June10th, 1015 (Wednesday)

Today was a race and a bit of a blur.  Kate had a swim party with little girls from her class after school celebrating the last day.  Our family doctor could only meet us at 4pm to review her medical papers.  I knew I couldn’t cancel Kate’s party as this was all she talked about the last couple weeks and had been baking for it the last two nights.  I considered having someone come and watch the girls while I went.  My running buddy and dear friend, Chelle encouraged me to not leave Kate and her friends as there would be enough things coming up that would need to change in our family due to the new little girl.  This party was so important to Kate.  She was right I needed to be there for Kate.  Then I thought of Mom Kauffman and how much medical knowledge she has and I felt a total peace.  

Simi got back to me with the family’s email address and I emailed them immediately.

I don’t think it was even 15 minutes and the pictures and video footage of this little girl were being sent my way.  Not only did she know this little girl but she had updated medical information from the fall, and pictures from just last week.  I was overwhelmed with excitement and awe of how awesome a God we serve!  Kelly and her husband started an organization called Sparrow Fund.  I was so impressed with their hearts and mission.  Kelly warned us if we were not going to an international adoption doctor he would most likely be very negative about this adoption.  Kelly said she clearly remembered the doctors working with her in the fall at the orphanage.  They gave her tasks of beading necklaces, pulling off stickers, and other fine motor skills with her good hand.  At the end of testing the doctors looked at each other and said with smiles “she is going to be ok”.  I ask Kelly why she had so many pictures and videos of Kylie.  She said “it’s just the smile Kris”.   Kelly said her nick name is LiLi (sounds like LeeLee)

Lee, Mom K, and I had a 10 minute impromptu meeting by the pond while Kate and her friends swam to go over everything I had learned that day about LiLi.  I felt a total peace as they left for the Doctor’s office.  As the swimming party was wrapping up Lee and mom K pulled in.  I saw smiles on their faces so I knew right away our family doctor had given the ok.  They gave me a quick overview of the meeting.  Dr. Vollmar felt the heart was repaired well watching her dance in one of the videos, and if not he said we have one of the best heart hospitals in the states next to us in Philly.  The cleft palate pictures revealed it was done well and the right limbs could be different scenarios but most likely due to lack of oxygen due to the heart condition. 

Lee and I felt without a doubt God had revealed in numerous ways LiLi was to be our little girl.  It is very unusual to get a lot of pictures and videos of a child from another source than the referral, to have someone who lives one hour from our house who just saw this little girl a week ago, her nickname is her new daddy’s name, and last of all favor from our doctor.  We knew each of these signs from God meant she was to be the newest Kauffman.  We emailed Simi our case worker and said YES.