Nara and Caroline Having Some Fun

Merry Christmas

Echo

I have kept in touch with one of our guides in China. Today she e-mailed me back with a picture of her. Her name is Echo and she was a big part of our journey to Caroline. Echo was our guide in Nanchang. She was with us when we met Caroline. We really liked her and we talk about her often. I just wanted to post her photo on our blog so she becomes apart of this scrapbook.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving


We have had a great weekend. Caroline really enjoyed her first Thanksgiving. She loves turkey. Rick, Caroline and I went to my sister’s house for lunch and then we came home and had our own Thanksgiving dinner with Devon and Nara.
Our old friends Lynn and Chris came into to town and spent some time with us. It was wonderful that they gto to meet Caroline. She really enjoyed them.
Three weeks until Christmas break

Help this family

The following family is trying to raise money to adopt from China. They are getting $2 per comment left on this Seeds Magazine blog--totally free money for them! They have reached 600 of the 1000 comments needed to receive $2000 to help bring home their daughter. They need 400 more comments by Tuesday or will miss out on $800. It's FREE...only takes a minute to comment!!! And, you can do one for each of the email addresses you have and you can do it once per day. Please take the time to do it and spread the word!
http://sixseeds.tv/s/content/adoption/640-adoption_the_christopher_family

I love this!

We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life.But those who make their journey home across time & miles,growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them,are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us by God's very own hands.~Kristi Larson

I felt this way the first time I saw Caroline. I know God was a part of every move

Flashback Friday

This is at our hotel in Hawaii. She became an American Citizen in Hawaii. This is the stroller that we bought in Nanchang, China. The stroller was so cheap it fell completely apart before we got back to Naples. However, we loved it while we were in China.

Sears Tower Chicago

She has grown so much in the last 7 months

National Adoption Month

November is National Adoption Month. http://www.nationaladoptionday.org/
Our family has been blessed by the miracle of adoption. Please pray for all the children in the world still waiting for a family

Great 30 Day Giveaway

Wild Olive/Women of Faith giveaway

Wild Olive/Women of Faith giveaway. Check out this site and join the giveaway http://www.wildolivetees.com/its-giveaway-time-big-time/

They have great T-shirts

Happy Fall

Nara and I took Caroline on her first photo session. We were both very excited. Caroline did not share our same excitement. The photographer took about 20 shots. This was the only good one. She cried and screamed like I have never seen her do. However, Nara and I left with hope for the next time.

Caroline's website

We have updated Caroline's China website


http://www.myadoptionwebsite.com/caroline/index.htm

Great Sites

Check out the two following links

http://www.wearegraftedin.com/

http://www.jiayindesigns.com/JiayinDesigns/Home.html

Thursday Things to Pray For

Caroline has been going to a home daycare. We love her her daycare but over the last few weeks I have realized that Caroline will really do well with just a little more of a Pre K setting. So starting next week she is going to continue to go her daycare four days a week but on Wednesdays she is going to go to a Pre-school. Please pray that this is a wise decisions and that she does well with this change.

Nara has been sick the last week. Please pray for her speedy recovery

GO DOLPHINS!

Caroline's Friday Night

Caroline spent her first birthday playing by the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii but it took us 4 months to get her ten miles down the road to put her feet in the Gulf of Mexico. Rick, Nara and I took Caroline to the beach for a few minutes tonight before heading to the high school football game to watch Devon. She enjoyed the beach but she loved to dance with the band at the football game.

Happy Birthday Rick

Happy Birthday Rick

Happy Birthday to my sweet husband! He always has a way of making his birthday special for me. We went out to dinner and I am the one that got cake. Tomorrow we will have a family birthday dinner. I think Caroline is going to love it.

Thursday’s Things to Pray For

Thursday’s Things to Pray For

First of all I must update, all of the prayers have helped. Caroline has had a much better week, but please continue to pray for her continued adjustment.

Caroline is quite a walker but after all day at daycare she loves to be carried so please pray for my back. Carrying her has done some damage to it

Please pray for Nara and Devon as they enjoy the last bit of summer break. They start school 8/23. We are all praying for a great year.

Thursday’s Things to Pray For

Thursday’s Things to Pray For

1) I started back to work this week and it has been a challenge. Sweet Caroline is not so sweet early in the morning. She has really struggled with the change in her schedule. Please pray for her to adjust to her new schedule and please pray that as a family we adjust to this change.
2) Caroline appears to have a real a lactose issue. We are trying to find the diet that works best for her. Please pray for her continued good health.

Please join my prayer/blog friends on this Thursday post. I think it is fair to say we could all use prayer friends.

KISSES IN THE WIND(The Waiting Child's Lullaby)

I read this often as we waited for Caroline

KISSES IN THE WIND(The Waiting Child's Lullaby)

I hold you in my heart and touch you in my dreams.You are here each day with me, at least that's how it seems.I know you wonder where we are... what's taking us so long.But remember child, I love you so and God will keep you strong.Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin...Because tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you.I promise you, my darling, I'm doing all that I can do.Very soon, you'll have a family for real, not just pretend.But for tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight.And let the angels bring the kisses that I send to you each night.~ © Pamela Durkota

Thursday’s Things to Pray For

Thursday’s Things to Pray For

My Blog friend Kelly over at http://raudenbushfamily.blogspot.com/
has been doing this post for a few weeks now. So I thought I would give it a try.

1) I go back to work on Monday after having 6 weeks off. Please pray that I am able to make the transition smoothly for myself and my family. I love my job but it is more stressful now with Caroline
2) Please pray that Caroline enjoys daycare again. When we ended Daycare 6 weeks ago she had became adjusted but since that time she has become much more attached and more unwilling to go to other people.
3) Please pray for my parents as they journey back home to Florida from NC

Wordless Wednesday

We Start Them Young

Caroline loves the computer. She is not sure what she is doing but she knows it has something to do with that mouse. She immediately goes for the mouse.

Sunday Snapshot (this daughter of mine)

It is hard to believe that we have not even know each other for 4 months, yet most of the time I feel like I have know her my whole life.









She is funny and smart and oh what a big heart she has this daughter of mine

This daughter of mine is a Southern China girl with a ton of American Spunk

Most Importantly, this daughter of mine is finally home where she belongs

We love you Caroline!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Thankful Thursday

I know I am blessed to be her mother.

Happy July 4th

Even though this was a very special 4th of July it was rather low key. We usually have a big party on the 4th but that is hard with July 4th falling on a Sunday. In addition, Nara had to go to her mother’s house. The kids did get a chance to set some fireworks off on Saturday. Caroline loved fireworks. The girl has no fear.
The most special part of the day was enjoying this holiday with my beautiful daughter. It is sometimes still hard to believe that she is really home. We waited so long to have her here. The annoyance of an ex wife an the day that a holiday falls on becomes rather irrelevant when we look at our beautiful China Baby holding an American Flag. I thank God everyday for the beautiful child.

Happy 4th of July

We have lots of beautiful places to travel and see in this world but no greater place to call home then the USA. Enjoy the 4th

Happy Birthday Emma!

Just Another Summer Day

Caroline and I were off to a great day when we had a tire blowout. The Gieco roadside service guy came to help out. Caroline thought the repairman was amazing. She kept pointing at the guy and the tire and saying “ look Mama” The rest of the day she kept pointing at tires. She is so smart and really surprises me still with how quick she learns.

Rainy Day!

Great relaxing, rainy day with Rick, I am looking forward to having fun with Caroline and Nara tomorrow. Summer vacations are a lot of fun. Congratulations to Rick on his job promotion. He starts his new job tomorrow.

Giveaway

One of my blog friends has a great giveaway going on. She is a huge adoption supporter. Check her blog out at http://www.nihaoyall.com/

Special Day

Rick and I were married 7 years ago today! This anniversary was even more special because today he completed his oral comprehensive exams and was admitted into his doctoral candidacy at the University of Florida. One more year and he will have his doctorate. I am very proud of him!

Happy Father's Day

In honor of Father'Day I wanted to post our first Family Photo. This was Gotcha Day 3/28/10
Nanchang China.
This was taken about two minutes before Caroline started crying. She cried for the next two hours.
Thank You Rick for going to China with me it was a journey we will never forget.

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day

Caroline, Nara and I had lunch with my parents. Rick left early in the morning to drive to Gainesville (UF) for his comprehensive exams. Good Luck Rick all of your girls love you!

First Day of Daycare

Caroline's first day of daycare went well! Lots of tears in the morning but was all smiles in the afternoon.

Going back to work.

I am a little sad today. I go back to work tomorrow. Caroline starts daycare tomorrow. Do not get me wrong I am looking forward to being back at work but I am going to miss all of the adventures that Caroline and I have gone on since coming home. She is so funny and amazing to watch. Every day she learns something new and so I am sad that I am going to miss some of that.

Today Caroline pointed at her nose and said nose. She is learning news words everyday. She calls balloons balls and she call all animas dog. I am sure she will do great in daycare. It is only for a few weeks on June 24th I am off for the summer.

Wordless Wednesday

Week in Review May 24th

Caroline hanging out with Emma at Mammy's house

Playing with Aunt Kelly

Talking to Mammy

Jaiyin Designs

Check this blog out http://raudenbushfamily.blogspot.com/

We travled to China the same time with this family. I am sure this is a great giveaway and business. They are wonderful people.

Weekend in Review

Caroline playing at the playground

Nara, Emma, and Caroline

Learning to climb

Hanging out at Starbucks with Emma

Nara going to the 5th grade dance

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Mothers Day

I waited so many years to be able to celebrate Mothers Day. Rick worked really hard to make it a special weekend. On Friday Rick and I went out to dinner. Nara fixed dinner for all of us on Saturday and on Sunday we had lunch with my mom and sister. It was all great but really just having Caroline home was more than I could ask for. She is such a blessing.

Back Home for One Week

I have really been slacking with posting. These photos are of Caroline getting off the airplane in Chicago.
Caroline is doing great! She sleeps all night and is learning new words every day

Tokyo

We have really enjoyed Tokyo and appreciated the Japanese people. Everyone has been so kind too us. Yesterday we visited two different wards in Tokyo, had lunch in a Japanese noodle house and rode on the subway and train system. Nara and Katrina ate cheesecake at a Japanese cheesecake store.
Today we visited two other areas of Tokyo. We went to several different electronic stores and video gaming places. We saw the Tokyo tower and we crossed the Shibuya Crossing. Today we found the Hard Rock Café and had lunch. Rick has become an expert at the subway system. We feel like we have seen a lot of Tokyo but we know we have a lot more to see. One day we hope to return to beautiful Tokyo.
Tomorrow we will do a little more of exploring Tokyo and then we will head to the airport for our flight to Beijing We will be sad to bid farewell to Tokyo but we will be happy to be one step closer to Caroline.

All our best from Tokyo
Rick, Katrina and Nara

We made it to Tokyo. Long flight but doing well

We are set to go. Please follow our journey to China and Back

http://www.myadoptionwebsite.com/caroline/

It is 4 in the morning and I cannot sleep. Tomorrow this time we will be getting ready to embark on a journey of a lifetime. It is so hard to believe that we have finally got to this point after so many years of waiting. Rick ask me a few minutes ago if I was ready for our adventures over the next month. I am so excited to be going on this journey to our daughter with him.
I am going to try to make Sunday a low key day! We have a few last minute things to do but I really just want to enjoy the day together.

Ready to GO

Hotels are booked and Plane tickets are bought. Two more days of work until my second baby shower and then we leave.

The walls are painted, the clothes are hung up and Rick is putting together the crib tonight. We still need to pack. One more week until we are headed toward Caroline!

One more week!

One more week of work and then I will be off work until the beginning of June. Then I will go back to work for a couple of weeks in June and then I am off for the summer. That is one of the benefits of working for the school system.
Caroline is not even here and I have already made so many plans for us I have signed her up for swimming lessons, library storytelling and I have renewed our membership to the zoo. Can you tell I am a first time mom?
Nara and I have had the best time hanging her clothes up. I have waited years to be able to make that room her room. I think Nara is just about as excited! Nara insisted that I practice putting on a diaper on her stuffed animal. It was not that hard. I think I will be ok.
Rick has been busy installing new closet doors, and putting together furniture.
I have two showers to attend in the next week and a lot of packing to do not to mention a lot to do at work before I can leave.
The last several days have been a blur of preparing. I could not help but think about Caroline and wonder what she has been doing. We have waited years for her and she has no idea her world is getting ready to change. Well, I guess she will find out soon that we have a lots of love and several adventures ahead.

Updated Photo of Caroline

Caroline's Adoption Website

Please follow us on our journey to Caroline

http://www.myadoptionwebsite.com/caroline/

Travel Plans

We have our travel dates.

On this trip we have a few extra stops. We will begin our journey in Tokyo and end our trip in Hawaii. Rick has always wanted to visit Tokyo so we could not think of a better time to go. Rick and one of his co-workers have a presentation to make at a conference in Hawaii so the girls and I are going to tag along on our way home. So here are our dates!

March 21st Fly to New York
March 22nd Fly to Tokyo
March 26th Fly Beijing
March 27th Tour Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City
March 28th Fly to Nanchang
March 29th Caroline Day
March 30th A day of paperwork
March 31st and April 1st t Shopping and Sightseeing
April 2nd Pick up Passport and Fly to Guangzhou,
April 3rd Medical Appointment
April 4th and 5th Shopping and Sightseeing
April 6th Consulate Appointment
April 7th Oath Ceremony
April 8th Pick up Visa
April 9th Leave China and Arrive in Honolulu
APRIL 10TH, 11TH and 12th Sightseeing in Honolulu
April 13th Presentation and Conference
April 14th Get ready to go home
April 15th Fly Home

Caroline

I have had several people ask me where Caroline currently is living. Caroline lives in a foster home in Fengcheng City Jiangxi province. The literal translation of the name is "Abundance City", due to its importance as a major commercial hub for agricultural products. It is located in northern Yichun, next to Nanchang. There are 26 towns and 7 sub-districts. Its area is 2845 square kilometers and its population is more than 1,300,000. We will be meeting Caroline in Nanchang. Nanchang is the capital of Jiangxi Province

Hope for Haiti T Shirts

100% of the proceeds from the sale of HOPE will go to benefit the people of Haiti, through the help of Eyes Wide Open International. Visit here to learn more about this organization and the ways they are changing lives and making a difference for the people of Haiti.
HOPE will be available for sale February 13th.

Visit Here to buy a shirt and suppoort Hope for Haiti http://www.wildolivetees.com/hope-for-haiti-the-giveaway-2/

We received our TA today!

Happy Birthday NARA

Nara's Birthday Week!

Nara turns 11 this week. We have a birthday party planned with Sammy and CC on Saturday.

Greek Festival (Caroline's Birthday)

We celebrated Caroline’s Birthday at the local Greek Festival Rick and I have gone for the last several years and have always loved it. We were thrilled when we realized that the Greek Festival opened on her birthday. We could not think of a better way to celebrate. Nara got a new ring and all of us enjoyed the Greek food