Baton Rouge, Louisiana, June 11, 2013~

Howdy from Bayou Country!!

This is your friend, Colbie Colbert, writing!  I pray this finds each and every one of y'all well.  We are all doing great; things couldn't be better!

The kids are growing like weeds each and every day.  Kaitie is nearly ten now; she's gotten a little taller; she doesn't look so much like a little girl any longer.  She did great during her valve replacement surgery back in March; for once, she did not suffer from any complications, and for that we are truly grateful.  She is healing beautifully; the doctors couldn't be more pleased with her progress.  Neither can we; it's been nothing but miraculous!

Diamond did great during her summer run of Annie; she is doing another show this year, but this time she is in "The Lion King".  She portrays Nala, or Simba's love interest.  She has been practicing very hard for the role and sounds terrific!  We are intensely proud of her!  (Diamond is 11, our oldest child.)

Granger, who is now four, will be starting Pre-K in the fall.  He continues to be our active warrior: not even falls or stumbles or injuries slow him down.  He is just like Van in personality; I kiddingly call Granger "Min-Van" (get it?? LOL).

Our baby girl, Emma-Kate, is a little over a year old: walking, talking, getting into everything and finding various sorts of mischief, anything to keep us, her Mommy and Daddy, on their toes.  She's also whip-smart, too.

We've since added to the family: we are in the process of adopting a baby boy from China: he will be arriving very soon; they're just finishing up the last of the medical tests, and if he passes, then little Jungxei Wu will be cleared to come to America, to be placed with his forever family (us).  He was born with a cleft palate and albinism, but he is otherwise healthy.  We plan on calling him Schuyler Franklin.  He is absolutely beautiful!!

Van will be going to China to pick him up once the okay is given.  Meanwhile, I will stay home to be with Granger, Emma-Kate, Kaitie, and Diamond.

Hard to believe that we'll be the parents to five children instead of four!  Two boys and three girls!  God has been so good to us; I give thanks and praise each and every day for His goodness upon our lives!

Well, I hate to run, but it's time to pick up Kaitie from her therapy appointment; she went in at one.  I will write again soon; until then, take care and may God bless you as much as He's been blessing us!

~Love, your friend in Louisiana, Colbie.  <3