Update!!!!

The wonderful Anne at Red Thread China (www.RedThreadChina.com) got updates for us of Zoe!  Isn't she just gorgeous!

Don't you just want to put a smile on that little face?

As for the institutional hair cut - say goodbye to that look.  This is the shortest her hair will ever as long as I have anything to say about it.

We also got updated measurements that show she's not grown in the past four months, still 30 inches high and 22 pounds.  She looks healthy and warm - and sad.  I just can't wait to bring her home!

Care Package

Today we are sending a care package to Zoe at her Social Welfare Institute.  We used RedThreadChina.com so that the Institute would not have to pay import fees to receive the package. Anne at RedThread sent these pictures of what is inside the package - two outfits, a soft blanket, a toy, some hair clips, a photo album, a camera and a letter with some candy for her caretakers.

She will get this soft photo album with these pictures inside.  I don't know what the labels say...

The camera has her name on it.  Hopefully we will receive it back when we meet Zoe with pictures of her life inside.

Anne did a beautiful job choosing items.    She is also asking for an update on Zoe, so it is possible we might get new measurements and even pictures!  That would be such a blessing! 

25 Years

The Man has been out of town for several days now ministering to a very good friend who is fighting for his life. He has been deeply immersed in this foreign, overwhelming, amazing experience while keeping the business running

So imagine my surprise to find this on my table when I got home yesterday:


The attached card read "Happy 25th Anniversary of our First Date (one day late)."

Wow. We have been a couple for 25 years. And he remembered it!

So, a message for The Man, two days late:

Thank you, my dear husband, for being my faithful, loving other half for a quarter of a century. Thank you for being my memory, of reminding me of special things that have happened when I get caught up in the daily. I love you.

One step closer

We are one small step closer to traveling to China. Yesterday we were notified that US Immigration has approved Zoe to become a US citizen. Now the paperwork goes to the Visa center for travel approval from them. We are still looking to travel between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year.

I added an adoption timeline to the right side of the blog. We had the worst homestudy experience I have ever hear of - it took more than a year to get it done. It usually takes just a few months. My advice to potential adoptive parents: Choose your homestudy agency carefully!

I recently uploaded a bunch of photos from this summer off of a camera I had misplaced. There were a bunch of pictures from our trip to Nebraska to visit family on the 4th of July. We spent some time at my sister's house with cousins. There were even kittens!

Z hanging with cousin S.


Loving the kittens!


Cousins E and E from Arizona want to try out the awesome 4-wheeler.


But No. 1 Son actually got to drive it.



This is the house I grew up in - a sturdy old 4-square on acres of land. I'm so glad my sister has it now and is taking such beautiful care of it.

My Mom and Dad watching the kids set off fireworks.



The wonderful Lincoln Children's Museum:

I'm sure you can see why Z loves this place!

Introducing...

The newest Marshall! We will use the name Zoe here on the blog.

She was born April 28, 2010 and is currently living Xinyu, Jiangxi Province. Isn't she adorable!




The first pictures were taken in December, this next one was taken in May.


Her report says: Zoe was born with a deformity of her right foot and leg. She laughs aloud when being teased. Her nannies are working with her on standing and walking. She babbles and imitates sounds. When she sees a caregiver or familiar person, she will stretch out her hands to ask to be cuddled.

We should be traveling sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas of this year.

Rejoice with us! God is indeed good!

You can make a difference (and maybe win an iPad!)

My friend Adeye is an amazing woman; a mother and an advocate for children, especially those with special needs. It has been an honor to get to know her through her blog.

She has become aware of a little girl who desperately needs a home. Liliana (not her real name) is 11 years old. She has downs syndrome and weighs as much as a new baby due to a lifetime of neglect.

You may be thinking - sure, but what can I do about it? I'm not called to adopt Liliana. Well, there is something you can do about it!

Adeye has put together the most amazing raffle I have ever seen - 2 iPads, $500 gift certificates, and all sorts of other great swag. All the donations from this will go to assist in Liliana's adoption. What an amazingly easy way to do something good for a little one!

Check out Adeye's blog here. Please consider donating. And let me know if you win something - I'd love to have some of the winners come through my blog!

Renaissance Faire

No. 1 Son's 13th birthday is coming up, and more than anything he loves to go to the Bristol Renaissance Faire. So Sunday we grabbed three friends and his brothers and spent the day there.

They love to bungee bounce on a trampoline. The Artist can do multiple flips in mid-air - it's pretty amazing to watch.




This picture shows Z-Man and No. 1 Son both bouncing at the same time.


Z-Man likes to go high, but doesn't try flipping yet.


No. 1 Son has been saving for months and months to buy something awesome at the Faire this year. He chose Bear Claw gauntlets, which I must say are quite intimidating. He seems pleased.


One of the favorite parts of the Faire is when the regular commoners take on the "Barbarians" and try to capture their sacred helmet. You can see No. 1 Son right in the front middle with a brown cape on, ready to attack.


He also loves the sparring ring.


The Artist got some pretty awesome fire face paint done.


Z-Man's biggest score was a working miniature catapult that shoots marshmallows. We now have miniature marshmallows all over the house.


The snow cone was a nice break.


No. 1 Son makes a sandwich out of any meal. We took the friends and brothers out to Golden Corral - a perfect place for teenage boys. He made a sandwich with his steak and mashed potatoes on their yummy yeast rolls.


All in all it was a very appropriate 13th birthday celebration.