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!

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