More beach pictures

Beach - continued

We are home now. The beach was wonderful and it was sad to leave - as always. Aunt Sherry stayed on so that made it even harder to leave! Jordyn had a grand time - as did we all. I think she will be a beach bum like her mom and her aunt. She definitely likes sand a lot better than I do - wet sand at that. She will probably go to preschool tomorrow with sand in her hair! I had trouble posting pictures at the beach so I'll make up for it now.

First Beach Trip!

Hi all! We are are the beach - Jordyn's first time to see the ocean! No surprise it scared her a bit - but she likes the sand. It's a beautiful day so after lunch we will go try again. And, hopefully I will have pictures to post tonight. We are here with Lao Lao and Lao Ye (Amanda and Dad) - Aunt Sherry is on the way and Uncle Jeff will be here tomorrow. Jordyn will so excited to have so many of her family here with her! We brought enough stuff to stay a month - so maybe we will. Nana (Mom) is home with Luke and Noel - didn't think I could get us all in the car! More later!

Graceful September Days

The weeks are melting away. I can scarcely believe that this Thursday will mark our 6th week at home. Everything is going very well and Jordyn is doing great. There are many areas of progress - and a bit of regression, which I've read I should expect. When I stop and think about what she has been through in her 5 short years (and in the last 6 weeks) I am amazed at how well she is doing. She is very happy and has a zeal for life which is contagious to all who meet her. She seems to feel safe and secure with me and with those friends and family who she sees often. She still gets a bit scared in public - you might remember how this manifested itself in China. Nothing like that now, but there are signs that I've learned that tell me when she is stressed or overwhelmed - and I try to avoid these situations or remove her quickly from them. She is enjoying Sunday School and tomorrow will be her second day of preschool. For those still praying for us - please pray that Jordyn will continue to feel safe, secure and loved as this will open the doors to learning. Still asking for prayer for my return to work - more on that later. I had hoped to have an open house but have decided that it might be too much right now. However, we love visitors so don't hesitate to come by if you can! "He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." Isaiah 40:11 Love to all. k

Is it really September?

Uncle Jeff

Aunt Sherry



Hi to all. I'm having trouble believing it is September! The days are just flying by now. Jordyn celebrated her 5th birthday last Tuesday 8/26 with Mom and Aunt Sherry at Pullen Park. It is so much fun to see her do things for the first time. She loved the train and the carousel - but wanted nothing to do with the boats. We had a picnic and fed the ducks. I received some really good news from China recently. I found out that Jordyn's birth mother left her immunization papers with her. Her name was on the paper and Haoyun is the name her birth mother gave her! Also, the first immunization was given 10/10/03 which means she is 5 or close to it. My guide in China who sent this information (Maggie) said that often these first shots are given at birth so it is possible that she was born on Oct 10, 2003. We will continue to celebrate on 8/26 since that is on her birth certificate but it is great to know that we are close and that the year is correct! Jordyn is doing great and learns news things every day. She received a trike for her birthday and she is trying to figure that out! Each day is a new adventure! She starts preschool tomorrow - she will go for 3 hours on Monday and Wednesday at our church. If anyone is out our way, please come visit! Much love, k