The China Stork came to New Jersey

We are simply over the moon in love with our little girl from China. We accepted the referral of an amazing baby girl on September 28th, 2007 and can not stop looking at her picture! She is from Hunan Province, our Spicy Girl and we can not wait to hold her in our arms.

The Waiting Child

As the months have past, I am incredibly amazed at how everyday I find something new to be grateful for. Then I think of the children, and hope that my blog will find it's way to others who will pass on the message of adopting. A decision that I never thought could be so powerful and full of love along the journey.



This is my favorite picture of a little girl who is deligently doing her studies while she waits...for a forever family who will love and hold her, providing her with butterfly kisses as she is gently tucked into a warm, cozy bed...but for now all she knows is how to wait.

The Waiting Child
by Debbie Bodie

I saw you meet
your child today
You kissed your
baby joyfully
And as you walked
away with her
I played pretend
you'd chosen me.

I'm happy for the baby,
yet
Inside I’m aching
miserably
I want to plead as
you go by,
``Does no-one want
a child of three?"

I saw you meet
your child today
In love with her
before you met
And as I watched
you take her out
I knew it wasn't
my turn yet.

I recognize you
from last year!
I knew I'd seen your
face before!
But you came for a
second babe.
Does no-one want
a child of four?

I saw you meet
your child today
But this time there was
something new
A nurse came in
and took MY hand
And then she gave
my hand to you.

Can this be true?
I'm almost six!
And there are
infants here you see?
But then you kissed me
and I knew
The child you chose
this time was me.
Poem Copyright
1997

What more could I possibly add to this amazing poem. I saw this and saved it for many months until I finally figured out I have to share this with the adoption community. For one, not only did we decide that our hearts were drawn to our Agencies Waiting Child program; but also that so many toddlers and older children, some with no apparent needs other than wanting a home and forever family. Fortunately for many children in China that do not get adopted they are placed in loving homes with foster parents. Other children have minor correctable conditions to more severe issues that can be treated with the appropriate resources.
I am amazed at how many special parents adopt these awesome children and then go back for siblings!

We chose this path enthusiastically and are energized by the fact we have the resources to help one child who will be our baby girl!

So for now sweet little one, your Momma and Baba patiently await the day you find your way to us!

One Year Ago

One year ago, this month we were doing the "paperchase" for a little girl we would come to name Kira. Though our little daughter is probably not even born yet, we couldn't help the joy and love we immediately felt. There was a connection, an unseparable bond between us, and emotions that only grew with each passing month. For us the "paperchase" was actually fun, it validated the adoption through all the notarizing, certifying and authentication we had to do. I remember when the brown envelope came all the way from Guangzhou, China, which meant our petition to adopt overseas was approved by the USCIS. Ultimately a red folder came with our completed Dossier from our agency and the wait was officially on.
Though, the time for a referral has almost doubled since last year, we still hold onto the hope of holding our daughter in our arms. We have no idea when, which is so frustrating, however as they say, patience is a virtue. I wasn't a patient individual then, but since, you can say I am learning. Perhaps, it's all for a reason, afterall as a first time Momma I'm gonna need patience. So I believe with all my heart, this wait, will be worth it.
I am trying so hard to remain optimistic for another whole year, maybe more, but I must, for as my friend said, "there is a little girl who needs me as much as I need her".
I so need you sweet Kira, to love, hold, comfort, inspire, teach and other things I can't think of without crying here. So for now, I must be content with knowing you will find your way to us when you are ready.
Something amazing to look forward to, our child, our daughter, our destiny.

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Time to Laugh

Okay, I am tired of thinking about how long this adoption will take and tired of trying to explain why! Surely I don't want to be in diapers too by the time we get our referral, but the year has truly gone by quickly and I have much to be thankful for. So whether I burst out in tears for no reason or find that I can't wait for Danicing with the Stars, American Idol and Jack Baur to get back on the air, I need to retain my sense of humor.
I have been thinking about all the things I have done to not think about the wait and here's the list:
- Started this blog
- Sorting out all the fabric for our One Hundred Good Wishes Quilt
- Have met some wonderful people also adopting from China
- Now down to 2 courses to finally finish my degree
- Learned how to make stained glass
- Currently learning how to make rag quilts
- Developed carpel tunnel from making stain glass and rag quilts!
- Started eating healthier (every other day)
- Having fun decorating my house (actually the decorator is having the fun(making money!)LOL
- Spending more time with family
- Figuring out how to get on the shows Extreme Makeover, or So you think you're Smarter than a 5th Grader
- Smores is my new favorite goodie.

Yep, those are just a few of the things I have been doing and thinking of doing lately.
Oh also looking at just a few baby necessities, like this carrier thing.


Doesn't look very comfortable though, a stroller seems just fine.

Gotta go, time for some rest.

Across the Ocean Blue

I wrote this poem for all the Mommies to be out there. The long wait is hard and I actually thought I had nothing to blog about this month. But instead I reached inside, and with a little attempt at prose decided to dedicate this to Adoption Mama's in waiting.



Across this ocean deep and blue,
A child waits for me and you.

Her anguished mother, so brave
and bold,
Wept softly placing her
infant down; desperately hoping her
child would be found.

This incredible act of courage and tears,
now brings hope to someone like me,
For I have waitied a lifetime to love a child
and finally be called "Mommy".

So while that day seems far away there is
always hope in my heart.
The love between a mother and child is one
that is not easily broken apart.
For now I pray for the orphans and their Mothers
too,
Hoping soon, one day, we will cross this great blue
ocean to you.
Ivy
WE WILL WAIT FOR YOU LITTLE ONE

Innocence

I put together this slideshow to remind me that we are not the only ones waiting. The pictures tug at my heart, but hopefully all the children will have loving homes. I also commend our agency, and so many others for working so hard in many countries to provide food, shelter and other necessities for the worlds orphaned children.

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Ladybug Sighting in NJ

Thoughts on good friends and daughters

For the first time since I moved back to NJ I have met some wonderful people, some through our adoption agency and others through the network of adoption.
Also since our new neighbors moved in, we have been hanging out and having some real fun for a change, like relaxing out on the back porch, sharing stories, going to the pool and laughing till my belly aches. One of the most endearing remarks Rob said was that he loved raising his two daughters while we were discussing our adoption. It was so funny because his 20 something youngest daughter said "Dad, why would you want girls? We are so difficult". Daddy Rob just replied, "there's nothing better then loving my girls". I almost cry when I write this, because it reminds me of how my Dad loves my sister and I (although to this day my sister thinks I am the fav because I am the oldest, but I say, what are you talking about Maxine, you got the nose job you wanted LOL).
So it all brings me back to how my husband "pretends" this wait doesn't bother him, but every now and then I catch him bragging about adopting, and talking about things we will do once we have our little baby girl. It is truly exciting to hear him talk about her and what kind of sports he already thinks we should get her started in (sports, is that what men think little girls should be doing on their free time, he's still has a little reading to do). Though he has already raised a wonderful son, I know he misses him a great deal, especially since he is away at college working. So l can tell he truly is excited about being a new Daddy again to a sweet little girl, who will also be a sibling to Kenan. These thoughts all warm my heart, the fact that one day, a child will be chosen for us, and this child will bring so much love and happiness into all our lives. This thought, this lifelong dream is what makes this wait so very worth it.

Mei Mei for Isabella

I was so touched to hear my friend Natalies' voice on the phone after she returned home from China. I had so many questions and she was patient enough to answer them all. Isabella got on the phone to say hello and her sweet voice just made me smile. I followed every bit of this journey and I am so happy everyone is home. You guys just made my week! Thanks Natalie for letting me post these pics so everytime I look at my blog I see these two magnificent children, nurtured with love and so happy. I cracked up at the pic of Elliana not wanting to put her feet on the grass. Wow does she have some exploring to do. Oh and by the way, I think Isabella is starting to love the camera, such a natural beauty. Well, congratulations again.
Give these girls big smooches for me.
While we are on the subject here of children, I was sitting outside a store waiting for Dani and lots of people were hurrying by to get out of the heat. Along comes this Mom and her two small little girls, the youngest probably 2 yrs old. As they past by, the little girl just turned to me and gave me this sweet little smile and waved at me with her tiny hand. So I waved back and thought, wow interesting, all the adults were just passing on by I guess trying to also get out of the heat, but one child made the effort to say hello. So perhaps as adults we need to be more like that little girl, and just say hi to someone to make their day.

Okay I know it's 9 months, but please tell that to my heart

I am going to try and mark this month as a true milestone in our adoption process. As I said earlier, most women would have already delivered at nine months, while those of us in the adoption journey endure a longer pregnancy, probably even longer than that of an elephant. However with a bit of humor, faith and patience, we are all hoping this wait shortens up. It's very easy to fall instantly in love with a child you will eventually have placed in your arms. Dani and I both feel that way and despite the rollar coaster ride of this journey, we are totally in love with a little girl from China whom we have never met. The facts we are certain of is she will be our forever daughter, have beautiful black hair and big brown eyes and may be as young as 9mths or old as 18mths. We have so many long months ahead, and hope will all our hearts this wait does shorten.

So we wait, I blog, shop, eat, journal, read, work, email, swap fabrics, make quilts, and so on.

Also on this July 7, 2007 I read an interesting fact, there are 7 spots on ladybugs, How cool.

Let's dance

This is what my heart say's every day

Yes my little one, my heart waits for you, this second, minute and every hour till the day we bring you home!

From the perspective of being Paper Pregnant

I used to think that waiting nine months for a baby was a long time for women who could get pregnant. Wow has my perspective has changed on that. According to our timeline, I am just starting a second trimester, so tell me friends, how do I justify "eating for two" and a weight gain that doesn't exactly show in my tummy, more like thighs and a little junk in the trunk here.


Well, it's all worth it as far as I see it. The wait and weight gain.