John's Thoughts

I wanted to share some parts of God’s word that have really come alive through the adoption process for both Carter and Gracie Lin. There are references (Jeremiah 1:4-5 for example) that talk about how God loved us even before we where conceived. I used to have problems with these types of statements. Sure you could love a baby that is growing in the womb, but a baby that isn’t even conceived how do you do that? I took these things on faith but would scratch my head. When Paula and I first decided to have a family we said, well if it happens great; if not, that is okay (boy was I wrong). We didn’t know how many kids we would have, but our thinking was maybe 2 would be nice. For me, the aspect of loving them started once the pregnancy test came back positive (for Parker). Then we were unable to have any more children, we started the adoption process for little Gracie (5 ½ years) and we have loved this little girl ever since (long before she was born). Over the last 5 ½ years we have been on this journey to adopt a little girl and over the last 5 ½ years my love for this little girl, who only turned one 2 weeks ago, has grown to the same level as Parker & Carter.

The power of prayer! I remember when we told Parker that we were going to adopt a little girl asked if we could adopt enough kids to fill every seat in our Expedition (5 more). We kindly informed him that we would adopt a little sister for him. He promptly told us he would pray for a little brother and sister. We said “that’s nice but a little sister is what we have planned” …. Boy where we awesomely wrong!

Then when we decided to adopt domestically, we were getting a little discouraged about the whole adoption process. About that time we heard a sermon about praying to God for encouragement. Before we went to bed Paula and I prayed together for encouragement – 3 days later we were holding Carter in our arms. Through the whole adoption process I see God’s ultimate plan for us – if the China process had not taken this long we would not have our wonderful tornado. We are about to adopt our second child - this is similar in my small mind to what God has done with us.

Packing

My list is getting checked off for the last time! This is page 4 of 6! For months I have been buying items to pack hiding them away in the suitcases still in shopping bags. Today, John and Parker sorted all of my purchases into piles of food, medicines, toiletries, toys, and baby items. It was fun to see them all come back out of bags and then to start placing them in suitcases that are actually about to go to China! Believe it or not, there is still plenty of room for our clothing and I was encouraged to find that one of the bags only weighs 27 lbs. so far! There is a 44 lb. weight limit. Gracie Lin, we are on our way in minus four days!!

Pink

I spent a good portion of my weekend painting and putting together Gracie's room! Things are still a ways from being done and I'm not sure they will be finished before we leave but it's getting there. Hopefully I can post a couple of pictures before we go. Late last night while the rest of the house slept though, I had a Mommy of a DAUGHTER moment! I put the pink crib sheet on the bed, hung a pink flower coat hook and put the pink cover on the changing pad. It was exactly 10 years before our match to Gracie Lin that John and I had a discussion about having children. At that point, we both just said, let's put it in God's hands and see what happens. We were blessed with Parker right away, sooner that either of us expected. Then after much waiting and many emotional ups and downs, we were blessed with Carter just over two years ago. Now, our world is expanding again and into new territory! I am praying that God will lead me in being the best Mom I can be to both the boys and Gracie! He knows that I need lots of guidance! :) John and I talked about how amazing it is to walk this journey that He has us on! Sure there are days that we are tired and things don't go as expected or as we desire but our cup is overflowing and we love every minute!

Sweet Face

We got an exciting surprise today - new photos. There are two that basically look alike but this one shows her bum through those split pants. :) Too cute. Look at that sweet face!! I can't wait to squeeze her!!! Do you think I'll ever put her down?

Travel Approval

We are approved by China to travel! Wahoo! We got the approval on Monday and then by Tuesday morning, our US Consulate date was set for October 20. We are leaving on October 6 (from home around 7:30AM) and will arrive in Hong Kong on October 7 at 7:20PM - yikes! We will travel to Gracie Lin's province on the morning of the 9th and we will have her in our arms that very day!! :) Lots of details to come together for the in between days but then we will fly home on October 22 - leaving HK early that morning and arrive at our home airport at 5:30PM. Welcome home baby Gracie!! We can't wait!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACIE LIN

Our precious baby girl turned one today on the other side of the world! What a hard day for Mommy not to be celebrating with her! I was emotional all day and felt like I missed her even though we have never met! I wondered if her caregiver was celebrating her day and what her birth mom's thoughts were on this big day for her/our little one! We celebrated with a cupcake, which was a huge deal to Carter. He shopped with me and didn't like any pitstops we had to make that delayed our picking up that cupcake! We sang and made a little video for Gracie to hear later on. I think when she gets home, we'll have to have the smash cake! :)

USPS to China

Today Carter and I took Gracie Lin's package to the USPS to ship to China. Below is a picture of the contents. I have had the snuggle blanket for months and the last two weeks, I have carried it around with me A LOT! I put it in a plastic bag for shipment so that when she gets it, hopefully it will still smell like me. I pray that it gives her a little comfort when she is placed in my arms and I smell a little familiar. My friend Shannon gave me this soft sweet fragrance called 'wish' when we went to get Carter because babies sense of smell is so strong. Months later after I hadn't worn it for a long time, I put it on. Parker walked by me and said, 'it smells like getting Carter!' I guess the sense of smell in relation to memory really is strong! :) We hope to get some photos back on the disposable camera I included but there is no guarantee that her care giver will use it. We understand that she likes rattles so I switched out a toy I had selected for the little duck ring in the photo which has a rattle inside. The photo book with her picture in the cover includes photos of her new Mommy, Daddy, brothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.