This Love...Two Years in the Making

Two years ago today, I hugged my oldest daughter goodbye as she prepared to board a flight to China, leaving to spend the next two months working in a special-needs orphanage. 

Two years ago, I reminded her yet again...

"Meredith. My quiver is full. I know you are going to fall in love with all these precious babies, but we are done. We are not adopting again."

And two years ago, somehow I knew that we may not really be done. 

That maybe, just maybe, another little one would become "stuck" in my heart.

You all know the story. 

Meredith found Brooke. 

My oldest and soon-to-be-youngest became inseparable friends- destined to be sisters. 

The pictures I saw two years ago of Mei and "her" Cai Wei planted seeds deeply in my heart. 

The stories and videos Mei shared of Brooke after returning home from China grew into a love for this little girl I had never even met. 

A love so deep that on that miraculous day, when Mei happened to see Brooke's adoption file on Rainbow Kids, and called us sobbing, begging to adopt this little one...

We knew she was ours. And we said yes. Absolutely yes.

And what a life-changing gift we have been given in our Brooke Cai Wei. 

Exactly two years ago, the moment my oldest held my youngest for the very first time, our lives were unknowingly turned upside-down and inside-out. 

And I am so thankful. 

Happy two years of "knowing you", sweet little B. 

It still amazes me how God brought you and Mei together...almost 7,000 miles away. 

Sometimes we still can't believe you are ours!

How your love has grown...now YOU are the one kissing Mei!

Wanting to be just like your big sisters...towel heads!

What other three year olds get to watch their big sister graduate from college? 

Linking up with Stefanie's Sunday Snapshot

Brooke, or "Ariel", Our Rising Star!

If there's one thing you should know about the Toering clan....it's that Chick-fil-a is one of our all time favorite restaurants. Not just because the chicken nuggets, waffle fries, and lemonade just can't be beat, but because all summer long they hold fun, fabulous activities for the kiddos! 

This last week, they had a "Chick-fil-a Open Mic Night"! It was too cute! Brooke was immediately asking to sing...so she dutifully waited her turn, and then bravely stepped up to the mic for her chance to sing! Her song of choice? "Part of Your World" from the Little Mermaid. 

Now, anyone who knows Brooke knows that she lives and breathes Ariel. When she goes swimming, you better not slip up and call her "Brooke". She is ARIEL or "mermaid" under NO uncertain terms. Watching her sing her heart out as "Ariel" at the open mic night was just about too cute to stand. 

And yes, she received a HUGE round of applause at the end of her performance. I don't think her smile could have gotten any wider. :) 

Linking up with Stefanie's Sunday Snapshot!

We are READY for the Banquet!!

I have been SO amiss in writing this blog for Brooke…mostly because I am too tired in the evening to write and catch you all up in this amazing journey God has for our family. My last post says – “more tomorrow…”! Ha! I will just share my thoughts and prayers right NOW…right where God has me…isn’t that where He does the best transforming?

It is 2:24am…and I am up waiting for Victor to come home from his Jr/Sr Banquet…of course the banquet is just the beginning of the evening… they are finishing up one last round of bowling! (Don’t worry I slept on the couch from 11 – 1). Anyway…what does one do at this hour but pray…ah…answered prayer just now!!! Victor just texted and he is on his way home! Let’s see if I can get this done before he gets home!

I prayed not only for Victor and his Banquet and his behavior and his manners and his safety and good clean fun into the wee hours of the night…but my old mind and body wondered, as I rolled – yes, rolled off the couch, “would I be able to wait up sixteen years from now when Brooke is at HER Jr/Sr Banquet?” Then my heart went immediately chasing things only a mother’s heart does…would she get asked?…what would she wear?…how would I teach her to ‘wear” her “zipper” (her scar from open heart surgery)? And a swell in my heart said, “YES….YES…YES…it will all happen if the Lord wills and we rely on Him. And then the BIG question…would HER heart carry her to her Jr/Sr year? Oh my…oh… my…OK, that’s where we partner with God in prayer on that one. But, YES, we will try to live in the moment and will live in anticipation of The Banquet!!!! We will be ready! : ) Are you? (Check out Luke 14)

Brooke loves dressing up. They just had a fun dress up time at her foster home and some adorable pictures were taken…Meredith has included a couple for this post. In fact, Brooke would not take off the dress up clothes when play time was up! She’s ready for the banquet!!!

Our love for God is manifested in our love for others. I pray right now for that special Godly young man that is someday going to invite Brooke to her Jr/Sr Banquet and-- And I thank God now for the responsible young man Victor is becoming and God’s testimony of unconditional love in his life….and…ahhhh…

Victor is home…

And it is well with my soul. 3:01am

I wonder whose double chin that could be....?

PEEK-A-BOO Brooke! We see you! 

Brooke and her best buddy Levi- He and Brooke have similar heart conditions and are "zipper buddies!" The family that is blessed to be adopting Levi are some sweet friends of Meredith's- can't wait to see the two of them reunited in America very soon! 

What in the world would we do without Jeremy around to love on Brooke for us until we get there?!

OH sweet girl we love you so much!! You are BEAUTIFUL!

Oh my...that's a look like big sister Erica would give! Brooke has decided she is OVER this photo shoot!

Good thing her brother/best friend Levi is around to help her with her hat! How SWEET are they?!

And of course...our little diva refusing to take her pretty dress off when the photo shoot was over. What a little princess :)