Anniversary of Gotch!

The last 24 hours have been such a wonderful reminder of what we experienced last year while in China! I truly can not believe it has been an entire year since we got Lucy. She seems to be part of our life forever. I guess that is why they might call us a forever family. I also feel that since she was born in our hearts years earlier we just feel like she belongs and always has.

I reflected last night while falling asleep, how nervous and anxious I was to meet the little orphan girl across the World in Nanning a year ago. I remember walking up into the building knowing she was inside and how I felt I could barely breath. I had no idea how to take care of a child and what would lay ahead of me. As the year unfolded it is clear how it really didn't matter what material items we had or knowledge about care. It came down to LOVE. All she needed was a mother and a father and pure love. If you know her now, you know how loved she is. I know with all my heart that she never doubts our love for her. This humbles me to no end thinking this is how our heavenly father loves us. Like an orphan who has nothing, torn cloths, soiled and afraid. Us as sinners are much alike. Knowing the lord just wants to take us in and love us, forgive us and tell us it will all be ok if we just believe and trust in him.

Tonight I prayed with Lucy before bed. She obviously doesn't understand what all I was saying but she brought me to tears when she repeated "Lord thank you for our family"! I cherish her little hand in mine. May the door open or close this week with the idea of adopting again. John and I have a visit from our social worker to close out Lucy's adoption tomorrow. Jb and I are heavy hearted for the orphans that are just waiting to be loved. I don't know how financially this is even possible right now but I stand knowing and trusting if this is his will, we will follow.

This past Saturday Jb and I took Lucy to the Ymca swimming. After we ran into someone who we barely know. He obviously was surprised to see Jb and I carrying a child and when he saw Lucy's face his reaction was priceless. He shared how he was adopted and had always wanted to himself. Now that he has 4 children of his own that opportunity has closed. When we told him we would do it again in a heart beat if it weren't such a financial burden, his response was that he would like to donate money and help us. Right there in the middle of the Ymca I started to cry. I have been asking the lord if this is your plan to make it loud and clear.

In the bible the lord makes many reference to caring for the orphans and widows. He doesn't tell us how or specifics! So tonight I close with I will trust and follow if you lead me. I am so grateful for this special little piece of Jesus that he gave us. What a wonderful year it has been.

Lucy You Meng Ke Brown "GOTCHA" January 25th, 2010 at about 1:40 pm

18 days til Christmas!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my sister Corinne, her son Bryce, boyfriend Eli and my dad. We enjoyed so much quality time together as a family. It was such a blessing to be with them and we took advantage of every minute, playing scrabble, cooking, the rodeo and bowling!

Tonight I am reminded by the snow that in 18 days we will be celebrating the birth of our lord and savior!

I am pondering all the thoughts that Joseph and Mary had preparing for baby Jesus. I have a lot of things that running through my mind. Knowing that baby Jesus was not Joseph's baby I am reminded that he was adopted as well. As I prepare for this holiday season, being our first as a family with Lucy. I have cookies to bake, lots of gifts to knit and parties to attend. Something has told me to stop and enjoy this time with my family and that the true meaning of Christmas is to LOVE each other.

Today I stopped by a dear friend's home to thank her for knitting this Christmas stocking over 3 years ago for Lucy. I gave her a photo of Lucy holding it like a baby doll. I remember when she gave it to me and how much it meant to me. I know how much time and effort she put into making it for me during a time I really needed encouragement. I would take it out every year and wonder about the day Lucy would get to open it. What a blessing to see her with it this Christmas!

There is so much to do in such little time but tonight I sat and read the long version of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and tried to enjoy a quiet night at home. Back on Joseph and Mary, I know that they had so much on the way with very little resources. With that said, my thoughts tonight are that we all need to stop and cherish the true meaning of Christmas today and always. As we tend to get caught up in work, cleaning and shopping my we all be reminded of this special time of year. I think it is all about spending quality time with one another, making an effort to show others you care and just plain old fashion LOVE!

May the lord bless you and your family this Christmas as he continues to bless mine.

Being Thankful...

This past week was very busy. I traveled to Columbus for work while Jb watched Lucy for two days. He did wonderful. I love him even more for the amazing job he does with her. I was feeling rather guilty for being away so I decided to turn my focus on the blessings in my life. First starting with the wonderful job I have. Second my husband, my home, my health, my car etc.


As Thanksgiving is sneaking up on us next week I thought to share with you this Turkey that Lucy made. I came home to it in her backpack and it brought tears of joy to my heart! I have waited so hard and long for special blessings like this to pop up in my life. My prayer is that in the mist of your busy life, you stop to see the simple blessings you have right in front of you.

A small blessing during a hard day!

Today was a hard day. I woke up with sinus issues a mack daddy head ache and lots of drainage. I would have paid to take the day off and be able to sleep in. Lucy had school so I decided to just suck it up and go.

Meanwhile, I have been having frequent flat tires. The mechanic said that my tire isn’t keeping the seal because of the Chrome or something and it is common in Chrysler's. So I borrowed an old Cadillac from a friend until I figure out what to do.

Well today of all days, I left the lights on and the battery went dead. I called Jb to jump it and then headed to pick Lucy up from school. I then headed to Rural King to buy septic tank stuff, air filters and iron out (lovely house manager job that I have) and came out to the car being dead again. My patients were slim to none by this point.

I asked two people parked next to me if they had jumper cables and was disappointed when I couldn’t find anyone. While in the store I got Lucy a bag of popcorn, so while I waited she just munched away. After almost an hour of waiting to get a hold of Jb again I kept asking more people to help. Then I hear Lucy say…”mommy car no work’n?” I replied “no baby” she then said “I sorry, it’s ok” and kept munching away.

I began to cry because it was then that I realized that life is precious. I took a big deep breath and thought well while I wait I can just enjoy this quiet moment with my daughter.

She was completely happy and here I was a total disaster. We sang the wheels on the bus, did the itsy bitsy spider, counted and just chatted away.

Then from out of nowhere was (an angel) a lady walked past the car and smiled and said are you ok? She just so happened to have cables and offered to give me a jump!(I am loving the friendly helpful soles of the mid-west)

Off we went!

ladybugs!

For three entire years I spotted ladybugs everywhere. I then stumbled upon a little saying on our adoption blog that ladybugs were a sign that an orphan in china was being matched with a forever family. I then began to notice them in the most unusual places just hoping that we would be getting a phone call a baby was ready.

Anyways this year when Halloween came along I couldn't think of anything better. So I put all my lady friends on a mission and this is what they came up with!Let me tell you that she is such a special little bug. The joy she has brought to our home and life is indescribable!She loves dancing in her outfit and threw a total fit when it was time to take it off.

This week john and I both accompanied her at preschool. We got to spend time in her classroom playing with toys and watching her interact with her teacher and other kids. She absolutely loves the kitchen set at Thomas Edison and makes cupcakes and brings you chocolate ice cream with a spoon and all. My favorite part of the day was eating lunch with her and watching her hold her hand on her heart as they held the flag and said the National Anthem. It was something special!

Tonight John called her You Meng Ke (her Chinese name) and she said "no daddy, my name is Lucy"! My heart sank as I realized that she is no longer that little orphan who sat waiting for love. She is forever a part of our life and owns half of my heart.

Tonight I read her a book and tucked her into bed. I whispered "A butterfly kiss and a ladybug hug! Sleep tight little one like a bug on a rug." she said nightie night mama!

Who knew that good things would come my way with this lady bug.

Summer 2010

Wow, time sure does fly when your having fun. The last few months have been very busy experiencing all the firsts with Lucy. From baby shower's and babies being born (cole & Ruby) to planting the garden, dentist appointments, the zoo, first cougar's football game, peony fest, concerts in the park, preschool, funerals, fireworks at the forth of July, parades, a baby dedication, swimming at the club Conn's pool, making quilts, walking the country block and jumping on a trampoline with our awesome neighbors, camping out, the Van Wert County Fair, horse races, fishing and the new tree swing life is good!

English words are pouring out left and right! This week while taking Lucy out of bed she told me "mom, I'm cold, SERIOUS"! I nearly cracked up. The kid is our entire life. Jb and I just stop in our tracks daily of all the cute and funny things she does. The following are just a few...

listening to the snap, crackle pop cereal every morning, her praying "God is Grape", shaking her booty when she falls down and almost wants to cry, dancing and singing in the car with a fake microphone to her favorite song "sweet home alabamie", tooting and telling us is stinky, kissing us and asking for one more "please", jumping on the bed, running around the house naked and not wanting to leave the house without her baby doll, lip gloss, nails polished, purse full of beads and a sippy cup! Just to name a few.

As I reflect over the last 7 months of our time with her I see so clearly how good the lord has been to us. We are beyond blessed and are grateful of this child who has changed us forever!

Mother's Day 2010

Today was an all around wonderful day! It was the first Mother's day that I didn't want to hide in the closet and cry. I woke up to lots of cards telling me I am loved by my husband, daughter and dogs, in addition to other cards from family and friends to encourage me. I then opened some sweet gifts from John and Lucy. I got a swarovski crystal necklace, a cd and a picture frame and tons of text's and voicemails!

At church I was touched by a special message in the book of Exodus. To make it short and sweet it was about Jacobed and how she put a hedge of protection over Moses before sending him down the river. My take was that It is my responsibility to teach, provide, love and protect Lucy for the World and it's ways. I prayed for her soul and hope to be a Jacobed mama!

During lunch, John and I allowed Lucy to enjoy her own cup of tea in a big girl cup at the Chinese restaurant. It was our first time going since our trip to China. Lucy sipped 4 cups of tea and ate a fortune cookie, pretty healthy huh.

The rest of the day we just chilled out. Fed the fish, checked the strawberry patch, chased the cats and took some photo's! Lots of tickling, laughs and a wonderful memory I will cherish in my heart forever!