4 years of FOREVER  8-6-2016 - A break from our blogging silence just to say.......


My name is Lisa Goodson....................
and I suffered from infertility for 25 years.  During that 25 years we would have 2 failed attempts at jumping in to the world of domestic adoption.  Now, here on the other side, I realize that if I would have had any relief during those 25 years.    If our path would have veered in any way, this child would not be here.  And I couldn't imagine life without her.  She is our daughter in every way .  We were meant to be since the beginning of time. His timing is always perfect and that  was what was needed of me.  And although the years of heartache were hard and now it may be easy to say from this side of life, I know in my heart that I would relive all 25 years.  All the hurt.  All the anger.  All the frustrations.  All the feeling of hopelessness.  All the why me's and all the tears - just to get back to this moment as we celebrate the joy of being family.  We are Goodson - party of three.  And this is what the first four years of forever looks like.  Happy Gotchaversary Emma Grace.  My life, my love, my everything.  You are forever our always.  Some day you will read this Emma Grace and I hope you know what a beautiful gift you are to us and everyone who has gotten to know you.  You are a strong willed girl full of joy.  Always keep the faith and may the force always be with you. 

ps - NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!!!  NEVER GIVE UP!  NEVER SURRENDER!!

https://youtu.be/-l70C3ePyIQ

STILL BLINKING!!

                                        

And here we are again one year later ushering in the completion of our Year 2 of our Forever.  Parenthood really brings to life the passing of time in a whole new light.  My goodness - its been 2 years already.  And although it seems like just yesterday in some ways, it also seems like a lifetime ago  - when we began the journey of our lifetime - our journey of Love to Emma Grace.  Wow!  We went to China and brought our baby girl home.  It still blows my mind.  It still seems so crazy!

If you would have told me just 4 years ago that in the year 2012 I would fly to the other side of the world and become a mommy through international adoption in China I would have laughed it off with a big "no way" while secretly hiding and holding back the tears of infertility and the notion that beautiful things happen every day, just not for me.  No finances.  No possibility that I would get on a plane......let alone 7!  Ha ha!  Jokes on me!  When its right its right.  And I have never been so happy and blessed to have been wrong.  He chose me for something a little different.  He knew what was in my heart and how He could use it for good.  I didn't believe in myself.  I didn't have to.  He believed in me and life has never been so sweet.  What's next??  I'm open to suggestion Big Guy!  Love You!!


(2 year Gotcha anniversary video - enjoy!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4CnraIG2B4


Happy Gotcha Day Emma Grace!  Happy Gotchaversary!  Happy Year 2 of Forever.  Happily Ever After.  You are my dream come true. 

ps -  I'm so glad you love ravioli too!!


Well Year 3 - meet the Goodsons - we're on our way!! 

God Bless All!  See you next year - same bat time - same bat place.  Peace!

 

 

What seems like a day turns in to a year.........

I never really felt just how fast time passes until I became a parent……until I became a mommy to my daughter Emma Grace.  Although I had often pondered the thought, it never really reached in and grabbed my heart and twisted it as it has during the past 365.  It seems like just yesterday I held her in my arms for the very first time and sang her “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”.  But in fact  that happened  an entire year ago in a hotel room on the other side of the world in Shanghai, China..  Gotcha Day – August 6, 2012.   Realizing that our first year together has come and gone is almost mind blowing.  But when I step out of my comfort box and look back at the road behind us, it brings forth both laughter and tears from accomplishments and epic fails.  It has been a hard journey of growth for all of us.  The strength and determination of my child alone is admirable and second to none.  We as parents have learned so much about ourselves and each other.  This journey was not easy.  It takes a lot from you.  It changes you.  But this journey is so worth it.  I am so proud to be a part of a family who held each other together through one crazy ride and now find themselves on the other side with a lot to show for their efforts.  And a lot of people to thank. Emma Grace was worth the wait and worth the life changing ride.  I would go through all the years of pain and every moment of past sorrows just to end up where I am here today.  Adoption is a blessing. 

our official Gotcha Day and 365 video: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB25q1NL_6Y&feature=c4-overview&list=UUlEtsAfCWmlgQaBhMUoamQQ

 The funny thing is that even after a year of being together I still have to pinch myself.  If this is a dream - I never want to wake up.  It is just so crazy.  I am Emma Grace's mommy.  I am a mommy!   What a crazy amazing year full of blessing and love. 

People ask........people wonder......Will she get a big sister down the road…….for now....no... but.....never say never.  Leaving my job to stay at home for at least the first year with Emma Grace hit and continues to hit our finances too hard to make it a possibility.  But again - never say never.  A lottery win here…..a waiver there.....and maybe…..just maybe….someday…..if its mean to be - It will happen just like it did for the three of us.   So.....maybe we need a miracle.  But after the past 365 days I am no longer afraid to rely on needing a miracle.  I mean after all  - they happen every day.  

The Beginning………

A Picturesque Look Back at an EGG’s First Easter Season

Emma Grace Goodson 
 

The E.G.G's 1st Easter 

2013

I'll sit next to him mama but no way am I sitting in that bunny's lap!!

OUR 1ST EASTER EGG HUNT 
(for both of us)
THANK YOU JOURNEY CHURCH OF FAIRVIEW PARK, OHIO!!

just part of the 150,000 eggs that were part of this awesome and free event

  

Team Goodson discussing our strategy.....

We only made it out of the hunt with a few, but were very happy and excited with our eggs!!

Showing off some of our loot - EGGS UP!!

Emma Grace doing "precious" like no other

There were all kinds of funny characters running around

including Peter Cottontail himself

balloons, popcorn and sunshine - we had a great day! 

THANK YOU DADDY FOR TAKING US!!

VIDEO CLIP LINKS:

#1:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxG3-TuPUQI

#2:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmVmEtiFvVc

the rare shot of Emma Grace coloring eggs.......

she had no interest.......next year......

Easter morning at the Goodson's


CHOCOLATE!!

A hunt of her own...and papa

Video Clip link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QH17RAkezw
 

Eleanor was on it too - she found a pretty blue one!!

Girl cleans up nice


total Princess!

feeding her bunny from the bunny

The Easter Dinner Gang 

 back row - Grandpa Piggy (Grandpa B.)

front row left to right - papa, Grandma Jason (Grandma G.), Jason, Grandma Candee (Grandma B.), 

The EGG, and mama.

hugging on her bunny from Grandma and Grandpa B. and sneaking a nap in.

THAT'S MY BABY!!

WITH A NICE SLICE OF CHEEEEESECAKE!

 

Another big  and very important celebration is just around the corner.......8 month anniversary!! 

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT??!!

 

 

WE ARE FOREVER BLESSED WITH OUR E.G.G. 

THANK YOU..........FOR EVERYTHING!!!!

with love

 

Surrounded with gift wrapping

A child is a precious gift from God
And baptism is God's gift wrapping

Not quite over her angst of having to leave her Furbie behind in the car during this “meeting” thing she had been prepped for, a look of true felt fear and confusion replaced her normal cheeky grin as we all walked past him filing in to his office.  Our little trooper has been through so much in the past few months; surgeries, therapies, evaluations, shots, appointment after appointment after appointment. I believe she figured the kindly gentleman was probably just another doctor looking to upset her.  My heart hurt from the look of concern on her face.  Letting go of her hand for just a moment, I made the sign for “friend” and whispered to her “He’s a nice man Emma Grace, he’s friends with Jesus”.  She smiled with wide eyes, tilted her head and seemingly began to scan the man’s face as she sat relatively quiet while we discussed arrangements.  Afterwards, back in the hall - it was on for this “Friend of Jesus”.  She lifted her arms to him demanding to be picked up and hugged.  Emma Grace is not one to hand out hugs so freely, but “Friends with Jesus” was all she needed to hear.  Excellent resume with an outstanding reference in her book.  Now Pastor Dave was also friends with Emma Grace Goodson. 

Emma has been very interested in learning about Jesus.  She loves to pray.  Before meals, after meals, sometimes during meals, in the morning, at nap time, bed time and sometimes just any time the thought overcomes her.  One thing is a constant for our little prayer warrior, all her prayers end with a very hearty arm raised joyful “AMEN!”   She is just the cutest girl ever!  Emma Grace recognizes Jesus’s picture and understands we are speaking to Him in our prayers.  We look forward to teaching Emma as best we can all about Jesus, so she can make her own decisions and choices on her spiritual life when she is older.  We want her to understand that He walks with her every day and has since the day she was born and will remain by her side rain or shine always caring for her, watching over her and always loving her. 

If beauty is counted by pig tails......Mirror Mirror on the wall

 

 

 

On March 3^rd, 2013 Emma Grace Goodson became an official follower of the Lord. as on this day. she was baptized at the same church her daddy was baptized at as a baby  many years ago.  Her new found friend Pastor Dave did the honors.  She smiled when she saw many of her favorite faces, as everyone began gathering.  There was Grandpa, Grandma, Grandma, Uncle Mike – so many – what were they all doing there where she was  and all at the same time too???!!. 

Then came the blessing............

 

................She had the funniest expression on her face when Pastor Dave applied the holy water to her head.  Would a friend put water on your head when you are wearing such a fancy new dress with the shoes you had been waiting to be able to wear with your family watching………yes….indeed this was ok…...she crinkled up her nose and scrunched her eyes and gave an ever so faint giggle.  I was half expecting to see her throw down the "I’m gonna get you buddy" knuckle sandwich gesture she has become so well known for as of late.  But she maintained her composure……for a 2 year old.

The Knuckler

After church service we shared punch and cookies to celebrate Emma Grace’s achievement. Then Pastor

Dave joined us back at the alter for some fun time. He explained to Emma Grace why he had to put that

water on her head earlier.....

 

 and after some thought…..

 

 

Emma Grace baptized him right back.

And like the great man he is, Pastor Dave gave a very hearty arm raised joyful “AMEN!”   

 

 

Early on after arriving home from China I had found a Mandarin video of children singing and signing “Jesus Loves Me”.  She loved it from her first view and it continues to remain on her play list just about every day.  I believe she knew what they were saying when she first came home, but now I am not too sure.  I do not know if Emma Grace has retained much if any Mandarin to still know what they are saying, but I do believe that she still understands the comfort and love their song represents.  And I hope she always remembers that feeling of love with her whole heart.  Something so simple has brought her such great joy for going on 7 months now.  Emma Grace has come a long way.  She has a long way to go......but don't we all.   I wish for her to hold in her heart the comfort that not a foot step of her journey will be alone wherever it may take her.  She will never walk alone.  All she need do is open the eyes of her heart.  For, Yes Emma Grace - Jesus loves you - this I know!!  Always and forever.  He loves us all.   More than you could ever imagine!

A link to one of Emma Grace's favorite videos - Jesus Loves Me
:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOryBJ7qz0s&feature=related

Excerpts from Angela Elwell Hunt’s poem  
 

Forgiveness Bubbles

Thanks for listening to me, God
I need to talk to you
I know you love your children, Lord
No matter what they do


Please help me keep my heart clean, Lord
And teach me to do right
Help me keep my heart forever
Shinny penny bright

 

But if I happen to mess up
And need another scrub
I know you won’t forget me, God
Just plop me in your tub

Lots of folks don’t understand
Forgiveness from above
They don’t know how my heart feels
When it is bathed in love


I’m growing up, and as I do
You’ll help me through my troubles
I won’t outgrow my love for you
And your forgiveness bubbles

 

 

 Audio Adrenaline:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U64bongHqYU

 Britt Nicole:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9PjrtcHJPo

 

 

 

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