Two More Pictures!

Each of these pictures, as well as the original pic in Saturday's post, was taken on March 31, 2005 when Kate was just over 9 months old. I can't wait to see what she looks like now. I also can't wait to peel all those layers of clothing off and put her in something cute and comfy! Just wait 'til Grandma and Mama get a hold of this child.... :-)

Meet Kate-the-Great!

Blackbird singing in the dead of night

Take these broken wings and learn to fly

All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to arise

~ "Blackbird," John Lennon

With unparalleled joy, humility and gratitude for all that has brought us to this moment, we introduce you to

Kathleen (Kate) Hai Yang ("Ocean") Braun.

Birthdate: June 25, 2004

Province: Guangxi (City of Guilin)

In foster care since March, 2005.

She loves playing with toys, rattles, anything that makes noise. She is described as active, lively, independent. She loves crackers, to play with her foster parents, and to tear paper.

How have we lived this long without her? I can't even imagine!

More later, this lucky mama and lucky papa have phone calls to make. We love you all for thinking of us and supporting us.

Tomorrow Should Be the Big Day!

Just a quick update: Our agency received the huge envelope filled with our babies information this morning. They will spend today confirming information and translating it, as well. At 11am tomorrow (9 o'clock their time), the phone calls will begin. I'll post her beautiful face and vital stats as soon as I get them.

Thanks for your continued prayers and love. We are so lucky to be getting Kate and so lucky to have people like you in our lives.

~~Melissa & Scott (aka, The Lucky Ones)

PS: If you haven't particpated in the "Join the Guessing Game" post, scroll down and give it a shot!

Match Day is Coming Soon!!

Rumor has it that we will see Sweet Kate's face within two weeks. This made me think about my oh-so-wonderful students. So, here's a poem for them -- and for Kate.



A teacher thinks about her soon-to-be daughter and her students

you know, some people don’t like teenagers --
it’s their lip,
their cockiness
their in-your-face-ness

but me, I love ‘em

their lip
their cockiness
their in-you-face-whether-you-like-it-or-not
(really, aren’t we all a little jealous of this?!!)

and I don’t wish away the years for my daughter to be a teenager,
but I don’t dread them, either

my kids, my students
make me realize how great the world really is
how great the world really can be
because

past the lip,
the overconfidence
the toughness

lies a true heart
wanting to love,
to be loved,
to matter

and I can’t think of better goals
for my daughter

and I can’t think of better role models
than my students

how lucky,
how blessed,
am I?

how lucky,
how blessed,
is the world?

and the world doesn’t even realize….


DON'T FORGET TO LOOK AT THE LAST POST AND MAKE YOUR PREDICTIONS. TIME IS RUNNING OUT -- THANKFULLY!