Our Journey to Sarah Grace

Check out our new blog

2007-11-20T22:27:00.000-05:00

The new chapter of our lives is found at:
Surprise, It's a Boy!

Hit the Target!

2007-09-17T23:33:00.000-04:00

Today, my friend Peggy and I 'hit the Target.' She joined me as I registered for baby items this evening. It was great fun!! Since Steve and I had already registered at BabiesRUs, he was totally fine not going this time. Actually, he asked NOT to! :) Oh well, at least I got him to BabiesRUs, huh? But, when I got home tonight, he wanted to know all what I registered for. We got online and looked and he gave me some more ideas he needed to add. That's the great thing about these registries being online, I can change them WHENEVER I feel like it or change my mind. I love that!!
I also love this little Bright Starts Tropical Turtle! He plays calypso music and I've gotta have it!

Fun with our Niece and Nephew

2007-09-05T21:28:00.000-04:00

Steve and I had our niece Lauren (my brother's daughter) and our nephew Cannon (Steve's brother's son) over to spend the night a few weeks ago. Lauren is almost 4 and Cannon is 6 and they get along so well! Having them over for a slumber party was Steve's idea, along with cooking them blueberry pancakes for breakfast! I thought that was so sweet!! :)
We started the evening with the kids making their own child-size pizzas, followed by decorating their own sugar cookies with icing and sprinkles. They had fun playing beauty salon with Uncle Steve and then dress-up together. Lauren seems to just kind of order Cannon around, even though she's younger, but a typical girl!!
The next morning we had blueberry pancakes with bacon! Yummy! Uncle Steve is such a great cook! Then we took the kids to some garage sales and they found some great bargains! Later that day we took the kids to a friend's house to go swimming. We had an excellent time being aunt and uncle that weekend and I got some great photos!!
Being a mommy and daddy is going to be a blast!!!!!!!!!

Birthday Bash!

2007-08-05T18:32:00.000-04:00

I sure celebrated with a bang this year, the 33rd year of my life!

--Peggy and I celebrated by having dinner together at Ruby Tuesday.

--Cheryl, Alan, Ian and Lydia had Steve and I and Amber and Cannon over for a pool party. Ian and Lydia decorated me a beautiful birthday cake!

--Steve and I went to BabiesRUs to register for Sarah and then he surprised me with dinner out at Regas. They brought me a delicious red velvet cake for dessert!

--Philip and Holley had us over for pizza and Lauren-decorated cupcakes.

--My in-laws had us over for dinner and a cake decorated for me by Amber and Cannon, but Grandpa couldn't wait and had to eat a piece before we could take a picture. :)

So, as you can tell, I had a very special birthday this year!! And this will be the year that I'm finally a mom, Hallelujah!!!

Tagged

2007-08-05T17:23:00.000-04:00

I've been tagged by Lily Kate's Mom with my first meme (An Internet meme is a meme, a catchphrase or concept, that spreads from person to person on the Internet.[1])

FIVE THINGS I WAS DOING TEN YEARS AGO
1) Going to college
2) Living with my friend Stephanie
3) Working at my first full-time job, DeRoyal Industries
4) Dating a loser
5) Reading bulletin boards on the internet

FAVORITE SNACK FOOD
1) Ice cream
2) Anything with peanut butter
3) Fruit
4) Popcorn
5) Smoothies

FIVE SONGS I KNOW ALL THE LYRICS TO
1) "Deep and Wide"
2) "Jesus Loves the Little Children"
3) "Old MacDonald Had a Farm"
4) "B-I-N-G-O"
5) "You are My Sunshine"
(Can you tell I'm not good with lyrics?? BUT, I'll make a GREAT mom!!!)

FIVE THINGS I WOULD DO IF I WERE A MILLIONAIRE
1) Pay off our house and buy a house on the lake
2) Adopt again
3) Pay off vehicles
4) Finish my degree
5) Invest it!

FIVE BAD HABITS
1) Not exercising enough
2) Being messy
3) Not helping out around the house enough
4) Speaking before I think it through
5) Procrastination, see #2

FIVE THINGS I LIKE TO DO
1) Shop! Shop! Shop!
2) Dream about life with Sarah
3) Spend quality time with my husband, family and friends
4) Read
5) Go boating/swimming

FIVE THINGS I WILL NEVER WEAR AGAIN
1) Tie Dye
2) Acid wash jeans
3) Prom dress
4) Camp Beverly Hills shirts (remember those?)
5) Tight rolled jeans

FIVE PEOPLE I TAG FOR THIS MEME
1) Peggy
2) Sarah
3) Sara
4) Kim
5) Alyson

At 19 months, There Is A Reason

2007-07-29T11:25:00.000-04:00

Today is our 19 month anniversary of our LID. How much longer? Unfortunately, no one knows, but it WILL come! Steve and I have faith in that and know that we will soon be parents. This adoption journey sure has tested my faith in God and taught me how much I need to lean on faith and the promises of God. He is the one that created the blessing of adoption in our hearts and will make it happen. We are so grateful to be on this journey, no matter how long we have to wait.
There is a new song by Caedmon's Call that helps remind me that 'There is a Reason' and God will have our Sarah ready for us in His perfect time.

There is a Reason

Late at night I wonder why
Sometimes I wonder why
Sometimes I’m so tired
I don’t even try
Seems everything around me fails
But I hold on to the promise
That there is a reason

Late at night, the darkness makes it hard to see
The history of the saints who’ve gone in front of me
Through famine, plague and disbelief
His hand was still upon them
Cause there is a reason

There is a reason
He makes all things good
He makes all things good
There’s a time to live and a time to die
A time for wonder and to wonder why
Cause there is a reason
There is a reason

I believe in a God who sent His only son
To walk upon this world and give His life for us
With blood and tears on a long, dark night
We know that He believed
That there is a reason
There is a reason

For the lonely nights
And broken hearts
The widow’s mite
In the rich man’s hand
And the continent
Whose blood becomes a traitor

For the child afraid to close their eyes
The prayers that seem unanswered
There is a reason
There is a reason

Did you celebrate National Ice Cream Day? We did!

2007-07-19T21:26:00.000-04:00

Hey, these days we've got to look for things to celebrate! And boy, did we?!?!? Check out this banana split!

Feels Like Today

2007-07-07T00:06:00.000-04:00

This song has kind of been my 'theme song' for our adoption. Thought I'd go ahead and put it on the blog, since it means a lot to me and reminds me of our journey to Sarah.

"Feels Like Today"

Woke up this morning
With this feeling inside me that I can't explain
Like a weight that I've carried
Has been carried away, away
But I know something is coming
I don't know what it is
But I know it's amazing, you save me
My time is coming
And I'll find my way out of this longest drought

It feels like today I know it feels like today I'm sure
Its the one thing that's missin'
The one thing I'm wishin'
Life's sacred blessin'
It feels like today
Feels like today

You treat life like a picture
But its not a moment frozen in time
It's not gonna wait
Til you make up your mind, at all

So while this storm is breaking
While there's light at the end of the tunnel
Keep running towards it
Releasing the pressure, that's my heartache
Soon this dam will break

And it feels like today
I know, it feels like today, I'm sure
Its the one thing that's missin'
The one thing you're wishin'
The last sacred blessin'
It feels like today
Feels like today

And it feels like today
I know, it feels like today, I'm sure
Its the one thing that's missin'
The one thing you're wishin'
The last sacred blessin'
It feels like today

Feels like, feels like your life changes
Feels like feels like your life changes

Its the one thing that's missin'
The one thing you're wishin'
The last sacred blessin'
Feels like today

Feels like Feels like your life changes
Feels like Feels like your life changes

Happy 4th of July!

2007-07-06T23:51:00.000-04:00

We spent the day at our friends Cheryl and Alan's pool with my brother and his family. We always have so much fun with them, it's no wonder that we had a wonderful day together on the 4th!
The kids have so much fun together!
I have to share this adorable story from a while back. Lydia (who's 3 yrs old, pictured here with our 3 yr old niece, Lauren) came home one day from daycare and was telling her mom, Cheryl, that pandas came from China and that they ate bamboo. Cheryl explained to her that Sarah would be coming from China. Well, Lydia, being very attached to my husband Steve, replied, "No! Julie and Steve are mine! I want Julie and Steve to adopt ME!" We all thought this was so sweet and showed how very protective she is of 'her' Julie and Steve. It will be a wake-up call for us all when Sarah does get here and see how everyone reacts! :)

Minix Family Reunion

2007-07-06T23:25:00.000-04:00

Last weekend we took a trip to Nicholasville, KY for a get-together with my MIL's siblings and their families. We had a great time with Steve's aunts, uncles and cousins. Of course, you can't have a party in his family without a bonfire! Friday night, we all enjoyed each others company in his uncle's back yard with the kids playing on the tire swings, playing with remote control airplanes, and eating smores by the campfire. (notice the pic of mine!)
His cousins have a bunch of kids, and we really enjoyed just sitting back and watching and listening to the kids!!
On Saturday morning, we went to garage sales with my BIL and SIL. We also drove around a neighbhorhood where Steve and his brother lived while going to high school and college. Their dad built two houses in the neighborhood and for a time, they lived in both of these houses.
We'll be going to Cincinnati, OH in the beginning of August for a Dalton family reunion, the decendants of my MIL's grandparents.
Steve and I discussed over the weekend about how it will be a blast to take Sarah with us in the future!

A Poem for our 18th month waiting for Sarah

2007-06-28T22:24:00.000-04:00

Promises

I heard the voice of Jesus say
My child, you must not cry,
For I in my own wisdom
Know the reason why.

Though years have come and gone
Since happiness you've known,
I will restore the wasted years:
You see, you're still my own.

Thank you, God, for promises
Recorded in your Word,
That hope, once lost, can be regained
By trusting in the Lord.

--Shirley Collins

And just a little more...

2007-06-10T23:09:00.000-04:00

On Saturday, we got up early to hit a few garage sales. We covered Pawley's Island, Murrell's Inlet, Surfside Beach, Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach. We also found some thrift and consignment stores on the way.
Steve thought it would be fun to play putt-putt and we found Mt. Atlanticus Minotaur Golf, which looked like fun! We played both the Conch and Minotaur courses and had a blast! Steve got a MUCH better score than I did, I am awful! But, it was a lot of fun anyway.
Then for dinner, we went to Benjamin's Calabash Seafood and enjoyed the buffet. We have to do a calabash each time we visit, but only one will do about once a year!!

More about our vacation

2007-06-10T22:51:00.000-04:00

On Friday, we went to a favorite breakfast spot we love in Pawley's Island, Eggs Up Grill. I went shopping a little with my aunt and then Steve and I went to the pool for a bit. We stayed in for dinner and my aunt cooked for us. After dinner, we all went on a walk at the beach.

A much needed vacation!

2007-06-10T22:13:00.000-04:00

Steve and I just returned from visiting my aunt and uncle in Pawley's Island, SC. We had a great time with family and just enjoyed spending time with each other.
On Thursday, we visited Huntington Beach State Park, which has a freshwater lagoon, salt marsh, maritime forest and three miles of unspoiled beach. We walked along the beach and really enjoyed the marsh boardwalk. We saw egrets, tons of crabs, egrets and alligators!!!
The park is also the site of the Spanish-style castle Atalaya, former winter home and studio of American sculptor, Anna Hyatt Huntington.
We had lunch at a quaint Italian restaurant, Landolfi's, and then went thrift shopping.
For dinner, we went out to the Gulfstream Waterfront Cafe in Ocean City with my aunt, uncle, cousin and some friends of theirs. From the upstairs, you can see Murrells Inlet on one side and the beach on the other. We watched the sun set over Murrells Inlet and it was just breathtaking!

Wow! 17 months of waiting. . .

2007-05-29T07:55:00.000-04:00

Well, today is our 17 month LID-versary! Doesn't feel so important anymore, just like another 30 days have gone by. Another month of waiting for our little girl. I think I'm almost numb to the wait at this point. I know it will happen, just nobody knows when. . .
It's crazy--the ups and downs of this roller coaster we call international adoption.
The one thing I know is the love we have for our daughter, the love we have had for over two years when God led us to the idea of adoption. She's been in our hearts for a long time and it will be bliss to have her in our lives someday.

National Day of Prayer

2007-05-03T17:49:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to acknowledge that today is the National Day of Prayer. More info can be found at www.nationaldayofprayer.org
Please take a moment today and everyday and lift someone up in prayer--friends, family, loved ones, our enemies, the elderly, our heroes in the military and their families, precious babies around the world in need of a home. . .

April Showers bring May Flowers

2007-05-02T22:08:00.000-04:00

Here are the pictures I promised from my weekend. My aunt has beautiful gardens at her house in North GA and I couldn't resist taking some photos. Enjoy!

Dreaming of my baby

2007-05-02T13:08:00.000-04:00

Just a quick post to document that last night was the first time I have dreamed about Sarah. I've dreamed about us being parents before, but this was definitely a Sarah dream! It was sort of a crazy dream so I won't share the details, but wanted to quickly blog about it for future reference. Who knows, maybe yesterday or today is some significant moment in her life?

Sweet Sixteen???

2007-04-29T22:37:00.000-04:00

Today marks our 16th month waiting since we got our LID on 12/29/05. Enough about that. . .
I just got back today from a quick trip to North GA to visit my aunt, uncle and grandfather. We had a very nice time visiting together! I enjoyed helping my aunt with her library book sale on Saturday. That evening, we went on a boat ride and this morning I attended their contemporary church service. It was awesome and very uplifting! Very much what I needed today!!!
The drive home was beautiful! I took some great photos of my aunt's flowers and will post them soon.
Steve is in NY for a month doing a big remodeling job and I don't like it one bit! We're one week down, about 3 weeks to go. I sure am missing him tonight! I think I'll add a pic to this post, just so I can see his sweet face. :)

Garage Sale Finds!

2007-04-27T07:28:00.000-04:00

I was so thrilled to find these at a garage sale last weekend in my neighborhood!! They were only $25 for all three. I can just imagine Sarah rocking in the rocking chair, getting toys out of the toy chest, or writing at her desk.
When, oh when, will we get to see our baby?!?!?
I will quote a blogger friend, Firegirl, "Some day our princess will come!"

The Good Women of China--**Highly Recommended

2007-04-07T13:24:00.000-04:00

I found this book that I had purchased some time ago from a used bookstore and recently started reading it. It's funny because a lady at church (who has 3 adopted granddaughters from China) recommended it to me a while ago and I didn't even realize that I owned it. That tells you how MANY books I own. :) I'm not quite finished, but I thought I'd recommend it especially to those of you adopting from China. It has really opened up my eyes to the secret lives of many women in China. The pain and sorrow so they have had to endure is incomprehensible. If anyone would like to borrow it, please just let me know and I'll send it your way when I'm finished. Below, I've added what the New Yorker says about it.
From The New Yorker
In 1989, Xinran, a Beijing journalist, began broadcasting a nightly program on state radio that was devoted entirely to personal affairs—a radical concept in Communist China. In response, she received thousands of letters from women, many with questions about sexuality; one woman wondered "why her heart beat faster when she accidentally bumped into a man on the bus." Eventually, Xinran persuaded her superiors to let her share some of these letters on the air, and in this groundbreaking book, written after she moved to London, in 1997, she has also included stories that didn't make it past government censors. A teen-ager commits suicide after learning that a neighbor has seen her boyfriend kiss her forehead; a university student speaks casually of becoming a "personal secretary," or mistress, to a rich man; a Kuomintang general's daughter goes mad after witnessing the torture of the family that sheltered her. This intimate record reads like an act of defiance, and the unvarnished prose allows each story to stand as testimony.
Copyright © 2005 The New Yorker

I did find on chinaconnectiononline.com a great list of books of special interest to China-adoptive families. I'll have to check off what I already own and see what else I can add to my collection!
http://www.chinaconnectiononline.com/books.htm

We are so very 'fortune'ate!!!

2007-04-04T23:19:00.000-04:00

Today is Steve's 35th Birthday! Happy Birthday Baby!
We went to our local Chinese restaurant for dinner and we both got the same fortunes! Hmmm, I guess we shouldn't be wishing our life away and should be enjoying every moment!!
It's so hard to wait for our Sarah, but there is a REASON, whether we like it or not and I have to try very hard to realize this!!

15 months down, how many to go?

2007-03-28T19:30:00.000-04:00

Well, tomorrow will be our 15 month LID-Versary! Woo Hoo or Boo Hoo! Not sure whether to shout with joy or cry with sadness! Well, at least we're still here and we're still anxiously awaiting Sarah!!! We'll do whatever it takes to bring our family together! (please don't tell the CCAA, we're REALLY tired of waiting!)

How much longer, you ask? Nobody knows. . . Our agency thinks it could be August when we get her picture, I think maybe Sept, but again, nobody knows. I am just hoping and praying that she'll be home for Christmas!
Please keep us, our Sarah and all the other waiting families in your prayers!!

Check out my Slide Show!

2007-03-22T21:14:00.001-04:00

Cades Cove with friends

2007-03-21T22:30:00.000-04:00

I'm so behind on blogging. . .
A few weeks ago, I took the day off to spend with Kristi, Kaylene and Peggy. We took a trip up to Gatlinburg for donuts, Cades Cove for a picnic and drive, and Pigeon Forge for a little shopping. It was a beautiful, fun-filled day!

Back-tracking a little--March 2nd Dr. Seuss's Birthday

2007-03-21T22:17:00.001-04:00

On Friday, March 2nd, we celebrated Dr. Seuss's Birthday and Read Across America at the library. We had two celebrations, one with the school across the street and one for the general public. Of course, I HAD to dress up as Cat in the Hat! Both were very successful and here are the pictures to prove it!

Slide Show

2007-02-28T23:53:00.000-05:00

The Many Faces of Miss Kaylene

2007-02-21T21:35:00.000-05:00

I spent the evening tonight playing with Kaylene and Kristi and what fun I had! Miss Kaylene is always moving! She has many faces--silly, giggly, totally serious, devious, bored--some of which I caught on film tonight. She can totally ignore you if you have a camera in your hand!!!
I had so much fun and wanted to share some of the precious pictures I got! Enjoy!
P.S. If you look to the left of Kaylene in the third picture, you can see her referral picture. Oh, how she's changed!

Chinese New Year 2007

2007-02-21T21:21:00.000-05:00

Saturday, we celebrated Chinese New Year in Maryville with the local chapter of Families with Children from China. We got to meet a lot of families, most that have already adopted from China and also some fellow waiting families. I really enjoying making some new friends! Our friends, Angela and Brant brought their nephew, Andrew, and we sat with them. I am the new Volunteer Coordinator for this group, so it was helpful to put faces with some of the names I knew from the FCC yahoo group.

There were lots of activties--Chinese food for lunch, crafts for kids, Chinese songs and dances performed by girls in traditional Chinese costumes, and a Dragon Dance at the end with the children stomping on bubble wrap, instead of the traditional fireworks.

Happy Valentine's Day 2007

2007-02-15T09:51:00.000-05:00

Steve and I had our Valentine's dinner at Mandarin House, appropriate, don't you think? We had a nice dinner, got dessert at Starbucks and watched a movie at home. It was a nice relaxing evening together.

16 days of referrals!

2007-02-02T23:19:00.000-05:00

YEA!!!!
Referrals arrived yesterday for people with LID's from Sept 28, 2005 to Oct 13, 2005. As many of you know, we have a LID of 12/29/05, which is 77 days from Oct 13th. So hopefully, if China continues at the same pace, about 2 weeks at a time, we're looking for a referral in June/July. Now, they could speed up or slow down, but nobody knows!

Tomorrow, I plan on going to the International Festival at the Oak Ridge Children's Museum. Some of the girls from our local FCC will be performing a dragon dance, it should be fun! I'm meeting my brother and his family and hopefully Kristi and Kaylene will be there too!
I'll try and post some pics.

Please keep our sweet Sarah in your prayers that she is healthy and cared for and that God wraps her in His arms until we can hold her in ours.

13+ Months Waiting

2007-01-31T21:24:00.000-05:00

Will it ever end? I sure hope so!
On Jan 29th, we hit the 13 month waiting mark. Can you believe it? I've been having a hard time lately realizing that it's actually going to happen and it could be in the next 6-8 months!!

I am so ready to see our baby's face! Steve and I have really been enjoying seeing pictures of and visiting with Kaylene and seeing pictures of Emma Grace. We're getting closer to Sarah each day and I think it's beginning to set in for both of us!s

We got 2 convertible carseats from a member of the local Families with Children from China. How wonderful! We are very thankful to Elizabeth for this grateful donation!!

Emma Grace is a part of the Cook family!

2007-01-31T21:20:00.000-05:00

Here she is! We'll be greeting her at the airport next Friday, Feb. 9th.
Congratulations to Ginger, Jeff, and new brother Caleb!

Kaylene is Home!

2007-01-13T10:00:00.000-05:00

Isn't she just precious?!?!? We were all in awe at the airport meeting sweet Kaylene. There were 8 of our ChinaMoms waiting to meet them when they arrived along with Kristi and John's families.

They had a wonderful trip to China and said they could have spent a little more time there. Afterward a few of us went out to eat at Applebees and enjoyed each other's company and of course, talked about Kaylene!

I can't wait to get over there and play with her!

Happy 2007!!!

2007-01-01T18:15:00.000-05:00

This has GOT to be our year!! According to the Chinese Zodiac, this is either the Year of the Pig or Boar, I've seen both mentioned. I think I like Pig better. Too bad it isn't the Year of the Rubber Ducky. Here's a sweet little 2007 ducky I got Steve for his stocking to represent the year we'll bring Sarah home.

Our LID One Year Anniversary!

2006-12-29T21:50:00.000-05:00

Well, one year ago today China logged in all our paperwork into their computers. Some days it's hard to believe that it's been a whole year and some days it's feels MUCH longer!!!

I want to share something that someone on one of my Yahoo groups posted to our group recently:

This process has given us "time to learn about China and adoption and attachment, to learn about raising children in a multicultural family. This time has been a blessing because it has given us an opportunity to anticipate our daughter in a way 6 to 8 months would not have afforded us. We want our daughter here today as much as anyone, but she is not, so therefore we have chosen to look at the one year anniversary of our LID as a blessing for all of these reasons." (Thanks to Susan Rizzo for this inspiring outlook!)

I am just feeling blessed today that we are able to be a part of this process--that God has chosen us to build our family by choosing Sarah as our daughter from China. I have met some amazing women through this process and I feel that I will be a better mom because of their support and friendship!

So, I look at today as one year, one step closer to our daughter and we will go as far as we have to for her!

And some more for Sarah:

2006-12-28T21:22:00.000-05:00

What a lucky baby! God has hand-picked her just for us and she's loved so much already!!! A Lion Chair from Nanny Debbie and Grandpa Steve

Here's what she got in her stocking

We got this cool toy organizer we wanted from Aunt Holley, Uncle Philip and Cousin Lauren

Sarah's Christmas Gifts

2006-12-28T21:12:00.000-05:00

A beautiful dress from Aunt Anne

These gifts are from Mommy

And more from Mommy

And some great gifts from Daddy!

More pics from CHRISTmas. . .

2006-12-27T22:02:00.000-05:00

Our nephew, Cannon

Julie, Steve and Lauren

Merry CHRISTmas!!

2006-12-27T20:32:00.000-05:00

Father and Daughter Jeeps!

Our Niece, Amber

We had such a wonderful weekend celebrating the birth of Jesus with both our families.
Here are a few pictures of our families and the beautiful blue sky on Christmas Eve and the sun rays on Christmas day.

I can't believe it's almost been 12 months since LID!

2006-12-19T21:23:00.000-05:00

New babies!!!

2006-12-05T22:07:00.000-05:00

Kaylene Jiamarie Letsinger

Emma Grace Cook

These are the first of the referrals of our local ChinaMama group!!!!!!!!

We are all so excited to see sweet Kaylene and Emma Grace in person!

11 Month LID Anniversary!

2006-11-29T19:48:00.000-05:00

Well, here we are at 11 months with no idea of how much longer we'll wait.

Sometimes it feels like we're a lot closer and other times it's like we're so far away from it actually happening. Steve and I were talking yesterday and both agreed that we would wait as long as it takes to bring us our Sarah!!!

Blessed this Thanksgiving!

2006-11-23T23:28:00.000-05:00

Today was a wonderful day! We spent it at Steve's parents in Sevierville and Philip, Holley, Lauren and Wayne (Holley's brother) came up for half the day. Also the neighbors with their 21-month old son came over for a while. We played cards, ate, talked, ate, played with the kids, ate, watched movies, and ate some more!! It was such a beautiful day with the crisp air and sky so blue.

I found myself terribly missing Sarah today, wishing that she was here with us on this Thanksgiving day. But also realize how blessed we are right in this moment and that she will be here next Thanksgiving and for each one to come. I realize that for some reason our Sarah isn't ready for us yet and God's timing is perfect.

We have so much to be thankful for! Our health, our family, our home, our jobs, our freedom and so much more. I am thankful that we are able to have the choice to adopt and that God placed it in our hearts!

Sarah, we miss you today, we mentioned your name so MANY times. Nana Debbie is so excited about your arrival and can't wait to see you toddling around her house with all the dogs and cats. Lauren, Cannon, and Amber, your cousins, are so ready for you to come home from China. Lauren asked today, "when is Sarah coming from China?" It makes me so happy to know that you are coming into our family who is so ready for you to be here. We all love you and long for your arrival!
Thank you, God, for all the blessings in our life! We are eternally grateful!

Has Sarah been born yet?

2006-11-14T21:32:00.000-05:00

I asked Steve the other night, Saturday, Nov. 11th, "Do you think Sarah's been born?" He replied, "Yes." And that was that, with much certainty. I guess we'll see. . .
It makes me wonder if she is, when she was or will be? When we do find out, it will be interesting to find out what we were doing the day/week/month that she was born.

I find myself thinking about her birthmother and how she's feeling about the baby she's carried for 9 months. What a heartwrenching decision that she's had to make! I hope and pray that she knows that there is a loving family waiting and counting down the days until they see her precious face, that will cherish her all the days of her life, and that will never take her for granted.

This poem is dedicated to Sarah's birthmother:

"Somewhere on the Other Side"

Somewhere on the other side;
A mother will soon have to hide;
The baby she nurtures day after day.
She wants to keep her but can't find a way.
Oh, the pain she must feel deep in her heart.
Knowing the day will come they will have to part;
Will it be near a market, a field, a train?
Where ever it is it will bring her great pain.

Somewhere on the other side;
A mother will soon have to hide.
And watch her baby cry with fear,
And long to hold her baby near.
A death to her as she lets go,
Who will find her baby, she doesn't know.

Somewhere on the other side;
A mother will soon have to hide.
Her baby was found and taken away.
And nothing will be the same after today.
Her arms are now empty her face full of tears.
The echoing cries are all that she hears.

Somewhere on the other side;
A mother will soon have to hide.
A part of herself that she selflessly gave;
This mother was so much more than brave.
She wanted her baby to have a life worth living.
She wasn't abandoning… she was giving.

--Anonymous

Please continue to keep Sarah, her caretakers, and her birthmother in your prayers.

Bonfire 2006

2006-11-07T21:48:00.000-05:00

Our friends, Kelli and Danny, always have a Halloween bonfire. We really had a good time! It was very cold, but the fire helped keep us warm. It was a great time with good friends!

Boo at the Zoo!

2006-11-07T20:44:00.000-05:00

I worked a Knox County Public Library/Imagination Library booth at Boo at the Zoo with my friend Jacqueline. I was dressed as Cat in the Hat and felt like a celebrity. I had my picture taken with many children. Lauren was Raggedy Ann this year and she went with her parents to Boo at the Zoo the same night I worked.
What fun! I plan on Steve and I taking Sarah with us next year!

15% Increase!

2006-11-02T21:13:00.000-05:00

Well, the CCAA updated their site today and got through Aug 25th. And apparently the 24th was a HUGE day! So, hopefully this is a little sign of a speed up!
It makes me feel very hopeful today! Last night, I saw a ladybug on the bathroom mirror and was hoping that referrals were on their way.
My friend, Ginger, has a LID of 8/31, so her baby, Emma Grace, will be in the next batch! So exciting!!

More anniversary weekend photos

2006-10-23T13:57:00.000-04:00

Happy 5th Anniversary!

2006-10-23T13:40:00.000-04:00

Steve and I got married on October 6, 2001. We spent this anniversary weekend at Kristi's mother and father's cabin in Wears Valley. We had such a wonderful time!
Kristi and Peggy surprised us and decorated the porch and kitchen counter with rose petals, a bouquet of flowers, a scrapbook page for us from Sarah and a sweet bib with an "S" on it. It was such a touching gesture and made our weekend even more special.
Steve gave me an mp3 player and I got him some clothes and a Wustof knife. I'm excited to take the mp3 player with us to China.
We had such lovely weather! On Saturday we did a little shopping and both night we cooked dinner together. On Sunday, we hiked in the Tremont area and saw some beautiful cascades. We had fun taking pictures and Steve got some great shots!
Wow, I can't believe that we've been married 5 years!

Where Have We Been?

2006-09-20T21:34:00.000-04:00

Well, I guess I've been avoiding the blog quite a bit! I think it has to do with the fact that Sarah's not here yet. We were originally hoping she would be home late this summer, and that didn't come close to happening. So, maybe it's a mental block or something for me.
We've kept ourselves really busy this summer though. We spent a lot of time at the lake. For the 4th of July, we were at Steve's parents house and had an awesome time.
We spent a week at Pawley's Island with my aunt Mary. We got to see Charleston and loved it! Philip, Holley, Lauren and my friend Stephanie went with us. Hopefully next year we'll get to take Sarah for her first beach trip.
In August, we visited Steve's family in KY. I attended our Reveal Shower for our Secret Pals from my KnoxChinaMama group. (Second pic) I found out that my secret pal/s were Jeff and Shelley Brockleman. I got an adorable ladybug backpack filled with all sorts of goodies and a sweet ladybug burpcloth. Also we all went to P.F. Changs with our husbands. I went on a trip to Shelbyville, KY to my cousin Lindsey's wedding. It was great to see my family, and especially my grandfather.
For Labor Day, we visited our friends Cheryl, Alan and their kids. We had a nice day fulled with swimming, eating and fireworks. Philip, Holley and Lauren were there too.
Sept 8-11th, Steve, his dad, and I went on a road trip to NYC and NJ. I got to meet Steve's cousins. They are amazing! We stayed 2 nights in Sleepy Hollow, NY and 2 nights with his aunt and uncle in Tenafly, NJ. I have always wanted to see NYC and it was wonderful! Not enough time though! One of my favorites was St. Patrick's Cathedral. This is a pic of Steve lighting a candle for Sarah at St. Patricks. I really enjoyed garage sales in NJ!
Well, you can tell we've been filling our time with activites and it helps to pass the time while there is just 2 of us. We can't wait to share our time with Sarah, but know that each moment we have together now is precious!
Thanks to everyone for their continued support and prayers!

December out of Review!!!!!!!!!!

2006-09-20T21:30:00.000-04:00

Woo Hoo!!!
Just a little about review:
Generally speaking, once your dossier has made it through the "review
room" which is actually a department within the China Center for
Adoption Affairs, you can assume that they had no questions or
concerns or require further information from the adoptive family and
now you are just waiting to be matched with a child.

So, one more hurdle we've crossed to Sarah! Steve and I were both really excited to hear this wonderful news Monday morning (Sept 18)!!

Happy Father's Day, Honey!

2006-06-18T21:22:00.000-04:00

Steve,
Happy Father's-to-Be Day! We are soon going to be parents and I know you will be such a wonderful father! I am blessed to be your wife and thank God for you each day!
Sarah is so lucky to have such a fun, lovable daddy waiting for her and loving her already!
All my love,
Julie

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

2006-06-18T21:08:00.000-04:00

You were such an awesome, caring, sweet dad! I sure miss you!!!

Mary Jane Grace 1925-2006

2006-05-18T17:38:00.000-04:00

Today is a sad day. Early this morning, my grandmother lost her battle with melanoma. She is in Heaven today and that makes me smile.
She was such a strong woman! She graduated college the day my dad graduated high school. Everyone said I resembled her and my mom always told me that I had her hands. She made the best Thanksgiving dinner! She could talk your ear off.(another thing we had in common) She could play the piano/organ like an angel. She used to love to hear me play my flute in high school. She loved to read, anything!
Mamaw, I sure will miss you! I am sorry that you suffered so much in these past months but am thrilled that you are now pain-free! I know that you are with Momma and Daddy and I know I'll see you again someday!

Knoxville ChinaMama's Cookout

2006-05-08T18:46:00.000-04:00

We had a cookout, Saturday, May 6th, with many of the Knoxville ChinaMama group with spouses and children. What great fellowship we had! It was such a nice evening! Many thanks to Ginger, Jeff and Caleb Cook for hosting us.

Wow, I have some special secret pals!!

2006-04-26T00:45:00.000-04:00

Many of you know that I am participating in a few secret pal exchanges with others going through this process. It's kind of a like a drawn out baby shower and it's nice to pass the time buying gifts for someone else along the way.
Well, today I got the gifts from my KnoxChinaMamas group. She sent me the sweetest bear for Sarah, with the Love postage stamp on his t-shirt. I thought I'd add the photo with Tigger checking out the new addition to the family. :) Also, I got a 'princess tiara' silver charm for my charm bracelet. How appropriate!! I can wear it and think of my little 'princess' waiting to come home.
I hope my secret pals out there know how much I appreciate their kindness!!!
That's not all!!!
Over the weekend, I opened a package from my DecDTC Yahoo group and the theme was 'Lucky Ladybugs.' Inside there was a precious ladybug basket, which will be perfect for Sarah's first Easter next year!!! Also, there were 10 little ladybug die cuts for my scrapbooking, a ladybug pencil sharpener, ladybug shopping list and ladybug post it notes! How adorable! AND, my secret pal handmade the card to go along with it! Thanks so much DecDTC secret pal!!!
I have started a bib swap on my CCAI Dec/Jan DTC group with 16 members. We mail out a bib to 2 people a month and receive 2 bibs a month that way. So, I'll be sure to post photos of the bibs I get!
I love it all! It's such great fun to open these thing with Sarah in mind!

Happy Birthday Honey!

2006-04-22T13:47:00.000-04:00

April 4th was Steve's 34th Birthday!

It was been WAAAY too long!

2006-04-22T13:17:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone! I guess I've neglected to post here lately, since the wait seems neverending! No one knows when we'll go to China, so maybe I've just been trying to deny it!
Here's what we've been up to:
I went with 3 of the ChinaMamas group to Kristi's mom and dad's cabin/house in Townsend for a scrapbooking spend-the-night! We had a blast! More talking than scrapbooking, but fellowship is so much more fun! The next day we did a little shopping and Kristi and I tackled the Scrapbook Clearance store. Like we need more?!?!? :)
A few weeks ago, we went with my brother's family to our lake cabin for a little spring cleaning. It was a nice little getaway!
Easter was a great time with family! I'll add a pic here of Amber, Cannon and Lauren, before they began the egg hunt. They're all ready to see their new cousin, Sarah!
Also, Cannon had a very productive day learning to ride his bike without training wheels! Great job, Cannon!
I've slowly began trying to work on my wedding scrapbooks and one for this adoption journey. Hopefully, tomorrow Holley and I will get a little more done!
Also, we have decided to close our Walden's Landing Tool One on May 1st. It's a hard decision, but the best we feel at this time. Soon after, Steve will be leaving with his dad and brother to NY for 2-4 weeks. They will be doing a remodeling job that will take a while. I sure will miss him, but hey, the money will be worth it!!
Well, that's enough about us for now!
Just please keep us and Sarah in your prayers! We know that God will watch over us during this wait and bring her to us when the time is perfect!

Prayers appreciated

2006-03-08T23:01:00.000-05:00

I just found out that my grandmother was put in the hospital today. She has cancer and her health has been declining rapidly.
If you are the praying kind of person, I would so appreciate your sending up prayers for both Mary Jane and Joe Grace. They live in Jackson, TN and I hate being so far away, especially at times like these.
I am planning on going for a visit next Friday and staying for the weekend. I just know that I need to be there with them.

Travel Packet #1 and LID 2 months already!!

2006-02-28T23:21:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it's been 2 months since we've been logged in! How cool is that?!? So far, time seems to have flown by! Let's pray that keeps up!
Also, CCAI sent us our Travel Packet #1 today and it's full of nice info about traveling to China. Woo Hoo!!!
I just thought I'd share the great news with all of you.

Waiting and waiting and waiting....

2006-02-22T15:11:00.000-05:00

Here's something someone posted on one of my Yahoo Groups that I thought was just how we who are waiting for our children feel!

Waiting…The feeling of limbo, not exactly torture but certainly purgatory; the Wait for a child is like being caught between heaven and hell. It is a time filled with emotions and nerves on edge, and yet it is a time of hope, of promise, of expectation. It is a time pregnant with possibility…and yes, it is indeed a pregnancy…for at the end of this long Wait, we give birth, if not to a baby, then to our dream, to our family. It is hard to let go and sit back, allowing the control of your life to be handled by someone half a world away...It is hard to let go of your feelings and watch as other families begin their lives together. It is hard to let go of your dreams and hopes and lay them on the doorstep of someone, of fate, of destiny…to let go and allow the world to continue, while you Wait, counting the days, the weeks, the months...the minutes, until the Wait is no more, and the reality of the possibilities becomes just that, reality.But you do…you do…somehow…because you know in your heart. You do not waiver, you remain steady, waiting in the knowledge of what is possible…your daughter or son…your family…your life together. It requires patience, but that which is worthwhile is sometimes created slowly. And so we wait with certainty…knowing that this time, this time, our prayers will be answered."

Bonnie Ward, Love's Journey, publisher: Love Without Boundaries, 2004.

I can't wait to see my husband as a Daddy

2006-02-22T14:57:00.000-05:00

Here is a pic of Steve with our friends' daughter, Lydia. She absolutely loves Steve. She goes up to him and kisses and hugs him. She says, "Come on, Steve" when she wants him to follow her.
It's adorable and I love it!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2006-02-14T23:00:00.000-05:00

Here is the gift I got Steve today for Valentine's Day. It's a GIANT fortune cookie with a personalized wish inside--You will soon be BLESSED with a daughter from CHINA!

Let's hope it's soon and this time next year, we'll be celebrating with Sarah!

We celebrated tonight with dinner at the Mandarin House with Debbie, Steve Sr., Mike, Helen, Amber and Cannon! Thanks Debbie and Steve!

The Brown Envelope Came!!!!

2006-01-18T10:23:00.000-05:00

Our Brown Envelope came yesterday! The brown envelope is from the US Consulate in Guangzhou, China and included our Visa paperwork for Sarah and more paperwork that we will take with us to China. It's just one more confirmation that they have approved our adoption and are awaiting our trip! Yippee!!!

Chinese New Year

2006-01-13T13:43:00.000-05:00

Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The 15th day of the new year is called the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade.
The Chinese calendar is based on a combination of lunar and solar movements. The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days. In order to "catch up" with the solar calendar the Chinese insert an extra month once every few years (seven years out of a 19-yearcycle). This is the same as adding an extra day on leap year. This is why, according to the solar calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year.
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are celebrated as a family affair, a time of reunion and thanksgiving. The celebration was traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth, the gods of the household and the family ancestors.
The sacrifice to the ancestors, the most vital of all the rituals, united the living members with those who had passed away. Departed relatives are remembered with great respect because they were responsible for laying the foundations for the fortune and glory of the family.
The presence of the ancestors is acknowledged on New Year's Eve with a dinner arranged for them at the family banquet table. The spirits of the ancestors, together with the living, celebrate the onset of the New Year as one great community. The communal feast called "surrounding the stove" or weilu. It symbolizes family unity and honors the past and present generations.
http://www.educ.uvic.ca/faculty/mroth/438/CHINA/chinese_new_year.html
Check out the link above for more info about Chinese New Year!

Officially a LID (Log In Date)

2006-01-05T21:06:00.000-05:00

We are thrilled!!!! I had seen a bunch of LID's being posted today from CCAI and was hoping, hoping, hoping ours would be here soon.
So, our official date to count down from is 12/29/05, just before the new year!! I was hoping it was going to be a Dec. date and I was right!!!
I thought I'd add a picture of our 'ultrasound.' Hope you like it!

The Red Thread

2006-01-02T22:52:00.000-05:00

"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break."

--An ancient Chinese belief.

A Red Thread To China (Author Unknown)

A red thread to China was cast today

From us to a child so far away.

This thread symbolizes an attachment of hearts

That distance alone can't keep us apart.

Her mother and I are caught in a chase

That time alone will bring us to face

This loving young child we want so much to greet

With love in our hearts before we did meet.

This tiny, thin thread may stretch, tangle or fray

But our love for her grows stronger each day.

Through the test of time it won't break or sever

She'll be part of us forever and ever.

With oceans between us, the distance is spanned

By a love that is greater than man could have planned.

For God in His mercy loved her and us

And decided our family would be a great plus.

So for now we'll just love her and pray every day

That God keeps her and loves her for us till we may

Travel to China, that land of great past,

To the side of our daughter, to hold her at last.

Happy 2006, Year of the Dog!

2006-01-02T12:46:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!
We celebrated with Philip, Holley and Lauren at Cheryl and Alan's house. We had scallops, crab legs and oysters. I included a picture of Ian, Lydia and Lauren playing on Ian's new Jeep.
It's a great feeling to be starting a new year, the year that our daughter will come home! A new beginning!!!
I've also added a picture of the new diaper bag that I recently bought at Marshall's. It is a silky Asian print and it converts to a backpack. Cool, huh? I can't wait to tote all Sarah's stuff around in it!
We're still waiting on our LID (log-in date) and will post when we find out!

The Anxious Waiting Family

2005-12-28T20:03:00.000-05:00

Well, here we are with Steve's family and one with my family this Thanksgiving. Won't Sarah fit in perfectly??
We are all so anxiously awaiting her arrival!!!

Here's the nursery!!

2005-12-26T20:49:00.000-05:00

Well, I thought I'd better go ahead and start a blog. Seems like everyone's doing it and it's the best way for people to keep in touch with our journey.
Here are some pics of the nursery. The theme is Nursery Rhymes. Appropriate, huh, with my love of children's literature. We've got it painted, the crib up and a few things ready. The things we lack now are a hamper, a bookshelf and some sort of toy bin. Those will come with time. You'll notice our 'I love you right up to the moon and back!' sign. That comes from the children's book, Guess How Much I Love You, by Sam McBratney. When Steve and I were dating I told him how much I loved this book at that I loved him 'right up to the moon and back.' So, this was appropriate for Sarah's room!
Today I worked on our 100 Good Wishes Quilt letter that we'll be sending out at the first of the year. You all should be getting a letter soon!
We had a wonderful Christmas with our family this year! We spent Christmas Eve with Steve's parents and then went to my brother's Christmas Day evening. Debbie and Steve gave Sarah an adorable silk Chinese outfit and a huge, soft stuffed dog. Philip and Holley gave us a stroller for her and a Baby Einstein 'First Words' DVD. My friend, Reem, at work gave her Little Angel stuffed bunny rattle too! I'll post pictures later of her presents. Sarah is so loved, even before she's here! We are so thankful for all the sweet gifts we received this Christmas!
Hopefully we'll have Sarah here to spend next Christmas with us!!