Experiences I Want to Have With My Daughter.
The moment she
walks through the door and I see her for the first time
Hold her in my
arms
Kiss her cheeks
See
her first smile
Hear
her first giggle
Watch
her sleep
Give
her her first bath
Brush
her hair
Dress
her in new clothes
Snuggle
with her while feeding her
Put
her hair in piggies
Braid her
hair
Visit the Princesses with her and take her picture with them
Visit the live Barbie dream house in Sawgrass with her
Oh and Disney princess on Ice
Ok anything girly ........ That I can't do with the boys
Hear the sound
of her voice
Hear her
sing
Hear her call
me mama and know she means "me"
When she
initiates a kiss with me
Smell girlie
lotions and fragrances
Her first
purse in the crook of her arm
Hear her talk
to her baby dolls/stuffed animals
Celebrate
Chinese culture as part of our history
Tickle
her
Tell her I
love her
Comfort her
when she cries
Easter dresses
Hear her first
English word
Celebrate all
the firsts. As a family birthdays, Valentines Day, Christmas,etc
When she
recognizes her new name
Have a Picnic and Tea party
Observe her try to do and play what her brothers play
See a smitten
daddy holding her tight
See her
wrestle and giggle with her brothers
Watch her
brothers be protective over her
Rock while reading a book together
Bouncing on the Trampoline with her brothers
Sit around the
dinner table and see all my kids together
Watch her adapt to our Doggies Bella Rose and Princess Layah (this may take some time!)
Fly half way across the world
together
See daddy carrying his girl in a
dress
Seeing her play girly tea party and dress up with daddy and the boys
Introduce her
to grandparents and cousins for the first time
Watch her
enjoy her first wet sloppy kiss from our dog (may take a long long time)
Watch her
taste a variety of new foods
Swing together
at the playground
Kick the
soccer ball together
Kiss her toes
See her on
daddy's shoulders
Paint our
toenails and fingernails
Hold hands as a family of 5
Go shopping at
Target
Tell new friends we have 2 boys and 1
girl
Visiting girly stores and shops for a reason
Play Candy
Land, the princess version
See her have a light saber war with
her brothers
Teach her
about Jesus and read the Princess children's bible stories
Pray and sing with her as she goes to
sleep
Help her dress
her dolls and play house
Costume jewelry
everywhere
Walk hand in hand with her
brothers
Drag her
blankie behind her
See her
wrestle with daddy
Little
dresses and Hair Bows -
Ruffles and more Ruffles
Visit the mall
playground
Look back in the car to see a pink covered carseat
Ring around the rosie
Horsey rides on her brothers'
backs
Chick fil A
with friends
Teaching her Song and Dance Routines "I like my Ice Cream Cone - like my doggie likes his bone"
Trying on new
shoes
Stretch on tip toes to reach
things
Lots of pictures
Bubble baths with soapy hair
do's
Wear aprons
and bake in the kitchen
Play peek a
boo
Bed Hair with sleepy
eyes
Go on a walk
with her in the stroller
See her run at
the soccer field watching big bros
Pick up dropped snacks under the high chair - Well doggies will do that!
Twirl around to music
Discover her
personality
Blow bubbles
Watch a chic
flick together
Read bible stories
together
Have a
mom/daughter mani/pedi
Wrap a gift
together
Mommy/Daughter
time while the boys are at school
Watch her whiz
down a slide at the playground
Her first
splash in the pool
See her blow
out her birthday candles for the first time
See her unwrap
a gift
See her slurp Asian
noodles
Discover what
makes her mad!
Tutus
Hold her in
church during the worship songs
See her
playing with the kids
Taking her to her first dance lesson
See her ride a
tricycle/scooter for the first time
Introduce her
as our daughter
Hold her
hand
Go to sleep
knowing she is HOME
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Third Trimester and Nesting
I feel that this baby girl is coming soon. My maternal instincts kick in as I prepare her room and get ready to travel. All of sudden I have these urges to finish everything up, prepare, get ready.............. Nesting!
So, I have been cleaning up the house and organizing. Gathering things around the house to set aside for the trip.
I have found some great used books for $.01 - yeah. Books on Adoption for Brian and I referred by many fellow adoptive parents and Children's books on adoption.
I always like to read the reviews of books before I buy. I like to see each persons perspective of the book before I choose a book. I learn something every time I read these views. I get another persons perspective on the book whether it be good or bad. Often times it is an adoptee reviewing the book from their personal perspective. I want to be sensitive to all of these things and I cant be sensitive if I am not aware. Thankful for reviews.
We are in the Last Trimester and patiently waiting for the next step.
Dear God - I thank you and praise you for all your many blessings and for this wonderful life. I would like to lift up our sweet girl to you. Please cover her with your love and keep her safe until her family comes to get her. Continue to prepare our hearts and minds for this journey. Thank you. In Jesus Name - Amen.
Love,
Traci
XOXO
So, I have been cleaning up the house and organizing. Gathering things around the house to set aside for the trip.
I have found some great used books for $.01 - yeah. Books on Adoption for Brian and I referred by many fellow adoptive parents and Children's books on adoption.
I always like to read the reviews of books before I buy. I like to see each persons perspective of the book before I choose a book. I learn something every time I read these views. I get another persons perspective on the book whether it be good or bad. Often times it is an adoptee reviewing the book from their personal perspective. I want to be sensitive to all of these things and I cant be sensitive if I am not aware. Thankful for reviews.
We are in the Last Trimester and patiently waiting for the next step.
Dear God - I thank you and praise you for all your many blessings and for this wonderful life. I would like to lift up our sweet girl to you. Please cover her with your love and keep her safe until her family comes to get her. Continue to prepare our hearts and minds for this journey. Thank you. In Jesus Name - Amen.
Love,
Traci
XOXO
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Text to Donate Day for Our Girl
Don't forget, Sunday, November 10th (all day long) is the Text to Donate day for Our Girl.
Text "Wish" to 80077 and confirm with "YES" for it to be sent. Thank you so very much!
Text "Wish" to 80077 and confirm with "YES" for it to be sent. Thank you so very much!
Friday, November 8, 2013
Our Girl's Birthday
Yes, today we celebrate Our Girl's 3rd birthday miles apart. I am so happy that God willing we will not miss another.
I wonder if her birth mother thinks of her each year around this time?
When I asked if I could have a birthday cake sent to her - they said that her orphanage did not allow it. Apparently some do. They choose to celebrate all the kids birthdays for the month at one time on one day. This is very understandable with so many kids.
Dear Lord,
I pray for this precious girl, that you will keep her safe and healthy until we get there. Please protect the people of China as this storm is about to make it's way to the area. We know only you know the plan. Amen.
Love,
Traci XOXO
I wonder if her birth mother thinks of her each year around this time?
When I asked if I could have a birthday cake sent to her - they said that her orphanage did not allow it. Apparently some do. They choose to celebrate all the kids birthdays for the month at one time on one day. This is very understandable with so many kids.
Dear Lord,
I pray for this precious girl, that you will keep her safe and healthy until we get there. Please protect the people of China as this storm is about to make it's way to the area. We know only you know the plan. Amen.
Love,
Traci XOXO
Thursday, November 7, 2013
The many hands it takes for One Adoption
I was reading some of our paper work that we received from our agency further explaining the remaining steps of our adoption process. I was wore out in thinking about the number of people and steps that it takes to facilitate one single adoption. No wonder it takes so long and it is so expensive.
First, there are people that approve and review your application and get you started in the process. Then you order all the appropriate documents and someone prepares your marriage and birth certificates for the states where you were born and married. You gather more documents, go to doctors appointments where you involve even more people (doctors, nurses etc.) in the process. A social worker comes to the home for the homestudy. All documents are sent away (you might have to have a courier person hand deliver these documents) to have someone certify and authenticate those documents (this is probably a few different people). Those documents go back to your agency for review. The reviewed documents go to China to be logged in their system. Hard telling how many hands the documents have to go through to finally get to the Letter of Acceptance of your matched child (many involved in the match of your child). Paperwork is sent off so that the child can come to the United States and become a US Citizen. Then China gives you travel approval and all of the travel arrangements (the agency, in China representatives, travel agency etc. are all involved in this process) are made flights, hotels etc.... Appointments for your newly adopted child are made and I am sure much coordinating from the orphanage as well to make sure that all documentation and appropriate records are made so that the child can be adopted. And the nannies and foster care family that has cared for the child in the waiting process....
I am sure I am missing many steps and hands that might be involved ..... but I can already see that there are several people involved...........Oh and I will not forget about the family and friends that I have involved and reached out to for support............
WOW! I can really see how many people will have at some point touched the process that we are going through and how many hands it takes to make this miraculous act happen. I am amazed and in aw.
Instead of being upset at the length and the expense of the process - I have a much clearer understanding of why the fees might be rather expensive. And why the wait so long.....Over the course of a year the number of people and acts that it has taken to achieve this process........ Imagine the many adoptions being conducted at this time. Our agency conducts 30 to 50 per month. This is a whole lot of papers and processing that I am simply amazed by.
I just simply wish that the process was more simple and that more children could be adopted and that more would not be afraid of this amazing process that is facilitated by so many.
I am so thankful for those that have chosen a career that in some way has an impact or lays hands on the adoption process. Oh what a feeling that must be.
Of course, I still want my daughter home as soon as possible in environment where she receives regular - Love, family, care, food, shelter, heat/air conditioning, clothed, medical needs met as well as education and extracurricular activities. A childhood with birthdays and holidays to celebrate... family trips......... and on and on.... But I have a whole New Appreciation Today! I am so very grateful for the many Hands. Those that are the Hands and Feet of Jesus!
Please continue to pray over our process. We are waiting for this Last Paper that will signal us that travel to get our girl will be with in 10-14 weeks.
Please pray for our girls health. She seems to have lost a couple of pounds as of the end of October and we were informed that there has been scabies out breaks. Breaks this mama's Heart. :(
NO one will care for Her and Love her the way we Will.
Amen!
Praise be to God!
Love,
Traci
XOXO
First, there are people that approve and review your application and get you started in the process. Then you order all the appropriate documents and someone prepares your marriage and birth certificates for the states where you were born and married. You gather more documents, go to doctors appointments where you involve even more people (doctors, nurses etc.) in the process. A social worker comes to the home for the homestudy. All documents are sent away (you might have to have a courier person hand deliver these documents) to have someone certify and authenticate those documents (this is probably a few different people). Those documents go back to your agency for review. The reviewed documents go to China to be logged in their system. Hard telling how many hands the documents have to go through to finally get to the Letter of Acceptance of your matched child (many involved in the match of your child). Paperwork is sent off so that the child can come to the United States and become a US Citizen. Then China gives you travel approval and all of the travel arrangements (the agency, in China representatives, travel agency etc. are all involved in this process) are made flights, hotels etc.... Appointments for your newly adopted child are made and I am sure much coordinating from the orphanage as well to make sure that all documentation and appropriate records are made so that the child can be adopted. And the nannies and foster care family that has cared for the child in the waiting process....
I am sure I am missing many steps and hands that might be involved ..... but I can already see that there are several people involved...........Oh and I will not forget about the family and friends that I have involved and reached out to for support............
WOW! I can really see how many people will have at some point touched the process that we are going through and how many hands it takes to make this miraculous act happen. I am amazed and in aw.
Instead of being upset at the length and the expense of the process - I have a much clearer understanding of why the fees might be rather expensive. And why the wait so long.....Over the course of a year the number of people and acts that it has taken to achieve this process........ Imagine the many adoptions being conducted at this time. Our agency conducts 30 to 50 per month. This is a whole lot of papers and processing that I am simply amazed by.
I just simply wish that the process was more simple and that more children could be adopted and that more would not be afraid of this amazing process that is facilitated by so many.
I am so thankful for those that have chosen a career that in some way has an impact or lays hands on the adoption process. Oh what a feeling that must be.
Of course, I still want my daughter home as soon as possible in environment where she receives regular - Love, family, care, food, shelter, heat/air conditioning, clothed, medical needs met as well as education and extracurricular activities. A childhood with birthdays and holidays to celebrate... family trips......... and on and on.... But I have a whole New Appreciation Today! I am so very grateful for the many Hands. Those that are the Hands and Feet of Jesus!
Please continue to pray over our process. We are waiting for this Last Paper that will signal us that travel to get our girl will be with in 10-14 weeks.
Please pray for our girls health. She seems to have lost a couple of pounds as of the end of October and we were informed that there has been scabies out breaks. Breaks this mama's Heart. :(
NO one will care for Her and Love her the way we Will.
Amen!
Praise be to God!
Love,
Traci
XOXO
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