Rainbows and Our Panda Express

Our little Ladybug has frequently expressed her need to see our Panda. And a rainbow.  (The two are always discussed as a pair.)  I can't tell you how many times I've looked over during lunch and have seen her deep in thought.  When I question her, she always replies she wants to see a rainbow. And Baby Panda. When she prays, you can guess what she asks God for. It is beyond adorable to watch her little mind work! We have had countless wonderful family members send us pictures of rainbows they've caught sight of, but it only seems to make her more frustrated. This seems random, but bear with me...

Our loooong wait of absolutely nothing happening since we were matched with our Panda in March has finally come to an end! Since China approved us, things have been happening quickly.  On top of paperwork to do, we will likely be traveling to China in two to three months. There is much to prepare for! We are so relieved to finally be moving forward.

So this rainy afternoon Ladybug and I were working on our sign language (thank you, YouTube) when I looked up and saw a rainbow in the sky! We ran outside and, ya'll, the look on her face was pure bliss. It was the moment she's been waiting for for well over 6 months...that's 5 years in toddler world.

It was at this point I began to tear up.  Rainbows and our Little Panda always come as a pair. 

The long awaited rainbow was finally here. 

It was like a big God-hug, reminding me of His promises and sovereignty.  Our son is coming home.


We haven't received any updated information on him, pictures, or videos since March.  The fact that I may not even recognize my own child blows my mind.  Hopefully the orphanage will send updated information soon, but they are not required to do so.  Currently we have one picture of him and two videos, to which we cling until we have him physically in our arms. 

The orphanage guesses he is around 2 1/2 years old. I've been asked many times, "How can they not know his age?"  They make the best guess they can, but most babies in Chinese orphanages were abandoned, so there's no birth records to tell them how old a child is. Our little Panda was found at what they believe to be 4 months old in a baby safe island outside of his orphanage.  (A baby safe island is a room created to keep abandoned babies as safe as possible until they are found by officials in China.)

He is incredibly small for his age, beyond adorable, and I'm pretty sure he has my eyes.

I made sure to give further details about the steps through this process for those interested in the menu to the right (if on a desktop) or the drop down menu at the top (if you're on your phone).

Please be praying that everything from this point forward goes off without a hitch, and we are able to bring him home to a loving family, plenty of food, and some of the best medical care in the world ASAP!

Love to all!