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!

Thanks to our friends, Robin and Andrew who are on the adoption road, here is a super easy way to support the adoption tax credit! Please help! Also, you can check out their blog HERE.

Thanks to our friends, Robin and Andrew who are on the adoption road, here is a super easy way to support the adoption tax credit! Please help! Also, you can check out their blog HERE.

Adoption Tax Credit

You may or may not be aware that the U.S. Government offers a very substantial Adoption Tax Credit to adopting families. Without this credit, adoption would be nearly impossible for many families.

HOWEVER

as reported by America World Adoption:

On April 17, 2012, Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA) introduced the Making Adoption Affordable Act. The act will permanently expand the federal adoption tax credit to $13,360, an increase of $1,000 over the current credit, and make it refundable.

The current adoption tax credit is set to expire at the end of 2012. Over the last several months, many of you expressed concerns about the impact the expiration of the credit will have on your family. Congressman Braley’s bill is the first step toward ensuring that the adoption tax credit continues to be an option to help families offset the high cost of adoption. More importantly, this legislation will promote the adoption of God’s children by loving families.

As people who are passionate about the ministry of adoption, it is up to us to make sure our Representatives support this life-saving legislation. Will you take action on behalf of orphaned and vulnerable children by contacting your member of Congress to urge them to vote “YES” on the Making Adoption Affordable Act?

You can find the contact information for your Representative by clicking HERE.

The full text of the Making Adoption Affordable Act can be foundHERE.

We will provide updates on the progress of the bill as it makes its way through Congress.

Blessings,

Andrew C. Brown

Director of Corporate Governance

So, if you would take just a moment and click on the highlighted link above you will very quickly be led to a form on which you can write to your Representative. In fact, to make it even easier, you can copy the text below for the message portion and sign your name. See, no brain work required!

********************************************************

Subject: Support the Making Adoption Affordable Act

On April 17, 2012, Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA) introduced the Making Adoption Affordable Act. The act will permanently expand the federal adoption tax credit to $13,360, an increase of $1,000 over the current credit, and make it refundable.

On behalf of many families in America, please support this bill. The adoption tax credit helps to make adoption a reality for these families. However, I urge to make this decision not because of them but because of the 147 million orphans in the world who need a loving, forever family.

Sincerely,

 

Thanks for your support!!!!!

Blessings,

~B