***You can click on any collage to enlarge it
05/10/06
Adoption Day
Civil Affairs Office-Changsha, Hunan
In the United States, official business is certified by a signature of the parties involved. In China, while a signature is used, a person's right thumb print is also placed on official documents in red ink. The adoption paperwork was no exception. Since the babies could obliviously not sign their names, their right footprints were stamped onto the adoption paperwork in red ink along with the parent's thumbprints. Ever since her first footprint was taken in China, I have kept the tradition of taking Alina Jayne's footprint every year on the anniversary of her adoption.
Footprints-then & now
Today was a big day for another reason-Matt and I were baptized at the church we joined. While both of us were baptized as babies, we have never attended church on a regular basis since we were married. Actually, while I was baptized as a Lutheran, I never attended at all growing up, however, Matt did. My Dad was a Baptist and my Mom a Lutheran, so I suppose it was easier to not go at all than to compromise and all go to one church.
Anyone who knows what has gone on in our lives in the last several months, knows a LOT has happened. While much of it has been what some would call "bad," Matt and I started to realize that it was The Lord who was placing these things in our lives and on our hearts. We started to look more closely at our faith, and made the decision to meet with the Pastor of the church associated with Alina Jayne’s school. On February 18th 2009, we were saved in the Pastor's office. From that moment forward, amazing things happened in our lives. Matt was seriously injured only three days later, and could have lost his life. We had a referral for a baby we could not adopt.....the list goes on and on, but trust me when I say, we have had MANY trials. But we have also had more blessings than we can count or deserve.
We met some wonderful people from the church shortly after Matt's accident, and they were so supportive during our difficult time. We felt we could have reached out to them at any time and they would have been there to help (and we were not even members of the church yet). We finally asked them what we had to do to officially join the church, and they told us that the next step after being saved was baptism. After watching other people being baptized for the last several weeks, we got the courage to go forward today-THANK YOU Don, Frances & Emily for being there with us and for us-we would not be truthful if we did not admit that it was your positive influence that help to lead us in this direction! A big thanks to Dawn & Brandi for coming today too-it meant so much to have you share our special day!
05/10/09
At home & the Baptism
After church, we came home to open presents. Not only my Mother's Day presents, but also Alina Jayne’s. We always get her a small gift to celebrate the anniversary of our "Gotcha Day" or "Forever Family Day" on May 9th, as well as something on the official Adoption Day on May 10th. I was finally able to open the handmade flower pot and marigold from Alina Jayne (she made it in pre-school) that she has been begging me to open since Wednesday! Alina Jayne & Matt got me a wonderful digital photo frame to display the thousands of photos I take! Alina Jayne got a new bell for her bike & sidewalk chalk for Forever Family Day, and a pair of roller-skates for Adoption Day.
After the gifts were opened, we went outside so Alina Jayne could plant her flowers for her China Tummy Mama & Foster Mama. Every year on Mother's Day, she plants a mini rose bush for her China Tummy Mama (aka Birth mom) and a lily for her Foster Mama. She also tried out the new skates, and did amazingly well-way better than I did on my first try as a kid. She is STILL mad that she cannot "go super fast." She can't accept that she cannot be perfect in all she does. We'll need to work on that!
5/10/09
Flowers for her China Tummy Mama & Foster Mama & the new skates
Last weekend we decorated my Mom's grave for Mother’s Day. We lost her to cancer in 2000, just a few months after Matt and I were married. I know she is looking down upon us today, watching me with my daughter who is named after her. She taught me so much.........I only hope that I can be half the Mother she was to my sisters and me.
Happy Mother’s Day.
1968
