Introducing Charlotte

Pin It Ivy and Lexi would not want me to wait another day for this. Amongst the heartbreak, we have delayed sharing this treasure. On the same day we lost a child, we received our newest child. I was numb, heart broken, afraid, devastated, the most horrid thing you'll ever experience is the loss of a child, but then to be across the world, then add that it's adoption day, you have had your child in your arms for 4 hours. She's grieving all she's known and I'm grieving all I've lost. unimaginable. I had to get home, my baby died! I had to get home. With the completely unselfish love and help of my dearest friend Kim, I had the Visa I needed to get home, 54 hours after signing the adoption papers. World record! And once home, I was able to mourn and grieve and embrace all I still have, and lean on Jesus for He is who I will always have.
Charlotte Hope, you are on this earth for a reason just as your sister was. God has a plan for and for our family and I want you to know that while we are sad because of our loss, we are rejoicing to have been chosen to be your mommy and daddy and we will love you all the days of our lives. We are so grateful that Charlottes transition has been seamless. She is kind and loving and happy all the time. She is so eager to learn and so overjoyed to have so many siblings who are showering her with love. She loves our dog Molly and all things girly.  So without further due, we'd like to introduce our 5 year old Daughter, home from Guangzhou China, Charlotte Hope ❤️

                         Just off the plane, a new U.S Citizen

Home 2 weeks

                           The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just 
                              to love and be loved in return

There is always something to be thankful for. Tomorrow is not promised. Not for me, not for you, not for her. It never was. Looking at that in the face, is hard. But it's reality. Embrace every single day my friends. We did! Our suffering is still tremendous. It is still so very painful. But we are so happy that me missed nothing and have no regrets. We miss Ivy Joy so very very much. We cry a lot. A whole lot. Today we still have so much to give thanks for. We promise to embrace that every morning. I woke up today. I could breathe, I could walk. I wish Ivy was blowing bubbles in the yard with Charlotte. More than you can imagine. But what is here now, today, for that we find joy. Pin It

A CAKE FOR CHARLOTTE!

Pin It I've been anticipating an update on Charlotte for a few weeks now. We sent a cake to her for her birthday and in doing so, the guide who will take care of us while in China, receives photos of the "eating of the cake". This morning, we were blessed by new pictures! She is so precious!

Charlotte is from Guangdong province and the more common dialect within Guangdong orphanages is Cantonese. Her fluent, common language is Cantonese. So the little bit of studying struggling to learn a teensy bit of basic Mandarin, may still help me find the bathroom and order some water while in China... but it won't help me tell Charlotte we promise to love and care for her forever,  or... ask her if she needs to use the bathroom ;) . 

In a few weeks, we will head to California. Having Ivy on oxygen has certainly helped her to have less fatigue and more activity, but by 3:30 she just looks so tired and run down. We are hoping that the Heart Cath will either allow some intervention or give the information needed to make a plan for what will get her feeling great again.  She never ever complains about her health. She stands tall and proud to be the warrior she truly is! She never complains about all the meds she has to take or the blood draws or the appointments or the caths or the other surgeries. She just goes with the flow. She tells me it's her job to set an example for the baby warriors. And she's doing a darn good job, I'll say! She is the strongest girl! It's why she is here! God made her strong and He made her a fighter. You all know that already!
Last Friday Ivy represented Make a Wish on the News to promote the Arizona Concours De'lgance. She stole the show. Cutest thing ever... I've posted the clip below.
After the morning news, Make A Wish got a few calls from people saying they'd like to make a donation after seeing the little girl on the news that morning. All for wishes! I thought that was so awesome! 

JOHN 15:11

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

PROVERBS 31:26

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.    

HAVE A WONDERFULLY BLESSED WEEK!!

MARY

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