Home From Africa....Sisters Meet...and LOVE

Caroline and Claudia met for the first time at the airport in Cincinnati on Oct 29th.  It was so sweet to watch them.   They have been home together now for about 2 1/2 weeks....they love each other.....are side-by-side most of the time....and I can't imagine them any other way.   They do have their sibling spats but that is normal....and their day ends with 'I love you's' to each other.

Here are a few pics of them together:

In Africa!

We have been here in Central Africa for three days now.  I received my new daughter the same evening that we flew in....my Claudia was sound asleep when they handed her to me.  I was so worried about how she would react once she woke up in a strange bed with a strange person.  But, it worked out OK.   She is beautiful, and is going through a roller-coaster ride of a transition, but we'll all be fine.   You can check out my daily (sometimes twice in a day) posts at http://adoptingclaudia.blogspot.com 

I Leave in Four Days.

After my asthma attack and a bit of pneumonia in my left lung......after antibiotics, oral steroids, breathing treatments, and cough meds......I'm finally starting to feel 'closer' to normal.   Today was the most 'normal' that I have been in a week.   So, today, I finally started to feel excited and confident about making this trip to Africa.   My fears seem to be leaving me.....I'm thinking it is because of all of the prayers that have been lifted up on my behalf.  Thank you.....and don't stop.  :)

And I Get Sick a Week before I Leave??!??

     I ended up in the ER on Sunday after a horrible asthma attack.  I stayed home today to rest, but I'm still feel, well, crappy.  But, I still had to get stuff done.  Got the visa application filled out today and it will go in the mail tomorrow.   Tomorrow I will finish my adoption education process...or what I call, my 'Masters of International Adoption degree.'  

     I will admit that I have some fear about making this trips to Africa.  I won't go into detail about where I'm going until after I come home....but this will not be a 'walk in the park.'   I am so excited to meet my new daughter....hold and hug her....play with her....look in to her eyes.  THAT is what I look forward to.....but I will be glad when we get home...'nuf said.   
  
    I ask for your prayers as I depart to bring home my daughter on Oct 17.

I'm traveling to Africa in less than 2 weeks!!!!

My agency called to tell me that Claudia's passport was issued and I can travel in two weeks!  That is about 3 to 4 weeks earlier than I had anticipated!  So, my head is spinning with all of the things that MUST get done before I leave.  I'm also thrilled that my university is giving me 12 weeks off if I choose to use it all....that's 12 weeks PAID.  I am blessed.   I will post pictures as soon as I am home!

Received Updated Pictures of Claudia!

Today I received updated pictures of Claudia, who is in Central Africa. I hope to bring her home at the end of October. In the pictures Claudia is wearing one of the dresses that I sent to her. I can see the care package in the background of the picture. So glad to know that she got it! That means that she has also seen the photo album with pictures of me, Caroline, and Grandma. Claudia....we'll see you 'in person' in a matter of weeks!

Getting Closer to Caroline's Little Sister!

I am getting closer to the completion of my second adoption from Central Africa.  I can't go into great detail publically at this point....but I will when I get her home!!!   It looks like I'll be traveling sometime in September or October.   I still have about $8500 to raise in the next couple of months.  God is good, and I trust that the funds will come.   I am in the process of sending out support letters (I hate to ask for money)....and I am in the middle of a great fundraiser called Just Love Coffee.......if you are interested in supporting my adoption efforts, please go to the following website, place an order on my 'storefront' and I will get a percentage of the proceeds.

https://justlovecoffee.com/about/beneficiary/Lessly

Thanks!

Bao'an Reunion!

Twelve families who have connected through a yahoo group and facebook gathered

together to celebrate our kids who were all adopted from the same orphanage...

the Bao'an SWI in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province of China.

We met in Pennsylvania....families came from

IN, NY, NJ, IL, DE, PA, Montreal and England!

Our kids bonded and had a great day together.

Here is their group picture.  Such sweetness!

Happy Girl

This is my happy girl posing before church.

Just thought I'd share.

She's wearing a dress that I bought when I was on a

professional trip to Rio de Janiero last August.

Now I'm wishin' that I purchased more than one dress.

She Was Inspired

Caroline went to a clarinet and saxophone recital with Mommy the other night.

When we returned to Mommy's office, Caroline said,

'I want to play your recorder,' so I got it for her, she moved the music stand closer to

Mommy's desk and asked for some music,

then went outside of my office, just outside of the office door.

Caroline said, "Mommy, say ladies and gentlemen."

So, of course, I did.  She walks in my office, takes a bow and begins to play her

'rendition' of Twinkle, Twinkle.

Easter!

Caroline is ready for her Palm-Waving Program at Preschool

After the Easter Egg hunt at home

After the Easter egg hunt at church

Looking pretty in her Easter dress

Adoption Fundraiser Going on Now........Mixed Bag Designs!

I am in the process of adopting my second daughter from central Africa.    I have a fundraiser running right now and it will continue until March 25.    Please consider going to www.mixedbagdesigns.com and placing an order.   These are great inexpensive bags that serve many purposes....from purses, to duffle bags, to grocery bags, to garment bags, and everything in between.   At checkout, as you submit your order you will need to include a fundraiser ID number which is 92306.   I will receive 40% of profits from online sales.....that's a pretty good fundraiser!   Thank you, and God Bless!!

Attended Shen Yun Chinese Show

Getting ready for the Shen Yun Show in Indianapolis.

We stayed in a hotel and she wore a tradition Chinese dress for the occasion.

Mommy had fun fixing her hair

In front of Clowes Memorial Hall in Indy.

Caroline and Mommy  :)

Grandma and Caroline  :)

Making Cupcakes!

Today we made cupcakes for Grandma's (she calls her Nai-Nai) birthday.  I bought a 3-D cupcake pan for Caroline for Valentine's Day.....so we tried it out.  Caroline loves to help in the kitchen.  Maybe she'll teach me how to cook one of these days.  :)

Then, we went out to eat for Nai-Nai's birthday.

Chinese New Year Celebration

Ready to go to the CNY celebration

Fantastic dragon cake!

Malia, Delaney, Bella, Caroline, and Chloe....the China Dolls

And we thought we could get ALL the kids to pose for a picture....

what were we thinking?

Caroline Turns 4-years-old - We Enjoy Her Birthday and Attend Another Party

Caroline poses before her birthday party starts

Caroline and her friends at her birthday party

The party had a wild animal theme - as requested by the birthday girl

Jan 7 - ready for Delaney's birthday party

All of the China Dolls except for Delaney

Caroline wants to play the violin - trying out this toy violin

A winning smile!