HAPPY GOTCHA DAY, TORYN LING!

A year ago today, God gave us a blessing that changed our life forever! He fulfilled a dream that I had for a long time. A desire to be used to change a life for better. A desire to add more love and joy to our home. A desire to do God's will and fulfill His calling. A longing to bring my child home from across the world. Today has been a year, since He did just that. He gave us our little asian sensation. A year ago today, Yang Ling Jun, was placed in my arms, and then became Toryn Ling Kendrick. I cannot believe it has been a year. What a year of blessings it has been. How this sweet boy has melted this heart. How this sweet boy has taught me so much...like how when you trust God with all you have, He will carry you through, not just some of the way, but every step. Oh, how I love this little guy. He is so much fun and has brought so much joy to our family. Many times, I just sit back and watch him enjoy life. I have loved watching him blossum and grow. I can't imagine what his life would have been like, stuck in that orphanage. Oh, how thankful we are that God rescued him. I just can't understand what I have done to deserve the blessings God has given me. I guess, really, we don't deserve any of God's goodness, but because of who He is, He loves us enough to bless us anyway. I cannot imagine life without Toryn. Thank you so much, Lord!

God used MANY people to help bring Toryn home, and we are still humbled at everyone's generosity. We are so grateful to each of you that made this possible. Rather you supported or helped with our fundraisers, gave a donation, prayed for us, or whatever kind act you did, please know that we still pray that God blesses you in big ways. Thank you, thank you, thank you!


On Gotcha Day, Dec. 22, 2008

Our Little Star!

How cute! The Toddler Dept. at church sang for us tonight. What a blessing! Toryn's first performance. He did so good. (You never know- he can be very moody at times. lol) He was in the best mood. Before church, he kept telling me he was going to play a horn. Probably because Treagan had his band concert this past week and Toryn LOVES anything to do with the band. When I asked him what instrument he was going to play tonight at church, he said 'tuba'. Made my heart sing (I played tuba in school :) No, he didn't play a horn, but he did get to jingle some bells. He was also very excited about wearing his tie. He looked adorable and of course was the cutest one up there. I'm not partial or anything! Yes, you know me, I was teary eyed through the whole thing. Couldn't help but think about how wonderful God is to bring this sweet boy home from China where he has the freedom to sing and praise His holy name. Can't believe that on Tuesday, God placed this sweet child in my arms! More on that Tuesday, our Gotcha Day anniversary!



Toryn's Sunday School teachers gave him this soccer ball. He has been wanting one and he was very excited when they gave in to him.


All the kids were adorable. Toryn didn't sing a whole lot, but he did all of the hand motions.


I look absolutely adorable in my vest and tie!

Silly Face Sunday (enjoying his corn on the cob!)

Christmas Party at Southfork Ranch

I was totally pumped when Toryn received an invitation to a Christmas Party hosted by Dr. Genecov and his staff (Craniofacial Institute) at Southfork Ranch. What made it even better was that we were already going to be in that area meeting with the lady from our agency for our LAST meeting, which is the 12 month post placement report. The icing on the cake, of course, was getting to spend time with Tessa. =)
The party was really fun. It wasn't quite what I expected, but the kids were having a blast and that's what it was all about. I was pretty excited that it was at Southfork Ranch, remembering that Dad & Mom were faithful viewers of the show Dallas. Of course, Tessa and Treagan wanted to know what was so special about Southfork Ranch. Geez- such youngsters. We actually didn't get to go into the house, so that was a little disappointing. A lady from Radio Disney kind of hosted the party. (Treagan just knew they would let Miley come! lol) They had different activities for the children like crafts, games, dances, a firetruck ride, and snakes for the kids to hold. YES, you read that right! How crazy is that?!!! Toryn LOVED the snakes and didn't want to do anything else. (there is something seriously wrong with that boy!) I, on the other hand, like snakes about as much as I like mice, which is absolutely, positively NONE whatsoever!!!! HATE THEM!!!! I did take pictures, as you can see below, thanking God the entire time for ZOOM lenses! The most precious part of the whole party was the fact that there were tons of children there with craniofacial birth defects, many cleft children, and many more severe. These children were having the time of their lives and not a care in the world. One little girl, probably about 4 or 5 years old, was very disfigured, but I will never forget those beautiful blue eyes and that precious smile plastered on her little face when she was "dancing" in her wheelchair that her daddy was pushing. Priceless, just priceless. Beautiful children and oh, how I'm reminded of how truly blessed we are. Yes, I was given a child with one of these birth defects, but when he smiles, you don't see that scar at all. Instead, you see one of God's masterpieces. I am so thankful that God has given these extremely talented surgeons the ability to perform these miraculous surgeries. WOW! Truly, behind the face of these children is a heart!

A great big thank you to Dr. Genecov and his staff for a fun day!


Southfork Ranch- where is J.R.?



As you can see, Toryn was not real fond of Santa Clause!


Lovin' me some mama moment!






Toryn trying to hoola hoop in the hoola hoop contest. I think we need to practice!


YIKES, get that snake out of here! He liked touching it!


I should have known, Tessa would be the first one to hold the snake. Her daddy doesn't call her Ellie May for no reason!

Snow Day

It's not very often that we have snow here in West Texas, and when it does snow a little, we get very excited. Pretty sad when you can see the grass through the snow, but oh well, we'll take what we can get. Best part was that it was enough to close school! Yippee!


Treagan is teaching Toryn how to make the perfect snowball. I think they are scheming! Oh, No!!!


"Hey, Mooommmm.....open the door!" No way, turkeys!


~*SPLAT!*~


Thank the Lord for glass doors!







Treagan making a snow angel.........or is it a mud angel?


I don't know if Toryn has ever seen snow, but I do know that I will never forget the excitement on his face when we opened the door this morning. He loved it, and didn't want to come in. Maybe it will be a white Christmas, and then Tessa can join them for the fun when she's home from college for the holidays.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

I was very excited to get the Christmas decorations down. I couldn't wait to see Toryn's face as we got the decorations out. Sure enough, the expressions on his face were precious. He would also squeal with excitement. It's going to be a great time this year having him home with us for Christmas. Yes, we actually had him for Christmas last year, but we were still in China. There is no place like home!


Helping Tessa and Treagan trim the tree. (Notice the way Treagan is holding his head to the side. He had a terrible crick in his neck that sent him to the emergency room and to the chiropractor twice. He wasn't sure what he did. We accused him of turning real quick looking at pretty girls. lol)


Helping put the tree up!


Toryn loved the stuffed santa and snowman. Once he saw them all, he wanted his picture taken with each one of them.


Toryn "lined them all up" for a picture that he had to take.






Putting up Christmas decorations is really hard work and Treagan makes a great pillow.

Thanksgiving 2009

Crazy Cousins! Treagan, Payton, Tessa, Toryn, Taylor

Ahh, so many blessings this year. Way too many to list! I am one blessed girl! I have so much to thank God for, one being the addition of Toryn to our family this year. It has been such fun with him. I am thankful for our loving God who takes such amazing care of me. I'm thankful for my hardworking, wonderful hubby who is the bomb. I'm thankful for my sweet kids who continue to make me so proud in the wise and Christ-like decisions that they make. I'm thankful that Tessa chose to go to Arlington Baptist College, because she wants to serve God with her beautiful voice. I am thankful for Treagan who keeps me rolling with his sense of humor, and I love his big heart. Hmm, the list goes on and on. I am one blessed mama!

We started the day by going to my mom's for lunch. Ymmm, her dressing is the very best! I love family time and I love all of us being together. That evening, we went to Tim & Kim's for the Kendrick side. Yep, I ate more yummy food there, too. The day is never long enough and the time together is certainly not either!


Payton & Treagan


We were also thankful that Jimmy (my sister's husband) made it home finally. He has been working in Wyoming for the past 75 days. Toryn has not been around Uncle Jimmy a whole lot, but sure was glad he made a good wrestling partner! Taylor (on the couch) is very glad his daddy is home, too.


Payter & Tess


Traci & Treagan


Yum, nothing like the beaters from the whip cream!


Look who the spoiled brats are that got the beaters!


This crazy college kid and her new "do" made me a little crazy at first, but it finally grew on me. I love it when my girl is home!


Tessa's best friend, Hannah, came and spent the night with Tess.


I have no idea why Toryn has a green basket on his head. It has been his choice of hats for about the past week.