The first christmas!

Tonight I read the Christmas story to the kids before bed. Wow, of all the places Jesus was born but in a manger. I can't help but think of all the places to bring the savior into the world and in the manger it is...

Then there is Wyatt, his first Christmas and wow of all the families in the world he chose ours for this special little boy! We have been having a blast baking, singing and reading all the stories. He never let's us down without a good laugh. Tonight's was that Rudolph has a very Chinese nose! 

Another first is the loss of Lucy's first tooth! It's been wiggling for weeks but all of the days today it came out. So tonight not only will Santa be visiting but so will the tooth fairy! To only be a fly on the wall when they meet:)

May your Christmas be merry and bright and may you and your family enjoy and share the true meaning of Christmas! With love, 

John, Georgene, Lucy and Wyatt Brown

 

First christmas

As wyatt stood and stared at the tree tonight it occurred to me that this will be his first Christmas.

Just about 10-11 months ago he was just an orphan boy. Today he has it all, including his first Christmas tree. 

I can't hardly wait until he comes down those stairs on Christmas morning to lots of presents! 

Giving!

Tomorrow is Wyatt's first Thanksgiving. There are an endless list of things we are thankful for. The first on the list is our family! The second is that The Lord truly provides in amazing ways. The reason for my post is that although this week is a great time to put the breaks on and think about all our blessings. Although really it is also a time to give. I have been so blessed this last week especially giving back. Of course financially probably tops the list for most, but for me it is my knitting. My heart is so full knowing that I can make a difference making headbands for people to sell or simply giving a friend a gift.  one case I donated them to a family raising $ for their teenage daughter with cancer and the other two families I know in the adoption process. In my life I have discovered that the more you give the more blessings flow. 

Maybe your asking, what talent can I give? Well, your time:)

Tonight despite the major mess my kids and I made cookies.

 

It surly will be a memory I won't forget! Our black dog ended up with a white head, my kitchen took forever to clean but the giggles are worth it all! 

Happy thanksgiving to you and your family!

Love the Brown family:)

Humor

I can't always catch the funny things my kids do that I'd like to cherish forever. But today this got me good.

I have been preparing my kids on how to set the table and put Wyatt up on a step stool in the sink to wash strawberries for breakfast. Lucy on the task of cleaning and setting the table. 

Then there it was...

Just take a wild guess at where he sits! 

Totally hilarious. The sad part is when I asked him why I only get one strawberry and daddy and Lucy get two, him 4? He laughed! 

Little booger:)

Kindergarten

Today my sweet Lucy came home from school with this photo in her back pack.

There isn't a day that passes as I drop her off at school that I don't pray for her. She truly has changed my life forever!

Kind, smart, sweet and so good hearted. 

Her presence in my life, our marriage and our home is indescribable.

For now I am just going to enjoy this special time ( kindergarten year) with her!

I thank God for being so blessed.

Perfect!

A month ago Lucy ran over Wyatt's foot with a bicycle and he cried and told me "mom, my foot no working"!

So off to the ER we went. It turned out to be just a sprain and miraculously within two hours the kid made a full recovery.

Running thru the yard! Ugh. $100 copay down the drain.

Two weeks ago I received a call from the physical therapist at Wyatt's school that he fell off the small one person trampoline during his session and hurt his right arm, didn't  cry but said it hurt. My response was passive and thanked her for calling.

A day later he had an outpatient procedure unrelated and recovered without any pain medication. Tough dude!

For 10 days he eat, drank, colored and played with his right arm, no complaints. The following week during therapy I received another phone call to state that something is wrong with his arm. 

So having a follow up appointment for the procedure the next morning I didn't bother going to the ER!

Dr suggested an X-ray, then the verdict! Right arm is broken. Off to the orthopedic! 

Oh did I mention the night before I sent him to gymnastics and he cried? Yup. After ten minutes the teacher and I agreed to remove him from class. I not only lectured him the entire way home for being a brat, cry baby and other words but reprimanded him at home as well for wasting my time and money! 

Mother of the year! 

Feeling pretty good about myself I was encouraged all week but nearly everyone I told stating a similar story but still felt bad.

Today Wyatt came home from church to tell me that he learned gods ways are perfect and that he has a plan for me. 

Brought me to tears! Even when we mess up, fail and are humbly reminded of how we are all sinners, God loves me and has a plan for me. I love how his timing is perfect! All better now:)

You found me "home"

Last fall my idea of knitting items to sell came out of somewhat a desperation to raise money for our trip to get Wyatt.

I had a friend at work Elyse who asked me to make her a couple of gifts, then within a few days of that another friend gave me a box of cloths that her son grew out of. (marie Bond) one of the tags on the shirt read "you found me"!

Right there in what would soon to be my sons bedroom closet I broke down and cried. As adoptive moms would know the emotional ups and down of the process take the best of you.

As the idea of knitting gifts for donations came into play I raised a total of $3,700.

thank you to all the friends, family and random strangers who supported my mission. In addition to a couple of friends who helped me knit.

February our mission was accomplished and with only Gods hand in it Wyatt was found and brought home to our forever family. As the last 6 months played out I have truthfully become a little sad that our family is complete. The adoption road has a closed sign :(

So if you know me this is not how it should end!

I began knitting and for a new purpose. To pay it forward! I have decided to donate 50 + headbands to each family that I know in the paper process who could use the financial support. If they sell all 50 that would bring in a little over $500 each. A little help can go a long way! Maybe pay for a passport, visa or part of a plane ticket home:)

Today I delivered a starting package to my first family! My heart is full.

If you get a change to "like" my face book page You Found Me and share I really appreciate it.

Also keep me in mind if you can knit and want to help, want me to send you a box to sell or want to donate yarn. I'll look forward to hearing from you:)

Wyatt starts preschool

Today Wyatt started preschool. I have been preparing him for this for months. Honestly being concerned by him not behaving and having a meltdown in the parking lot going to be my prediction.

So what if his back pack is bigger than 

than him... He loves it because his name is on it! 

So the day was a success. Lucy and I laughed because it was so smooth and easy and he was so happy! What a blessing.

Tonight at dinner he told us his favorite part of school was getting to pee in these really little baby toilets. He is hilarious!

The best part is that I got it all on video.

Minnesota friends:)

Three and a half years ago Brad, Michelle and their son Jackson Wiger from Minnesota boarded a plane for China to adopt their son Joshua. We met them in Beijing with several other families. Instantly we connected with these complete strangers. Funny how a little word called adoption brings a common bond that no one can explain.

The trip was a success and we said our goodbyes. All 7-8 families departed Hong Kong back to america with their children. It has been so fun following FB and blogs seeing what progress a little love can do in the life of an orphan. And deep down I am sure all families want to  have a reunion one day.

A few weeks ago Michelle contacted me stating their family was relocating to North Carolina and that they were passing thru our part of Ohio. Instantly I got excited to see them again and an invite was extended.

What is kind of special that I never got to share with Brad or Michelle until now is that from the moment I met Joshua I instantly was drawn to him. Something back then spoke to my heart about wanting a son. Who knew this bucket head would be a result of that

This Saturday night they arrived at our house. My kids along with her two boys ran thru our yard roasting marshmallows, playing football, fishing and blowing bubbles like they have known each other forever!

We can't wait to see them on our way to Florida. My kids already miss them!

I loved every minute of my time catching up. So so fun. Here are a few photos of the visit!

Ear

I wouldn't normally share such personal info but I have felt led to , just so others may be encouraged to dive in.

Almost 4 years ago we reviewed and accepted a referral of a beautiful 2 and 1/2 year old girl named You Meng Ke. When we considered a special needs child we actually had a check list of medical issues to either accept or refuse. I remember reading it and the things that bothered me didn't remotely bother john and vise versa. Hours and possibly days it took us to get through it. When Microtia an ear deformity came up we agreed to accepting a minor outer ear issue but nothing more. I felt a bit uncomfortable thinking we were like ordering Girl Scout cookies or something! 

As most of you know our understanding of you Meng Ke was that she could hear normally out of her small special ear. To me it looks like a tootsie roll:) I love it. There is not a day that goes by that I don't tell her that God made her special. To which her response is almost always, " I know mom"!!

Fast forward You Meng Ke is now Lucy Brown and while getting her kindergarten  physical she fails a basic hearing test. With some question to weather or not she hears there is no question in my mind that she does and perfectly. No speech problems, doesn't speak loud and certainly after 3 years of preschool has never had a concern. In addition, she loves to wear ear phones and listen to music on my iPhone.

So last week a referral to the ENT, then after kinda passing but failing her testing we are sent to find out for sure by getting a CAT scan.

Verdict is in and yesterday he reports that she does NOT hear,she has no ear drum.

Hmm. Gulp! Sick? Want to cry...

As I humbly drove home I questioned Lucy to how she was doing. Her response was so eye opening. She literally didn't understand that anything was wrong. Then it dawned on me that she doesn't know any different and surly doesn't feel sorry for herself.

I drove home in silence. Questioned God and wondered what good could come of this news. What Joy?

Then just as the days sun, the answer. If we knew she couldn't hear on the referral report we most likely wouldn't have accepted her file. That's the honest truth.

There is not a doubt in my mind that God 's plan was perfect. Lucy is our daughter and what could be more beautiful than us loving her just the way that she is. Wow! We would have missed out on her beauty, her gentle way of bringing so much joy to our marriage and our home. In addition, we only pursued Wyatt because of Lucy and the positive experience we had.  God knew and had that planned and in that I am filled to the top with Joy!

This Monday is her 6th Birthday. Naturally every year this week I think of her Birth mom. I think of how brave she was to chose life and follow through with giving this child away. I wish there was a way she could know that she is safe, loved and part of our family. What a gift. We are so fortunate, so blessed and surly  grateful!

6 month update

Well our social worker/ after 7 years now our friend, Terese is coming next week for Wyatt's 6 month post placement visit!

We can't wait to see her!

Time flies when your having fun. In April when I expected to return to work after taking an 8 week family leave I was a bit alarmed when The Lord had other plans for me. Now that the last few months home with our second child I am in love with being a stay at home mom.

The quality time I have with my husband and kids is abundant and full of joy! They have surly enjoyed their 3 home cooked meals and the luxury of household chores being done:)

On the other hand we are busier than ever. Doctors appointments, attorney for a birth certificate and projects on our farmhouse have me running 100 miles am hour. I wouldn't have it any other way. My favorite moment this week when it was raining on a random Tuesday afternoon was when we all put pajamas on at 3:30 pm and watched Beauty and the Beast together! My least favorite was today hearing my son cry when took him to get bloodwork done:(

Thank God for dad because I was a chicken and waited in the lobby with Lucy! I mean isn't my job to spend two hours in Walmart with him while Lucy is at gymnastics. We looked at every toy in all the isles picking out items he liked:)

Buzz,

A race track and of course a new bike. As we leave the store without buying one single thing:) who on this earth has time to do that? 

Wyatt is now able to brush his teeth, face and shower pretty much all by himself. His English is terrific and I think he is caught up for his age. We haven't heard any chinese from him in months. His balance and coordination had improved and thankfully he is healthy. He eats everything and anything and sleeps like a log. He has fully bonded with all family members and is comfortable if we leave him in someone else's care.  We have only seen the dr for routine appointments. Praise The Lord!

As much as I would love to think of getting another child, John and I are happy to announce our family is complete! We are thrilled that when The Lord whispered to us to pursue a son we listened! 

At this stage I am content and looking forward to the next adventure for our family.

Graduatation

This photo of Lucy was taken of her first day of preschool when she just turned 3. I remember thinking of how scared she looked to get on the bus. Her book bag almost bigger than her little body!


Three years of preschool at Thomas Edison and she has really grown up to be a sweet little lady.
This photo is of her last day!


So confident, funny and girly! As he stepped onto the bus I called out her name...Lucy



And As she turns she says " I know mom, you love me"!!

It's a moment I'll cherish forever!
This weekend we celebrated with chocolate cake, a bike ride to the park






And some down time relaxing at home. Jb bought the kids a kite and who knew this $3 prize could entertain us all for the afternoon:)


Life is so precious, I plan on cherishing every day with the family God gave me!!

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U mad at me?

Today was beautiful!
7am cooked breakfast= grits, potatoes hash browns, eggs, toast and fresh fruit, oh my.

My family loves this kind of treatment and I'm afraid they will frown at tomorrows cereal! Lol

Then while I cleaned out our Rv my kids played hard running around the yard picking me dandelions:)

After a swim in the kiddy pool, 3 changes of cloths, 100 laps around the driveway showing me how they ride their bikes and tricks. We then had nap time, cooked lunch time then time to exercise:)
This mama made it 14 miles with two in tow in the bike trailer. Packed with stickers, sippy drinks, snacks, leapfrogs, baby dolls and of course a school bus! We made it with only three potty breaks:)
Thank the lord we live in the country and both of my kids are conditioned to a squatty pot! At one point Lucy asked if we we're lost because it was taking so long.

After unloading to reload the dishwasher I realized I have cooked 3 large meals for my family! After 6 loads of wash, bath time, and this photo shoot...








Wyatt then proceeds to ask me as I kiss him goodnight, "mama, you mada at me?"
After laughing I wonder why he asked me this, then to discover that this was his only ploy to stall me from going to sleep:)

My heart is so full and blessed by my family. Tonight I realize at times we want something we don't always have, but we seldom stop to see the most beautiful things right in front of our everyday boring eyes!

Good night my love, I say as I head down the stairs and no mamma is not mad, (so chuckle chuckle )GO to Bed!

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Location:Wolfcale Rd,Convoy,United States

Sharing

I am truly amazed at how God can use a sinner like me for his glory.

A few weeks ago I was asked to share our adoption story with a group called "A child's Hope". Instantly I was thrilled as my closest friends know how passionate I am on promoting adoption.

Tonight I was honored to speak on behalf of the fatherless. I know I am not a great public speaker but it is so humbling to know that I may play a small roll in encouraging others to follow in our path.

I dragged both Lucy and Wyatt with me in hopes that seeing their little faces would make an impact!

My prayer tonight is that just one person in the room would be blessed by choosing adoption as I have and that a seed has been planted!

On another note I leave you with this special event that took place this week. Over the last two months Wyatt has been home he has obtained an obsession with school buses. He loves that they are big, yellow and pic up kids! Well with permission of the district superintendent on Tuesday we rode a Bus! And yes it was yellow and big. We drove home over 50-60 kids in an hour and a half it dawned on me that a lot of good goes on in this world! Something so simple yet important in the eyes of a child!









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Spring 2013

Today was fabulous! Lucy, Wyatt and I enjoyed the entire day outside. It was 67, sunny and beautiful.

We took our favorite stroller for the loop around our country block, cleaned flower beds, blew bubbles, side walk chalk, bikes and played on the swing set for over 6 hours:) it was our first real spring day!

This is by far the funniest photo of Wyatt driving Lucy's princess car with her sunglasses on.




Then jb found him and fixed him up!



Lucy my sweet princess as usual bribed him to drive her around so she could blow bubbles!


Life is hard!

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Location:Wolfcale Rd,Convoy,United States

4th birthday

Today was our turkeys 4th birthday!



He fully gets that he is 4, that the gifts are for him and that he really likes chocolate cake!
Today we also received his certificate of citizenship from immigration and now we can start on the road to a re-adoption process and obtain a social security card and then an American birth certificate.
Life at home with a forever family has had some downs like weird bonding issues but the ups have clearly out number!! Sunday on the way to Easter church the four of us jammed out in the car to Bon Jovi's living on a prayer. How hilarious as jb driving playing the drums, Wyatt rocking the air guitar and Lucy and I rocking out singing! It was totally hilarious!
It amazes me at how many people ask us to share details of our adoptions and I can only pray that by our response that maybe just maybe someone would follow in our path to bring a child out of poverty to a forever family.

It also amazes me that our great God matched us with this little boy across the world knowing he would fit in our family and touch our hearts forever. It definitely feels like he belongs here:)

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One month

One month today we arrived home as a family of four. It has surely been an eventful time for us. I have been blessed to take 8 weeks off of work to spend with our new little man.




This is Vanessa a gift from my little sister Corinne. She has been a staple in our home since getting Lucy. she sits in our kitchen (to valuable for our outside garden, lol) It warms my heart that Wyatt thinks she is funny. What I don't think is so funny is that I know one day Wyatt's goal is to tip her over :0

In the last 30 days we recognize a love/ hate pattern.

lOVES
to take a long showers
fruit snacks
his tonka trucks
Yogurt drinks
tractor supply animals
His sock monkey
Picking up Lucy from school
Diego and will soon be speaking Spanish
Speghetti eating machine
Playing the guitar with his dad
The alphabet (already knows it )
climbing our stair case
Meat
My iPhone (angry birds n my photos)

HATE

Sharing
Ice cream
Saying goodbye to his mom
Time outs
7 vaccinations at one time
Cold milk
Being told NO
Seat belt in the car
And getting dressed!

We are happy to report that his results from his Echo came back that his heart murmur has been corrected and he has a clean bill of health. Tomorrow we have a preschool screening. We are excited to get the evaluation so we know how/what to handle any delays.

I am so blessed to be given this opportunity to be his mother. I look forward to seeing this child grow and be a part of his life. I only hope that the lord uses me and our family story to encourage others to follow in our journey to adopt. It is a special calling!






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Chillin

Jet lag has finally lifted and the last few days we have really been enjoying our time together as a family!



A little pop corn and a sippy juice and Wyatt is content chillin with his sister! We enjoyed some movie time together as a family!

This last week we did our best to be productive getting physicals, 7 vaccinations, a baby book translated, attending a birthday party, a play date and a couple of visits to preschool accomplished. It feels good to get into a routine at last!

Some of the questions I've had:

How is Wyatt's English ?

He is a very smart little boy who is catching on quickly! He gets pretty much anything when he asks please and replies with a thank you and your welcome:)

How is Lucy doing?

Yesterday they hugged and kisses naturally showing their love for one another! Each day she realizes we still love her and the green eyed monster has ran away!

Sleep?

Although we can't catch up on lost time, we are at a great place with Wyatt sleeping in his own bed without crying for two nights!

Eating?

As for American food he LOVES everything Except ice cream and has already gained two pounds:) as for jb, Lucy and I we are thrilled to come home to ten home cooked meals and deserts from our friends! There is no greater gift than yummy home cooked comfort foods:) Thank you to those who took time, money and effort to cook and deliver dinners we truly appreciate you all and hope only to pay that forward!

Today I express how thankful I am to have Wyatt in our home and a part of our family! He truly is a gift from God!

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3 years later

This was taken February of 2010



Just a happy 2 1/2 year old cheering next to this sign not knowing it was her name. I love how you can see her little personality coming out!

Last week before leaving Guangzhou I tried to recreate the photo at the same restaurant!



She was so excited that it said her name that she wanted to stand next to every sign and take a photo!

Here are some of them!








In 3 years she has become such a sweet, happy and easy child. We are so blessed to have her in our forever family! Who knew we would be back:)

Mission accomplished!

I took this photo as we departed Hong Kong, my thoughts are that he doesn't realize this aircraft in front of him will be bringing him home to his forever family! I wonder if he will morn the only life he knows will be gone forever.

Our trip home was beyond long! 8 of our first flights 15 hours we had no lights in the cabin of our aircraft. The turbulence was horrific, causing my sweet ladybug to barf all over herself, our seats and her American girl doll. The best part was cleaning it up with the very few wet wipes I managed to still have on me. The joys of traveling with two little ones.

With no sleep and nearly 30 hours of travel we made it to the USA :)


Where Wyatt became an American as our plane landed:) we celebrated big. Just thinking of the freedom of our brave troops and founding fathers provide in this great country for us to have the privilege and opportunity to adopt! Very special.



Home sweet Home:) nothing beats walking into your house after 14 days of travel. This photo melts my heart, that he found comfort in his bed the first night in his room!

This morning after two days of rest we celebrated again with our. Church family at Lifehouse! It was very emotional for me to get on stage in front of hundreds of people who not only financially but emotionally supported our mission to get Wyatt! We are so thankful to each and everyone, including Matt and Tina Braun for the support. We even received these two blankets


From a few sweet ladies with the prayer Shawl ministry! The card that came with it stated "Jesus loves the little children" which reminds me of a Army chaplain on our first trip to china who preached To us a few minutes before getting Lucy about that exact phrase. So neat!

We are so blessed to have been chosen for this special journey!

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Guangzhou

With no sleep we hit the pavement running in Gz. Our first morning here everyone was looking pretty rough at breakfast and with another 6 course breakfast we were off to. The medical exam part of this process. of course we have more to do than the other families because Wyatt is 3 and needs blood work done. I was blessed to soon find out that jb and I wouldn't be the ones to hold down this Ox. They take your child in a private room and just bring him back screening!

After 13 families go thru all the different station of height, weight, dental and general physical off to the grocery store we go. Running thru a Chinese market trying to grab anything and every kind of snack that looks recognizable. Oreo cookies made it, Ramon noodles that later we discovered might be squid or some freaky flavor like fish guts. Yum!

At the check out line we realized we have to carry all the bags, kids and Starbucks coffee that we bought across the street ( no easy task) with a stroller to the bus and back to the hotel. Thankfully we are at the China Hotel Marriott which is absolutely awesome. They have the four seasons here and many beautiful shops and amenities.
Phew we made it!

Yesterday we had an awesome day touring the island of Guangzhou, it is overly with warm weather 75, parks and unique little shops that sell squeaky shoes and  fun Chinese trinkets. We bought a marble stamp with Wyatt's chinese name for $6 and this Christian Chinese man carved it right there for us to watch. It took about 15 min.

In the park we got this photo with our travel group! 13 families from all over the country.

Today at breakfast we watched the Superbowl in Chinese. It was emotional for me to hear Alicia Keys sing our national anthem. I sure miss being home!