Cooper Rylands

Friends,

We are so excited to finally share here that we are adopting again.

 

(I know, it seems like we do that a lot around here...)

But, we are so excited about this little guy!

Introducing...

Cooper Rylands  

Cooper will turn 9 years old at the end of May. 

  (So, yes, it has finally happened!- The Rylands will have to take the slow route to China this time and wait in line like everyone else!)

Help us Lord! :-)

But, 

HOW?????WHAT???AGAIN???

On April 23, I was visiting a few adoption blogs and saw this precious boy being advocated for on a blogger friend's page.

You can read the post here.  "Matthew", as he was named for purposes of advocacy is mentioned here along with two other sweeties who still need families. 

Much like my other two boys, he literally hit me in the heart.  BAM!

An older picture, but how CUTE is he???

What was so strange about this one was that I was NOT looking for another child. 

Now, in my line of work, I see lots of PRECIOUS children who are waiting for parents.  And I often share their sweet faces with my hubby who enjoys hearing their stories and occasionally comments on how cute they are...

but this one, this was different. On this night, I showed him this little treasure and he took notice. Not a passing notice, but actually stopped what he was doing and read the blog post. He read about this boy with interest.  

The next day, he happened to be talking to one of his grown daughters and I heard him talking about this child. (Read: ears perked up!)  I heard him tell her what a doll he was and how she might consider adoption one day.  When their conversation was over, he asked me to email her a picture of him.  (Hmmm..)

Well, I prepared the email and then asked, "Is there anything you want me to add or shall I just send the picture?"  His response was, "Sure. Tell her that he would make a great middle child." (for her)  

That's when I knew.  

Right there in that moment, I knew that I couldn't write those words because he wasn't her child. (Not that she isn't an amazing mom, but...) 

He was my child.  

But, how could that be?  I wasn't looking for another child. I have three unbelievable blessings already and...

Oh yeah, God. 

One thing I can say is that, in my experience with adoption, God has never taken the subtle route with us.  Maybe we are too hard headed for that! LOL  

With each and every one of our adoptions, God has made His choice for our family crystal clear!  I hear from families all the time that they know they are meant to adopt, but have no idea which child God has in mind for them, or which country or ???.  

Sorry, can't relate.  Each one of our children came to us suddenly and with absolute certainty. And I have to say, I am glad of that.  

So, it is with the utmost joy that we prepare for our 4th son.  Let the craziness begin! (again)

God also knows that I need INFORMATION...so, he arranged to have two other families travel to his orphanage recently who would be able to send me pictures and video!

Here he is ya'll!

Watch Video Here:

Once again, we dive full speed ahead into home studies and medical clearances and...and...and...

And, lest you think that Tom and I are the only ones on board with this new plan....

We found these shirts recently and Colin insisted that we get one for Cooper too, so we had to pull them out for the family photo shoot. The boys were real troopers that night despite the swarm of mosquitoes that plagued us...

We are becoming quite the ball team

and can't wait till we can fill that last seat of the dining table!

For the record, Tom insists that he is burning the table leaf! LOL