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

3rd Anniversary-Forever Family Day

05/09/06
Meeting Alina Jayne at the Civil Affairs Office-Changsha, Hunan
& Back at the Dolton Hotel
(click collage to enlarge)
 

Three years ago today, at about 5:00 PM China time, we met our Alina Jayne for the very first time. The memories of that day have been a flood of emotions today. In some ways, it is hard to believe it has already been three years since we first held our baby girl. In other ways, it feels like she has always been with us. I suppose that is because she was in our hearts, LONG before she was ever in our arms. One thing is for sure-God blessed us more than we deserve, and we thank Him for her every single day.

05/09/09
At home
 

Happy Forever Family Day Alina Jayne. We are so very lucky to be your Mama & Daddy-WE LOVE YOU!!!

Thankful Thursday-05/07/09

We received some very happy news a little over a week ago. A sweet member (Dani) of the small Yahoo group we belong to for parents waiting for children from Ethiopia, contacted me. She wanted me to know that she realized I have not been keeping up to date with the Yahoo groups since we placed our adoption on hold, but had good news for us.

That news was that the baby we were not able to accept, had FOUND A FOREVER FAMILY!!! She had seen the announcement on a larger Yahoo group that a family had accepted his referral! Needless to say, we are thrilled! We have been praying that he would be matched to the right family, and he was.

We still had ALL of the photos of him that we acquired from the time we accepted his referral in March. We were never sure what to do with them. On the one hand, it was too painful to look at them; but at the same time, we certainly could not get rid of them.

After I found out about his new family, I found the post on that Yahoo group and e-mailed his new Mommy, asking her if she'd like the photos. She said yes, so I mailed them to her and her husband. They were happy to receive them, but did not realize until after reading our blog (it was listed at the bottom of my e-mail to her), that Matt and I had originally received the referral for their baby. I did not mention it in my e-mail to her, just that I had the photos-I figured if she asked, I'd be happy to explain.

I did ask her to feel free to stay in touch with us, but I am not sure if she will feel comfortable doing so. If they do not feel comfortable, I fully understand, it may seem a bit awkward to them. We are still so at peace knowing he finally has a home to go to.

Stay tuned. Sunday will be a BIG day in our house. It is Mother's Day. I spent my very first Mother's Day IN China after we adopted Alina Jayne-thankfully she is a far different child now, and actually LIKES her Mama! Way different story in 2006 after I took her out of her Foster Mama's arms at the Civil Affairs Office! Sunday is also the THIRD Anniversary of Alina Jayne's Adoption Day. We met her on May 9th, 2006(Forever Family Day) and the adoption took place on May 10th, 2006. And finally-Matt and I are planning to be Baptized on Sunday. Yep, you read this correctly!

Lots and LOTS to be thankful for :O)

Wordless Wednesday-05/06/09

May 12th, 2006-Changsha, Hunan
Kindergarten Tour

Our Weekend............

We had a wonderful weekend together-it seemed to fly by, but it was great no less.

On Saturday we visited my Dad and then Matt and I went to the cemetery to decorate my Mom's grave. We do it every year, either on Mother's day or just before. Between my Dad (who designed the most beautiful stone I have ever seen), who puts seasonal silks out for her, my sisters, who add their decorations, and the landscaping Matt and I do, it looks so beautiful year round. I'll have to post some pics after the flowers we planted are in full bloom. We also had some time to plant a few seeds in our own yard once we got home.

Our church had their 82nd anniversary carnival today after the morning service. Alina Jayne wanted her Papa to go so badly. He had been feeling under the weather for the last two days, and said he could not make it. Surprisingly, he called while we were in church and said he *would* be there. She was thrilled, and I was awfully happy to see him too! We all went to lunch afterward and took some time visit, which made my weekend even better!

Once we got home from church, it was back outside to plant flowers & herbs. Alina Jayne LOVES to garden, and she loves to play in the mud.........with WORMS! She loves worms, and spent most of the afternoon making a "worm house." She was a wreck! Just before she got completely filthy, we were planing marigolds in the pots we made last spring, and that familiar music from my childhood started playing-it was the ICE CREAM TRUCK! We NEVER get a truck to come to our rural neighborhood, but there was one today. Alina Jayne asked me "Mama, who is playing that music?" I just told her it was a truck (not the "ice cream truck" in case we didn't make it out to it in time) but Matt was all over it! They were across the yard and at the truck almost faster than I could grab my camera-both completely mud/dirt covered from working in the yard! She thinks it is a really novel idea for a truck full of frozen goodies to ride around playing music!


Planting marigolds with Mama


Her first trip to the ice cream truck!


The "worm house" YUCK!


Got mud?


So now it is back to work in the morning.....sigh.

Have a great week and check back soon.

We're Back

Just wanted to let everyone know that Matt and I are are officially back on the waiting list for a referral from our adoption agency.

We had set May 1st as the deadline for our decision, and felt that was a great day to get back into the race (it was also Matt's birthday).

Many things have happened in the last few months that have made us stop and consider what is right for our family. Ultimately, we decided that if we kept waiting for the "perfect" time to adopt, it would never happen-there is no "perfect time."

So, here we are again, ready to press on and add to our family through the miracle of adoption. We know this journey will not be easy. There are bound to be more twists, turns and bumps in the road. But we have each other, and we have faith, and we know all will work out as it is supposed to.

As you have noticed, our blog is now private. We have invited specific people to view our blog and share this journey with us. After the previous emotional roller coaster, we have decided to keep things a little more low-keyed for the present time, and we appreciate your discretion. I still plan to post just as much as I did before, the only difference is, there will be far fewer people who are able to read the blog!

Thank you all for reading. We're glad you are following our journey!

05/01/09-HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT!!

Today was Matt's b-day. He had the day off from work, so he decided to take Alina Jayne fishing with him after his physical therapy appointment this morning.

After his accident, he started going to therapy at a facility I used to refer a lot of patients to when I worked in Family Practice. His therapist (Mike) is THE BEST!
I dropped Alina Jayne off at his rehab appointment this AM on my way to work, and ran into Mike in the parking lot.

Of course I had to inform him that it was Matt's birthday (you don't think HE was going to fess up, do you)? Mike is in a band, and wondered if he should bring his guitar in and sing happy birthday to Matt, which I thought was a splendid idea! Needless to say, Matt was surprised! I'd left my phone in the car, so I asked to use Matt's to "check my voicemail" while I waited for the show to begin. I handed Alina Jayne the phone and had her take the pics-I think she did a great job!


Once we were all home, Alina Jayne and I baked and decorated Matt's cake. She was insistent that he have a STRAWBERRY cake with ORANGE tinted frosting. Okay, she was in charge of the project, whatever she wanted was fine with me. Of course, I think she had more fun licking the beaters and bowl!














Their fishing trip did not result in any "keepers." In 5 1/2 hours of fishing, the only fish caught was a perch too small to keep. No big deal, they had a great time, and I was so happy they could hang out together.








HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SOULMATE. I LOVE YOU!!!!!!

Thankful Thursday-04/30/2009

Today I'd like to explain (as completely as I can on a blog) why I am so thankful for my Father.

My Dad came from a family of 12-number 4 of 12 to be exact. My Grandfather had a excavating business and my Grandmother stayed at home with the kids, as was standard at that time. As you can imagine, money was scarce. None of the kids were able to attend college, but most were fortunate enough to find good paying jobs which allowed them to support their families. My Dad was no exception.

My Dad worked for over 42 years for one of the Big Three Automakers. That job allowed him to support a family of three daughters and my Mom, without her having to work outside of the home. My sisters and I never had "everything the other kids had" but we never went without a thing we needed. My Dad's hard work took care of all of us.

Over the years, some people would criticize my Dad for "only being a factory worker." This assessment never ceased to baffle me-I have always known that my Dad is one of the wisest people I have known. Let me be clear about what that "factory worker" taught me.

First of all, he taught me the importance of being able to take care of myself-especially as a woman. He taught me the value of an education and a stable career, so I would never have to depend on someone else to take care of me. He taught me to never give up on my dreams-if I wanted something badly enough and worked hard enough, I'd be able to achieve it. He taught me to have self-confidence in all aspects of my life, and that I can be as good (or better) than anyone in any situation. He taught me to always follow my gut, my instincts. If something or someone did not seem right or genuine, they weren't and to never second guess myself. He taught me to never allow someone to mistreat me or anyone I love-if they mistreat you, you don't need them in your life. The most important thing my Dad has taught me is the true meaning of a parent. He has always given endless and UNCONDITIONAL love, supported us even when he might not always agree with our decisions, and sacrificed dearly to be sure his kids always had everything they needed, going without time and time again so his family did not have to.

Now his kids are adults with children of their own. I still talk to my Dad at least twice a day, still go to him for advice, and he is always there for me. But since my Mom died in 2000, he has in a sense, had to serve as both Nana and Papa-undoubtedly a tough role to fill. But he extends that same unconditional love to his grandchildren-all 8 of them. I have been blessed to see this time and time again, especially with our own daughter. In January I blogged about what a difference he has made in the life of a little girl from half way around the world (A Girl & Her Papa)

If you have not yet read that post, please drop over there and see what I am talking about. Yet another reason I am thankful for my Dad.

Wordless Wednesday-04/29/2009

May 11th, 2006-Free Day-Dolton Hotel, Changsha Hunan

Thankful Thursday-04/23/2009

As I previously mentioned, I am first and foremost, thankful for my family. This post will certainly reflect that.

I am thankful that my Mom was able to see me happy before she died. This may sound cliche, but it is not, let me explain.

I was married once before for a few years. The "marriage" was doomed from the beginning. It lacked the basic things needed to make any relationship work, especially a marriage. There was no trust, no respect, no support, and sadly, I realize now, no love either. I filed for divorce and moved on, a bitter, untrusting soul, who swore she would never allow herself to trust or be hurt again, determined to "do it on my own." I was happy living alone (at least I believed that at the time), and swore there would never, EVER be a man in my life to ruin it again. I was single, self-supportive and successful. I did not need a man and convinced myself I did not want children either.

A few years later, fate would bring Matt and I together. We had dated briefly in high school several years earlier, broke up and went our separate ways, each eventually marrying other people. In 1999, our siblings (my sister and his brother) ran into each other after many years, and started dating. They hounded us to meet them for dinner one night in June, 1999, and the rest is history. We were engaged in July, married in November, on my 31st b-day and my Mom and Dad's 32nd wedding anniversary (yes, I was their 1st anniversary present)!

While we were dating, I tried to convince myself that the feelings I was experiencing were a novelty, and would wear off in a month or so (I even bet Matt $100 it would not last a month). I had never in my life thought of someone so much, waited for the phone to ring, feeling my heart skip a beat when it did (then of course, trying to play it "cool" when I answered). I had never watched the clock tick away the minutes so agonizingly slowly, waiting for the time we could see each other again in the evening. I could not wait for him to call me each morning. I had never, ever felt so completely content, so happy.

One day I was talking to my Mom on the phone while I was at work. She mentioned that Matt and I had been seeing a lot of each other, and she wondered what I thought was going on. I told her that I had never in my life felt the things I was feeling. It was then (thanks to my Mom)I realized what I was feeling, when she told me "that's what love feels like, Kristy, when it's right, you know it."

A few weeks later, we were sitting on her patio after one of her chemo treatments. She turned to me and said, " I want to tell Matt thank you." Confused, I asked her why. Then she told me "for so long you have been so unhappy, so bitter, and honesty, not very much fun to be around sometimes. Matt gave me my daughter back, and I will always be thankful for that. YOU are back, he brings out all the good in you."

So no, this is not cliche. My husband is the reason for my happiness, the good in my life, my strength, my everything. My Mom was able to see this before she died, able to see her daughter happy, content, and in love with a man like the one she fell in love with so many years before. As a Mother, I know how much that must have delighted her heart, how much peace it gave her. I hope someday I can see this happen in my daughter's life.

November 30th, 1999

Wordless Wednesday-04/22/09 (Adoption Day May 10th, 2006-Changsha, Hunan)

Our hotel room at the Dolton-getting ready to go to the adoption appointment


Waiting with Daddy for our appointment at the Civil Affairs Office



Her footprint-it's official, we are a FAMILY!



On the bus going back to the hotel



Eating steamed eggs with Daddy


Want a bite?