The Last Day of School

This blog is about our journey of faith to adopt Quinn, but parenthood in itself is a journey of faith!  I'm realizing this truth as my boys head off to their last day of school as a 2nd grader and a kindergartener!

This year has been a crazy one to say the least.  When we started the school year, it was with the intention of only being there a short while before we moved to VA!  Now, ten months later, they have successfully completed their grades and had some outstanding accomplishments along the way.  Colin, age 7, is one of the youngest kids in his class.  That hasn't stopped him from excelling academically and socially.  He's learned to write well, do some very challenging math, and even had the prinicipal's award for his outstanding character.  He's played soccer and football and continued to develop as a gifted pianist.  We're very proud of who he is and who we see him becoming.

Owen, age 5, has come a long way to say the least!  I was nervous about starting him in Kindergarten, also as one of the youngest in his class, as he has always been on the strong-willed, highly sensitive side.  He has matured IMMENSELY!  He works through problems with words instead of tantrums, shows empathy for others, and is Mr. Popularity in his class!  He started off the year just knowing letter sounds and has ended reading entire books independently.  His writing has improved greatly as well.  He's played soccer, football, and has earned his yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do.  He is my cuddler, and I hope that doesn't end anytime soon!

I know that the coming school year will be full of new challenges for Colin and Owen.  As 3rd and 1st graders, they'll be attending a new school next year, Barringer Academic Center.  They'll go from walking or biking to school right across the street to carpooling or vanpooling to a school 12 miles away.  While we're thrilled about the opportunities they'll have in their new school, we know the change in venue, friends, and curriculum will be challenging.  Add to that having a new 2 1/2 yr old member of the family and we're looking at some big transitions to say the least!  I can't wait to see what I'll be writing next year this time...how they've grown and matured and learned...it's a journey of faith!

The first day of school-August 2010

The last day of school-June 2011

Important Dates...

We have had a number of these recently and have had some amazing "aha" moments from God along the way...

Chris and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary on Sunday, May 29th.  The boys were visiting their grandparents (an anniversary tradition for which we give them sincere gratitude:)  So, Chris and I decided to have a staycation.  We attended church Sunday morning and were awestruck when the Gospel reading was the verse for which we named Quinn!  AHA #1!

...a little history...Chris felt strongly that we should try to name Liu Er Qin by something she was familiar with.  When we found out she was called Qin Qin (Chin Chin), my brother, Ryan, suggested Quinn would be similar.  I liked it, but wanted it to have a deeper meaning as well.  I discovered Quinn means "counselor" so I looked up scripture that had to do with counselor...

"If you love me, you will obey what I command.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another COUNSELOR to be with you forever-the Holy Spirit.  The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."  John 14:15-18

How could we not choose Quinn after reading that!

The second important date was Thursday, June 2nd- Quinn's 2nd birthday!  It was a bittersweet day-wonderful because we know our little girl will be joining us soon and sad because we wish she were here now.  We had a party for her with some of our close friends.  We sang 'Happy Birthday" and Colin and Owen blew out the candles.  Many wonderful friends and family sent cards to commemorate her day.  We took video and pictures so Quinn will have something to look back on to see how much she was loved, before anyone had ever even met her! 

On her birthday, I passed a church marquee that read "With God, timing is more important than time." 
AHA #2!  I have to remember that God's timing for bringing Quinn home will be perfect.  I want the time to speed up so badly that I lose focus of the importance of God's timing in all this.  After all, I wanted to adopt for years before Chris was on board, but I can look back now and see how perfect that timing was for our family.  Patience, patience...(still learning:)

Third important date...Tuesday June 7th-Log In Date!  We finally were logged into China's system, meaning we can offically begin counting down the weeks (or months) until our approval to adopt Quinn.  We'd appreciate your prayers for everything to be in order so the process can continue smoothly and promptly...

Hoping you're all well and beginning a relaxing summer!