In February 2005, a seed had been planted in our hearts and we began thinking of adopting a child to our already large family. After much discernment and prayer, we came to a definite answer on Memorial Day Weekend, 2005. While away at a friend's wedding, (without children) we were able to talk everything over and to really "hash things out." By weekend's end we had together come to the decision that adding another child to our family through adoption was where we were being led.

Over the next several months, our family became very busy "paper chasing" our way to China! There were plenty of things to do: homestudies to be completed, forms to fill out, doctors' appointments for physicals, phone calls to make, e-mails to send, and then some more forms to fill out. Finally our completed dossier was sent off and accepted by China on October 25, 2005.

We were now in the "waiting" phase of the adoption. We waited for many months for China to give us a referral of a child that we could either accept or decline. In May 2006, we were sent a profile of a little girl who completely warmed our hearts. Her name was Qing Zu Xiang and she was born on April 13, 2005—the same birthday as the late Bill Neville, Sr., my husband’s father. We accepted the referral of this most beautiful child on May 25, 2006—Ascension Thursday—as we knew this was the child who belonged in our family.

Now we knew who our daughter was, but still had to wait for China to let us come together! We had expected a wait of about one hundred days. However, the wait for our travel approval from China was unexpectedly short—only a little over a month from the time we accepted her!

So now we are overjoyed and thrilled beyond words to know that very soon, Mary Catherine Neville will be in our arms and permanently in our family. Please journey with us as we embark on this incredible adventure to receive our newest daughter.