A child sat on Jesus' lap in the splendor of heaven.
The child asked, "Is it time?" Jesus parted the clouds, looked and said, "No, not yet child."
The child asked "When will it be time?" Jesus replied, "When lessons are learned, hardships
endured, and loneliness lived, then it will be time."
Time passed. The child asked, "Is it time?" Jesus parted the clouds, looked and said, "No, not
yet child." The child asked, "When will it be time?"
Jesus replied, "When maturity is reached, self-worth affirmed and spirits strengthened, then
it will be time."
Time passed. The child asked, "Is it time?" Jesus parted the clouds, looked and said, " Their
love is strong and their hearts are open. Yes, now it is time- Your parents are ready."
- author unknown



Once upon a time, in a land far across the ocean, there were 9 beautiful baby girls waiting on their forever families. These 9 girls ate, slept, played, listened, and relied on each other for their first 13 months of life. They recognized each others cries and laughter. They were a family.
On a smoggy day in China almost 18 months ago, these 9 girls made their way across Hunan Province to the capital city of Changsha. There in a dingy Civil Affairs building, we were deeply blessed as we witnessed the miracle of forever families being united. While we fell head over heels in love with the one God placed in our arms, we also immediately loved all of Kenli's 8 China sisters. All precious, All beautiful, All more than any one of the 18 adults could ever have imagined. The most precious gift that could ever be granted was bestowed upon us- We were parents!
We spent the next 12 days together, All of us- one big family grown out of love. many times since our forever family day, I have heard people comment on how hard international adoption "must be". But at the end of those 12 days, the REAL hard part of our adoption suddenly and unexpectedly rained down on me. On the morning of our 14th day in China, I looked around our breakfast table and realized--- We won't all be together for breakfast tomorrow!! I knew everyone was going home to the far corners of our great country. And while I couldn't wait to get Kenli home to her fan club in Tennessee, I broke down, realizing that she would be leaving her 8 China sisters. Her Family- the only family she had ever known, and we would be seperated from these wonderful people who shared a moment in time with us that no one can quite understand. There was an amazing bond that we will always share with these girls and their families. Now we are all family, joined together by our "Spicy Girls".
After reading this, I'm sure you can understand my excitement... I can barely contain myself as I cont down the days....



Yeah!!! a spicy sister renunion this summer in St. Louis. I can't wait to see everyone again. Last night we went out for dinner and Kenli's fortune cookie says it all!!