December 2010 Callaway Gardens

2 years ago today

2 years ago, God connected us to our daughter. When we paperchased, I was looking forward to getting our referral like everyone else. Knowing it was coming and being prepared for the phone call. I know when we sent in our medical checklist, that wasn't going to happen. God was good. Our referral day was bigger than I could have ever imagined. Thanksgiving week had me looking at the CCAI website and I inquired about a few of the kids, the first time I had ever done that. I did not think anything of it. In fact, the next day I was told me families and already requested the files of those kids.

So 2 years ago, the Wed before Thanksgiving at 2:42 as I put my Christmas cards in the mailbox at the post office, my cell phone rang and it said 303. Since we were getting ready for review in China, I thought this was a bad call. But when I heard "Amy, are you still interested in the baby on the website"? I had to catch my breath and sit down as I was told she was emailing me the file. 2 hours later ( had to wait for Michael to come home), we saw the picture below along with a lot of other stuff. Her medical needs per the file was not what I expected but she quickly grabbed our hearts! I contacted my professional adoption friends and asked 2 friends to pray for a decision for us. 1 adoption friend told me she didnt think this child was ours because there were sooo many unknowns. another friend told me that I didnt have to go and take the first kids that was offered ( I know she didnt mean anything by it). I listen to my friends and quit frankly,I got disappointed. Man but I am thankful for those friends and their honesty because it just makes her story that much sweeter.

Wed night, my friends mom told me about a blog whose family was in China adopting a little boy with similar conditions. I quickly emailed her and she had no idea why she was up that night (but I do) and quickly gave me a lot of information. We emailed back and forth all night!!! Also anothe adoption friend who happened to be in Disney world, was such an encouragement. We facebooked quite a while an realized that she knew LynnMaries caregivers and had been donating there. She was 100% sure that if there were any unknowns, this lady would have shared them. Trying to make a long story short, Wed night God just showed up. He opened doors and windows right in the same room as me. It was the coolest experience as so much "proof" was shared with me. Now 24 hours later, a RN I work with send me a random email asking for prayers as she was born with some medical issues and in a lot of pain. In that email, she shared that she had arthogryposis (this was the term they used to describe LM). So, after hearing the diagnosis 24 hours ago, I got this email. None of this may make sense to you, but its hard to put into words that night.

The Sunday before we had to make our decision, I got an email from a friend that said God opened this door for you. Do not close it for Him. If this is not your child, then He will close it. Take a step of faith and go for it. Well thats what we did and look what God did!!!

What a season

Compared to last year we have had a full fall season and its not even over! We started by visiting Helen, Ga one Sunday afternoon (literally got out of church and decided to go) by visiting a farmers market and then walking around the town. We have done the pumpkin patch a local church, our first trunk or treat (what a great idea), we went trick or treating, had family visit and visited the top of Kennestone Mtn for the first time. We also visited Hillcrest Orchards where you can pick your own apples. When we went there was no more apple pickin but we sure did have a good time. The end of Oct included visits from both Grandma Christopher and the other Grandma and Grandpa along with Aunt Kelly, UNcle Neil, Janie, Seth and Owen. Boy did we make some memories with our precious peanut. We also squeezed in a trip to the zoo and the botanical gardens with Grandma.

More Fall 2011

Had a great time this fall with visits with both Grandma. Grandma (Michaels mom) visited and we went to Dac Kids, The Zoo, Botanical Gardens and the Varsity










Atlanta Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Yep, another one of those posts

I still cant believe that we had no idea about sweet LynnMarie 2 years ago. We had no idea she would be in our world a month later. I cant believe I struggled with our wait. My girl has my heart and sometimes my happy tears. She is perfect. She is a visual representation of God's love. I cant believe it. I still cant believe I get to be her mom and Michael is her dad. She has done soooo much to us, all for the better.

I waited for what seemed forever only to realize that God was using that time to get me ready for this next season. And He will use this time to get us ready for whatever comes next. This AMAZING girl is making everyone smile, including her speech and physical therapists. Even her new orthopedist comments on how well she is doing.

I try not to think of her birthmother, because it makes me sad but i have to remember its part of her story. HER story. A part I have no control over. But I love the fact that we are a part of her story.
Have you gotten to meet her? Have you seen her run?
Oh I want you too. I want her to give you a big hug and some knuckle bumps.

I want you to hear her sweet voice when she sings "How Great is Our God" at bedtime and when she is in a mood and says No god tonight.
I want you to see her play with her stickers and then look at us with stickers on both her arms.
I want you see to her run out of the car to the scarecrows in the front yard and hear her say
"Hey scarecrow, How you"?
I want you to see her get her dinner and say "HOT" and then blow on her food.
I want you to see her fold her hands in prayer and makes sure daddy has his hands ready too.
I want you to see her watch Mickey Mouse Club and hear her tell me someone is sad on the show
As her mom, I cant love her anymore. Have you seen her lately? Her sweet details? Her sweet fingers and nose eyes?

This precious peanut is more than I could have imagined or hoped for. I want her to be happy, to feel loved and above all, know that there is a God who loves her far more than we do. I cant wait for Christmas this year!

Fall 2010

Oh I wish I could put these days on hold. Sweet Days, Cuddly days. Even the ones where I wish she came with instructions. The faces she makes are the best. The random kisses and hugs are the best. We have had such fun lately. School has started, fall is here and we have looked for pumpkins, visited Helen, Ga and went to the Apple Festival. WE have even done some fall painting at our special table. LynnMarie is doing well and repeating everything. She is beautiful, wonderful miracle! She loves to sing How Great is Our God and other pre-school songs. She does have her moments but I love them!! More pics coming I have missed blogging and sad that bloglines is closing in a few weeks!

qiuck update

I promise to get pics up soon. I have been updating more on fb these days but pray your days are going well. LynnMarie is meeting more and more milestones and just blossoming. She starts her second year at mothers morning out next week and Friday is her open house.

She loves to go to church and play in the nursery as well has have play dates around town. She loves to laugh and make those around her laugh too. She is the most precious little girl and we are honored to be her parents.

Memphis Trip, Friends and Sights

Memphis Zoo. I love shooting the tigers there.

This same gorilla stared at us the entire time 2 years ago too.

Grizzly bears playing in their river in the new Teton Trek section.

Polar bears in Memphis? Sounds like something out of LOST, but he was keeping cool.

Bonding with a new friend. LynnMarie loves to say, "monkey bum."

I think I'm from the same place as him!

Looking at the animals with Momma.

Both the cheetahs started stalking.

The orange bugged the white during his nap, just like housecats, but bigger.

A break at the Pink Palace Museum.

Mid-morning nap time.

Downtown Franklin, TN. If you are there, go visit Sweet CeCe's Yogurt shop.

LynnMarie with the Brigman girls. Fast friends.

Amy with "Mini" Cooper Rushing.

Amy with her friend and former coworker Katherine.

Happy Fathers Day

LynnMarie and Ethan sharing a friendly hug. Big girl loves to give hugs and say AHH! She has also discovered the movie Shrek and can sit through a good portion of the DVD. Her vocabulary is continuing to grow and she is sooo close to jumping (her last big developmental milestone)

Playdate and splashtime

What a fun day. Playtime at DacKids, speech therapy and then playtime in the pool in the rain. It started pouring right when we walked but we said what the heck. We were going to get wet anyway. She is busy having fun, walking and talking more and more everyday. She is the sweetest thing in our lives and is constantly teaching us things! God has been so good to us! We will be eternally thankful for this amazing gift!