Loving Ella

      We have made a lot of progress over the last couple of days. Our sweet Ella seems to be bonding very well with us. I was very happy today when our guide picked her up and started talking to her in Chinese. This is the language she knows and it was coming from a familiar face. Ella arched her back and began to cry. When I reached for her she calmed down quickly. I think our guide, Rebecca, was even impressed. I would like to say she knows her mothers touch and that I am a natural but I honestly believe this is God answering the prayers I have prayed and many of you have prayed for so long. The one thing I was really nervous about was that she wouldn't be able to except the hugs, kisses and love that I so desperately have waited to give. Thank God that she not only excepts them but loves them. She giggles and lights up every time I kiss her chubby cheeks. Such a wonderful answer to prayer!

     Last night was the first night that she laid completely relaxed on Brandon's chest. She was comfortable and peaceful. It made my heart very heavy and sad to think that this was the first time in her life she relaxed in her fathers arms and that there are millions of children who just need a parent to love and hold them. When I shared this on Facebook I was reminded by friends that many of us are struggling with life and trying to figure things out on our own but all we have to do is just relax in our Heavenly Fathers arms. He is their wanting to adopt us into His family and it is up to us not only to become part of His family but to also take the next step and trust Him with our life and completely let Him take over and rest in His arms. I am learning so much through this little child already. 

Romans 8:15-16 (NIV)

¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry,“Abba, Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Happy New Year from GZ, China

      Things are really different for us this New Year. We normally are spending this evening with friends shooting fireworks and ringing in the New Year together. This year it is kind of funny. We are sitting in a hotel room ringing in the New Year while watching a festival on TV that is happening right down the road. We can't understand a thing and it is very humorous but entertaining.
     Today we went to a local zoo here in Guangzhou. We got to see a Panda and of course all the other favorites we see at the Birmingham Zoo. It was kind of a sad trip because Ella is to young to care and it made us miss Cooper and Avery. However, they did have this really neat Goldfish exhibit. It is in the Guiness World Records for the most goldfish and different styles of tanks in one location. Kind of funny! There was a game you could play that was a lot like Plinko from the Price is Right. Brandon and two other dads we were with played and they ironically all won. Rebecca went to collect our prizes and we joked that they were going to give us fish and what do you know we ended up with 6 goldfish. One of the other couples adopted two older children and the 6 year old was thrilled. We thought it was funny. Unfortunately we don't think they will make it back through customs, if they live that long.
     Yesterday we want to the market where the locals shop. We were able to buy pearls, jade, and some really unique things that had hand embroidery on them. Hopefully tomorrow we are going to make it to the electronic market and the Chinese traditional market. It is a free day tomorrow and those days time passes slowly. We are missing home, our kids, and sweet tea! Happy New Year from China!

Ella Huan Hope Greer

     I have neglected the blog but oh have we had fun! Gotcha day couldn't have gone any better! We are over the moon in love with this little angel. God has truly blessed our family with this amazing little girl. Words can not capture how much love we have for her.  We are so ready to get her home to  meet family and friends. I can't wait to share our little treasure. I know that God has awesome plans for her. "For this child I prayed and The Lord has granted me what I have asked for." 1 Samuel 1:27
      We met our translator Grace in the lobby of our hotel at 2:00 and took a crazy 20 minute drive downtown to the Civil Affairs Bureau. I say crazy because driving is nuts here. (Will explain later) We walked down what looked to be an ally and then up the stairs to a fairly nice building. We took the elevator up to the adoption floor. There were several families already waiting. We later have met these families again and they are from all over; France, Australia, California, and even another couple from Alabama. We took a seat and Grace hurried around getting everything ready. We only had to sign one form and then she went to check to see if Le Huan had arrived. It is a five hour drive from her orphanage so they said she may be a little late. As I looked around the room everyone was waiting. Then out walks this lady with a handsome little boy and walks up to this couple and you could tell by the look on their faces that they just had met their son. As I watched this unfold my stomach did flips and I felt the tears. I prayed that God would take my emotions so that I could focus on the moment and not be a total mess. Not even two minutes later Grace said, "stand up and come here, she is here." I walked over and they quickly brought her out. Her nanny was holding her and  the director and Grace were talking in Chinese. I didn't know what was going on and you could tell she was really unsure. The nanny handed her to me and they all smiled. The rest felt very rushed and chaotic. I wasn't even sure what to do. I just kept talking to her and taking in the first moments. We took a few pictures and got to ask a few questions and then we left. She did very well. She didn't cry or fuss until I wiped a little drool off of her face. We learned quickly she is sensitive about her face. We arrived back at the hotel around 3:00! After all that work and wait we were there and back in only an hour.
     Once we arrived back at the room Grace and Brandon completed some paper work and I feed Ella her first bottle. Grace then translated the questions we wanted answered to Brandon. Lol! Brandon doesn't understand their English and he thought that she said that Le Huan likes to pray with friends of similar age. This bothered him and when we finally discussed everything last night I then informed him they meant "play" not "pray!" We laughed so hard. He wanted to ask Grace who they were praying to.  ;)
     Once she left we got to enjoy the rest of the afternoon together. She was very stiff. She wouldn't hold anything and she would not relax her arms. Slowly but surely she started to relax and the first thing she grabbed hold of was the little yellow comb. It's kind of funny because it was Cooper's comb when he was in the hospital as a new born. Now when we hand the comb to her she smiles from ear to ear!
     It has been amazing to watch how she has warmed up in just two and a half days. She will sit and play with toys in the floor. She has started to crawl around a little. At first we didn't think she could push the buttons on her toys but now when the music stops she reaches over and pushes the button to turn it back on. She loves to be kissed and tickled. She also likes to look at herself and us in the mirror. She has already formed a small attachment to me. Which is a huge answer to prayer! It has been awesome to watch this sweet little one come to life. I can't wait to see what she surprises us with next.
     We decided to call her Ella Huan Hope Greer instead of Ella Le Hope Greer. In the orphanage she went by the nickname Huan Huan. They also told us that there are four beauties in China and one of them has the name Huan in their name. They said it was very special. So in light of what we learned we couldn't call her anything else. So we now have a Ya Ya (Avery's nickname) and a Huan Huan. So perfect together!
     After a day of relaxing we are going on a few sight seeing adventures tomorrow. We are looking
forward to it and hope that Ella enjoys it. She seemed to like walking through the gardens today.
     I am going to attach a few pictures below. We can't upload many because we only have our ipad
with us in China. I will upload a lot more once we are home. I know I keep saying it, but she is such a blessing!

The view from our window in GZ, China

Getting ready for Ella

A few more pictures

     The Internet is acting funny here. So I had to attach these in a separate post. Sorry, couldn't edit the other post and it is really late here! :)

Well.... It's 12:00 here and it won't let me post anymore. Goodnight!

Only two more hours!

     Wow, what a morning. We went to breakfast and then made all the necessary arrangements before we go and get our little one. We now are sitting and watching the clock. Yuck! Butterflies are all in my stomach. It kind of feels like my wedding day. A little nervous but a good nervous. At 2:00 we will go down stairs to meet Grace.  We will then travel to the Civil Affairs office, which is about twenty minutes away. Not sure what happens next but I know we will meet her there. It can't get here fast enough!!! I am ready for that moment. Tissues are packed!

The Night Before Ella

     Tonight is the last night for me as a mother of two. As I sit here I have many emotions much like when I was in labor with Cooper and Avery. This time it is however a little different. My heart hurts for her tonight. She is about to leave everything familiar to her and become enveloped with new faces, funny languages, new smells, and new surroundings. It is a little much for a 23 month old. I am sure she will be terrified upon meeting us. How do you possibly show someone how much you love them in a moment? Our love is free and unconditional and will never leave her but how can she possibly see that upon meeting us? She can't. It will take time to develop that trust and understanding. This part is hard and overwhelming but worth every moment to develop that bond.
     As I walked the streets of China today I thought about all the people around me who probably didn't know Christ as their Savior. It hurt my heart. Christ love is free and unconditional and all anyone has to do is except. But like it will be for Ella it is hard for some people to trust. That is where the I feel the body of Christ comes in. We have to build relationships with the lost so that the love for Christ in us will shine through us so that they can see. If they see love in us then we can point them to the one who freely gives.
     I am happy to know I have a Heavenly Father who loves me dearly. Even much more than I love all three of my children. It is so hard to imagine that it is possible but I know He does. My prayer tonight is that God will allow Ella to bond with us quickly and that the relationship we build with her will be strong and she will see Christ love in us and through us. Here is a devotional I found that I really feel sums up my heart tonight.

Because I love you

with an everlasting love.

Jeremiah 31:3 

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: 

I have loved you with an everlasting love; 

I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

(NIV Bible)

All that Father does is motivated by His everlasting love for us. A love that is perpetual, unending, and eternal. He has drawn us with a loving-kindness that will never run out or dry up. When describing what everlasting love means, I believe that Jack Winter says it best... "There was never a time in all of eternity when we were not loved by God."

Father's everlasting love has always been there and will always be there. There is nothing we can do to make God love us any more than He does right now and there is nothing that we can do to make God love us any less than He does right now. It is difficult for us to be able to comprehend this kind of unconditional love and acceptance.

That is why the Apostle Paul prayed in Ephesians 3:17-19 that we might be rooted and established in love, may have power together with all of the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (NIV Bible)

We may know that God loves us in our heads, but He desires for this revelation to seep into every fabric of our being. Love is meant to be experienced, not only intellectually understood. If we never feel love from those around us, life becomes very empty. A big hug from someone we care about FEELS good. A kind word or a loving glance FEELS good. While our access to God is through faith, we must believe that there is a reward for those that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Our ultimate reward is the revelation of our Father's everlasting love for us.

PRAYER

Father, I thank You for loving me with a love that will never run out or dry up. May Your loving-kindness seep into every area of my being...spirit, soul and body. I want to experience Your love in a deeper way than I have ever experienced before. I pray that my heart may be rooted and established in Your love, and that I might have power to grasp how wide and how long and how high and how deep is your love for me expressed in the person of Your Son, Jesus Christ. In the name of Your beloved Son, Jesus I pray, AMEN.

   

Loving Some Babies in A Big Blue House

      We finally have some pictures uploaded that we would like to share. Really happy we had the opportunity to spend some time here and really enjoyed seeing Rebecca on her side of the world.

This little guy is so much fun. He knows how to turn on the charm. He would point to my camera and then stand in front of me a give me this huge beautiful smile. Such a funny, happy kid!

A little fun in preschool!

Paper chains for the Christmas tree.

We loved playing with these two sweeties!

Beautiful baby girl only three months old.

Sleepless in Louyang!

Well I have been wide awake since 4am and Meredith is still sound asleep so I figured I would make my first blog post. The past few days have been an unbelievable experience. It was just over a year ago that I thought our family was complete. God, however, had other plans and now here I sit only one year later in Louyang, China at Maria's Big House of Hope. We have had the opportunity to meet and play with some very amazing little kids. The joy on their faces when we are playing with them is unlike anything I can describe. Each one of these kids has different medical issues and most are still waiting on forever families. There are many that Meredith and I have already become attached to in only one short day. My prayer is that each one of these precious children finds a forever home so that one day each one of them will be able to have that special love from a mother and father. After seeing each one of these little kids I would love to bring them all home. Obviously, that's not possible as we each can only do our little part. Meredith and I have said from the beginning that we thought to ourselves, "if not me then who?" Its like this good analogy I heard a few days ago referring to adoption......"you are walking down a beach full of starfish that have been pushed up on the beach. You would love to pick up all of them but its just not possible so you reach down pick up one and throw it back in the water. For that one star fish you just made a tremendous difference in its life. You could have continued on your path along the beach without doing anything but you decided to stop, take a few moments and make the difference for one." It's the same thing with adoption. There are millions of children across the world that just need that one person to stop, listen to what God is calling them to do and then act on it. It may be a just a simple pray for the millions of orphans or by helping through financial support/donations or it may be heading to the other side of the world to pick up your little girl that will make your family complete! God calls each of us to do different things and I pray that you will listen to what He is calling you to do and act on it! I promise you that know matter what God calls you to do, He will follow through to the completion.

We fly out tonight headed for Guangzhou. Our last stopping point and where we will be the next few weeks. Only 3 more days until I get to hold my daughter in my arms! God is AMAZING! Please continue to pray for us as we travel.
Brandon

The Big Blue House

     We woke up kind of early today. The time change is kind of hard. After breakfast I had the opportunity to go to preschool with Rebecca. It was so much fun and was really neat to see how fast the kids warmed up. It was ironically easy to interact with them without being able to verbally communicate well. The children are simply precious!  I feel very blessed to be able to spend time loving and playing with them. When you see pictures of these beautiful faces it really doesn't do it justice. These faces are real kids who just need a family to love and hold them. Maria's is a wonderful place for these children to stay until they are matched with their forever families. I will try and post pictures of some of the little ones we got to meet soon.

Welcome to China!

     So happy to say we made it! We are in Beijing at New Hope. We visited the Great Wall this morning and then got to play at the orphanage with some pretty cool kids. It has been really fun to hang out with Rebecca and spend time with her and Mikey. We are about to head down to sit by the fire and chat for awhile then dinner at a authentic Chinese restaurant.... We will see! We are taking a late flight to Luoyang tonight. Hopefully I can post more details tomorrow.  Happy to be here on the other side of the world. I feel very blessed to be on this journey. Only 4 more days until we get to meet Ella! I wished I could bring them all home. I am so excited we are this close!

Leaving on a jet plane...

     I honestly can't believe I am finally writing this post! Today has been a world wind of emotion! My heart is hurting because Cooper and Avery have the flu. It would be hard enough to leave them for seventeen days but leaving them and knowing their sick makes my heart hurt. Cooper is better but Avery's fever is up again. :( Pray for this mom's heart.
     On the other hand, I am so excited! After a year long journey... We finally get to go! I can't wait to hold her, kiss her, and take in everything about her! She is so loved, so wanted, and so prayed for! We are such a blessed family to be able to welcome a sweet child into our family. She will change us for the better.
     As I am writing this as we are 8 hours away from a really long trip! We will be traveling for 25 hours and will lose half a day in the process. We are flying into Beijing and meeting my dear friend Rebecca and her fiancée Mikey. We will tour the Great Wall of China and then fly into Luoyang. I can't wait to visit all the beautiful children at Maria's Big House of Hope. This is something I have wanted to do for a couple of years. So happy God has given us this amazing opportunity.
     We will arrive in Guangdong on the 22 and meet Ella on the 24. What a wonderful Christmas present! I think it is very appropriate to receive her on the eve of Christmas. I feel like she is truly sent from up above.
     I will do my best to blog and keep this updated. Internet may be a little difficult but we will see. Well.... Here we go!!!!

Travel Plans

     Well we finally got everything together. To be honest yesterday was really hard! We found out that we couldn't get a consulate appointment until January 2. Needless to say I lost it on the phone when my precious social worker called. I love that lady dearly and I was a complete mess! My head knew that this didn't take Him by surprise but my heart was aching! Another week without her... Torchure.
      We are leaving December 18. We will fly into Beijing and meet my sweet friend Rebecca. We are going to stay with her at the big blue house for a couple of days. Marie's Big House of Hope is in Luoyang, China. It is part of Show Hope - New Hope. It was founded by Steven Curtis Chapman. If you have never checked them out visit www.showhope.com They are a wonderful organization and I am thrilled to get to spend some time with a dear friend and love on some sweet babies who are still waiting for their forever family. It is going to be so hard not to bring them all back! From the beginning I have hoped for this opportunity and I am so glad God has allowed us the time and means to embark on this journey. Super excited!
     We will arrive in Guangdong, China on December 22. For the most part we will spend the remainder of our trip there. Gotcha day will be on Christmas Eve and that means I will be waking up to my babies precious face Christmas morning. Can you say the best present ever!!! It doesn't get much better. We will depart for home on January 4.
     Yes, it's 17 long days without Cooper and Avery. We will not be home for Christmas or New Years. Price wise, as my travel agent said, "those are the worst possible days to fly." I am not an adventurous eater and the list could go on. BUT, we will be getting an awesome gift! In the end She will make it all worth the roller coaster ride of emotions. Not to mention I will be a few pounds lighter. :)
      God has provided all we have needed! How awesome is it we can say we are very close to meeting our financial goal. At the beginning of this journey it looked very unlikely we would make this $40,000ish journey without a large debt to pay off at the end. Praise God I can say it has been paid! Can't tell you in great detail the many who have made this possible but every time we needed to make a payment it was there. We never had to stress over the financial questions, He showed up just in time. It has been amazing to watch the body of Christ pull together.
     So the official count down is on. We are China bound in 12 days!!!! Yay!!!

Christmas in China!!!

     It's official! We will be leaving for China sometime next week! I have so many mixed emotions but mostly so excited to finally get to hold, kiss, hug.... My Sweet Ella!!! After a year long wait we will finally get to bring our little girl home. If she only knew of how her life is about to change. Abandoned, alone, no family, no hope.... Wanted, Loved, Accepted, Family, Friends, A Future, Hope, and more importantly now she can know a Savior!! The verse we have claimed through out this journey, Hebrews 11:1. "Now faith is being sure of what you Hope for and certain of what you can not see." I finally feel that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, the paper chase is almost over and all five of the Greer's will finally be together.
     You know by now that I love videos! Please watch this wonderful one of a families journey to Ethiopia. I can't wait to write our story!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1scU5hv6azs&sns=em

TA Wait!

     Prayers please! We are hoping our travel approval comes Monday! If things go well we are hoping to leave on December 13. That is just our thoughts and hopes but at this point we aren't counting our chickens before they hatch. :) We still need to get out CA, my travel visa, and book flights. Busy week ahead but looks possible. :)

It's All About Jesus

       Today was our second practice of our preschool musical at school. The narrator in the program is a set of grandparents and they are Skyping with their grandchildren. They won't be together for Christmas because of a snow storm canceling their flight. As I sat, watched, and listened to the children sing about the "real Christmas story," it made me really think about what it must have been like for Mary. She was very pregnant making a long journey and probably wasn't to thrilled about having to pay taxes! I can only imagine her thoughts. She then was in labor about to give birth to the Savior and had to do it in a very unpleasant place, a barn! She didn't deliver in a castle surround by family and friends. She didn't have the best health care watching after her or God's child. She was there with Joseph in a dark stable, pretty much alone.
      As I sat there and really for the rest of the day my thoughts were with her. I then began to think of how selfish I have been consuming myself with dates and travel plans. I have let my eyes wonder off my focus and drive in the first place, Christ. As Americans we get consumed with Christmas; gifts, decorations, and family. All of those things are wonderful but if we aren't careful they consume us, cloud our judgement, our prospective. Christmas very easily becomes about us and not Him! After all it is His birthday. Mary was alone, away from home, and in very unpleasant surroundings but if I were to guess, she was at peace. The Savior was there! She was holding Christ! All of heaven rejoiced and I'm pretty sure she did as well.

     Please, forgive me for getting unfocused on the big picture. Our journey is first and foremost a plan God has called us to embark on. It is to bring our sweet daughter home from China in His perfect timing. It is about loving and teaching her about that special baby born to us to save us. That is what Christmas is all about. Christ and Him alone!
   

Come Quickly

      Today has been really hard for us. I know that it has especially been hard for me! I have done really well up until this point but the waves of emotion have finally met there limit and are spilling out all over the place. We haven't received travel approval yet and it has been really hard. It has been nine days and counting. The average wait time is around 14. I know, I know, it hasn't been that long, but for me it seems like forever. Our chances of getting to China and back home for Christmas are now very slim.

      I would not mind at all to spend Christmas overseas with our new little one as long as we were together as a complete family of five. But it looks like we won't be ALL together. We are planning on traveling as soon as possible regardless. Cooper and Avery will be staying with both of our parents during our travel. They have graciously offered to keep them at our home in order to help maintain some type of routine. Kind of funny... Normal Routine and Grandparents really don't mix. :) I am sure it will be very fun for all involved! Santa will just have to make a special trip this year to the Greer's house to deliver presents to all three children.

      There are lots of families who will not be ALL together for Christmas. Some who are missing loved ones serving overseas, some who have lost loved ones this year, and those of us who are waiting anxiously for a little one to come and complete our family. I know first hand missing and longing for someone is hard. It really makes me think of the way Christ must hurt and long for His children who are lost. My pain, heartache, and love is so minuet in comparison to the way Christ longs and hurts for His lost children. He is there waiting for us to come.  I anticipate the Gotcha Day with Ella and the celebration we will have as a family when we are finally united. I can't even imagine the celebration on Gotcha Day when a lost child finally comes to find their Heavenly Father!

 

This isn't the best video but I love the song!

 

Thankful Heart

     Looking back on the adoption journey this far I can honestly say we have so much to be thankful for.  I am overwhelmed by God's goodness and faithfulness, I can't even begin to put my hearts feelings into words. Over the last couple of weeks we have been showered by encouraging words, support, gifts, and financial contributions. For someone who talks a lot it has been very difficult to find the words to express my gratitude. I am overwhelmed with emotion! Thank you just doesn't even begin to tip the iceberg in this case. From a little old lady handing us some ones at church, to free haircuts, donations at birthday parties instead of gifts, all the way to large financial support from people we haven't even met, God's faithfulness to us and this journey has been very evident. He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion. Philippians 1:6
     God has also blessed us with a pretty smooth process this far. After my last post I asked everyone to pray specifically for our article 5 to be expedited quickly. Not even 12 hours later we received an email of approval! It was totally GOD! Our social worker said it was a long shot and was surprised as well! So that means we are officially on the TA, travel approval, wait. On average, it normally takes around 14 days. Today marks day 6. Some people have only had to wait 7 days. We are hoping to get approval, at the latest, next week and if all the chips fall correctly we will be on our way around Dec. 7!!!
     I would love to be able to list everyone who has helped in someway or another but I am so afraid I would leave someone out. We hope to have a homecoming celebration at our church in January so that we can celebrate the arrival of sweet Ella and also as a way of saying thank you to everyone for making this possible. We truly couldn't have done this without the Holy Spirits direction and the body of Christ working together. We love you all! May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans! Psalms 20:14
     

After almost a year of anticipating this time. Look what I finally get to do!!!!

The beginnings of Ella's suitcase. She's getting so close to coming home....

 

     

Article 5 Wait

     We had such an amazing, uplifting weekend. We were able to attend a travel meeting at our adoption agency on Friday. It really put things into perspective and made this journey of paper work seem as though it just might come to an end. It also made it very difficult to go shopping afterwards. When you have been talking about sick babies, abandonment, malnourishment.... It makes buying a $10 lotion not so much fun anymore. When you really stop and think of all the stuff we have and don't need, it kind of makes you sick. I look at the pictures of Ella and she is laying on WOOD! Oh for the love. We worry about the thread count of our sheets. I won't get on that soap box.

      On Saturday, we attended the Alabama game... we won't talk about that. We also had an opportunity to spend time with dear friends! We ended the night with prayer for Ella and our family in the A club room at the stadium. Wouldn't have seen that one coming in a million years.

      Last night we attended the 10th Annual Lifeline Banquet. It was awesome to see how God is working all around the world. Lifeline is a wonderful organization and I am so happy they helped in bringing our Ella to our family. It was also neat to meet others who have walked in our shoes and also meet those who will come after us. One thing was very evident at the banquet, Christ was the center of it all. It was awesome to be in a huge banquet room full of people who share the same desires. Christ being first and center in our lives and through Him we become His hands and feet in orphan care. If you have time visit www.lifelinechild.org.

     So we are waiting on Article 5. Honestly, I really don't know what it is but I know we are waiting on it. ;) It will be picked up on November 26. However, the amazing Karla is working on getting it expedited so we need prayers that it will be approved. Once it is approved we will wait on Travel Approval and then the Consulate Appointment. Then we get my visa, book a ticket and go. IF everything went perfect we would be there and back just in time for CHRISTMAS! Please, pray this works out. I really want to be back home for Cooper and Avery. Christmas is also about family and I want to be home as a family of five on that day!

Update Pictures

     I am so happy to share these with you. We finally got an update on our precious daughter. Ann at Red Thread is wonderful. We ordered a care package through Red Thread and it was delivered and we got an update in three days. Amazing! Ella is growing steadily. She has gained four pounds since we received her referral. A big thank you to Love Without Boundaries for there wonderful support. They supplied her with a case of formula and rice cereal. I don't know what I would do without these wonderful organizations.
     When I look at these precious pictures I have a mixture of emotions. I am overjoyed to see her sweet face and anticipate the day I finally get to hold and love on her. With all the joy it brings just to see her it also rips my heart out to see the conditions she is in. One of the little kindergarten boys in Ms. Cannon's class asked why she was put in a cage. My thoughts exactly added by why is she sleeping on press board? Even though I know the answers to these questions it doesn't feel right in my heart. I am so happy this sweet little one has a home and a family that loves her so much already. There are millions more out there that simply need a chance. Notice the little one behind Ella in one of the pictures.

 

I can only hope that they picked her up and wiped her tears after taking this picture....

 

January Please Come Quickly!!!

Letter of Acceptance

      This is long overdue! We got our LOA!!! I was on a field trip at the pumpkin patch when I got the news. Tears of joy!! I am sure I looked like an idiot jumping around in my tie dyed school t-shirt but it was well worth the embarrassment.
     We are now waiting on our I-800. It should come hopefully this week or the first of next week. From here on out we file for one thing wait two weeks file for the next, wait until that part comes in then file for the next. It will be like that until we get our TA- Travel Approval and our CA- Consulate appointment. Once we have that then we can get our plane tickets and go get ELLA! It is looking like we will travel sometime at the first of January. I am hoping tomorrow but I have learned to be content for now.
     Today has been hard. We haven't been able to get an update or a care package to her. The first package was lost so we now have tried an organization called Red Thread China. Hopefully through them we can get Ella some much needed things as well as get a little more information about her. The hard part is the "not knowing."
     Hopefully, I will be able to update the blog soon and shed a little more light into the process. Life is so busy and for now this is the best I can do. The last several months have been an emotional roller coaster. This is one of the hardest and best things I have ever been through. I can't even imagine what it will be like once I have that baby in my arms. To know the love I already have for her doesn't even compare to the love our Heavenly Father has for us is simply amazing. It makes me stand in awe of Him even more. Loving Ella has allowed me to Love my Heavenly Father more and has drawn me closer to Him! I want to spend all of my days wrapped in His protection, favor, peace, and love while serving Him with my whole heart. There is no greater place to be but in the center of His perfect will. If you have never experienced that I pray that you seek Him. When you seek Him you will find Him, when you seek Him with all of your Heart! Jeremiah 29:13 I did mention that this is one of the hardest things I have ever done... Sometimes the battle is hard but it is the peace that passes all understanding that gets you through. Love you friends!

Package of Love

     With all the craziness that comes with a new school year, I haven't had much time to update the blog. Avery's in 3K and Cooper is in 1st grade this year. Time is getting away from me and it is hard to believe my babies are in real school. :) With time ticking away it makes it a little easier knowing Ella's homecoming is getting closer. The week before school started we were able to send her a care package of goodies. We sent special need bottles, liquid vitamins, two little outfits, a few toys and lovies, a blanket, and a photo book of our family. We tried our best to find the correct translation for mother, father, brother, and sister and label it so that her care givers would be able to share it with her. We also sent a letter to our lifeline worker to translate for us which contained a few questions asking for additional information on our sweet girl. Hopefully we will get a response this month but there is not a guarantee. This box was a little piece of home and we tried to cram as much in it as we could. I would have mailed myself if I thought I could get past customs.
     A friend shared this amazing organization with me called Love Without Boundaries. I contacted them and they have sent my sweet little girl special formula and rice cereal! YAY!! What a blessing! They contacted the orphanage and asked what she specifically needed and made it work. No payments or questions asked. I am so thankful for this organization and I pray that God richly blesses them. They work off of donations and we have contributed to help cover the cost. If you feel led check out there website. They are truly helping and defending the fatherless.
      On a sad note. We haven't heard any new information. We are in the Waiting Place again... It still looks like January when we will bring her home. Please join us in prayer that we get a Christmas Miracle and get to have our little gift home for the holidays. Her birthday is in January as well and we would love to be able to celebrate her 2nd birthday as a family. :)

Ella Le Hope Greer

    

Ji Le Huan - Ella Le Hope Greer

We are happy to announce we are officially matched with this precious little girl. We are counting the days until she is home. We pray that we will be as big of a blessing to her as we know she will be a blessing in our family. Sweet little Ella was abandoned and found on January 22, 2011. Her date of birth was decided to be January 19, 2011. She has a cleft palate and will need surgery when she arrives home. Due to her palate being open and the conditions she is currently living in, she is severally malnourished. She weighed 13.5 lbs at 17 months. We have been able to ship her a care package with vitamins and special bottles which we are hoping will help. We have been in contact with an organization called Love Without Boundaries and we are in the process of having additional formula sent to her orphanage. This little girl along with millions more need your prayers. Please pray for her until she is home in are arms and we can provide the care she desperately needs. We are so excited and blessed beyond measures to welcome this precious baby into our family. We are so thankful to our Heavenly Father for calling us on the journey of faith and hope.

Faith, Hope, and Peace

     When I put Avery to bed tonight Cooper came in her room and cuddled up with her and asked if he could say her prayers. His prayer... "Jesus thank you for today, thank you for my sister Avery and everyone you created in this world. Thank you for what you have done for us and thank you for my baby sister Ella. Jesus help her to be safe and bring her home to us quick. Love you Jesus. Amen." Out of the mouth of my six year old! He spoke my heart! With tears in my eyes I tucked them both into bed and couldn't help but think how blessed I am to be their mother.... and how blessed I am to know Ella's sweet face. And one day soon, I will be able to hold her and kiss her and tuck my sweet little precious Ella Hope into bed as well. God is so faithful and I can't even began to paint the picture through words of the journey we've been on over the last few days.
     Friday morning I got an email from Karla (Lifeline's amazing China adoption coordinator). It was from the night before and asked if I was up and could talk. Of course in the back of my head I was thinking... this is it, but I tried my best not to get my hopes up. I knew it was morning in China so she must have some kind of news emailing me at 10:30 at night. I sent her an email back and we finally got time to talk Friday around 10:00 am. She told me we had a file to review but it was not for a special need we had originally requested, but it was for a little girl 18 months old. That in and of itself sold me so I asked her to send it to us. Brandon was out of the state working and I was at school but I opened it to find a little-bitty black and white photo and a lot of chinese paper work! That is how it began.
     Over the next 36 hours Brandon and I talked and continually prayed for wisdom and guidance. I wished I could say it was a quick and easy decision but it wasn't our decision, it was HIS! At the beginning of our journey we claimed the verse Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is being sure of what you Hope for, and certain of what you do not see." We truly are living that verse.
     Last night we worked with Karla and submitted our letter of intent. We will not be officially matched for about two weeks until we receive our pre-approval status but I feel pretty confident and safe in saying she is ours!
     We celebrated this morning at church with family and friends. God is so good. He makes everything beautiful in His time and if you seek Him first He will give you the desires of your heart. Our pastor preached this morning on Hebrews 11:1. See why I know God is in the middle of this. :) Faith makes us Act!!! When we have everything in our lives figured out then it's not faith. Faith is trusting in God and allowing Him to work all things out. Faith frees us from bondage. Hebrew 11:13.
     Today our Faith is in Him. We have Hope for the future through Him and Peace that passes all understanding. We worship and praise him for bringing Ji Le Huan ~ Ella Le Hope Greer into our lives and can't wait for the day we can bring her home.
     I am physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted and overjoyed from this weekend. I will post more details about our sweet Ella in the next few days. Please pray specifically that she will get all the care and love she possible can until she can come home to us! Thanks friends!

The Waiting Place

      If you have ever read the book "Oh The Places You Will Go" by Dr. Seuss, you will understand when I say we are in "The Waiting Place." Everything is in order for us to receive a referral. In unadoption terms, the file on a child waiting to be adopted and it contains all of their information including medical conditions. Once you receive the file we have 48 hours to accept and then you are "matched." Once that takes place then you go into yet another phase in getting ready to bring your sweet little one home. We are waiting for the email letting us know they have found a child that can be placed in our home.
     In the adoption journey everyone's process looks so different. I have yet to hear of any two being the same. With that being said I do not know how long we will be staying in, "The Waiting Place" but hopefully not to long because this part is killing me! Once a month a shared list comes out and we hold our breath to see if they have a referral for us. It is kind of like that morning you wake up to take a pregnancy test and you have to hold your breath to see if it is yes or no and if it's no.... it's another month. We did not get matched in June so hopefully when the list comes out in July it will be a YES! This is all in God's timing but knowing she is somewhere out there on the other side of the world needing her mommy.... it kills me. Pray for her protection and pray someone out their is loving sweet Ella until she is home with us. We have her room painted and waiting. We just need her home! "The Waiting Place" is not much fun so please pray that this part goes quickly.
   

Blessed Beyond Measure

     The post is a long time over due. We have had a summer packed with lots of activities and I simply haven't taken the time to update the blog. We first want to tell you how blessed we are to be part of an awesome Sunday School class at North Glencoe Baptist Church. They hosted the Zumbathon and Silent Auction and it was a successful night. We raised over $700 and had a lot of fun! We are truly blessed to be apart of such a wonderful group. We can't say thank you enough to them for their support and friendship. If you are looking for a Sunday School class, come join us!Also thank you to our NGBC family. You are incredible and we would not be where we are today without your unconditional love and support!
      We would also like to thank Chanel Thomas of Bare Your Cross. (You can find her on facebook.) She has generously donated a group of beautiful crosses for us to sale with all the proceeds going to the adoption. She is a special friend and we were truly overwhelmed by her generosity. If you would like to purchase a cross you can find out more information on my facebook page- Meredith Greer.
     We received a letter last week about a grant we applied for back in April, Show Hope is giving us $5,000 to help with funds for the adoption. This organization is already dear to my heart because of my sweet friend Rebecca who is serving at Maria's Big House of Hope. They have helped in blessing so many children and adults over the years and I never dreamed that we too would be included in this family of blessings. God has truly used this organization to further His kingdom.
      I know that God is truly in control of this journey and His hand is on this entire process. He knows the plans He has for us and He is directing our path. When we first set out on this journey I explained to a friend how I knew this was His plan but did not know financially how we could do it when it cost over $30,000. She simply smiled and said, "you will be amazed and the financial issues will not be the things that keep you up at night." I laughed to myself at that time and thought, yeah right, she doesn't know what's in my bank account. But I can honestly stand here and say she was right and with God ALL things are possible even what seems like isn't possible at all. There will always be people who stand in your way and those casting judgment on any choice you make, but I know from this experience that God will always show up and show you a way out, even if it is through a small window, IF you let him be the center of your life.
     "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7: 7-8
     "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. The you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord." Jeremiah 29: 11-14

Here are a few pictures from the Zumbathon and Silent Auction!

Summer time ~ Log in time

      Our dossier information has official been sent to China!!! We could potentially be matched at the end of this month!!! So exciting but we are trying not to get our hopes up. We will have to PRAY, wait, and then see. :)
     On another note, summer has started off great. Cooper signed up for the summer reading program at the library. He is doing well and motivating himself... that always helps. Avery learned to swim with her puddle jumpers. She has gotten so big and more independent. I am very proud of them both. We have played with friends, spent time with family, relaxed, and we are enjoying every moment. Tomorrow starts VBS at our church. Let the good times roll!

Zumbathon

     Our sweet Sunday School friends are having a fundraiser at our church to help bring Ella Hope home. Come on out and get a little exercise with us on Friday, June 22 from 6-8 at North Glencoe Baptist Church. We have lots of door prizes and some really neat silent auction items. Contact me for more information. Hope to see you there. It should be lots of fun!

Beautiful Hope

     Even though we haven't seen her, she is in our hearts. We have beautiful hope in Christ Jesus knowing she will be in our arms soon. Beautiful Hope knowing he has plans for all of us. Our precious China girls name means "Beautiful Hope" ~ Ella Hope Greer. How could we name her anything else! We will incorporate some of her Chinese name after Hope but for now "China Baby" has a name. He knows her right where she is and we will meet her soon. :)

Exciting News!

     God is so good! He is good all the time! A lot has happened over the last month. Cooper lost his first bottom tooth... and then his second bottom tooth. It is amazing to see how much he has grown since the first of the school year. I had to pull two pictures for his 5K graduation and it hurt my heart a little to see that he isn't my baby anymore. However, with that being said, growing up is not always a bad thing. The best news a mother possibly could hear my sweet big boy shared with me Easter Sunday. Cooper excepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior!!! It brings tears to my eyes writing this. The next Sunday he got on stage and shared it with his friends in Kids Zone. This momma is over the moon.
     Avery is taking a turn for 4. I think 4 is just terrible two's times two. But it is Avery we are talking about here, the girl doesn't have a mean bone in her body. She just discovered she can have an attitude when she wants.
     Brandon's business has expanded. He is now doing work in Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. One reason I haven't updated the blog is because he is always on the computer working. Hopefully in the next month or so he will be better adjusted and want have to spend as much time working.... I hope!
     Things have been crazy all around. Over the last two weeks I have been working on our dossier papers and a grant for Show Hope. This could patiently be a large financial support grant if we are excepted. Please pray for God's favor during this process.
     Ready for the Big News...  We have already received our I 800 A Clearance!! Whoop! Whoop! Sorry... I am a little over excited!!! Through this whole experience I can see God's provision and mercy. He has amazed me over and over. We sent our application off and in two weeks we got our fingerprint appointment. That is not normal! We go to our fingerprint appointment and I heard that we needed to be prepared to wait awhile. In and out in less than ten minutes. That was on Monday. On Wednesday, Brandon calls me with the news that our application and fingerprints were in and we are approved to adopt our little girl from China!!! It was the official letter we received by mail. I live in Hokes Bluff people, my mail runs late! I get mail and coupons that have already expired. Wow... It was a God thing. I called the adoption agency because it was just to good to be true and they reassured me that it was the correct letter and "yes we are a miracle family!"
     Our agency will start authenticating our dossier. We are waiting on our passports to come in. God is working all of that out as well. A friend gave us a number to actually call and have them expedited. I was able to expedite mine but Brandon's isn't in the system yet so pray that when he calls back on Wednesday they will be able to find it and expedite it.
     So what is next? Once our dossier is authenticated we will wire the money to China and send our letter of intent. Once they except that we will receive our log in date!!!! Then we wait for a referral or the match. Then we go and get her. Not that simple but you get the idea. We are getting closer. Getting closer is exciting but we still need about $19,000! That will punch you in the gut. However, we serve a big God and that number is nothing to Him. He is in complete control of the process and I can see His hand all around us. He will provide!

Blessings All Around!

     We have been so busy over the last month we just haven't had time to update the blog! A lot has happened since the last post and we are very excited to share our news! Home Study is complete!!! It has been a long waiting process and at times a bit frustrating but we are happy to say we are through with this step. Yay! Last week Lifeline sent our home study off to immigration and this week our check to Homeland Security cleared so we are moving forward. We will be in contact with our agency next week to began preparing our Dossier documents. This is the actual part that will be sent to China in preparation to be matched with a child. This stage could last up to 90 days. It really depends on how quickly we get clearance from immigration.
     Blessings all around is the only way to describe how this last month has been. It is such a wonderful eye opening experience to see God's hand truly at work in our lives. He is never early or late but always on time. Our family and friends have been tremendous during this process. They have encouraged us, prayed for us, and even contributed time and resources to make this possible. I can not thank each one of you enough for your help. I pray that God will bless you and your family ten fold for your willingness and generosity that you have blessed our family with. One day my hope is that our new daughter will know your love for her but more importantly because of your faithfulness she will have the opportunity to know HIS Love.
     I have seen through this process how God uses all who are willing to be used. When I look around I am amazed at the little glimpses of the puzzle I can see forming together. To me we are each one a piece. When we allow God to work in our lives He moves us and fits us perfectly to the next piece of the puzzle. We can not see what the puzzle looks like from up top but sometimes we see the glimpse of a picture with the pieces we are put with. He holds the pieces and sees the masterpiece He is creating. I believe God used Rebecca McCoy and Karen Mahy "as a piece". For Brandon He used the precious Chinese adopted children in our church "as a piece". If these families and precious people would not have been obedient to His calling we may have not been in the position we are in today. I am now seeing how God is using us and our story to work in other peoples lives. He is fitting us together to build His giant puzzle, the kingdom, to honor and glorify Him! I can't wait for the day when we are all there and get to see the whole picture! Ephesians 4 talks about the Unity in the Body of Christ. This speaks volumes to me. I encourage you to read it!!
     In our Home Study we had to choose gender, age, and the disabilities we felt like our family could accommodate. This was extremely hard for us to do! We have chosen to adopt a little girl two years or younger. That means as you read this she is out there. We don't know her name, haven't seen her face, and are not sure of where she is exactly located but we do know who holds her future. We also know that soon... she will have a forever family! When you think of us please pray for our daughter that she will have her needs met until she is able to come home. Pray that she has a care giver that will love her until she home for good. Thanks Friends!

Almost Done with Home Study!

      This Thursday, February 16 will be our final interview. YAY! We have all of our paper work complete, our references have been sent in, and we have been cleared by DHR and Criminal History. Our Home Study should be finalized before the end of the month. I am so ready for phase one to be over with! Through donations of friends and family we have our next payment ready to pay in full when home study is finalized! Thank you so much to all of you who have given and who are praying for us during this process. Without you it would not be possible. We are so grateful to have such a wonderful support group.
     After this we will move into the immigration paper work and clearance. We will begin getting our Dossier ready to send to China. Not sure about all the steps in this process yet. When I find out more details I will update the blog. This step takes about three months. I am praying it moves a lot faster. Home Study was suppose to take 3-4 months and we are completing it in 2. This is all in God's perfect timing. I know He holds us in the center of His hands. Sometimes it is hard to see Him, but so far in this journey He has been so very clear and the evidence of His work shines very bright. Words cannot describe His power and love for all of us. He is so worthy of all of our Praise!

Meeting Our Kido's

     For our third home study interview our social worker came to our home and was able to meet Cooper and Avery. I have to admit I was a little nervous because with any child under the age of 10 you never know what to expect. I always tell the parents of my students, "I will not believe anything they say about you, if you don't believe anything they say about me!" Well I didn't think she would go for that and with Mr. Personality and Miss Bashful I definately was uneasy. With minor issues I am proud to say they "performed" well and I do mean "performed." After talking with the social worker for awhile Nonna took the kids into the other room to play. I made the comment that I was glad she was there because we would not be able to answer the massive amount of questions she had to ask otherwise. I told her that Cooper would have been dressed from head to toe in his mask and hero outfit with his gun and sword in hand and Avery would be dancing around speaking Spanish (she is hard to understand) with China baby and Uno in tow. Well after about a hour and a half of question after question they performed on que... slinging swords and dancing right on beat. It was hilarious but in all I think she was impressed at how well I knew my kids. She may have even thought we planned it. LOL!

       

Here is Miss Avery at a princess birthday party today.

The flower is to funny! She had so much fun!

This is Cooper with his first championship trophy!

He was so proud!

     Our kids are as opposite as can be, much like their mommy and daddy. I can't wait to see how God has created our other little girls personality. I think we can handle just about anything because she will have to fall somewhere between these two. They are such a joy and a blessing to us. I am a very proud mommy. I know they will a blessing to their new little sis as well.

Summer 2011

Preparing the Way

     As part of our education criteria Brandon and I had to attend the International Adoption Clinic at Children's Hospital. It was last Saturday from 8:30 until 5. It was a very long but an informative day. Both of our mom's attended the conference with us and we were really excited to have them there. At the conference they talked a lot about building the childs self image by getting them involved with other adopted children and children of their same race. They also talked about the importance of teaching them about their culture and heritage.
     How blessed we are to already have some amazing Chinese adopted families in our lives. God clearly was making plans for this little one long before we knew. At our church (North Glencoe Baptist Church) we have three other families who have already adopted from China. Just this week we were invited to celebrate the Chinese New Year with this group along with other people from our community. We are so excited and can't wait to go! It will be the first of many Chinese celebrations and it makes my heart smile a little to know that this is a first milestone. It is like the first time I felt Cooper and Avery kick in my belly before they were born. I was so excited and it made me anticipate their arrivial. This Saturday is like "the first kick". I am actually going to a place, with a group of people who can relate and share the joys of Chinese adoption. Today as I write this I have an overwhelming peace knowing my Father knows me, my family, and my soon-to-be daughter. He knows us and the plans He has for us. Plans for a future full of HOPE! Thank you Father... You Are Amazing!!!

Home Tour Down and Another Interview or Two To Go!

     It has been a little crazy over the last few weeks at our house. No time for blogging, just surviving! Cooper has been extremely sick but is doing much better now. He returned to school today and was so happy to see all of his friends and especially Ms. Cannon. He loves her so much and we are very blessed to have her as his teacher this year. Thank you to all of our friends and family who have prayed for us and him during this time.

     We have a lot to update you about as far as the adoption goes. We had our home tour and it went really well. We heard horror stories and were a little apprehensive but it was really like having a friend over and giving her a tour of our home. Except when she asked to see our firearms. LOL! She more than likely will have to come back just to meet the kids and interact with them for awhile. She did not tell us they had to be present and the grandmothers had them to make it a little less stressful for us. Round two should not be as bad unless Cooper tells her he doesn't want another sister! After watching several adoption videos together last week I asked Cooper if he was excited about getting another sister. He looks at me with his deep brown eyes and as serious as he could be, with a worried look, says "no." I said well buddy why not? His response was, "well mom it is going to just be to hard." Of course I reassured him thinking maybe he heard us say something about it being difficult. He said to me, "No mom it will be to hard to take care of all of you. I already have to take care of you and Avery and another sister will just be to hard for me." Boy his Daddy is good!!! He is already preparing that boy for high school. You better check with Cooper before you look his sister's way.

      We also had our one-on-one interviews as part of the home study process. Brandon and I went at different times so we drove to Birmingham separately. It was a little weird going through the process individually. They asked a lot of personal questions about our childhood, our parents, and growing up in general. Brandon didn't have as easy of a time as myself :) Not to brag but at least I could remember how old my parents were and about how long they have been married. LOL! When the social worker asked Brandon how old his parents were his response was "I have no clue." Then he asked her how old I said my mom was and then he knew his dad was around the same age. Good thing I went first!!! When she asked him how long they had been married he said he thought around 25 years. Then I guess he realized he was 31 so that couldn't be right. He added 10 years and felt a little more confident with his answer. :) I think she thought it was a little funny and gave him the sympathy vote and passed us on to the next interview. I'm just kidding. Besides that little issue I think he did really well. We both were blessed with wonderful childhood memories. I hope that we can be good parents to our children as our parents were to us.

     The next step will be to complete our education and paper work. We have one or two interviews left. Our social worker said that she may get it approved to combine the last two interviews into one. If this is the case we can finish fast and speed up the count down. This will also help me preserve my days at school. I will not have to take an additional day to travel for another interview. I need to save all the days I can get because I will have to take a maturity leave next year and I already know that I do not have enough days. Pray specifically for God's perfect timing and that this process will be completed quickly and His  favor would be shown on all of those who are working on the process. Thanks friends!

Happy New Year!

     I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a great first day in 2012. We had a great holiday and are getting ready to get back into the swing of things on Tuesday. One more day of vacation!

    On the 29th we went to Lifelines office in Birmingham for our second Home Study interview. It was nice to put names with faces of the people we have been talking with on the phone and through email. They were very nice and to my surprise the hour and a half interview wasn't that bad. It is amazing all of the things that they ask you!! WOW! I guess it is fine that they are learning all the details of our lives considering the fact that we will be on a journey with them for at least the next six years. We found out that the post adoption process continues for five years after the child is home.

     So what is next... A LOT! Before we schedule our next home study we will need to start our education process (at least 10 hours worth of classes, websites to visit and two books to read), start on our autobiographies, and gather some medical information. Needless to say we have some work to do. We are also raising money for the adoption as well. Through generous donations by friends and family we have enough raised for our next installment! We pray that God will bless all of those who have been so generous to us and that one day our little girl will be able to meet each one who has made this possible for our family. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. Pray specifically that we will be able to move through the process smoothly and quickly. Also pray that our daughter has someone to love her and provide care for her until she gets home. It was kind of hard during Christmas when all of our family was together, we did not feel complete. Thanks for your prayers!

     I have to share a sweet Cooper moment. One the way to dinner the other night I begin to tell the kids how much we loved them and that I wanted to make sure that they knew we loved our family just the way it was but we were going to make it even better. Cooper pipes in with, "We know mom this is something we have to do because God told y'all to do this and He is going to take care of everything and she will be part of our family." It is amazing what little ears pick up and remember and really how they put it into prospective. I thought well I couldn't say it any better myself! :)