Wishing you a Happy New Year!

As we are nearing the new year.......2013, and nearing Chinese New Years - the year of the snake.....we take a look back at our lives since we received a very special phone call on January 16th, 2012.  WHAT A YEAR!!  A lot has happened !  Exactly one year ago  on 12/28 (my father's 80th birthday) we were logged in to the system for the first time and the search for our China doll was under way.  We would never have dreamed she would be in our arms, filling our lives with such joy just one year later.  So many firsts have happened for EG already - birthday cakes, pumpkins, Christmas trees, hugs, kisses, bows, family and love - her firsts list goes on and on.  We are forever blessed to have been chosen to experience all of them by her side as her parents. 

 

But with a new year, our journey moves forward.....to both  the known and the unknown.............2013..........

A major surgery is now  less then 2 weeks away.  We count the days for that day to be over for sure.  I know I will be afraid, but I must remain strong for Emma Grace.....its what us "mamas" do!!

 

We are nearing the anniversary of "the" call with Karla with a hint of Chris in the background.  January 16th - our very special phone call came in at approx. 8:15pm, with the news of a little girl waiting for us in Shanghai, China - our referal call. We will then have to work in a trip to Olive Garden on the 17th if EG is up for it, as that is what we did after getting off the phone with the international doctors and accepting referral with our agency on 1/17 last year.  I guess that will become a yearly family tradition!  ENDLESS SOUP, SALAD AND BREAD STICKS!!  Yes please!!  More everything!!

 

Then we will have to begin making our Chinese New Years decorations and gifts.  We have made a commitment to honor Emma Grace's heritage - the heritage that will remain in her heart forever with pride.  We even got some special dishes to use for the occasion. We will need to make dumplings..... we need a special red dress.....a hair cut.......a bag of oranges......some plum blossoms....and strong arms to do all the necessary sweeping.  So much to do and loving every second of it!!

 

WHAT A YEAR!!  Top of the list.......so far!!! 

 

2012  -  I think I love you!

2013 - HERE WE COME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

 

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS........

and may all YOUR dreams come true!!

 

never give up!  never surrender!

 

 

 

 

Last year I couldn't finish listening to this song without breaking down.....I still do this year......but for new reasons........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xebv7muzxU

 

 

Welcome to Goodson - enjoy your Pomp & Circumstance.....

Nearly 4 months after arriving home from the flip side of our world - the new super sized Goodson family of 3 was finally able to seal the deal with the state of Ohio!!  No take backs on a double dog dare - We're official!!!! 

Although we adopted Emma Grace in China - having a ceremony in Shanghai and also standing before the US Consulate in Guangzhou, the state of Ohio does insist you also stand before a judge and "re-adopt", so to speak, in a Pomp & Circumstance type ceremony in your home county.  This enables you to obtain an Ohio birth certificate, and also gives you the opportunity to take that final step and nail this phase of the journey shut with friends and family present, if you so choose to do so............we did.........

On Tuesday, December 4th; at a little after 9am in front of a small group of family in the court room of Judge James T. Walther,  the state of Ohio recognized our daughter to be one - Emma Grace Goodson - and deemed her an official resident of the state of Ohio, USA.

 

 It was short but sweet and we were so happy to have our family with us!

 

But, in order for Emma Grace to be able to make an appearance at her own re-adoption ceremony, she had to miss her weekly playschool date.......on Christmas tree day no less........boooo.......no worries.......I'm sure Miss Elizabeth will mark her excused.  Afterall, her mama wrote her a note......and got it certified by the judge she did she did!

 

So now our paperwork is officially over.  No more pencils!!  No more books!!  no more....wait....well, come to think of it....I do  actually have to fill out our next monthly report  due in a few days.....and then there's the birth certificate form......and........ahhh heck.

 

Paperwork or no paperwork -  it is now full steam ahead with one eye to the sky singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and one eye to the ground looking for dropped change..................its what we do!

 

Life couldn't be sweeter - Welcome to Goodson Emma Grace................NEXT!

?????

In the arms of Love....but waiting - there's more!!!

Our Journey of Love to with Emma Grace!

 

 

Over three months ago we started a new journey as a family of 3 - our journey of love with Emma Grace - home at last.  None of us are the same person we were 3 months ago.  We have all had to make changes, adjustments and sacrifices in order to move forward with our new life together....forever.  Whether these things happened automatically, naturally or out of  necessity; none of our lives will ever be what they were before......  

 

The child who landed at Newark Airport on August 15, 2012 is no where to be seen.  In her place is a little girl who has blossomed in to a bright, well-adjusted, happy child who expresses joy freely without hesitation,  has the most unabashed sense of humor and a giggle and laugh that lets us know this girl knows she's where she belongs.  Although her transition will continue for quiet some time,  Emma Grace continues to amaze and enchant all who meet her. 

 

We have watched as other families  travel to China for their waiting children........and  we continue to stay in touch with many new forever families; watching as they flourish more and more each day.  Adoption is BEAUTIFUL!! 

Today is November, 30th  -  the last day of National Adoption month for 2012.  A slogan I have really enjoyed this past month is "If there is room in the heart, there is room at the table".  If you have ever considered adoption for your own family, please take that first step.  If it is not for you - please consider helping others who want to but can not afford the finances.  There are also many  organizations (such as Love Without Boundaries) who need your help - their life work and purpose is for the waiting children .

Just never say NEVER........as you just might surprise yourself adding another spoon and fork at your dinner table real soon!!

 

This is the face of special needs adoption

 

 

 

 

This is the face of special needs adoption

 

This is the face of special needs adoption

 

This is the face of special needs adoption

 

Adoption Rocks - join the ride!

 

Simply put...................

 

 

Sometimes life requires a leap of faith......

Our Journey of Love to with Emma Grace!

During my nap time freedom, I have been doing a lot of thinking and soul searching lately.  Recently I started wondering about Emma Grace's life before us. Her life before Goodson.  Her life even before Feng.  I wondered about August 24th 2010 - the day she was born in Shanghai, China.  What was that day like?  Was it a nice day?  I would imagine it had to have been a beautiful sunny day with a fresh scent of Lotus Flower in the air, as a beautiful wee angel was born.  But I am biased, so I decided to step back in time and see what I could find.  No need for a crystal ball though.  Time travel is an easy nap time drive down the information highway.  Zero to 2010 in 30 seconds.    I was able to find out some simple facts, like - August 24, 2010 was the 236th day of the year of the Tiger.   And on that day there would be a full moon - at the first degree of Pisces to be exact, and Lindsay Lohan would be released from a rehab center  22 days into a three month program..........hhhmmmm......interesting.......Lohan......is she ever really not there......Then I got to wondering  what we were doing on that day ourselves.  Was it a special day for us somehow??  I had no specific memory tied to that day, so I figured probably not.  I guessed August 24th 2010 was probably just a typical summer day with us obviously having no idea of just how monumental  it would be to us down the road. But I wanted to know if I could find something.  So I took a look back back back to our past - scrolling through 2012.....whipping through 2011.....I knew that FB timeline would be good for something......and then finally..... 2010.  No post for that day that I could see.........how about pictures......pictures of the past.  There were plenty of pictures of Eleanor puppy and hamburger and fries from the Burger Station.....hay.....the Burger Station.....mmmmmm.......more pictures of Eleanor......And then.... low and behold.............I found August 24th, 2010 in the lives of Scott and Lisa Goodson photo op style..........And in fact it was not a typical day in our lives.  I remember praying to God to let me survive that day, while  sitting at the picnic table on the deck of the A-Frame cottage we were staying in the night before.....I was pretty sure I was in major danger.  But I had come that far and there was no turning back.  We did something very out of the ordinary that day, especially for me.  On this day we leaped off the edge and went for a ride through the air under the direction of Love.  Tuesday, August 24th, 2010 was the day we went zip lining at Hocking Hill's Ohio Canopy Tours.  Our guide was named Love.  This is one recommended experience!!  Great fun! 

 

It was the most exciting thing I had ever done at that time in my life.  It was a special  day for us too after all.....more so than we could have ever known at the time.  It made me laugh a bit remembering when we were asked to turn in pictures of us together for our dossier and I included the zip picture.  Our consultant said it was a very nice picture with big smiles, but suggested it would probably be a wise thing to have some taken without helmets on instead..........thought it might make someone on the other side of our world a little nervous when viewing our profile.  Little did she know she was looking at a very special moment in time.  The day our baby girl was born.  A moment she helped bring together in the end.   I went to take a peak at that picture we have placed in a frame  from the trip and  first thing I notice were the words "leap of faith" etched on it.  They were always there, but I never really thought about it before.  A little sign of things to come was right under our noses the whole time.  I love when that happens.  And what a leap we took!!  So happy we did for what a blessing we would have missed if we turned back from the edge.  We love you Emma Grace Goodson!  Thank you for choosing us to be your parents.  After such a short time, we would be lost without you. You bring such joy to our lives.  Every moment with you was worth the wait.   So happy we are finally together where we belong!  You have so much you will have to go through in this 2nd year of life.  In just  the next several weeks and months you will have countless medical appointments, therapy sessions, surgeries, evaluations etc. etc.  Mommy and Daddy will be with you every step of the way!   No matter what we are together now FOREVER!!  It's funny, with all the  nervousness, uncertainties and major decisions in the making for our family of late  -  all it takes is a quick glimpse of a picture from the past, and realizing that it shows a very special place on our red thread  attached to the other side of the world, to make me know that we are headed in the right direction........we always have been.  We are headed in OUR direction.  And there's no better way to be going.  And through our journey we will now and forever always remember that  - sometimes life requires a leap of faith......it's all good - just go one step at a time - together......always letting Love be our guide!

 

the day our daughter Emma Grace was born
 

"An invisible red thread connects those destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle, but never break." - Ancient Chinese Proverb

just because i think it rules.....:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdIcXCFAgZI

I Refuse!

Our Journey of Love to with Emma Grace!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B1Lv8k5pEc

 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west   - Isaiah 43:5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6jO7xhU_Pw

Growing through the Wisdom of a Child....

Our Journey of Love to   with Emma Grace!

 

 

If all the world thought like a child, it would be a much nicer place.

 

My daughter teaches me this every day in many ways. One of the simplest ways is the joy she receives and shares from the miracle blessing that is nature.  Something that is waiting there for all of us to take in - to see, to feel, to taste, to smell and to enjoy  -  but often we do not even give any of it a second thought. 

 

 

 

Emma Grace can't walk past or towards the front stoop without taking a whiff of every single open bud on her way.  Never in a hurry.  Never concerned.  Knowing all else can wait.  Never willing to pass up such an  opportunity. Even when we call her name and request her presence quickly  now......

 

 

.....we are aware that we are going to have to wait until she has finished enjoying herself completely.....with these somethings so wonderful for her to seize.  Beautiful gifts just waiting for her.....like the beautiful gift she was just waiting for us. 

 

Showing us her wisdom and changing our eyes to what is really important in life. 

 

It's not monetary things.  We as people WANT more then WE need.  What's important is love and family.  Everything else will fall in to place.

 

Such a simple thing.  Yet simple things have been known to change the world.....for the better. 

 

So many people have told us how wonderful we are to have saved Emma Grace from her life as an orphane and how kind of an action adopting a special needs waiting child living in an orphanage was.  We giggle and smile at each other when we hear this..........

 

 

 

......because we know the truth.  We are the blessed ones in the mix.  We are the lucky ones..........and most importantly - we are the ones being saved...........

 

......by the smiple actions of a child named Emma Grace.

 

Always take time to STOP and smell the flowers!!

Gotcha Again!!....

Our Journey of Love to with Emma Grace!

 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY EMMA GRACE GOODSON!!

 Our beautiful sweet baby girl!

 

 Her own kinda broom

 

 Oh boy - she's got the pose down.....it may be a toy phone this time but soon enough...............

 

 

 

We took a celebration family hike and girl picked me my first ever mommy daughter flowers from the field

 

 A booty painting by Emma Grace Goodson.  By the time it was all said and done, she had paint from one end to the other and was in the buff sliding all over the paper. 

 

One month ago today was the wonderful day we finally met for the first time.  Today is your/our one month Gotcha Day anniversary!!

 

One month ago today we meet Emma Grace for the first time in Shanghai, China.  A lot has happened in this month.  We've had good times.......we've had bad times......we've operated on no sleep.....we've had tears.....we've had fights.....but all the times have been blessed!  It seems so long ago.  Seems longer than a month.  I can not remember what times were like before you now.  I like that!  I guess when you spend 24 hours a day with someone life changes.  I like the change!  We need more change!  Changes for the better for us! 

 

The next several months will be hard.  Now we are still only communicating with signals and a few sounds/grunts.  Soon the doctors at the Cleveland Clinic will guide us to helping you learn to speak as well as Help Me Grow. We know Emma Grace will need years of speech therapy in order to talk - we were told by our international doctor upon returing to the US.  We as a family of three are ready for the challenge!  We can hardly wait to tell you to pipe it down! 

 

Tomorrow will be our one month anniversary as a family of 3 Goodsons!!  Special times are a happening!  For tonight......mama made you some jello!  Mama's first jello......mama never felt the need to make it before.....sad....but true!  It was easy! 

 

Love you Emma Grace Goodson!  Looking forward for your nap to be over so we can play some more! 

 

Love you forever and ever!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y0xBZ-4f8Q&feature=plcp

Life is but a dream...........fleeting away

Our Journey of Love to with Emma Grace!

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)
A PSALM OF LIFE

WHAT THE HEART OF THE YOUNG MAN
...

SAID TO THE PSALMIST
 

 

TELL me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream ! —
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Life is real ! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal ;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.
 

 

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,

Is our destined end or way ;

But to act, that each to-morrow

Find us farther than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,

And our hearts, though stout and brave,

Still, like muffled drums, are beating

Funeral marches to the grave.

 

In the world's broad field of battle,

In the bivouac of Life,

Be not like dumb, driven cattle !

Be a hero in the strife !

 

 

Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant !

Let the dead Past bury its dead !

Act,— act in the living Present !

Heart within, and God o'erhead !

 

 

 

Lives of great men all remind us

We can make our lives sublime,

And, departing, leave behind us

Footprints on the sands of time ;

Footprints, that perhaps another,

Sailing o'er life's solemn main,

A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,

Seeing, shall take heart again.

 

 

 

 

 

Let us, then, be up and doing,

With a heart for any fate ;

Still achieving, still pursuing,

Learn to labor and to wait.