Livin'

We are livin' and lovin' the beautiful life that the Lord has blessed us with! I feel funny posting about anything until Dalton has his forever family. I don't want to take away from him in any way but I know the Lord is moving so we continue to pray hard and advocate hard!!

Our little man, Solomon, is continuing to do fabulous! Ohhh, to know what he thinks about all of this. We often laugh and imagine him thinking, "We didn't do that in the orphanage!!" The proof is below in pictures!

We all dressed us in 70's garb to celebrate my parents 40th anniversary! Talk about a blast and a beautiful time of celebration. My older sister put together a slide show of the past 40 years & I was overwhelmed with the blessing of having parents that love each other so much and to have parents that have stayed completely committed to each other! The legacy that has been given to our family because of their love and commitment is an unbelievable gift! Their strong, godly marriage has been such a beautiful example of how the Lord intended marriage to be.

My beautiful, amazing parents! My mom's shirt was her actual wedding dress 40 years ago (she shortened it into a blouse many, many moons ago). My daddy is wearing the same jacket he wore when they were newly married.

All the grandbabies minus Bella girl...she was sleeping :( We need to photoshop her in ;)

My sissy and her hubby...hilarious! She looks so much like my mom there!

Not sure what those flower things are on his glasses!

We had so much fun carving our pumpkins and I KNOW they didn't do this in the orphanage. Solomon had sooo much fun. He was a little perplexed at first but then dove right in :)

And of course, they all LOVED dressing up for our Hallelujah party!

Okay...I'm done boring you with a zillion pictures of my kiddos :) So, that's what we've been up to!

Mommy/Daughter time

Loving our mommy/daughter time :)

BEFORE

 

 AFTER

Not too much of an update on sweet Dalton.  He still desperately needs his forever family. Will you please continue to pray that his family will be found SOON?

Only OUR God!!

The LATEST!! I wish I could share all that has transpired over the last 2 weeks...maybe in time I will be able to...I just can't put adequate words to it, yet. God is moving in mighty, mighty ways for Solomon's orphanage "brothers". The latest....TWO...did ya hear me...TWO of his buddies have forever families. I never dreamed that when God called us on the journey to our miracle boy that he would use him to help bring his "brothers" home to their forever families.

We are beyond excited that Kaden will be coming home to an absolutely precious family that loves the Lord deeply and want only to be in God's perfect will. A family with brother's that are beyond excited about their new brother. Check this out...these sweet boys just knew that the Lord would call their family to adopt so they've been secretly saving all of their money to help pay for an adoption...they have saved over $300!! Kaden will be coming home to a family that loves him sooo much and the most beautiful part of the story is that they are very sweet friends of ours and live near. I still can't believe our boys will grow up together. This absolutely takes my breath away...I CAN'T wait until they are reunited...I simply can't wait!!!!!! Can you imagine...I'm already in tears!!

Little precious Parker has a family...a beautiful, godly family with a big sister, big brother, a mama & daddy who love him so much! Although they live in a different state, we will be able to stay in contact and watch sweet Parker grow up...THAT is truly a precious gift!

NOW...BUT NOW is the time to HELP our DALTON HOME!! He CAN'T be left behind...he just can't!!! My heart is hopeful that his family will be found soon! Oh to hold this sweet one again!!! He is absolutely wonderful...a wonderful little one created by our Father...perfectly in HIS image!!!!

Here is sweet Dalton!

I still need my family...Is it you??

Please email me if you want to know more about "our" sweet Dalton. wearechinabound@gmail.com

Oh my goodness...he looks so much like Solomon in these pictures!!!

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NOW for the other babies who will no longer be orphans...NOW is the time for you to help their families bring them home!! Check out our Christmas Frenzy...SHOP WITH A PURPOSE...GIVE WITH A PURPOSE!! We have 32 families participating...that means 32 families bringing children home and 32 families needing help in doing that. Just think of how cool Christmas morning will be while your family & friends open their gift and you get to share the amazing stories behind their gifts...oh, I LOVE IT!!

Fundraising families, it's not too late...add your link!! Shopping families...keep shopping and spreading the word!

Add our Christmas Frenzy to your blog and help spread the word. Just grab the code on the right!

"Our Boys" NEED a family!!!!!!!!

SECOND UPDATE: KADEN HAS A FAMILY!!! I can't even believe I'm typing this...Kaden has his forever family! And you want to know what's even more beautiful??? They are friends of ours...friends that live here...friends that are part of our homeschool group....our boys will be together!!! I won't share who they are until they officially announce it BUT there simply are no words...we are so excited! When we first began advocating for Kaden back in March, I felt so strongly he'd be adopted by a family we knew & that the boys would grow up with each other. I often wondered, "Was this a promise from the Lord or am I just really wanting it to be a promise from the Lord." Guess what...it WAS a word spoken from the Lord...I still am in complete awe!!

Please continue to pray for God's perfect plans for sweet Dalton. He is the last of "our" boys who still NEED a family! He CAN'T be left behind!!

I call them our boys because they are our son's closest friends...his orphanage "brothers". His orphanage brothers that desperately NEED their forever family. His brothers that were in just about every picture of Solomon we received while we were waiting. His brothers that he desperately misses!! His brothers that followed us around calling me 'mama' and reaching to be held. His brothers that kept saying over and over how they wanted a mama, too!!

His beautiful brothers that are MIRACULOUSLY on the shared sn's list...who's orphanage director specifically asked us to help find them a family. I am in awe that out of the 100's of peanuts in the orphanage, our boys are on the shared list. There are ONLY a handful of kiddos on the list from this orphanage and the Lord allowed them to be our boys...at this time...right now...PLEASE help us find their families!!

"Brother #1" and clearly Solomon's BESTEST friend ever!!

UPDATE: MY FOREVER FAMILY HAS FOUND ME!!!!!!

*Kaden born Early 2006

This little guy saw Solomon coming during our orphanage visit and could not get to him quick enough. Solomon had only been gone 4 days but it was like he had been gone for an eternity. He was all giggles & was grabbing at Solomon. It was precious!!

Just the other day I was looking at pictures of Kaden when our little Solomon came in the room and saw me looking at pictures of his buddy and he got so excited. He was pointing to Kaden's pictures and pointing to himself...back and forth...he wanted me to take him to see Kaden's. He was smiling so big and then he began to tear up :( He misses him so much and knowing that he is still in the orphanage kills me!

"Brother #2"

I Still NEED my family...is it you?

*Dalton born Early 2007

This little one followed me all over calling me mama and saying he wanted a mama, too. Funny thing is that his report says that his is shy and doesn't like strangers yet he knew a mama when he saw one!!!

"Brother #3"

UPDATE: I HAVE MY FOREVER FAMILY!!!!!!!!

*Parker born mid 2007

This precious one was very much the observer...trying to figure everything out. Talk about the

sweetest, most gentle personality!!

I will NEVER, EVER forget our boys watching us leave with their brother for the last time. Leaving them behind was the hardest thing I have ever done!

Please be praying...could YOU be the family that they were begging me for??? The family they so desperately need! Please spread the word! I'm not sure how long they will be on the list..their time is short, that I do know!

Contact me at wearechinabound@gmail.com

A must see!!

I just saw this on a friends blog...I can't stop crying! I'm talking like sobs...it is very impactful!!!
Watch and spread it!!


Hope is Fading – Orphan Sunday from Allan Rosenow on Vimeo.

PRAISE REPORT!!

One of our concerns with Solomon's medical needs was that we would be hit with a pre-exsisting condition and that we would be declined for medical coverage (we have individual insurance) or that it would be insanely expensive.  God gave us great peace that He would take care of this for us and HE DID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We just got word from our insurance broker that his application has been approved and GET THIS....we are receiving a normal rate...they are NOT rating him up!!!!!!!!!  AND this means we got the insurance carrier we really wanted which make Cincinnati is IN-network!!!!

Just soooo overwhelmed with God's continual provision and fulfillment of His promises to us!!!

(Christmas Part 2 will air tonight...hehehehe)

Christmas Part 1

Christmas is ONLY 10.5 weeks away...OHHHH YES I DID!!! Muwahhahahaha....can you believe it...I can't!!! I have been starting to think about what gifts we would buy for our family and then I started to think about how I hate buying a gift that doesn't have a meaning....a gift that will get played with or cherished for the moment only and that makes me sad AND it is so wasteful. So, I've been praying about how the Lord would want us to use our money wisely and how we could bless our family with our gifts...what could we give that would be in our budget and be meaningful??? WATCH OUT FOR CHRISTMAS PART 2...It's going to be very exciting...I'm going to do something that will help families who are fundraising to bring their peanuts home and a way for ALL OF US TO HELP THEM!!!! YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS!!!

So for Part 1 :)
1. We still have some Pure Religion Shirts and we are clearancing them out...talk about an awesome Christmas gift!!! Go HERE to see the sizes we have left!! I'm talking ONLY $15 a shirt...that includes shipping!!

(I have no idea why blogger keeps flipping this picture...grrrr!)

2. I am very excited to announce that we will continue to sell Solomon Beads!! Since we are now home with our little man, the proceeds from our bead sales will go towards his medical expenses. I will be uploading stuff to my Etsy store (link on the side of my blog) AND we will of course, still be taking custom orders AND offering Solomon Bead GIFT CERTIFICATES!

Solomon's medical needs....

We have chosen not to share about Solomon's special medical needs out of privacy for our little man. We have prayed specifically about how to share what his needs are while protecting him.

Our hearts greatest desire is to be an example of Christ. God has called our family to adoption in a very powerful way and we want others to be challenged in their own lives, in their own family's to think, "Does God have more for us outside of our comfort zone?" Committing to Solomon's special needs would classify us as "outside of OUR comfort zone" but NOT outside GOD'S comfort zone!! Starting Solomon's adoption at a time when we were and still are greatly struggling financially was also 'outside of our comfort zone' BUT God's comfort zone is so much greater than ours...THANKFULLY!! He purposely calls us outside of our comfort, cozy, skatin' by zone so that He can stretch us, challenge us, & move us boldly for Him...so that we can be used and changed mightily.

I am sharing this very private part of our son's life with the hopes that his story...our family's story would challenge you. My heart feels that there is a family RIGHT NOW on the brink of making a huge decision but are afraid to step out in faith & trust the Lord...THAT is why I am sharing this. I am confident that the second you read this post, you will know who you are & what the Lord wants you to do & you will be able to take that leap of faith in God's perfect peace!!

Our family is asking you to please handle our son's story with great respect. Especially those of you who know us personally...this is not a time to begin gossiping! The enemy would love to take something wonderful and have it cause hurt. We have struggled with how much we should share and when we should share it but feel that now is the time.

Solomon was born with imperforate anus. You can read more about this medical need here. Interesting fact: 1 in 5,000 babies are born with this defect!!! The medical information in his referral was pretty much non-existent. We committed to him on pure faith that the Lord would give us everything we need to meet his medical needs. What we know...well, kind of know: We assume that some time shortly after he was found, he had the first repair surgery. We also know that when he was 1 years old, they removed his colostomy bag and he was supposedly good to go. There is a wide range of other medical needs that can come with this birth defect and we are in the very beginning stages of knowing what exactly is going on with our little guy.

One other thing I want to share...we have prayed for the last 9 months about how, when, & what we would share. One of the motivations to share honestly about Solomon's medical needs is that our boy was waiting on the shared sn's list TWICE and his file was about to be returned, again. His dossier was dated early 2008 which means 2 years of his life was spent waiting for his forever family to find him. Kiddos with this special need typically wait, wait, and wait some more...some NEVER get a family. It can be a scary medical need with lots of unknowns BUT it doesn't change the fact that these sweet one's need to come home. They need the opportunity to be loved, to receive the medical care that they desperately need. If this medical need isn't cared for properly, the child will die!!!

Our time on this earth is so short yet the work to be done is great! I don't want to stand before my Lord and be ashamed that I wouldn't allow Him to use me to the fullest because I was afraid to leave my comfort zone.

As I watch my newest sleeping babe, I wonder what exactly is going on with his precious body. I think about all that could be going on and can easily become overwhelmed. BUT I'm reminded of all God has done to bring our boy home and I'm comforted knowing that He has already prepared us to care for him. I'm reminded that God has clearly called us down this journey and that He will continue to guide us!

We would covet your continued prayers as we begin the medical journey for our guy...a journey that will most likely start/end up at Cincinnati Hospital. This means that we will have to travel away from our kiddos once again...I will mostly likely go and daddy will stay home. We are not sure how soon we will have to take this trip but I'm guessing within the next few months.

Is there something that you know the Lord is calling you to do? Something He is calling you to surrender? A precious one He is calling to be yours but you are afraid? My hearts greatest plea would be that you spend some quiet time with God and really seek His word for wisdom. DON'T BE AFRAID TO TAKE THAT STEP OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE & INTO GOD'S COMFORT ZONE!!! :)

Everyday is a new day...

...which means we learn something new everyday about our boy.

During dinner tonight, Solomon wasn't getting his way so he laid on the floor and proceeded to whine a bit.  I decided to ignore his little fit and see what he'd do.  Disclaimer: Throughout this last month (a month...can you believe we've had our little miracle for a month already), we have run to him the very second he even thought about getting upset.  We were right there to love and hug on him. Weelll, as any precious darling would do, he has learned to manipulate us a bit :)  Which in all honesty has been super cute!!

Back to the little fit on the floor....he started to whine louder....then he rolled onto his tummy and whimpered some more and started kicking his feet...he was only about 4 feet away from me so I could see him out of my peripheral...when his kicking and whining failed to get my attention he yelled, "MAMA"...when I looked over at him and asked him what he needed, he started in with his whining and floor kicking bit...I couldn't help but laugh at his little show.  I asked him if he'd like to sit with me...he quickly jumped up into my lap and all was good!!

LITTLE ADORABLE STINKER!

We are simply having so much fun with our newest treasure! He is an absolute, beautiful gift from our Lord...completely perfect for our family!!

 

 

You are my hiding place....

LOVE this song...it never gets old and it always touches me deeply when I hear it...it's one of those beautiful reminders that our strength comes ONLY from the Lord!! It's one of those life changing songs that you need close your eyes to...one of those songs where you need to TURN IT UP...one of those songs where you weep and you sing every word to our Lord!!

You are my hiding place

You always fill my heart

With songs of deliverance

Whenever I am afraid

I will trust in You

I will trust in You

Let the weak say

I am strong

In the strength of the Lord

You are my hiding place

You always fill my heart

With songs of deliverance

Whenever I am afraid

I will trust in You

I will trust in You

Let the weak say I am strong

In the strength of the Lord

I will trust in You