The Boy

So, how about that boy, eh?

I can't tell you how many people are just shocked that we are adopting a boy from China.  I guess the general overall impression is that there are mostly girls.   Yea, I thought that, too!   The more I read, however, the more I'm starting to finally "get it".  Ya see, in most urban parts of China, they can only have one child.   If they have a boy and that is their only child, that boy pretty much needs to be "perfect" in their eyes.  Any sort of deformities, especially facial deformities, and these kiddos are thrown back into the water.   Oh, and I just read that they are so focused on appearance, that kids that seem to have big protruding ears etc. give them even more reason to shun them in their culture.   Breaks your heart, doesn't it? 

Me and my big nose would  never have a chance in China.

Years ago when I had that first little nudge to adopt, I always seemed to gravitate toward those kids with special needs.  I just turned to mush when I would see those little people exhibit such joy, despite their circumstances and physical limitations. So, when we met the folks at our agency in December, they gave us a few files to review that might match the special needs we felt we'd be able to handle.

After all, we all have some sort of "special needs", don't we?

In that stack of files, there was one very special one. It was for a boy. He was 3 and a half years old and had been in an orphanage since he was 6 days old. Facial deformity (cleft lip and cleft palate) And big ears . God loved him right away...and so did we!   I mean...really, people?    How can you not love this face??? 

On December 19, 2011, China pre-approved us to adopt this little guy.      His given name is Sun Hao Yan  (sounds like Soon-How-Yen)...I had no clue at first....I've asked every Chinese restaurant in town how to pronounce it!  Over the next year, this precious face is what motivates me to keep moving forward, even during the days when I simply have the desire strangle someone or sit on the floor and sob uncontrollably over the red tape, paperwork and overall ridiculous process.  

That boy needs some Momma-lovin', doesn't he?   On the "fun" to-do list: 1) Find the perfect American name that fits our family yet preserves his heritage and 2) Get him out of that pink little giraffe outfit!  ;-)



 

In the beginning...

Well, we are a family of 4 and a half.      We're a good lookin' crew, huh?

Yea, I know what you're thinking--that's a LOT of estrogen in one picture.   God has blessed us with 2 beautiful, healthy girls. We have just started our journey to adopt a sweet little boy from China.   I'll get to all that later.

First, a lot of you have asked  how did we come to this decision and why we chose China.   Well, here's the gig:     I delivered both of those precious girls early.  For some strange reason, I couldn't keep a baby inside full-term.  Maddie was born 4 weeks early and Audrey about 3 weeks early (although I was on bed rest with her for 3 loooonggg months).     I always had that desire to have a 3rd child.  After all, I came from a family of 5, so why not?    However, the doctors strongly urged me not to press my luck again. 

I wanted to adopt.  Joe didn't.  I mean....he really didn't want to adopt.  Period.

Little did I know,  God had been working on his heart for a while now.  Last year, he shared that he really felt like he was called to Matthew 18:5  "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my arms welcomes Me."  The Lord put adoption back at the forefront of our hearts and minds.   With lots of prayer,  a ton of faith, and a pinch of crazy, we moved forward.  Now, here we are.  Wild, huh?

Ok, so why China?  Well, there's lots of reasons, actually.   We had met with friends who highly recommended the China Special Needs program because of it's stability and little chance of unethical surprises or child exploitation going on.   Also, wanted to give a child the opportunity not only for a good life here but eternal life with our Creator.  Since the Gospel isn't exactly openly shared in China, we really felt like it was a good fit for us.   That's just a few of the reasons why.

So, there you have it.  

Want to know more about that precious little boy?   Well, check back again soon...more to come.

Yup. I've taken the plunge.

Ok....so I said I would never blog.  Don't have time, don't know how, don't really care. 

Truth is, now I *really* don't have the time update folks with the status of our pending adoption or our crazy everyday life.   So, here I am.  Blogging.  Who knew?!

So, bear with me as I have no clue how to do this nor do I know how often I'll be able to update.  Shoot, it's better than nothing, right?

Hold on to your hats, friends.  It's gonna be a ride!