I have become so use to thinking of Emma Grace as just as nice pictures of a sweet little baby that I would love to know - a blessing - a dream, but more than likely just a pic that came with the frame. I still don't think I realize that this is a real little girl that I am meeting in 2 weeks. This is my daughter. My life is about to change....dramatically...and forever. There is someone going to sit on that potty. There is someone going to sleep in that bed. There is someone who is going to sit in that chair. There is someone who owns that tutu. There is someone who is going to call me Mommy..................It does not seem possible. It doesn't seem real. I'm the one who does not get to be a mama. I moved past that long ago. I went a long time hurting. And then I barried the hurt under anger. And I forgot why I was angry. It's how I made it through. I was ok...until.....He called.........my bluff..........and now I know it was all part of His plan to keep me busy until Emma Grace was ready for us. It really has nothing to do with me. It's all about Emma Grace. I am just so blessed that when He looked down His list He saw our names again and smiled....and said.....well...ok...why not. A prayer answered. Still uncertain if it is real. Still wondering of 8/6/2012. What is it going to be like when I see Emma Grace for the first time and she is in 3D. What is it going to be like when Emma Grace Goodson is real. What's it going to be like when I am finely free..........to be continued................from China.
http://www.adoptedthemovie.com/adopted-trailer/
http://www.youtube.com/user/adoptedthemovie?feature=results_main'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxBfwX0Mp4o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz55snvK_40
http://www.adoptedthemovie.com/videos/
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
The day after..........love hurts
Sunday, July 15th - one day after a pretty awesome day. Saturday, July 14th was our big family reunion. Family members came home from several different states for this event as well as for the marriage of the now newlyweds Heather and Matt. A big surprise to us that a super secret awesome shower for Emma Grace had also been planned. Had no idea and didn't understand what was going on. I guess my family is good with surprises. My daddy played Emma Grace's song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" on the organ for the event. Emma Grace received so many beautiful items. Her almost forever family was so very generous to her. My family especially has shown great interest and excitement in Emma Grace joining our family and of our crazy upcoming journey to China. They all stand with open arms for her and we think that is so very wonderful. The kid will never know what hit her! THE LOVE BUG!!
Here's a look at the loot of Emma Grace Goodson
I guess you could say it was like Christmas in July for sure! Look at all them ladybugs. Ladybug Ladybug!! They were all over the place. In the presents, on the wall, on the cake. Ladybugs are a sign of "good luck" during a Chinese adoption. We have had a few land on us or family members just before something good happened such as just before receiving Emma's referral. There had to be at least 100 ladybugs if not more at the shower. LOOK at the big one on the cake!
Well these ladybugs.....on a large part splattered through the party by Emma Grace's special Aunts.....helped bring something extra special come to life. Something that we have been waiting for since March 3rd. Something that I have spent countless endless hours searching the internet for. These wonderful ladybugs brought home some long awaited updated pictures of our precious baby girl. NEVER DOUBT THE POWER OF THE LADYBUG!
Pat Marcus of Superkids Charity had visited orphanages throughout China during May and June in a humanitarian act of love and care for the waiting children. She was at Emma Grace's orphanage on June 2nd. From the Superkids blog:
Superkids is an international humanitarian aid organization that sends pediatric therapists (physical, occupational, speech, and play) to orphanages around the world. Our goal is to help orphans better their quality of life and make it easier to place them into permanent homes. With the use of specialized therapy toys, we can teach care givers how to strengthen children's gross and fine motor muscles, improve their sensory integration, and build self-esteem. Pat Marcus is a pediatric physical therapist who volunteers her time and talents visiting children in orphanages with medical needs through Gladney's Superkids Charity.
These are the first updated pictures we have seen of our daughter since March 3rd. Although I wish they hadn't cut her hair again, her baba keeps telling me she does not know her hair is cut and we'll grow her some piggies asap. I especially love the look in Pat's eyes as she is holding Emma Grace. Emma is so blessed to have been invited to spend a few minutes with such a caring and loving woman. I think Emma Grace looks a bit scared. I so want to jump through the pictures, grab her up and jump back out.
These photos were taken on June 2nd 2012. Our daughter's Gotcha Day is August 6th, 2012. After all this time, it will be these days that hurt the most. We're coming Emma Grace. Soon as they let us we are bringing you home! As much as I wanted to see updated pictures......they really are going to make the remaining few weeks last a lifetime..................But I am still very thankful for them and the time Pat spent holding our daughter - I DO NOT WANT TO SEEM UNGRATEFUL - BECAUSE WE ARE SO VERY BLESSED AND THANKFUL TO PAT AND SUPERKIDS....... I guess the old song is right......sometimes.........LOVE HURTS.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
It's really happening.......!!
Wednesday, July 11th - the day we learned when our world will change.......FOREVER BBBBWWWAHHHH!! Ordinarily Wednesdays have not been my favorite days asof late as that's the day I have to stay late. Late.....its just one hour later than every other work day - but I dislike the fact - a lot. But today gave Wednesday a new meaning. I was told yesterday to expect travel plans by the end of the week. Instead I got them this morning. First an email came from Zhou with the subject line: *Traveling to China on Aug 1* WE LEAVE THE COUNTRY AUGUST 1ST!! Then came the travel planning and coordinating with Carol at Gateway. Option 2 was our choice. Prices were not more than I though and actually, although in my normal life would not be something I would able be able to purchase, in my adoption world I was happy - for I have been watching and reading and Carol got us an excellent price - thanks EAC! We fly out on 8/1. Arrive in Beijing on 8/2. Tour 8/3 and 8/4 with our group. On 8/5 we fly to Shanghai....with ZHOU!! And on Monday 8/6 - we meet our Emma Grace. 8/6 is her Gotcha Day. I wonder what that day is going to be like. What is Emma Grace going to look like now. I have not gotten an update since March 3rd. There will be over a 5 month difference....but I will know her in an instant! I hope she trusts us soon and feels all the love we have to share with her. We are ready to help her through this transition and make her happy. WOW! What is Monday, August 6th going to be like.......August 6th - THE DAY OUR WORLD CHANGES........FOREVER..........FOR THE BETTER! The following day, 8/7 we will do the adoption registration and formally adopt Emma Grace - changing her name from Feng Sheng Hong to Emma Grace Goodson. We should be in Shanghai for approx 5 days. We hope to take Emma to the zoo to see the pandas and do some sightseeing before heading to Guangzhou for Emma Grace's visa and additional paperwork and medical appointment. Then on August 15th we begin our trip home. Leave and land on the same day......because China is 12 hours earlier so it works funny like that. My mama and baba will be waiting at the doors to drive us home to Eleanor - who will undoubtedly be very angry at us for not taking her along. But I have a feeling once she understands what this Emma Grace is, she is going to be one happy happy pup.
August 1st.............that's 3 weeks from today...........doesn't seem real......doesn't feel like I deserve such a blessing..............but what a precious gift we will be receiving.......our lives will never be the same....and the family tree......getting a little added sizzle with the addition of one EMMA GRACE GOODSON. 3 weeks and a few days - we meet our forever daughter............pray for us!!
EMMA GRACE GOODSON
8/24/2010 BORN
8/25/2010 FOUND
8/30/2010 ARRIVED AT THE SHANGHAI CHILDREN'S WELFARE INSTITUE
1/16/2012 WE RECEIVED HER REFERAL FROM KARLA AT EUROPEAN ADOPTION CONSULTANTS
1/17/2012 MEDICAL FILE REVIEWED BY THERESE AT UH RAINBOWS HOSPITAL
GIVEN THUMBS UP FROM THE INTERNATIONAL DOCTORS AND FORWARD MOVEMENT
ACCEPTED REFERAL
RECEIVED FIRST PICTURE
BORN IN OUR HEARTS
8/6/2012 MEETING FOR THE FIRST TIME
GOTCHA DAY
8/7/2012 OFFICIALLY BECOMES EMMA GRACE GOODSON
YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY BABY!
NOW JUST A FEW MORE WEEKS AND A FEW THOUSAND MILES
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
I thought buying a potty chair was serious......TA!!
Tuesday, July 10th 2012 - our TA day! So excited! In shock basically! I was wondering all day if I would hear from Karla after I got home from work. It had been a busy day. Read messages about other's getting "the call". Missed call from Zhou. An email from Zhou. Called Zhou. Sent Zhou email. Love that Zhou - he's from Shanghai!! Silence silence...get home and wonder some more if Karla is going to call.....mess around in Emma's room rearranging some butterflies and then....the phone rang! It was Karla!! Dude's not home - oh no! Guess what??!! It's the greatest news eva!! It was the good news we had hoped and prayed for. We got our TA ie Travel Authorization from the People's Republic of China for our adoption process. We now wait for our CA appointment - China adoption appointment. Not sure at this point of our exact travel date. Will find out in a day or so. Karla said right now she thinks 8/1. Kim and I (another Ohio China ma ma) are hoping for 7/25. But we'll take 8/1!! That's not that far away and gives us enough time to get our lives under control.....if that is possible. Is it possible to undo everything you have done for the last 25 years in 2.5 weeks......?? Naahhh - its not that bad.
We were hoping to fly out earlier though - who doesn't. Have some wonderful people who looks like we will just miss getting to meet them in person in China. But we are working on His time and He says "listen to Karla Lisa and do what the Karla says!!" Booo!! But I do love me some Karla! So we keep moving forward and dreaming the dream. Still hoping for a pic to show up. Ahh heck - I'll be taking a never ending supply in about 2.5 weeks! 2.5 weeks - doesn't sound bad, but man does that look like a long time away by looking at the calendar......the calendar.....hahaha....
Emma........Emma........Emma.....
COME ON....CAN YOU BLAME ME??
OH....AND THE POTTY CHAIR....PURPLE TINKERBELL!!
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
25th Wedding Anniversary
July 4th, 2012. Can't believe it! 25 years ago today I married my Dude. 25 years is a long time.............but does not seem like 25 years......but I don't remember much of it, so thats why it doesn't seem so long ago. I see pictures and wonder when I ever had that shirt. Plus we've had such a good time. Excluding "work" hours, we always have the best time together. We should write a book about fun on a budget because no one has mastered that skill like us. $5 - we got a party! Broke - even better we can save money that way. And its so nice on our anniversary because there are always so many people partying with us. Fireworks, hot dogs, beverages - we appreciate all the fuss! We spent a large portion of this day in Loudenville, Ohio. We hiked the Discovery Forrest. The temp was 97 degress. Death heat! What is with NE Ohio. Freeze you butt off in the winter and die of heat stroke in the summer. How about some nice room temperature weather - that's my favorite! What is wrong with us?? Anyways...........
At one time we wondered if we would be in China for our celebration. We are not. But soon. Very soon. We have decided on our specail 25th anniversary gift. A silver frame with the inscription "a dream worth 25 years" you know who's pic will go in.......EMMA GRACE silly! Our baby girl! Today is Wednesday.....could this coming Monday be our day? That would be our 2 week wait mark for TA......Fingers crossed but knows our time will come soon either way. Have not seen any lady bugs.....do dragonflies count? We have a pet one - Darren. He is always flying around my rock garden. They say that is a sign of an eco friendly place. He swoopes at our heads..............our heads are eco friendly!! woot woot!!
After 25 years I can tell you I love my husband more and more each day. I really lucked out with this one! Emma and I are very lucky! There is no one I would rather spend my time with - good and bad. There is no one I'd rather be going on this crazy journey with. We are going to have so much fun! And he only teases me a little when I cry just talking about our daughter. Scott Allen Goodson is the greatest! Emma Grace will never see it coming! And she may not realized for a long time. She has the most amazing man waiting for her to call him daddy. Both her ma ma and ba ba love her so much and will never ever let her go! We are ready for it all. Let us have it Em! Here's to us and you being right here were I am right now in about 45 days from now! But for now...........I'm going in to get a box of sparklers I got for the spirit of our celebration.....and yes......this great nation of ours! GOOD BLESS THE USA! We'll miss you while we away - but we'll be back. YOU BETCHA!!
WE GOT THE FRAME! WE LOVE IT!!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)