The toys may be sub-par, but they sure do know how to make little girls and boys!!!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
EVERYTHING is "Made in China"
This is going to be a quick post because I need to get some writing done while Eden is napping. But, I got this t-shirt for Eden and I had to post this photo. How adorable! I got a bunch more with cute adoption sayings. I will post photos when she wears them. My favorite one says, "Sorry Angelina, I'm already taken." How hilarious is that? I even think Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt would think it's funny! Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day. Love you all!
The toys may be sub-par, but they sure do know how to make little girls and boys!!!
The toys may be sub-par, but they sure do know how to make little girls and boys!!!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Paws For China
Hello my name is Maggie and I am a chocolate Labrador retriever. I am 9 years old (nine is fine) and I live with mom and dad and Edenhopewubochenpaigemason in my house in Birmingham. This is my first time to post on a blawg. Here are some cute pictures of my littleness...
First I want to say that I love everyone, as all clocolate labs do. Second I want to say that if you have a dawg and you adopt a baby from China, please be sure not to let the baby grab your tail, or sit on you, or eat your dawg food. Also, sometimes the baby may want to put her finger up your dawg's snout, and this is not very nice. In all likelihood your dawg will not complain and in fact I just continue to wag my tail and love everyone but really this gets on my nerves.
I really like baby Eden and she likes me. She calls me "gaggie" and hands me food all the time. I stand near her high chair when she eats and get lots of people food from her. However, I have noticed that ever since she came home from China I get fewer Scooby Snacks from mom and dad and that money now goes to buy Apple Juice for Edenhopewubochenpaigemason, which I do not drink. (Mostly because Apple Juice I am told makes you go to the bathroom more and since I have to wait to go bathroom outside it would not be good for me to drink it.)
Finally, if you ever come to my house, do not forget to pet myself, as I am very friendly and like all people, especially if they have people food for me. Also you can bring me rawhide bones because I love to chew on them after I bury them in the sofa cushions. Remember that dogs are people too, except we have fur, but we can still sleep on the sofa and also eat people food from time to time. I like my house because I have a bed, and a food bowl, and a water bowl, and some toys and it is very, very nice. The end.
Oh, and also if you want to email me my dawg email address is maggiesweetcutefeet@gmail.com. This is my address because I am sweet and also I have cute feet. Okay, now it's the end.
First I want to say that I love everyone, as all clocolate labs do. Second I want to say that if you have a dawg and you adopt a baby from China, please be sure not to let the baby grab your tail, or sit on you, or eat your dawg food. Also, sometimes the baby may want to put her finger up your dawg's snout, and this is not very nice. In all likelihood your dawg will not complain and in fact I just continue to wag my tail and love everyone but really this gets on my nerves.
I really like baby Eden and she likes me. She calls me "gaggie" and hands me food all the time. I stand near her high chair when she eats and get lots of people food from her. However, I have noticed that ever since she came home from China I get fewer Scooby Snacks from mom and dad and that money now goes to buy Apple Juice for Edenhopewubochenpaigemason, which I do not drink. (Mostly because Apple Juice I am told makes you go to the bathroom more and since I have to wait to go bathroom outside it would not be good for me to drink it.)
Finally, if you ever come to my house, do not forget to pet myself, as I am very friendly and like all people, especially if they have people food for me. Also you can bring me rawhide bones because I love to chew on them after I bury them in the sofa cushions. Remember that dogs are people too, except we have fur, but we can still sleep on the sofa and also eat people food from time to time. I like my house because I have a bed, and a food bowl, and a water bowl, and some toys and it is very, very nice. The end.
Oh, and also if you want to email me my dawg email address is maggiesweetcutefeet@gmail.com. This is my address because I am sweet and also I have cute feet. Okay, now it's the end.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Moo Moo Here?
"Eden had a birthday party... E-I-E-I-O! And at this party she had some cake... E-I-E-I-O!" Eden celebrated her 2nd birthday with her friends here in Birmingham on Jan. 26th. We waited until the holiday rush was over even though she turned 2 on Dec. 27th. I'm so glad we waited. She had so much fun!
We did an E-I-E-I-O theme since she LOVES the "Old McDonald" song. We had it here at home and invited many of our close friends and their children, and many friends who don't have children yet. These were the people who I say "prayed" Eden home from China. They love her so much and have been a constant source of encouragement to us throughout this journey. We love them dearly!
I made a cow cake and it turned out really cute! My mom brought puppets that she had made several years ago and I found a CD with "Old McDonald" on it. I recruited some "sports" from the adults, threw a sheet over our banister, and presto...a homemade puppet show. It scared Eden and one of her friends a little bit but overall it was a hit. We adults maybe liked it more than the kids did.
We let the kids play, then we ate pizza, opened presents and did cake. We had asked everyone to bring a small donation of blankets, clothes, etc. for Eden's old orphanage in Wuhan. And, everyone chipped in $5 to help with shipping costs. We ended up with more than a lawn-sized bag of items for the children at the orphanage. I can't wait to send it with updated photos of Eden. Thanks to EVERYONE who gave to these precious babies.
As Gene and I were talking about her party I remembered the photo we got of her last January. She was wearing a really nice, heavy orange Winnie the Pooh winter coat. I remember thinking, "Wow, what a nice coat...just like something I would buy her." I'm sure it was given to the orphanage. People gave to help care for her before we could do it ourselves, so we want to do the same for other children. We had asked everyone to bring a donation instead of a gift for Eden. But, everyone wanted to get her something, too. Such kind friends we have.
Here are some of my favorite photos of the party!
Eden's Birthday Outfit. It has a cupcake with 2 "puffs" on it. Of course, her Ja-Ja (my mom) gave it to her! She even has 2 pigtails!
Eden took the "farm" theme to a new level with her red hat she wears when she plays on her rocking horse!
Do you notice how the "kitchen" is full of boys? Why can't that happen in real life? I think some of the dads might have been a little bothered by how much their boys loved Eden's pink kitchen.
So do you think she had fun?
The E-I-E-I-O puppet show.
Eden and her friends eating pizza.
Eden is ready to blow out her candles.
The cow cake.
I'll never get tired of that smile.
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream. Eden LOVES it!
Opening gifts. She got books, bath toys, a robe, a microwave for her kitchen, & 2 Noah's Ark sets.
Eden laughed so hard playing with her "Uncle Daniel" with her new microwave oven. He was acting like the chicken was really hot and burning his hands and she was cracking up!
The donations for the orphanage in Wuhan, China.
We did an E-I-E-I-O theme since she LOVES the "Old McDonald" song. We had it here at home and invited many of our close friends and their children, and many friends who don't have children yet. These were the people who I say "prayed" Eden home from China. They love her so much and have been a constant source of encouragement to us throughout this journey. We love them dearly!
I made a cow cake and it turned out really cute! My mom brought puppets that she had made several years ago and I found a CD with "Old McDonald" on it. I recruited some "sports" from the adults, threw a sheet over our banister, and presto...a homemade puppet show. It scared Eden and one of her friends a little bit but overall it was a hit. We adults maybe liked it more than the kids did.
We let the kids play, then we ate pizza, opened presents and did cake. We had asked everyone to bring a small donation of blankets, clothes, etc. for Eden's old orphanage in Wuhan. And, everyone chipped in $5 to help with shipping costs. We ended up with more than a lawn-sized bag of items for the children at the orphanage. I can't wait to send it with updated photos of Eden. Thanks to EVERYONE who gave to these precious babies.
As Gene and I were talking about her party I remembered the photo we got of her last January. She was wearing a really nice, heavy orange Winnie the Pooh winter coat. I remember thinking, "Wow, what a nice coat...just like something I would buy her." I'm sure it was given to the orphanage. People gave to help care for her before we could do it ourselves, so we want to do the same for other children. We had asked everyone to bring a donation instead of a gift for Eden. But, everyone wanted to get her something, too. Such kind friends we have.
Here are some of my favorite photos of the party!
Eden's Birthday Outfit. It has a cupcake with 2 "puffs" on it. Of course, her Ja-Ja (my mom) gave it to her! She even has 2 pigtails!
Eden took the "farm" theme to a new level with her red hat she wears when she plays on her rocking horse!
Do you notice how the "kitchen" is full of boys? Why can't that happen in real life? I think some of the dads might have been a little bothered by how much their boys loved Eden's pink kitchen.
So do you think she had fun?
The E-I-E-I-O puppet show.
Eden and her friends eating pizza.
Eden is ready to blow out her candles.
The cow cake.
I'll never get tired of that smile.
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream. Eden LOVES it!
Opening gifts. She got books, bath toys, a robe, a microwave for her kitchen, & 2 Noah's Ark sets.
Eden laughed so hard playing with her "Uncle Daniel" with her new microwave oven. He was acting like the chicken was really hot and burning his hands and she was cracking up!
The donations for the orphanage in Wuhan, China.Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Summon the Gymnastics Champion
Here's a little video I took and Keri edited of Eden enjoying her gymnastics class. There's not a whole lot of form to be found, but I think it's really helping her with her motor skills development. Keri takes her to the class each Wednesday and I took off from work a little early to see her be a maniac on the gym floor for 45 minutes.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Six Months With Eden Hope
Wow! I can't believe we have been Eden's parents for a little over 6 months now. The official anniversary was Jan. 23rd so I'm a little late with this post. I've been mulling over how to communicate what it's like to look back over the past 6 months, or really the past 2 1/2 years and see what God has done. There honestly are no words. The only thing I can say, as tears are literally streaming down my face, is this precious baby is worth every second, day, week, month and year we waited. Do you hear me mommies who are waiting to adopt? I PROMISE it's worth it. Hang in there. During the 20 months we waited, I said to myself so many times, "Hang on, Keri. Once you meet your daughter there will never be a day that you will look at her and think this hardship wasn't worth it." Boy were those thoughts and words straight from God's mouth to my ear.
I can't remember life without her. What did I do all day? What made me laugh? I literally laugh all day long with her here. She is such a delight...that's what her name means in the Hebrew...delightful, paradise. That describes her perfectly.
Being a mommy certainly brings headaches and hassles...but it is so minor compared to the joy and fulfillment so I don't even want to focus on that temporary stuff.
I guess one of the most profound changes in me has been the humility God has worked in my heart. This baby started out so sad and broken with us. Every day I wake up since July 23, 2007, God heals her in some small way...and we get to be His healing touch in her life. He has used us to make her well. This humbles me beyond words because I know it's not me, but Him working through me in her life. I remember the first time she hugged me. I mean really hugged me out of love. I remember the first time she called me "Mommy." No one else gets called that, even though she called me and many other females "mama." I remember the first time she cried when I left, showing that she cares. I remember the first day without any grief tantrums. So many small miracles. So much healing. So much grace and mercy.
I'm going to end this post with photos that kind of sum up our journey to Eden. There are a lot of photos so make sure you get them all because they might go on to the next page. The last one will be a January 2008 photo. Hope you enjoy celebrating and remembering all God has done! Love you all!
Our first photo of Eden received December 2006. She was 8 months old in this photo.
Our second photo, received January 2007. Eden was 13 months old.
Daddy assembling the crib in May 2007.
Daddy putting the curtains up that Sandra Watkins made for Eden's room.
Daddy putting the bookshelf together. I promise I worked, too. I painted the walls and furniture but Gene wasn't there to take photos!
May 2007...the nursery is ready. We're just waiting, waiting, waiting for that LOA and Travel Approval!
We received this photo on June 13, 2007...2 days before we flew to China. Eden was 18 months old in this photo.
Preparing to board the plane in Birmingham, AL on June 15, 2007.
Sightseeing in Beijing. We are about to climb the Great Wall. This is about 5 days before we met Eden.
Filling out our paperwork in Wuhan (Eden's city) the day before we met her.
I call this photo "Eden Eve." I laid all the toys out the night before "Gotcha Day" and I cried the whole time.
8:00 a.m. July 23, 2007. Gotcha Day...preparing to head to the Civil Affairs Office to pick Eden up.
This is Eden sitting with the nanny before we were able to get her. Notice that she's looking at the photo Gene and I sent her in a care package in February 2007.
First family photo...before the crying began.
This is my favorite photo from China. When Eden started crying, my heart broke into a million pieces for her and I began to cry, too. I pray I never have to watch her grieve that deeply again.
Eden is still crying on the bus ride back to the hotel. All the parents started singing "Jesus Loves the Little Children" to try and calm our little ones.
Eden finally fell asleep on Gotcha Day after crying for a couple of hours. She wore herself out.
This is where Eden lived before she went into foster care. We said goodbye to the orphanage for the last time.
This is the view out of the orphanage window. According to the orphanage director, Eden likely lived in one of these buildings, as the foster parents live very close to the orphanage.
Arriving home in Birmingham, August 1, 2007.
Our friends made a sign to welcome us home.
This is Eden meeting our social worker at Lifeline, Karla, for the first time. I can't imagine what it's like for her to see all these babies come home!
Eden playing in her room for the first time the day we got home with her new friend, Alex DeVane.
August 2007, first month home.
September 2007, second month home.
October 2007, third month home.
November 2007, fourth month home.
December 2007, fifth month home.
January 2008, sixth month home.
I can't remember life without her. What did I do all day? What made me laugh? I literally laugh all day long with her here. She is such a delight...that's what her name means in the Hebrew...delightful, paradise. That describes her perfectly.
Being a mommy certainly brings headaches and hassles...but it is so minor compared to the joy and fulfillment so I don't even want to focus on that temporary stuff.
I guess one of the most profound changes in me has been the humility God has worked in my heart. This baby started out so sad and broken with us. Every day I wake up since July 23, 2007, God heals her in some small way...and we get to be His healing touch in her life. He has used us to make her well. This humbles me beyond words because I know it's not me, but Him working through me in her life. I remember the first time she hugged me. I mean really hugged me out of love. I remember the first time she called me "Mommy." No one else gets called that, even though she called me and many other females "mama." I remember the first time she cried when I left, showing that she cares. I remember the first day without any grief tantrums. So many small miracles. So much healing. So much grace and mercy.
I'm going to end this post with photos that kind of sum up our journey to Eden. There are a lot of photos so make sure you get them all because they might go on to the next page. The last one will be a January 2008 photo. Hope you enjoy celebrating and remembering all God has done! Love you all!
Our first photo of Eden received December 2006. She was 8 months old in this photo.
Our second photo, received January 2007. Eden was 13 months old.
Daddy assembling the crib in May 2007.
Daddy putting the curtains up that Sandra Watkins made for Eden's room.
Daddy putting the bookshelf together. I promise I worked, too. I painted the walls and furniture but Gene wasn't there to take photos!
May 2007...the nursery is ready. We're just waiting, waiting, waiting for that LOA and Travel Approval!
We received this photo on June 13, 2007...2 days before we flew to China. Eden was 18 months old in this photo.
Preparing to board the plane in Birmingham, AL on June 15, 2007.
Sightseeing in Beijing. We are about to climb the Great Wall. This is about 5 days before we met Eden.
Filling out our paperwork in Wuhan (Eden's city) the day before we met her.
I call this photo "Eden Eve." I laid all the toys out the night before "Gotcha Day" and I cried the whole time.
8:00 a.m. July 23, 2007. Gotcha Day...preparing to head to the Civil Affairs Office to pick Eden up.
This is Eden sitting with the nanny before we were able to get her. Notice that she's looking at the photo Gene and I sent her in a care package in February 2007.
First family photo...before the crying began.
This is my favorite photo from China. When Eden started crying, my heart broke into a million pieces for her and I began to cry, too. I pray I never have to watch her grieve that deeply again.
Eden is still crying on the bus ride back to the hotel. All the parents started singing "Jesus Loves the Little Children" to try and calm our little ones.
Eden finally fell asleep on Gotcha Day after crying for a couple of hours. She wore herself out.
This is where Eden lived before she went into foster care. We said goodbye to the orphanage for the last time.
This is the view out of the orphanage window. According to the orphanage director, Eden likely lived in one of these buildings, as the foster parents live very close to the orphanage.
Arriving home in Birmingham, August 1, 2007.
Our friends made a sign to welcome us home.
This is Eden meeting our social worker at Lifeline, Karla, for the first time. I can't imagine what it's like for her to see all these babies come home!
Eden playing in her room for the first time the day we got home with her new friend, Alex DeVane.
August 2007, first month home.
September 2007, second month home.
October 2007, third month home.
November 2007, fourth month home.
December 2007, fifth month home.
January 2008, sixth month home.Friday, February 1, 2008
More Photos
Hey everyone! I've been getting lots of feedback on all the photos...so here's some more. I'm trying so hard to catch up!!! I'm almost there. Not much new going on around here. We're having some repairs done on our home and are about to put some walls up in our finished basement to create 2 more bedrooms. We're praying about putting our house up for sale so we're slowly getting it ready as we pray. We haven't made a decision yet about what to do.
Other than that, not much to report. Gene is really starting to get in the groove of his new job. He is the marketing director for a high-end stationary company called Sweet Pea Designs. He loves the people he works with. I cracked up the other day because he was doing "research" for his job by reading "Martha Stewart Weddings" and "Southern Lady" magazines. He's sort of flipping out that his target audience is now 99.9% women. He said he feels like Mel Gibson in the movie "What Women Want." If I come home and find him waxing his legs and wearing panty hose I will be forced to draw the line :0)
We are having a reunion with our China travel group on Feb. 23 and I can hardly wait! I can't wait to get my hands on all those little ones! That's all for now...enjoy the pictures! Oh, and Eden is doing much better going to sleep at night. We still have issues but it is getting better.
This is my niece, Savannah. We had her 11th b'day party at the bowling alley when she came to visit over Christmas break. Such a pretty girl! I miss her and Hayden, her brother, so much. They live in south Florida.
Eden and her cousins, Savannah & Kendall, at Savannah's b'day party riding the horsey. Do you think Savannah & Kendall are a little big??? Eden LOVED it!
My Meemaw's 83rd b'day party in January. Isn't she beautiful? She is a treasure & I love her so much! Eden loves to play the piano with her.
Three generations (my mom was taking the photo). My baby has gained so much more than just Gene and me. A whole family! God is so good.
Eden eating the snow.
Eden & Maggie in the snow.
Playing dress up. Check out the earrings.
All decked out! Little girls are so much fun!
Other than that, not much to report. Gene is really starting to get in the groove of his new job. He is the marketing director for a high-end stationary company called Sweet Pea Designs. He loves the people he works with. I cracked up the other day because he was doing "research" for his job by reading "Martha Stewart Weddings" and "Southern Lady" magazines. He's sort of flipping out that his target audience is now 99.9% women. He said he feels like Mel Gibson in the movie "What Women Want." If I come home and find him waxing his legs and wearing panty hose I will be forced to draw the line :0)
We are having a reunion with our China travel group on Feb. 23 and I can hardly wait! I can't wait to get my hands on all those little ones! That's all for now...enjoy the pictures! Oh, and Eden is doing much better going to sleep at night. We still have issues but it is getting better.
This is my niece, Savannah. We had her 11th b'day party at the bowling alley when she came to visit over Christmas break. Such a pretty girl! I miss her and Hayden, her brother, so much. They live in south Florida.
Eden and her cousins, Savannah & Kendall, at Savannah's b'day party riding the horsey. Do you think Savannah & Kendall are a little big??? Eden LOVED it!
My Meemaw's 83rd b'day party in January. Isn't she beautiful? She is a treasure & I love her so much! Eden loves to play the piano with her.
Three generations (my mom was taking the photo). My baby has gained so much more than just Gene and me. A whole family! God is so good.
Eden eating the snow.
Eden & Maggie in the snow.
Playing dress up. Check out the earrings.
All decked out! Little girls are so much fun!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)