Well, I missed yesterdays post because Jim and I left the kids with a sitter and went to a concert. We had a great time even though both of us have nasty colds. We even stayed out until 11:30 :)
It was one year ago yesterday that we sent our LOI, letter of intent, to the Chinese government stating that we wished to proceed and adopt Lu Jing Jing! What a great day it was. I am very thankful for that day as it was a huge leap forward in the adoption. We had waited so long for that day to come.
I haven't shared this with many people before and actually no one, other than my Mom and close friends, have ever asked me why, why we and why I wanted to adopt. It is something I have wanted to do since I was a teenager. I don't remember why or what event influenced me. I have always been affected by events that have happened around the world, especially the suffering of children. I remember thinking one day, how awesome it would be to have a child and then adopt a child. To give another child the warmth and love of a family. When I got older, I didn't think of it as much, but, it was still always in the back of my mind. It was probably having Ainsley and then Jim reconnecting with his birth mother at the same time that got my brain spinning again. I started to think why not? I did have to talk Jim into it :) He is the more practical one where I tend to follow my heart without thinking. Eventually the two of us decided to move forward with the adoption. So after many hurdles, obstacles and tests of faith and determination, here we are. I look at these two girls fighting in the family room right now and I am amazed by them :) They are driving me crazy this morning though! If someone had told me many years ago that my life would end up just like how I had envisioned it as a teenager, I don't think I would believe them. It is amazing to think that I and we have all this. Wow!!!!! We have two amazing, stubborn, opinionated loving little girls who adore each other. Who could ask for more. While we have had our ups and downs with Sofie's medical stuff, I wouldn't change a thing. I am amazed at how much our family can handle and what we can deal with. We are a lot stronger than I ever would have thought. I am grateful for that and for my family! I love you guys :)
HI Bonnie....We recently adopted from China and I have a question about a child in one of your pictures from your journey in China. I think she is from the same orphange as our daughter. Could you please e-mail me at pcampbellrodgers@yahoo.com
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Patty
Dear Bonnie - I just sent you a FB message, but not everyone checks those, so I thought you may get an e-mail message when someone comments on their blog like I do =) My family has ended up with your blog books and although the company said to throw them away (I beleive they are printing and shiping out both of our books again) I would really like you to have yours for Christmas (that is if you want them!) Feel free to e-mail my personal e-mail at ajrenchin at yahoo (dot) c0m as that is the account I check most often. The books I had ordered are from my private family blog, but I also blog publicly here http://theeducatorsspinonit.blogspot.com/
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