Thanks for all your prayers. I woke up this morning feeling so much better. Thank you Lord for western medicine. Its quick and effective. I am going to continue with my antibiotics and pain medicine. Thanks for the tips on getting rid of sore throats too. I am going to start trying those! My ENT told me if I had my tonsils removed that I would be in the bed for 2 weeks. Yes, actually in the bed for 2 weeks! Um....don't think so. I can't sit still for 5 minutes.
Today, we mostly just stayed around on the island and shopped. I got several Chinese dresses in all sizes...a stamp with her Chinese name...lots of things from a Gift from China...a China Starbucks travel mug....a painting with her name.. t-shirts with all our Chinese names....and lots more odds and ends. I want to get some Chinese tea sets, just want to make sure they don't contain lead. I will get those tomorrow. We also took the disposable camera that the orphanage gave us and got those pics developed. Many of the pics are good, but many of them are blurry. We are happy to have a few more pictures of her life in the orphanage. Did I tell you that the nanny gave me a baby picture of Lily? It was taken when she was 1 year old. Its my only baby picture at this age and I cried when she gave it to me. Its so precious to me. I also have a black and white copy of her finding ad. When a baby is abandoned, an ad has to be put in the newspaper to try and locate the family. If nobody responds, then the child is considered an orphan. So, the black and white picture is when she was 3 months old.
We had lunch today at Lucy's with Lifeline's China facilitator, Lily. It was so good to have lunch with her and talk about everything! She is such a sweet lady and we were so happy that she took time to come and eat lunch with us (she lives 2 hours away). We have been so impressed with Lifeline while we have been in China. They just have an amazing reputation here. We are so blessed.
Tonight, we went on the Pearl River dinner cruise. It was great....so relaxing. All of the hotels were lit up and it was so beautiful. Lily was good until she realized that the boat was actually moving...then she clung tightly to Mama. I tried to imagine what it must be like for her...all the new things she is seeing and learning...information overload?? Tonight, I really missed my kids back home. During the cruise, all I could think of was Noah and Hannah Grace and how much they would have loved this. Oh, gosh, I really miss my babies. I am trying to just be in denial...its how I cope. Today, Carlton and I just wished we could just have them escorted over here to us. It would be perfect. We have 2 more full days here in China. My emotions are so crazy. I almost feel guilty for taking Lily away from her home country...Did anyone else feel this way?
I am going to have to keep this post short. I am missing my kids pretty bad and I have got to distract myself or else I am going to have a breakdown. Susie, give them an extra hug and kiss and an extra bowl of ice cream tonight.
Tomorrow, our paperwork is being delivered to the Consulate. Carlton has to stay in our room from 10:00-11:30 to wait on a call from Rebecca to tell us everything is OK. Its our last hurdle. We will also be taking the famous "red couch" photo.
I love you all,
Aimee
21 comments:
I'm glad you feel better! And I totally understand the feelings about leaving China. In a way it's like closing a door and opening another in our children's lives...but Aimee, the door to their birth country is never closed. Yes, you are leaving China, but in Lily you are bringing a piece of China home. I don't just mean in her physical body, but I mean in her spirit. China will always be in her, and now in you! It will always be a part of your family; and you will desire from now on to celebrate the culture and teach her and Hannah and Noah about it. It's just so cool how God brings His people together, no matter the nationality, to know Him and bring Him glory!
I love hearing about all our purchases! You're doing GREAT in the shopping area as well as the mommy area! ;)
I will pray for peace for your heart; I know that feeling of missing your children. I felt so incomplete at times, and I couldn't rest. Believe me, when you get home and you are all together again under one roof, it will be a slice of heaven!!!!!!!!
Counting the days!
LOVE the pic of Lily and Carlton! She just continues to light up more and more each day!!! Amazing!
So glad that you are feeling better and that you got to have such a relaxing boat ride...
the picture story made me cry.... I think I cry every day over your posts... sweet tears though
I know you miss your babies, but just imagine how fantastic that reunion will be... and a first meeting.... wonderful!
I have been enjoying your blog SO much! How blessed you all are...and especially Lily! Wow! I cry every time I read a new post. Your messages are filled with so much love and courage! What a brave and blessed little addition to your already precious family! May God bless you all for the goodness in your hearts!
Love, Kristin Cooper Smith
P.S. May I be added to your family blog? My email address is kcsmith02@yahoo.com Thanks!
Thanks so much for sharing your journey! Like everyone else, I can't wait to get to my computer every morning to see new pictures and the exciting adventures you have had the day before. Every night I have to tell Jack about the new pics and what is new for the day. I love the picture of Carlton and Lily! I'm sure she already has him wrapped around her little finger. You have such a beautiful family and Lily has just added more beauty to it. She captured my heart at the beginning but every day her smile is more beautiful! I know you are anxious to be home and have your complete family but enjoy the remainder of your time there. You have more blessings in store as Hannah Grace and Noah meet their new sister for the first time. I know that will be a beautiful sight! I am praying for you as you spend your last days in China and for safe travel as you head home. God has much more in store for you.
Love,
Jan
Aimee, Will be praying for your heart as you miss your little ones back home. Praying you home also. i love the pictures of Lily with Carlton and I know he is happy.Glad you are feeling better and praying peace as you leave China with Lily.
Hey Girl!
Thank you Lord for your healing of your sore throat. I will pray that you will continue to recover. You are almost ready to come home to be reunited with your other babies. Im ready for you to be home too. I cant wait for them to meet Lily. They will fall inlove with her like the rest of us have.
I know how you feel about leaving China. I miss it alot and cant wait to take the girls back.
Enjoy your last few days and cherish every moment.
We love you!
Connie
I'm glad you're feeling better. I thought about you during the day and said a little pr*yer each time you came to mind. I think everyone who adopts has some of the mixed emotional feelings, though perhaps all are different. Our first adopted child involved abuse due to her handicap, and while we were unaware of it at the time (found out the details later through some volunteers), we knew something was wrong. So, in our case, we were just anxious to get home and begin life. Our other two daughters did grieve their losses, and we have tried hard to blend some of the fun and interesting celebrations into our family life. We LOVE going to our agency's picnics and parties and doing things with a local adoption group. Getting together with other families who "look like us" is something the girls really enjoy. Laine expresses well how this whole experience will really broaden your world view. By now, you know that you will never be the same!
sooooo glad you are feeling better!!! much love
I'm so glad you're feeling better, and I'm so happy that she seems to finally be warming up to Carlton. I will be praying for you all as you get ready to leave China. I'm sure it will be bittersweet. I will also be praying for Hannah Grace and Noah as they get ready to be a big sister and brother for Lily. I'm sure they'll go great. Love you all! Jill
So glad you are feeling better! I love the picture of Carlton walking with Lily. Praying for you all and that you will be at peace about leaving China.
Love,
Barb
Glad everyting is going well. Mr. & Mrs. R have been keeping us up to date on your progress. Just one more small hurdle, then you're home free. Congratulations on your new little miracle!
Shannon from Hills
Oh sweet friend, I am so glad that your meds are working and you are feeling better!
Love the pictures (great as always) That picture of Carlton holding Lily, tears....love it!
I am praying for you my sweet friend. I know that you are missing HG and Noah. I gave them both lots and lots of hugs. I can only imagine how hard it must be to be away from them and want to get back, but at the same time not wanting to leave China. I am praying for you.
love and hugs! can not wait to see you soon!
Jess
Yes I felt the same way - but we are going bcak on vacation in April - so see- you and the kids can all visit in a # of yrs...(when she is ready)
Safe travels - soon you will be home!
She is such a doll. I am excited to see your posts from when your other 2 kids meet her. I know you will be so happy to be home! Maybe one day you can ALL go back with her to visit! Praying for you!
I can't imagine all the emotions going on over there.Your travels are amazing. Praying for safe travels back. Thinking of you often and what it must be like..You all are AWESOME!
I am home now and I can hardly wait for you all to get home too.
The pics of Carlton and Lily are so precious! I cried again...as seems to be the norm when I read your blog. You have such a way with words Aimee, that always touches my heart. Anyway, it looks like Lily is well on the way to having her way with baba. I knew it wouldn't take long!
I am so glad you are feeling better! Carlton make her get plenty of rest...if that's possible. Aimee, be sure to take all your antiobiotics. I know you miss HG and Noah but only three more days and you will have all your family together in one place again. Hang in there!
Continuing to pray for you all.
Love and Hugs
I am glad your feeling better Aimee! Aww, those pictures are so cute, I just cried when I saw the one with Carlton-she looks like she has really warmed up to him. I will continue to pray for you guys-esp with missing the kids. Only a few more days!
God Bless!
Also, i just love the background music you have, it is perfect, everyday I read and look at your pictures, I just cry. I so have to talk to you about the whole adoption process-we are looking more and more into it.
I can't believe how happy Lily looks in these photos. It seems like she is adjusting quickly and is so happy to be with you. She also looks so healthy. I am glad you're feeling better today. I know your family is counting down the minutes until you are home with her!!!
So glad you're feeling better! The new pictures are precious.. especially the one of Lily and her daddy. Just wanted to share with you that I have felt led to pray specifically for the moment Lily meets HG and Noah. I know it is a moment they have dreamed about, but can't comprehend. I pray that she will be ready to receive the love they are ready to give. Of course it will be challeging, but I am praying that their first encounter will be beyond miraculous! Like you said...kids are naturally drawn to each other, so their bond will be so precious! I am also praying that HG and Noah will be filled with patience and understanding as Lily will need some TLC when you get home! Just wanted you to know what I was petitioning for on your behalf. Hope it helps! So how many hours until you take off? Surely you have it counted down by now!! Can't wait until tomorrow!
Glad to hear you are feeling better and to see Lily and her Daddy! That picture of them walking holding hands is enough to melt my heart!! I cannot imagine what your heart is feeling right now with so many competing emotions but you are such an inspiration of courage and faith and a true testament of allowing God to lead the way...you all are so very special! 3 more days and you'll all be together...what a special day it will be!
Prayers for peace and comfort,
Tamara G.
So glad you're feeling better, Aimee (at least when you last posted). I am going to start praying now (Tuesday evening in the States) for your safe trip home, your reunion/meeting with your kids and loved ones, etc.
I'm thrilled that God has blessed you with Lily, as my family has been blessed by adoption times three. Being an adoptive mother, I am frequently reminded of how God has adopted us by salvation. What a gift He offers!!!
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