Two years ago today we woke up in a hotel in China, ate a breakfast buffet, checked that we had everything, piled into a taxi and drove to the Civil Affairs office. S. tapped me on the arm and pointed. There he was...being carried across the parking lot...our beautiful baby boy. We met him in the lobby where he said, "Mama" and gave me a kiss. I was a goner!

My how time flies when you are a mom! Here are some photos showing how he has changed since we first saw his sweet little face...my baby is turning into an amazing little boy!



Referral photo - our first look at TA Love at first site!



The Kramer Family, Gotcha Day, Hangzhou, PRC 4/4/05



TA and EQ sitting quietly together (HA!) March 2007

TA is visiting his grandparents for several days. They went to church this morning (Palm Sunday) and TA went up front for the children's sermon. This is what happened next, as told by grandpa:

All the kids are sitting up front.
Pastor asked: "Does anyone know why Jesus suffered?"
TA answered: "To die for our sins."

Apparently the church was stunned. I think I will keep him in Awana next year!

Hope your Holy Week is amazing!
C

Our Hippy Boy

Well, we did it! On Wednesday, March 14, 2007 we mailed our application for #3 to Chinese Children Adoption International (CCAI). We also submitted another 'Medical Conditions Checklist' like we did with the previous two. However, this time our age range is only up to 12 months. We said yes or maybe to over 15 of the options. According to the Delivery confirmation on usps.gov, the application arrived at CCAI on Saturday meaning - St. Patricks day. Hope it is a lucky day for us!

We are anticipating having the gestation of an elephant which is fine with us! It will give EQ more time to adjust and TA more time before he has to deal with 2 younger siblings. He should be 5 1/2 and EQ will be about 4 before we travel for #3. When we get the official ok from CCAI, we will begin compiling all the paperwork to submit to China. Again.

Yesterday we had the opportunity to go to a Chinese New Year reception at the Chinese embassy in DC. They had a few speakers, some dance and martial art demos, culture stations where you could practice paper cutting, calligraphy, the abacus, and kicking a shuttle cock. There was yummy food to eat as well. They even had gifts for each family that included cd's of Chinese music, a book to help learn the language, some Olympic souvenirs, and a datebook in Chinese with beautiful photos. Below is a photo if us with our friends Jeff, Kat, and Jack B. from Atlanta, the counselor for the embassy and the counselor for congressional affairs at teh embassy.



Welcome to the journey...take 3!

EQ saying Hi - 12/2006

I am going to try to see how this works and then likely get rid of the yahoogroups. Saturday, while out to a dinner with no kids, we decided to begin the paperwork for #3. Another chick to add to our brood. We discussed going to another country or even domestic this time. After researching - the cost for China vs Ethiopia vs Domestic were roughly the same. Domestic still has the risk of the birth parents changing their minds.

We ended up deciding to return to China. We have both prayed about this decision and feel that is where God really wants us to go. We are familiar with the agency and process. All of our children will share the same heritage for future trips, holidays, etc.

Currently the wait time after all of our paperwork is in China is about 18 months. It will take about 4-6 months to complete our paperwork (I don't plan on being as speedy this time). :-)

Pray for us and I will update when I can and remember...not always so easy to do!