By Julie on Jun 23, 2009 in all of us | 0 Comments
June 22 was 3 months since the moment that Ava physically entered our lives. So strange to think it has only been 3 months. She has amazed Dr.’s and therapists. They say she is so bright and does not need any help with learning the language. She is picking it up so quickly.
She had her heart examined yesterday with x-ray, ultra sound and EKG. All was beautiful! Her heart is healthy!
This little girl is such a joy added to this house! It is soooo right, her being with us. Looking at my three treasures, I love that each of them look so different. That really throws people that do not know us. When they see Ava is Chinese, they think the other two are adopted as well. Hee, hee!
By Julie on Jun 16, 2009 in all of us | 0 Comments
1999. The year of my first born. Has it really been a whole decade? I remember all to well the experience of his birth. I thought I was not going to have any more after that. (But, the Lord gifted us Lauren and then we adopted.Yeah!) He was such a good little boy. So smart. At his 12 month check up, the doctor walked in. I said, “Say hi doctor.” and Jack did just that. I remember the look of surprise on the Dr.’s face. He has been talking for as long as I can remember. Sometimes, he does not stop. He has such a big heart. A gentle spirit. That is why he is excellent with dealing with both of his younger sisters. I want so much for this sweet boy. He has the brains(from his dad) and personality(from his mom) to accomplish anything he wants. I just hope he grows to realize what he has been gifted(great parents). Just kidding. He truly is a gem and a gift from above. We are so proud of you Jack. We love you very much!
By Julie on Jun 9, 2009 in all of us | 2 Comments
So, today, I picked up the bag of Ava’s clothes that she was wearing when we received her. They have been laying on the Iaundry room floor for two months. Just waiting for me to wash them to be stored away in Ava’s keepsakes. I untied the plastic, Chinese Wal-mart bag. I pulled out each article of clothing. Her two pairs of split pants. Her three shirts. The sweaty socks. The layers of clothing that were beneath, are well worn. They even have some hand sewn stitches in them from being well worn and to continue their use. Things are not just thrown out in China as we would here. I am sure other babies have worn these clothes. They have probably been shared and passed down. If only those little clothes could talk.
As I pulled out each article, my memories of seeing her for the first time came flooding back. My memories of taking each layer of clothing off to reveal this new little member of our family. To see her live and in the flesh for the first time. It was her feet I revealed first. Those sweaty little feet. I peeled off those socks to reveal those sweet baby toes. Oooohhh, my chest feels full as I fight back the tears. I could not wash those clothes! I felt as if I would be washing away China from her. I want to give these to her in 10 years and say they are as they were the day we got you! She has so little of China and my heart aches for the missing pieces. I wish she could tell me all about her time in China. Her foster family, the orphanage, when she had her heart surgery alone in a hospital with no Momma there for her. This little girl holds a history and story to never be known or told. I guess that can be good and bad. If I ache for it, I just hope she will be able to work through her aches when she is older. We just love this little girl so much it hurts!
By Julie on May 30, 2009 in all of us | 0 Comments
Today I wanted to share with you another blog. This one is Stephanie Nielson’s blog. She is the one where she and her husband were in a plane crash this past August. When I first heard about her on the Today show, I had to go check her out. I had only read adoption blogs and did not really think about other people blogging. Apparently people all over the world had fallen in love with Stephanie’s blog and were devastated to hear of her crash. Her sister took over her blog while she was not able to continue. That was Courtney, the blog I shared with you in the last post. Courtney reposted old blogs of Stephanie’s. That is how I fell in love with this girl. She is a mother of 4 young children and loves every minute of it. I loved reading about how much she loved being a mother and wife. I was so crushed in thinking what had happened to her and her husband. She is a fighter. She was burned on 80% percent of her body and still recovering. She looks for the best in it all and I love to read her posts and I think you will too. Be careful, you will catch yourself reading for a while.
www.nieniedialogues.com
By Julie on May 29, 2009 in all of us | 0 Comments
Has it really been over a week since I last blogged? Wow! School is out and we are busy! Busy with Jack and Lauren and sweet Ava gets to go along for the ride!
I told you earlier that I would share a blog with you that I enjoy. Courtney’s blog told the story of taking care of her sister’s 4 children along with her own son when her sister and brother-in-law were recovering from a plane crash. Courtney had these children for months and still helps as her sister continues to recover from burns on 80% of her body. She blogs now on being a mother and wife. She also blogged prior to the crash, but it was the crash on the Today show that led me to find Courtney’s blog. Enjoy! www.blog.cjanerun.com
