Monday, October 20, 2008

Monday Meditations



Recently, a lot of people have started discussions with me regarding adoption. No matter what type ( domestic or international), its a great conversation.

I pray that adoption continues to grow in the hearts of people and more children join their forever families.

I pray for those who are discouraged by the wait.

I pray for those who have referrals and are getting ready to bring their babies home

I ,pray for those who are waiting.

I pray for the birth families of our children's families that they will find peace.

What are you praying about today?

Saturday, October 18, 2008

the fostering of Autumn

Warning; this is an odd post so do not assume I am crazy..Just some odd thoughts


So last Sunday, we decided to look at basset hounds.

For the last couple of weeks, we had been talking about getting another dog. Michael suggested fostering. I was not keen on the idea. I wanted a permanent friend. His rationale was lets go get a dog who needs some extra special attention because for whatever reason they were in a kennel and not a home.

I wanted a Basset. I wanted a young, healthy one that had been fostering home. This is what I wanted. I wanted to pick her out and I wanted things our way.But sometimes you dont get to pick out your family member.

Here is how it happened. We get there and the rescue group decides we should foster the dog that has been in the kennel the longest. So we did not get to pick. The group decided what dog we should have and brought her out to meet us.
Ok, I am so glad I did not get my way. Miss Autumn is one heck of an awesome dog. With Lucy she was always crated when we were asleep or away. Autumn has had very little crate time. I am looking forward to taking her to Fl with us next time!

I am shocked at how good this dog is.

So, does this story sound familiar? Not that I am comparing my dog to our China adoption but I have to say that this proves that not everything I want is what is best for us.

She makes a really good fit in the Christopher house!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

A New Friend





On Sunday Amy and I became foster parents to a beautiful rescue basset hound. They think she is 3 years old and she is a perfect housepet. She is housebroken, uses the doggie door and loves to cuddle. She's a big girl, much bigger than our Lucy was. The Basset Hound Rescue of Georgia had named her Tulip, but we are calling her Autumn. We are caring for her until they find an adoptive home, but I have a suspicion she may have found one already.
And check this sout. On the way home from picking her up on Sunday, we stoped at a church pumpkin patch and met a local couple with their adoptive Chinese daughter. How cool is that?

Monday, October 13, 2008

Anniversary Trip Pictures

Monday Meditations

No matter how few comments I get here (and that really is not the point), I love my weekly list of some of the things I talk to God about. This week, I got several messages and emails of people asking for prayer.

Please pray for Margaret as she and Graeme are in the hospital hours away from home having his surgery.

Pray for those travelling this week to and from
China, P
ray for those who are doubting some of their decisions.

Pray that we can continue to encourage each other.
Pray that no matter who wins the election, that God will begin working in the life of a man who will influence the world.

Pray for encouragement for those who are not getting the good news that they were expecting
Please pray for Jason and Amber. Today marks the 1 year they lost Ava. They lost 2 sweet girls within 1 year and my heart is with them today

Praises to the extra day of referral.

Praise
God, that Donna got that wonderful piece of paper she was waiting for. Praise God that people are adopting from all over the world. I am thankful that this wait has allowed us to meet some awesome people. Hope you will join me in prayer

Saturday, October 11, 2008

no updates

We are still waiting for our updated 171. last time, we got within 10 days of being fingerprinted and now its been almost 2 months. I guess it will get here when it gets here.

Nothing new to report. We are still waiting and we are still okay with it. I am saving vacation time at work and I am ready to get the house in order.
We had a great day in Chattanooga and I cant wait for Michael to get done with the photos. So sorry we missed the chat yesterday!

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Atlanta Adoption support group

If you are in the Atlanta area and desire to be a part of our Adoption Support group, send me an email to amyschristopher@comcast.net or click on the Adopt Option yahoo button on the sidebar of our blog. This is the group that was meeting the first Friday of each month (yes we are still meeting, come join the fun and find fellowship and encouragement). This is open to all adoption (all international and domestic). Come join us! November will be great!

For great details of this new group, visit Donna who is a fabulous resource

Monday, October 06, 2008

Tuesdays Talk With God


Had to change over to Tuesday this week because yesterday was busy and I was just so tired. This week, I pray for my families who have seen their sweet child and are waiting to bring their sweet children home. I pray for those who are working on finances to complete their adoption. I pray for our agencies, those who do our travel planning and everyone involved in the matching. I am thankful for the online adoption community and my Atlanta friends! Whats on your heart today?

My heart is heavy for a family tonight. Read here to get their story. Their sweet boy was adopted from Ethiopia just a few weeks ago and was involved in such a tragic accident. Pray for their sweet boy and all those who are taking care of him

Also praying for Tricia and Nate. I have mentioned them before. She has CF and received a double lung transplant and has given birth in the past year. WOw. She is pretty sick right now and please just life her and her family right now!

Sunday, October 05, 2008

Appreciation - post by Michael

It has been an interesting few weeks for me. I have become active in a pair of men's Bible studies. I have become more enthusiastic about the worship experience at my church. I have been actively working to raise money for a health-based charity that is close to both my family and to me as an individual. I have been reading a work of fiction that is touching me in some very unexpected ways.

If it makes sense at all, I would like to say I have a better appreciation of God now than I have in recent months. That sounds pretty weird, but it's the best word I can think of to explain it.

I also have a better appreciation to report and that is an appreciation of a gift I received from God. That gift is my beautiful wife Amy. Today marks 7 years since we were married and more than anything I find myself thankful for the fact that she loves me both for who I am and in spite of who I am.



i met some new friends tonight at our adoption support group. These new friends are raising money to bring Levi home! If you live in the Atlanta area, I hope you get the chance to go. I think hubby has a commitment that night so if anyone wants to go with me let me know!

Here are the details!!!


FUNDRAISER FOR LEVI SAMUEL
OCTOBER 11, 2008 7PM

THEY ARE HAVING A CONCERT ( BOB PATTERSON AKA BOGEY AND THE BAND)
AND FOOD. THEY WILL HAVE HOT DOGS. BRING YOUR COOLERS, CHAIRS AND BLANKETS DONATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.. THERE WILL ALSO BE A BONFIRE
LET ME JUST SAY IF YOU COULD SEE LEVI'S PICTURE AND SMILE, YOU WOULD DO WHAT YOU COULD TO GET LEVI HOME. I CAN NOT WAIT TO GET TO KNOW HIS PARENTS BETTER

JULIET MICHAEL'S LAND
4825 OLD CARTERSVILLE ROAD
DALLAS, GA 30132

FOR DIRECTIONS OR OTHER INFO CALL 404-456-1495 (ERIC AND TIFFANY)

Saturday, October 04, 2008

adoption support group!

Last night, Michael had to work so I went by myself to enjoy dinner and fellowship with some adoption friends. Once again, I had a wonderful time and realized that community is awesome. If you live in the Atlanta area and are interested in adoption at all (domestic or international) I hope you get the chance to join us. Drop me a comment and I will get you in the info. I finally got to spend some time with Miss Delilah and boy is she awesome, as well as her big sister Lennah! I love my friends and look forward to getting to know them more






Thursday, October 02, 2008

Scrapbook

Question for those who have been there done that! I would love to start making LynnMarie's quilt scrapbook but I am not creative, what do you guys suggest?

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

First Fridays

For those who attend First Fridays in Ga,if you have not received an email regarding this month's First Friday, please email me at amyschristopher@comcast.net ASAP

Amy

Monday, September 29, 2008

Monday Meditations

Praying for so much this week on a variety of things. I pray daily for LynnMarie,her birth parents, her caregivers and for us to become the parents she needs. I pray for China. I pray for the people who will be transporting us to China (can never pray to early, can ya?), praying for referrals, praying for our families who are waiting along with all of us and I am thanking God for this amazing journey! What about you?

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Community

When we said yes to adoption, we had no idea what was in store. I really had not experienced community before but adoption (even just the wait) led to a wonderful support group which led to a a wonderful church which led to a very cool small group. I have not even began to think about the community. Those of you who visit this blog or chat with me on Saturday mornings or have met us for a dinner somewhere around the country have managed to encourage us beyond belief. You have made our wait exciting and have made me look foward to being a family in a new light. I can not believe how much this community has helped change us this past year. Really, I mean change. The kind of change you can not blog about. You have encouraged my weight loss, worked with Michael and I on various things and I know some of you are still praying for us.

We have struggles. Some of you know our struggles very well. The mental, the physical, the spiritual and the emotional.

I am so thankful for all of these things. We do not get to see a lot of our First Friday friends more than once a month, but I do feel like its a family. I have a feeling if I needed help (of any kind), even a stranger would help me. Wowsers! I have never felt this before, way cool!!!!

We have been blessed this week. Blessed Big. This blessing made me feel loved. Now, I am not saying my family didn't love me, they did and that's not what I am talking about. People who knew what our needs are now and what they will be closer to LynnMarie and said hey, we want to help you. This doesn't sound like much but to me this is big. I have found friends who really love me. Its an awesome, comfortable feeling.

What was the blessing you may ask? A beautiful crib. This took away a financial stress and a mental one as I never would have been able to pick out one so beautiful!

So friends, you raised our spirits, took away a stress and demonstrated God's love just by being you. You guys rock and you make my heart smile!!


....and to all of you who have ever commented or simply read this blog, thank you.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Don't forget the chat tomorrow

See that button on my sidebar that says I am at the Sat morning chat? Hmm, how about you clicking on it lets say between 8-12 (Ga time)tomorrow? That will take you to the Seventh Diamond blog and you can hang out with some cool adoption families and just have some online fellowship (that would be a cool blog title,heehee)

Hope to see you there !!!!!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

17 months since are wait officially began. When will LynnMarie come home?
Ill let you know what book I pick later. Its my turn to pick Woohoo






This is the book I chose for the month. I am loving this author, Amy krouse Rosenthal. We have another one off her books caled Cookies, bite sized lessons..One of my favorites

Monday, September 22, 2008

Monday Meditations

I have missed a couple of Mondays for various reasons but mostly I did not want to come here with just a list. I wanted to share what was on my heart and hear what is on yours!

Lots to be thankful for and lots to talk to God about this week!

I am thankful for
-adoption friends who have made this an amazing wait
-First Fridays
-the time I have had to accomplish some goals
-families who have recently been united and those who are just about to meet their new family member
-that the SN program has had more people interested
-that Susannah is getting better (most of you know who I am talking about, just dont have her link)
- RMJ at The Seventh Diamond for her Saturday morning chats. What? You dont know what I am talking about? Check out my sidebar and I will see you Saturday


I am praying for
-the sick babies in China
-families who are getting frustrated with the wait
-travel mercies for those heading to China for adoption and those who are going to help
-those who are considering a SN adoption
-God to prepare all of us waiting families for our child. There is purpose of this wait and we never see it but I trust I will be stronger because of it

Ok, so what's on your heart today? I have missed this!
-Amanda at Starfish

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Walk for a Cure

Next month I am participating in a Walk for the Cure event for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. I have a personal goal of raising $300 and I need sponsors to do it. If you would like to help, you can make an online donation at my pledge page by going here...

http://walk.jdrf.org/walker.cfm?id=87158946

Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated, and if I hit my goal before you can get there, it certainly does not mean you can't donate too!

Thanks!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Date Day

Amy worked last night, so she came home to sleep a bit before we went out. We had decided to go to the movies today, so I woke her around noon and I left to go to the gym. When I got home she was ready. I took a quick shower and we headed out to a 1:45 showing of Mamma Mia. Yeah, it should be considered a chick flick, but here's the deal. I like theatre, especially musicals, so I was enthused. Besides this, my mother brought me up listening to ABBA. We both liked the film a lot and so I would encourage you all to check it out (if you can fit it in around raising your kids!). Here's a montage of a bit of the music... (oh yeah, we went to the grocery store, Amy is at the gym, and I'm doing a little housework before I cook dinner).

Sunday, September 14, 2008

What is fun?

One thing that is fun is being able to sit on a floor and be loved on by about a dozen basset hounds at one time!

This morning Amy and I got our motivated selves out of bed and to the early service for church. After church we came home for lunch (I had breakfast for lunch).

Around 2pm we got in the car to truck over to Roswell for an event at PetSmart. It was BHRG day! That's Basset Hound Rescue of Georgia! We met a lot of furry friends including Floppy, Fannie May, Orlando, Mason, Eloise and Sierra. We talked about what it will take for us to adopt and that we could also consider fostering dogs needing forever families. We miss Lucy.

After playing with the dogs we went next door to Trader Joe's. Amy has been raving about this grocery store which has a loyal trendy following. From what I can see, they keep it small, about 1/3 he size of a regular grocery the focus is on their own brand of everything, organics, and a handful of namebrands including Ben & Jerry's (one flavor), Fiji water, and about every type of meal-replacement bar you can name.

We came home to relax a bit and then went out to dinner at a sports bar/tex-mex joint called Taco Mac. I noticed a couple coming in with an infant and pointed them out to Amy because the baby had little hair for being about 10 months old. It turns out Amy knows the baby! He's on of the ones she cares for in the nursery at church, so we stopped by their table to introduce ourselves as we were leaving.


Saturday, September 13, 2008

So what do you think

Since turning in our MCC (medical condition checklist) in June, I have had some great conversations. A lot of people are asking, "what do you think you will get?" or "Do you have a gut feeling about a special need?"


I have one friend who really thinks LynnMarie will have a cleft condition. Now, to me that would make sense since i have been working with cleft children for almost 7 years. I have no idea what she will have. We checked off A LOT of conditions. If I had to ask, I think she will have a cleft lip or palate or some type of ortho problem We will see.

I guess it kind of like when you are pregnant and you wonder what color hair will she have or if she will have hair at all..

On a serious note, the phone rang this week and had the 303 area code and said Colorado. My heart rate went up only to get a call from a furniture store. That was sooooo not cool!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Casting Crowns: Slow Fade Video

Family is sooooo important!

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Special purchase

Today, I (Amy) went to the Yellow Daisy Festival here in Atlanta (actually Stone Mountain) and had a blast walking with friends and looking at hundreds of vendors.

2 interesting things happened. In the early afternoon, I was looking with friends at something and someone tapped me on the shoulder and asked "Are you Amy"? I said yes and she said I am Pam C. You see, Pam is a waiting family in Roswell and we have been visiting blogs and sending emails back and forth for months. The plan was to meet at First Friday tomorrow but I got to meet her early. How cool was that? There were thousands of people there, and the 2 of us wandered in the same place at the same time. I can tell she rocks and cant wait to visit with her.

We keep wandering and see something that looks a bit Asian. I notice that a man has a beautiful display of prints. He has different names written in Chinese. Of course I looked. Now, my plan was to buy the names Lynn and Marie and combine it. He asked me what I was looking for and I wrote down her name and he said come back in an hour. Then he said wait. Then, he proceeded to do the piece you see below. Is it not beautiful? The best part of the day was not the artwork but the conversation that went with it. He asked me about LynnMarie. He wanted to know if she was in an orphanage or a foster home and I explained that we were waiting. He then told me " Good for you. Daughters from China love their mommas. Doesn't matter if they live in China or America, Chinese girls love their mommas and LynnMarie will love you. He told me that adoption is a most wonderful gift and my life will be changed forever. He said he was sorry the wait was so long, as if this was his fault.This sweet man touched my heart. Now, my coworker that went with does not know a lot about China adoption but boy was she excited about this story and the artwork. This man touched two lives that day. He told me he is from Guangzhou and I asked him about the White Swan (since I really do not know much about the place). He said " Yes I know the White Swan, it is very old but has lots of heart". He laughed and said there was much more to China than the White Swan. My coworker thought he meant pandas. Oh dear.
I hope I see this man again. I do have his card if anyone is interested in his work.


I can not imagine my life if we had not said Ok God regarding adoption. I would not have as many heart warming stories to share. My life would be incredibly different.

and my friend Lauryn (after hearing about China and ladybugs) said she would be okay if she did not see a ladybug again for a very long time. Apparently I spotted a lot of them.









Monday, September 01, 2008

Monday Meditations

I am pray for those who serve our country who are not with their families.
I pray for those in the path of the enormous storm
I pray for LynnMarie
I pray for myself.
I pray for those who are waiting

I pray for all of China
I pray God will continue to mold us into the parents He created us to be

Your turn. Join me, won't you?

Friday, August 29, 2008

We're Getting a Chinese Baby!

Well... I suppose clarification is in order.

The We I referred to is the greater Atlanta community.

The Chinese baby I referred to will be a son or daughter to Lun Lun, the female Giant Panda at the Atlanta Zoo.

So even though it's not what you thought, it IS cause to celebrate!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Monday Meditations



What's on your heart today? The past 2 weeks the world has been watching China. I am praying for the people of China, our LynnMarie, travel mercies for those who are in China now, and those of us who are still waiting. I pray that God will transform our hearts during the weight and will do something incredible during this time.
I am also praying for those who are making huge decisions regarding their China adoptions. I am thankful that because of their decision to adopt to China, God opened doors to other countries.
I am thankful for the friends who have encouraged me simply by obeying and adopting. Their decision has greatly impacted my life and its the coolest thing.
and I will praying for each pair of eyes that reads this post this week.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

LynnMarie's Book #16



This is one that I remember from my youth. We had a copy of this story in a book I assume is no longer in print because it looked nothing like this book, but the story has to be the same.

Mike

16 down


16 months down. and what should you do on your 16th LIDversary? Go get fingerprinted of course? We were 5 minutes late and still got in and got out in 17 minutes. Hopefully that was the last time visiting the place before China. After that we finally visited the Marietta Diner. Holy Cow, it was so yummy!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Here ya go! Vacation pics and I know there are a lot of them. Check out the manatee pics and the ones of the moon.

Thanks to our families, Don, Be, Joanna Mei, Dannye and Mom, Fliss and Mike and our other friends for making this is a very rockin trip!

Monday, August 18, 2008

Monday Meditations-a bit late

Oh I did not forget. Today is a day for giving praise. Nothing special happenned, its just the attitude. Sometimes I get tired of asking. Im going to let God do the asking of me. I will wait. I will have hope. I am so thankful for each pair of eyes who reads this. Some of you I do not know, some of you I know pretty well. I am thankful for this journey.. Join me today, won't you? and yes Sara, for you I am so thankful. God is good and through your story, I saw a glimpse of sonshine!!!!!

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Meeting Joanna Mei and the lightbulb going off

This will be the first of many posts over the next few days just because I have so much stuff to share with you. I got to get this one out of the way before my heart explodes

We are back from vacation and more pics will be posted. Michael posted the pics of meeting some friends below. Some of you have read Dannye (LayDfrog) and Don and Be's blogs before. This was the second time of meeting these beautiful people.

Once again, God chose vacation to have a few words for me. Saturday was different. My passion for LynnMarie has been renewed. What I am finding funny on this adoption journey are that these little people are helping to change my life. Sheridan, Shelby, Micah, Gianna have helped in this process.

I think back seven years ago when I chose the floor in the hospital I am working on. God has been orchestrating events and they are sooooo falling into place.

Anyway, Saturday we spent time with these wonderful families who have been encouraging us for so long. We got to meet Joanna Mei who has been home from China less than a month . I spent some time with her parents and they were so very honest with us. Joanna Mei is considered "special needs" but honestly I would never have known. Its an obvious visual need, but my heart simply looked and played with her as I realized something. This is the first time in my life that I think I have done this. I really did look past anything that makes JMei different and just loved her and played with her. I will forever look at special needs in a different light. Adopting a SN child is not about me. Its not about Michael. This kind of hit me hard. Its not about what we can handle. I know for a fact, God will not give us something we can not handle. I am not worried about that at all anymore. Its more about what we can do to give this child the best, happiest life possible! I want that. I want to give her memories that make her heart smile.

God has been doing some amazing, wonderful things during this wait and I would not change it for the world.

I am so ready to love LynnMarie. I need a child that needs a little bit more extra love. This makes me excited.

Don and Be shared their story.Once again, I know that God places the right child in your home. No matter how you want to change the wait and everyone's wait is different, I do not want to fight God's plan. This in itself, is a whole other post. JMei is so right for this family. We have seen that with Sheridan and Shelby and Micah. I can't describe it. These children have been so perfectly placed. I can not believe I have been given the opportunity to be on this journey.

Joanna Mei, you my friend helped turn the lightbulb on and for that you are etched in my heart. and by the way, your parents rock!






Don, Be, and J-Mei


Mike, Amy, Don, Ellen (Dannye's mom), Dannye, Be, and J-Mei!

Monday, August 11, 2008

Monday Meditations

Good morning friends

What are you praying for today?

Praying for LynnMarie and her care givers
China, the world is watching this country
I am praying for those who are serving our country around the world
Adoption friends. Some of our blogging friends are going through some really hard times. These are friends who have encouraged me and helped this wait go by faster. Please pray for those who are struggling with some important decisions
You
the Chapmans- the world has been invited to hear their story. May we all be encouraged and may God continue to comfort this family that is a part of many of our stories

What am I thankful for?
Friends- We have made some awesome new friends
China
Family
Adoption
the blogging community

What about you? What are you praying for? What are you thankful for?

Saturday, August 09, 2008

another post

So, I really did not want to blog about the Olympics because a) everyone is blogging about them and 2) I am just now watching the opening ceremonies.

I hope my friends and family watched the Olympics and I may possibly buy the dvd of the ceremonies. You, my friend and families are going to have a huge impact on LynnMarie and I hope you take the time to learn a little bit more of where she is from.

This ceremony has gotten me thinking but what doesn't? Our adoption wait has helped me reflect on my past, our present and our future with LynnMarie. We are adopting her from a country of great history. I am afraid. Not afraid of China. Afraid of not being able to do a good job about teaching her of her birth place. What if we fail? What if she does not grow up with a passion and knowledge of an amazing culture. I think this is why it is so important to learn what we can during the wait so that we can be as prepared as possible.

While watching tonight, I found myself in tears. Both happy and sad I guess. I was moved how wonderful the ceremony was, how much time was put into it, how much passion the performers had. The world is watching China right now. China has become much more personal since pursuing adoption. This is where my daughter is . Our daughter. How real is that? What will she be like? I am listening to stories of people overcoming things and pursuing their dreams? Will LynnMarie have her dreams come true? I see these Chinese women in traditional costume and I can not help but think of my daughter. I dream of her friends and even wonder what Shelby, Micah, Sheridan, Gianna, and all of my other little friends will be like when they get older! Will they be great friends! I so hope so and am so thankful for the First Friday community.

Friends inside and outside of the adoption community and family, LynnMarie will be home one day. I pray that you will help us teach her about who she is and love her and help her fulfill her dreams. I hope that you will learn a little bit of Chinese culture. Once we know when she is coming home, we will share some of the things we have learned.

I really missed her tonight!

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

China

This week on the Travel Channel, has been China Week. We were able to record most of the shows ( they have repeated many of the shows). I hope we are able to visit some of the country before we meet Miss LynnMarie one day. We just a glimpse of this amazing place that contains so much history. I had no idea how long the Great Wall was or that are restaurants that serve just dumplings. I totally recommend you watch any and all of these shows. Family, hope you get the chance to see where you niece, granddaughter is from. Its just beautiful.


We did learn that for 150.00 you can feed a panda and for another hundred or 2 they will bring out a chubby panda for you to hold. If that is possible, I am so up for that. We will have another laundry container set up for the "Amy wants to hug a Panda fund at our house if you ever visit. Just kidding.

Check out the Wild China series. We still have so many shows to watch but I want to learn more.

For family and friends, we have no news for you. But it blows me away that we are going to China to meet our daughter one day. How exciting!!!!!!!!




Sunday, August 03, 2008

Monday Meditations

Morning! I am soooo thankful for my adoption community around the country. From the blogging community to my First Friday group (see post below), its been the most amazing wait ever!

What are you praying for?
I pray that families will be united soon. Shelby and Delilah will be with their families soon and that's sooo cool. I pray that seeds are being planted for adoption in general across the world. Each one of us has the power to make an amazing difference in people's lives simply by our attitude. I pray I maintain an attitude of hope and joy! I pray for those who are discouraged. I pray for LynnMarie and that she gets an extra hug today! I am praying for you.

Let me know if you stop by today please!

Saturday, August 02, 2008

First Friday Beautiful Blessings

Man oh Man, was I blessed again. I had so much fun last night. First Fridays is our monthly Atlanta Support group and if you ever want to come join us the First Friday of the month, I will clear the weekend for you!

We had a large turn out (over 20 people) for dinner before hand at La Dolce Vita and was able to visit with new and old friends. Always a good thing! Donna had some blogging friends from Augusta visiting so they came as well and I got to see some pics of Miss Faith who will be joining her forever family soon. Lennah's mom is heading to Ethiopia to get Delilah soon and it was wonderful to hear about her plans as well. I was able to visit with Christy and her family too! Fun times and this was just dinner! As you can tell, a lot of these families have blogs as well!

So we headed to the church and we first set up our box for Starfish. We collected some things for Amanda at the Starfish Foster home and learned she would be visiting First Friday early in 2009. August is a slow month for First Friday so we were hoping for at least a few items but FF friends did not disappoint! See the pictures!

We were able to visit with some amazing people there. We have a new friend who is fundraising for her adoption. She wrote a beautiful poem, has it framed and will personalize it with pics from you. You need to see these. If not only for yourself, these are great gifts.

We started with introductions as we had new kids to meet. There was Meron, who has been home from Ethiopia for 5 weeks, Nicklas, who came home from China the same day as Meron and baby Nate who has an amazing story of his own. I love this group!

Next up Michael Perry and Susan Chapman talked about opportunities. We talked about Annabelle's Wish, Starfish Foster Home, G2 Girls and China Tree which is an amazing Chinese school in Kennesaw to teach your children about Chinese culture and language. I can not wait for LynnMarie to get home so we can take part of this. Michael also reminded us about the Starfish story. The more I am reminded, the more I want to help, one child or family at a time! Love that story, the fact that each one of has the ability to help someone is amazing!

Then time for more socializing and meeting new people. We had so much fun we were one of the last families to leave!

Honestly, we do not deserve this community. These are some of the people who will be welcoming LynnMarie home. They love us and have such a love for children and international adoption.
We also had the promise of what is the most unselfish,giving gift from some wonderful friends. I can not wait to share it with you.

Friday, August 01, 2008

First Fridays

Tonight is First Fridays, who is going to join me? If you live in the Atlanta area, check out www.firstfridayschina.com for more details. I have never NOT been blessed by this awesome community. Dudes, it sooo rocks!

Thursday, July 31, 2008

recent thoughts

I have really enjoyed reading a lot of blogs lately. You guys have been so honest and that is awesome.

I have also spent some thinking about LynnMarie. I do pray for her and hope she gets hugs and cuddles. I wonder what will be going on in her head during Gotcha Day. I know if will be rough but I wonder what its like when everything that is comforting to you and everything you have known is taken away from you. I can not imagine and can not get these thoughts out of our head. I pray we will be able to comfort her and will be able to give her the love and the things she needs.

It's a very scary thought. Did any of you guys ever dwell on things like this?

I still have a lot of anxiety in the whole preparation for LynnMarie thing. We need to get Operation Christopher Clean up in action. In regards to her room, I have no idea where to even start. Truly. Now its funny, before we turned in our MCC, I knew exactly what I wanted. Now that our wait has probably decreased ( we still may have a year to go) I have no idea. Really. its still overwhelming. Goodness, it's still fun to dream!!!!

I shared our "story" with a new online friend this week. As a read it back, I remember thinking we don't have a story. I was wrong. Everyone has a story. Everyone is different. But as I told my new friend, I look back and smile. God's hand has been on our adoption so long ago. We saw seeds planted and God's plan growing all over the place. I can not believe He allowed us on this journey. I have said this before. Although we are still "waiting", adoption has changed our lives forever. I see things with my heart and not just my eyes anymore. Because of this simple thing, I will cherish these times forever!

Monday, July 28, 2008

Monday Meditations-


Good morning friends! What's on your heart today? What are you praying about?
Me?

I am praying for China, the world is about to watch them intensely! That's a lot of pressure!

I pray for LynnMarie and whoever is giving her hugs today!

I pray for her birth family, I just can not imagine

I am praying for all of you whether you are family, blogging friends or others. You have made me smile on a daily basis and have helped fill my heart with happiness and hope. God adores you and I am thankful that you are such a huge part of my life.

I am praying for Don and Be and Joanna Mei as they continue to bonding to be the family they were created to be. Can I tell you how excited I am to get to Florida and meet you?

I am praying for Amanda at the Starfish Orphanage today!

I am praying for those who will be matching us with LynnMarie and those who make "the phone call", how cool would that job be?

I pray for myself. That I can continue to be real. Once again, adoption has been etched in my heart and has made me open up in ways I never could have imagined


Sunday, July 27, 2008

1 year ago

This was my post 1 year ago and thought I would remind myself about the things I we are looking forward to!


Hello friends! What wonderful news to hear that that the CCAA is done reviewing all of JUne 2006. That means there is less than 12 months to go until they review our dossier!

Thanks for all of your wonderful comment on the post below. You guys are wonderful.

There are times when someone says something that really sticks with you. We have been attending our First Friday group for almost 10 months now at the Chapmans and have found such wonderful support and encouragement. The one thing that I have heard is that what we are going through is not just adoption. Adoption takes an hour, parenting lasts a lifetime. We are not just preparing our homes and looking forward to our referral and going to China, we are becoming a family. When I really think about it, its really quite surreal.

The idea that in a few years (hopefully sooner) life as we presently know it will be forever changed. Our priorities will no longer just be on Michael and I, but our child. This has already started. My mind wanders on what life will be like. We are going to be watching everything through her eyes and that is simply amazing.

We are still in the early waiting part and I am having so much fun! My dreams have changed and only for the better. A lot of you know me simply from this blog. My craziness can be found over at my personal blog

I thought I would add a few more things I am looking forward to.

I can not wait to take LynnMarie for walks around the mall.
I can not wait to take her on a picnic.
I cant wait for her first pictures.
I cant wait until that first family Christmas card and portrait
I cant wait until I buy her first Halloween costume.
I cant wait to get her pictures taken in a pumpkin patch.
I cant wait to see her feet in the sand
I cant wait to make her breakfast
I cant wait for her to be able to pick out her own book bag
I cant wait to make Christmas cookies with her
I cant wait to go see Christmas lights around town and have a contest on who ever finds Santa first wins ( I did this with my cousins)
I cant wait to see what she is interested in whether it be dance, singing, piano or whatever she can dream up
I cant wait for her to teach us things

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

15 months down



15 months down, how much longer until LynnMarie comes home?
Only God knows and we WILL wait on HIS perfect timing.

Hakuna Matata

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Monday Meditations

Praises

1) Joanna Mei is with her forever family. Oh we can not wait to meet her!!!!

2) Families are still being united

3) My friends have found their Faith!
Prayer

1) The wait- enough said

2) That God will make us the parents He wants us to be during this time

3)The biological families of our children. It's not too early to pray for those who gave our child life. I can not imagine the circumstances that led to our children being adopted

4) All the caregivers in China

5) LynnMarie and her friends

6) Amanda at Starfish Orphanage. What an incredible lady. I pray for her, the children, and the needs of the orphanage.

How are you today? Feel free to be honest!!!!

Thursday, July 17, 2008

someone needs your help

To the right of out blog, you will see a sweet face with a Starfish logo. Amanda at Starfish orphanage is an amazing ladies. She keeps several babies in her home and loves on them and even stays with them when they have their surgery. Miss RMJ from Seventh Diamond ( who hosts the Saturday morning chats) asked me to help and do a book drive. Amanda stays at the hospital with the kids and only has old newspapers and magazines to read.

So we are collecting books for Amanda along with other supplies. If you go to First Fridays, there will be a box there in August. If you live in Atlanta and would like to help, I would love to meet you an take what you have and if you would like to just help with the postage that would help as well!

Besides books, we are also going to collect some needed items. I got an email from Amanda this morning and these are her current needs!

Motrin (2 to 11 year olds) I prefer the regular kind and not the concentrated.
Nexcare 3M waterproof bandages all different sizes
Digital thermometer with F and C settings
Goldfish
Cheerios
Desitin Original
Butterfly closures (Small)
Shaklee VitaLea infant vitamin mix

preemie diapers


Email me at amyschristopher@comcast.net and I can give you the needed info to help! Thanks!!! I am going to try to mail to China the second week of August!

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

blah

I am going to start talking nursery stuff over at my personal blog.

As we continue to wait, we hope to take 2 small trips in the next few months. One will be up in the Ga mountains to celebrate our anniversary in October and the other one will be in August to Central Florida to meet a new nephew and visit friends and family. If any of you want to hang out, let us know. We are looking forward to seeing some old friends any maybe meeting new friends and hopefully get to see Joanna Mei!!! I know there will be at least one China adoption gathering!!

If you have any ideas on where we should meet in Orlando, let us know!

Amy and Michael

Monday, July 14, 2008

Monday Meditations



Is it just me or has your prayer time just gotten awesome and more personal since your adoption experience began? It truly is amazing.

Praises

Don and Be will be with their sweet Joanna Mei oh so very soon!
We have met amazing friends all over the country during this process
Meron is home from the hospital!
Everyone who has prayed and encouraged us especially after my last post! Haha

Prayer

Meron's continued health

The Chapman family- they still need our prayers as they have difficult days ahead of them

the birth mom's of our children- LynnMarie is probably born now and I wonder how her birth and the circumstances surrounding her birth have affected her.

Our agency and the CCAA as they continue to bring families together

Families with SN children. Some of you may need surgery or therapies or other things and I pray you find the right treatment

LynnMarie's caregivers. I hope she gets an extra hug today


Myself. Forgive me for being a bit selfish, but I would love to have your prayers. I am getting a bit stressed and finding myself worrying about things I can not change. I have started taking things way too personally and I think its starting to get to me. Even some blogs are starting to get to me. I just love reading your blogs and stories and have found so much encouragement through them.
***** Update, its not the wait getting to me. I am loving the wait right now. Its more person, relationship stuff that has gotten me down!

You. I will be praying for everyone who gets online and happens to read our blog today!

Friday, July 11, 2008

emotions

Its a little scary. Its been cool. Once Michael and I sent our MCC (Medical Conditions Checklist), I joined several yahoo groups Its been really neat to see people who turned in their dossiers the same time we did, get referrals and watch the beginning of an amazing journey.
At the same time, its make me start to realize that our wait really may not be as long as we thought at all. Then I started a to get a bit worried. A bit excited. My mind started racing but in a good way.
Once we get a referral, time will fly fast. Seriously,I have no idea what we are supposed to do. Truly. Really. This is when I wish my mom and sister lived closer (no attempt at making you feel guilty if Mom and Kelly are reading).

Packing for China, a trip to China, decorating her room, buying furniture, figuring out what kind of furniture to buy, making a decision about her room, looking for good deals (thank God for Kim and Donna), buying clothes, adjusting work schedules, redoing the budget, getting the house clean.Then I went a bit further and thought about savings accounts, and college tuition's and private vs public schools. Wow, its a really big deal! Our life will change. Oh I am looking forward to it but boy am I little bit afraid. No, wait, I am completely overwhelmed but would not change this excitement for anything. We really do not know how long until we get a referral. Its fun to think about, fun to dream about and fun to pray about.

God has brought us into this amazing journey. It is so indescribable! Can you believe all the things that have happened? Wow!

So now, I will take a deep breath, google some stuff , dream some more and read some amazing blogs. I have had the most amazing encouraging emails this week who have really lifted my spirits.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

the parent you want to be



Lots of you gave us some great ideas on books to read. Last week I was waiting for Michael while he was working in the church bookstore and found this book and decided to read it.

Neat book, easy read. Will be reading again. This helps you figure out what traits you need to work on to become a better parent . It talks about how kids watch your behavior, hear your words and develop behavior that matches your own. It has several "tests" that you use to figure out the top traits you want to work on and then takes several topics and goes over ways you can better yourself. I look forward to Michael reading it as it also encourages spouses to communicate on the different traits!

I think both waiting parents and parents who have their children will get some great info. It helps you see the kind of parent you want to be and how to get there! I have read several marriage books by this couple and they are good as well!

Monday, July 07, 2008

Monday Meditations




Hi friends! Its Monday although I do pray for all of you and our LynnMarie daily, this is the day that I share my requests and thoughts with you!

I hope you will share with me as well! I have enjoyed this Great Adventure of adoption. I really have. It has been smooth sailing and just an eye opening experience I am thankful that I have followed some of you on your journey, the ones I have met in the hospital and just this blog thing in general. I am thankful that the China adoption program has led people to bring children home from other countries. I am thankful for the support system we have in Atlanta.

What are you thankful for?

Today I am praying for LynnMarie. I am praying for the people who are caring for her. I pray she gets an extra hug today as she very well could be born. I pray for her birth mom and her circumstances. I hope that if you have your children home with you, that you will pray for those who cared for your child..

I pray for each person who touches her paperwork and that is a lot of people. I am praying for those who have tried to steal our joy. I pray that I will respond if needed in a way that is loving and respectful.

Thanks for reading!!!!!






Friday, July 04, 2008

Unfortunate News

Today we discovered that my father and his wife will have no part in LynnMarie's life. It is unfortunate, but it is his choice.

We went out for a cookout at his place, and out of the blue, as we were leaving he said he needed me to do something. What he needs is for me to rename my daughter because he can not have his mother's name associated with my mother's name.

You need to know that my father left my mother for another woman, and eventually married that woman. I have struggled over the years as they have used me as a ping pong ball of sorts. I got past the fact he abandoned his family, that my mother put me through college all on her own and that my father only paid child support when threatened with jail time if he did not pay for my younger brother.

Only in recent years has he started bad-mouthing my mother, making her out to be a selfish, uncaring person.

When we announced our decision to adopt, he told us he would recognize any child of ours as his grandchild, no matter how or where she/he is born. Last month Amy posted here about the anniversary of our name choice. Many of you have been praying for LynnMarie and we have even received some quilt squares with her name embroidered on them. Her name is not going to change, and we will not allow my father access to her, not that he would want to as her name is so evil in his eyes.

Thursday, July 03, 2008

friends,lunch and books

So yesterday I was able to have lunch with a very sweet friend who I have not had the chance to get know much and had a great time. This friend has had a great impact in our adoption. Anyway, we chatted and talked and although I was incredibly sleep deprived, she got me thinking.

When we got logged in we started reading books, books on China and parenting. Now, that our wait may be shorted than expected, I think it is time to get back to the books and this is where we need your help. I need some book recommendations. I'm talking parenting, attachment, special needs, adoption, China. The first book we are going to get is called Babywise! I know that James Dobson has some great books.

So my friends, tell me what we should read and why? Bring it on!