Lilly's Visit

Lilly and Lainie

Last weekend we were blessed with a visit from Lilly Bryant and her family. If you will remember, Lilly was Lainie's roommate in the orphanage. From looking at the pictures that Jan and I were given from the orphanage, it appears that their cribs were side by side. Our families traveled together in May to bring both of these girls home. Lilly was sick while we were in China and spent almost the whole trip in the hospitial, so we didn't get to see the girl interact like we had hoped. We have been anxiously awaiting Lilly's visit. Her surgery to repair her VSD went great and she is now healthier than she has probably been her entire little life. What a blessing it was to see these girls together in their matching outfits. Jan had brought these to China for them to wear, but that didn't happen. Lilly was definitely very interested in Lainie, but Lainie wasn't sure about the big crowd in our house. We are so grateful that God chose this precious family to be a part of Lainie's life forever.

We had hoped to get together with two other Chenzhou girls who also shared their room, but SarahMei is awaiting her heart surgery on August 17 and AnnaClaire was on vacation. God was so gracious to put these little girls from a little town in China all within a short driving distance of each other here in the Carolinas. They knew each other before we knew them. They were each other's first friends, who touched each other first and heard each other cry and laugh for the first time. What a blessing it will be for them to be able to stay connected through the years.

Lainie has been with us 3 months now and it seems like forever. When I think about all of the fear and I had that almost kept us from adoption, I shudder to think at the blessing that I almost missed. I've learned so much about the faithfulness of God and the way that He cares for his children. I've learned so much that I would have missed otherwise. And then of course, there is this precious child who makes me smile every single morning when I walk into her room and see her smiling face. I feel so unworthy to have been chosen by God to witness this miracle. So unworthy and so incredibly grateful.

The Barbee Bunch with The Bryant Bunch - Now that is a Big Bunch!!!

Shelby Bryant with the girls.

Playing side by side.... again.

Lovely Lilly

The weekend exhausted Lainie. Here she is relaxing with Trey when it was all over.

Fun in the Sun

We've been a busy family this summer - so Lainie has had no choice but to be a busy little girl. She's been a real trooper as we've tried to keep up with the activities of a large family. She's had plenty of fun along the way as well. Enjoy the pictures......Meeting new friends like Sydney who also lives in Locust and was

also born in Chenzhou (just like Lainie)

Spending time with cousin Katie - she's been great to help us out when we needed some extra hands with summer. How lucky our children are to have a role model like her.

Loving a bubble bath after a long day at the ballfield watching Jillian play!

Trying out some new hairdos - this one is too cute!!!

Playing in the water left from the big waterslide at Jillian's Tournament Fun Night.

One of the most touching things since having Lainie home as been to watch her spend time with our dear friends who so diligently prayed for Lainie and us as we waited so long to bring her home. This photo is with our good friend Sherry who does my hair and who also gave Lainie her first trim this summer.

Celebrating her first Fourth of July as an American Citizen!!!

Lainie's 1st Beach Trip

We spent last week at Myrtle Beach with The Great Big Barbee Bunch. All of Bobby's sisters and their families, his parents and his aunt, and cousins all rent one big house together. We had a blast. Lainie LOVED the beach. I thought for sure she would be scared of the waves, but she loved them. I was confident she would hate the sand, but she loved it too. Lainie continues to amaze us everyday. She has learned many new tricks. Adoption is such a miracle. That is the only way to explain it.

Isn't She Lovely?

We took these yesterday evening out on our lawn. Yes, it was hot and yes, she is sweating!!! We've had a great week. We saw the opthamologist and the audiologist on Wednesday. Both evaluations went great. We've spent two days at the pool and Lainie loves the water. Luckily the pool has warmed up and I can stand to get in without the frigidness taking my breath away. Our niece, Katie, has been gracious enough to go with us and help out. Thank goodness she likes to swim. It gives me a chance to sit by the pool and rest. Getting four kids lathered in sunscreen and suited up - along with packing a cooler and snacks wears this mom out. We've had a great time though. Lainie has done so well. We are still just amazed at how God has worked in her little heart to prepare her for our family.

I've had enough of this photo shoot!!!

Lilly Update
Many of you have asked about Lilly Bryant. She did have her surgery on Wednesday to prepare her VSD. It went well and she is expected to be home by Monday. They've updated their blog - you can view it by clicking on the link from this web page.

Home One Month!

Lainie has been home one month now. In some ways it has gone by so fast, but in other ways, it seems like Lainie has been here forever. She is doing great. She sleeps well, eats well, and she is learning all kinds of new tricks. Someone just told me yesterday that they've noticed she no longer has that look of uncertainty about her that we saw so much of in the beginning. Now she seems much more confident and at ease. Adoption is such a miracle. We are so thankful God chose us to be blessed in this way.
I'm having a hard time finding time to update the blog. Just like I'm having a hard time finding time to cook, clean and do laundry. I'll try to update about once a month or so - keep checking. Thanks again for all you've done for our family during these last months. We can't thank you all enough.

Good News!

Lainie had her cardiology appointment today and we got a great report. The hole in her heart is small and is not causing her heart any problems at all. So, it will be fine to leave just as it is. No surgery! The hole actually appears to already be closing on it's own. Dr. Greene wants to see her again in 6 months and then once a year to monitor the hole, but he does not foresee any changes. We are so thankful for this good news. Please join us in rejoicing and thanking our Heavenly Father.

Just a few pictures....

Lainie and Will riding in the car.

Sisters - in their matching shirts.

Toes - Lainie's favorite toy....

There's No Place Like Home !

Lainie has adjusted so well to life in The Barbee Bunch. Eventhough she has only been home 1 week, it feels like she has been here her whole life. We know that God answered our prayers and prepared her little heart to be part of our family long before she arrived home on May 24th.

She loves to "walk" anywhere as long as she is holding onto a finger of any willing person. If you are sitting she will come to you and grab one finger to let you know she is ready to go. She really likes to be on the move. She's done great meeting new people. She is a celebrity everywhere we go.

I had plans for some really cute pictures to post, but now I am remembering what life with a toddler is like, and I'm not sure those pictures are ever going to happen, but here are a few......