Mia Turns 13!

We can't believe how much Mia has grown over the last year and a half. She had a milestone birthday on April 12th. She turned 13. We explained to her that she is now a teenager. Oh yea, I also had to explain what to expect as she becomes a young lady. Since both Mia and Anna talk to each other so much I knew I better tell them both. Anna sat in horror as I explained just the part about needing a pad. Not sure if I will ever tell them about having little ones of their own until they are at least thirty. Doesn't that sound about right to you?
When we were still in China we had met some friends who are missionaries. Their family had lived in China for the past 10 years and so they new Mandarin Chinese. One of their daughters, Joy, who was in her twenties had sat the girls down to ask them a question that I wanted to know. That was if Mia had started yet. Once Joy was finished talking to them, she concluded with certainty that Mia hadn't and also didn't know what it was. She said Anna piped in and said that she new what a period was and went on to explain, "first you go in the bathroom, then you get a band-aid, then you put it on your arm where you are bleeding. Then you shut off the light and close the bathroom door." Joy was right about then not knowing anything. Now we wait for that shining moment.
Here is a pic of Mia when she was just a baby. She is with a caregiver.

New Hair Cut For Anna!

Anna at age of five.

Anna has had a very hard time keeping her hair combed and out of her face so she has asked if we would get her hair cut. A lot of you are aware that in China they cut the girls hair short to keep control of lice and easier for girls to take care of short hair. Anna was having a hard week in school. She was getting into a lot of trouble so on a Friday, Phil took her to get her hair cut. Before they left they looked at dozens of hair styles on line, found one they both liked, sent me a copy and off they went. Here is a photo before and after. Her hair cut looks a lot like the one on here referral when she was about five years old (see above). We always loved that picture of her.

Anna at age 10 and a pic of her a few months earlier.

Museum in Chicago!

We went to the museum in Chicago over Christmas vacation and here are a few pictures!

"Sue", Anna and Mia

Anna, a friend, and Mia

Lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my!

Mia is underground.

Anna and her underground friend!

Christmas and Christmas Parade!

We all had a great time over Christmas vacation. Christmas was spent with our daughters and their families!

Mia and Anna at the Christmas parade in Peoria, IL

Austin, Stephen, Jax, Jennifer, Jordyn, Jamie, Mia, Benjamin, back row; Matthew, Anna, Kadina, Mark, and Julie

Anna Receives E-Mail from Teacher from China!

We received an e-mail from Anna's teacher, Miss Heidi, who teaches the children English while in China. Miss Heidi is with an American organization from California who sent her to China, Bao'an Shenzhen orphanage. Anna has talked about Miss Heidi (Miss Haddie) from the first time that we met her. She has sang many English songs and always says, "Miss Haddie say to Anna". It is such a comfort for parents like us to know that someone cared very much for your child. That they were loved and hugged. The last pictures that we received from China before traveling to pick up Anna included Heidi and Anna together. We would like to thank Miss Heidi for everything that she has done and continues to do for the abandoned children in China. These children face such sadness everyday of their lives and you have special people, like Heidi, who come in and do amazing things! Everyone can remember that special teacher they had in their lives that gave them so much encouragement. Well Heidi, you will always be that special someone in Anna's life and in ours. You don't know what all you have done for this child! She shows such concern when someone is sad or hurt. She will help the elderly walk, comfort a hurt child, and ask about an ailment that we may have had. We never new who to thank until now - thank you so much Miss Heidi.
Here is an excerpt of the e-mail that we received:

Hello, my name is Heidi. I am the director of Sunshine Academy where your daughter Anna attended school for several years. I have known Anna since she arrived at the Bao'an Center. In fact, I gave her the name Anna. :)

I was thinking of Anna and thought I would take a look to see how she is doing. I cried when I read your sentence: 

Did we do the right thing, you bet we did. She is the most loving, affectionate, and happy little girl.

I always say that she is one of our miracles - a child who changed so drastically through the consistent love and boundaries given to her by her teachers day after day. I was (and still am) so incredibly proud of her. And of our teachers that invested in this little girl. 

And then came the day when you stepped into her life! A true miracle again. We prayed for you all and for her and now it is a thrill for me to see pictures of our girl Anna with her family in Illinois! Fishing and playing with her sister and hearing about going to school.... I love it!!! 

You both have given Anna a rebirth - an opportunity that is totally and completely a miracle. Rejected so many times and with such a difficult past, I am over the moon with seeing the love that you have for her. I pray that you will continue to have the grace you need to raise this precious girl. 

Please tell her that Miss Heidi says hello and I would like to give her a big big hug! Please tell her that I have seen the pictures of her and her sweet sister Mia and I am so proud of her. She is such a pretty girl who has accomplished so much already!! She is very brave and I know she has a wonderful future ahead. 

And you are also both very brave - to survive those first few days and weeks all in the name of love. Thank you so much! 

With much love from China,

Heidi

Anna did have a hard time adjusting. She was angry, hurt, confused, and tried so hard to control everything around her. It took months for her to quiet down and just enjoy the new things around her. Anna is very outgoing, friendly, and so very sincere. She is the most affectionate and caring child! We can't tell you how much this little girl of yours is loved. Thank you Miss Heidi!

Miss Tyler (who Anna said was Heidi) and Anna 1 Year Ago!

Miss Heidi this is a special message from Anna!!

 

The first video what had of Anna talking to Miss Heidi was too long to upload so we had to retake and Anna wasn't as spontaneous as the first one. When Anna had been with us for a few weeks she would sing an English song (Old MacDonald, Happy Birthday, etc.) and always say Miss Haddie (Heidi). When she knew more English she would say, "Miss Heidi say to Anna". We didn't know she had other English teachers until Miss Heidi told us about Miss Tyler who had been with Anna for the last few years.  Thanks to all the special people from Sunshine Academy for your years of service to these special children. Anna is so much more different than Mia in that Anna has been exposed to so much more and was given a head start on living in America. We just want you to know that you do make a difference and it is huge!!! Thank you for caring enough and loving these children who so desperately need love. I pray that one day we won't be in need of orphanages because all children will have a loving, caring, supportive homes! May God bless each and every one of you.