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Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Gotcha Day Anniversary
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
May 2007 Update - Kenzie's Birthday
Wow! Has it really been 5+ months since we walked into the Civil Affairs office in Hangzhou China and met our beautiful daughter? In many ways it seems like only yesterday and yet at the same time it seems as though she has been with us forever. It has been a wonderful time full of growth and testing for all of us. Will share a lot more details in our 6 month post in a few weeks. Now I wanted to take a minute to recap Kenzie's 5th birthday and very first birthday party.
Kenzie awoke on Saturday May 19th and walked into our kitchen to find that mom had just finished her Strawberry Shortcake birthday cake. It was at that moment that Kenzie said "Is my bursday?" And upon confirmation from Mom and Dad said "Oh yeah! I cited!" It was hard to get things done for the party and to feel the typical sense of urgency becuase there was no anticipation on Kenzie's part until that morning when she saw her cake. It was just a reminder of the difference between her first 4 birthdays and the ones to come.
We got a giant Strawberry Shortcake balloon and all the coordinating party accessories. She had a Strawberry Shortcake cake and a coordinating strawberry party dress. We even had some special hair bows made to match her dress. Pulled out all the stops for our little princess's first party. When the guests started arriving Kenzie's excitement hit a new level. Kenzie had a blast playing outside on a beautiful spring day with her friends. We did a foamies craft and made picture frames, then it was on to the presents and cake. Kenzie now has presents figured out and like a pro went from gift to gift and we barely saw cards to determine who the gifts were from . The highlight of the birthday party (at least for the parents) was a wonderful DVD that was created by our friend Jonathan. The DVD held video and pictures of Kenzie's first 5 months home, set to Martina McBride's "Happy Girl" and the worship song "Everlasting God". It was a teary moment for Mom to be sure.
After the guests left Kenzie took a nap and then we all went to dinner with our good friends Connie, Jonathan, & Lydia. Then it was back to the house for family presents and the special gift from Connie, Jonathan, & Lydia.
All in all it was a blessed day and as special as any "first birthday" could have been. Enjoy the pictures and please check back soon for our next update. We will be completing our first post placement report - again it's hard to believe that it has been 6 months - we are truly blessed to be able to share life with this very special little girl! Kenzie we LOVE you!!
March 2007 Update
It has been 3 months since we returned home with MacKenzie and we are continually amazed at the ease of the transition for all of us. It has been seamless for the most part. We continue to be blessed by Kenzie's addition to our family.March saw a visit to the Topeka St. Patty's Day Parade which the kids both enjoyed. We also had Nate's Spring Break and enjoyed lots of time with our dear friends the Workmans.From a health stand point Kenzie continues to do extremely well. We are looking forward to the appointments in April when the doctor will begin weaning her off of the heart medicine. That will help us to know how well her heart is really doing. From her activity level and energy we are pretty sure everything is going well. :o) She loves so much to sing and dance and jump around. She has learned how to jump off of the bottom step and is working on running. It is so much fun to watch and celebrate with her these "firsts" that we thought we had missed.Nate and Kenzie both are beginning to realize that the "honeymoon" is over. They are acting more and more like siblings. They pick on one another and argue some - they play well together too. While the picking and fussing gets frustrating at times it is a wonderful sign that all is progressing well getting back to whatever is "normal". We longed for another child for so long and were concerned that Nate would be too much older to enjoy a sibling relationship but God in his great plans knew that our daughter would be a perfect age for Nate to enjoy and relate to. When I think about it even the fussing and picking is a blessing.Next year for school Nate will enter 3rd grade and more likely than not Kenzie will start Kindergarten. We will see how it goes this summer. As we continue to adjust to life as a family of 4 we are excited to see where the next stage takes us.Just wanted to say quick hello and give you an update. There are a bunch of new pictures posted below. Have a wonderful weekend!Glen, Tammy, Nate & KenziePS: If you can't copy a picture off of this page you can visit our Yahoo! group by clicking this button and get the pictures from there. ~T
February 2007 Update
China Travel Log December 10-19
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gettingmackenzie
Glen & Tammy
December9, 2006 - to Nate
Hope you are having a great Saturday! We are going to Kenzie's city tomorrow night and hopefully we will meet her on Monday morning. We will call you as soon as we can. Sorry the computer hung up on us and we could not get the connection back. We love you and miss you so very much!! Have a great Sunday bud!
Love you!
Mommy & Daddy
December 9, 2006
Love,
Glen & Tammy
December 7 & 8, 2006 - to Nate
Hey buddy! We hope that your Christmas program went awesome! We cannot wait to get home so that we can see the video. We had a very long flight here to China and are very tired. We will call you soon. We love you all the way from China and back and we are counting the days until we can come home and give you tons of hugs!
Love you Bud!
Mommy & Daddy
December 8 & 9
Love,
Glen & Tammy
December 4, 2006
Love and blessings to you all!
Tammy
November 21, 2006
Tammy
WE have TA!!!! November20, 2006
WOOOOOOHOOOOO!!! YIPPEEEEEE!! and a great big HOORRAAYY!!!
Love,
Tammy
November 16, 2006
Well a disappointing week has now come to an end. No news regarding atravel approval yet. We were hoping to spend Thanksgiving in China,but it does not look that that will be the case. We will certainlypost as soon as we hear something. If I don't post again before have a wonderful Turkey Day!
Love
Tammy
November 7, 2006
October30, 2006
October 30, 2006 - from Nate
October 16, 2006
We're DTC!!! September 19, 2006
September 5, 2006
August 15, 2006
August 13, 2006
July 26, 2006
July 20, 2006
July 13, 2006
July 4, 2006
July 2, 2006 - Poem
by Debbie Bodie
I saw you meet your child today
You kissed your baby joyfully
And as you walked away with her
I played pretend you'd chosen me.
I'm happy for the baby, yet
Inside I'm aching miserably
I want to plead as you go by,
"Does no-one want a child of three?"
I saw you meet your child today
In love with her before you met
And as I watched you take her out
I knew it wasn't my turn yet.
I recognize you from last year!
I knew I'd seen your face before!
But you came for a second babe.
"Does no-one want a child of four?"
I saw you meet your child today
But this time there was something new
A nurse came in and took MY hand
And then she gave my hand to you.
Can this be true? I'm almost six!
And there are infants here you see?
But then you kissed me and I knew
The child you chose this time was me.
Copyright 1997 DEBBIE BODIE
July 3, 2006
July1, 2006
June 29, 2006
The Referral! June 15, 2006
The Referral!
I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him. 1Sam 1:27
Referral Date: June 15, 2006
Chinese Name: Wang Cong
Date of Birth: May 19, 2002
Height: 95.5cm / 37.6 inches
Weight: 13 kg / 28.6 lbs
Orphanage: Hangzhou City CWI
Province: Zhejiang
Agency: America World Adoption Assoc.
Prayer Request: Mackenzie has a complex heart defect. The doctors we have consulted agree that from the information in her file she would be a candidate for surgery. We ask your prayers for her continued health and strength - as well as successful surgery. Thank you!
June 11, 2006
May 16, 2006
I am writing you in pink because I know girls like pink. I hope you have a great time waiting for our mom and dad to come and pick you up. I will be at my Uncle's house and mom an dad will bring you to your new Uncle's house after they pick you up. And I am making up songs to sing to you when you get here.
Love,
Nate
April 25, 2006
April 20, 2006
Happy Easter! April 16, 2006
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for HE IS RISEN!! Matthew 25:5 & 6
Happy Easter little girl! We missed you very much on this special holiday. Today is the day when we celebrate Jesus' resurrection through which we are forgiven. I know that left in China the chances of you hearing and having an opportunity to respond to the message of the Gosple would be very slim. What an exciting truth that not only will you be coming home to America to be with your forever family on earth, but you will also have the opportunity to become a part of God's eternal family. Every day we are a little bit closer to the end of the paper chase. We missed you this Easter sweet girl and cannot wait to come and bring you home. We love you so much even though we have never seen your face. It is hard to explain, but very similar to the way that Daddy and I fell in love with your big brother Nate while he was in Mommy's tummy, where we could not see him, we have all fallen in love with you - even though you are 1/2 way around the world. We pray a special blessing on you today princess. Hold on little one, we are coming! We love you! ~T
April 10, 2006
April 7, 2006
April 4, 2006
March 22, 2006 - NEW INFO
March 22, 2006 - from Nate
Well little princess, big brother pretty much said it all. We cannot wait to see you. We love you and are praying for you. Hugs and kisses sweetheart! Love you. Mommy ~T
3-22-06
Dear Mackenzie.I wanted to write two letters to you like Mommy does in her journal. I am going to love you and hold you in my arms all day. And cuddle you until you fall asleep. And I love you so much that I'll take care of you like a big brother. And I will just hold you and take you to Mom and Dad when you are crying in the middle of the night because you will have someone to cuddle with. I love you so much and you will just be my favorite baby sister. And you will just be the greatest sister I ever had. Love Nathanael (I wanted Nate on my other letter and Nathanael on this one)