Megan's adoption video shown at her dedication service

Megan's Dedication

Yesterday, on my Mom's bday and National Orphan Sunday...we had Megan's dedication. We stood before the Lord, our family, friends and church and asked for God's guidance...His grace...His favor on Megan and on us as her parents. It was a wonderful day and such an honor to bring our daughter before the throne of grace and dedicate her to God...to give praise for her life...and pray for her that she would have a heart for the things of God.

Afterward we enjoyed a wonderful meal together and then watched our travel video. And, to add to the great day - we had incredible weather - in the 70's (totally uncommon for this time of year here). The kids had a great time of swinging and playing ball too. I've attached the video we put together to show at church - never mind, it won't seem to post. So....I'm working on an alternative.

We hope that our story will somehow impact, even just one other family/person/group...to be moved to care for the orphans. Adoption is a wonderful gift from God, we are so blessed by how He provided a family for us. Adoption is also part of His great plan as we are all His adopted sons and daughters.

Pumpkins & Trick-Treat Fun

I came across this great pumpkin poem and thought I'd share it with you all. It's a great prayer for each one of us this fall season!

The girls enjoyed carving pumpkins, especially Megan - she loved playing with the pulp & slimy stuff (which totally grossed her Dad out). :0

Pumpkin Prayer - by Liz Curtis Higgs

(cut off top of pumpkin)

Lord, open my mind so I can learn new things about you.

(remove innards)

Remove the things in my life that don't please you. Forgive the wrong things I do and help me to forgive others.

(cut eyes)

Open my eyes to see the beauty you've made in the world around me.

(cut nose)

I'm sorry for the times I've turned my nose at the good food you provide.

(cut mouth)

Let everything I say please You.

(light candle)

Lord, help me show your light to others through the things I do. Amen

Last night was "trunk or treat" at a church nearby and although we are not huge into hall*oween at all we have enjoyed allowing the girls to dress up and go to this event at the church. The weather was terrible rainy & windy so we weren't going to go...but after some "please Daddy, can we try" in their sweet little ways....we decided to try it - with no guarantees of participating if it was still outdoors. But...the church was prepared and all events were inside, thus making for a fun evening. When we got home the girls decided they had to "inventory" their goodies just like Daddy used to do....and then...the trading and bargaining began. "I'll give you my .....for your.....no, that's not good enough....I'll give you my ....for your ...." :) Too Cute to watch them bargain for their favorites. And of course, they each shared with mom & dad too.

We hope you all have a fun fall enjoying the beauty of the season that our Heavenly Father has created for us!

Happy Gotcha Day #7

It's so hard to believe that seven years ago we were in China standing in the hallway of the Dolton hotel watching 10 other families become parents - some for the first time like us - others for a 2nd, 3rd, even 5th time. It was a moment I will never forget! Ten months old...she was wearing several layers of heavy clothes....she laughed and played with my mouth....she cried and cried when Daddy tried to hold her...until three days later she began to trust him and allow him to hold her and ever since she's been Daddy's little girl.

We say this often ...but it's SO true....we are incredibly blessed! God has so richly blessed us with a family...children to raise to know and love Him, to serve Him and impact the world in His name. It's an awesome responsiblity and we are thrilled that we are Natalee's (and Megan's) parents!

We celebrate this day...our family day...the day that God had ordained for Natalee to become our daughter. We love you Natalee! You bring such joy to those around you...always giggling...dancing and singing....enjoying life! You are a special treasure to us!

Natalee and her China gift - a large butterfly kite.

Fall Stay-cation

We've been able to enjoy a little "stay" cation these past few days. There was no school Thurs & Fri so we decided to take the girls on little day trips. Thursday we went to the zoo - of course the one where you can feed the giraffes was already closed - big bummer for Megan as she was eager to do something she'd never done before. (She kept reminding us..."I neffer feed giraffe in China, my poa poa neffer did too.) But, the major rain held off and we were able to enjoy watching the lions and chimps at our local zoo.

After the zoo we found a great Chinese restaurant for lunch and then due to the rain went to the mall. Megan had a blast riding on the carousel. We enjoyed a treat from A*W - to which Miss M drank almost 1/2 of it by herself. "Weelll...I was phirsty daddy." :)

We had hoped to go to the pumpkin patch that day too but the rains came and we had to wait until today. The weather was cool, but dry and actually sunny too. We had a great time. Megan had her first horse drawn hay ride and stroll in the pumpkin patch.

It's been some nice days off our regular schedule and being able to spend some extra time together!

Home 6 months

Home six months is hard to believe. I know I've said that many times before...but really it seems like yesterday we were hugging and holding our daughter for the first time in China....and yet it seems like she's been a part of our family forever. We waited 39 months to get Megan's referral and during that time it was hard! We shed many tears over the wait, wondering how long Lord would it be? We had to redo our paperwork too many times than one should have to - really do my fingerprints ever change???

But....God is amazing...he wipes all those feelings and memories away when we are given our children! The hurt and wondering have been replaced with joy and wonder! We have been so blessed!
Megan was pretending to be working just like mommy on the computer. :) Below she was my salsa helper. Last Friday night Kyle & Nat had a daddy-daughter date and so Megan & I made 18 pints of salsa. She really liked peeling the tomatoes - thanks!

Natalee & Megan last night at the Pumpkin Festival :)

On the News

Yesterday we had the honor of being part of an all-American picnic with our adoption agency and several officials from CC*AA and orphanage directors interested in special needs adoption. While at the picnic we were asked to share our experience with the local news station. Here is the link to the final piece that aired last night. http://www.fox17online.com/news/?track=nav

Scroll down the page and click on "china adoptions 9-20-09".

It was a wonderful experience to share with these officals just how happy we are with our children, many of whom have had various health needs. The officials said they were happy with seeing our children and hope to see many, many more being adopted and finding their families.

Megan & Daddy with an Orphanage director from Guizhou province. Mommy & Nat (along with friends) with an orphanage director from Hunan province.