What a Fun Easter Celebration!

What a fun day we had! Westwood Baptist Church in Alabaster hosted a city-wide egg hunt at the park. I don't attend Westwood and have no affiliation with them, but they get my vote for a group of gracious, wonderful people who know how to plan and carry out a city-wide event! It was so well organized and so much fun! Hannah had her face painted, participated in the egg hunt, enjoyed the music and puppet entertainment, enjoyed a free lunch, and played in several inflatables. My favorite thing was that in the car on the way there, she thought we were just going to the park to play on the playground. I told her no, we were going to the park to have a party. We were going to a party to celebrate Easter because Jesus is alive. We'd been reading a toddler Easter book together at night, so that wasn't a new idea to her. But when we got there and she saw all the people, inflatables, and other fun, she started yelling at people as we passed them "Jesus alive! Yeah! Jesus alive! Yeah!". Enjoy the pictures and Happy Easter!

Catching Up With Some Recent Photos

Hannah had her friend Claire from school over to play a couple weeks ago. The two princesses had a great time playing together.

Last weekend, I took Hannah out in the backyard to teach her the art of hunting for eggs.

Then, last Sunday she got to participate in our church's Easter egg hunt. She was thriled to learn that at a "real" egg hunt - there was candy in the eggs!!

And, just because I thought these pictures were worth posting:

Where's Hannah? Where is she hiding?

Aw - doesn't she look so sweet?

Officially DTC

Just a quick post to announce the good news. Karla e-mailed today and told me I was DTC today!! YEAH!! DTC is "Dossier to China" and that means all my paperwork headed there today. So, everything is finished and now I join the ranks of those waiting.
Thanks for your prayers and support as I rushed through this process. And lots of thanks especially to the Lifeline staff for making it happen - they are simply the best!!

Look for updated pictures of the princess soon...I don't have extra time to play on the computer tonight. But, I just wanted to pass on the good news!

Good News X 2 and prayers from Hannah

First good news: I received my CIS approval today. For those not familiar, that's my piece of paper from the US government (Citizenship and Immigration Services) approving me to bring a child into the US. It was the last piece of documentation I needed for my dossier. So, this next week I'll head to Columbiana to have everything certified through Shelby County, then re-certifitied in Montgomery, and then it'll be off to Houston to be authenticated at the Chinese Embassy before heading back to my agency to be sent to China. YEAH!!! It's getting close!

Second good news: I received word today of an anonymous gift to help with a part of my agency fees. God truly does provide - every step of the way!!

And just for your enjoyment, here's the bed time prayer Hannah said last night -it's in her words and just for your info - she doesn't use the word "for" but you can mentally insert it after "God Thank You..."

God, thank you Hannah!
God, thank you mommy!
God thank you...(big pause)...Hannah's room!
God thank you mommy's room!
God thank you (big pause while looking around the room) light!
God thank you shirt!
God thank you yamas (i.e. pajamas)!
God thank you potty!
(giggle, giggle)
God thank you poo poo!
God thank you school!
God thank you boon! (i.e. balloon)
AMEN! ALL DONE!

Just a Few Photos and Small Update

I like this picture I took this morning of Hannah on her bed.

Let's play a little Mozart..okay, grandpa?

Walking on grandma's treadmill!

Helping cook at grandma and grandpa's house!

Happy Birthday Noah! (the one next to Hannah)

As you can see, we've had some fun activities these last couple of weeks. We went to visit my parents in GA and as always, Hannah had a great time there. This weekend, we enjoyed our friend Noah's birthday party. Noah is 3 years old! He is such a cute, sweet, and fun little boy!! And his mother Angie totally ROCKS when it comes to throwing 3-year old birthday parties. Thanks for inviting us Angie - we had a great time!!

Hannah started speech at the University of Montevallo about a month ago and so far it is going very well. Between that, the speech she gets at school, and her overall determination to communicate (this girl has things to say!!), I am noticing such an improvement these days. And with her increased ability to make herself understood - I am getting some pretty funny comments from her. Here's a couple:

1. Hannah has been talking a lot about being from China recently. On the way to my parents a couple weeks ago, we stopped at Linn Park in Birmingham where they were having a Chinese New Year Festival. I told Hannah we were going to the park because they were celebrating Chinese New Year. She said "Hannah China!" I replied that yes, Hannah you are from China. I also told her that there would be other people from China at the park. She thought a minute and then replied "Hannah..China..park...play. Mommy...NO China...No park!" hmm...so, did she think I was going to just open the door at let her out by herself?!! I informed her that even though I was not from China, I was allowed to go to the park!

2. Hannah loves McDonald's. She loves french fries, chicken nuggets, and sprite. When we're driving around, she often points out the McDonald's. But today, it took me a minute to realize what she was talking about when all of a sudden, she starts pointing and screaming 'mommy - look - E-I-E-I-O!!" Finally it hit me - she's been singing "Old McDondald Had a Farm" lately and she associated that with the restaurant McDonadl's!"

These are just a couple examples and I don't even know if they'll strike you as funny when you read them. If not, you'll just have to trust me that they were funny when they happened!! If you don't believe me, just ask Hannah and she'll tell you: "Hannah Funny!!".
I love her spirit!!

Finally, in adoption #2 news - things are going well. I have my fingerprint appointment for CIS on Tuesday. Everything else is already at CIS so I should hopefully be getting my CIS approval soon. For those who don't know - that's my immigration approval from Atlanta and it's the LAST piece of paper I need. I met with Karla this week to go over all my paperwork so it's ready to be certified and authenticated and sent to China when that approval comes. I'm feeling good about everything, but would still appreciate your prayers through this process.

Chinese New Year Celebration

It has been an awesome weekend! If you haven't yet, make sure and check out yesterdays post as well. Tonight we got together with several local families to celebrate Chinese New Year. We ate at a Chinese restaurant in Hoover and all the girls and 1 boy dressed up in their Chinese silks. We had lots of fun getting to meet some new friends and spending time with old ones. We also got to meet Hannah Grace, who just returned home from China a little over a week ago.
Enjoy the photos. The first three are of Leanna, Amy, Hannah, Katherine, and Ana Claire. I never could get them all to look at once! And in case you're wondering why Hannah looks blurry in these first three, well..she never (NEVER) stopped moving and yelling "CHEESE"!

Hannah and Mommy

Hannah and Ana Claire with Ana Claire's brother Josh. Hannah adores Josh!

We tried to get Katherine and Hannah to pose for a picture (with Katherine's sister). But, they were not too interested. Hannah was more interested in playing with Katherine's hair!!

Hannah Grace, Hannah, and Ana Claire

AND, just for fun...

This is one of Hannah's "Red Couch" photos taken at the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou, China. This picture was taken early June. Hannah tried the pose again on my couch at home. So, eight months later, here's Hannah in her "blue and tan couch" photo...

Steven Curtis Chapman and Shaohannah's Hope

Today was an incredible day. We took the day off of school and headed to the BJCC for an interview with a representative of Shaohannah's Hope. They are one of the organizations that provided me with a grant towards Hannah's adoption. The organization was started by Steven Curtis Chapman who has adopted 3 girls from China with his wife Mary Beth. The interview went well and just as Hannah was becoming restless, in walks SCC's road manager, David Trask. That man is incredible! He sat on the floor and colored with Hannah and played with her for a good while. He also talked to me a while too. He had a granddaughter with a cleft palate who died and he has set up a memorial fund in her memory with Shaohannah's Hope. Any money donated to that specific fund goes to help pay for cleft lip and palate surgeries for children in China. So, he has a real heart for the kids with cleft lips / palates. Here's a photo of Hannah with David Trask.



After the interview, we went home for a little while and went back that evening for the Winter Jam concert. David had given us free tickets and had us meet him at the back door before they let the public in so we could get good seats. He was about to take us to our seats when he remembered he was suppossed to be doing something. So, he took us to a hallway and said to wait there for him and "oh, by the way - here comes Mary Beth and Steven". Then he yells out "Hey everybody - meet Hannah. She's a Shaohannah's Hope baby! So, they all come over and I spent about 10 minutes with the Chapmans and got a picture with them. Hannah doesn't look so impressed, but she cooperated so I'm happy! We also met their sons Will and Caleb who were playing back-up. Hannah liked them a lot.

So, then David comes back and takes us to our seats. We heard a couple different artists perform, including Newsong. Then, we walked out to the SCC merchandise table where we were meeting a couple other families to go to a "meet and greet" with the Chapmans. While waiting, I bought a Shaoey and Dot book (one of the children's books they have written about adoption from China). Then, David meets us there and grabs another book off the table and says "Here - take this one". So, we ended up with two. He took us to the "meet and greet" which was actually very quick. But, I did get Hannah's book I bought signed. We headed back for a few more minutes of music. Hannah LOVED the music. She laughed and danced and pointed at all the lights and wanted to be held high so she could see everything. Totally fascinated. She also enjoyed her hot dog! Unfortunately we didn't hear Steven Curtis Chapman perform since he wasn't performing until 9:30. We'd been at the BJCC the better part of the day and while my 3 year old enjoyed it and was a trouper - I knew there was no way we'd make it that long. But she did enjoy about an hour of the concert.

What a fun and rewarding day we had. It was so nice to be able to say "Thank You" in person for the help I received in bringing Hannah home. Not only to the Chapmans, but also to the other families that were there. We were the only family there tonight that received a grant. The other families were invited because they donated to Shaohannah's Hope and helped make the grants possible. Isn't it cool how God puts lives together!! Adoption truly is a miracle, and getting to meet some of the people who helped make our miracle possible was so special. If you want more information on Shaohannah's Hope, check out their website: http://www.shaohannahshope.org

I am one step closer in the process of my 2nd adoption. My homestudy has been approved by DHR and it is now at CIS (Citizenship and Immigration). YEAH!!! So, now I wait on them to send me a fingerprinting appointment and once I do that - I wait on approval. Lots of waiting...and waiting...which is not my favorite part of the process. Once again though, I am reminded that I am not in control. I am so grateful that God is! I am also grateful for the wonderful people in my life. Your love and support of me and Hannah has been and continues to be so special and important to me! And I'm grateful for the wonderful people at Lifeline as well. There's a bit of a risk in this adoption not only for me, but for them. They are putting in their time and effort for something that is not yet a "sure thing". I know not every agency would have been willing to work with me to start an adoption process at this point. And in more ways than I can name, they are doing whatever they can to make this happen. So, I guess for me, right along with the nervousness that comes with the waiting and unknowns, also comes the reminders of how much I have to be grateful for...

On a different note, our friends and neighbors Greg and Stephanie are in China adopting their daughter Hannah Grace. She is beautiful and it sounds like an amazing experience so far. If you want to check out their blog, it is at www.chinesetreasures.blogspot.com

Chuck E Cheese and Adoption Clinic

We went to a friend's birthday party on Monday and it was held at Chuck E. Cheese. This was Hannah's first visit to the place and she loved it! If you haven't seen the big mouse lately, well, he could be a bit scary. But, Hannah went up and hugged him. She enjoyed the toddler area a little while, and then ventured off into the "big kids area". By far her favorite part was getting to carry around her cup of "money" (tokens) "by myself!".

(Hannah and her friend Rhiley on one of the rides...notice the cup of tokens in her hand - she would not give them up for anything!!)



Today, we went to the International Adoption Clinic for our 6 month follow-up. (okay, we're a couple months behind...we've actually been home about 7.5 months - but anyway...)
It was a very good visit and everyone was very pleased with how Hannah is doing. I spent the most time with the developmental specialist discussing Hannah's development and speech. She was very happy with what Hannah can do and understand and was very reassuring on her speech issues. Basically, I already knew she was doing well, but it was nice to hear an objective person say the same thing. :-)

Happy New Year

When you're three, how do you ring in the new year?

1. Start the year with a clean house. First clean the kitchen.

2. Wash the dishes. The sink on my kitchen seems to be having some trouble - I'll borrow mama's sink.

3. Make a mess...oops - I meant "engage in sensory play while using mathematical measuring skills to increase cognitive functioning for the new year" (otherwise known as playing with a box full of oatmeal! ha!)

4. Celebrate by having a picnic in the living room floor...while watching Barbie's Princess Swan Lake movie (wearing a princess dress of course!)

Happy New Year everyone!!

Fun with Ana Claire

Yes - you're getting 4 posts in one day...one night actually. So, to catch you up on this most exciting week....here we go:






We had a fun day with our friends today. We met Ana Claire, her mother Lisa, and our new friends Stephanie and Greg for lunch at Chic-Fil-A. Stephanie and Greg live just down the street from us and they are waiting on their travel approval to head to China to adopt their daughter Hannah Grace. It will be so fun to have her here and so close to us!

After lunch, Hannah and I went to Lisa's house for the girls to play. They had a great time, and Lisa and I enjoyed getting a chance to talk too.

Christmas Day!

We had a great Christmas day!! Christmas morning was absolutely as magical as I had hoped. Guess who woke up first? That would be me - not typical. I watched Hannah sleep and kept thinking 'hurry up already!'. Finally, she woke up, crawled in my bed and smiled. I asked her "do you think Santa came last night?". She whispered "yes". I said "do you want to go downstairs and see?" She sat straight up, said "5 more minutes sleep" and fell back on the bed! Ha!! She didn't really get it yet. I bet that's the last time I hear that on Christmas morning!
When I finally got her up and moving, I made her sit on the top of the stairs so I could run downstairs and grab the video camera. Oh - I wish I could get that video on here so you could see it. You know those commercials where the kid comes down the stairs on Christmas morning and the look on their face is just priceless? It was exactly like that...so sweet and precious.



"Wow" was the only word out of her mouth for the first 2 minutes at least!


Enjoying her new kitchen


We got a break from the rain just long enough for Hannah to enjoy a few minutes on her new bike.


Sipping "tea" with nana - otherwise known as Beth. Beth and her husband Wayne are very special to us. Beth travelled with me to China (and will hopefully get to go next time too!) and she now picks Hannah up from school about once a week to spend time with her while I have my faculty meetings (and sometimes get to enjoy running a couple child-free errands too before I go home). She and Wayne are a second set of grandparents to Hannah and I'm so thankful for them!! They came over Christmas night to eat and hang out with us a while.

Christmas Eve

I love this photo I took before church!


Having fun with grandpa!



Hannah loves her new playhouse, especially the front porch - compliments of the grandparents / great-grandparent!

Opening presents - Hannah was happy to get this computer from grandma and grandpa so she can "work" like mama!

A very tired Hannah saying bye to her paw-paw, her great-grandfather.

A New Swingset!!

Hannah had one "pre-Christmas" present - a swingset. She got it a couple weeks before Christmas but since it took some time to put together, it wasn't finished until a few days before Christmas. (Before you get too impressed - I didn't do it. My dad came several days to put it together). Hannah loves it!!

Christmas Eve Reflections and Big News!

Look for a post on all the fun and wonder Hannah experienced on her first Christmas home soon. But, tonight I want to take a minute to share what's on my heart and mind. Tonight, after everything was ready for Hannah to walk downstairs tomorrow (I can't wait!), I sat in the middle of the living room floor, looked at the tree, and in the quiet began to reflect on this past year and on my life. And I think AMAZING! I am so incredibly blessed by all God has done. I am thankful and will always remember this leg of the journey of my life. It's one of the times where I know that I know that I heard God's voice, and despite the fears and uncertainties that accompanied it, I answered and did my best to follow. That's not always been true. Like most of us I imagine, I've told God no a few times. More often, I've just "tuned him out" and not listened. But this time, I did listen. And God walked beside me through the most wonderful, amazing experience. (Or actually, it went kind of fast..I like to think God "picked up the pace" and skipped in joy alongside of me because He knew what was coming and couldn't wait for me to get there!!) But, I've been reminded in many ways lately that it is an ongoing journey. And once again, God is calling me to step out of my comfort zone a bit and move forward in faith on the next leg of the journey.

My church has been doing an advent series titled "We're Expecting". It's been about expecting the Christ child in our lives, but it's been using as examples families in our church who have "expected" a child and how that child has impacted them. Hannah and I were first and one day we headed to the church to be videotaped for use in the series. I was asked to talk about new dreams. I talked about the dream of having a child becoming reality. I shared the story of how I began the adoption process, how I met Hannah, and life together afterwards. The guy doing the interview asked me what dreams I had for the future for Hannah and for myself. I shared a little bit about my dreams for Hannah. But, I wasn't entirely honest. I said I didn't know what God had for the future for me. That was true, but he didn't ask what I KNEW, he asked what I DREAMED. And in truth, there was a dream in my heart. I just wasn't ready to share it yet with 300 or so of my closest friends on Sunday morning. But the dream had begun taking root before I even had Hannah, though I pushed it aside at the time. But, I caught myself occassionally saying or thinking the words..."next time,_____" What?!!? next time? no way! I'm single and most definately NOT rich! This is great. Thanks God for the opportunity THIS time, but I can't do it again. After Hannah was home, I was so busy with her and I was so happy with her, that I didn't think a lot about "next time", but I did keep it in the back of my mind. I'd catch myself thinking "look how nuturing she is to her doll..wouldn't she be a great big sister?" or "what would it be like to have two kids riding in the back seat of the car?', etc. Eventually, I decided in my heart that I would try to adopt one more child , but I would wait about two years before starting the process. That way, Hannah would be older and could be more a part of it. She'd have more time to be the baby. I'd have some time to save and prepare. About a month ago I told a good friend "I know now is not the right time, but I have been thinking a lot about adopting again. But later. I know now is not the right time". But, I have thought about it a LOT over the last month.

And then, WHAM!! Many of those in the china adoption community know this, but two weeks ago China announced new regulations for their adoption program. One of those regulations is that they will no longer accept single applicants after May 1, 2007. That's four months away - May 1. (You don't have to complete the adoption by then, but have your paperwork to China by then.). The night I heard the news (at that point it was actualy just a rumor..), I went to bed a bit sad, thinking "well, that's it for that dream. It'll never happen now." For those wondering, yes, there are other countries that accept single applicants. But, China was the one in my heart. And, part of the dream for me also was having two children that shared the same background and heritage. Which is not to say that is the "right way" or that others who have children adopted from different cultures is the "wrong way". I actually think it's great. It's just not the dream in MY heart right now. I briefly thought, "I wonder if I started RIGHT NOW..would I have time to get my paperwork to China by May 1". But, I kept thinking that wasn't my plan. My plan was to wait two more years. Interesting how God works. Now that I've had some time to sort it out a little, I think God planted the DREAM, but I made the PLAN to reach the dream. When it was obvious that the PLAN wouldn't work, I mistook that to mean the DREAM had to die to. Thankfully, it was a temporary lapse of understanding on my part. I've learned that God really is in control. I just forgot that for about 24 hours. I thought my plan was right because logically it was a good plan. It took into account what I believed was best for Hannah (let her be a bit older before starting) and also what I believed was reality (I could better prepare and save with a little more time). Well, you know what? God's plans are based on a deeper reality that He is able and willing to do more than we ask or imagine. (okay, there's that "more than we ask or imagine" verse that keeps popping in my head over and over in the past year...I'm trying to listen!!) And as much as I love Hannah, and I do love that little girl oh so deeply, and as much I want the very best for her - SO does God, even more! So, anyway - that night I'm telling God that I wish it could be different, I wish it had worked out...and the next morning I get in the shower and I suddently realize what I was talking about...that the PLAN had to go, but the DREAM did not. So, to make a long story shorter, I e-mailed my social worker and asked if the rumors were true and if adopting a 2nd child was still a possibilty for me. The answers came back YES. I've since talked more with her and met with her and she has been very honest with me. There is a bit of a risk. We have to work fast to get my paperwork to China by May 1. I'm willing to work fast, and she is willing to help me as much as she can. (I'm so fortunate to have a GREAT agency and a GREAT social worker there!) The key part of this process is going to be getting that CIS approval (citizenship and immigration) that is currently taking a long time. That's something that can't be guarunteed, but right now it looks like it will work out. I'm choosing to at least begin the process under the non-special needs program. Many of you know, I adopted Hannah through the special needs program. It was my intent to adopt a 2nd time the same way. But, I have found my heart very at peace with working towards non-special needs at this time and it has the advantage (to me - disadvantage to many! sorry!) of having a much longer waiting period. I'm looking at possibily 2 years until I have my daughter. Going this route is an option quite honestly I didn't even see until I gave up "my plan". So, I'm cautiously working towards this new plan. But, I'm going to **try** to remember that God really is in control. I may switch over to special needs later in the process. I may not. The process may speed up, or it may slow down. Or, China may even decide at some point to stop single adoptions entirely, even if my paperwork is already there. (That's not typical of the way they have made changes in the past, but just a reminder that in the world of international adoption, truly anything can happen). But for right now, I feel like God has opened a door for me and it's only open for a short time. So, I'm walking through it. And, while this long message almost makes it sound like I'm not excited, that's not true at all. I was just trying to put on paper the thought process and experience of making the decision. I am very very excited about the possiblity of adding a 2nd daughter to my home. That, after all, has been the dream in my heart.

So, now that you've made it though this very long post, please pray for us. Pray for me to remain open to what God is doing, pray for Hannah, and pray for God's hand to guide us in adding a 3rd member to our family. (And, you can pray for quick immigration approval too!!)

And with that, I'm now going to bed so I can sleep a few hours before watching my sweet Hannah head downstairs on Christmas morning to see what Santa brought. Part of my dream for her is to enjoy the wonder and magic of santa now while she's little, but to also grow up knowing that the true reason to celebrate Christmas is the birth of God's son. Hannah does know who "baby Jesus" is, but one day, I hope she fully realizes why He came. I dream of the day the love God has for her becomes so real in her heart that it gives her the courage to live the life God has called her to with joy and thanksgiving. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Pigtails!

One night I was playing with Hannah's hair and I put them in pigtails. Her hair really isn't quite long enough to do it right, but she loved them! The next morning I went to brush her hair and she said "two...two..two hair" and held her fingers up on top of her head to show me she wanted pigtails. (Once I taught her that they were called "pigtails" she laughed and kept saying "oink, oink"!) So, Hannah wore pigtails to school that day, which just happened to be "Pajama Day" in her classroom as well. Here's a picture of her at school that day.

Now, Hannah wants the pigtails every day! I'm really not so good at them. If someone wants to give me lessons in getting that nice, even part all the way down let me know! But, I've given Hannah pigtails the last couple days. She gets excited and loves it and I figure I need the practice anyway!

hmm... this tape and wrapping presents thing is kind of tricky. But, I want to do it "BY MYSELF!"