Bamboo Forest

I stumbled upon some travel blogs the other night of some people who have been to Yixing, where Emma is.  (Here is another one.)  One of the main things they posted pictures of were the Bamboo Forest that is near there.  The thing that struck me is that the pictures and journal were from early October 2005, the same month that Emma was born.  It made me feel such a deep connection with her to be able to actually visualize what the weather may have been like that month and to see such a beautiful place that is near her.  I don't get to do it much, but I love to hike in the woods.  I think that if we do not get to visit her actual orphanage, that I am going to ask if we can spend a day in Yixing and possibly hike the Bamboo Forest. 

Have I talked about the Yixing teapots yet?  Yixing is famous for its teapots all over the world.  They are made from a special clay and they do not glaze them.  The idea is that you only brew one flavor in the same pot and it will retain the flavor to make a fabulous tea.  The Yixing tea pots are often small and whimsical.  It is a big thing to be a teapot master who crafts the teapots, and they must go through rigorous training.  The teapots are sold all over China, but you have to look for a marking of the artist on the bottom to ensure that it is genuine.  I very much want to visit some of the teapot galleries and attend a tea ceremony in Yixing.  Here is a link to a page of information about the teapots.  They are just fascinating to me. 

Comment posted by
at 5/28/2007 11:47:00 AM

Sounds awesome. Hiking in the bamboo forest would be really cool. I think I would really like a teapot(even though I don't drink tea!). It would be a constant reminder of where Emma is from. Eli is adorable. I loved the part about him crawling with toys in tow. Can't wait!!
Love, Mom

Eli

Eli is from the same orphanage as Emma and he is now with his forever family!  He is only about a month younger than Emma, so they have probably spent their days in the orphanage together.  As you can imagine I am following their journey very, very, very closely.  If they are able to visit the orphanage, they are going to try to take a picture of Emma for us.  They also took a photo album for us to deliver to the director or the ayis when they met Eli.  We are hoping that the ayis will take the album back to the orphanage and show Emma her album as much as possible so that she can see what we look like and what our home looks like.  I made sure to label all of the pictures with the Chinese characters, so that they can tell her who we are.  Back in March, I sent a small care package via the BlessedKids.com website, and we were able to include 2 pictures with that. This little album has a lot more pictures in it.  It is just one of the cheap $1 albums from Target, but it sure holds a lot of love! 

Comment posted by
at 5/28/2007 1:35:00 PM

Wow, somehow reading Eli's story and seeing his pictures makes it seem even more real that in less than a month, you will be doing the same thing with Emma!!! I think its really awesome timing that you are getting her while Katelyn is not in school. You will have close to 2 months to just be together at home. I like Eli's parents' request to give them 3-4 weeks after they get back to have visitors. Have you guys thought about a timeframe for introducing Emma to all the others who love her? As long as you keep posting pictures and entries, we can wait as long as you need us to! I'm praying that Emma will get to look and look at those pictures full of love and that Jesus will help her to understand who you are and prepare her heart for you! This really is like labor; you know that this baby is coming, but you just don't know exactly when, and its getting intense!!!! Love to you all! Tracie

Comment posted by
at 5/28/2007 9:20:00 PM

I don't know if you're still lacking blogging inspiration, but I do have a question...

When do you actually GET Emma? I know I've heard other adoption stories where they go to the orphanage to meet them a few times before they take them... so what will your experience be like? When in the two weeks will Emma be able to leave with you, or spend the whole night with you???

Art

This is a collage of my favorites from Katelyn's artwork over the past couple of years. It is going to hang over the treadmill, so that there is something interesting to look at if I ever decide to get on the thing. Maybe I will just go stand on it to look at the artwork and get inspired to turn it on! Maybe.

Comment posted by
at 5/27/2007 5:45:00 PM

so cute! I know what you mean about the treadmill...mine currently has some boxes on it; it does face out the window, but that's not much inspiration! We have such good intentions, don't we? Thanks for sharing the artwork! Have a great holiday!
Love,
Tracie

The Kindergarten Graduate

Katelyn Joy graduated from Kindergarten on Wednesday. Now she is a big first grader!! She did such a wonderful job this year in school, and we are so very, very proud to be her parents! They had a nice program where they sang some patriotic numbers, America the Beautiful, A Grand Old Flag, and God Bless America. They did a great job on their songs and it was fun seeing all the little white hats bobbing on the stage. Some of the kiddos had fun entertaining themselves with the hats and tassels on the children in front of them! We combined celebrations with Nathan's family and had a wonderful afternoon in the Vanderwest's back yard. I will let my pictures tell the rest of the story...

Remember, if you want to see the collage bigger, just click on it!

Comment posted by
at 5/25/2007 8:56:00 AM

Congratulations Katelyn! Great job! Amy, is it possible to take a bad picture of her? She is sooooo adorable! Thanks for sharing all the pictures; they made me smile. I can't wait to see your first family photo with Emma Mei! Have a wonderful weekend!

Comment posted by
at 5/25/2007 1:59:00 PM

Wow- she looks so old! (I love the curled hair, by the way!) I'm sorry I couldn't be there to celebrate- looking forward to seeing y'all in a couple weeks!

Attachment Pt. 5, 6, or 7??? (I can't remember!)

For those of you who are interested in the whole attachment thing, here are two excellent posts by Jiaozi on attachment if you can stand to read anymore.  I think she brings a really balanced view to the whole issue of whether or not all adoptions are special needs.  She seems to have a level head on her shoulders if you know what I mean. 

Just Because

I want to keep her sweet face up here on top of all the messages!!

Comment posted by
at 5/20/2007 10:58:00 PM

Amen to that! This is my favorite picture. Even her lips are sweet...and her face is so tender. How wonderful it will be for you to feel her gentle, soft skin.

I can't wait for you to capture her first laughing picture, where her eyes twinkle with delight! Love and prayers to Emma tonight...........

Comment posted by
at 5/20/2007 11:57:00 PM

What a precious face! I'm reminded of the song "Somewhere Out There" from an American Tail...somewhere, out there, beneath the pale moon light, someone's thinking of me and loving me tonight...somewhere out there, someone's saying a prayer, that we'll find one another in that big somewhere out there...and even though I know how very far apart we are, it helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star...and soon we'll be together, somewhere out there, out where dreams come true....
Emma's dreams for a Mama and a family to love here are already coming true, even though she doesn't know it yet. I'm sitting here in tears, just so in awe of our amazing God and how He works miracles in our lives. I am praying that He is preparing her little heart even now to welcome you and bond with you and know right away that you are the Mama of her heart, and that she will not be afraid. Sweet dreams, Amy and Emma...
Tracie

It's True!

I keep having these little burst of realization.  It's true, it is really true.  We are really going to China and getting our Emma soon.  Yes, we really got our letter of acceptance.  It was sent back to China on Friday.  The word from the agency is that our travel notice should come in about 2 weeks.  I say 3 weeks, but I hope the agency is right!  Travel will come quickly after that, as soon as 1 week.  We have to get our appointment at the US consulate in China and that will determine our travel dates.  They can usually get the appointment in one to two days. 

I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you for all the sweet comments and well wishes.  It has been so fun to have so many people excited with us and for us.  We appreciate so much your prayers and support!

The scoop on how it all happened is this.  We were away from home all day on Thursday, but I had my cell phone on my hip and was able to check my e-mail a couple of times.  No word.  We went on our way that evening to eat dinner with friends, and didn't get home until just after 10 p.m.  I saw there was 1 message on the answering machine.  I quickly looked at the caller id, and it said Adoption Associates.  In disbelief, I clicked play and heard the quiet voice of our social worker telling us that our letter of approval had arrived at the agency.  Josh had gone downstairs, and I started screaming at him, "IT'S HERE, IT'S HERE!!!  OUR LETTER IS HERE!"  We all jumped up and down and squealed with excitement.  I was actually hoarse the whole next morning from all the screaming. Josh told me I was going to have burning thighs from all my jumping up and down! To flashback a bit, at 3 that afternoon, about the same time our social worker had called, I had just been telling Josh that I thought it was going to come that day or Friday.  He didn't want me to tell him that as he didn't think it was true and he would look forward to it to just be disappointed.  I fussed at him and said, "Don't you have any hope for it at all?  It is going to happen!!"  I just had to add that as an, "I told you so!"  Love you, honey!!! 

After screaming for a bit, we called our family and friends.  I even got Rhonda out of bed for this one!  Sorry!  :-)  We were too excited to sleep very well and worried about whether we would be able to get it back to the agency on time for them to mail it back to China on Friday.  We weren't sure if the agency ended up overnighting the letter to us or not.  As soon as they were open, we were calling their number.  They had overnighted it, and we would receive the letter by 10:30 a.m.  They said they could absolutely get it back to China that day!  Well 10:30 rolls around, and no UPS man.  By 11 we called back to the agency to get the tracking number.  The tracking said it was on time, so I called UPS and asked, "What time is ON TIME?"  They said it was 12 p.m. for residences.  Okay, so we watch and wait.  I had my camera ready and Katelyn was poised as a watch at the dining room window.  I had so much nervous energy, so I dusted and cleaned up the house a little.  Finally, she said, "He's coming!"  So we all rushed to the back window, snapped a couple of pics and then rushed to the front porch.  We stood there waiting for him as he pulled in our court.  We told him it was an important paper for our adoption, and he smiled and posed for the picture for us.  He was in a hurry, so off he went. 

We went in and signed carefully, checked the box that --yes, we want this baby!!!--and left for the agency.  We were so relieved to have the letter back in their hands and on its way to China.  They all oohed and aahed over the new pictures, and Mary told us to figure out what we want to do while we are in China as far as touristy stuff. 

I didn't write much yesterday, as my brain had turned into mush.  But now I am thinking a little more clearly!  It was 7 years ago today that I was sent to the hospital in early labor with our twins, not knowing if either one of our girls was going to make it.  Five weeks later, Katelyn and Sunshine were born.  Now we are in full labor for Emma for about 5 more weeks or less, but this time it is a good kind of labor, not scary or painful. We look forward to her "birth" into our family with joyous anticipation!  As my mom said yesterday, one joy really does scatter a hundred griefs--It's true!!

Comment posted by
at 5/20/2007 12:46:00 AM

I love to watch our redemptive God at work! To have you go into labor the same weekend as you did with the twins, only this time there is no fear or uncertainty...that's redemption! And you'll have Emma by Katelyn's 7th birthday...what better gift than to become a big sister! Thanks for sharing your journey so we can all celebrate with you!
Much love...Tracie

Comment posted by
at 6/4/2007 10:23:00 AM

Hi Amy,

Kelly and I were so glad to hear that things had finally broken for you guys to go to China and pick up your little girl. I know this will be an incredible adventure for you guys, and we are so excited for you both. May God bless you and keep you safe as you travel, and we look forward to hearing all about it! Maybe someday soon we can see you guys.

Karey Nickel

Pictures of the Day

Pictures of the Day, originally uploaded by fisher52.

 

Comment posted by
at 5/18/2007 6:55:00 PM

Good documentation! I think my favorite is the picture of the UPS guy- what did he say??

Comment posted by
at 5/18/2007 7:04:00 PM

He just smiled, posed and said have a great weekend! We were standing on the porch waiting for him!! We had Katelyn as our watchman to tell us when he started coming into the neighborhood.

Comment posted by
at 5/19/2007 5:58:00 AM

Amy you made me cry at work. I am so glad I did not have any pt's call out right after I read this post. What a fun summer this will be! And maybe we will really make it to the zoo.

Comment posted by
at 5/19/2007 2:59:00 PM

Woooohoo! I especially like Josh's smile. It reminds me of when baseball players sign their 100 million dollar contracts. haha.

UPS Delivers

Comment posted by
at 5/21/2007 9:19:00 AM

In the great words of stevie:

"Hear I am baby, signed sealed delivered, I'm yours!"

Get the groove baby!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nO_U6VLsOg&mode=related&search=

Please Play the Following:

Comment posted by
at 5/17/2007 11:19:00 PM

The "Hallelujah Chorus" would be quite appropriate at this time!!!! We are excited and elated beyond words! I squealed so much, my throat hurts, but it is a good hurt!
Happy, happy, happy day!

Comment posted by
at 5/17/2007 11:58:00 PM

Whatup World - there's a new kid in the house! I feel a parte' comin' on! Shake it baby!

Comment posted by
at 5/18/2007 8:15:00 AM

Amy, Josh and Katelyn:

We are so thrilled for you!! I have been reading your posting but have never left a comment, but today I had to!! Congratulations, your blessing will soon be home.

Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint! Isiah 40:31

Renew your strength as you get ready to bring your baby home:)

Rita, Ray, Madelyn and Vincente

Comment posted by
at 5/18/2007 9:39:00 AM

congratulations!!!
we are very excited for you all & can't wait to see emma. ( and i can't wait to see if she likes my cookies)
i stay posted with you sight everyday. i like staying informed.
enjoy the upcoming ride!!
love, mike kim & rachel

Comment posted by
at 5/18/2007 11:35:00 AM

AHHHHHH! I am jumping up and down here!!! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice!!! Give Him the glory, great things He has done!!!!
You should be heading for China about the time we head for Lake Ann, so, as Christiana just figured out, we should get to meet Emma when we get back! (we'll be gone for 3 weeks..returning July 7).
I can feel your elation and relief and anticipation! China, here you come!!!! Nest away, sweet Amy, its almost time to have that baby!!!
Rejoicing with you....Tracie

Comment posted by
at 5/18/2007 12:58:00 PM

YEEAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Worth being woken up for, laying awake till 12:30 because I was so excited, and waking up at 5:30 thinking about ya'll and EMMA! Go get that girl!!

Comment posted by
at 5/18/2007 2:15:00 PM

The first thing that came to my mind was the words to one of my favorite songs we sing in church. " May your home be filled with dancing may your hearts be filled with joy". So--- DANCE DANCE DANCE TILL YOUR HEARTS CONTENT!!! I'm so excited for you three!!!!
WE can't wait to meet your little angle from God!!!

Comment posted by
at 5/18/2007 2:43:00 PM

Praise the Lord!!! I am soooo happy for you all!!You finally get to hold that sweet little baby girl!! and kiss those sweet cheeks and snuggle her neck. All the things I am sure you have dreamed of. You will be in my prayers!!
Love ya, Lori:)

Comment posted by
at 5/19/2007 9:22:00 PM

We are so excited for all of you. Katelyn a new sister for you to love and share your life with and Josh & Amy a new little daughter to love, spoil and show the love of a family.
What a mighty God we serve!
Jack Jack and Charles

There's Nuttin' Better than Ice Cream!!!

Afternoon With Friends

Comment posted by
at 5/5/2007 9:39:00 PM

Adorable!! Looks like a fun time was had by ALL! :)

Thank You

Thank you to all of you who have e-mailed and commented on my waiting post.  It is encouraging to us to know that there are folks out there waiting with us and praying for us.  I am not sure how theologically correct this is, but I always feel that when we are at peace with the wait that people must be praying for us.  So thank you for the love and support!!! 

"Booster Shot"

We received our waiting "booster shot" today.  We attended an open house at our agency and were able to meet our China coordinator, Ming.  She lives in Connecticut, and only comes to Michigan once or twice a year. 

It was so great to meet Ming.  She knew exactly who we were and exactly who our Emma was (Yi Shan to her).  She knew right away what province Emma was from and said that she is very beautiful!  We already knew that though!!  She said that our paperwork is on the right track and that our letter should be coming soon.  She thinks that we will travel in June or July.  Ming explained a little more about the paper process that our file has to go through.  It sounds a little more complicated than we originally thought since we actually changed programs from the regular to the waiting children's program.  I guess it is just the luck of the draw whether your paperwork goes through quickly or not.  Ming just returned from a trip to China and she has several contacts there that she meets with when she goes there.  She has been doing this job for many years, and it is obvious that she really loves the children and is very good at her job! 

There were many other families at the agency today.  Several of them had their little girls with them.  It was a little hard to concentrate on Ming's answers during the Q&A time when we had all of these cute little Chinese girls to peek at all around the room!!  We also talked to our social worker and our China consultant that work in our local office, and they were both very encouraging as well.  Our China consultant said that we are at the top of her list and that
she always flips through and looks for our name when they get a package
from China. We asked her what it was like in China in June and July and she said it is HOT--very, very hot!   She said that we will like it so much better in the summer though.  She said that people are out more and the sights and smells are so much different than in the winter when things are more gray and cold.    She said that Beijing will be in the 80's or so, but that Guangzhou (pronounced guangjo) will be in the 100's to 120's and very humid. 

All in all, it was an encouraging afternoon, and reassuring to know that we weren't just another name on a piece of paper.  The agency definitely cares about their clients and are looking out for them. 

Comment posted by
at 5/4/2007 12:25:00 PM

What a great encouragement!!! I don't envy you the hot temps there in the summer, but somehow I doubt that will be much of an issue! I didn't realize China could get so hot. I'm thrilled to hear the personal attention you are receiving and that it shouldn't be much longer! Waiting and praying with you as always,
Tracie

Comment posted by
at 5/4/2007 9:31:00 PM

Hurrah - this news was an encouragement to all of here in Louisville waiting with you! I know that the peace in your wait is from all the prayers because my heart feels it too. Love, Mom

Comment posted by
at 5/5/2007 9:26:00 PM

It sure helps when you understand a little more of how it works. It is getting closer and closer to that day! I know it is hard to understand God's timing but He sees the big picture. I am learning this lesson too. You are in my thoughts and prayers:)
Hang in there, God will bless your faithfullness. Lori

Cuteness

Comment posted by Sara
at 5/4/2007 9:33:00 AM

When you look at this picture and the one of Emma at the same time, you can tell they're sisters! :-)

Comment posted by
at 5/4/2007 11:35:00 AM

I miss those Elmo days

Comment posted by
at 5/4/2007 12:10:00 PM

Yeah, Sara, she must have some Mobley in her there somewhere!! :-)

YSO--be careful about how much you miss him, we may have another Elmo lover on our hands soon!!!

The Wait. . .

The wait has taken its toll on me and all of us. It has been a grueling and exhausting roller coaster of ups and downs. I feel grumpy, depressed, anxious, and unmotivated to do anything. Then I will feel at peace for a while. There are lots of things that I could be doing or working on, but I am totally preoccupied with going to China and getting our daughter. It is getting harder and harder to wait as others pass us by and get their letters to sign, but we still wait. So far our agency has not been able to find out anything about our case, although they have asked several times. They have told us there is not a need to worry--that there is no rhyme or reason to the order in which China does things. They tell us that our letter will come. I hear over and over from other families who have been there/done that how the wait is worth it in the end when we will finally be united with our daughter. I am holding on to that fact, although I am sure I will be sad about the time we have missed with her even then.

There is a Chinese proverb that says, "One joy scatters a hundred griefs." I know from experience that this is true, so I pray it will come true once again when we meet our sweet Emma Mei.

I put that quote on the desktop of my laptop to remind me every day. I also put a picture of Emma on the desktop and added a bow to her hair to see what it would look like. I don't know if that makes me crazy, sentimental, or what. But here is my desktop, so you can see it too. All credit to the Shabby Princess for the awesome layout.

Comment posted by
at 5/2/2007 12:37:00 PM

Amy, I don't think the bow makes you crazy...it just means you are a Mama who can't wait to do cute things to your little girl's hair! I feel the agony of the wait and I continue to pray for grace and peace for you and God's perfect timing. So keep on putting bows in her hair and keep on dreaming about her...it will help keep you from going crazy!! :) Love you all, Tracie

Comment posted by
at 5/2/2007 7:19:00 PM

Amy- you have so many joys to look forward to- the griefs will surely be scattered. I am keeping all of you in my prayers.

Comment posted by
at 5/2/2007 10:06:00 PM

Concerning the wait... I work with a pastor here who is adopting a little girl from Guatamala. They are just starting their final leg of their journey. Last week they went down to visit her, they spent a week with her and then had to say good-bye at the end of the week. What heartache and grief! It has been a privaledge to watch them and you go through the process of rescueing an orphan and having a heart of God. Below is their last week's visit in a nutshell... check it out and know others feel your pain and long to have their child like you!
www.adventuresinadoption.blogspot.com.

Comment posted by
at 5/2/2007 10:43:00 PM

We feel your pain. Every day we pray it will be the day, but I keep consoling myself with the thought that it WILL come and it's all under control. I've been dreaming at night that you got our sweet Emma and I wake up and think, oh, that didn't really happen did it. Her hair looks pretty with the bow, I like it. We love you very much and pray it will be TODAY!

Comment posted by Rhonda
at 5/3/2007 12:02:00 AM

I saw a little Chinese girl in the paper Sunday (GR Press), and I couldn't get her cuteness of my mind as I thought of what Emma will look like and be like. We pray daily for you, for that letter, and for Emma. We hope this quote will be true for you as you struggle waiting AND after Emma comes home: "Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief.” - Marcus Tullius Cicero

Comment posted by
at 5/4/2007 1:38:00 AM

I can only imagine the frustration of waiting to finally embrace your little girl. I love the bow! I know that when you hold her for the first time that none of this will matter anymore so just keep holding on and know that we all love you and Emma and are praying for you constatly.

Bike Riding Adventures

This picture is from last May when Katelyn first learned to ride her bike without training wheels. (Yes, she always wears a helmet. She just didn't have one on for that moment. I know, I know--bad Mom!) She really hadn't mastered the no training wheels totally before winter set in, and it is hard to just do circles in our court. Today we went for a short ride on the White Pine Trail and she did a fabulous job. We are so proud of her!! She is still rough on the braking end of things though, so we made sure to ride between her and the river just in case. She made her mom just a little nervous when there was a body of water nearby! All in all, she learned a lot of the biking rules and followed our directions well! She's come a long way!

Bath Conversations

Katelyn: Mom, Mom, come here!!

Me:  What do you need? (I'm thinking she needs a bath toy or something.)

Katelyn (excitedly):  Look at all the moles I have!

She then proceeds to point out each one. 

Me:  That's great!!  Aren't they cool?

I guess I'm glad we've taught her to appreciate moles!  Can't say the self-confidence is lacking in that department!