First Fridays

Friday night we had dinner with a new friend along with the Perry's and the Ladmans at Applebees. We had a great time, and talked about run adoption, work, and blogs. Too fun! Then we headed to North Metro Church for First Fridays and once again we were blessed. We socialized, listened to a wonderful musician and listened to Mr. Tony Nolan speak. His words were just what I needed to hear. We visited with old friends and met new ones..There were many babies to be seen. A special part of our night was seeing Denise. If you remember the story, we met Denise and her family on a Disney Cruise almost 18 months ago. That visit helped solidify our decision to adopt from China. We also were able to visit Marissa, the very talkative child I met on that cruise. What an evening it was! We learned that friends who are adopting from Taiwan are moving to Phoenix and we wish them the best.

We ended the night with some Cold Stone Ice Cream and just talking! If you live near Atlanta and would like to attend First Fridays, please email me and I will get you the info.

I do need to clarify something. During First Friday, I was talking to someone and I mentioned that I thought everyone should be doing this. I didn't mean that I think everyone should adopt internationally. I was actually talking about the process that I am going through. I feel like I talk about this a lot on my blog. I can't believe this journey we are on and what it has taught me and what it has shown me. I used to fight tears and now they flow freely and I love it. Emotions that I have never experienced are popping up and I love it. God's hand has been all over this and will continue to guide Michael and I through this journey of love. "When Love takes you in" is so appropriate for our family. Adoption has become a passion and I can not wait to get LynnMarie home but I also can not wait to see what else we learn along the way. I can not imagine where we would be without First Fridays or adoption. Susan and Dan, thank you for inviting us and thanks for being a part of this wonderful time for our family!

God is good!!!

adoption

Well I decided to join the Women's ministry and yesterday was the kick-off. We are going to be doing the Amazing Collection, which will allow me to read and study the entire Bible in 3 years, You can read about my experience here.
Anyway, I started thinking about the process of adoption, which we started almost one year ago.

I asked God to bring something new into our marriage, God led us to adoption.

I asked God for new friends for the both of us, God less us to adoption

I asked God for patience, God led us to adoption

I asked for God to bring me closer to Him, God led us to adoption

I longed for us to be a part of a wonderful church, God led us to adoption

I asked God to teach me how to be a better nurse, God led us to adoption

This process has changed my entire way of thinking. 6 years ago, we were getting ready to get married and had discussed children and all the things you are supposed to talk to. I can assure you that adoption was not even discussed. I can not believe how my heart and mind have changed over the past 6 years. Its awesome.
Oh I know the wait is long. I want a family now. I must be patient. I must not worry over things I can not control. Easier said than done. I will eventually get down over this wait. I hope not, but I must be realistic. I am just going to enjoy it now!
Our LynnMarie is not even here, and I feel like we have had a life changing experience!!!

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!

Mail

I woke up from my nap to find Michael home, who had brought the mail in. In the mail were 2 letters from the Senators offices that we visited last week. At least we know someone wrote back.
I am at work and I have just made sure that all forms we are sending to Houstin have been copied. I have written the cover letter and gotten the application ready. I just need Michael to double check and add the money order!

Michaels BC made its way back to DC today and I thought I made a mistake by sending it FedEx but apparently they only accept FedEx. Whoo!

My old college neighbor posted below and shes been logged in for a few months. I cant wait to hear more stories from her!

First Friday

Last night Michael and I had a sort of date night. After watching this weeks ER, we headed to dinner at a Mexican restaurant. After our dinner, we proceeded to go to our First Friday gathering, which has been a great support for the adoption process. We met a new China baby, celebrated with a couple who recently got a referral of their little boy (they were expecting a girl) and got to know people who were also in the waiting stages. I have enjoyed this greatly and I wish everyone lived closer so that we could spend more time with them.

The family who opens their home for First Friday usually talks a little bit and answers some questions. I am happy to say that after a few months, we actually participated and received some hope. Even though it was a smaller crowd, I am really glad that we went!

So this week, we we will be sending Michaels birth certificate back to Maryland to get it notarized and authenticated, we get finger printed on Valentines day and the wait for the most wanted piece of paper, the I-171!