Bittersweet Birthdays

Sorry for my lack of blogging and absence online, but I had a bad case of pneumonia. After five nights in the hospital (including my birthday), I'm thrilled to be home. Luckily, my parents, neighbors, and church family have been taking care of us. Russ and the girls have never been fed so well!
Brett's birthday is also quickly approaching. It will be another bittersweet birthday for us as we continue to wait for our LOA and TA from China. Nevertheless, we will celebrate. As with the girls, we will remember our blessings, inlcuding Brett's birth family and his family at New Day. Happy Brithday sweetie!

We packed his presents up this week. Here is a clip of the girls singing "Happy Birthday" to their brother:

Aunt Jen, I think Brett is ready for Wisconsin! Today, we received an update on Brett. I think I used up half of a box of tissues trying to read the one paragraph description.
Update from New Day:

Dear Friends,

We hope this note finds you doing well, and that you enjoy reading this month's update.

Brett is 2 Years 10 Months Old.

Brett's nanny wrote this update:

Although Brett has only one leg, he desires to do the same activities other children enjoy. When the others jump and run in circles, he sits and moves himself in a circle on the floor. When the children all line up, Brett moves into position in the line and also holds to the one in front of him. Brett and Luke have been the best of friends and he has always been very protective of him. He was very sad to hear that his good friend, Luke, was leaving to go to the states. On the day that Luke’s parents arrived, Brett seemed very sad, both because Luke would leave soon and because he wanted his own mom and dad to come for him. But, the same day that Luke’s parents arrived, Brett received a package in the mail from his family! It was just what he needed to feel special and loved. Now that Luke has left, Brett has missed him. But, he was quite excited to receive the family photo of Luke and his new family after arriving in the states. He enjoys looking at it every day!

Needless to say, I wanted to jump on an airplane and yell, "Mommy's coming!" Unfortunately, we are still waiting on China. The next step is receiving our LOA (Letter of Acceptance), then TA (travel approval), probably around May. Until then, we are sending prayers and care packages. He is also being spoiled by his wonderful sponsors!

p.s. New Day has updated their web site, including a "blog" link on the right side of the site. You can see photos of Brett passing our the Valentines we sent for all the kids!
http://www.newdaycreations.com/foster/

DTC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our dossier was sent to China on Monday. Hopefully the CCAA will receive it before the Chinese New Year Holiday. We now wait for China. Another long process, but not as long as immigration this time around. We are asking for prayers and happy thoughts for a speedy process.

Until They Dance Together . . .

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Before Black Friday, Watch This!

Wishing each of you a Christ-centered Christmas!
The Bolton Family

A Mother's Love

For those unaware of the "Red Thread" behind us finding Brett, I need to tell you about A Mother's Love. After reviewing Brett's file, I had the opportunity to speak with Tracie from this wonderful organization. She personally worked with Brett on a mission trip to China. A Mother's Love was so touched by Brett, they raised money to get him a prosthetic leg. (Now the money will go to another deserving child needing help.) After several emails and a phone call, I realized I knew Tracie from our local FCC group in Orlando. Small world. Two women, Tracie and Debbie, both familiar faces from play groups and FCC gatherings, had met my son, prayed for him, and worked to meet his needs, long before I called him "son."

Watch this video!


If you are looking for a wonderful way to help others, please consider this worthy charity with worldly efforts! Check out their website:
http://www.amotherslovechina.com/

Rainy Days and A Rainbow

To update everyone, we are sad to say our paperwork has not arrived from USCIS. This is the last form we need for our Dossier to be sent to China. Unfortanatley, we are not alone. Anyone who filed their I800A is also sitting, waiting, hoping . . . We truly believed we would be waiting for the CCAA (China) at this point. In short, we pray for a speed-up and patience while our little boy waits for us in China.
On a brighter note, we received some fantastic pictures of Brett this morning. As many of you know, we are using a very conservative agency who has asked us to send Brett's care packages to his home orphanage in Henan, even though we know he resides at New Day. Since we believe his care packages have not been forwarded to him yet, we also sent a donation of clothes and costumes to New Day. (We can't possibly be banned from making donations.) This morning we received photos of Brett opening the package and playing dress-up with his friends! We praise God he is in such a loving, nurturing environment. Hopefully, he will also receive his care package with photos of his forever family soon!