he even dipped a girl while they were dancing!

Jake's teacher is so good with the kids, she always comes up with fun stuff for them to do. We're going to miss her. Thanks to Mrs. Ivester for the following pics.

Sitting at the table like little ladies and dapper gentlemen.




Rice Krispy sushi, with gummy candies in the middle and fruit rollup wrapping. Yummy.



Cheers!



May I have this dance?



1 ... 2 ... 3 ... dip



One girl on each arm.





Here's to you!