Ainsley Faith

Despite my awful job blogging, I am back into this fun ol world and ready to go! We are ADOPTING again. Here is our journey to Ainsley Faith.

Many have asked, her name is pronounced Ann-zlee

The very first picture we saw of our girl.

This is the story about how God led us to our sweet Ainsley Faith. Ainsley has a story that is different than either one of our other adoptions. Her being in our family is a true miracle. We cannot help but fall on our knees and thank God for this perfect little girl He placed in our family. He is the only reason we get to call her ours. Isn't that awesome?

While in China with Andrew, our group would place bets on who would adopt again. I would always say "No-Never. we are done. done. done." or my trademark quote "If we ever go back to China, Jesus will have to come in my kitchen sit me down and say 'My child you have a child in China" Note to self--Never tell God no-Never say Never. His plans are always more perfect than ours.

On May 10th, 2011, Hal was driving in the car and he prayed "God, when we are supposed to adopt again let Angel bring it up" He repeatedly told God that I was the brick wall and that he was ready when the time was right. I had no idea about his prayers. That night I was sitting at my computer looking at all of the adoption blogs that I love to read. God was just impressing on my heart that our family was not complete. I turned around and casually ask Hal "So, since you know we are not done, which country are we adopting from this time?" The look on his face was priceless. He was so sure that I was the brick wall and he was speechless that just hours after his prayer, I would respond.

We begin to look into different countries and agencies. I will admit that in my heart, I always felt we had a daughter waiting in China. I just couldn't shake the feeling that I couldn't choose another country when I was so certain that our Ainsley was waiting in China. The next couple of weeks were very hard as we sought all of our options. There is such fear of making the wrong decision, choosing the wrong agency. I just wanted God to speak clearly to us so that we would know we were walking in His perfect will. A friend emailed me her agencies waiting child list and Hal and I fell in love with a little girl. I can't explain the heartbreak when you see a child, fall in love instantly, only to find out that they are not available. It is at that moment that it is the hardest to realize that it is all in His hands. We were placed on a waiting list for this sweet girl. During the next 2 weeks, we would look at many list but I was just sure we were going to get the call about her. On Wednesday, June 1st, we were sent the file of another precious girl. We once again begin to research her needs and felt as if God was calling us to her. Within an hour we had received a call that a mistake had been made and she was no longer available. I began to question my judgement. How could I fall in love with 2 children so soon? BUT God's plans are so much bigger. The agency was so nice and felt really bad about the mistake. On Friday morning, a new list was released and Ashton immediately called me to view Priscella. I sent an email to the agency requesting her file. My response came back very quickly. It stated "Angel, how strange that you would ask about this child. My China facilitator just sent it to me and ask me to share it with you." Only God could orchestrate this. We had to "fall in love" with another child, to find this agency. If we had not requested the first file, they would not have known who we were. We would not have been on the list to see our sweet Priscella.

We spent the weekend reviewing her file and sending information to doctors. We received several confusing and frightening facts about her. The agency was wonderful in helping us get more information. Each piece of the puzzle seemed more uncertain and scary. Ultimately we decided that adoption is a leap of faith. Nothing in life is guaranteed. We have been so blessed and our family is not complete. By Sunday we had sent our "Letter of Intent" to China formally requesting that we be allowed to parent this sweet girl. Until we can travel, we will pray for her daily. For healing, nourishment and protection for our Sweet Ainsley Faith. I have no doubt that God's hand is on our baby girl.


If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." -Matthew 17:20

15 years ago tomorrow, God changed my entire life when He allowed me to become a Mommy to the most precious little girl ever born.
I don't know what I ever did to deserve such a blessing. God chose me to be the Mother of my precious Daughter. When she was little we were best friends, spent our days shopping, making pottery, playing babies, and soaking in all the time we had together. This precious daughter of mine has a sweet heart and has always wanted to help others. I am so proud to call her mine.
One of the happiest moments of her life was when we brought Anna Grace home. For the 3 years after she came home she prayed that we would go back to China. She is the reason we have Andrew. Her heart for Orphans, China, and Africa amazes me on a daily basis and I cannot wait to see how God uses her in the Future. Her heart has been broken for the Orphan. I  know He has GREAT plans for my special girl!
Just as the song says
It's not living if you don't reach for the sky
I'll have tears as you take off
But I'll cheer as you fly
Happy 15th Birthday Ashton, I love you so!
Mom

Mommy & Andrew

In our bedroom, hanging on the wall, is a picture of me with each of my kids when they were babies. It has been a tradition since Ashton was born to have a "mommy and me" picture made. When Anna Grace came home, although she was older, we still did the pictures. She was so tiny that she still looked liked a baby. Jodi took tons of pictures and Anna Grace gets so excited to see that she has the same pictures as her big brothers and sisters. Today I started worrying about Andrew having the same thing. Ashton was sweet enough to indulge me and do a quick photo shoot. She has not had a chance to put her magic touches on the pictures yet but I think they turned out sweet. Andrew kept sneaking and kissing me while we were taking pictures. It was so precious. I wanted him to smile and he wanted to kiss me. I am so blessed. I can't wait to get one framed and hang it with the others. We missed so much during the first 3 1/2 years of his life, I am so happy to have these. He is my son and I love him so!

They are in Cincinnati...

Hey All,
This is Ashton. I am updating the blog for my Mom while she is in Cincinnati at Shriners.
I just talked to them and they made it safely to Cincinnati without issues. (thank you Lord!) The little ones did well and Andrew is still running wild. They went to a mall tonight to have dinner and try to burn the energy. From the noise in the background it doesn't sound very successful. (:
Please keep them in your prayers tomorrow as they go to the hospital for tests on Andrew and to see what the future holds for surgeries and such. Pray he understands all that is happening and accepts it willing.
Thanks,
Ashton

The top 5

These are the top 5 reasons I love Mother's Day! I am so grateful to THE ONE who has blessed me with all of my babies-I have truly never done a thing to deserve such blessings and I am so grateful to serve a God who sees fit to allow me this joy in life! I can't believe that we are all finally together as a Forever Family of 7!

Andrew Update

Just wanted to update and let everyone know how well Andrew is doing. He has been with us for 3 months-It is unbelievable-Time has flown by. I will admit that for awhile, time seem to stand still. Kind of like the movie Groundhog Day. I am not sure of the exact moment but somewhere around the 2 month mark, things began to level out. Everyone started sleeping through the night and the days got happier. I can't imagine the emotions that Andrew has felt. Although in our minds we like to think that life began when he stepped off of the elevator, for Andrew life was turned upside down. We looked different, smelt different and spoke a language he did not understand. We took him away from his home and his family. Our sweet boy handled all of these hard changes like a champion. He has worked so hard to become a part of our world. He is talking, going to school and acting like he has forever been a part of our family. He loves his Mei Mei(Anna Grace) and will defend her like nothing you have ever seen. They fight lots of times but there is not a minute of the day that one is not looking for the other. They act as if they are twins. It is amazing to watch their love build and develop. I can't tell you how proud I am to be their mommy. I wanted to document all of the sweet things he has learned-
Andrew can:
say his ABC's
count to 10
communicate all of his needs
says "I lubba you mama"
Dress himself
put on his shoes(and he gets them on the right foot)
sing Jesus loves me, twinkle twinkle, little start, itsy bitsy spider, and he can sing all Barney songs!

Andrew's favorite shows are Barney, Kai Lan, Wonder Pets, Wow Wow Wubzy
He loves to sing
His favorite movie is Alvin and the Chipmunks(there is nothing as funny as watching him and Anna Grace sing "All the single ladies"
Baba(daddy) is his favorite person in the whole world and Mei Mei is right up there with him
He loves being outside
He can ride his scooter like a pro

Everyday is full of new things. I am amazed at how quickly he is learning. He has changed our whole world and we are all so very blessed to be a part of his life!

Easter Fun

We had our annual Easter Party at Nana Bunny's house again this year. It was so much fun. We had so many friends join in on the fun. Nana Bunny made her appearance and the kids were thrilled. Andrew quite enjoyed "dying" his eggs. He spent forever working on his masterpieces. He did not like the bunny at all. All of the kids had fun hunting eggs and they loved their baskets from Nana Bunny.
Easter morning was so much fun. Andrew was thrilled that the bunny left him a basket full of goodies. It was priceless to see his joy! We got to spend the day with both sets of grandparents. Hal and I are so blessed to have such wonderful families!