Our beautiful child is a grace to behold

It's a big day for our family!  Today, our dossier -- the culmination of all documents we have been preparing in stages for the past nine months -- has been submitted to the Chinese governing body which oversees adoption affairs.  

Months earlier we were "locked in" with pre-approval to adopt Reuben, and now wait for China's final approval to complete his adoption.  Paperwork remains with US Immigration, and then we will receive China's invitation to travel and bring Reuben home.  Another two or three months will pass before that day.

Last night in the dark, strolling around the campus pond, Drew and I reflected on the good timing of Reuben's homecoming.  We had hoped for June, before his third birthday on July 4th.  That would have been less than ideal for Reuben, as we are uprooting with a major move on July 10th.  He is in a rich and loving environment presently, in a temporary group foster home.  We will move house first, become grounded, and bring him into an established home life.  Thanks be to God for his wisdom in directing the course Reuben's life and ours, weaving us together in just the right season.

Reu looks somber in these photos, but we happen to know that he is a silly, smiley, active and peppy little kiddo.  

Oh my this is really happening!  I'm going to be a Mama again!  Drew is Baba to one more, Titus is the big BIG bro, and Michael isn't the youngest in this home for the first time.

Reuben is restored to family.  For the rest of his life, he's got us all: Daddy, Mommy, brothers, other siblings to come? (I think YES) grandparents, great-grandmas, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  All his!

Grace to behold, this child given -- to touch someone holy, breathe in his scent, feel his heart beat and chest rise and fall with breath in next to my own, know and delight in his ever-growing personality, weave in our selves and grow up together, to treasure and affirm all he is -- our Reuben.

counting the graces by Titus

thank you Father for

having a lot of good time at school

helping me to eat my lunch faster

getting to do a lot of jobs at home, like vacuuming my room, hanging clothes, washing dishes

my friends Zhao Zixuan, Ting Ting, Xu Ximing, Xun Junjie

 getting to wear sandals

going to Pingtan and the time is almost up so I'm really happy

getting to have a time with Waigong & Waipo at the beach