Home 6 Months................

Six months ago today, ChallieJayne was welcomed into her Forever Family. It is hard to believe it has been six months, but at the same time, it feels like she has always been here. That's the amazing thing about adoption. I think because that new child has grown in your heart for so long, it is as if they are "here" the entire time.

There have been and will continue to be many firsts for us and ChallieJayne. She had her first Halloween, first Thanksgiving. Her first overnight stay with Papa (after begging to have both of the girls at the same time, I think that will be the last time he asks to do that), and now her first Christmas. I don't think she fully understands the real meaning of the season, but she sure has the American mindset about it "Mama, Daddy, I want THAT....and that and that and and and!!!

The adjustment is getting easier each day, we are slowly figuring each other out. Her English skills are phenomenal, especially considering this is her *third* language. She spoke the Oromo language in her birth town, then Amharic at the orphanage in Addis Ababa, now English. Fairly amazing. The girls are together part of the day in school. In the AM for a while before AlinaJayne goes to K-5, then after K-5 until they come home. They are still sharing a room, but giving ChallieJayne her own room is a priority after the first of the year. The intentions were good, allow them to share a room for bonding, but they could both use their own "space."

I have added a collage from Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the start of the Christmas season. Each of the girls have their own tree, decorated with ornaments from their birth countries. Of course, ChallieJayne only has one ornament, as this is her first Christmas home.

Enjoy the pics and have a blessed Christmas!

Of Mothers & Daughters...............

Today I am celebrating the best gift I have been given (next to my hubby of course), being a Mama. Four years ago today in a hot and stuffy room in Changsha, Hunan, we met AlinaJayne for the first time. I have been blessed beyond comprehension to be able to parent AlinaJayne. I tend to be very focused and driven, and she makes me stop and realize what is truly important in this world. It's amazing how much a 5 year old can teach an almost 42 year old about life. God knew what he was doing when he made us a family.

I am also thinking about our youngest daughter who is waiting for us in Ethiopia. I would give anything to have her here with me on this Mother's Day, but we are at the mercy of a less than perfect Immigration system that does not see the importance of bringing children home to American parents. I will never be able to fix the system, so all I can do is pray that she is safe, send love in my prayers, and hope that another family who is traveling to bring their child home will take pictures for us. Her birthday was May 7th, and we missed that. Our agency spoke with the immigration officer on April 28th, and he said the supplemental documentation that our agency provided would be sufficient, so we expected to receive written confirmation of this last week. Unfortunately, this did not come, so we keep waiting. I have to say that I am doubtful that she will be home by the end of June-even though our agency predicted the end of May/early June. A Mama always knows...

On this Mother's Day, I also find myself thinking about AlinaJayne & ChallieJayne's Birthmothers (and AlinaJayne's Foster Mama/ChallieJayne's nannies).We owe so much to them. Without the selfless and painful decision their Birthmothers made, we would not be their parents. We are also so grateful for AlinaJayne's Foster Mama and the nannies who are caring for ChallieJayne until she can come home. They have all had such an important part of these children's early lives.

Today we did the annual Mother's Day planting. We always landscape my Mom's grave for the spring/summer season, and then come home to plant roses and lilies for AlinaJayne's Birthmother (aka Tummy Mama) and Foster Mama. Next year we will also be planting a rosebush for ChallieJayne's Birthmother.

I will end this post with a profession of love and gratitude for my own Mom. She sacrificed so much for us, always putting herself last to be sure we had what we needed. When you are a child, this selflessness is lost in the drama of day to day life. As a Mama, I realize that I own her more than I could ever re-pay her. I can only hope to be a fraction of the woman she was.

I saw this on a friend's webpage today and wanted to share it.

IF ROSES GROW IN HEAVEN


"If roses grow in Heaven, Lord, pick a bunch for me, place them in her arms & tell her they're from me. Tell her that I love &
miss her and when she turns to smile, place a kiss upon her cheek & hold her for awhile. Because remembering her is easy. I do it everyday. There's an ache within my heart that will never go away."

Enjoy the pics. You can click on them to enlarge them.

Happy Mother's Day.

 

(Mother's Day)

 

(ChallieJayne)

Christmas News!!!

We received some unexpected news this AM. Our agency e-mailed us late last night to tell us we have a court date in Ethiopia! Our case will be heard JANUARY 6th!

We are still not sharing this info with many people. SO MANY things can happen......Most people know we have been in the process for a very long time, so this is not a top secret activity. However, there are so many unknowns in international adoption, it just does not make any sense to share too much info when we really don't know all that much. There just is not any concrete info to share with family and friends. In fact, I think there are actually many more unknowns than there were with AlinaJayne's adoption from China. With that program, you have definite dates and info in a fairly predictable fashion. With Ethiopia, the entire process is different. We know we have a court date-but we may fail on the first date and have to wait for a second, third, etc. We have no idea when homecoming may be (plus our child will be escorted, adding more time). Spring? Summer? We can't even tell our employers anything yet-we don't have any idea what the timing might be, and it makes no sense to say "hey, we have a court date and we *might* pass court, and we will need some time off, but we don't know when." It makes more sense to wait for real dates-that part of the process is very frustrating.

On another note. A waiting family from our agency is in Ethiopia right now visiting. I forgot that they were going, and forgot to ask them ahead of time to take some pics of Chaltu. I sent them a message the other day after they arrived in Ethiopia-and found out that they had not only already taken pics of her, but they held her for almost an hour! They said she pretty much smiles ALL THE TIME!

So much to be thankful for...........and SO MUCH TO DO!!!

Merry Christmas!

Wordless Wednesday-05/27/09

At Home-05/25/2009

Celebrations!!

Today has been an amazingly special day for us! Not only is it my fourth Mother's Day (third home), but exactly 3 years ago today, we adopted our sweet Alina Jayne in Changsha, Hunan.

***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

Happy Easter!!!!

What a great weekend we had. It was fairly low-keyed but so wonderful. Alina Jayne and I colored eggs on Friday-she is getting better at it, but needs to learn to place the eggs in the dye *carefully* instead of her high velocity shot-put! We still have a few cracked shells! It's okay, it makes for pretty hard-boiled eggs :O)



Her first batch


Taking a break for some hugs :O)


Our favorites

After work Saturday, I came home and did the Easter baking and other prep, so all we needed to do today was put everything into the oven (we have our holiday meal prep down to a science here). When I finished, I decided to join Alina Jayne outside to blow some bubbles and play some basketball. Turns out she was happier not sharing her bubbles, so I cleaned out flower beds and picked up many branches from our yard. Matt decided to try to see what he was capable of doing since his accident. Much to my surprise (and fear), he got the rototiller out and tilled the garden. Sure, it is self-propelled, but a mere 7 weeks ago, we weren't even sure he'd ever walk again!! He also found a spot to till so Alina Jayne can have her own small garden this year. After he showed her, the two of us went to the other side of the house to work. When it was just Alina Jayne and I, she told me "Mama, my Daddy is sooooooooo amazing!" Amen my dear! He certainly is!!!

Easter morning rolled around, and she was not all that excited about getting out of bed. I kind of hoped that since this was the first year she has referred to the bunny who brings the candy as the Easter Bunny (up until this year she called him the "Easy Bunny") that she would be more excited. Nope, it was not to be. She is the same child we had to wake up at 10:30AM on Christmas day, only to have her tell us "not now, let's sleep some more." Matt told her that the Easter Bunny had brought her some candy, but she just stayed in bed, insisting she could not *see* any candy from the bed, therefore, there was none. Actually, she got very little candy, she got more practical gifts than junk food, but she had a basket no less. She FINALLY got out of bed just before 8:30 to have a look! All she really wanted was a set of "knee pads for her elbows."


Letter & number DVD's


Magic washcloths

As I got dressed for church, she was watching me intently. Matt asked her "Doesn't Mama look nice?" She kept eying me up and down, nose wrinkled, and finally said "Um, Mama, you DON'T look like a princess" to which Daddy replied, "No honey, she looks like the future president." Now, I will admit, I have never worn or felt comfortable in dresses or skirts, so I have always had pantsuits. And my dear hubby never can seem to resist the Hillary jokes!


Alina Jayne and her "Amazing Daddy"


Alina Jayne and her Non-Princess Mama

My Dad and my niece Claudia (14) came for dinner today. We were supposed to have one additional guest, my niece Amber (almost 7). She spent the first year of her life with us after her Mama had a car accident, and we have a really great relationship because of that time we had with her. Unfortunately, her social calendar was full, so she was unable to join us. We had a great visit with my Dad and Claudie, ate entirely too much, and of course, Alina Jayne monopolized HER Papa's time and attention. She also spent a great deal of time playing (okay rough-housing and wrestling) with Claudia, who she completely adores! I must also mention that she adores and bosses Claudia constantly. "Claudie, don't ride your bike in the street, a car is gonna hit you and you'll get dead." "Claudie, you are NOT allowed to take pop to your room at Papa's," and of course, "Claudie, you are NOT allowed to eat on Papa's couch, you'll make a mess, go to the table!" Hmmm, sounds like she'd make a great older sister!


The rules of Candyland-Okay Papa, one more time, you move TWO spaces!


Teaching Papa the ways of the Internet


Wrestling with Claudie


Happy Easter!!!

Happy 2009!

Here we are on the first day of 2009. Not a lot going on in our home today, since a certain almost 4 year old did not want to go to sleep last night-and here we thought she'd not be able to stay awake to ring in the New Year! Wrong. She not only stayed up to welcome 2009, but managed to keep us awake until well after 2AM! This is one tired family today.

We stayed home for New Years Eve. Matt's Dad & Stepmom came up and we had our Christmas with them. We just had appetizers and drinks last night-and Patty (aka Grammy) brought shrimp cocktail for the Hunan Princess. That child can eat her weight in shrimp (this is why we haven't given her lobster yet). It was a really nice visit, but Patty has bronchitis and they ended up leaving around 9:00. We'll be getting together again soon, as Yours Truly forgot to give them their gifts from us! I almost forgot their card and pic of Alina Jayne, but after Matt reminded me 10 or 100 times, I did remember that-Brain fog is my defense.

Tomorrow it is back to work for me. Matt and Alina Jayne have been off since 12/19, but Mama on the other hand has worked. Fortunately I was off early on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, and we are closed on Christmas and New Years Days. There have not been too many patients on the schedule, so it has not been hectic. Don't get me wrong, I am so thankful to have a job in this shaky economy, but I have had my moments of feeling sorry for myself, knowing I am missing out on time at home with my family. I certainly could have taken the time off, but I chose to save my time so I have hours in the bank to pay for my time off when our baby comes home from Ethiopia, so it is all good. Wow. That sounds so beautiful.

Here's wishing everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous 2009, and hoping this year brings us news of our newest family member.

Happy New Year!


Grammy, Alina Jayne & Grampy-New Years Eve

"PLEASE Mama, No More Pics" New Years Day

Merry Christmas!

What a great Christmas we had! It was not a big production at all-Alina Jayne did not need anything, and wanted everything, so this house was an easy stop for Santa. Her big things right now are anything ballerina/princess themed, play make-up, anything she can play with in the bath tub, and music. Pretty easy for the elves to fulfill that order.

Luckily (for Mama) she did not get up at the crack of dawn-we actually had to wake her up around 10AM! We told her Santa had been here, and asked if she wanted to see what presents he brought, but she told us "no thanks, not right now, I'm really tired" and pulled the blankets over her head! She finally rolled out of bed at 10:30, and gingerly opened each package-she was trying to keep each piece of wrapping paper intact, so she could re-use it! "Mama, keep this paper whole so we can use it again!" I guess we did not realize our daughter was such a conservationist!

Papa came over for dinner and to open the gift Alina Jayne bought him at her pre-school's shopping day-although she already told him what it was the day she bought it! In fact, she told ALL of us what she bought for us. When we wrapped the gifts for Matt, one was a pair of slippers. The other night he was getting ready for bed, and she says "Daddy, why are you wearing those old slippers? Don't you want to wear your NEW ones?"

Matt bought necklaces for Alina Jayne and I-each the half of a Mother/Daughter Heart. As we watched Alina Jayne open her gifts this AM, it hit me-this is our third Christmas together. How time flies. It seems like just yesterday we were waiting for her referral. Now we go to sleep and wake up with her everyday. What a blessing. My family is the reason my heart beats, the reason I feel complete. I tell Alina Jayne that she makes my heart happy. The joy in my life is because of my family.

I was able to spend Christmas at home with my Husband, Daughter and my Father. I cannot think of any better gifts....................

Merry Christmas to all!

SAVE THE WRAPPING PAPER!
The Ballerina/Princess & Her Daddy

The Ballerina/Princess & Her Papa

She Did Her Own Hair & Makeup!

Papa........

Mother & Daughter

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a wonderful, restful and very stress-free holiday. My Dad came over for the day, and it was so nice to be able to visit with him. My sisters had things to do with their families (in-laws and such), so it was just us this year.

We really do have this holiday meal preparation thing down to a science. The night before I make the desserts (sweet potato pie and pumpkin pudding), mix the green bean casserole, and chop all of the veggies for the food I make the next day. In the morning I make the dressing (in the crockpot) and the scalloped corn. Matt makes the mashed potatoes (which also get plopped into a crockpot to keep warm-I LOVE my crockpots), and he is in charge of deep-frying the turkey in the afternoon. That's it! While the turkey is frying, I throw the green beans, corn and rolls into the oven to heat, and we are set. Okay, so I take the easy way out with the gravy and cranberry sauce ( it's from a jar) but not many people around here use it anyway. After all of the holiday meals we have prepared, I have come to the conclusion that I will always make WAY too much food!

I looooove the holidays around here. As you all know, life can be so very busy and hectic at times, and it is far too easy to get caught up in it and lose sight of what is really important. It is so nice to be able to enjoy a day without rushing around-just being able to take the time to enjoy each other's company helps me realize how lucky we are to have each other, and to be thankful for all we have.

Our wedding anniversary (and yes, my birthday) are this weekend, plus our dossier was sent to Ethiopia this month, so we are celebrating by going to an Ethiopian restaurant for dinner. It has gotten really good reviews, so I am very excited. I love to try new foods, but some of my family members are not so adventurous! We may have to stop for take out for them on the way home! I'll post after we go to report!

Happy Holidays!!


GOTCHA! My family is so camera shy!

"Wow, there is waaaay too much food here!"

CHEESE!