The Fanning Four

Me and my friend Jennifer, started an International adoption support group in Panama City, FL. It's called Globally Connected. Check it out! facebook.com/GloballyConnectedBayCounty http://globallyconnectedbaycounty.blogspot.com/ First meeting is May 19th and features our very own Jennifer Clark, an adult adoptee from Korea. Check out the facebook page for more info!

Created for Care  is an amazing organization that I discovered just a month or so ago. Their main mission is to care for women who have adopted, fostered children, or are in the process. I was given the amazing blessing of attending their March retreat in Georgia last weekend and I was blown away!! I didn't know anyone. I had read one gal's blog (so fun to meet her in real life) but other than that, I was just on my own. I was a bit rusty on the ol' social scene the first night but quickly met some amazing women and felt right at home. I can't tell you what it feels like to sit next to not just one but multiple women who have sons, adopted from China, with cleft lip/palate. It's like you don't even have to say anything, they just know.... And not just the China Mommas, the sense of togetherness at the retreat was amazing with all the women. I learned a million things but here's a highlight: A lady (who had been adopted from Korea as a baby) spoke the...

1. Conversation with my daughter this morning: "Yay Caleb, you said Car!!! Momma, he said car!!"- Bethy "Great! Is that a picture of a car he's looking at?"- Me "No, it's a dog"- Bethy 2. We had our 2nd appt with the surgeon at UAB yesterday. Surgery is now scheduled for June 6th. The fistula closed a little, but not enough, so this is almost a complete redo of the Dec. surgery. We're still super impressed with the new surgeon! And no liquid diet this time. He can eat soft foods right away which is GREAT for a kiddo with adoption related food issues! 3. As we were leaving the clinic yesterday, we all said bye to the receptionists and check in ladies. Caleb was waving bye bye and then started sticking his foot up in the air towards the lady who check us in. So everyone was saying things like, "Oh, yeah buddy, very cute shoes!". But he kept his foot out and I thought, "Weird, he's never been proud of his shoes before....

This morning we took a "quick" trip to the grocery store. I took both kids. You're laughing about the "quick" part already aren't you. I almost never take both to the store. But we needed to go,so off we went. Bethy needed to stop at the restroom while we were there. No problem, trek across the store to the restroom. Quick trip in, she washes her hands, we're headed back out. And....she has to go again. She spends the next 20 plus minutes on the potty. Oh yes folks..... Over 20 minutes in the Publix restroom this morning and she never went. She did entertain each person who came in during our 20 minutes there with a song about David and the Giant. To top it all off, as we exited the restroom, our cart full of groceries was gone. A worker was putting our groceries back because they thought we had abandoned our cart. Happy Tuesday!!! We're headed back to the surgeon on Thursday morning. From what I can tell, the hole in Caleb's palate is still fa...

We have been blessed by a lady who, until today, didn't even know my first name. She knows of our family and our sweet Caleb and felt called to reach out to us. God woke her up several weeks ago and stirred in her heart a desire to give Caleb every opportunity to "catch up" and reach his potential. Because of her obedience to God and her love for us, Caleb will be getting additional therapies that will help him thrive and grow. She wants no recognition for this and will probably never even see this blog post, but we will be forever grateful for what she is doing for our family. I never asked for this and never prayed for this but I guess God knew the need and provided before we even knew to ask. Ephesians 3:20-21 " 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. "

Today is the one year anniversary of our referral for Caleb!! And in honor of that, here is a video for your enjoyment. : )

This week is the 6 year anniversary of when I met my husband. When I look back I can't believe we've managed to do so much incredible living in just that short amount of time. If you have the privilege of knowing my husband, you know that he is one of the kindest men you will ever meet. His integrity and character are unwavering and his love of God is inspiring. And I just really like him.... Thanks for loving me....