Starfishes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC2rmCRQRKQ&feature=related

In 1 word this is TOTALLYAWESOME!!

Another song in the race for "the" Gotcha day video.  It may be the GNR girl in me, but I love this!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dqVDQ-lF4Q

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This blog belongs to Emma Grace's ma ma                Emma has another blog made by her ba ba daddy Stop by and see her Daddy's take on things.... http://scott-andlisasredthread.blogspot.com

A Major Prize Winner!!

I'm so excited!  Last night I was contacted regarding the fact that I won a $30 gift certificate to Red Thread Stitches!!  http://www.redthreadstitches.com/  

They have the most amazing handmade clothing!  Gorgeous!!  I am busy at work trying to decide what outfit to get for Emma Grace.  I was wanting to get her something special like this and WAMM!!  I WON!!!  If you are reading this post - stop by their web site and help me decide! And "like" them on Facebook too!!

 LOVE LOVE!!

This Mornings Adoptive Humor.....

No morning sickness yet...............

but the papercuts are getting out of control!! 

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This blog belongs to Emma Grace's ma ma                     Emma has another blog made by her ba ba daddy   Stop by and see her Daddy's take on things.... http://scott-andlisasredthread.blogspot.com

Secret Pal Day!!

Today was Secret Pal Day!  We got a wonderful package in the mail from our Secret Pal on our DTC winter 2011/2012 FB group.  Very nice surprise!  The package included a card with a message to us.  It says:

Not to long from now you will be hodling your precious little girl.  It has been a long process.  But in the end when you are holding her in your arms all that wait will be forgotten.  You will never want to let her go. 

Your Secret Pal

Secret Pal you're right!  It has been nice to find so many people going through this process in its different stages.  It is a hard hard silent  wait full of way too many tears, but today a little extra ray of sunshine came through the mail.  Thanks Secret Pal!

The Amazing Guardian Angel Granny

There are probably amazing moments gifted to us from heaven above all the time. But far too often, we are caught up in our everyday lives that we don’t take the time to notice and process them for what they are. Moments subtle and quick, in almost a secretive manner, that truly gives meaning to the phrase “take your breath away”. Special blessed moments, quickly passing with the essence of the accompanying giggle from a smiling angel. I feel I’ve truly seen a few of these special moments. Moments sent just for me, and I feel so very blessed by them. All of mine revolve around one particular person from my life. Someone I often wonder, if perhaps, they took over the position of my Guardian angel upon their passing. And I like that thought. It’d be something she would do. When my Grandma passed away one of the many things I received was a collection of handkerchiefs. Never having been a fancy handkerchief kind of person, I cherished them, but left them in a bag tucked away in my dresser for many years. When we made our big move, the bag got tucked away in a box and is now stored somewhere in the attic space or storage tubs in the garage rafters. To be honest, I haven’t seen these handkerchiefs for a long time and I never really thought about them either. It’s not that I didn’t love them, I just didn’t think I would have a need to keep them nearby - finding them now would be like finding a needle in a haystack. High five to my fellow pack rats!! Well, I got to thinking about Emma Grace’s gotcha day, which always brings tears to my eyes, and I told myself I have to gain strength over my emotions for my daughter's sake. I feel very strongly that I need to keep the tears at bay during this journey. Emma Grace will be scared enough and full of tears. She doesn’t need to see this new strange yellow haired lady babbling strange noises looking at her balling her eyes out. But being the queen of sensitivity, this will be a difficult feat. You know what would come in handy….?? A handkerchief! Ohhhh! Grandma’s handkerchiefs!! Where are you??!! Show yourselves! Where for art thou hankies?? How great would that be to take one of those special handkerchiefs with me to share with Emma Grace on her Gotcha Day in China and dry both our tears. I wish I would have put them some place easy to find, but I never gave them a purpose other that to be something tucked away. I did a quick search, but I knew it would be nearly impossible now to come up with one before my husband and I travel to the flip side of our world. That would have been so cool. But its just a nice thought, too much going on now, can’t stop to feel sorry for myself. So my husband and I went to target and bought a box of white handkerchiefs for $4.59 and tucked them in the “take to China box” and continued on with our lives. A day or two later I was doing laundry in the utility room. Back against the dusty window there appeared to be a sock stuck in between the wall and the dryer vent hang from a piece of duct tape just out of my reach. I looked at it a few times and finished folding the towels. When finished, I pushed the table out of the way and grabbed the sock down. It was one of Scott’s thick bulky work socks full of static cling covered in lint, an old knee highs and some duct tape. I dusted it off and pulled it apart and then…….I couldn’t believe my own eyes. Caught in that crazy mix of fluff and dust…..was one of my Grandma’s handkerchiefs. Then I remembered I had separated that one many years ago, I believe even before our move, because I thought it was the prettiest. A delicate petite white vintage handkerchief with a beautiful rose print on it. It must have lived in the bottom of the sock basket for years.  How did you get there I asked. This is utterly amazing! I wanted one of those so bad for Emma and I. This is crazy to me!!….and then I realized and asked….Grandma?.....Grandma??........and then  I smiled, because my heart told me my Grandmother just handed me a pink rose for her newest Great Granddaughter. “catch breath” Grandma was very concerned about people having things of hers to cherish and remember her by after she passed, as if she could be forgotten, but that was something that meant a lot to her. And I truly believe after her hearing, she rather liked the idea of one of her handkerchiefs getting tucked in the “take to China” box for Emma Grace and I. And I love the idea of my Amazing Guardian Angel Granny joining our journey of love to Emma Grace. Most people would think it to be a coincidence. It got stuck in the sock basket and this and that….maybe so….maybe so....it is far fetched….yes.... you’re probably right…..wink wink Thanks Grandma!! It’s perfect! And Welcome aboard!  I feel better knowing you're coming along!  Great idea!!  Consider yourself packed!!  Love and miss you you Grandma - wish you were here!

Speaking of gotcha day videos...........

This song hits home hard......could it be the one???  I have so many choices right now - but this one "understands" me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyX-I-um5Kk

My first Mother's Day....

Celebrated my first Mother's Day yesterday, Sunday, May 13th, 2012.  Although I am Emma's mommy, it obviously was not the same as Emma Grace being home here with us.  But we had a great day spending time with the world's best Mom and Dad.  Next year we hope to have another apple dumpling to share!

Have found comfort in the many familes I have met who are taking part in this journey themselves.  It's funny.....we have so many of the same "crazy" behaviors.  Trying to see if thats my baby in the pic, talking in acronyms that mean nothing to the "normal" people but bring a tear to the eyes of adoptive families, and don't even get me started on the youtube gotcha day videos....  The wait is hard.  The wait is long....................

Love you Emma Grace Goodson.  I think of nothing else but you. 

Lord Jesus, thank You for the unexpected miracles and blessings that You give us. Sometimes when we begin to give up hope, You come shining through. ♥

Ladybug Fundraiser for Emma

IT'S HERE!! The Emma Grace necklace! Designed by artist Stacy Richards of Jubilees Jewels, this special necklace represents our journey of love to our daughter Emma Grace.
A silver circle representing 25 years of endless love to eachother with a tiny crystal adorned good luck ladybug dangling from the center. A special biblical reference is hand stamped on each necklace of "Isaiah 43:5" - Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west - a meaningful quote to everyone in the world of China adoptions. The Emma Grace necklace will be available for a limited time and Stacy, an adoptive mother herself, is offering a portion of the proceeds of each necklace sold to help bring Emma Grace home. So RUN don't walk and get one while you can!! :)

http://jubileesjewels.com/Ladybug-adoption-fundraiser

WO DE BAO BEI

Here we are, Sunday, May 6th, 2012, one week before Mother's Day.  One week before the last Mother's Day that I won't be someones Mommy.  Well, actually I am Emma Grace's mama now, but she doesn't know me yet.  My husband Scott and I will be traveling to China this summer.  Currently estimated as end of July - mid August.  Seems like an eternity away as we have already lived a life time waiting to hold her.  We were married July 4th, 1987 and will be celebrating our 25th anniversary just a few weeks before we become parents for the first time.  I know, but we've always been a little different.  lol!!  We had always wanted to be parents from day one, it just wasn't planned for us in the usual manner.  It has been a hard 25 years, but we are one of the happiest married couples I know.  We are eachother's strength.  We are a super team!!  And right now, after nearly 25 years of dreaming - we couldn't be happier!  We received our LOA on April 23rd - 82 days after PA.  We are now waiting on word regarding our I-800.  Every day is harder and harder to wait - but we'd do it all over again - good times and bad - all 25 years -  just to get back to THE DAY - January 17, 2012 - the day we first saw our daughter Emma's picture.  Our Litte Bunny.   (THANK YOU EAC!!)

The referal picture

Born August 24th, 2010, Emma Grace (Shenghong) currently lives in The Children's Welfare Institute in Shanghai, China.  Emma Grace was born with cleft lip and palate.  Our little Bunny has had her initial repairative surgery, but will need a few additional as she gets older.  We love this little girl so much.  She is our dream come true and we now live the rest of our lives for her and her happiness.  Come home soon baby! 

WO DE BAO BEI!

Emma's care package of Love and Goodies mailed 3/3/12

The happiest Ma ma and Ba ba in the world!

Remember that one of the big misunderstandings we have of God is that when difficulty arises, He is closing a door.  

 No.  More often He is preparing you for something special.

ME!!  tell them about me! And how much I love Emmmmaaahhh!!

Oh yes.....and the happiest dog sister in the world 2 year old Eleanor Maybelline

Ellie can hardly wait to be a big dog sister

The Twins  - mommy and Eleanor!

 when is Emmmaaahhh coming home maw??!!

That's us! 

READY OR NOT EMMA GRACE...

MOMMY AND DADDY ARE  READY TO COME AND GET YA!

WE LOVE YOU  4-EVER! 

My husband made this media clip for me as a surprise.  It brought me to tears.  Sometimes this Ba Ba dude can be so sweet. 

ETERNAL DREAM - Dream Garden Art

Emma Grace Goodson

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

<><><><> <>               <><><> <>              This blog belongs to Emma Grace's ma ma                      Emma has another blog made by her ba ba daddy  Stop by and see her Daddy's take on things.... http://scott-andlisasredthread.blogspot.com

We call this  her "smelling onions" look

"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