family

Well,this is the Christopher Family blog which is about our family and how we go about getting our family. I don't have anything really profound to say tonight except that I am still okay with the wait. Michael and I celebrated our 6th anniversary last weekend.
Please stay with me, its going to get a bit random. I started thinking about how I looked at other families. I remember meeting couples years ago who had been married 10 years and didn't have children. I remember thinking, "Gosh, I cant imagine that. I have to have a baby before then." I really thought that would be a horrible thing (rest assured I dont think that way now). Now, look at us. It looks like it will be close to that when we have our family. We have so many friends now that have waited even longer than we have for a family and they have been such an encouragement. I do want us to be the best parents we can be and I want the best for our children. I pondered about that today and just had to have a moment with God and share my desires with Him. We would love 2 children. I would love 2 children. I would love a biological baby. I don't have to have these, its just the way I dreamed about things. Is that bad to admit? As I was talking to God this morning, I just simply asked him to grant the desires of my heart, but I know it may not be the way I have planned all my life. We do want a biological child but after many years I can say that I will be satisfied if that does not happen. It feels good to be at peace with things.

This may come across so the wrong way and maybe I should not publish this post but I no longer feel like I have to have a family the old fashioned way. The one thing that has been shown to me during this process is that God's timing for our lives is so much better than mine and then we are waiting God is using that time to prepare us, to show us things, to even change us in some way. I forget that sometimes. I get impatient. I am looking forward to my family. I will say that sometimes I get scared that things will not happen. I think that everyone has those thoughts and I need to admit them sometimes. Then I rethink the promises God has given me and I feel so reassured.

Anyway, these are my (Amy) thoughts and feelings. Many of you I consider good friends and many of you whether you want to or not are considered my mentors. I am thankful for all of you.
I can't wait to share more about the Christopher family.

update

Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the adoption blog world, I forget that I started this blog to keep family and friends up to date with our journey to parenthood.

Since we have begun this journey, the wait time has increased. It could take 3 years to bring LynnMarie home. Its true. Its okay. But, I want you guys to read this. Friends at work say " No way, people bring babies home from China all the time". That's true, its just not as quick as you think it is. Believe me, the wait time has increased.

Michael and I want a family that includes children. This is the way we have decided to start our family. We are still at peace about it. There is a reason we are on this journey. I have said at the beginning that I have been looking forward to the wait. I still am. I wish it were not so long. I want LynnMarie home now, but this is part of the journey. This is not to say we won't have a biological child. We have chosen not to focus on that yet. I know some of you will get tired of asking "when?" and may get tired of hearing of us talk about China and LynnMarie. I certainly hope not but I understand. She is in our hearts now.

Someone on my personal blog asked why we chose China when the wait is so long. The truth is when we started this journey, the wait was almost half of what it is now. Michael and I need the wait to get ourselves ready.

God's hand has been all over this process. I am not the best with writing spiritual things.I have so many things in my mind and heart right now, that I wish I could get them out in writing. I sometimes get the words wrong and they just don't make sense. So I will make this simple. Here is one verse has been an encouragement to me:

Psalm 37: 4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart

God knows my desires and he promised to fulfill them. It may not be the ways I wanted or expected but I have learned that if I can be patient, His plan is far better than I could ever have planned for myself. Its hard not to do things my way but I also know that God has taught me many lessons in waiting these days.

I am so glad referrals came in this week. Its a fun time for those of us waiting to see. I cant believe this blog passed its one year mark last month!! More details on that soon!

Thanks for reading!

Amy