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!

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

Thursday, April 5, 2012: Happy One Month Gotcha Day!

Wow!
It's been one month since Annabelle Hope and Timothy Justice were placed into our arms. The month has been FULL!
Full of prayers, tears, smiles, sleepless nights (and days), uncertainty, hope, struggles, growth, provision, hugs, new faces, learning, joy, wonder, new places, beauty, challenges, kisses, testing, development...
.... full of LOVE.

Two miraculous ways God has provided for us that we must share with you:
First- when we got back from China we had more donations into our Lifesong/Both Hands account. What a huge surprise and blessing to receive that news after arriving home. By God's grace, the adoptions of Annabelle and Timothy are debt free!
Amazing!
Thank you for helping us bring them home!!!! You are forever written into their rescue story and have played a role in God's plan.

Second- Before leaving China, the US requires adopted children age 2 and up to receive a TB skin test to enter the US. The skin test must be negative. If it is not, your departure from China is delayed, x-rays and other precautions must be taken. Timothy is 3, so he had a test which, thankfully, had a negative result. :) Annabelle was not quite 2 yet... her birthday was the day after our scheduled medical visit. Only by God's grace and His timing was it scheduled then. 
Only after visiting the International Adoption Clinic at Vanderbilt this past Monday where they administered the skin test and then had it read at our pediatrician's office Thursday, did we know that we escaped being detained in China. Sweet Girlie's skin test was positive. So, off to Children's Hospital we went to get her lungs x-rayed. Which, THANK YOU LORD, was negative. Yes, a million questions filled my mind. Oh how many people we've come in contact with while coming home and since we've been home. What would it mean for them, for us? Well, nothing. Her positive skin test and negative x-ray means that at some point she could have been exposed to someone with TB but her body has taken care of it, or the positive result has come from a BCG vaccine that she most likely had. She does have a scar on her left arm where the vaccine is usually given (in other countries- not the US). We are getting her vaccination report translated so we will have more info. We think she may have to go through a round of treatment according to the Health Department but will know for sure after translating her vaccination records and speaking with Vanderbilt and the Health Department next week.


THANK YOU!
Thank you to everyone who brought meals to us since we've been home. You just don't know what a true blessing you were. Thank you for providing for us. Everything was wonderful!

THANK YOU!
Thank you to my sweet friend, Jean, who was rather sneaky and came to my house (I should say frat house by the looks of things before) and cleaned while I was in Nashville at Vanderbilt with the Littles. Hope you wore a HAZMAT suit! ;)

Bonding:
Both kiddos seem to be doing pretty well. Getting lots of eye contact. Testing us. Seeking out Chris or me in the house if we're not within sight. Beginning to trust. However, we still have a long way to go. People don't see it though, especially not with Timothy because he is quick to shake hands or say hello. He might even let you pick him up. That's really not a great thing. We don't want him to just go to anyone (not safe), and we want him to know that he can depend on us not just whoever is in the room like when he was in the orphanage.
So, please still refrain from picking them up, hugging/kissing them, and feeding or giving them anything to drink. This is still a time of bonding for us. Time for our relationship to develop.
Thank you for complying with our request!

*Blessed: divinely or supremely favored; fortunate

I don't use that word lightly.

Our family is so blessed to have these two little ones.
Yes, it's hard. Yes, it's tiring. Yes, sometimes I think, "Can I just have 10 minutes to sit and read THE WORD and drink a cup of coffee?"
But...
I also gaze in amazement as I see two precious ones the Lord has given us (the four of us) the honor of being their family and watching them learn and grow before our very eyes. Oh, there are meltdowns over such simple things. I get the blank stare and the cold shoulder and even a gruff little "humph" sometimes with a quick little slap. On the other hand... It's a good thing I have two arms because I can rarely hold one without the other wanting to be held also. I get beautiful smiles, slobbery kisses and big bear hugs. (I get more hugs from my Bigs now, too.)
Love- there is enough. It flows down from above.

I must say that I am so proud of Alexandra and Hunter!
I have loved watching them be big sis and big brother. (tear in my eye) They are awesome! They were both so concerned before going to China if they would be good enough big siblings. I don't think they could be any better! Annabelle and Timothy adore them, and I am amazed at how they have stepped up and into their new roles so superbly.
It's not been easy. It's been downright hard at times, and they will tell you that. But, I think they will say that it's been good and they like their new positions in the Knox Family. Alexandra even said that it seems almost as if the Littles have always been with us.
God did that... knit us together. We know they are ours.... hoping they are beginning to know that, too. We are trusting God to complete the work He has started. Not just in our family, but in their hearts to be HIS.

Happy One Month Gotcha Day, Annabelle and Timothy!
Your Forever Family Loves You!


Because  this post has taken me so long to write.... it is now Easter. So.....
Happy Easter!This year we are celebrating adoption in a whole new way-
Thanking the Father for raising the Son so we could be adopted into the Family of God and that He called us to go to China and bring home Annabelle and Timothy.

Now, this is what you really wanted- pictures. :)
Enjoy!

March 5, 2012
Gotcha Day
Two scared Littles

April 5, 2012: First piano lesson with Beautiful Big Sister :)

Having fun!

Yummy oatmeal

 All 4 Knox kiddos watching the otters swim

Timothy likes his shades upside down.

 Riding the mower with Granddaddy

Watching Timothy and Granddaddy on the mower and holding tightly onto Mommy

 Swinging with Grammy

 Learning shapes

 Horsey Daddy

 Mommy and Daddy trying to get a hug but.....

 Cool "Dude" shirt from cousin Owen... and of course a cool hat from Daddy

 I see you.

 Playing with cousin Taylor and Gran

 Daddy is trapped!

 Coloring Easter eggs with cousin Taylor and Aunt Leslie
(on our Christmas tablecloth-- Christmas and Easter go together)

 First time with Play-Doh

Boo

 Wearing Big brother's hat

Little warrior

 Cool!

 Dueling

 Riding Zebra with Baby

Girlie Warrior