Xin nian kuai le.... Happy New Year!

Not much news on the adoption front just waiting on the next hoop to jump through. It still looks like end of March/ beginning of April to travel. Here are some fun pictures of us and some of our neighbors when we had lots of snow (for Georgia). The kids had a really fun time, except for Joshua who thought it was too cold and enjoyed watching from the windows. The great news with him though is that since his last pharyngioplasty modification his speech is just taking off. We still have a ways to go but when I think about the fact that he's only had about 2 months of functional anatomy for speech I can't believe how far he's come.

We also had a wonderful time at the CNY celebration in Atlanta with some friends of ours. The kids that aren't ours in the picture belong to some friends of ours that will probably travel to China to adopt their 3rd child about the same time we adopt Joy MenQian. They have become dear friends of ours over the past year and I love it when our kids are able to get together. We live about 20 minutes apart and she has been a great support to me during this adoption process. We are blessed with wonderful family and friends that God has provided and continues to provide.

I am trying to learn some Mandarin and am making a small amount of progress. I recently met a wonderful college student named Yi that is teaching me a lot and is so sweet to our kids. We had gotten them the traditional red envelopes with money for the Chinese New Year and she also got them each one with candy which was so nice. They all at least know how to say thank you in Mandarin.

Grace has been working on making food and information on China for an International Food Day at school. I'll have to post some of those photos soon (if I remember to bring my camera.) She is also going to include a pamphlet from our adoption agency on how to get more information on adoption of children waiting for families in China. It's so amazing to see our kids' hearts for adoption.

Hopefully soon I'll be able to post some traveling times and updates!

Made My Day!!

After sending Joy a Chinese New Year package through Ann at Red Thread we received these photos (11 photos altogether). We are told that Joy Menqian enjoys dancing and that's obvious from her pictures. I think that just like the other children in her family she's not lacking in the personality department. I'm sure that ballet lessons are on the agenda when we get home. We are still thinking that we'll travel hopefully toward the end of March/beginning of April. So exciting!