September Update

The helpless put their trust in you. You are the defender of orphans.
--Psalms 10:14

Pei-Shan News:

Today, on September 25, 2008, we received our monthly update on Pei-Shan. The information was actually compiled on August 28th, when she was almost two months old. She continues to grow well; she is now 8 lbs. 13 oz. and 20.5 inches long. She drinks 4 oz. of milk every four hours. We are so grateful that Pei-Shan is healthy and well cared-for.

As a side note, today we received this great update on our 21st wedding anniversary and the two year referral anniversary for Amelia!

Also on the adoption front, we were notified by our agency, Journeys of the Heart, that our first hearing is scheduled for October 7, 2008. If the judge rules favorably towards us, we should have a first ruling within 1-3 months. We are still tracking for travel in early 2009 to pick up our beautiful daughter.

We anticipate that Pei-Shan will be moved from the hospital to her foster mother’s home on October 2nd when she turns three months. With that in mind, we put together her first care package with some outfits, toys, and disposable cameras. We hope her foster mother will take pictures of her life in Taiwan for us to share with her as she grows up. We know our whole family would cherish the photos. Also included were some little treats for our agency in Taiwan and her foster mother. We hope to see her in a cute outfit in the November updates.

Finally… after spending much time staring at her sweet face in our referral and update photos and consulting endless baby name books and websites, we have agreed upon a name. Our baby girl will be named Alayna Pei-Shan Brown. Like Amelia, Alayna is of German origin and it means “precious”. Just look at her, she certainly is precious!

On the Home Front:

Since we received Alayna’s referral on August 15th, the Browns have been busy. First priority was sending all necessary notarized and authenticated adoption paperwork to Journeys of the Heart in order for them to forward it to Taiwan. Done!

We finished up the summer with a beautiful Labor Day weekend at the cottage. The weather was sunny and hot--not always the case for the unofficial end of summer in Michigan. The beautiful warm weather has continued through the end of September.

Nick went back to school and began his junior year. Where does the time go? He’s six weeks into the semester and doing very well. We know this year is an important year academically for him and his quest to attend a good university. With that in mind, it would be great if our adoption process was to speed up and we could travel when he is on Christmas break. We would love both our children to be part of the travel experience.

Amelia is in her big girl bed. Both girls will share a room, and we wanted to make sure Amelia didn’t feel like the baby was taking “her” crib. So we shopped for a coordinating comforter and surprised her with a new bed. She loves it! The downside is she gets up on a whim and shows up in our room. She will tap Tom while he is sleeping and say, “Daddy, its Amelia.” Who else would it be tiptoeing in our room in the middle of the night?

Tom and I have been busy as well. Tom is training for a ½ marathon which he will run on October 19th. (I think he runs because he likes the peace and quiet!) I have volunteered in the church nursery this year. I’m hoping is gives me good practice for when the baby gets home…with the added benefit of serving others, as well!

Please pray that Alayna adjusts well to the move to her foster home. In addition, pray for her birth mother, that she is at peace with her decision as she attends the court hearing on October 7th.

Until next month’s updates….

While We Wait for Alayna...