Thursday, August 30, 2007

Lyrics

Okay. Here is another song, but just the lyrics. I hadn't thought about this song in a long time but the words sure hit home now.


Thought you'd be here
by Wes King
(CD- Room full of stories)



We thought you'd be here by now
Your mother and I

We're praying through our tears that somehow
We might hear your sweet cry

Have we waited too long
It's getting harder to be strong
Is there something we've done wrong

But if you like dancing
I'll make it rain rhythm and rhyme and melodies, child
And if you like dreaming
Your mother will make your imagination run wild
Somehow, we thought you'd be here by now

We have a room just for you upstairs
It's right down the hall
So we'll be close should you ever get scared
We'll come when you call

It's a room full of stories
Waiting to be told
Longing to behold

And if you like laughing
I'll paint you a circus of smiles and ferris wheels, dear
And if you like living
Your mother will fly you to worlds both far and near
Somehow . . .

I never knew the silence could make me so deaf
I never knew I could miss someone I've never met
Miss someone I haven't met yet

We'll be waiting

question

This morning I headed out to do some dinner shopping and decided to hit a local thrift store. I had heard it was nice and there was a 50% of coupon in the paper.

Anyway, I found some stuff for me and browsed the kids section. I didn't buy anything but did notice that were a dozen or so really nice little girl dresses for 2 and 3 dollars. I especially liked the Christmas ones..They were too pretty..But i remained strong. They also had a lot of parenting books, but once again i stayed strong.

Did I tell you that our social worker from our agency was adopting? We knew it when we were paperchasing but had no idea how far along she was in the process.

Imagine my surprise that I actually stumbled on her blog last week not knowing it was her. Anyway, she got her referral last month and will be travelling soon to get Mia! How wonderful!!!!
On another note, the quilt and LynnMaries library have been updated
Question for you : How are your spouses handling the wait?

Monday, August 27, 2007

weekly outings

Last week I had a whole day off so I went and ran some errands, including Tadpoles, which I told you about earlier. We are on a budget and I swore I would not buy anything but after returning stones to Michael's, I had an extra 6$. With that in mind, I just looked. Check out these oh so soft jammies! Cute, huh





Now skip to yesterday and no I did not buy anything but found good stuff for secret pal items. It started by hitting Northpoint mall just for a walk and some window shopping. i made sure I hit Pottery Barn kids (I now know why people love it and cant wait to hit the outlet again), Gymboree, JCPennys and the Children's Place and oh yeah the Disney Store. Halloween costumes are out and there are some very creative ones. I did see a Gollum (sp?) costume. I don't think LynnMarie will be wearing them but I was able to daydream a bit. Then I headed over to Babies R Us which always makes me smile. There are some new nursery designs that are very very pretty and in a year or so we can start thinking of things. I have enjoyed reading blogs that have a lot of organizing ideas. This is one area I greatly need to improve on before we bring LynnMarie home. Actually, there are several things to work on which makes this wait a benefit for us

monday meditations

Im opening the floor to you today. Whats on your heart to pray for?
take a moment to pray for the following requests
1.Shelby- her family is waiting for her and they hope to bring her home this fall
2.Jude's family- his funeral is tomorrow
3. Kris's cat
4.Kim's Grandfather
5.People considering adopting, domestically or internationally
6.Referrals to come soon
7.Ray and Lori's church-they have lost 3 members recently
8.Michelle's job situation-she has been looking for 12 weeks

Saturday, August 25, 2007

When Love Takes You In - Steven Curtis Chapman

Most of you have seen this, but wanted to post it just in case you hadn't

whats in a blog name

The title of this blog When Love Takes You In is based on a song by Steven Curtis Chapman. Most of you have heard the song but I will post it again when I get home from work.

What a beautiful phrase that reflects exactly how I feel. I chose this name for our adoption blog because it was a moment at a concert that the desire to adopt started to grow in our hearts. Later I realized that God planted a seed many many years ago. I hope I am okay in using a name of a song for my blog. Gods plans for us are so better than mine will ever be. Why can't I just be patient?

So, its a song title,so what? Well its much more than that. I started thinking about that today before work. Its quite hard to explain but i will try. Adoption is such an awesome thing and I just in the waiting stage. Those of you in this process know that, we have shared that before.

We love LynnMarie. Yes, I know she isnt born yet, but I know I love her.I think about her all the time. I think about the day we meet her and those first pictures. I think about that first giggle and those sweet feet. How wonderful those times will be.

Love has taken us in. Its amazing. Our daughter has us wrapped around her finger already. I think about the days ahead and what life will be like. There are so many emotions ahead of us and I get so excited when I think about all that is to come. There is a love I have for her that I can not describe. I love to pray for her. I love to think about what God has in store for her and for us as her parents. Years ago I never would have considered adoption and now I can not imagine not being in the place I am in now.

This is such a special time for us. Its exciting to think about our family and what it will be like. Will there be other children, whether biological or adopted? I don't know. I can not wait to find out. I wish I could describe how I feel about these words. When Love Takes You in. I feel like love has really wrapped its arms around us and has pulled us completely in . I am completely consumed with unconditional love for this little girl who is not even born yet. This blog has been so helpful for me.

I am not the best with written words. I have so many thoughts in my head but can not seem to get them down. I will be starting a journal for LynnMarie and that will be private. Its something I can do for her now, and that makes my heart smile.

I am thankful for friends and family who are going through this journey with us. I love to hear how excited people are when we bring LynnMarie up. She will be loved. She is loved. She is thought about. She is prayed for.


When Love Takes You In by S.C Chapman
I know you’ve heard the stories
But they all sound too good to be true
You’ve heard about a place called home
But there doesn’t seem to be one for you
So one more night you cry yourself to sleep
And drift off to a distant dream

Where love takes you in and everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart
When love takes you home and says you belong here
The loneliness ends and a new life begins
When love takes you in

And somewhere while you’re sleeping
Someone else is dreaming too
Counting down the days until
They hold you close and say I love you
And like the rain that falls into the sea
In a moment what has been is lost in what will be

When love takes you in everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart

And this love will never let you go
There is nothing that could ever
cause this love to lose its hold

When love takes you in everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart
When love takes you home and says you belong here
The loneliness ends and a new life begins
When love takes you in it takes you in for good
When love takes you in

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Book of the Month (LID Anniversry)

Amy told me I get to choose this month, and with my work schedule we are going online shopping for a classic I remember from my childhood. LynnMarie's next book is....


Wednesday, August 22, 2007

happy 4 months

ITS BEEN 4 MONTHS SINCE OUR DOSSIER WAS LOGGED INTO THE CHINA SYSTEM! THATS OVER 100 DAYS! YIPPEE! ITS BEEN COOL! 4 MONTHS CLOSER TO LynnMarie!
I chose the picture because we have a basset hound!



Prayers needed for a child

There is a little boy, Jude, who could use some prayers now. One of my blog readers asked me to send out a prayer request..

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Secret Pal strikes again and bib exchange

Okay, how awesome are my secret pals? My other gift arrived yesterday for the month of August. In it was a bookbag with a red thread picture, a lovely card, and 2 books for LynnMarie's growing library! Thanks again so much!!!! THanks for commenting on the video below, isn't it great?








Another blogger hosted a bib exchanged and these are the first that I have recieved. How did she know I loved the holidays? Too cute. If you hosted this, I forgot who it was and I cant find the addresses I need to send out. Please resend them!!!

Mark Schultz - Everything to Me

I have posted this before but wanted to share it again. Wonderful song about adoption!!!

Monday, August 20, 2007

Monday Meditations

Good morning!
This morning I am thankful that the Perrys are back home and the Chapmans got a LID!!!! I am thankful that we are logged in and that I have made amazing friendships. I am thankful that the adoption process led us to a home church

Today I am praying for
1)my mouth- that I say the right words when difficult questions arise (see post below). Sometimes my brain does not think
2)the United States relationship with China
3)that everyone who comes into contact with our babies will be blessed
4)the wait (that we will get a surprise this year and the wait decreases)
5) CJ, Donna and the boys will be travelling to China this fall to bring Shelby home..Pray for safe travel and smooth adjustment


What are you praying for?

Saturday, August 18, 2007

More interesting questions

At work tonight, 2 different staff members asked me questions which have had me thinking.

The first one was simply "Aren't you going to miss the newborn stage?" Mind you this is while the night shift nurses were taking turns loving on a new 3 day old squishy baby.
To be honest yes. Would I love the opportunity to love on a new baby like this and experience it, YES! Do I feel cheated? No! God is handpicking our daughter for us and whatever age she is, wherever she is and whatever way she is given to us is going to be perfect. I do not dout that at all. I had to firmly explain that I have no regrets and that this is an amazing journey we are on and I want to enjoy each day of our wait for LynnMarie!

The next was " When do you decide to just give up and try something else"? Hmm. I had no idea how to answer this. We are not giving up. Some people leave the China adoption program but I don't think they are giving up. Things change. We are not going anywhere. I asked her if she asked families who were trying to get pregnant how much longer they were going to keep trying. I was not ugly, I just let her know how I took her comment. She is my friend and she was very cool about it.

At our charge nurse meeting, I learned that one of the respiratory therapists that works nice is adopting from China and just got her referral. She will be leaving soon to get her baby. I cant wait to to find and meet her this week!

I'm in a much better mood. I just needed to get back in the swing of things, that's all!

Friday, August 17, 2007

Feelings oh oh feelings

Thanks to all who have encouraged Michael and I . Your words make me smile. I am still positive and totally thrilled about the adoption process and seeing LynnMarie for the first time, but I have not been that cheerful these days. You can read it about it here. If you love 80s videos, visit Michaels blog

I try to be as happy and joyful on this blog as I can. I want it to be real, I want it to be honest. But really, there has not been much negative stuff to report. Oh I have my down days, it just doesn't involve the adoption process. Thinking about this experience makes me smile. We may have a long wait, that wait includes preparation time, getting ourselves ready, making wonderful friends and the opportunity to get closer to God. I wouldn't want to miss this!!!
I want this to be real. This is something that LynnMarie may read one day!

Just wanted my blogging friends to know that I am not always so happy! (heehee)


Thursday, August 16, 2007

Thank you secret pal and another nice gift

Earlier this week we got a note from our friends in Orlando Jan and Todd, who have an online book store. As they went through their books, look what they found and sent it to us to keep in LynnMaries memory box! How very thoughtful. She made a comment that they may not be able to send a quilt square but the card looks like a quilt, so at least they are using the theme!





After an emotionally challenging day for me, I arrived home to see a box. With 3 adults living here, I was hoping it was for me and it was!!! To my surprise, one of my secret pals ( April DTC) sent me a box with cute stuff. I got an encouraging note, the famous China ultrasound pic, a soft blankey (LynnMarie's first blankie) and 2 very cool books. As you know, I love kids books! Secret Pal,if you read this I love it all! The books are so cute. They are the kind I would buy for other people but never for myself..You are too thoughtful..We must have pictures now so here you go!









Tuesday, August 14, 2007

more thoughts

Greeting friends! There are a lot of rumors going around and like I said before, I wont be posting those. But after reading some, we have to stick together and encourage one another!


There are a lot of comments from fellow adopting parents that rub me the wrong way but I just let them blow away because I tend to take things the wrong way and get very sensitive about things. But this blog is not about me, to read about me, go here! I have enjoyed talking about our decision to adopt to friends and strangers and especially parents of patients at work. I get asked "DO you have children?" ALL OF THE TIME !! But my answer always brings a smile and starts a great conversation between me and my families. To this I am grateful!!

LynnMarie will be loved. People ask how old she will be and if I will teach her English (that one makes me laugh)! I have to explain that she may be between 6 and 12 months old. People at work ask me if I have bought things and I answer occassionally but honestly, it is fun! An outift here and there doesnt hurt anyone, does it?

A friend asked me why we chose China and not another country whose wait was shorter. The answer is simple. God called us to China. This was the first time in my life that God's voice was so very loud and clear in making a decision. Perhaps it was the first time that I was quiet and listened! Adoption has been a great gift already to us. Also, when we decided to adopt from China, other countries were still new and all the time frames were about the same!

Perhaps I can get future dad Michael to post soon!!

Also, Steven (college friend) asked me to visit this site. They have adopted internationally and he is a praise and worship leader. Excellent site!

Monday, August 13, 2007

Monday Meditations

Today I am so thankful for my friends here who are so encouraging and I am thankful for my First Friday friends. If you are in the Atlanta area, you must check this group out. Its just awesome. I am thankful that we have found a home church. Read about it here and here!

What are you praying for?
Im praying for the families that are adjusting to life at home with their new ones.

I'm praying for our babies and those that are taking care of those!

Im praying that our wait decreases.

Im praying that I can find things to do while learning to be patient.

I'm praying that the rumors and negative talks will not hinder others from this process!

Specifically, I am praying for Shelby as she waits for her family to bring her home. Im praying for Sheridan and Michael and Kim who have been united for over a week. They will be home soon and I pray for a smooth adjustment.

I am praying for YOU! Im praying for everyone who reads this today that you will be blessed beyond measure.

Sunday, August 12, 2007

on my mind

Okay, as you know I try to stay pretty positive and optimistic about our adoption process! I still am but I feel sad for my friends, family and coworkers when they ask the questions like "So When are you getting your baby?" or "Is that her?" when I am looking at someones blog.
I hate to see their faces when I tell them we have a wait ahead of us but what a wait it will be!
I visited some friends on another floor who introduced me to some cool websites. I will have to share them later!

By the way, it was fun to move families from the Nov 2005 part of my blogroll to the Families that are home and I found another June 2007 family!!!

Friday, August 10, 2007

Thursday

I went window shopping, remember? Well....I actually shopped!

First off I went to a thrift store and just looked around. I ended up going back at the end of the day to find matching vases because I wanted to make a countdown to LynnMarie. Someone on one of my yahoo groups did this and I loved the idea. I bought 2 vases and colorful marbles. I counted 516 marbles (thats the amount of LIDs left until our LID) and placed them in one of the vases. Each month I will take the number of LIDS and take those marbles and add them to the other vase as a visual countdown. I am not creative at all but I think they are cute!! I found great stickers at a discount Scrapbook store in Kennesaw. I had a whole bag of stuff for 6 bucks!!!!













So after that, I went to Marshall's and Ross to just look and noticed a store I had not been in. Its in the Marshall's Shopping Center and its called Tadpoles.
Its addicting. Its a very well organized children's clothing store that is a consignment store that sells new things as well! They have handmade hairbows and books! I will be having fun here! Now, do you think that LynnMarie got anything? Well, yeah she did!

Look what I found? It is so cute. It came with the dress, a diaper cover thing, a hat and shoe covers. It still had tags on it and what did I pay? $4.98!!! Yippeee!!! I saw the sign that said if there is something you see that you like you had better buy it because it will be gone next time! Well, it sounded like a rule to me so I had to obey!!!

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Christopher update

Nothing new here. Last night I sent out a mass email to family and friends (you may have gotten it) updating the process. It pretty much explained the wait is much longer than we expected and that Michael and I are okay with that.

Then I decided to organize a post card exchange over at my personal blog. If you are interested in that or just wanted to be added to our email list, email me at amyschristopher@comcast.net and include your LID!! We have several people signed up for it!

I also updated them on the quilt, we have 34 squares right now. Several people have asked to exchange squares and as soon as I can cut squares in a straight line, I will take you up on that offer.

One of my yahoo groups suggested getting a visual countdown on Log in days. So I am off to go window shopping and heading to a thrift store. Someone suggested finding the amount of rocks that's the same number of LIDs until ours and putting them in a large clear, container. Each month take the amount of LIDs that were matched and put them in another decorated container. I will let you know what a find. THen I am going more window shopping to Ross and Marshall's..Fun Fun Fun!!!

Monday, August 06, 2007

Monday Meditations

Good morning! Its Monday again!

First thing, yesterday Michael and Kim had their Gotcha Day with Sheridan! Hoping to see pics soon! Pray that they have a smooth adjustment!

We had one family from our April LID yahoo group pull her dossier from China, they just could not deal with the wait. Please pray for that family as I know they are grieving.

1)Pray for our children in China that they will be a blessing to all who come into contact with them
2)Pray for our spouses. As wives, we have found so much support and are so into all this adoption stuff. Sometimes, I will like the daddies are left out
3)Pray for our hearts. Each referral time is wonderful but it also reminds us of the wait!!!! Pray that there are more paper ready babies
4)Pray CJ and Donna and their children. They will be bringing Shelby home sometime this fall!

Do you have any specific prayer requests!! Once again, thank you for all your support!

Sunday, August 05, 2007

If you need a new on the go coffee mug, click here!

Friday, August 03, 2007

Thoughts

Tonight is the monthly First Friday gathering and I am not there. Michael has started his new job and was scheduled tonight and I had family in town. My parents, my sister and her 3 kids have been here since Tuesday and its been nice. The plan was to have mom or Kelly go with me but we went to Newnan Ga to eat with more family.

Anyway, the point of this post. I have spent the majority of the last few days with Janie, Seth and Owen who are 6,4, and 2. Oh I had fun, but 3 kids is a lot of work.

Do you remember the book a few years ago that said something about It Takes a Village to Raise a Child? I think I might go find it and read it.

What I learned this week was that every moment I spend with a child has a chance of impacting their life. There is a chance that a conversation that I have with them may be remembered for years to come. I saw a glimpse of parenting this week. I spent time with my nieces and nephews immediately after birth and have watched them grow up. There is so much more than playtime and snuggles (which would be a cool name for a blog, BTW). Seth and Janie remember conversations from months ago. They remember things we laughed at together and things that made us sad. As a parent, you are responsible for everything about this child whether its the physical, emotional, spiritual or social development. It was just a wow moment. These children are awesome and I have learned a lot from them and their mom. I also learned a very unusual arrangement of Away in a Manger but we will discuss this later.

Perhaps I think of the memories I had of childhood and how they came to be. Certain memories were not planned events but I remember smells, tastes, the weather.
I remember staying at hotels and seeing horses across the street. I remember so many little things that are so important because they are mine. I can almost remember every Christmas. Oh how I love that holiday. Be warned, I really love the season. Its the moments that are natural that create the greatest memories. Enjoy every snuggle. Embrace those happy times, the rocking, the hugs, the vacations, the first day of schools, family date nights. Treasure every experience. I wish I lived closer to my nieces and nephews as I would love to a part of these moments and in a small way, I know I am.

As Michael and I embark on this wonderful experience, we have made so many friends. It has just been incredible. I can't wait to see Michael with her. I just can not fathom how much responsibility this is going to be. Mind you, I am ready for it. Our world will change completely the day we get that referral but gosh how exciting is this. I can not wait to shower her with love and memories.
Next time Janie asks me what we are going to do, I will simply say, "We are going to make a memory".!!!

Every person that comes in contact with LynnMarie has the ability to influence some part of her life.

Is this a crazy post? Am I confusing you? I am just writing my thoughts down here. God gives you a child and what a HUGE responsibility it is. When I think of the sacrifice God made for me, I am truly speechless. I love this adventure I am on and what it is doing to my mind and heart! LynnMarie will be the greatest gift besides the gift of eternal life and we will do our best to raise her and love her unconditionally.

LynnMarie will be loved and prayed for by many friends and family, including my blogging friends.

Thursday, August 02, 2007

just a post

I can not believe Sheridan will be with his forever family in just a few days! I have spent some time with my niece and nephew and they have been talking about LynnMarie. Apparently LynnMarie sounds like Mem-ory so thats what 4yo Seth has called her.!!!!

In case you had not noticed, I added some other links to the right that have to do with our adoptin journey. You will see LynnMaries book collection, her quilt squares and what will be her room!

There is nothing really going on, just waiting and dreaming.

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Amy's job

Not sure if most of you know what I do. I am a night shift pediatric nurse at Scottish Rite, part of Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta.
I work a neuro/craniofacial floor meaning I work a lot with plastic surgeries. Please let me know if you are adopting a SN child with cleft lip, cleft palate, facial deformities or any other condition that may require surgery. I'm just putting this out there. I would love to give you any support that you may need and I'm sure it would nice to have an extra friend there!! I have been blessed to meet many families that have adopted from China this year and its been so nice to learn from them!

Blessings,
Amy