Inching Closer

I will post something fun like pictures soon, I promise! But this summer I have been horrible about taking pictures. Today was my niece and nephews birthday party, so maybe my sister took some?

Anyways, we are inching closer and closer to seeing our daughter's face for the first time. We received our I 800 A approval (which basically says we are fit to adopt in the US). Now that has to be mailed around the country for one million people in every possible city to approve ;) Not really, it just seems like it! Then once that's done in a few weeks, off our Dossier goes to China, where we will be "logged in" and waiting to be matched with our daughter. Yippee!! Praying for the speediest paperwork ever.

Second Sendoff

For those of you that love a good adoption blog, more importantly a family bringing their child home... then check this out!
carringtonfamilyof6.blogspot.com

We have officially sent off the second of the Red Thread Moms to bring that precious little girl home! This will make kiddo number 5 for the Carringtons. So they would appreciate your prayers in many....many ways :) Can't wait to meet baby Avery!

Happy 5th Birthday to Maxwell

I know we say this all the time, but really... where does the time go?
5 years ago today I was laying on the couch, 38 weeks pregnant, sweating the summer away, and bang. My water broke and 7 hours laters, at 5:10 pm, little baby Charles Maxwell Kown, Jr. arrived. And we have laughed ever since that "coming early and quickly" is his personality. Two steps ahead at all times and full throttle. But what I love about Maxwell is that he has grown into the most precious 5 year old. Very sensitive and caring. Always looking out for others. He just loves people. And he loves Jesus, which we love. I think he may be a preacher. Or a paleontologist. He also really loves dinosaurs. So happy birthday to my sweet little boy (who thankfully has one more year before he hits "big school")

2 weeks old

1st birthday (we have much better pictures but they are missing on my computer somewhere-

glad i have them in a book already!)

2nd Birthday

3rd Birthday

4th Birthday

Last week at the beach (haven't had his 5th birthday party yet!)

My Most Favorite Place On Earth

When I married Charles, I discovered this lovely secret called Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Their family had grown up going there, and now we go as a big family. It's seriously the most fabulous place on earth. It's so quiet, no hotels-only houses, and you can ride bikes everywhere! WE LOVE IT! So enjoy our family beach trip in pictures.

Eating lunch on our back porch

One of the few times we put on real clothes and go out to dinner

Our "picture perfect" spot :)

The family with Charles' brother Robert- on Charles' favorite golf course

I'm pretty sure this will be our Christmas card, so don't look too closely!

Maxwell & his BecBec

 

Chuch with his 2 boys

I had a grand idea for the boys to paint pictures for our playroom while there-

and they turned out pretty cute!

Painting the masterpiece

Happy birthday Maxwell & Robert! 29 isn't too old for a T-Rex cake right?

You can imagine this didn't last long- we took home 2 sopping wet boys from head to toe

Doesn't he look 8 years old? Geesh!

Fast Friends

You know how sometimes you meet someone and it feels like you've known them forever? That God placed this person in your life for a reason? Well God has placed, not 1, not 2, but NINE of us in Birmingham into that fast friendship. We are all journeying through this adoption thing together, encouraging each other (and giving lots of tips along the way). And not only that, but we are all adopting from China. Bringing them home to Birmingham, AL. Seriously. What a gift that really only the Lord can put together. Only 2 of us initially knew each other, and over the course of 6 months, this group continues to grow.
Now our daughters (and our families) will have 10 (or more!) special friendships that will be so important for them as they grow up in a place where life looks a little bit different. Families look a little bit different. And they will all know they were brought here by a loving God, to live life together and encourage one another, just as their mom's did before the girls were even brought home to join their forever families.
And now our first friend is making the groups' "maiden" trek to China to bring their precious daughter home (if you want to follow her while she is there, check out prepareourhearts.blogspot.com). If you think about it, please pray for them while they are there!
What a blessing, our red thread moms!

photo ripped off courtesy of prepareourhearts.blogspot.com