10 years of watching a miracle

How has it been 10 years since that 14 pound miracle was placed in my arms. Years of longing, waiting and dreaming and then POOF she was there! She is beautiful. She is kind. She is fearfully and wonderfully made. She is everything we dreamed of and more. 10 years of learning, loving and watching God used her to shape us and so many others. He has such big plans for the precious girl who I could not more than anything. I think about how adoption changed our lives, all for the better. Life is sweeter. Its almost like I got new glasses, things are just prettier all around now. She helps me find fun in the simple thing. We find challenges, well challenging and we have fun with those as well. I am so thankful for bringing adoption in our lives which in turn brought some of the most precious people over the years. I can not imagine had we said no.  #wecouldhavemissedthis

China 2009

6 years ago, this picture was taken a few days before we became parents to sweet LynnMarie. We were blessed with an amazing travel group. It was certainly the journey of a lifetime!!!

Tiny Dancer

Look at those sweet feet. The feet that made her our girl. We are so thankful to all who loved those sweet feet and took care of her while we waited to become a family!

5 years

LynnMarie week

This week we celebrated LynnMarie's 6th birthday and our 5th year as a family. We made some amazing memories with our favorite Princesses!

Our beautiful Christmas Angel- enough said

Fall fun and updates

Oh how I miss blogging. So much to share and not enough time to write. Our sweet LynnMarie ChunAi is 5 and half and has quite an imagination. She is so fun and silly. We have tried to enjoy the fall as much as possible by going to Gatlinburg for our anniversary, fall festivals, driving to Helen and spending some time outside. LynnMarie takes ballet and tap once a week and also enjoys going to church. We have been enjoying arts and crafts at home and we are we working on reading. She is trying so hard. I have attached some pictures of our little miracle. Can you believe its almost been 5 years since we accepted her referral? I can not wait to celebrate. Enjoy our pictures. Please keep our friends Team Radicci in your prayers as after 3 years of waiting, they are in China picking up their newest 2 babies! Its been a blessing to watch them walk in faithfulness

Fall 2013

So the first few weeks have been great for LynnMarie. She started kindergarten, starting riding the bus and celebrated Cow day at Chik Fil A. Socially, she loves to chat with ANYONE! Cant seem to find anyone who does not love this girl. She is simply amazing. We are learning about kind words and how to be a good friend.

Kindergarten

Dear sweet LynnMarie,

Tomorrow you start BIG GIRL school. Your mom is going to cry. A LOT! Yes its because you are growing up, and I am so excited to be a part of it. You my girl continue to help my heart grow and help me to see things in a new light! You have taught me to slow down and that I do not have to rush things because you do better taking your sweet time and I love that. You have taught me that I get frustrated at things I do not need to get frustrated with. Perhaps you will be a teacher one day. You tell me when you grow up you want to feed the hungry people. I can not wait to help you do this. I want you to love like Jesus.

As a friend told me last night, you have exceeded our expectations and have taught me to just be our best. You have such a tender heart, and you love more than anyone I know. You are taking a new step and although I want to keep you my baby forever, I can not wait to see what God has in store for you. But please do not stop cuddle bugging with me yet. You have certainly surprised us so far. Every day, I am thankful that I get to watch you grown and become your own person. You have taught me to giggle at the silliest things and hope you find lots of sillies this year in your class

I used to fear the unknown but you have taught us to embrace it. I love that we are confident that our God has had His hands on you since before we became a family. You have such a sweet story that just makes me cry and smile and praise God for the gift of you. Some people do not think kindergarten is a big deal but girl, this momma is going to celebrate every milestone with you. 

Momma and Daddy love you more than anything in the world. You are my favorite sweet potato. I pray when you grow up and read this, you know how proud we are of you. 

^{Jer 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.

Psalm 139:14  praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well

Spring 2013

I can not believe sweet girl is 5 !!!

 4 years ago, I placed her in a Mothers Morning out program and there she has been until now. We are graduating from preschool next week. I am thankful for the teachers that have gotten to know us and have loved as and worked with us over the years. I am going to be quite sad next week. It is going to be a HUGE change for all of us. She has come so far. I have attached some pictures so you can see just how amazing she is. We have started speech and occupational therapy which she is enjoying. She is also finishing up her first year of dance and will be performing Be our Guest for her recital. The girl loves life. She is constantly telling us new things and even repeats things she shouldn't. We are learning a lot from this precious girl. So much to blog but wanted to get something on her soon. I am sad google reader is leaving so I have to figure something out. If you still blog, please leave me a link so I can follow yours

5th Birthday celebration

This March, we took LynnMarie to celebrate her 5th birthday and 4th Gotcha Day at Disney World. Precious memories were made and it was nice to spend time as a family and to take the time to focus on our girl. I can not wait to plan another trip. I am posting some of my favorite pictures! 

No idea why the pics are distorted, but will work on it later, sorry!

the first 5 years!

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Fall 2012

I really miss this blog!! Its November and its National Adoption Month so we are going celebrate adoption and our LynnMarie ! November, 4 years ago we found our sweet girl and can not wait to share that story with you again! But until then, here are a few pics of that sweet face

11th anniversary

The Christopher's spent their 11th anniversary in Gatlinburg, Tn over a 3 day weekend. We had such a fun time as a family and had a great time relaxing and exploring and enjoying the beautiful fall weather God gave us. We had soooo many learning activities and made some wonderful memories!!!

                                                       Chasing pigeons

                                                                       Hanging with my Daddy

                                                                       Family Pic

                                                     LynnMarie took the class pet Nemo to Tn with us