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Today we had a family day and spent a few hours at the Smyrna Jonqil Festival. After experiencing suntan lotion in the eyes, we all had a great time and LynnMarie enjoyed walking around. They had a used book sale and LynnMarie got a few new books too. It was wonderful weather and we look forward to our next festival. She is doing so much. She like to pick out her books for bedtime and right now her favorite seems to be a touch and feel dinosaur book and Eric Karl's Does a Kangaroo have a mother? She is lucky that Grandma Linda gave her 2 really nice learning books to read. She like those as well. Next week we are headed to a learning store to pick up some flashcards. We are now working on 2 word phrases!

3 years ago

3 years ago our dossier was logged in to China. We had no idea the path would bring us to LynnMarie or some amazing people..

Yeah God

Blogging

Wow. I blogged so much before China. I miss it and I miss all the blogs I used to read. I love adoption and I love what its doing to peoples hearts. I have friends that started adopting in China only to have their hearts move to Ethiopia. I have had many friends move to special needs and even some change agencies.All of these things are good things. God uses adoption not only to help orphans but to change our lives in the process. The process was AMAZING.

What people learn from LynnMarie is AMAZING.

I am thankful for all of you who are still reading. I pray for those who are actively waiting. I am thankful for the friends around the country I have made through this.

I am thankful for our sweet breath of Spring, LynnMarie ChunAi who is getting ready to celebrate her 2nd Easter with us!

Keep praying for those hearts and eyes that are pondering the process of adoption and keep praying for the ones waiting for mommys and daddies!

2nd Birthday

Chuck E Cheese..A good time was had by all. She had a great time and got some great gifts. One thing will do each year (birthday and Gotcha Day) is to ask friends and families to donate to Swallows Nest instead of a gift. LynnMarie is just happy to be surrounded by people who love her. Thanks to all who have donated (it will help care for kids waiting for their families) and those who came to party.. Here are a few photos!!! yes, her cake rocked!

Gotcha Day 1 year later

Sweet girl,
I have been working on getting a slide show together but mom is having technical difficulties. Wow, precious one, you have been LynnMarie for 1 year today. I cant believe you are ours. I cant believe what joy you have brought not only to us but to those who know you. You are a beautiful girl, wonderfully and fearfully made.

I spent years wondering when we were going to have a baby. Years. I wanted what everyone else wanted and had. Silly me. I know Gods plans our better than ours. Look at what we got. Look at what we experienced. My heart has grown, my silliness is sillier. God continuously shows us things through you. You helped us take a big step of faith. You in your 2 years have done more than you can imagine just by being you. You are amazing. We cant not love you. You are perfect. You love with all you have. Your dad has gotten sillier too. He loves to make you giggle and you have changed him as well. He loves you sooo much.

1 year ago, several families walked into that small room. We remember the smells, the weather, the nerves. We walked in and we made eye contact.We were momma and daddy and you are the precious daughter God had created for us. I cant put into words what that moment felt like but girl, our smiles have not been the same.
Its been the greatest year..It hasn't been the easiest but it has been better than I could have imagined.

We travelled with some pretty cool people too. They helped momma and daddy out soooo much. Our trip to China was a life changing experience.

Tonight we had dinner with 2 families that helped bring you home. They too have a place in our hearts Their willingness to help and their generosity were wonderful gifts. They knew what we needed when we didn't. We are thankful for them as well.

Our journey together is still new.. Memories of last year flood my heart and my mind, but I will focus on the future and what God will do with us.

Happy Gotcha Day LynnMarie ChunAi Christopher!

3-13-10 LynnMarie turns 2!

After getting back to Port Canaveral from a 7 day cruise to Mexico, Honduras and Belize, we went to Amy's parents' condo to rest before having a birthday party with FL family at a park on the Mosquito River/Lagoon in New Smyrna Beach, FL. We lose the hour tonight and drive home early tomorrow to try to get home in time to meet another of our travel group families from China who will be in Atlanta for the day.

She had a party with 4 of her 6 cousins, and aunt and uncle, both grandmas, one grandpa, a Great Aunt by blood and another Great Aunt by marraige.

Got the Giggles

Atlanta Snow

This is the most snow we have seen since living in Atlanta and its beautiful. I am also thankful that I was off work this weekend..LynnMarie loved the look of the snow but didnt really want to touch it!!! Made for pretty pics though!
I enjoyed putting her in 2 pairs of pants, a long sleeve onesie, 2 shirts, 1 sweatshirt and 2 jackets..haha

Feb 2010 update

March is almost here. It will be a great month . We will celebrate 1 year with sweet LynnMarie and we will also celebrate her second birthday.

She is doing so well. She goes to Mothers Morning Out twice a week and spends time with Miss Tracy and Miss Lisa. They sing and clap, do artwork and get to be social. She also goes with mom to Bible Study on Wednesdays and is getting better in the nursery.

Her vocabulary so far includes momma, dada, book, Kitty (but it doesn't sound like kitty), purple, peach, milk, good girl, Minnie church, God, Jesus, Amen (or ANEN!!), and repeats a lot of words. She told said Bye Bye Jen Jen last week to a friend and it was such a sweet sound. She can fold her hands together to pray and even bows her head! She is a very very silly little girl!
She signs more, please, eat and thank you!

She is walking so fast all over the place and loves to watch the Mickey Mouse Club all the time! We can hear her singing some times and just brings so much joy to everyone!

Just wanted to give you an update on our sweet girl. Pics to come shortly!

January

LynnMarie,
You are growing up so fast sweet girl. Its been a blessing to watch your little spirit grow. You make everyone smile. You like to wiggle and giggle and dance. Its been almost 2 years since your life began and almost 1 year since life began for us as a family of 3.

You love going to school and playing with your friends. Miss Tracy loves you and says you are the only one who hasn't been in the 'red chair' all year. Your friends love you and Miss Tracy says you have taught them kindness. Before you could walk, your friends would bring you toys and would take care of you. Thinking about that makes me smile.

You are walking like such a big girl. One day you will read this and know that your mommy and daddy have always believed in you. You have such sweet, little dainty feet. Speaking of your feet, they are one of many things that God made special about you. But as you grow up, i want you to know that you are not defined by your feet or your sweet fingers..You will be defined by whats in your heart. but i also know that God will use your hands and feet to serve him and to serve others.

You have been sick a lot this month. you had lots of yuckies. but along with the sickness, you
bring smiles. One of my favorite mommy moments happened when you were sick. last week, you couldn't sleep and daddy was sick, so mommy stayed up. We rocked, we sang every praise song we could remember and we prayed. Your breathing was fast, you had a fever and you were just whimpering. So we sang for what seemed hours. You listened to me pray and early in the morning you just opened your eyes, smiled and went back to sleep. Your next few words included God, Jesus and I love to hear you say Bible. I pray that you keep these words close to your heart for the rest of your life.

LynnMarie, be confident and know that you, our sweet precious miracle, are fearfully and wonderfully made.

I dare you not to smile or giggle when watching this

LynnMarie meets a few new Florida Friends

at the bouncy thing

LynnMarie went to a birthday party

LynnMarie spent Sat afternoon at Lennah and Delilahs birthday party. It was at a big bouncy place in Hiram (forgot the name but much bigger than Monkey Joe's or whatever, it had something to do with kangaroos.) There was a special place for the little kids and she loved it..Loved to bounce. Now, I apologize for not taking pics of the birthday girls but we were so happy to meet some new friends and got to visit Meron and Sheridan too. LynnMarie enjoyed practicing her new walking skills and got a serious case of giggles. We jumped, bounced and LynnMarie figured out to climb up the bouncy slide, slide down and then walk back around. It was a fun time and were so glad to have gone. Thank you so much for having us ladies!!!

It wiped her out as well. Dozed on and off on the way home and still took a great nap when we got home! Looking forward to going for playtime soon!

Guess Who's WALKING!

Christopher family Christmas

Santa indeed did come to the Christopher House. Lynnmarie did her should I wake up at 630 cry and usually we give her a cup of milk and she goes back to bed but we kept her up. We got dressed and headed 1 mile to the Waffle House for breakfast as a family. We came back and opened a lot of gifts. She got a slide (with Mickey and Pluto waiting to slide down), pjs, a magnadoodle, her first bible, 3 baby dolls, a leap frog, some art supplies and plenty more!!!! Dad had to go to work so baby and I took a nice 3 hour nap. Dad came home and we looked in our stockings and Santa was indeed good. Our dinner for Christmas was with Uncle Pete and a Japanese Steak house and the girl loved it!!!

As much as I love all the gifts and lights and magic of Christmas, I pray that the beauty of the birth of Christ always lives in her heart. She did go to church Christmas Eve and after sitting with mom and dad for a bit, she got to go to the nursery and color a picture!

We had a precious holiday with just the 3 of us and we hope you did too!

On the Train at Stone Mountain

First Christmas Party

LynnMarie goes to Mother's Morning out 2 mornings a week and its been a great experience for her. Ms. Tracy and Miss Lisa love her and gave her lots of extra cuddles when she started. LynnMarie has learned a few songs, a few signs and she even obeys Ms. Tracy. Friday was their Christmas party and they had lunch that included chicken nuggets, cheese and fruit cocktail..LynnMarie cleaned her plate and Ms. Tracy said that was the most she has ever eaten. I got to meet all of her friends and their moms and thanked the teachers for a wonderful couple of months. She has such a good time with her friends. We are hoping that lynnMarie keeps learning new words from her new friends.

I thought you guys might like to see a few pics from her party. LynnMarie has learned to say Ho HO HO this week and is singing like crazy.

Birthday - 21 months old!