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Today is a pretty cool day, it's day 94 with Kai. 94 might not seem like a significant number, but it's huge to me because we waited a grueling NINETY-FOUR days to get our Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from China for Kai's adoption! This was just for the LOA, not the entire process. The given average timeline to get LOA is 45-60 days, so you can imagine how hard those last 34 days were. And if you've been here for a while, then you fully remember my whining, and crying, and anger. Those were emotionally grueling days. But The Lord brought us grouch that awful wait, and has placed this amazing boy safely in our arms. I love Kai more than I could have imagined, and believe me, I had loads of time to imagine! He is the best gift ever. To feel the true love of a little boy who had to guard his heart from strangers for four years is beautiful. Oh, how I want you all to experience this! Adoption is hard and it's taken soooo much to get to this point, but it was worth every single bit of effort. Kai is such a joy! And he has a secret... #adoptionrocks #kaisolomon #secretsecret

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I get to cuddle and smooch this brave boy in just about two hours. Eek! I love him so and he's been especially cuddly since my first night away from him (for QBM last Friday). I don't mind those extra cuddles one bit. We have 4 years of kisses and cuddles to make up for. #kaisolomon #brave #adoptionrocks #bestkissesever #buthesalwayssticky #always

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If you read the blog, then you already saw this picture, but talk about a #transformationtuesday! Those sad little eyes that used to haunt me look soooo much different now! That is the power of love and family (and possibly of cute clothes!). As always, #adoptionrocks. #kaisolomon #issomeoneouttherewaitingforyou

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So, I might have dropped and shattered my phone heading to day 2 of QBM on Saturday, which explains why I haven't posted in a while. QBM was fabulous (as always), but my replacement phone won't be in my hands until tomorrow (hopefully!), so it's the good old iPad to the rescue today. I'm giving myself a tiny stitching break and actually blogged this morning! Yes, it's true! My blog is truly awful and my official website is being worked on right now, but I figured that by posting today (knowing that some of you will browse through old posts) I would be embarrassed enough to start cleaning that old blog up. Shame is such a powerful motivator, isn't it?! Yesterday marked 3 months with Kai and I wanted to share a few more words on the subject than what seemed appropriate for an IG post. Link in profile, if you're interested. Happy Monday, peeps! #leftylexdotcom #gettingbackontheblogwagon #3monthswithkai #adoptionrocks (at www.leftylex.com)

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Day 2 of #qbmintroductions: a favorite. I was sneaky enough to snap two of my favorites in one photo. First is my Kai, who is my absolute favorite little human being ever! The second is this tiny little decorative doll that I bought in Guangzhou when we adopted Kai. Aside from the fact that the doll is adorable, I wanted to have a visual displayed in our house to remind us to pray for Kai's #birthmother every day. This little lady is on display in our stairwell and she absolutely serves her purpose for me! It makes me incredibly sad when birth mothers are unjustly villainized. I don't know Kai's birthmother's story or situation, but she made me a mama and I'm grateful to her everyday! #adoptionrocks #birthmomlove #isoapboxalot #andidontapologizeonelittlebit #chinadoll (at Queen Bee Market Countdown)

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And just one more because Kai looks cranky in that last photo, but he really was a happy (well behaved) boy today. #kaisolomon #adoptionrocks #hewassocuteiwantedtoeathimup

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We couldn't have asked for a better Resurrection Sunday! A fantastic sermon, a fun park day where Kai met his extended family on Baba's side, and a BBQ with Mama's side of the family to end the day. Kai received 5 Easter baskets, had his first egg hunts, and was told the resurrection story again and again this weekend. I don't think I'll ever get over just how amazing #adoption is or how blessed I am to have been called to this beautiful journey. Even more grateful today for the person and work of Jesus Christ! #resurrectionsinday #ourlittletransracialfamily #adoptionrocks

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Have you ever dyed Easter eggs? Not as neat as it looks, mess gets everywhere or at least it did in our case. But our blues and greens came out super vibrant! Thanks for letting us make a mess at your house, Nana. Also, Kai has officially switched from calling my mom Nai Nai to Nana. Baba's mom (who is really called Grandma) is still Nai Nai. He has also been calling me Mommy for the past two days. He's losing his native language so fast and part of me misses him using Manadrin in everyday use. I know my mom was happy he made the Nana switch, but I'm happy with being Mama forever. #stopgrowingkai #adoptionrocks #kaisfirsteaster

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I just scrolled through the old #helplexadopt hashtag to see when we submitted our initial #adoption application, it was 10/14/2013. We submitted our Letter of Intent (to adopt Kai specifically) on 1/10/14 the very day I was age eligible (30!). Now, Husband and I must be gluttons for pain because we are trying to jump back on the wagon. I spent about 30 minutes last night and 2 hours this morning gathering all of our personal, familial, and financial information so we can reapply to adopt #2. Ah, how quickly we forget the paperwork agony! Applying IS NOT a guarantee, our adoption agency must speak with our #homestudy social worker to evaluate whether or not our family is ready to pursue #2 at this time or whether it's best for our family to wait a bit more. BUT we made a huge oopsie yesterday and browsed our agency's waiting children list and stumbled upon a little guy who is making me work at warp speed to get this application in! The answer from our agency could still be "its not the right time yet" and that's fine, but a mama has to try, right?! Time to revive #helplexadopt and #adoptionequalpaperwork! Any suggestions for Lok's adoption hashtag? I'm learning towards #fortheloveoflok but I'm open to suggestions! 😁 (at Adoption Makes You Slightly Crazy)

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I am very happy to report that Kai's behavior around Olivia has improved tremendously! He even gives her unprompted kisses and says that he "lubs Libby". We can't quite get the "V" sound down yet. 😉 This new attitude change gives me great hope that adding Lok (the name we've chosen for #2) to our family won't be too terrible! I have a scheduled call with our #adoption agency's director this afternoon to go over the protocol for becoming a "boomerang family" and reusing our dossier (adoption paperwork evilness) so that we can become a family of 4 in the near future. I'm excited and terrified all at the same time. Pray for us! #adoptionrocks #kaisolomon #littlelivibug #kaiandliv (at Cousin Love)

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I fell in love with a 6 year old boy on our adoption agency's waiting children page yesterday. He totally looks like he could be Kai's bio brother! Husband wasn't quite as convinced that we could properly care for a child with his specific special needs so soon after becoming parents to Kai. It wasn't a definite "no", but I won't be pushy about it either. What WAS interesting was Kai's reaction towards the topic of having a brother. Up until now he has firmly stated that he does not want a brother. BUT, yesterday my smart self wondered if we were using the right term for brother. Mandarin isn't like English, there isn't just one word for "brother" and when we previously spoke to Kai about adding to our family we used the word dídí (little brother) NOT gēgē (older brother)! We plan on adopting an older son this next round (Kai doesn't look like an eldest child to me). Once we used the word gēgē, Kai busted out with little dance moves and air punches all across the dining room. He does want a brother after all, just not a little brother! Hallelujah! Oh the things that get lost in translation. Kai has decided that he will be running a dog walking business to raise funds to bring gēgē Lok home from China. His prices start at $1K per dog per hour. 🐶 #adoptionrocks #readyforroundtwo #kaineedsabrother #willwalkforlok #gotpuppies

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Kai has been ours for 10 weeks today. Can you believe that those pouty lips went almost 4.5 years without having parents to kiss them every day?! Kills me! And do you know how many more sets of pouty lips are just waiting for their forever families? Kills me even more! If you could taste how yummy his kisses are, maybe you'd believe that you can take the adoption journey too. It was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, but it's also the most beautiful. Adoption is challenging, but completely doable. I have no more special talents (or money!) than you, scout's honor. Is a Kai waiting for you? I pray so! #adoptionrocks #onelessorphan

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Baba showing Kai where China is and telling him the story of how our family came together. Kai was very excited to hear that Baba and Mama were so happy to travel all the way to China to get their baby. I'm sure that this is a story he'll love hearing for years to come. I still have a hard time believing that this is real life. Our adoption was so long and trying that it is absolutely amazing that Kai is actually here. Oh, how insanely wanted you were, little man. We searched the world for you, and there you were in Guangzhou, waiting patiently. #adoptionrocks #lovemakesafamily #kaisolomon #myhusbandisawesometoo #iamsoblessed

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Two months ago today. Wow. #adoptionrocks #gotchaday #01122015

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That bittersweet feeling knowing that your child is having new and fun experiences without you. Kai spends the day with my mom and there is no one else that I'd rather care for him. I'm always glad when she sends me photos of him enjoying their daily adventures, but I wish that I was there too. I know I'm not the only working mom here and I hope that those of you who do work (outside of the home) have loved ones caring for your littles, as I am so blessed to have. #kaisolomon

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The cutest little Costco helper there ever was. That is all. 😊 #kaisolomon #adoptionrocks #iusedtodreamaboutmundanedayslikethis (at 💙 Happy Mama 💙)

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This tiger boy just passed out, so I thought I'd tell you how he goes to sleep (sandwiched between Hubs and I). We say the Lord's Prayer (no, not Kai, that's still a little outside of his language ability), then we pray for our family members. I'm 1 of 6 kids and Ryan is one of 3. We have 4 siblings-in-law and 2 nieces. Then there are pets in our family. Our prayers go exactly like this: "... glory forever. Amen. And God bless Ye Ye & Nai Nai, Baba & Mama & Kai, Auntie Selina & Uncle Alex, Uncle Mychal & Auntie Tanya & Emy (all Ryan's side). And other Ye Ye & Nai Nai & Bosco & Lulu (my mom's dogs!), Auntie Daniele & Uncle Daniel & Libby (he can't say Olivia yet), and Ellie & Phoebe (also dogs!), Auntie Jeri, Auntie Sam & Uncle Robert, Auntie Andi, Uncle Vince, and Uncle Alu (my grandpa's brother who lives with my parents). He makes us repeat this at least twice! Every. Night. This must be fascinating for a little boy who comes from a country with a ONE CHILD policy! So many people for us to pray for each night, yet so many people to love Kai each day. #adoptionrocks #bigfamilyproblems #kaisolomon (at 😴Goodnight World😴)