Chinese New Year

Last night (Friday, and also Todd's birthday), we celebrated Chinese New Year with our Families with Chinese Children group.  It was so much fun and great to be with our families like ours.  It was soon to have Bethany out around a big crowd, but we made a special exception since this was a special occasion!  All of her grandparents came with her, so it was a really good night for the Rayburn 3.  Bethany had such a great time being around the other kids.  We're glad Todd's Dad and step mom are in town and have been able to be here too for all of the fun.  :)  Of course, we think Bethany was the prettiest girl at the party, but in truth, there were so many precious little Chinese kids!  But, we still think ours was the most precious!  :)  The picture with Bethany and the other 2 girls is a picture with her orphanage sisters.  All of these girls came from the same orphanage in China - truly amazing when you understand how many orphanages and orphans there are in China.  That these 3 would all come from the same place and end up in a tiny town in South Mississippi is a miracle.  Lilly is in blue and Anna Grace is in red.  All of the kids are special, but these 2 are exceptionally special to us to have such a unique bond with Bethany.  Anna Grace is actually 4 months older than Bethany and they were in the orphanage together at the same time.  That is a God sized miracle.

 

Bethany is doing better - her ear seems to better, but the cold is still giving her fits.  She goes for a head to toe appointment next week to the International Adoption Clinic at UAB.  They'll check her out like she's a newborn baby and do all kinds of tests on her.  It will be good for us to have some kind of idea about her health, other than what we already know (which is very little).  She appears to be in very good health, and we have no reason to think there is anything wrong other than the cleft issue.  But, they'll help us deal with some of the institutionalization issues and some lingering things we see problems with -  just minor stuff.   It will be reassuring for us to have her checked out really well.  We are dreading the 4 hour drive to Birminham; car seats are NOT used in China, and this kid HATES her car seat!  It's been a long drive to Slidell with her screaming at the top of her lungs, so I can only imagine what it will be like all the way to Birmingham. 

 

Not too much else going on.  Our life is pretty boring by what anyone else would consider, but we love it!!!  We're slowly getting our feet underneath us with a routine and such.  She's adjusting so well, and we're just trying to settle in and make sure she's comfortable and feeling safe.  Anyway, will sign off for now.  TS&B

 

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