The Fanning Four

Show Hope is "a ministry that enables individuals and communities to change the world for orphans by not only addressing a child’s need for food, shelter, care, and spiritual nourishment, but by also addressing the root issue for an orphan: the lack of a family." Show Hope was started by Steven and Marybeth Chapman who have adopted several children from China. Please check out the organization's website so that when people ask you about your shirt you can tell them what it means. We decided to sell these shirts to allow our family and friends to be involved in the process and to raise awareness for adoption and orphan care. When you wear the shirt, we hope people will ask what it means. That gives you the opportunity to share about adoption and about orphans and how God calls us to care for them. The funds raised from this will go to the "orphange donation" portion of our adoption fees. We will be providing several thousand dollars worth of support to Caleb...

When we were Dossier to China Bethy and I ate Chinese food to celebrate (Tom was out of town so he missed it). Here's some pics of the evening.

It's really hard to wait. Our paperwork should be in China now. We're just waiting for our log in date (LID). And then we can be matched. Like right away. Or in a few weeks. Or when the next list comes out. Today could be the day for all I know. Not sure how quickly the agency will move in matching us once we have our LID. So, I'll just wait. And obsessively check my email and phone. Kind of like when you're nine months pregnant and every little pain makes you question, "Is this it?". Every time I see I have a new email or my phone rings, I hope that this is "the" call! One of these times it will be. And even though I've been doing all this waiting, I think I'll still be shocked that it's actually happening. But for today, I bought Bethy and Caleb matching "Big Sister", "Little Brother" shirts. Cause that's what you do when you're waiting....... Guess, I should go check my email and phone again! ; ) Can...

D......T.......C- Dossier to China. Our dossier is going to China. Today. Exactly five months ago today I was filling out our agency application. And now, literally hundreds of pieces of paper later and countless hours of gathering, talking, reading, and mailing later, it is finished. Or it is started, depending on how you want to look at. Just like we did when we found out I was pregnant, Tom and I had the "Is this for real?" discussion last night. We also had to make some tough calls about specific medical needs we are open to. It's hard, and not something I have talked much about on this blog but just know that it's hard. Really hard.  But, back to the fun! The new list comes out on Monday and so we probably won't make it in time to receive a match from that list. You can pray that we do though- there's a "small chance" says our social worker. But once we have our Log in Date (China has received and accept our dossier), then we will start l...

I have been painting Bethany's room the last couple days. This is a project we've wanted to do since we moved in but with the craziness of the last few months, it hasn't happened. So Bethy's room has been bare for months because I didn't want to put anything on the walls until we painted. So, I guess having to be stuck in the house for days after her surgery was the motivation I needed. So, it should be finished by tomorrow! Woo hoo! I'll post pics once it's all put together. Once her room is done, then I'll be starting on Caleb's room (thankfully his room doesn't need to be painted). Bethy goes back to school tomorrow and she has been doing really well post surgery. But her breath stinks! I read that it would following this surgery but wow!! She keeps brushing her teeth voluntarily and without any prompting so I know she knows it stinks too! In adoption news, out dossier is going to China this Friday! Woot! And we could know who Caleb is wit...

All times are approximate. ; ) 6:05 AM- Bethany woke up happy. I woke up nervous and not well rested. Tom woke up normal.  :) 6:30 AM- Bethany started asking for a drink. 6:35 AM- Bethany completely melted down about not being able to eat or drink. 6:37 AM- Tantrum over- Phew! 7:30 AM- Everyone dressed and ready to go, including, New "Night Night"(stuffed elephant), Old "Night Night", and  Doggie. In a show of solidarity, Daddy didn't eat or drink either. I on the other hand had a great breakfast by myself in a room where B could not see. 7:45 AM- Arrived at surgery center early. Checked in. Given a pager just like you get a restaurants-weird, but helpful. 7:50 AM- Bethany found the snack cup of goldfish crackers she left the other day during pre op. No eating or drinking, remember? Dang it! Another meltdown. Daddy walked her outside and then it was ok 8:01 AM- Back to pre op. Dressed in "Princess Gown" AKA the hospital gown. Coloring happily but n...

Adenoid surgery for Miss B tomorrow morning. We have to be there at 8am so I assume the surgery will be around 8:30am. I'll update when I can. I know it's not major surgery but it's "major" to me because she's my baby. I have a feeling this whole thing may be more traumatic for me than for her. She's getting a present (DVD of Beauty and the Beast)  and an unlimited supply of popsicles. Plus she gets to sleep through the whole surgery! ; ) I, on the other hand will be a nervous wreck. Seriously though, I hope that she is able to stay calm (there's a chance she may be a tiny wee bit of a drama queen, wonder where she gets that from?!?!), that the surgery goes well, that she has little or no pain, and that this makes a huge difference in her quality of life! In the meantime, I am washing every piece of laundry in our house that can be laundered, I cleaned base boards in her room, replaced lightbulbs, cleaned out a closet, sanitized all kitchen counters,...

If Bethy hears the word "God" she will usually tell you that He is in her heart. Although I know her comprehension is probably at a very tiny level, it still makes me glad! But lately when we talk about God being in her heart, she will say that He is tickling her heart. I hope He tickles her heart all the days of her life! "About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed." - John Wesley