Pre-Approval from China

We have waited 8 weeks and 1 day for the following letter from China (the usual wait is 2-4 weeks). Why it took so long we will never know.

The application for William Bowser and Caryn Bowser for adoption of She Ming from Fuzhou Children's Welfare Instutite, Fujian that you submitted was received. It is hereby advised that with a review of the basic family situation and the Rehabilitation and Nurture Plan for the child made by the family, the China Centre of Adoption Affairs agrees to handle and process the case of an adoption of a special need child after the application file arrives. China Centre of Adoption Affairs

Yipee! What that means is that China has approved us to adopt Ming!!! This has been the most emotional 8 weeks and 1 day. What a sweet relief to receive the call from America World telling us that we now have been approved to adopt MIng. Thank you Lord. We still do not know exactly the time table we are looking at. We are still praying for travel in April. We have been told that we could still be waiting 3-5 months to go. Of course we are praying that China expediates our request and we can travel sooner. Our dossier (application file) will be sent this Friday. Unfortunately, we couldn't send it until we received this pre-approval but thankfully our pre-approval letter will be attached to it which should send it through a faster track. Thank you so much for all your prayers and please continue praying. Ming will not be told about us until we receive our Referral Approval (which could be another 2 months or more) but please pray that his heart will be ready to receive the news.
Now it's time to get his room ready and start the packing lists. I feel like we are in the last months of pregnancy, trying to be ready in case we have an early delivery. Now the fun begins!

BOWSER ON TO STATE

This is the headline that was in our town newspaper today on the front page of sports section!
The article reads, "Moses Lake High School diver Jay Bowser will be making an appearance at next month's 4A state meet. Bowser earned the honor last Friday during the Columbia Basin League's 11 Dive State Qualifier at Central Washington University."
Wow! As stated, on Friday Jay competed in an 11 dive meet in Ellensburg, WA. He had the best dive meet I have ever seen. He was very consistent, with all of his dives being great. The judges must have agreed. In order to be eligible for state competition, you must score over a 300 during an 11 dive meet. Jay scored a 322! What an exciting day. Jay had made a goal of qualifying for state this year and it has been fun to see him meet his goal. I am so glad that he is a junior and has another year to dive. He has improved so much this year, I'm excited to see what he can do by next year. State is February 15 & 16 in Seattle.



Jody very proud of his son after finding out he qualified for state

We have a winner in the family!

Today Jesse was in his school's Geography Bee and he won!
I am amazed at what that boy knows. I think I knew about half of the right answers.
Now he has to take a 70 question multiple choice test that will be sent to the state headquarters. The best 100 middle school kids will then be chosen to compete at the state level. We'll let you know how he does.
Congratulations Jesse!
Update: We just got the Chief Moses Middle School newspaper in the mail. The headline on the front page is
Bowser Wins Geography Bee The article says "Emerging triumphant from this tight contest was Jesse Bowser. He successfully answered the final two questions before him and edged out second place finisher, Zach Walker."

Let It Snow!

At Jamae's house we'll build a snowman
We will have lots of fun, don't you know
There'll be lots of games, cake and ice cream
We'll be so sad if you can't show
January 12th is the party date 10 o'clock don't be late
We'll sing a happy song If you can come along
To party in Jamae's wonderland!

This is the invitation that Jamae's friends received to come to her 4th birthday party.
We had such a fun time making jingle bell bracelets, playing freezing snowball (like hot potato), hearing a story about
a snowy surprise, eating snowman cupcakes, opening presents, and playing in the snow. Sure wish you all could have been
here. We sure had a fun morning.


Jamae showing us her jingle bell bracelet


Snowman cupcakes


Jamae with her snowman cupcake


Fun in the snow


Making a snow angel


We made a snowman


What a fun party

Happy New Year 2008!!!

2008! Wow, it is hard to believe that it is already 2008. It doesn't seem that long ago that we were in Don & Linda Plum's family room shouting Happy 2000 and waiting for the world to stop.

We are so excited to journey into 2008 as we get to travel as a family to China and bring home our son, Ming. We will covet your prayers that our adoption journey with Ming goes smoothly and that we will be able to bring him home quickly.



Ezra 10:4 "Rise up: this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it!"

Happy Adoption Day Jamae!

Once there were two women who never knew each other. One you do not know. The other you call Mother.
Two different lives shaped to make you one. One became your guiding star; the other became your sun.
The first one gave you life; the second taught you to live it. The first gave you a need for love; the second was there to give it.
One gave you a body, the other taught you games. One gave you a talent. The other taught you aims.
One gave you emotions; the other calmed your fears. One saw your first sweet smile; the other dried your tears.
One found a home for you that she could not provide. The other prayed for a child; her hope was not denied.
And now you ask, of course you do, The question others ask me too: This place or your birth place-which are you a daughter of?
Both of them, my darling - and two different kinds of love.



On Jamae's adoption day, we are reminded of the love that her China mama had for her and the sacrafices she made. We are eternally grateful that she gave Jamae life and that God placed Guang Xue Ru into our family. What an awesome journey we have been on these last 3 years.

Jamae's 4th Birthday

Jamae was so excited to celebrate her birthday. She has talked about turning 4 for months. She promised me that when she turned 4 she would still be my babycakes. She is all girl - constantly talking, playing dress-up and putting on makeup. She loves spending time with her friends, helping me in the kitchen and going to church. Every morning she greets me by saying, "Mom, what do we get to do today?" She has become very independent but thankfully stills loves to snuggle up with mom & dad. She has a special bond with her sis "Nani" (Madison) and would follow her around all day if Madison would let her. We continue to be amazed by this beautiful gift God has given us. Happy Birthday Jamae

Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas this year! Jody's mom and dad as well as his sister, Becky and niece Michelle and nephew Tim came to visit. What a great time we had. It is so much fun to have family visit when we live so far from all our family.
Enjoy the pictures!






Christmas Eve




Did Santa come?





Happy Birthday Jesus!


Opening Presents!