If you had to explain your life to a child in photos what would it look like?

We are going to be sending Norah a care package with some things that we have collected for her over the years. Our agency has also suggested that because our daughter is an older child that we should send photos of our life, so the orphanage can start to prepare for the Idea she now has a forever family that is coming for her and what her family, her home, her room, and pets look like, what they do as a family ect. I will have Annie write in Chinese on the back of the photos so they can explain who every one is and different little bits of information that a child may understand. This is some of the Photos we are going to send of our families life.
Lori is almost done with Norah’s room and I will post the photos we are going to send Norah of her room soon.

Glen

We like to go camping when it is not extremely hot out side.


We like to read and go to the book stores.
Your grand parents and uncle have been waiting for you for a long time and are so excited you are coming.

We love to celebrate all the holidays and can’t wait to have you hear to celebrate them with us.

None of us takes them selves too serious and there is a lot of laughter in our home.

You mom and I try to take walks at the park together after work to relax and spend time together there is some play equipment at the park we can take you to play on.

We spend a lot of time in the back yard growing food in the garden or playing with the dogs or feeding the fish.

This is your house.

Your Mom and I with the kids like to have fun at family fun parks.

If we can’t get away for the whole weekend we will go have a picnic some where.

We like volunteering for different groups that interest us.

Your mom and I have been together since high school.

And some times we just don’t want to do anything but relax for awhile.

Chip-In China adoption fund raiser.

Lori and I are behind in the funds needed to travel in March to bring Norah home so I am asking for $10.00 donations to help us reach the amount needed. Believe me I hate to ask, if all you can give is a dollar it would help and we would be greatful. Thank you for your help to bring our daughter home. It means so much to our family.

You can donate through the ChipIn widget with your PayPal account, a Credit Card, or a Debit Card.
I cut the follwing From the ChipIn site. http://www.chipin.com/ "ChipIn is a Web-based service that simplifies the process of collecting money from groups of people. We make this process quick, easy, and secure, and we provide organizers with numerous ways to get the word out about their ChipIn event. We process and track all payments. Your contributors chip in via PayPal and the money goes directly into your PayPal account. As people chip in, you'll be able to track the progress of your event using the ChipIn widget, which can be inserted on blogs, profiles, and Web sites."

I also have a PO box: Glen and Lori Cook, PO Box 1114, Cabot, AR. 72023-1114. It's there in case you are not comfortable using the ChipIn widget or would just like to drop us a note. We LOVE hearing from all the great people we have met and will meet through this blog.

Glen and Lori

Moved to post on 12-29-2008

Saved so I don't lose the Comments

The reason for the season.

While we scurry about getting our bandanglers, bobdingelers this year.

I wanted to tell everyone still waiting to see their childs face. Lori and I have come across some
verses over the wait that have stuck with us, and helped us get through some tough times over the years.

I hope that by posting them here, they might give you some hope & comfort this Christmas.

Oh and instead of a Birthday gift for you this year, we will be sending a care package to one of your precious children. I know you like that better anyways;

besides what are you going to do with another tie?

Merry Christmas To Everyone!

Ha-ha Santa Glen & Annie the elf.

Glen

I prayed for this child, and the lord has granted me what I asked of him.

I Samuel 1:27

Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress

James 1:27

Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
Isaiah 43:5

Dear Children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth
I John 3:18

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

God sets the lonely in families
Psalm 68:6

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,….
The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.
Matthew 25:35, 40

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And who so shall receive one such little child in my name receives me.
Matthew 18:4, 5

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy.

Proverbs 13:12

A year of lasts.

Anyone that has been reading this blog for a while knows that we have been waiting to meet our daughter for over three years now. We have done many things over the years to help us keep our sanity during that time. Holidays always seemed to get to me the worst. We do our best to celebrate and have fun, all the while knowing a family member is missing the celebrations. To go through yet another Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chinese New Year, and The Autumn Moon Festival where family and friends make a point to be to gather can be trying times for the heart.

After finally being accepted into the CCAI waiting child program in February of this year, the first time we applied was October of 2006 but that a whole different story.

I knew this year would be different. In February CCAI told us to except a time frame of about 8 to 10 months before we would get a referral. Could be longer, could be shorter we are in month 10 now.
So going into this year Lori and I knew it would be a year of lasts, and we embraced that, knowing with every passing holiday it would bring Lori and I one day, week, and month closer to our daughter. While it is still not easy to go through yet another year wondering who our daughter is? Is she ok? Is she being taken care of? Is there someone in her life that gives her hugs? Does she have enough to eat and a warm place to sleep at night? I lay awake many nights thinking of her and the day she will join our family. Some time soon I will no longer wonder of such things because I will know that someone gave her a hug that day,

ME.

Glen

It is hard to see because the flash reflected so bad. Lori gave this to me early to put on the tree It is engraved with Waiting for Norah 2008