create the life you love

Happy Halloween to Khloe!

Sweet Khloe and the Halloween gifts I sent to her ...

 I don't think she is too crazy about that head band!

 

I always send these photos to Khloe's mama, Tanya as soon as I get them since I know how much she loves seeing her little girl!!

 
 

 

 

Pink Saturday

A very happy Pink Saturday to you all. This week I am featuring a very special 'guest' ... sweet Khloe! Khloe is the precious little girl I sponsor at the New Day Foster Home in China.

Last week, I received and update on Khloe and a few photos of Khloe opening her package from me ... and dressed in her new pink tutu! So cute.

 

Tanya, Khloe's mama posted this photo on her blog and created the cute pink frame. She also included a picture of her older daughter when she was younger in her tutu - so cute!

I also wanted to mention that I received an email yesterday from a blog reader, Lauren who was lead to the New Day Foster Home through my blog and is now sponsoring a little boy named Jamison (what a cutie - so precious). How great is that -Amazing how God works!

For more of Pink Saturday, please visit our hostess, Beverly's blog

One more thing .. I almost forgot. We were asked to post a link to another Pink Staturday Blog that we enjoy. I'd like to share Mary's blog, One Perfect Bite. Mary is a fabulous cook and shares her recipes and wonderful photos. Enjoy!

  

 

Khloe Update

 1 year, 5 months old ... with a dirty face! Looks like she was having fun :). Khloe just keeps getting cuter and cuter and that smile! Her nanny writes that she has made great improvements and is a real girlie-girl. I know this makes her new mother very happy! Please continue to keep Khloe, Tanya and her family in your prayers.

Last week, I received a little something special from Khloe as a thank you gift for my sponsorship (I forgot to tell you, Tanya!). So sweet - Khloe's little hand print and a 'forget-me-not' necklace which is made out of small beans that resemble lady buys - the emblem among adoptive parents of Chinese children. Oh, how this touched my heart!

' A red berry grows in the scrub country; The boughs are full of them when spring arrives. Gather some, I pray and fill your pockets; These are the best forget-me-nots!'

- Wang Wei Tung Dynasty

 

And, yesterday, while shopping for Griff's school supplies, I just happened to find a few things for Khloe .. girlie things :)

 

A girl has to have a pink purse, much less a talking/singing one!

 

A pink tutu and head band. Hard to get a photo and of course, I do not have anyone to model it for me ...

 

Sweet K h l o e

Khloe received the lasted package I sent her. Just look at how cute she is putting on her new little skirt! AND ... Khloe's lovely mama, Tanya has finally been able to post about her precious blessing!

 

   

 

 

 

K h l o e !

Some new photos of Khloe (formally name Elise) swimming! Just look at how adorable she is with her pig tails and 'flasher' swim suit ;)

                

 

Also ... I am SO pleased to say that I have 'connected' with Khloe's new mama! And what a wonderful, caring, kind and amazing women she is!! I cried tears of joy reading her email to me and am so very happy for Tanya and her family. God has truly blessed me with bringing us together and I am so thankful for this special gift of new friendship.

Tanya and her family are hoping to bring Khloe home by Christmas - please keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this time and continued prayer for Khloe too!

*Check out the new New Day Fost Home blog button on my side bar. None other than sweet Khloe in the letter 'D'!!

 

 

 

 

Matched!

 

My sweet little Elise has been matched with her adoptive family. My prayers have been answered!! Her new name will be Khole. Such wonderful news and I am so very happy for her new family. What a blessing!

Elise Update

 

She's Walking!

 

I just received my monthly update on Elise, the little girl I sponsor at the New Day Foster Home in Beijing, China. I am sooo very happy to hear that she is doing so well and has been moved downstairs with the healthier children.

From her nanny:

"Elise has moved from upstairs (where the children are more isolated for health reasons) to the downstairs floor in the foster home. She has a good appetite, and can eat some solid food. Noodles, soup and bread are her favorites. She likes playing on the sofa and going down the slide in the play room. When she first moved downstairs, she was a little afraid of walking.  She would just stand there observing all the activity and smiling without moving. Such a big change from where she resided upstairs!  Like the other children who move from upstairs, it takes awhile to feel comfortable with the transition. Now, she walks about bravely and freely.  She enjoys her new environment now and plays well with the others."

Gifts for Elise

 

This is a new photo of Elise that I just received yesterday along with a monthly update. She is 1 year, 1 month old now and her hair has grown! I just bought her some bows too :). Unfortunately, she has not been feeling well, which saddens me so. 

The following is the update from her nanny at New Day Foster Home ...

Elise did not feel as well this month and therefore, didn't have much of an appetite.  The foster home's medical personnel felt she needed extra care so she was transferred upstairs where she could receive that extra rest and care.  She has had some trouble with swelling which is affecting her diet and she didn't gain any weight this month.  She continues, however, to be active and enjoys playing with toys,  sometimes including toys of those near her!  Elise loves the attention and care she receives from her nanny.

I have bought a few things for her and just need to get them wrapped up and in the mail. It was hard deciding what exactly to buy being that she is so young. I am not even sure of her size (I assume she may be small for her age due to her surgeries and all she has been through), but I am hoping some of  the other baby girls can maybe 'borrow' these clothes too

 

{ mix and match jammies }

   

{ toy camera and little short & 'peasant'  top  - so cute }

 

{ dresses, bows, socks and sweet bunny }

Elise

Yesterday I received my 'official' welcome letter from the New Day Foster Home and photo of the little girl I am sponsoring, Elise. Once again, I cried upon seeing her sweet face and reading the letter. I have her photo now framed and sitting right here on my desk where I can see it and be reminded to pray for her. I love this photo - her beautiful smile and eyes. It looks like she is looking right at me :).

   

My letter from New Day:

 

Precious Elise!

 

     

 

 

 

Just look at this beautiful little girl! I recently became a sponsor to sweet Elise and my heart is filled with joy! Elise is an orphan with special needs at the New Day Foster Home in Beijing, China.

I thought and prayed long over this decision (see my 'story' below), and when I saw Elise's sweet smile, I immediately chose her to sponsor. It wasn't until after I signed up and made my payment that I looked at her background. I was amazed to read that she was born with bladder problems. I, myself had bladder issues when I was a baby/child, was hospitalized and underwent a few surgeries during my childhood years. Imagine my surprise that we shared a similar medical problem (my bladder issues where not at all as serious as Elise's). But, this was most definitely meant to be - amazing how God brought this precious little girl into my life! I just cried and cried when I read Elise's background and am crying as I write this! Oh how I wish I could hold her, hug her, love her!

Some background information on Elise:

Elise was born February 8, 2008. Two days later she was abandoned at the gate of the local orphanage. She was diagnosed with bladder extrophia and was immediately taken to the local hospital for treatment. They were unable to handle her case so she was transferred to the hospital in a larger city. This hospital was unable to do her surgery so we received a request from the orphanage for help. On May 5, 2008 little Elise arrived in Beijing. The hospitals in Beijing were also unable to treat her, so she went to Hong Kong for treatment in September. The treatment was a success, and now she is recovering from the procedures. She is a beautiful little girl with a bright personality, and we are looking forward to seeing her grow and develop!

I do not believe I have ever shared my 'story' of China adoption here on my blog, but it is so very dear to me and something I do not share often. Most of you know I adore little girls and yearn so for one in my life. I love my 3 sons immensely and am blessed beyond measure being a mother to them - all 3 - wonderful, healthy boys! But, not having a daughter has always tugged on my heart. I am quite girlie-girl myself (!!) and not having a girl to share this with is hard! God sure does have a sense of humor ;).

Years ago, before I finally became pregnant with Griff, who was a fertility baby and blessed out family after 7 years of waiting, I (we, my husband and I) started the process for adoption in China. I had always wanted to adopt from China for as long as I can remember. I attended seminars, chose an adoption agency, and started the paper work. We were informed that as parents of our own birth children, we were not eligible for a healthyy baby girl (the laws have since changed). My husband and I had to make the very difficult decision that a special needs child would not be the right choice for us at that time. I look back now with such regrets and wish more than anything that we could have given one of these special children a home.

So, by becoming a sponsor to this darling little girl, Elise, I hope to make a little difference in her life ... and I would give anything to able bring her into my home.

To read more about Elise and the other children at the New Day Foster Home, you can visit the site and/or the blog.

I also want to add, I was hesitant to share my adoption story. Our decision as a family is a very personal one with much more involved. I hope no one passes judgement on to me.

Thank You! 

xoxo