Sister Love

My youngest two girls are such monkeys together.  I had was putting them to bed and heard a lot of giggling coming from Chanels room.  It was worth a photo or two.  They look rather pleased with them selves.

The monkeys after they were caught

7 Years ago today

It was 7 years ago today that we got to see the face of our daughter.  We received her referral and a few photos, and then the  long 8 week wait began before we could pick her up.   

Her name was Rao Qing Shan, and she was born in Jiangxi Province, Shangrao.  She was 13mths at the time of her referral and 15mths when we got to hold her for the first time.

Such happy memories, and such an amazing journey, and exciting way to build a family.  

We love you Jasmine

Before and After

 It is amazing sometimes to look back at Jasmine before she found her family....us.  I can not imagine our little monkey not being in our family.  I just love all the funny things she come out with, we are always laughing at something.   One of my personal favorites was: "hey mum we can use those banana's to make blueberry muffins".
Jasmine is very impatient to have another adopted child in our family, and we are also requesting an asian child again.  Eastern Russia has a large asian population.  Fingers crossed.

The never ending adoption paper trail

The paper work is never ending with an adoption.  This time we only had to update our paper work but it seems like we started from the beginning.   The process is one that is sometimes hard to stick with, it is all about patience, something I have not been blessed with! :) But we know after adopting Jasmine that it will all be worth it one day. I think because of having Biological kids as well, you realize how easy that decision is, but with an adoption, you have no choice but to follow the process, no matter how invasive it is.  Jasmine even got asked in her interview(yes the kids get interviewed too) if she realized she would have to share toys and other special things?  I thought all parents wanted their children to have this quality not look at it like it is negative?  

This time around we were also required to see a Psychologist. { For three hours it will cost us $1000. }  Every country has different requirements and this is Russia's.  

It is weird to think that the child we will call ours one day is already born and somewhere out there, I hope safe and loved.   

We are at the stage now that hopefully in two weeks our paperwork will arrive at our National office ready to have a sign off.  Then it goes to the adoption agency here, and they will send it all off to Vladivostok, Russia.  The wait is anyones guess.  

Chanel aged 2

This is our little Chanel at aged 2 years

Well a lots has happened in the last while!

This is Chanel, our little princess born in 2009.

Update on kids and family

Well this has been an incredibly busy year for us! Jackson was selected to play Representative Hockey for Tauranga, which meant being out of town most weekends for winter.
Jackson's activities are, Hockey, swimming, Drama, athletics, youth group

Mitchell's activities are, Electric guitar, Drama, athletics, youth group, swimming and skateboarding.

Annabelle's activities are, Violin, horse riding, swimming, Drama and athletics

Jasmine's activities are, Drama, athletics and she is still deciding whether to do ballet or gymnastics.