Baby Shower for Sophia Ruth!

Words can't describe how wonderful it was to have a baby shower and celebrate our baby girl's soon to be homecoming! I am so very blessed with the best girlfriends and mom's who dedicated their time to put this together, it was awesome! The decor was butterflies(of course) and Asian umbrellas, Asian dolls(thanks to Georgette!) and paper lanterns and Peonies(the flower of China) It was so beautiful, especially the cake(check out below)
Sophie you are going to be so loved not just by us, but by all who know us! I just can't wait for the next baby party b/c you'll be here and it will be in your honor!
Rumor has it that matches have started......stay tuned to see if they got into the month of Febuary....Let's pray!!!!!

Great Matches for the month of May...

Well, we finally had good news, the Chinese Gov't matched 8 days worth of people this last month, and although it was late coming due to the earthquake it was worth it! They have now reached Jan 20th..and only have 7 days to go to finish the month of January 2006! Chinese New Year runs Jan 28th -Feb 5th, so we get to omit that week!
The lastest rumor is that in 3 weeks, at the end of this month, they say there will be another big group of matches and they will probably be into the month of Feb 2006(we are March of 06) YEAH!! This is really happening and we are getting closer to you Sophie Ruth! We could only be 4 or 5 months away! Stay tuned and keep praying with us please!!!

Summer is FINALLY here!

The Famous Christmas Story House

While celebrating Gramma Ruth's life in Cleveland Memorial Day Weekend, we paid a visit to the Christmas Story House! It is the actual house that was used in the famous movie we all grew up watching year after year! I highly recommend it to everyone, it was so fun and surreal walking through it, you felt just as if you were in the movie! Charlie and his cousins had a blast, especially sitting under the famous sink where Ralphie's little brother Randy sat in the movie, and the yucky red soap that poor Ralphie had to have his mouth washed out with!(They even sell the actual soap!)
And STILL no word on the baby matches for this month. Due to the terrible earthquake that destroyed a large portion of China last month, the Chinese Gov't had stopped working on adoptions for a few days and part of their staff are still gone helping....although it's hard to wait to find out how far they got on matches, it's no comparison to the tragedy that all those poor people are suffering...so we can handle waiting.....

Weekend to Remember!

This past Memorial Day weekend was extra special for us and our family. In honor of our loving Gramma Ruth, who passed away this past January, we all took a trip to Cleveland, Ohio, her birthplace(and mine) and took a trip down memory lane for her, and us, followed by burying her ashes next to her husband at the Lutheran Cemetary.
My three brothers, their families, my mom and dad, my Aunt Evie and her children with their families, and my best friend Kim(who is like family too)and her hubby and kids all gathered for this weekend celebration of Gramma's life! It was a perfect weekend and one I'll remember forever and ever!
Some snap shots above from where we stayed downtown at the Reniessance Hotel and a local park, Charlie and his cousins who he adores!!
We also visited the famous Christmas Story house, and those pic's will soon follow!
Sophie girl, maybe you've already been born, maybe you are being born, but somehow I know you are of this world already in some way. Gramma Ruth may never meet you the way I had hoped she would, but she already knows you and is guarding you with all her heart! I love you!
Mommy xoxo

Charlie's last day of Preschool 2008!

I can't believe it, once again...Where oh where did the past 9 months go? It blows my mind that Charlie is done with pre-k and now officially a Kindergartener! I truly feel like it was just last month that I was dropping him off on his first day and then crying in the van thinking I'll never get used to him being gone in preschool and now it's nearing the end of May and he's done! (And yes, I did get used to him being gone -maybe even enjoyed it a little bit too! LOL!)
He has grown so much in the past nine months and he LOVED school! We've seen him grow and mature and I know his school/ class and teachers had something to do with that too! We are so proud of our Charlie boy and all he's accomplished this year! And a few years from now I can't wait to do it all over again with Sophie!
And on a side note, notice all the "ladies" surrounding Charlie in the pic's above! He had lots of great friends both boys and girls, but his teachers say the girls definetly loooove Charlie!
And on the adoption front, no news yet..."Rumor" has it that they will reach towards January 23rd by the end of this month and then "possibly" get into matching the begining of the month of Feb 2006 next month at the end of June. That will be sooo exciting once they are into matching Feb of 2006 knowing we are that next month of March! ....getting closer and closer!!!!
Love you Sophie, mommy xoxo

Happy Mothers Day 2008!

We spent Mother's Day weekend with Gramma Jean this year and had such a nice visit! Charlie played in his last soccer game of the season and scored another goal!! It was exciting that Gramma got to see it! He has really had a great season and says he want's to play again this fall!
On Monday I got to go to school with Charlie for a special Mother's Day celebration and then Charlie and I headed to Barnes and Noble to hang out, have a treat and drink, and then browse all the wonderful books! This is something he and I used to do weekly before he started preschool, so it was fun to revisit the tradition since he got out of school early! I so cherish these days of just Charlie and me, and it reminds me that I have so much to look forward to in doing it all over again with Sophie!
So Happy Mother's Day to all you mommies out there, ESPECIALLY, the waiting ones. I know this Mother's Day was probably really hard since this adoption wait has been insane, but for all of you(esp. my sweet friend Georgette), DO NOT think for one moment you are not a mom already...after enduring this wait for a child you've yet to see, hoping, praying, having faith in and loving this baby to be...you could NOT be more of a mommy already!
And to my sweet Sophia, I have faith you will be with me for Mother's Day next year..I know you will and it will be one of the best celebrations of my life to celebrate being yours and Charlie's mommy, I love you so much!!! -Mommy xoxo

Talk Derby to Me 2008!!

Well I can't believe another annual Kentucky Derby Event is here and gone and still no Sophie. I feel like we were at Derby last year like it was just a couple months ago...time really goes way to fast, which for you my sweet Sophie is a good thing!

This years theme for Derby was, "Talk Derby to Me!" We had such a great time especially in the box seats Poppie got us in! As always, Grandy was the best, and cared for Charlie, Ashley and Austin, while me, Jeff, Auntie Kim and Uncle John, Poppie and Uncle Dougie went out to the races!

Okay Sophie, Next year you WILL be here for your FIRST Derby weekend, I just can't wait!!

And, on a sadder note....this last batch of referrals was not very good, they only covered 3 days. So we went from January 9th, to now they matched through January 12th....BUT, I refuse to stay sad....all that matters is that the program is still moving and moving closer to our March 15th date....!

Love you to pieces Sophie Ruth! Love Mommy

Sophies Tree!

Well, as you can see, Sophie's apple tree is finally blooming! Just like the poem says, spring is here, her apple tree blossoming and we ARE closer to you Sophie girl!
The brillant pink flowers and fragrant smell in our yard just excite us with what is to come, our precious baby girl on her way!
Baby matches for this month have begun....we will find out any day now how far into January of 06 they are through....they can't get to March of 06 any faster...but we will wait patiently for you my sweet daugther to be...
My heart just swells with love and excitement for you....I feel like I am "nesting" like I did towards the end of my pregnancy with your brother, Charlie..I think I am going to start on your nursery soon, Charlie is so exicted to help paint...I still think we are going with a light shade of sage green...or baby a soft baby pink...I havent decided yet, but I can't wait to get started!
Anyway...I feel so happy in anticipation for these next few months! Life is Good!!!
Love Mommy xoxo

Thanks to Melissa for our new blog designs!

As you all can see, our blog is new and gorgeous filled with butterflies thanks to my friend Melissa, the mommy of Lily, one of the precious gems I care for!!!
She has started a business in blog design to raise money for a foundation called Half the Sky. The proceeds go to the orphanges in China and I believe she is doing one for Taiwan as well.
She was so sweet and offered to do ours as a gift! Thankyou so much Melissa we love it and know someday Sophie will love it to!!!!

On another note...It really hit me this past weekend how many people are waiting for you Sophie, besides mommy, daddy and Charlie. I was out at the bank, and had to walk in for something, and b/c I go there so often, most of them know I am adopting from China, so they always ask for an update on you....then as I was leaving, they said, "you better bring that baby girl in here once you are home with her so we can meet her!!"
And a few days before that, I was at the post office, and China came up,(b/c it somehow always does!)and again, our postal lady said she just couldn't wait to see me walking in there someday soon with you, Sophie, in my arms.
Then last Friday, I was at Charlie's parent/teacher conference, and since this is the last one, and charlie won't be going there next fall, they both made me promise to bring you in next year so they can meet you!
And yet another day, I was at the spa getting a facial, and the facialist was getting to know me, and upon hearing about you, our waiting daughter, she proceeded to pray with me for you, for God to protect you and bring you home to us soon!
So Sophie, not only mommy, dadddy, Charlie, Grandy, Poppie, Gramma Jean, and all our other family and friends, but soooooo many everyday people out in our communtity are anxious and praying for us and waiting for you, precious little you, to come home to be with us, your forever family!!!!! I love you so much already Sophie Ruth....you are going to be such a special little girl, I just can't wait!!!
Love mommy xoxo

Spring Soccer begins!

Gramma Jean comes to visit/April referrals....

Spring has sprung, thank goodness!!! April is here, warmer weather has arrived, spring soccer is beginning and baby referrals are in....
I have been putting off mentioning referrals just simply b/c they suck this month...the number referred sucks! I hate to say it like that, but that's exactly how I feel. They have matched families with babies logged in through Jan 9th 2006.....BIG BUMMER. I really thought they'd have gotten further into Jan of 06 by this point, but once again disappointment. And again, there's nothing we can do but pray for this speed up that supposedly is going to happen again one day soon. We pray that next month on May 1st they have gottten MUCH farther into January....with our log in day of March 15 2006 I feel like we are soooo close and yet sooo far at the same time. But...I still feel God's blessings for chosing this path for us, and although my hearts hurts and aches on a daily basis while enduring this wait, I have not given up hope AT ALL, that our sweet Sophie Ruth is waiting for us and we will get to her some day soon!
I love this baby girl who lies oceans away...I love this baby girl who I've yet to meet, but will some day....
I thank God for this adoption journey and thank him for the daughter he has made waiting for us.
Okay, so on a happier not so negative note....Gramma Jean came last weekend and we had a fabulous time, Thank you so much Gramma Jean! Mommy and daddy went out on the town till the wee hours of the night while Gramma and Charlie spent some fun time together. And we also spent the day in the warm sunshine at the zoo! And much to Charlie's delight he got to see his favorite animal the tiger, up close and personal which made his day!! We love you Gramma and can't wait for our journey together in China to be coming some day soon!

Happy Easter Sophie!

Happy Easter Sophia Ruth,
Another holiday here and gone and you are still not in my arms...
I sat in church on this splendid Easter morning with the brilliant sun shining through the sanctuary, and I couldn't help but let my mind wander to you....
You-my sweet daugther to be, all bundled up snug a world away sleeping through the night, this Easter morning.
As I celebrate Easter this year, it just makes me realize what a gift being a Christian is and what a privledge to celebrate that Christ has risen for us, all of us, and you too Sophie! It is He that gives me strength and courage to KNOW with all my heart you are safe and protected right now while you wait for us, and us for you........
"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
Love, Mommy xoxox

Easter Weekend 2008/Addie's First Birthday Celebration!

Sweet Mattie Gail!

After being home 7 months now, I finally got over to my dear friend Tressa's to see her baby girl, Mattie! If you remember, we met Mattie for the first time back at our halloween party in October and she had only been home from China for a few weeks! Tressa and I became good friends about a year and a half ago and met while waiting to adopt our daughters from China. Tressa and her husband were logged into the Chinese Gov. in Novemeber of 2005 so that's why they already have little Mattie girl! Sophie- I have a feeling you and Mattie will be good buddies one day soon!
I had so much fun visiting with Tressa and Mattie! Tressa is doing such an amazing job with her, she is a ray of sunshine, I couldn't stop smiling at her and couldnt help leaving there that day filled with such hope and excitement that it is going to be our turn soon! Our turn to bring home our own ray of sunshine, our Sweet Sophie Ruth!
I dreamt of you, Sophie, for the first time in a very long time, it was so real, you were about 2 to 3 months old and I was staring at a picture of you, it was sent to me from China somehow and I remember just staring so intently at you....I can still see it in my minds eye.......it seemed so real.
Oh Sophie, I can hardly wait for you and that moment I stare at your picture for the first time in real life...it's only a matter of months now, not years......only months away!
Love Mommy

March Referrals are in!

Well it's official, they've matched families with there sweet baby girls through January 4 2006! Although we were hoping they'd have gotten farther into January, it still brings us great joy to announce that they are FINALLY into our year of 2006!!! There are only 63 days left before they get to our date of March 15 2006(omitting seven days for Chinese New Year of course when they dont' log anyone into the match department!)
Sophie each day we get closer I feel you more and more...I have been dreaming of you more often...you may not being growing in my tummy right now, but I am 100% sure you are growing in my heart...I feel you growing my heart bigger each day!
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, (daddy, Charlie, you and me!)
And I'll give you all my love
My precious little angel from above!

Love, Mommy

March 2008....Surprise Trip!

Well, it was Grandy's birthday weekend and we decided to give her a little surprise and drop in for an unexpected visit....and boy was she surprised!! During our stay we were lucky enough to enjoy some very warm weather(almost 70 degrees!)and a delight from what we've been used to! We also went rollar skating and had a blast!!! I can't wait for you to learn to skate with us, Sophie, it's sooo much fun! It was a nice little get away and refreshing to be outside again so much! Happy Birthday Grandy...just think, next year Sophie will be celebrating with us! No news yet about the next batch of babies being matched, but "rumor" has it that they are most definetly into Janurary of 2006....our LID Year, HOORAY!!!!(we are March 2006)
Stay tuned.....!