Update on Max!

We got an email update! I was so excited, my fingers were shaking trying to open the files!

Oh how I LOVE seeing this big smile! 

We got updated measurements which will help us get prepared for our trip. He has 8 teeth. He is sitting, crawling, and can take steps with assistance. The nannies say he is outgoing and affectionate. 

I am sad they shaved his cute hair, but that's typical in the orphanges. 

Happy Thanksgiving! We are so thankful for this precious baby. 

Thanksgiving

It's thanksgiving week and we have so much to be thankful for. God is so faithful. It's amazing to watch how He works. 

We have a big orphanage fee to pay in the next couple of weeks, and what do you know? We've received several large unexpected donations in the mail. Y'all, I can't describe that feeling... To open up envelopes and find checks in the amounts that you NEED to get your next fee paid. It's truly amazing. And I hear the Spirit say, "Haley, what did I tell you? Why do you ever doubt my power? I am sovereign. I will make this happen, all I ask for you to do is follow along. I will provide everything you need." 

I get so emotional. He is more real in my life than ever before. But I guess that's how this works. When you seek Him, you definitely FIND Him!

Looking back on this blog, it's pretty awesome... Some previous posts... 

December 2013---

October 2013---

 

Meet Max!

Introducing Max...

Max is currently 14 months old, living in an orphanage in Kaifeng City, China. He has been there since he was 3 days old. From the beginning, my biggest prayer for Max was that he was loved and taken care of in the best possible way. God has answered that prayer. Max is living in a "LOCC" Lily Orphan Care Center. This means our agency supports this orphanage. One floor of this enormous Social Welfare Institute (SWI, as they call them in China), is designated as a LOCC.

Thank the Lord that Max was given a home in the LOCC. This means, he has more one-on-one care with nannies, better toys/play areas, and he is being sponsored by a family in the U.S.
Max seems to be very healthy from his medical exams, and he looks to be doing great developmentally. These are the only pictures we were given of him, and they were taken in August (12 months old). His file, with his founding information, daily routine, medical exams, etc. was put together in July (at 9 months old). He was almost 17lbs at 9 months. He was army crawling and standing with support. We were told his favorite toy was a ball. He sleeps on his belly, and usually sleeps all night without waking. He smiles when the nannies call his name and he loves to be around the other little children. 

We are hoping to get an update on him from the SWI very soon! And HOPEFULLY we'll have more pictures to share and maybe a video?! I can't wait to see how big he is now, and if he's walking! I wonder what he is eating? What size clothes do we need?

We can't wait to meet you, sweet Max! Your big sister can't wait to get you home. She keeps asking when we are going to China. She wants you to sleep in her room and she says she is going to teach you how to read and color. I believe you and Drake are going to be best buds!
Mommy and Daddy love you! We'll be there as soon as we can!

Catch up!

Tomorrow makes 3 weeks since we got the call about Max. I've been so busy, I have barely had time to breathe. As soon as you accept a child, you dive head-first into a pile of paperwork! So on top of the adrenaline rush and paperwork, we had a yard sale fundraiser, and don't forget, we have a 2 month and 3 year old!
Yard sales are a TON of work. I spent hours working in the garage, cleaning, organizing, and labeling donated items. We are so grateful for the many family members and friends who donated items for us to sale. We had a successful sale, Praise God! We raised almost $2000!

Here's where we are currently on the paperwork...
The first thing we did was write a "LOI" letter of intent, stating that we wanted to adopt Max. That was sent to China, and they later sent back a "LOA"... letter of acceptance (they approved us to adopt him). Now we are filing form with USCIS and waiting for approval from the U.S. that we can bring Max home. Also, we have signed the LOA, and it will be mailed back to China this week. Things start moving now. We have been given the travel estimate of 9-12 weeks from now. So possibly January? It is totally out of our hands at this point. It is up to China and our government to process all these forms. And of course, we will have much more paperwork to get through.