"Reading"

I walked in on this little story time.

So thankful Alexandra had her camera handy.

When Annabelle and Timothy first joined us, Little Miss Peanut would not even sit still for a page to be read to her. "T" only lasted a few pages longer. But now.....

 (sorry for the link... couldn't get it to upload to the blog)

CLICK HERE!!! 

 

It's been only 7 months, but a lifetime of change has taken place.

We are so thankful and humbled to be a part of God's plan for these lives (all four of them).

May He grant us wisdom, strength, grace and mercy to do the job well.

6 Months

Happy 6 month Gotcha Day, Annabelle and Timothy!

I can't believe it's been 6 months since
two scared and confused little ones were placed in our arms.
 

 

(March 5, 2012)

 

 The months have passed quickly.

God is doing amazing things!

I've seen so many changes in Annabelle and Timothy and in the rest of us. These two little ones had persevered through much before we met them and then some more since arriving in a new family, a new culture, a new world.

Both have gone from not understanding one syllable of English to speaking, understanding and communicating very well. They are learning so much everyday. Both love to go to their classes at church and sleep in their own rooms. We are still working through some uncertainty and sadness at times with one of them, but both fit into our family so well....

just as God had planned all along.

It is amazing to see their transformations!

Also, it has warmed my heart to see my big kids step right in and love on their new siblings. I knew they would, but to actually see it in action brings tears to a mother's eyes. Alexandra and Hunter are awesome story readers, puzzle helpers, hide-n-seekers, ticklers and even diaper changers. (Yes, even Hunter has changed a diaper or two. :) )

We are blessed to be a family of SIX!

 

A few pics of the last 6 months.....

 

 

 

Waiting to meet Annabelle and Timothy





 

One ready momma

 

Jenny from True Children's Home giving us Annabelle's things

 

Talking with Jenny

 

I thought he'd be ok.....

but, no. Scared and confused.

 

Annabelle too.

Finally settled.

 

 

Back in the room. Getting to know their big brother and sister and each other.

 

March 16, 2012

US citizens

  

 computer time

 

dress up

 

Big Sister teaching piano

 

stroller races

playground puzzle

fun on the slide

 

at the aquarium

tough guys

 

Prom

It's what big brothers are for!

 

Pretty girl

Mom got a break for a few minutes.

 

Happy Boy

Silly

Annabelle knows her shapes.

Timothy has mastered this puzzle.

Who's in charge?

Big Brother

 

Big Sis

 

Thanks for your prayers and support! 

 

 

 

 

 

Our First Encounter...

In line at a checkout counter with the Littles in their stroller. Exchanging a few things and of course a price tag is missing. Price check. An older woman gets in line behind me then walks in front of the stroller and then returns to her place in line. I notice that when she  walked up she didn't really look very happy. I step back and let her check out while I'm waiting on a "Price check" and then.... it happens.... a comment about the children God has recently placed into our arms. Not a "They are so cute" or "They are so precious" comment which I do hear quite often, but a negative, derogatory, make my heart pound comment. Oh no!

At first I must admit my hair stood on end and my heart beat out of my chest and I really just wanted to explain to her how precious these children are and why can't she see that. Then I felt sad for her and took a second to ask God how do I handle this. What did He want me to do? Well, I'm not sure I handled it the best way. I did say something. I was kind and light in tone and I really wanted to honor God- but did I want to defend my children more? Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut. I'm not sure. I will say that because of her comment I was able to share some of our journey with the young lady at the checkout counter (who said she would like to adopt one day) and those who were now also in line got to hear how God lead us to China and provided for Timothy and Annabelle to come home with us. This has also been an opportunity for me to share with my big kiddos that Timothy and Annabelle (and we) will probably face more racism and that we need to be ready to respond in a way that will honor God first and foremost.

Yes, I (we) know there are many children in the United States that need families. We don't take that lightly. I could give you reasons for us going to another country like.... the orphanages and foster care over there are so much worse than here and the children get thrown out when they turn 14. But, those aren't the reasons we went to China. We went to China because that is where God led us. That is where our children were. We prayed about a domestic adoption. God drew us overseas. Not to China at first. We learned much about other countries, orphans, ministries and more while "we were trying to choose a country." You see, I don't think WE CHOSE. God did. For us, He chose China. Why? Because Timothy and Annabelle were there. God chose them to be ours before the foundations of the earth. Why? I DO NOT Know. I only know that I am blessed to be the mother of all four of my children. I do not know why Annabelle and Timothy had to have the beginning that they did, but God is faithful. He is trustworthy. He has and has always had a plan. He created all the children and desires for all of them to be His children. When one of His creation becomes His child, He doesn't see His Asian child, His American child, His white or black or Hispanic child. He sees HIS child. No race. No color. No disability. Just HIS. We pray that one day, Annabelle and Timothy will be His children, too.

If you would like to help orphans (or widows), see our Helpful Links to the right.
Blessings,
B

ENT, Cleft and Progress Update

Visited the cleft doctor a couple of weeks ago. Miss Annabelle's palate looks good. We won't know much about how well those muscles will work until she is speaking more. My guess is she will need some speech therapy. She will try to copy what we say, but there are some sounds that she just can't replicate. The doctor said that her lip and nose needed to be redone. I don't even see it now when I look at her except when I see her in the mirror... I notice it then. Don't know when we will do it. The doc says the younger the better. Surgery will even out her nose, thin her lip and remove all the white lines from previous stitches. It may not really seem to matter now, but it will when she is heading into the teen years.

Both littles went to the ENT on Friday, and BOTH passed their hearing tests! That's very good news. Before examining them, the doc warned me that 98% of the children from China with cleft palates need tubes because of large amounts of fluid in their ears. The fluid causes many infections and hinders speech because if you can't hear properly, you can't repeat sounds properly. Both kiddos have a small amount of fluid but nothing to be concerned with. He was very surprised that Annabelle did not have much and thinks it should clear up on its own. He said she probably would NOT need tubes.... her ears should have been a lot worse. Also, he asked where they learned English. They were speaking so well. Of course, just from us. That was another good sign that they can hear just fine (just what I thought.... selective hearing!). Timothy will speak sentences, and Annabelle tries very hard to repeat and speak on her own (some of which we can understand). They've learned so much in 3 months!

A couple of firsts for the last few days....
Timothy and Annabelle got into a wading pool at a friend's house. Annabelle loved it. Timothy, not so much. Then later in the week, they both entered the baby pool where the Bigs have swim practice. Again, Annabelle loved it. Timothy, not so much until another little boy started playing catch with him. Then, today, Miss Annabelle went to her class at church and did very well. When we picked her up she even knew the motions to the memory verse they learned. Too cute. However, we learned that Timothy is not yet ready to go to his class. When we picked up Annabelle he got very clingy and worried we would leave him. He needs a little more time. Today he played quietly while we sat in the family room for service. It was nice to hear the teaching.

The last day or so I've really been thinking about their birth mothers. I pray they will have a peace about Annabelle and Timothy and know that they are loved.

Thanks for checking in on us.
Blessings to you,
~B

Two Months (plus a little more) Home

So much in such a short time.....

Both Timothy and Annabelle are bonding and attaching to us very well. Annabelle a little better than Timothy, but that was expected because of her younger age and her previous living situation. She was obviously loved by her foster parents. If you saw her interacting with us, you'd never know she's only been with us a couple of months. Her new phrase this week is repeating "I love you" when I say it to her. Even though it's somewhat garbled, I can understand her. :) Does she know what it means???... I'm not sure, but I'd like to think she's beginning to. Timothy is a little slower to trust, but he has definitely come a long way. He loves to climb up in my lap every morning and have songs, prayers and kisses every night. Even though he repeats lots and lots of English, he hasn't repeated "I love you".... at least not yet. He smiles when I say, "Mommy loves Timothy" though. He seems to like that better than, "I love you." I think he just likes hearing his name. :) He realized this week that he has more than one name... Timothy Justice Knox, and that Annabelle does too... Annabelle Hope Knox. So, he's been saying TIMOTHY KNOX- ANN-BELLE KNOX. (He leaves out the A). He actually has learned to say many things in English and tries to explain something if he doesn't know what to say. Smart kid!

I'm just so amazed at how far they have come in 2 months. The first week home was SO HARD. Much harder than bringing our other two home from the hospital. At that time it seemed there would be no end to the constant fussing, no sleep, lack of communication, refereeing and exhaustion. Now, I've actually had a coffee date with my sweet husband (even if two are in tow). I think we may be able to let Annabelle go to her class at church soon. She and I went in and played a couple of Sundays ago. I pray she is nice to all the other kiddos and will trust that we will come back to get her. Not sure Timothy is quite ready for that yet. He still doesn't seem quite sure he gets to stay with us for keeps. But, he is progressing. He's learned so much English. It's just amazing! He and Annabelle talk in their own language and he throws in some English. Not sure what the other language is... I assume he is speaking Cantonese but our guides in China said Annabelle only baby talked... so I don't know how he understands her. :)

Here are some recent pics and videos. Hope you enjoy!