Love without Boundaries-LWB

I posted earlier about the work that LWB does for orphans in China I thought I would post a photo of just one little girl before her surgery. Many orphanages will not refer an orphan for adoption unless they have their lip repaired. You can donate to LWB to the many specific programs they offer in China. They started a unique program in 2008 that actually cares for the cleft affected child before the surgery. They give them care and nutrition so that they will be strong enough for the surgery to repair the cleft lip. Please check out their website or blog...
PS The little girl in the photo is Cali.

LWB added to my bloglist

I added LWB to my bloglist-CHECK THEM OUT! what an incredible group of people, started by one adoption mom who had an idea. There is a short video about cleft affected babies, which ofcourse is near and dear to my heart.

Some Face Painting Fun

Our traditional family photo

We have taken this same photo since Greg and I met and went to Disneyland in CA. Our family has grown and we have been more blessed then either of of us could have imagined almost 25 years ago.

Some more Disney Photos

OK this was so funny...To any of us that has traveled for adoption you will know what Lily was talking about. When we got back to RDU, Lily wanted to know if all of our friends were going to be at the airport waiting for us. Why weren't any of you there?!?! Hee hee.... ;-)

Disney World!

Guess where we went for spring break-Disney-The Happiest Place on Earth....
The weather was great and the parks not too crowded. We had a wonderful time for Cali's first visit. She loved all the characters and I was so excited to see Mulan. Mulan was so sweet, loving on Cali, I promise Lily was on the trip but would NOT go in any of the photos with the characters. Oh well...maybe next time.

Another Spring Day!

Lily woke up and said" Oh, Mommy is it another spring day?!?!" We had our first day of bubbles, thanks to one of Greg's patients. She is a smart Mommy that knows, if you buy for one, buy the same for the other. The weather here has been glorious. Beautiful Carolina blue skies. We went to the park today with some friends that also have 6 children. So between the two of us we had an even dozen. She, my friend, just gave birth to number 6. Lily got to see her pregnant and the first of many questions came out of my sweet three year old's mouth that I was sad to even hear. "Mommy, was I in your tummy too?" "No sweet Lily God was watching over you until He sent us to China to get you." "Oh, but was I born, too?" "Yes, sweet Lily you were born, too" Both Cali and Lily were my VERY SPECIAL delivery. No c-section this time, just a long delivery, about 24 hours on the plane of hard labor;-) Then my sweet Lily and Cali you were delivered to us just as God had planned.

Today is 6 months! Look how Cali has grown!

I am posting some photos from gotcha day thru church today. I tried to add them in chronological order so we can all see how Cali has changed, although she was beautiful from first sight!Cali w/civil affairs officer 9/1/08

Our little Cali has been with us for 6 months today. Honestly in some ways it seems as if we have had her forever and in some ways I feel like we are still getting to know her. I think God has equipped her with many layers and we just just scratching at all she has in her. She can be into just about everything in my house and she is very quiet while she is doing it! The latest is that she pulled off 3/4 of the keys from my lap top. Ugh!! This winter Cali has proven to be a very healthy toddler. She has only visited to peds. for her well checks. Praise God. She has gained 5 lbs in 5 months. She has grown about 1.5 inches. We have sent photos to her orphanages and they have sent back sweet notes in return. I do feel blessed to be able to have a relationship with them. I hope to return to Xiamen one day.