Merry Christmas

I am thanking God that my daughter is home for Christmas and thinking of all the little girls in China and all the mommys and daddys everywhere who don't yet have their daughters home with them.

Merry Christmas by Third Day

There's a little girl trembling on a cold December morn
Crying for momma's arms
At an orphanage just outside a little China town
There the forgotten are

But half a world away I hang the stockings by the fire
And dream about the day when I can finally call you mine

It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart I wish you Merry Christmas

As I hang the tinsel on the tree and watch the twinkling lights
I'm warmed by the fire's glow
Outside the children tumble in a wonderland of white,
Make angels in the snow

But half a world away you try your best to fight the tears
And hope that heaven's angels come to carry you here

It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart I wish you Merry Christmas

Christmas is a time to celebrate the holy child
And we celebrate his perfect gift of love
He came to earth to give his life
And prepare a place for us
So we could have a home with him above

It's Christmas time again and now you're home
Your family is here so you will never be alone
So tonight before you go to sleep, I'll hold you in my arms
And I'll tell you from my heart, and I'll you from my heart
I wish you Merry Christmas

Today I Kissed an Angel

Today I kissed an angel, I knew it from the start
The first time my angel smiled at me, I gave away my heart
Today I kissed an angel, this angel child of mine
Though not of my creation, my child by God's design
Today I kissed an angel, my heart is dancing wild,
A family by a miracle, blessed by this angel child.
Author Unknown

Wonderful presents

We have had so many wonderful presents and words of love and support since we came home. Several folks have made handmade (and extra special) gifts for Charis - afgans and throws, quilts, personalized items and a sweater and matching hat! We know these were all made with love and we will cherish them for years to come!

Halloween Fun

We made another trip to Arkansas the weekend of Halloween for a reunion with Mommy's college friends from OEGE and King's Men. It was so good to see everyone - how amazing to see these folks that hadn't been together in 25+ years and were still so happy to spend time together.

The Halloween weekend brought lots of fun for Charis too. Since it was also her cousin Avery's 3rd birthday, we got to go to Avery's princess party. Avery got a "castle" as a present from her grandparents, so Avery and Charis had a lot of fun playing in the castle. They had face painting at the party so it was another first for Charis - a pumpkin on the cheek! And what fun is Halloween without dressing up? Of course, the hood part of the ladybug costume was NOT her favorite thing.

Fall 2009

We've been enjoying the beginning of fall in Ohio, although it has come upon us quickly! We stopped by Pumpkinaloza at Lynd's Fruit Farm with our friends Jackie and Anna and hiked at Highbanks Metro Park with our friend Dan. We had a great time hiking for two hours but who knew it would be so exhausting??? Thanks Dan for carrying Charis while we hiked so we didn't have to stick to the stroller friendly paths! While we love the fall, it also means Lori will be returning to work soon. These weeks together have been so precious to us, but we knew it wouldn't last forever. We're looking forward to doing Boo at the Zoo with Anna, Sasha and Hannah in a couple of weeks!

A Trip to Arkansas

We took our first trip - to visit our family in Arkansas. We got to visit with our family - Charis really loved hanging out with her cousins Avery (almost 3), Brayden (3 1/2) and Robby (6). We got to watch Robby and Brayden show their pig Max at the White County Fair. They both did great but the fair was exhausting! Cousin Annie had to carry a sleeping Charis for a while. Avery entertained Charis with her storytelling and letting her play in her room. We visited Elizabeth at work and she let Charis practice her keyboard skills. There were lots of first while we were gone. Charis started crawling - but only backwards so far. She also started clapping - it's so cute! After Aunt Sharen had a coughing spell, Charis learned to "fake" cough. And there's also a new tooth! And another first, she decided one day while we were visiting the Roses to empty her diaper bag. What a big girl!

September

We've had a busy September. We went to a Labor Day cookout at Aunt Jill's house - Charis had fun playing with Grandma and getting to know Mattie the dog.

Fun Shots of My Girl

I was going through some of my pictures and wanted to share a couple of fun shots I have taken. Charis has crazy hair - two cowlicks in back, two in front and it's much longer on the sides than in the back. It was just begging for pigtails so here she is!

Cousin Avery has been very sweet to lend Charis some nice clothes, toys and other necessities. This dress is one Avery lent us and we love it, but we found out that big dresses and carseats don't really mix very well!

Pictures

We had professional pictures taken of Charis (and some with her mom!) last week. The photographer was really sweet but Charis isn't very into performing on demand and wouldn't give up too many big grins. But she got some good shots anyway. We've been home now a little over a month and Charis just turned 7 months old. I know people always say this about babies, but I can't believe how much she's changed already! She's sitting up on her own really well now and has two teeth (sharp little guys too!). She has decided that she wants to put off going to sleep until she can't stand it any longer too - why do babies do that????? We've been loving the beautiful weather and went on a long walk with our friends Terri and Gianna this morning at Hoover Dam. Then Aunt Jane and Cousin Erin babysat while I had to head off to the dentist.

Thanks to everyone for your love and support

My heart is so full tonight. Every day I find out about more people who have been praying for Charis and I. There are so many who have already done so much for us - my dear friends who not only stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to greet us when we came back from China, but also had my living room filled with bottles, clothes and diapers for a 6 month old and food in the fridge for mom! For my family, particularly my sisters and their families, who are so excited to have this new little one to love. For everyone at work who has been so supportive and are working so hard to keep things going in a very stressful work situation. For those who have given us and are planning to give us presents and for all the folks who have generously lent or given us baby items they're not using. Folks at work and my "adoption friends" have already given us showers, a church shower is planned for this coming Sunday, my close friends are planning a somewhat smaller gathering and friends from the Spring Road congregation are also planning to have a celebrations with us. And then I found out today that several families from the McCrory, AR congregation, where I worshipped over 20 years ago, have gifts for Charis. Again, my heart is so full. This little girl who never had a mother, an extended family, a church family or so many friends who love her and are praying for her, has all of those now. A simple thank you seems so insufficient, but thank you.

Catching up

On Sunday, Charis and I will have been a family for one month. In some ways it seems like it's only been a few days - like when there is something wrong and I have no idea what it is - and some days it seems like we've been together for a very long time - like when she gives me that gorgeous grin when we're talking in bed in the morning. She got her first tooth this week. I've known that teeth were coming and she loves me to rub her gums (with a cloth diaper). But on Tuesday, I felt something sharp and sure enough, there it was on the bottom! I think it won't be long before she has a few more too. The biggest accomplishment of the past week has been her ability to wake up in her room and be comfortable and happy there. For the first couple of weeks, she cried every time she was alone in her room. While three weeks seems like a long time, it's all still very new to her. But the past few days, I often hear her playing and talking to the crib toys long before she every lets out a cry to let me know she's ready for me to come rescue her.


We've spent a lot of time at the park with our friends the last couple of weeks. Charis is as likely to fall asleep while we're strolling as she is to check out nature, but it's good either way. Today we went to a local park that has a creek where children regularly play in it. Our friend Anna, who is one and is game for anything, was having a great time playing in the creek so we decided to try it too. I dipped her litte feet in and she LOVED it - she wanted me to keep doing it and keep curling her little toes up in the sand. I think she may give Anna a run for her money. But we also have our good friend Sasha we can hang with when we are feeling a little more mellow - at least until they both can walk:)

Home

For those who may not know, things in China did not exactly work out as I had planned. The day we met Chen Jia Bin (Claire), it was very evident she had multiple medical and developmental problems. She's a beautiful and sweet little girl and Jill and I came to love her dearly in the two and a half days she was with us. But, as a dear friend reminded me, our plan B is often God's plan A all along. After much heartache and consultation with both American and Chinese medical professionals, I knew I could not bring her home. But God's hand was evident to everyone involved when I got a referral for Yong Xiao Shun (Charis) the next day and was able to adopt her the day after. We arrived home on July 31st after a long and grueling trip that included a 14 1/2 hour flight from Shanghai to Newark, NJ. But the verse that keeps playing over and over in my head is "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21 I would have never even asked to be the mother of a 5 1/2 month old daughter from China, because according to all that I know about Chinese adoptions, that would not be possible. God has been glorified in the recognition of His work in this adoption.




We've been home a week now - what a trip the last three weeks has been. I'm going to post info and pictures about the trip, but haven't had time to put it all down yet. Charis is doing well and has slept through the night the last two nights. We've been to visit grandma (who thinks she's quite special!)and had our first bath at home. We've had our first trip to the pediatrician (and our first blood draw - ouch!). We've had several visitors and Aunt Sharen was so gracious to stay with us the first few days - I am so grateful to have sisters who are so excited about having a new niece. After all, the last nephew was 19 years ago!!! And I'm also grateful to those who have shared their baby items with us - thank you Kristen and Avery, Jackie and Anna, Terri and Gianna, Connie and Hannah and others!

China Here We Come!!!

Since I just learned that my 2 year old niece is now referring to Claire as "China", that title has a double meaning. I can't believe it's finally here - we leave for China early tomorrow morning. I got a phone call today telling me we'd be getting the babies at 3:00pm on Monday, July 20th. Our "Gotcha Day". My friends who are adopted have told me that their "Gotcha Day" is more important to them than their birthdays. I made the mistake of watching "China's Lost Girls" with a friend last night. By the end of the show my heart was racing - and I cried when they got their babies. I can't believe that's me on MONDAY!!! Pray that our trip goes smoothly (and we're not quarantined!) and that the transition goes well for Claire.

4 More Days!

Four more days until I leave for China! There's still a lot to do and Claire won't be coming home to a perfect house - oh well! She'll come home to a place where she's loved and that's what matters. Everyone is so excited, including Grandma!!

China Schedule

We just received our in country schedule for China. Gotcha Day is Monday, July 20th. My heart is so full - I just can't believe it's really happening. I look at her sweet worried face in the photos and I still have a hard time imagining her in my arms. And I can't help but think about how she will be leaving everyone and everything she knows. Please pray for a safe trip for all who are traveling and for a smooth transition for both me and Claire.

Before we meet our babies, we'll go to Tian An Men Square, the Forbidden City and hike on the Great Wall at the Juyongguan section pictured here. After Gotcha Day, we'll have lots of appointments (China Civil Affairs office, medical checkup for the babies, US consulate) but we're also scheduled to visit the Provincial Museum and the Yuelu Ancient Academy Center. A trip to the Guangzhou Zoo is also on the schedule (yes, they have a panda!). Claire, we're coming!!!!

Travel Letter

Wow - I got my travel letter today. Basically a letter from the Chinese government saying that I shouldcome get Claire (Chen Jia Bin)in the next 90 days. Wow - I'm really gonna be a mom.

A Quilt for Claire

My sister Susan has the sweetest family. Her sister-in-laws (whom I have known since I was a teenager) all got together and made Claire a quilt. Not easy since they live in Arizona, Michigan and Ohio! Thank you Alice, Andrea, Mary and Marilyn!! Claire and I will treasure the quilt and your love in the years to come!

Presents for Claire

The shower from my friends at work was so fun! And Claire got lots of nice things! I was really glad two of my sisters (Jane who lives in Ohio and my sister Share who was visiting from Arkansas) along with my Mom were able to come to the shower. The shower was at Joey Chang's, a Chinese resturant, so not only did we have a good time, we had great food too! One special gift was the hand made wall box from my boss, Jo.

Wow - things are happening fast!!!

I just found out today that we have confirmed travel approval and will be leaving July 16th. Only 2 weeks away!! And in 18 days I'll have Claire in my arms!!!

My sweet friends from work had a shower for me at a Chinese resturant last night - it was a lot of fun and Claire got lots of neat gifts!! Thanks to everyone for such a special evening!!

Travel Approval!!!!!!

We just recieved word that we have travel approval!!!! Our agency is requesting our Consulate Date right now. It will be about one week before we hear anything from the US Consulate. The agency must hear from them before we can proceed any further. Once we hear from them we'll start getting our airline tickets!!! New ESTIMATED travel dates are: Depart the USA on July 16 and return to the USA on July 30, 2009.

Birthday Presents

It's so wonderful to know that so many people are so anxious for Claire to come home! Her cousins and friends have already bought her some birthday presents! Thanks everyone for remembering her on her birthday and for keeping her in your prayers!

Visas!!!!!

Our visas came in the mail today!!! It's finally starting to sink in that we're really going to China - and I'm really coming home with my daughter!!!

Claire's 1st Birthday

I'm feeling a little sad that Claire will turn one on Sunday and I won't be with her. I did send a package and pray that she has the items I sent. Happy Birthday sweet baby! It won't be long now!! Today we celebrated her cousin Adam's 26th birthday, so I brought a cake for Claire too. It's already the 21st in China, so it is her birthday where she is. I stopped by Sam's Club to pick up a small cake and there it was, the perfect birthday cake - a ladybug!!! Your family is thinking of you and wishing we were with you sweetie!

While She Waits

A couple who were at the Chen Zhou CWI this past weekend posted on a listserv about their trip. They said "For anyone waiting for their child please know that the staff at the SWI is taking good care of everyone." It's truely comforting to know she's in good hands until she can be with her family.

Thanks Nan-Man!

My boss's sweet little grandson,Nathaniel,decided to share some of the fun toys he has outgrown with Claire! Thanks a bunch Nan-man!!! Grandma had a great time showing me how they all worked. I can't wait until Claire gets home so we can play with all this fun stuff!!!