IT'S A GIRL!

Zhang Jin Shun, born 01/06/06. Presently at Zhang Jiagang (orphanage) in Jiangsu Province.

Melanie has made her big debut! It's hard to believe we actually have a face to go with the name. (and isn't she cute!) I'm having technical difficulties right now posting pictures, so everyone save your emails for now.

So let me tell you how we got to this point in time. Mark can contest to how much time I've spent on the computer looking at everything China adoption. To pass my time in waiting, I've read many blogs along the way. I came across a few that introduced us to China's Special Needs Children. We first thought of "special needs" as something possibly a little more challenging than we were capable of. With further research however, we discovered that many of the special needs were correctable and not necessarily too difficult for us to take on. We felt a desire to pursue this with our agency- only to find out they receive what's called a Waiting Child List...children with special needs waiting to find a family. We were able to remain "in line" at our current status for a non special needs child (healthy) and when China sent Hand In Hand their next set of profiles, we would be able to see if there was a match for us. As September rolled around we had pretty much concluded that China was not going to send out another list this year, because it was taking them an unusually long time in getting it out. Next thing you know.....we're being shown pictures of little babies on Monday (the 18th) and by Wednesday(today-the 20th) we are sending China our "Letter of Intent" to adopt our little girl, Shun.

It's a little overwhelming to sit and think it's really happening now. After waiting so long...which was the right time in God's eyes....we are actually going to be parents. It's scary and exciting all at the same time. We just want to "Thank" everyone for their support throughout this process. But don't go anywhere, because this is only beginning.