Hello Friends!

I haven't written yet on this blog, oh boy!  Well, we are going to have another little boy, and I am getting more excited everyday!  To think of Jack playing with Sam truly blesses my heart!  You know, I find it exciting to think about the roll that Sam will play in our family.  While it's easy to think of us as being needed by Sam, but God also knows that we need Sam!  So, what is it that he will bring to our family that is missing?  I don't know, but God knows.  And that is so cool!!  God will supply all of our needs!

I think the hardest part about this adoption for me is knowing that Sam lives with loving foster grandparents, and I know that his heart, and theirs, is going to break when he comes home.  I know this is necessary.  I know they can't adopt him.  I know that he, and they, will eventually be ok, but the thought of him grieving them, while necessary and "good", just breaks my heart.  Will he understand?  Will he know we are coming before we get there?  I was told that some kids are not told about their adoption before the day it happens!  Can you imagine?  That just seems cruel to me.  Some kids are taken back to the orphanage, where Sam doesn't even live, and left for up to two weeks before we get him.  Now, that just seems like twice as much trauma to me as just the "hand-off".  Ugh!!!!  So, I am going to try to send him a birthday cake, his birthday is next month, 12-9.  I'm hoping that will be a huge clue to him and his grandparents that he indeed has a family.  (Note:  his grandparents are not related to him biologically, they are much older, which is very common for foster families in China) And I want to send him some Christmas presents.  He will be 7 next month.  He is a big boy.  He can totally understand that change is coming.  To what extent, I don't know.  But, we'll try.  Also, we are awaiting an update on Sam.  All of the medical information and what was noted about his personality and likes, etc. is over 3 years old.  So, the pics I found were taken in July, but all the info is very old.  So, I can't wait to get that in my hand!!

The other kids are doing great.  Claire is ready to start extensive "schooling", and the evaluation process is long.  So, here we go!  She also has a big  behavioral science evaluation on 11-27-13.  Praying that it goes well and that she shows them all they need to see to truly know how best to reach her and teach her and meet her needs.  We are all madly in love with our beautiful, sweet, happy girl!

Well, gonna go do some more laundry, housework, and play with Claire.  Love to all!!
Leslie