Charis's first recital

Charis had her first recital last week - her Chinese culture class "Rock My Bao Bao" had an end of the year performance along with all the other Chinese culture classes.  Her class, which consists of kids 3 and under, virtually all of whom were adopted from China, sang three songs in Chinese.  It was cute, but I'm not sure how much actual singing took place from Charis and her classmates.  Mommy had to go on stage with Charis and hold her for much of the performance.  The funny part was that when the clapping started, she wanted down to go stand with her buddies:) 

Grace, charity, beauty, charm and inspiration

Just found this description of Charis's name:)

Charis \ch(a)-ris\ as a girl's name is pronounced KARE-iss. It is of Greek origin, and the meaning of Charis is "grace". From "kharis". The form Charissa was first used by Spenser for a character in his poem "The Faerie Queene" (16th century). Charis was first used as a given name in the 17th century, probably to symbolize the Christian concept of charity. Mythology: a reference to the Three Graces (Greek "kharites"), symbols of womanly beauty, charm, and inspiration. The graces were Aglais (brilliance), Thalia (flowering), and Euphrosyne (joy).

More Chinese friends on the way

I wait patiently with my friend Molly for her to bring home her daughter from China.  She is at the point of just over 30 "log-in dates" from her date - that could mean a referral this summer or it could mean many months - just no way to know.  She's been waiting for nearly 5 years so keep her in your prayers!  On a happier note, I just found out that a family from church is in the process of adopting a boy from China.  They don't have a referral yet but since they are willing to accept an older child and a boy, they may get a referral fairly quickly.  I'm just always so excited to hear of families opening their home to orphans - know what an amazing blessing it is for both the parents and the child, I want everyone to know the joy I have experienced!!  I recently saw a video from Love Without Boundries on adopting boys - hmmm, maybe Charis needs a brother?? 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ijggNs2Ask

Mr. Moon

Charis loves the moon and since we've had practically non-stop rain for a couple of weeks, he's been hiding behing the clouds for a while.  Tonight on the way home from Bible class Charis asked where the moon was.  When I told her it must be hiding behind the clouds again, she said "Mr. Moon, Mr. Moon, won't you please come out?? It's me, Charis, in the car!"  What a sweetie!!

No One Loves Me Like My Mom

I was blessed to be able to celebrate my Mother's 90th birthday with her this past week.  She's been such an wonderful mom and such a great example to me and to many others.  All I can think is that if everyone in the world had a mom like mine, the world would be a much better place.  Not only is she a wonderful mom, but even in her illness, she is a wonderful Grandma.  Charis calls her Mom-mom and absolutely adores her.  When we go for a visit, it's not unusual to find Charis in bed with Mom - cuddling, laughing and singing to her Grandma.  And if I make Charis do anything she doesn't want to do in front of my mom, Mom-mom trys to convince me to let Charis do whatever she wants:)  I love that they love each other so much!!!  And not only was it great to be with Mom, but all 5 of my sisters were able to be here for the celebration too.  Very rare that all six of us are together so the time was very special!

To Charis’s birthmother

To Charis’s birth mother,


As Charis’s second birthday approaches, you are on my heart. I know you must be thinking of your daughter. You must wonder where she is and if she is loved and well cared for. I know you miss her. So I would like to thank you for being one of the most courageous women I have never met. You gave life to my child and a daughter to me.

Charis is stunningly beautiful and wildly intelligent. She got that from you.

Every since she became my daughter at five and a half months old, she has had an incredible personality. She’s very curious and on her first doctor visit the doctor even noticed how much she paid attention to detail. She loves her family and friends so much – she sometimes even cries when she doesn’t get to see them as much as she wants. She always wants me to read books to her and she has started pretending to read them to her dolls. She is very brave, sometimes I think too brave when she does dangerous things!  She loves to sing and loves for us to sing song together.  We go to a class for little ones where we sing songs in Chinese.  I want her to love the music from China as much as she does the music here.

No words can completely describe what you have done for me. I’ve always known that God had planned for me to be a mother, but I didn’t know he would use a woman from the other side of the world to give me a daughter. You could have made so many other choices, and you were probably encouraged by others to make those choices, but you loved her enough to carry her for nine months and to make sure she was well cared for after she was born.

I know it was the most difficult decision you have ever made. I have heard that other birth mothers say it is not a decision you make once, but one you have to make every day. Your gift has given me the opportunity to feel the same unconditional love you felt for your baby. I promise you that not only will she always be unconditionally loved by me, but she will also always know the unconditional love of a large family and many close friends. Charis knows how much I appreciate you; we talk about you and pray for you often.

I am so grateful to you for giving me the chance to be a mom. I cannot imagine a greater sacrifice to make or greater blessing to receive. May God bless you always for the selfless sacrifice you made.

Lori

Touching My Heart

My girl is on a mission to touch my heart these days I guess.  The other day she initiated her first "Charis-led" prayer.  After we said our typical good night prayer, she said "Charis pray" and proceeded to say "Dear God (several words I didn't understand) princess (more words) mommy (more words) All done!"  Then tonight as I was rocking her before bedtime and singing her the same song I have sung to her every night since she's been home (I love you, God loves you, and that's the way it's gonna be), I hear this little voice chiming in "I love you and God loves you....".  Well she didn't get all the words right but she got the tune and most of the words.  What a sweetie!!!  Guess all this sweetness is to make up for the roaring into the twos that she's doing:)