The Fanning Four

We knew all weeked that the new list was coming out on Monday night. I got more and more nervous as we got closer. By Tuesday morning, I was popping the pepto bismal chewables-heartburn which I have only had one other time (at the end of my pregnancy). There was no guarantee we would even receive a referral off the list, but we were hopeful. Tuesday morning I took Bethany to church for mother's morning out, nervously bought soap and 75% of Valentine's conversaion hearts at Target, and then I went to Panera and got a fruit punch. I set up my laptop, put my phone on the table, and nervously surfed the web until I couldn't handle it anymore. The wait was getting to me. I headed out of Panera and spilled my drink all over the place. Smooth one Katie. I got in my car and headed to the beach. Didn't get very far.....my phone rang......."Holt"........ I pulled over and it was THE call! 11:00am on February 22 Caleb became part of our family. We proudly introduce you...

So, someone must have heard my pleas yesterday because we received our Log In Date today!! Our paperwork was logged in on January 25th ( I blogged that day )! What does that mean? Basically, we can be matched with any child that China says is eligible to be matched. Every month they release a new list of children who need forever families. We are hoping to be matched off of the next list. We anticipate this list coming out next week but there is no guarantee. This is also no guarantee that our son will be on that list. So, join us as we wait and pray! What an exciting time for us! And just for kicks, let me tell you a Bethy story: This morning I came out of my room to find her in the middle of the living room with a pitcher full of Gatorade which she had retrieved on her own from the fridge. She had the pitcher on the floor and was trying to pour Gatorade ("Gatorgade" as she calls it) into her mouth. I said, "Bethy, WHAT are you doing?" She looked up at me wit...

Happy Valentine's Day!! Despite all of us having colds, Tom and I celebrated Valentine's Day yesterday. He took me to The Melting Pot and we managed to not talk about children for most of our lunch. Yay for us! We had a great time! This morning Bethy and I made Tom breakfast in bed. Then she made it very difficult to assemble the goodie bags for her class party that I now regret signing up for helped me make the goodie bags for her class party. She really wasn't in to making Valentine's cards and I know she has no clue what this day is about which is fine. I joined her for the party at school and was glad they gave her lunch so she would fall asleep in the car on the way home could enjoy a nice meal with her friends. I used to have grand visions of making cute goodie bags or cupcakes with my children to bring to school and maybe one day that will be a reality. But for now the school doesn't allow home baked goods and Bethy would rather put stickers on her face, ...

Bethy's been a little under the weather. On both Monday and Tuesday she woke up from her nap screaming and proceeded to scream for a full hour. I have taken Bethy to the doctor twice in the past month. Both times, no antibiotics needed.  I also did not hear "Her asthma is not under control." Surgery=success!!! We are STILL waiting for a LID (Log in Date) for our China dossier. I am neurotically, obsessively , crazily , about to lose my mind , patiently waiting. It's been 26 days, not that I'm counting..... I slaved all day over our Chinese New Year food. No, really I did. Actually I started cooking at 7:30 the night before. I made Chinese tea eggs, sesame noodles, homemade egg rolls, and moon cakes. People raved about the broccoli and beef. Yeah....um......I ordered the FRIGGIN' broccoli and beef from Chopsticks, the Chinese restaurant down the street!!! And I agree....the beef and broccoli was REALLY good, especially after tasting my sesame noodles which ...

You know how there are certain conversations you will never forget? Some are really great and some are really horrible. I'll never forget my first conversation with Tom. It was amazing and I knew that night he would be the one. I'll never forget the conversation on a retreat with middle school youth where we stayed up way past lights out to answer deep questions and several came to know the Lord that night. I'll never forget one of my best friends calling while I was in labor to tell me about Ellie, her now adopted daughter who is just weeks older than my Bethy. There are so many other happy conversations too. And there are the sad ones.... I remember finding out a friend who I met while I was sick and in the hospital had lost her fight with cancer. I remember the call the night of July 4th when I learned that a family in our church had been in a horrific accident. I remember conversations that changed friendships, ended relationships, and conversations where my words h...

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.