Amazing Love

Celebrating 2 Years With "Sweet Colin"

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 16:32:00 +0000

LOVE HIS SWEET SMILE!!!

First Day Of Pre-K

It has been an AMAZING 2 years since we first held our son Colin! We thank God everyday that

HE allowed us to be Colin's parents! Colin is SO sweet, loving and kind hearted. Colin brings so much Joy and Laughter into our home. He's overcome so many milestones in just 2 years. His smile lights up every room he enters. Colin started Pre-K this year. Colin's first 2 weeks of school were pretty rough. Colin still has difficulty with the feelings of Mom not coming back for him. He's doing great in school now! Loves school and his teachers! This mama is SO happy he's starting to feel good that his mama always coming back. God has big plans for Colin! Colin has already decided he wants to be a pilot and fly big airplanes.

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him"

1Samuel 1:27

Blanket Auction For Precious HollyMei

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 10:42:00 +0000

God has a special way of bringing people together. The world of adoption seems to be filled with many "red threads" I've been blessed with a special friend Sharon, through our love for adoption! Sharon's family had already adopted 3 precious children from China before we met. It's been such a blessing to follow their journey to adopt 2 more precious children, since we first met.
Little did we know when we became friends her family would soon be traveling once again to bring home a precious little girl named "HollyMei" from the same orphanage as our son Colin. "God knew"
God's perfect timing!!!

The Ankerich Family

Blessed

HollyMei

Look at her precious face!!!

Something I LOVE to do is sew!!!
So grateful for this God given gift, that I can use to bless others!

I'am auctioning off two special blankets. All proceeds will go towards bringing HollyMei home.

Blanket #1

This blanket is ready to ship. Starting bid is $35.00. Blanket size including ruffle 70x42. Please make sure you post which number blanket your bidding on along with your bid, and the amount your bidding under the comments section below. Bidding starts today Sunday, March 16th,and ends Thursday, March 20th.

Blanket #2

Blanket #2 has two options in fabric choices. Highest bidder has the option to create one of these two fabrics choices. They will be able to have the name they choose monogramed on the minky dot side of the blanket. Because this blanket will be monogramed, it will be made first week of April after bidding has ended. Please make sure you post which number blanket choice a long with dollar amount...

Starting bid is $35.00. Bidding starts today Sunday, March 16th and.ends Thursday, March 20th.

The winning bidder will pay thru Paypal...

Thank you for helping the Ankerich family bring HollyMei home to her "Forever Family"

Blessings

Lori

Happy 6th Forever Family Day Miss Kati...We Love You!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 13:30:00 +0000

It's hard to believe that six years ago today, we held our sweet Kati for the very first time!! Kati has brought So much JOY into our home! We can't imagine life without her. God knew how perfectly this sweet little girl would fit into our family! Kati has grown leaps and bounds since we first came home! She now understands what it means to have a Family and what LOVE is all about!

First glance of our precious Kati 2007

First time in the sand 2008

Lilyana and Kati seeing one another for first time since China (same orphanage) 2008

2010

Kati and her Big Sissy

Loving the beach this summer 2013

Gymnastics then...

Gymnastics now...

Miss Kati received her 1st grade report card yesterday. We are SO proud of you!! A+ in every subject, with B+ in reading!!! B+ in reading is a HUGE accomplishment for a little girl whose been in speech since she was 3 years old!!! YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY SWEET GIRL!!!

We are so Thankful that God opened up our heart to our Precious daughter Kati!!! We LOVE you to the moon and back! Can't wait to see what great plans God has in store for you!! Thankful we have a front row seat!!

Love

Daddy and Mommy!!!

Happy 7th Birthday Miss Kati

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 10:14:00 +0000

Today, September 27, we celebrate Kati's 7th birthday!!!

It's hard to believe Kati's turning 7!!! Seems like yesterday we were holding her for the very first time in China, when she was just 14 months old. Kati, you've brought SO much Joy and Love into our lives!!! You are sweet, loving, kind to everyone you meet! It's been a Joy to watch you grow!

Happy 7th Birthday Sweet Kati!!

First picture of Kati from her orphanage

Precious girl!!!

Beach 2008

Pooh Birthday (age 3)

Private tour Dolphin Tale in Clearwater Florida

summer 2013

LOVE

Daddy and I wish you a HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY!!!

Love you to the moon and back!!!

Love, Daddy, Mommy and Colin

CELEBRATING ONE YEAR WITH OUR LITTLE MAN...

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 10:27:00 +0000

Happy Forever Family Day Colin!!!
I can't believe it has been one year since we first held Colin...

LOVE HIS SWEET SMILE!!!

God's Precious Blessings

LOVED THE BEACH

BEST BUDDIES

Our sweet little boy has come such a long way in this past year. He's brought SO much JOY into our lives! God knew just what he was doing when he brought this sweet little boy into our lives! Colin and Kati weren't real sure of one another in the beginning. Now, its as if they've always been together,,,LOVE!!!

Happy Forever Colin! We LOVE you SO much!!!

COLIN turns 3...

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 00:53:00 +0000

Our sweet boy Colin turned 3 on July 1st!!! It was SO fun to see the surprise and JOY on his face as we celebrated with family and friends!!! He Loves the movie "Cars"!!! So, cars decorations and balloons to help celebrate!!!
It's hard to believe Colin has only been with us 10 months. He's come SO far! He has the best smile and is SO sweet!!!

Bubble Maker...

We are all going to Disney World, Sea World and Clearwater Beach in August...can't wait to see his face when he see's everything!!!

Kindergarten Graduation

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Fri, 31 May 2013 15:52:00 +0000

Kati's last day of Kindergarten and graduation night...

Last day of Kindergarten

Graduation night

Shayna and Kati

Kati and her teacher Mrs Adams

LOVE her sweet smile!!!

PRECIOUS

It's Official

WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU KATI!!

LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK!

The Swing...

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Mon, 27 May 2013 14:36:00 +0000

When we adopted Kati November 2007, she was only 14 months old and very afraid of a swing. Kati would sit in the baby swing at the park, you couldn't move it at all or she would begin to cry. As she got older, she would lay on her tummy and swing. We have a swing set in our yard. Kati would go outside and swing on her tummy. This year Kati started Kindergarten and began to swing little more all on her own. It was SO great to watch her overcome her fear of swinging and begin to truly ENJOY swinging!!!
This past week her Kindergarten class had their picnic at one of the local camp grounds. Kati's teachers husband runs this camp ground, so we were able to enjoy ALL the activities!!! These activities included Rock Climbing and HUGE Swing!!! This swing takes you up 70 ft, swings you out going 50 mph...yes you read that correctly!!!. Well, Miss Kati got on that "HUGE SWING" and went for it! Her Daddy and I are SO proud of her!! Yes, this momma cried and cheered her on as I was videoing so her daddy could see her. I didn't realize we were going on this swing and had worn a skirt that day. As you will see from the pictures, it wouldn't have been a good thing for me to swing in my skirt. So, Kati rode with another mom and her son.

VIDEO

Our sweet girl Miss Kati graduates from Kindergarten tomorrow night!! We are SO very proud of ALL her accomplishments!!!

WE LOVE YOU MISS KATI TO THE MOON AND BACK!!!!

What LOVE can do...

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 23:05:00 +0000

While I was cooking dinner tonight, our sweet boy came over to me in the kitchen pointing to his lips. This usually means he wants chap stick (which he's big into right now). So, I said you want some chap stick? Colin shook his head NO! I got on my knees next to him, he leans over and gives me a "Big Kiss" on the lips and a "Big Hug". I said I Love You! Colin looks at me and says "Love"!
This momma burst into tears. Thank God everyday for our precious boy!!!

LOVE THIS SWEET BOY!!!!!!!!!

Chinese New Year!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 15:41:00 +0000

When we moved to Lake Geneva almost 5 years ago, We knew we wanted to make sure Kati would be able to continue celebrating CNY with other adopted children from China and their families. Now we can also share CNY with Colin!!! So, Dan and I started a small group at our home 4 years ago. Last 2 years our friends the Henderson's have hosted our CNY! We now have close to 40 parents/kids celebrating with us! We all live within 30 minutes of each other except one family that travels 2 1/2 hours for CNY. Their little girl Ana and Kati are travel buddies! We had a blast! Thanks Henderson family for hosting our CNY again this year!

Travel Buddies (Kati and Ana)

Hannah and Clara

Some of the other siblings

Sweet Lena

Cheerleader for the night!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 20:17:00 +0000

Special night for Kati...

Kati attends Faith Christian School where we live in Lake Geneva. It's a small private school and we
LOVE it!!! Kati is having a GREAT year in Kindergarten!! She's learning to read right now and tries reading everything in our home or as we are passing signs while driving in our car. Listening to Kati read and sound out words is music to our ears!!! When we brought Kati home in 2007, she was only 14 months old. We had no idea at that time that she would soon struggle with her speech. At age 3 she began to get really frustrated when we couldn't understand a lot of the things she was trying to tell us. Kati was attending our local Montessori School at the time. I began listening to other kids her age in class and realized they were able to pronounce their words more clearly. I asked her teachers for information on how I could have her tested. Kati was tested for speech and we soon realized she would leave off the first letter of most of her words. Kati has been in speech since she was 3 years old for 40 minutes a week. She's now only needs 20 minutes a week!!! Kati is doing GREAT and has come a long way!!! We are extremely proud of Kati and can't wait to see what God has in store for our precious girl!

Kati 's school each year allows some of the young girls to cheer during the High School game! Well, last night was a HUGE night for Kati! She LOVED every single moment!! It was SO much fun for her Daddy and I to watch the pure JOY on her face as she ran out on the basketball court and cheered!! Kati is such a JOY and has a" HUGE LOVING HEART"!!! She's LOVES to please everyone!! We thank God he allowed us to be her Dad and Mom!!

Enjoy all the pictures!!

Go Notre Dame!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:24:00 +0000

My Daddy LOVES Notre Dame!!!

Tonight is the BIG game!!! Notre Dame vs Alabama!!!
My husband and son Clay are HUGE Notre Dame fans!!! Looks like we will be passing this onto Colin as well!!!

We also have a few family members in TN that are HUGE Alabama fans!

Wish we ALL lived closer so we could ALL enjoy the Notre Dame WIN together (Frank)!!!!!!
We MISS you guys!!

LOVE BRINGS HUGE SMILES!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 16:36:00 +0000

I had this blog created so that family and friends could follow our journey to our precious son "Colin"! Since we have returned home in September I have been slacking "Big Time". Those of you that know me very well, know I pride myself on being extremely "organized". Well, since returning from China, I'm still searching for what use to be "normal"...whatever that was! We are now searching for our "new normal"!! We are ALL finally settling into life at the "Borah House"!!

What's been on my heart after returning from China! I have thought about this post since September. This trip to China to adopt our precious son "Colin" was SO different than when we traveled in 2007 to adopt our daughter "Kati". What I mean by different is Kati was considered a "Healthy" child and Colin a "Special Needs" child. Not only that, we were older parents as well. Every family in this travel group were adopting minor to severe "Special Needs" children. After adopting Kati in 2007, I knew I wanted to adopt another child from China. My husband initially didn't feel the same way. He felt we were older parents and our family was complete. I continued to pray about God allowing us to adopt again and bringing my husband's heart to the same place mine had been for years. God answered my prayers and my husband came to me and said, let make the call to Bethany Christian Services. The same agency we used in TN to adopt Kati. Well, I made the call and then we went through alot of ups and downs because I was over the age of 50 and China had changed SO many rules since 2007. We were approved to adopt a special needs child. We started the paper work and more ups and downs, such is the life of adoption.
We traveled in September 2012 to adopt Colin from China. This was an entire different experience for me. We were allowed to travel to Colin's orphanage. The conditions of his orphanage we SO hard to see, yet helped me to understand what his life had been like for the past 2 years. Although he had a HUGE smile on his face when he was handed to us at the orphanage, it broke my heart to see his surroundings. Once we left the orphanage, Colin had a very difficult time adjusting to us. It took him until days before we returned home to accept anyone but me.

While in China with all the other families I watched these precious go from being sad to "HUGE SMILES" on their faces!!! What a JOY it was to see these children with so many differnt Special Needs "SMILE" because they had expeienced the "LOVE" of their "FOREVER FAMILIES"!!

First Day

Look at his precious "SMILE" now!!!

Precious Blessings From God

Sam with his Mama!!!

Sam is 4 years old adopted by a single mom from Tennessee. This is the "Smile" I'm referring to...this is what "LOVE" can do. Sam has one leg amputated just below the knee and his other leg has a very small foot with some fused toes. He walks using the stump on one leg and the small foot on the other leg. He will get prosthetics soon. This little boy has the sweetest personality and loves life and his new mama!!!

I realize that not everyone is called to adopt, yet we are ALL called to care for God's children all over the world. James 1:27. I have met SO many WONDERFUL families through our LOVE for adoption!

My heart will always have a special place in China! We know in our hearts we won't be brining another child home. We can make a difference from our home! I have a special friend Diana Rouse who represents an organization called "Pearl River Outreach"! Right now she's raising funds to help these precious children through the next year 2013! We can ALL help by giving a donation. Please help these precious children and you can also have a chance to win some "WONDERFUL" prizes!! Please take a few moments and check out "FILL THEIR STOCKINGS"! http://1diamond1ruby1pearl.blogspot.com/
http://pearlriveroutreach.blogspot.com/

You can donate as little as $ 5.00.

I know this post was exteremly long...I've had alot on my heart!!

Merry Christmas!

Blessings, Lori

Happy Anniversary!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 15:18:00 +0000

Happy Anniversary to the BEST Husband and Father!!

I LOVE YOU DAN BORAH!!!

Kati Day!!

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 16:02:00 +0000

Five years ago today we met Miss Kati!!

We waited in a large conference room at Galactic Hotel in Nanchang.

In came our beautiful, brown eyed little girl!!

Look at those beautiful brown eyes!!

We couldn't wait to hold Kati for the first time!

Kati wasn't happy for the first 30 minutes.

From that day on she's been a happy girl!!

Kati is a SWEET and LOVING little girl!!

Kati has brought SO much JOY to our home and Family!!

God had the perfect little girl picked out for our family!

PRECIOUS gift from GOD!!

One of my favorites!!!

Kati's holding the first picture we saw of her!

Love those cheecks!!

Kati is now 6 and started Kindergarten this year!!

Kati you are still that fun, loving crazy girl!

You are always kind, giving of yourself!

You have blessed us in so many ways! God has BIG plans for you!

We can't wait to see what God has planned for you Miss Kati!

KATI, our dinosaur loving girl...

Daddy and Mommy LOVE you to the moon and back!!!

Consulate Appointment

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 03:37:00 +0000

Yesterday, Sept 25th was our Consulate appointment. The last thing we are required as adoptive

parents to do before leaving China.The room is filled with other adoptive families. We are asked to stand and raise our right hand, promising to never abandon these children. To provide for and educate them to the best of our ability. When we came in 2007 to adopt Kati we were told in advance

what a huge deal this was. Once again we were SO excited for this day to be here! A very special day to also spend my birthday! Birthday I will always remember!!

We are packed and waiting in our hotel room for all of Colin's official paper work from Consulate.

We leave this afternoon by van heading to Hong Kong. We will spend the night in Hong Kong and leave tomorrow at 11:00 am, one stop in Chicago and then onto Nashville, TN on Untied flight #5911 @ 5:54pm, Thursday, Sept 27th. Which is also Miss Kati's 6th birthday!!! We will be staying in Nashville until Monday, Oct 2nd. Colin will be seen in Nashville @ Vanderbilt Children's hosp.

Monday, Oct 1st by International specialist that viewed his referral.

We can't wait to get home and settled into our routine!! Kati is ready to get back to school and

gymnastics!!

Please pray for safe travels home and that the littles SLEEP!!

Consulate Appointment

Medical Exam & Folk Art Museum...

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 13:12:00 +0000

Yesterday was the Medical Exam, least that's what they call it. Every family that travels to China to adopt is required to have a medical exam. There are 3 stations set up. Your child must go to each one, plus TB test. We started off getting Visa pictures. Room #1 General Screening (Head measurement, listening to his heart and general check.Room #2 Then weight & tempature. #3 ENT (doctor says Colin has full hearing in his (L) ear and partial hearing in his (R) deformed ear (we were thrilled to hear this, we both teared up). Colin didn't appreciate any of them especially the last (TB test). There were babies screaming everywhere. Those of you have adopted here know just what I'm talking about (utter chaos). We were all happy to leave this building!!! We have to return there tomorrow, so they can check his TB test.

Colin is doing SO much better! He's finally letting Dan & Uncle Frank hold him!! He's walking holding our hands. He's been playing with his sissy and she LOVES it!!! She had him playing ring around the rosey...SO SWEET!!! We've also learned he has a HUGE temper! When he doesn't get his way, he just throws himself down on the floor lays back and starts screaming. Something we will definitely have to work on. He has the SWEETEST smile!! He's trying to say mama!

We are ALL ready to go home! Tuesday morning we have our CA. Wednesday we head to Hong Kong and Thursday we travel HOME!!! None of us are looking forward to the LONG flights.
Thank you for all your prayers!!!

Our Group

Kati's new friend Rose

Sweet Smile!!!

Civil Affairs Office & Notary

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 06:06:00 +0000

Colin is Officially Ours!!!

Yesterday morning "Bob" took us to the Civil Affairs Office & Notary building to sign all the official papers on Colin. We are thrilled to be finished with this part of our journey!!!

On Monday after we picked up Colin, we took the director, and asst directors to lunch. One of the asst directors is a lady. She took Colin from me several times trying to make him feel better and to eat. She had him for a few minutes each time and then I would walk over and take him back. The last time she tried, I looked at her and said "NO". Yesterday I kept Colin straped to me in the carrier. While at the Civil Affairs building she tried to take him from me, he looked at her and turned his head away. Made this Mama feel GREAT!!! Colin is doing better, yet still struggling with everything new. He still cries often, makes me sad. We realize this is good for his grieving.
Colin holds onto every and as many toys as he can at once. Fearing someone will take one from him. He's starting to smile more and even laughed once today. He has the sweetest smile! He's very tiny, yet tall. I brought size 18-24 months clothing for him. He would fit better into size 6-12 months in shorts/pants. Kati and Colin are trying to find there way. Kati tries to play with him and he's fearful she taking the toys. Weve had a couple times where he's hit and pinched not understanding she wants to play. We know everything takes time and they will work through it. Colin is eating and sleeping really well. I can lay him down in the crib around 8:00pm and he goes right to sleep, wakes up around 7:00am. He HATES getting a bath...
Tomorrow we fly to Guangzhou, last part of our journey!! We are ALL trilled to be moving onto Guangzhou knowing that after this we will be on our way HOME!!! W are all looking forward to a BIG juicy burger and HUGE Diet Coke with ice!!!

Sorry it has taken me so long to blog. Were all exhausted at the end of the day and just want to relax.

Civil Affairs Office

Notary Building

Uncle Frank with us in picture

Colin & Uncle Frank playing with stacking cups

Touring in Shijiazhuang Province

Sweet little girl we met today!!!

Kati and our guide Sharon

Thank you for all your prayers and good thoughts!!!

Day 2...

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 03:12:00 +0000

Yesterday was really difficult to watch Colin grieve for everything he's known for the past 2 years of his life. This mama's heart ached for him. Yet we know the grieving is what he needs to move on with us. He has the sweetest smile!!!
Kati was a little overwhelmed by everything that went on yesterday. We tried to explain to her why he was crying so much? Kati is in LOVE with her little brother! She's watching Happy Feet on IPAD with him.

Colin slept from 6:30pm to 7:30am, he woke up twice during the night and whimpered just a little. I woke up at 2:00am. Laid in bed listening to him breath and thanking God for our sweet boy! Praying that today would be a better day for Colin.
He let me clip his fingernails/toenails, they were full of dirt. We were able to give him a bath this morning, he cried just a little until he realized it was fun with the bath toys. We went down for breakfast and he LOVED everything!! We have a free day today, going to stay inside and play! He's doing much better today!!
Please continue to pray with us as he grieves and we bond...

Thank you
Dan, Lori, Kati & Colin

Forever Family Day!!

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 11:45:00 +0000

We left our hotel around 8:30am and headed to Colin's SWI. It was 2 1/2 hour drive each way.
When we arrived at the gate, there were children playing. The director and assistant came out to greet us. All the little children wanted to shake our hands! His orphanage is really run down. We were then taken upstairs to were the babies were and Colin. When we walked into the room there was our sweet Colin being by his nanny. I put my arms out to him and he came right to me. He's such a sweet little boy!! We are in LOVE!!!
Colin did great until we got into the van. He started crying and them screaming. Our heart aches for him. He cried most of the 2 1/2 hour ride back to our hotel. He continued to cry in our hotel room. After trying 3 times, he's finally sleeping. He has a death grip still on a balloon and rubber bathtub truck. Please pray he sleeps well tonight and wakes up happy! We realize this is good for him to grieve. We are exhausted, I will add pics and post more tomorrow.

Colin with his nanny

Colin's finding spot

We Made It To Hebei Province...

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 22:47:00 +0000

Our train ride was quite an adventure!!!
Trying to get 4 people plus 4 suitcase's, 4 carry-on and 4 backpacks on/off a train was crazy!!
We had 2 minutes to get all of these items off the train before the doors closed. We had to push and shove to get on and off the train.

We will be leaving our hotel at 8:00 am to travel 2 1/2 hours by van to Colin's orphanage. I promise I will post pics as soon as we return from his orphange.
Please continue to pray with us as we travel there and that Colin will feel comfortable with us.
Can't wait to hold/kiss our sweet little boy!!!!

The Great Wall...

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 12:33:00 +0000

Today we toured the Great Wall, Cloisonne Factory and Bird's Nest...

The Great Wall

Cloisonne Factory

The Bird's Nest from the Olympics

Miss Kati Was Pooped

We Made It To Beijing...

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 11:44:00 +0000

This post will be brief since we are all exhausted. Just wanted to let family and frirnds know we survived the 15 hour flight to Beijing!!

We started Wednesday morning at 4:00am, heading for the airport. Our 15 hour flight to Beijing was very smooth, yet LONG. Kati did Awesome on this flight! She watched movies, ate & slept.
We arrived in Beijing, Thursday 1:30 pm. Our guide "Tom" met us at the airport and drove us and 2 other familes to our hotel. We are all extremely exhausted and trying to stay awake until its night time here in Beijing. Tomorrow we will tour the Great Wall. More pictures tomorrow.

Dan, Lori, Kati and Uncle Frank

packed and ready to go!!

Kati and Uncle Frank

On our way to Hotel

Thank you for all your prayers today!!!

We are all heading to bed...good night from Beijing!!

China Itinerary...

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 16:20:00 +0000

We board our plane heading to China Tomorrow!!!

Here's our Itinerary:

September 12, 7:00am be board our first flight

September 13, Arrive in Beijing @ 2:40pm China time

September 14, Visit the Great Wall, Cloisonne Factory, Bird's Nest. Lunch

September 15, Visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Hutong Tour. Orientation meeting
                           at 4:00 p.m.

September 16,   Go to Shijiazhuang by train D4527 (13:27-15:44) Stay at Shijiazhuang Century Hotel

September 17,   Travel 2 1/2 hours by van to "Colin Day" at his Orphanage. CAN'T WAIT!!
                           Please pray with us as our sweet boy leaves the life he has known for 2 years.

September 18,   Adoption registration and notarization   (granddaughter Emma's 4th b-day)

September 19,   Visit Century Park   (Uncle Steve's b-day)

September 20,   Visit Long Xing Temple

September 21,   Receive all the documents. Flight CZ3200 (20:40-23:40) to Guangzhou. Stay at
                             China Hotel-Marriott airport pickup.

September 22,   Medical exam in te morning.

September 23,   Visit Guangzhou Folk Art Museum.

September 24,   Go back to the clinic to check skin test result (TB)

September 25,   Visa Appointment

September 26,   Pick your childs Visa in the afternoon. Go directly from Marriott Hotel to
                           Hong Kong Regal Airport Hotel by van

September 27,   Fly out of Hong Kong airport and head HOME!! (Miss Kati's 6th birthday)
                           Special way to celebrate her 6th birthday!!!

Please pray with us as we travel ALL day tomorrow, that Kati will "SLEEP", that we all stay healthy and that Colin will accept us. We appreciate ALL your prayers!!!

Pearce's Farm Stand & Hay Bales

noreply@blogger.com (Lori) — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 12:20:00 +0000

Pearce's Farm Stand opens just before the school year starts.They have many fruits & vegetables. They also have a field stacked with hay bales in maze formation for all kids and adults to enjoy! They also clear paths through a corn field for everyone to walk/run through. Kati LOVES going there! Pearce's Farm Stand is right up the street from Kati's school. Brings on so many mixed emotions. Summer is ending and Fall is right around the corner. My favorite time of the year in Wisconsin is FALL!!! All the Beautiful colors with the leaves changing. The Beauty that GOD has created for us all to enjoy! It's possible we might miss the leaves changing this year for a very special reason. Brings tears to my eyes knowing that next year "Colin" will be enjoying this time of year with us!!!
GOD IS GOOD!!!

This Sign made me giggle

Kati LOVES the corn maze

COUNT DOWN IS ON...4 MORE DAYS UNTIL WE ARE ON THE PLANE HEADING TO CHINA!!!!

WE ARE ALL SO EXCITED!!!!

Please pray with us as we prepare to travel...