Names, books, and First Friday

Anyone attending the First Friday meeting tomorrow is welcome to join us for dinner at Applebees on Barrett Parkway at 530!

Just when I think I have names I really like, I start to change my mind.

Our Yahoo April LID group is starting a book discussion. We are going to be doing the book Wanting a Daughter, Needing a son!. I read the first chaper today (all 40 pages) and its so interesting. I dont know what else to say but the author really did research and really describes what she saw in the orphanages when she visited.So far, I really recommend this book.

Its starting to get real that we have a lot to do before heading to China. its a bit overwhelming but such fun. I am really enjoying reading blogs of families that are so close to getting a referral. Apparently many of them will be seeing their babies faces for the first time in the next week or 2..How awesome is this!!!

I had a few readers ask about the garage sale. If you want to join us, we would love to have you. June 23rd at 8am. Hoping we have a good turn out!!!!!

baby names and such

We have really narrowed it down to baby names and hope to be able to announce it soon.

My plan was to have a garage sale as a fundraiser on Saturday June 23rd. Its still going to be 6/23/07 at 8am!!! It would be cool if some of you near Kennesaw could stop by. Our fundraiser looks like its turning into a neighborhood garage sale and it looks like we are going to be the organizers..Could be fun, could be stressful..Hopefully fun stress though with a good turnout..Any suggestions from those who have done this would be appreciated.

I am looking forward to reading about referrals soon. I cant wait to add my November blogroll families over to the blogroll of Families that are home, how cool will that be?

Still praying for each person that stops by here..

Feel free to post our garage sale info to other Atlanta readers...

Love,
Amy and Michael, Samson, Delilah, and Lucy the bassett hound

Monday Mercies or Monday Mediations

Every Monday, a group of us are going to pray daily for China adoptions. We know God hears our prayers and as a group, we think its a wonderful thing we can do for our families and future babies.

On this Memorial Day, not only do we lift up the families of those fallen heroes and pray for those who are serving our country, but today I pray for blessings for each person who touches our dossier.Thats a lot of of people if you want to be specific. Think about it!!!

Prayers make a difference. Thanks for stopping by!!!!

Stuff

Well, we are past our one month date and have lots more going on! We have a new header for the blog coming out soon, and I am excited to see what BlueBird Blogs comes up with.

We are going to have a HUGE fundraiser/garage sale Saturday June 23rd. It will be nice to make some money towards the adoption, but we also really need to get into organizing the house. If you live in Atlanta and would like to join us, let me know. It would be cool to have a multi family garage sale. If you cant participate, we hope you will stop by and say hello! More details on that will follow.

What else? As you can see, my links to other blogs has grown and I love it!!! I'm enjoying reading early posts from a lot of my new blogging friends!!!!!

I was able to spend some time at work talking to a mom of 2 China adopted girs. One she adopted 10 years ago, and the other she adopted last year at the age of 10 years. She is a special needs child with a benign brain tumor. I was able to watch some Chinese cartoons and hear the honest truth about the toilets in China, HA! It was nice to see them again.

Also, someone gave me the idea for counting down (or up) our dates until our referral by finding large Chinese numbers , attaching them to decorative papers and hang them on our wall. Does anyone have any suggestions on any of this material????

Also, names for our Monday prayer group that were suggested are Monday Mercies and Monday Meditations.

Was anyone else interested in swapping squares? I got my material yesterday and I am ready to go. A few people asked about it and I dont want anyone to feel left out. I got our next square onto the quilt blog over at www.christopherquilt.blogspot.com

100 wishes quilt piece number 5

Please check our 100 Wishes quilt blog for a new update (when Amy takes and uploads the pic tomorrow).

The 2nd Book

Today was the 23rd of May, the 1st monthly anniversary of our LID. We had an impromptu date afternoon going to see "Lucky You" at the movie theater and to Barnes & Noble to pick our second special baby book. From the author that brought us I love you like Crazy Cakes....

MONTH 1 IS OVER

ONE MONTH DOWN, HOW MANY TO GO?

一個月

TODAY IS OUR ONE MONTH LID ANNIVERSARY!!!!!! WE ARE GOING TO PLAY TRIVIA TONIGHT AND HOPEFULLY I CAN FIND A BOOK. WE ARE GOING TO BUY A CHILDRENS BOOK EACH LID ANNIVERSARY DAY SINCE YOU CAN'T HAVE TOO MANY AND I LOVE BOOKS. ALSO, I JUST NOTICED THE BEST PLACE TO FIND ANYTHING WITH LADYBUGS ON IT IS THE CHILDRENS HOSPITAL AND OVERSTOCK.COM, IM JUST SAYING. HOPING TO CATCH UP ON A LOT OF THINGS TOMORROW!

ANYONE HAVE A ONE MONTH BUTTON OR SOMETHING I CAN USE? WANT TO MAKE IT SPECIAL!!!

There is a lot of things Michael and I need to do in order to get our home and house ready for baby Christopher (who will be named shortly). This is the one advantage of having a long wait ahead of us.

We really need to clean and organize our house and get rid of a lot of stuff. We are looking at holding a BIG garage sale sometime. We can attempt to get rid of a lot of stuff., make enough money to pay a small bill or 2, and we will donate the stuff that does not sell to charity.
Has anyone done this? Do you have any hints or suggestions? Are you in the Atlanta area and want to join us? The more the merrier!!!!

Can anyone send me a link to a photo I can use for our one month countdown?

Thats really it for now. Tonight at work, I chose a friend from my blogroll and caught up on old posts! I am so glad I did! I'm off to find another one!!!

Monday Prayer Time

Every Monday, everyone is invited to join us in praying for our adoptions. Our God hears us and loves to hear us come together in prayer.

Feel free to share with us what is on your heart.


List of prayer topics

Us-the parents. Pray that God will use our waiting time to make us the best parents we can be
Our babies- that everyone that comes in contact with our babies will be blessed
Our agencies- they have a lot on their plates. Pray for each member of the staff
Everyone who touches our dossiers-
Pray for those who are matching families with their babies
Pray for those people who review our dossiers
Pray for those who organize the travel
Adoption finances

Specific prayer requests (feel free to add a prayer request in the comments. I will make sure it gets here)

Michael and Kim- they are in the review room now and faced with some questions regarding Ki ms health
Families that are travelling soon-pray for sweet reunions and travel mercies

Any creative ideas on what I can call Monday prayer time? We will be doing this every Monday or at least the Mondays I can remember and hope you join us!!

If you are not on the blogroll. let me know your LID so I can follow your journey!

the first month is almost over

This is bad. Not even a month in the waiting and I don't have much to say. I have had 2 coworkers ask me about international adoption is pretty cool. Its just amazing how God has opened our eyes and hearts to adoption. Its just so exciting. I love my April yahoo group and cant wait to get know them more!!!

Looking forward to some China adoption groups coming up. Always nice to meet new friends with similar interests. I love to read my blogroll. I love reading the Nov 2005 LIDers because they are almost through with their wait and then they will be added to a different list..Thats pretty cool. I love to add more to more to my site? Do you have a recommendation?

We have been enjoying looking at names and hope to start the beginning of the our major house cleaning soon. I am getting ready to quilt swap with some ladies and that makes me happy.

I would love to get to know more of you. If you are in the Atlanta area and would like to have lunch, let me know!!!

Also, dont forget about Monday. Every Monday a group of us are going to life the adoption process before God in prayer. If you would like to join, let me know!!!

stuff

hello all! Yesterday I bought my secret pal gift and I hope to get that in the mail by the end of the week. Okay, I have tried not to go to the Rumor Queen, but I like what I am reading.

I have enjoyed reading the blogs on my blogroll. If you are not on there, will you please tell me your link and your LID?

For those who have been waiting a while, I was wondering if anyone has found a waiting dads yahoo or other support groups for the guys in our group!!
Im praying for all of you and look forward to the next Monday prayer time.

My sister Kelly and I went to Pottery Barn Kids and I loved what I saw. Wish I could afford it!!!

This weekend cont...

Here is what I got this weekend!

I thought this was too cute.. Our first China Doll!

I love to find books for a quarter!!
In case you came over here to read about the prayer opportunity, click here!

Here is what I got this weekend!

SECRET PAL

I AM INVOLVED IN A YAHOO GROUP FULL OF LADIES WHO WERE HAVE CHINA LOG IN DATES FOR APRIL. WE ARE DOING SECRET PALS AND I GOT MY GIFT THIS WEEK. ITS FROM HOUSTON!!!

CHECK IT OUT! THANKS SO MUCH PAL! YOU KNOW I HAVE A NEW COLLECTION, HAHA! AND THANKS FOR THE SWEET CARD!

details on the foot in the upper right corner come tomorrow!

this weekend andand a prayer opportunity

Hey guys! This weekend was great. Drove to Fl to surprise the parents and had a nice bit of rest. Saturday morning, mom and I went to some garage sales and found the cutest Asian doll. I will post a pic when we get home. My parents and Michael's mom were able to watch the Lost Daughters of China video. I was the first one crying both times..Try watching it with no sound! Amazing! it has been months since we watched it and it was awesome.

We talked about names, but nothing definite. Fridays mail brought our next wish for our quilt and I will update that blog this week!!

My yahoo group has decided to pray every Sunday for those involved in the adoption process and our wait. I want to do more.

Starting today, Monday, I want to start a group that will lift China adoptions in prayer. The birth moms, the babies, the foster moms, the workers in the orphanages, the agencies we are working with, the people who organize our travel and the CCAA. Pray for Gods will to be done and for the wait to shorten. God can do all things. His hand has been on this process the whole time and I know that if the wait stays this long, He is really preparing us to be parents to the perfect child!..

We know that God listens and wants to hear from us.The greatest gift we can give our babies right now is a prayer!!!

Please leave a message if you would like to be a part of this. If you would like a reminder (email) on Monday mornings, please email me at amyschristopher@comcast.net

Quilt

I started a website for our quilt where we will be sharing the squares we receive. I have also added some links to other quilts so that you can see some examples.

Anyone else up for an exchange? Rebekah, i emailed you may address..

Also, any other Atlanta people interested in lunch?

Oh yeah, the website is www.christopherquilt.blogspot.com!!!

More thoughts on Adoption

I haven't posted a while since our entries regarding last Friday night. There was a reason. It was such an emotional, wonderful experience, its been on my mind, A LOT. I can't believe where this journey has taken us so far, and we are still in Georgia

Michael and I have been talking about names. I have no idea where this will take us, but its pretty exciting.

Adoption. I never thought I would be experiencing this. If you have friends who have mentioned it or if you are thinking about, please look into it. I can not explain this experience. The orientation, the paperchasing, the DTC, the LID and now THE WAIT. Its been awesome. Its been incredible. God's hand has been over us since we began. Has it been hard? No!!!! Has it been time consuming and sometimes frustrating? YES!!! Would I do it again? yes, if we were financially able.
Adoption; domestic or international? closed or open? Which agency? There are so many questions. But there are also so many resources.
If you are thinking about. If its crossed your mind, PRAY about it. Its amazing what one prayer can do. God listens, and He answers!!!

She Said-He said Our thoughts on First Friday

Warning: this could be long and emotional. You may need a tissue!!!!



As most of you know, Michael and I attend a monthly support group meeting called First Friday which was last night. The meetings are encouraging, and we have the greatest support!..


So, we met up with the Ladmans for dinner at Bahama Breeze before heading over to the Chapmans. Karens husband is home from an extended assignment and we finally got to meet him and it was wonderful.

We got there early and wandered around. I spotted a few new people so I said hello. A lady turned around wearing a blue shirt. I immediately got the chills. On the right hand corner of her shirt it said Owen T. Wheeler Foundation. I almost cried immediately. You see, I was Owens first night shift nurse after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. I took care of him every night I worked. Owen passed away New Years Eve 4 years ago. I attended Owens funeral and it was the second funeral I had ever attended. It was one of the most beautiful experiences. This lady is now a part of Owens family and it was nice to hear about them. Clearly this was the beginning of most emotional night.

During the evening, one of the professors from Kennesaw who is Chinese, played the Chinese violin (cant remember the name of of it) and sang some songs.

Next on the agenda, the announcement of a referral. Baby Laney will be joining her parents in a short time. Her picture was shared with everyone Jay and Angela video taped their referral call let me say that everyone had tears the entire time, even the men. I don't think that some of the daddies realized what actually happened when you get the call, so this was a great thing for our guys to see. I know that Michael really enjoyed it.

Next up, Rob from North Metro Church spoke for a few minutes. He is a daddy to 2 girls from China and teared up as he talked about their wait and journey and reminded is that this is our time to do great things. God is doing amazing things and we may not see what he's up to until we get home. But how wonderful to know that God is working on our perfect family and developing Michael and I to be the best parents we can be. What a testimony for us. It was God. Rob said every word I needed to hear and it was precious.

Next the man from Kennesaw got up ( were not expecting this) and thanked everyone here for loving the China babies. i wish I could remember everything he said but he ended with a song that talks about the beauty of a person..Another crying moment.

Seriously, if it wasn't obvious that God was a part of every moment, keep reading.

Another mom to be shared a picture with us. She is going to be getting a chid from the special needs list. Baby Shelby has a cleft lip and palate and will have the palate repaired here in Atlanta. I work with almost all the cleft lip/palate babies and was able to share my experiences as a nurse with her..It was wonderful to see relief on her face. I can not remember her name but I am praying for her..Shes in Disney now! Yeah!!!

We drove home and talked a bit before going to bed.

This morning, I went to the store and to a neighborhood garage sale. I was mostly looking for childrens books because a) I hear you can not have to many and b) they are stinkin cheap at garage sales. As I approached my last house, I spoke to the lady who also sells Mary Kay. I asked her where she was from and she Atlanta, right here, this is my house..I then asked her where her beautiful accent was from and she said Hong Kong. I explained what we were doing and tears started flowing and she said Thank You, Thank you!. YOu see, she herself, gave up a daughter and she herself worked in an orphanage. She speaks Cantonese and Mandarin Chinese and would like to teach Michael and I some words before we leave for China!

HOW GREAT IS MY GOD!!


Michaels Story:
As part of our adoption process, Amy and I attend a monthly support group with people ranging from those with questions about international adoption to those in the process and those who have completed their trips to China. They are held on the first Friday of each month.Tonight was the best one I have been to as we learned about another couple's experience getting the phone call with details of their "match." They videotaped the call from their agency with the director telling them about the baby, name, height, weight, physical exam, birth date, etc. They then were emailed their first picture of their baby and the parents with grandparents and other relatives all crowded around the computer to see baby Laney. I cried through most of it because I had no idea that a call like this would be part of the process and I was filled with a joy and excitement about the day this happens for us.Also, I finally got to meet a friend's husband. He is in the Army and has been in Kuwait for the past six months while she has been waiting for him and for their referal. We enjoyed dinner together before the meeting and he's a neat guy that we look forward to becoming close friends with.

My emotions are high and I am ready for this wait because I know God has something for Michael and I that I can not right now comprehend. For those also waiting, be encouraged. Our time will come. We are not missing out an anything right now. God is cooking up something thats going to be out of this world!!!! How exciting is that!!!!

REFERRALS!!!

CONGRATS TO EVERYONE WHO GOT TO SEE THEIR BABY FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY. WE ARE THRILLED FOR YOU!

100 Good Wishes Quilt

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

May 2007


Dear Family and Friends;

Michael and I are thrilled to let you know we are on the official list to adopt a baby girl from China. Many of you know that we have been working on this “paperchase” for months now and we are thrilled this part is over. The wait for our baby girl continues to grow and it may be up to 2 years before we get our blessed referral. A referral is when China matches you with a baby and you receive all the information including pictures of your child. After the referral, you travel to China within 3 months to complete your adoption.

We would like to invite you to be a part of our first gift to our daughter and hope you will participate.

There is a tradition in the northern part of China to give a new baby a Bai Jia Bei, or a 100 Good Wishes Quilt. The custom has been picked up by adopting parents here and other parts of the world. I would like to take part in this tradition.

The custom is to ask family and friends to send a piece of cloth and a note card with a wish written on it. The squares of fabric are quilted together to make a wish quilt. The note cards are put in a special place for the child to read when he/she gets older. A small swatch of the fabric is attached to the note card to recognize the wish with the square in the quilt. The quilt contains the love and good wishes from all the families and friends who contributed a piece of fabric. The quilt is then passed down from generation to generation.

I have asked a few of my friends to help in actually making the quilt and I am thrilled to get to learn quilting.

Examples of the quilt and some ideas can be found at Avas Quilt!!

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Here are the directions:
1. Find a piece of 100% cotton fabric that you like. It can be old or new. It can represent you or just be a piece that caught your eye. Wash the fabric to get the treatment off, I forgot what it is called.
2. Cut two squares. 1- 8x8 inch square and a 1x1 inches.
3. On a 4x6 note card (3x5 is good, too) Write or type a wish, hope, thought, a poem, or a quote you love. Anything that inspires you. Attach the small swatch to the card stock.
4. Drop it in the mail to me.
The Christopher Family
4828 Old Field Drive
Kennesaw, Ga 30144
If you have any questions, please, don't hesitate to ask. I truly appreciate this. I know how busy everyone is now a days. I will keep everyone posted on our progress. We will have a link on our adoption blog and will post all squares and wishes that we receive. Our blog is www.thechristopherfamily.blogspot.comWe are so thankful for all of the prayers and encouragement you have given us. The wait will be long, but the reward will be greater!
Michael and Amy