Molly and Finnegan. We have a very tolerant cat.

God Provides

Answered prayers - Today I got a letter in the mail from one of the adoption grant agencies that I applied to. I was thrilled to learn that I have been given a grant. This grant makes the entire cost of the adoption covered. (At least some quick math in my head indicates that.) Between some personal funds I used at the beginning, a huge yard sale, t-shirt sales, gifts from friends and two grants, God provided for the adoption costs. Where He calls, He provides!

Dogs

She has made peace with the dogs.

Updates and Prayers

Updates and Prayers

Settling in with a 5 year old who has lost everything familiar in her life full of highs and lows. In many ways Molly is doing well. She is picking up language on a daily basis. She has made peace with all of the pets. I'm figuring out some of her food likes and dislikes. She is starting to understand that she is here to stay and that we are a family.

My plan is to start Molly into a 4k class next week. I will go with her and gradually fade put my presence. I hope to be back to school March 20.

On the hard side, she really struggles with sleep. Almost every nap and bedtime is a struggle. Even when she is asleep she will grind her teeth. Please pray for her that sleep will come more easily and that she will feel settled and safe.

All three of us are settling into our new roles. This too is hard sometimes. Brooklyn misses our time together but Molly is not ready to be left with a sitter so I can have one-to-one time with Brooklyn. We are learning that love sometimes is hard and self-sacrifice.

Please pray for all of us in this time of transition. The days can be filled with joy and hard times, both need your prayers.

Home

Thank you! To all of you who have prayed and supported us through the adoption process, thank you. It seems so inadequate to just say thank you but it comes from deep in our hearts.

Thank you to everyone who welcomed us at the airport - what a group and what greeting - Wow! We were blown away! I'll look forward to seeing the pictures everyone took and will post them as when I have them.

Molly is afraid of the pets so we are dodging gates and barriers at this point. Last night she had trouble getting to sleep but once she was asleep she slept well.

Please pray for peace for her as we settle in to her new world and our new normal.

If you see us out and about, be aware that she warms up after a bit but at first just needs space. Thanks for understanding as I know you want to greet her.

Heading Home

Heading home. We arrive in Madison at 10:39 pm on Friday.

The flight attendant just move our row mate so we'd have more room. We have a four seat row for the three of us. Just over 12 hours and we will be in the US and Molly will be the newest US citizen.

One flight down and two to go. Beijing to Detroit next.

We are in Deteoit and waiting on our flight. I checked to see if there was an earlier flight but there isn't so we have a out three hours to kill. Brooklyn is exhausted. She's curled up next to me and will hopefully fall asleep. Molly is eating some snacks and insisting she is not tired. There is much evidence to the contrary. I'm tired. Hopefully we all sleep well tonight.

Brooklyn is so done with all of this. Molly's strong will and lack of having been taught discipline is had to deal with when you are exhausted.

Can't wait to get over jet lag and into some stable routines.

Last Full Day in China

Last full day in China. Did some shopping and packing. Molly is really upset about moving. She doesn't want another change. When she was crying about it she clung to me and kept say she loved her Mommy.

When my friend Han Ning came Molly told her that she wanted to stay with me and not get another Mommy. Poor little girl does not understand all of this.

Please pray for Molly in this transition and also as we get home. Molly is afraid of dogs. In fact when we went to the animal park she was afraid of the animals at first but then loved it.