For the love of boys

One week countdown until we leave ... crazy! Max's room has come together and I think it is really cute. I hope to get some pictures up in the next couple of days. I am going to do my best to get the kids packed this weekend - Mark and I will have to wait because we would have nothing to wear if I packed us up!!

I was thinking about how McKaden really enjoys playing with boys. She actually plays with them, does not chase them to kiss them or anything like that. When at the park she is found with the boys - when she talks about kids in her class, they are boys - and she has a best boy friend who she cannot wait to see after school [they are in different classes]. I am glad she likes boys and hope that this will make the transition to a brother easier.

Here is a picture with a couple of boys whom she adores. They are quite a cute together and seem to really enjoy each others company. We are glad to have Cohen and Kaidin around - although the Kaidin and McKaden get confusing sometimes!

11 Day Countdown

Ok so we leave in less than two weeks ... it will take a small miracle to get us out the door. As you can see from the picture, we have not started to pack yet - but have put everything in the guest room to pile up. Oh wait, we did get out the suitcases! And a room for our sweet little Max ....hmmm, we don't have that either. Mark was great and started to move my office [Max's new room] to my new office space - but it is still not even close to looking like a boys room. Last week was a crazy busy work week, as was this past weekend - so I am going to take a little time to start working on stuff this week.

We will get this stuff done - what is more important is praying for little Max as he is about to encounter a world he has never known. I was sharing with some ladies yesterday that he will come to us with the clothes on his back - that is all. He has nothing. He has also not had loving parents and a bossy older sister to deal with ... pray for ALL of us!

3 Week Countdown

3 weeks until we leave to get Max ... let the countdown begin!!

Kisses from McKaden

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Keeping Busy

In so many ways it has not seemed like we have been really waiting for Max. Things have been so busy and the whole process has gone so smoothly. Yes, it is hard having a picture of that little face all around our house ... seeing that reminds me that he is real and waiting for us in China. On the other hand, we are in busy season around here with life and basketball - no rest for the weary. McKaden is doing great and continues to amaze us. The other night when she blew the candles out after dinner I was complaining about all the smoke they made - she replied to me "that where there is smoke, there is fire!" I asked her how she knew that and she said she just "knewd" that. Some firsts for her have been rollerskating, bowling and sledding. We have a snow day a while back and it was a lot of fun building a snow man and sledding - right in our yard! She is still obsessed with ladybugs and oftens speaks the language of ladybugs - which we do not speak, so it causes some confusion around here. She is still as sharp as can be and loves going to school. She seems to be adjusting to the idea of having a brother and talks about sharing and playing with Max. She has been a real prayer warrior for her Grandpa Moondoggie and his health, as well as praying that Max will be safe ... the prayers of a child are beautiful. McKaden is a really special little girl and we are still so thankful for her and that God chose us to be her parents ... it is rather humbling.

Thinking of Max

We got the news today that the storms and terrible weather in China are causing problems where Max currently lives. Max is in a southern city where they are not used to severe weather. The orphanage is requesting warm clothes, blankets , space heaters and other things to make the children more comfortable. We pray that Max is not too cold. It is not easy having part of your heart on the othe side of the world.

I remember the first time I saw this video - it still brings a tear to my eye. If you are thinking that you might want to add to your family, by way of adoption, please follow your heart. It is not for everyone - so if it is something that God has placed in your heart, you need to know that it is a unique call. There are children waiting for homes in an over-crowded world - you could be one to help.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xcmz_adoption1

The not so BIG sister

We might have a problem on our hands ... we have been telling McKaden that she is going to be the BIG sister. We got the report last night that Max weighs 30.5 pounds [McKaden weighs almost 30 pounds] and that he is about 35 inches tall [McKaden is 36 inches tall] So these two are really going to look like twins! We also got an updated picture from a dear lady on our Yahoo group - I don't know if I have permission to tell the whole amazing story of a project her daughter did for the SWI - so keep in touch for that! It will melt your heart. So, here is Max, in new clothes last month. Can't believe that we will have him in about a month.