United At Last...

Hello friends, for all of you traveling on the road to parenthood via adoption....the arduous journey that has many twists, and bumps and knocks you down and begs you to get up only to get knocked down again. This is what it looks like in the final stages.



This is the look of prayers heard and answered. This is the look of unconditional love, and family and hopes for a bright future, this is the look of pure joy!



It does happen and it is worth it....the look says it all.



To see their whole story go http://www.chasingchinadreams.blogspot.com/

Lord Hear Our Prayer....

My dear friends Robyn and Paul are in China and about to receive God's most precious gift of a child. They have waited so long for their sweet Avery and today, dreams become reality.

Our circle of friends are so excited for them and wanted to do something to be a part of this very special occasion.

So at the appointed hour of 9:00 pm in Texas it will be 10:00 am in Nanjing and their Gotcha Day! We are all lighting a candle and sending out prayers for God to watch over our friends and help them ease into this transition from strangers to family.

We light this candle for you today,

to guide our prayers up heaven's way;

to ask that you are kept in love;

from East and West and up above.

Welcome to the family Avery!

BLASTOFF - THE COUNTDOWN IS OVER

I am so thrilled to announce the arrival of our daughter Aubriana Rose.

She shares her July 31, 2007 birthday with her daddy (which is extra special).

In January she weighed 14.3 lbs and was 24.02 inches long. She is located at the Chenzhou SWI in Hunan.

I wrote this poem for a postcard exchange in 2005; I was writing it to Aubriana and all the other children waiting to be united with their forever families.

Born In My Heart

I see you in my dreams and feel you in my heart;

Sweet baby waiting patiently, half a world apart.

I try hard to imagine your many gifts and charms,

Passing time until at last, I hold you in my arms.

Soon we'll be together and I'll give you all my love;

My precious little angel from heaven up above.

It is so strange to read those words now, from this perspective and the words are even more poignant to me.

For all of you waiting for your children; all I can honestly say to you, is the wait literally melts away when you see your child's face for the first time. It simply doesn't matter how you got there or how long it took - what is important is you are together at last.

Something Is In The AIr

Hello Peeps;

I know I have been neglectful in my blogging; but this is a blog for my China Adoption and up until now -well there hasn't been much to say.

Rumors are flying everywhere that we are included in this next batch. It is very surreal to think that next week I will have a photo and a name of the little girl I have been dreaming of for so many years.

Here is what I know:

It doesn't matter how much time you have to wait; for whatever reason you are never fully "ready".

The wait for referral will seem like nothing compared to waiting for travel approval from China once we see her and know that she is ours and waiting for us to come and get her.

I will never have enough time/money/rest to give her all I want; but it will all work out in the end and I have to trust that.

I hope that early next week; I will be able to post a photo of our little Angel from the East.

Waiting and Hoping

V

An Angel Named Avery

I am so happy to send out love and congratulations to my dear friends Robyn and Paul, as they announce the long awaited arrival of their sweet daughter:

Avery Kristine Xian
Born April 30, 2007

Jiangxu Province

Have you ever met people that you at once liked and felt like you have known forever? That is Robyn and Paul.

I admit I have become somewhat hardened during the adoption process....but today for the first time in 2 1/2 years....I have seen the process work as it was reported to.

People I know (and adore) who I witnessed go through the process, as I have....came through the dark tunnel and out on the other side with a picture of lovlieness and a promise of hope for a wonderful future.

I was taken aback by the rush of emotions I felt as I waited and anticipated their referral. I was so moved to watch through the mundane act of sending an email and a few photos, I was able to witness a family circle completed.

This journey has given me many lessons, some not yet fully realized nor appreciated; but I know this, my journey to my daughter has brought me friends I would not have known, and love into my heart that would not dwell there if not for the bumps and bruises incurred on this path to family.

Our children have given us a gift of friendships and love even before we know the curve of thier faces or the smell of their hair.

They have brought us together with others who share a desire to give and receive love unconditionally and we should be thankful and aware that children are a gift from God, and although they arrive wrapped and delivered in his time and his way....it is always as it was meant to be.

Tonight, I thank God for the blessings of Robyn, Paul and Avery.

Love V