Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Twenty Two Years-May 26, 2012
This post was written on May 26. I just got around to posting it. I will add pictures later.
I don't know why I haven't posted in awhile. I plan lots of posts in my head but just never get around to posting them. Have to admit it is not due to time because all the littles are in bed by 8:00 and the bigs - one by 9:00.
It was 22 years ago in a church in Richmond, VA that I married my best friend. What started out as a rainy Saturday turned into a beautiful day for a wedding. I have probably told this story on my blog or FB before but I feel like sharing it once more.
I was a freshman in college(GO ECU) when Dallas and I first met. I was that scared shy kid that was afraid to talk to anyone. I didn't want to go away to college but I got accepted to ECU and I was never given a choice about whether to go to college. It was expected of me, there was no alternative. So off to ECU I went. A couple weeks into the year I had only met a couple of people in my classes. I had no real friends and didn't get along with my roommate. So I worked up all the courage I could and wrote a note to a girl(Vickie Livingston) that was in one of my education classes. I knew her sister was involved in a christian organization and I knew I was sinking and had to meet some people. So I asked her about where her sister, Ginger, attended. Wasn't long Vickie took me to the BSU(Baptist Student Union). Later Ginger became my roommate and when she graduated Vickie and I became roommates.
I regress, back to meeting Dallas. I became involved in BSU thanks to Ginger and Vickie. If it weren't for them I probably would have begged my parents to let me come home. People hung out at the BSU, had bible studies, had Wednesday night dinners, and went to other activities together. It wasn't long until I met Dallas. He was the tall skinny nerdy grad student that was always asleep on the sofa. To be honest I wasn't even interested in him. I had my eyes on a different guy.
My parents came down for Parents weekend in September. My dad graduated from ECU, too, so he wanted to go to the football game. Mom and I went down for snacks and ran into Dallas. He was there with a group from the BSU. I introduced them and we talked for a few minutes. After Dallas walked away my mom told me that he was a nice boy and that I should date him. She even said he would be a nice boy to marry. I told her he was dating someone else and it wasn't going to happen.
A month later Dallas and I started dating. New Year's Eve my junior year Dallas proposed at Crab Louie's in Midlothian, VA. Needless to say my mom was very pleased and loved to remind me that she picked him out for me. Two weeks after I graduated from college we were married at Fair Havens Methodist Church in Chesterfield, VA. It was Memorial Day Weekend.
The last 22 years hold lots of memories, some of the best days of my life and some of the worse. We have always tried to put God first in our lives and the rest just seems to fall in place. We have been blessed beyond measure!
I don't know why I haven't posted in awhile. I plan lots of posts in my head but just never get around to posting them. Have to admit it is not due to time because all the littles are in bed by 8:00 and the bigs - one by 9:00.
It was 22 years ago in a church in Richmond, VA that I married my best friend. What started out as a rainy Saturday turned into a beautiful day for a wedding. I have probably told this story on my blog or FB before but I feel like sharing it once more.
I was a freshman in college(GO ECU) when Dallas and I first met. I was that scared shy kid that was afraid to talk to anyone. I didn't want to go away to college but I got accepted to ECU and I was never given a choice about whether to go to college. It was expected of me, there was no alternative. So off to ECU I went. A couple weeks into the year I had only met a couple of people in my classes. I had no real friends and didn't get along with my roommate. So I worked up all the courage I could and wrote a note to a girl(Vickie Livingston) that was in one of my education classes. I knew her sister was involved in a christian organization and I knew I was sinking and had to meet some people. So I asked her about where her sister, Ginger, attended. Wasn't long Vickie took me to the BSU(Baptist Student Union). Later Ginger became my roommate and when she graduated Vickie and I became roommates.
I regress, back to meeting Dallas. I became involved in BSU thanks to Ginger and Vickie. If it weren't for them I probably would have begged my parents to let me come home. People hung out at the BSU, had bible studies, had Wednesday night dinners, and went to other activities together. It wasn't long until I met Dallas. He was the tall skinny nerdy grad student that was always asleep on the sofa. To be honest I wasn't even interested in him. I had my eyes on a different guy.
My parents came down for Parents weekend in September. My dad graduated from ECU, too, so he wanted to go to the football game. Mom and I went down for snacks and ran into Dallas. He was there with a group from the BSU. I introduced them and we talked for a few minutes. After Dallas walked away my mom told me that he was a nice boy and that I should date him. She even said he would be a nice boy to marry. I told her he was dating someone else and it wasn't going to happen.
A month later Dallas and I started dating. New Year's Eve my junior year Dallas proposed at Crab Louie's in Midlothian, VA. Needless to say my mom was very pleased and loved to remind me that she picked him out for me. Two weeks after I graduated from college we were married at Fair Havens Methodist Church in Chesterfield, VA. It was Memorial Day Weekend.
The last 22 years hold lots of memories, some of the best days of my life and some of the worse. We have always tried to put God first in our lives and the rest just seems to fall in place. We have been blessed beyond measure!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
One Month Ago
One month ago we met Alyssa for the very first time. She walked into our hotel room on Sunday, April 15 not knowing that her life would never be the same. She never cried but did not want to engage in play. Her body seemed to itch so bad that she was constantly scratching and would turn her body in really strange ways. It wasn't long before she warmed up to us. Her itching subsided with lots of baby lotion.
Alyssa has experienced more in the last month than she had in the 2 1/2 years prior. She had to say goodbye to the only life she ever knew, to all the people that took care of her. She had to learn to trust these strangers that had been thrust upon her. She flew on her first airplane, she ate many new foods, she met lots of people, and she landed in a country so different than hers. So many other changes have happened in her life. Through it all she has proved to be one amazing little girl. She seems to love her new home, new surroundings and new family. She is like a sponge and soaking up everything around her.
Things Alyssa loves:
Noodles
Hugs
Tickles
Singing
Throwing the ball
Playing in the yard
The stroller
Her siblings
Her parents
Eating
Clapping her hands
Waving bye bye
Things that Alyssa is not fond of:
Lettuce
Doctors
Giving blood
Things Alyssa is learning to like:
Baths
Words Alyssa can say:
Hug
Uh Oh
Dack(Zack)
Ulia(Julia)
No
Hey
Bye
Peek a woo(Peek a boo)
Hello
I am still in awe of how wonderful Alyssa has adjusted to her new life and our family. She is a happy little girl who loves life. She rarely ever cries. Since we met her she has only cried a handful of times. She is usually happy and smiling until I pull out a camera.
Last night we had our first post placement visit. China now requires 6 post placement visits, the first being a month after you get your child. Our social worker was very impressed with Ms. Alyssa. She couldn't believe that she was doing so well and fitting into our family so well. I would like to think it had something to do with our parenting skills but I know better. We give all the glory to God. We are truly blessed.
Alyssa has experienced more in the last month than she had in the 2 1/2 years prior. She had to say goodbye to the only life she ever knew, to all the people that took care of her. She had to learn to trust these strangers that had been thrust upon her. She flew on her first airplane, she ate many new foods, she met lots of people, and she landed in a country so different than hers. So many other changes have happened in her life. Through it all she has proved to be one amazing little girl. She seems to love her new home, new surroundings and new family. She is like a sponge and soaking up everything around her.
Things Alyssa loves:
Noodles
Hugs
Tickles
Singing
Throwing the ball
Playing in the yard
The stroller
Her siblings
Her parents
Eating
Clapping her hands
Waving bye bye
Things that Alyssa is not fond of:
Lettuce
Doctors
Giving blood
Things Alyssa is learning to like:
Baths
Words Alyssa can say:
Hug
Uh Oh
Dack(Zack)
Ulia(Julia)
No
Hey
Bye
Peek a woo(Peek a boo)
Hello
I am still in awe of how wonderful Alyssa has adjusted to her new life and our family. She is a happy little girl who loves life. She rarely ever cries. Since we met her she has only cried a handful of times. She is usually happy and smiling until I pull out a camera.
Last night we had our first post placement visit. China now requires 6 post placement visits, the first being a month after you get your child. Our social worker was very impressed with Ms. Alyssa. She couldn't believe that she was doing so well and fitting into our family so well. I would like to think it had something to do with our parenting skills but I know better. We give all the glory to God. We are truly blessed.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
The Honest Post
Please don't hate me but I am going to be honest. I know this is not the norm in adoption but it is 100% true.
Alyssa is doing great! Really great! She only cries if you take her in a bathroom or a doctor's office. There is no doubt that she is bonding and attaching to us. We are prepared if things change but for now she is doing exceptionally well. This has been our easiest adoption yet. Maybe God is trying to tell us something.
Today was Alyssa's first doctor's appointment. It went pretty much as we anticipated. She is 25 lbs and 34 inches long. Alyssa cried as soon as she realized where we were. She cried when anyone touched her. She cried when she gave blood. Lots of blood work and stool samples. Oh what fun! We go back in a month to see what shots she needs and to make sure she is progressing. So who reading my blog goes to Jeffers, Mann, and Artman? I know someone adopting from China does because Dr. Artman mentioned that you mentioned us. Please fess up, we would love to meet you!
Alyssa is doing great! Really great! She only cries if you take her in a bathroom or a doctor's office. There is no doubt that she is bonding and attaching to us. We are prepared if things change but for now she is doing exceptionally well. This has been our easiest adoption yet. Maybe God is trying to tell us something.
Today was Alyssa's first doctor's appointment. It went pretty much as we anticipated. She is 25 lbs and 34 inches long. Alyssa cried as soon as she realized where we were. She cried when anyone touched her. She cried when she gave blood. Lots of blood work and stool samples. Oh what fun! We go back in a month to see what shots she needs and to make sure she is progressing. So who reading my blog goes to Jeffers, Mann, and Artman? I know someone adopting from China does because Dr. Artman mentioned that you mentioned us. Please fess up, we would love to meet you!
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