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December 15, 2008

Look what came in the mail today!



I have to give a big thank you to Nicole who put together such a special gift for our family. As soon as we knew Josie was our daughter, I joined the JiAn/Jizhou SWI listserv of other adoptive families from Josie's orphanage. Over the last year, we have made wonderful connections with four other families who have traveled within months of each other.

Throughout the past year, we have shared stories, pictures, milestones and advice with one another. Although we didn't travel together, it's been a blessing to find each other.

Nicole had asked each family to share important dates and a few digital images of our families. Not knowing what she was up to, she put together a personalized calendar of all our families using Shutterfly. It turned out amazing.





Thank you, Nicole. What a precious gift to share with Josie.

I'm also including a new picture that Cory sent this evening that I had never seen of Josie at her orphanage. Chris and I were both moved to see this picture. Thank you so much.

(Josie is on the far right)

12 comments:

Truly Blessed said...

What an incredible gift! That is so special. You are blessed by your SWI friendships!

Loida of the 2L3B's said...

Hi there.. This is such a wonderful act. We hope that we can follow your beginnings. When we got our immigration visa, it is also opur wish to adopt any child from any nation. We love children so much. Thanks God there are people like you..

We also have our blogs:
www.2L3Bs.blogspot.com

Nicole said...

I'm so glad that we have all gotten to know each other. We share such an amazing connection through our children... and how cool is it that we now have another pic of the girls?!?!

much love,
Nicole

redmaryjanes said...

What a wonderful gift. Little Josie is so darling. She is in my prayers for a quick and successful surgery in the early morning on Thursday :)

Tammy said...

How sweet of your friend to make you such a wonderful keepsake! How neat to get an orphanage photo, too. The girls look so cute.

Nik's Knacks said...

What a wonderfully special gift!
The calendar is awesome! How great to get another picture of Josie too. What a treasure!!

Mike and Barb said...

That is very special!!
We get a calendar every year as well, from many, many girls adopted from Nina's "home town". Last year she wanted me to take the calendar down as she was "scared" of it.
All three kids in this last picture are so beautiful!!
Barb

Buffi Young said...

what an amazing gift!! That was SO sweet of your friend to do!!! It's great that you guys have pictures of each others kiddos!!! All of our travel group had children in foster care...so ours weren't together very much. We still have a precious bond...but wow...it's awesome to have all these pic prior adoption of your kiddos together! That is WONDERFUL!!! What a great gift!!

We're praying you get the time of the surgery nailed down today. I can imagine it's very stressful not knowing! Hang in there!!! We're praying! Thank you for keeping us posted!
Blessings,
Buffi

Blessed Mom of Four AND More said...

What a precious gift..a treasure!
I'll be praying for Josie and her mama tomorrow.
I have another adoptive friend whose son is having surgery tomorrow today. She's still waiting to learn the time, too.
I hope to remain in the spirit of prayer throughout the day.
Robbie

Shanna said...

What a blessing to have another photo of Josie before she came home to you. She is so darn precious!
Love the calendar! What is wonderful gift to your family.

Anonymous said...

Wow! What an wonderful and incredibly thoughtful gift!

Kim thank you for the kinds words - we love all the support.

Our journey to adopt Lili-Kate said...

How awesome and what a wonderful gift! I think it is incredible that you are able to connect with other families like that! What a blessing! That is truly unique!