Losing It (Literally) February 12, 2012

Part of China’s requirements for adoption is to have a full physical and to be under a certain BMI (Body Mass Index). Everything checked out great with our physicals except my BMI! I had a few pounds to lose. No woman likes to hear that. It’s a sensitive issue and frankly I wasn’t going to blog about it, but I am throwing my pride aside and sharing even this part of the journey.

Before Christmas, I knew that I had 5 pounds to lose. Easy, I said. Our social worker said to work on it after January 1st and not deprive myself during the holidays. When I weighed in after the holidays, I had gained another 5 pounds! I guess I enjoyed it too much. I was a bit devastated. Now, I had 10 pounds to lose! This was the last thing at that moment holding up the adoption. Reality set in and honestly I started thinking that I would do whatever it takes…I want to go get Naiya.

I cut out soda. Cut out sweets. I counted calories. I walked a little more. I prayed, because to me this was going to take God’s help. In two weeks, I have lost 9 pounds. One pound to go. As soon as the scales say the magic number (which I’m hoping is today), I will jump in the car and head back to the walk in clinic for an updated physical form with that one number to change.

The good things: beginning a more healthy lifestyle, having lots more energy, and being more fit to run around with my boys and Naiya 

Ni Chi Fan Le Ma? (Have you eaten?- A Chinese greeting) February 7, 2012

Our school has now started offering Mandarin language classes one time a week after school. David came to me to ask if he could join. I was ecstatic! Michael was not far behind. Inside I was doing a happy dance. Every Monday for one hour, the boys are moving their tongues and mouths in a strange way to make foreign sounds that mean words to the Chinese people.

After their first class, they came bounding in to my classroom to tell me, “Wo ai ni!” I understood what they said and responded. They told me they loved me. They then were playing with what they had learned and began to point at some others and say “Wo bu ai ni.” (I don’t love you). We all laughed and enjoyed speaking this new language that Naiya is hearing every day.

I am so excited for the boys to try out all that they will learn when we travel to China and to be able to communicate with Naiya in the most simple way of telling her that they love her in her heart language.

Two Legit February 5, 2012

Last Saturday, we invaded the Tampa Airport passport office with John, Nana, David, Michael, Melissa, Rachael, and me to secure passports for David, Michael, and Nana. The clerk saw our crew walk through the door and his eyes got big. When we told him that we just needed 3 passports, he relaxed.

David and Michael will be traveling with John and me to go get Naiya. This has the potential to be their first airplane trip ever. They keep asking if we could try it out (riding an airplane) and take an airplane trip to New York before we strap them in for the across the world flight. We know they have ulterior motives. They’ve heard about the Toys R Us in Times Square.

The Home Study Interview #2 (January 5, 2012)

During the application process, John and I both had to write 10 page autobiographies, in which we had to answer in detail about our childhoods, adolescence, parents, marriage, parenthood, etc…

During the 2nd home study, we were interviewed and asked questions based off of our autobiographies. It is extremely fun to be able to talk about the difficult with the good and to see and tell how it is true that God does work all things for good to those who love God and are called according to his purposes, because through these “tough and trying” things we are being conformed to the image of Christ. When you are telling your story to some body, you come to realize that through some of the hardest times you have experienced some of the greatest growth.

Now, our social worker is going to go and write our home study and we are starting to send the already notarized documents to the Secretary of State of Florida and then on to the Chinese Consulate in Washington D.C. The paper chase continues.

Two Little Visitors (December 23, 2011)

Celebrating Korean/Chinese New Year

Our family has welcomed two 10 year old girls from Korea into our home. Their parents have sent them to study English at our school and they will be living with us for about 3 months. David and Michael love having more playmates and everyone gets along splendidly. Last year when we had the 2 different Korean girls stay with us, David and Michael asked if we could adopt them. We had to explain to the boys that their parents loved them and would want them to come home. I love how the boys open their arms wide to all!!!

The girls experienced their first American Christmas 3 times over with different family and friends. By the end of the holidays, they were partied out. We hope that as they are here with us, they will be part of the family, have an amazing experience, and learn how high, deep, and wide is the love of Christ.

The Home Study Interview #1 (December 22, 2011)

We (John, social worker, and I ) sat around our kitchen table and talked about where Naiya may come from and what she may have experienced and what she will need emotionally, physically, and spiritually from us. Advice like: Don’t give her a bath as soon as you receive her- She may never have had a bath before. She may eat everything in front of her, because she may not know when she is full due to inconsistency in feedings. Go ahead and spoil her- This will be part of the attachment and bonding process with John and I. That John and I will have to gain this little one’s trust by being there, being consistent, and loving on her every possible moment and helping her to realize that her needs will be met by us.

We can’t wait and we welcome this honor to love Naiya.

Momma’s Hugs December 19, 2011

One of the best parts of December was having my mom come to visit! We all loved getting to spend time with her. I treasured getting to talk with my mom, see her for days at a time, and hug her. My mom is one of the biggest encouragers in my life. She is super excited about Naiya coming home and even brought with her a magazine of ideas on how to decorate Naiya’s room. It is fun to dream with my mom and then to realize that some dreams do come true!

Paperwork- December 7, 2011

In November, we started collecting all of the documents that we would need. I started sending away for copies of our marriage certificate, birth certificates, etc.. in an effort to get everything in line so that we could start our home study.

On John’s birthday in December we got the last of the paperwork that we needed for our home study to start – getting our passports (woo hoo) and police reports (we’re clear). After that, we headed over to the adoption agency to get our paperwork notarized and double checked. On this day, we found out that we were ready to make an appointment for our home study. December 22nd! We were getting closer to bringing sweet Naiya home.

FriendRaising (Family and Friends Help to Fundraise)- November 30, 2011

In November, we kicked off fundraising with 2 events: the Facebook online auction and the BBQ at CJ’s BBSkew.

We are absolutely humbled and overwhelmed at everyone’s generosity and support. Through these events, we raised enough money to help pay for the home study fees, needed documentation, and passports!

Thank you for showing us with your actions and words that you are excited and are partnering to help bring Naiya home. Each of you that participated has a hand hold in helping to bring her home. This is not just John and my investment, but now you all have partnered with us. What you have given through your time, money, or resources has directly impacted one little girl’s world and our family’s, too.

Thank you.