Mobility and Milestones

Chloe is finally feeling somewhat comfortable when we put her down..she really likes to just crawl around and explore things, especially in her room, it's so much fun to watch her learn new things everyday, she's definetly thriving. Tomorrow marks the ONE MONTH milestone since Chloe joined our family, so stay tuned for a special post from me tomorrow reflecting on this amazing month!

reaching for her "cell phone"..hmm wonder where she learned that from...lol
"the camera loves me =)"
"Ok, um sissy i like having my picture made but i need privacy..can't a kid drink her bottle in peace?!"

Love

First off have I mentioned how lucky I am, because I honestly don't think I can say that enough..I am the luckest girl ever! Chloe is an amazing child and I love her more than life itself, I honestly don't know how I lived without her, she brings so much joy into my life. She loves me, the kind of love i've never experienced before, which makes think about things in a whole new light. Life is so much richer now with Chloe in my life, she makes me want to do whatever it takes to make her proud.period.

As we approach the one month anniversary of a family of four, i feel like this is a great time to talk a little about our journey to Chloe, part of the testamonial i made at church sunday night, which went very well..its a little long but here it is...enjoy!

For the past 7 years I have longed for a sibling so bad that some nights when i would go up to my room I would get so depressed because I was so alone and every night it was like i was constantly reminded of how alone i really was, and it about did me in. So after many months and years after i felt this longing i started to feel this tugging at my heart that just wouldn't go away, it was like God was telling that it was time i talked to my parents about my feelings and how i wanted a sister. Ok, easier said than done, so I prayed and prayed to God for him to help me understand what He wanted me to do, hoping that he would give me a sign somehow so i would know that this is or is not meant to be. When my parents, me and my Aunt went on a cruise to the Bahamas with some friends, i remember the morning before we got off the ship, seeing this adorable asian girl around the age of 4 with two caucasian parents, i remember thinking how cute she was but at the moment i did not recognise the sign that God had placed right in front of me. Anyways after many nights of pondering i finally decided to sit my parents down and ask them if they would consider adoption, because I knew friends of ours had just adopted a adorable baby girl, Ally from China and i thought that maybe, just maybe they would consider it. I knew it was a longshot but the worst thing they could say was no and i was ok with that.

So i decided to confront my mom first, so one late night when we were both up and talking about our cousin who had just found out she was pregnant with her first child (the boy is now 2) so i figured since we were talking about babies I would just mention it..so i did, that conversation is such a blur, but i remember mom had this look on her face like "are you crazy" and i was so certain that i had made a mistake by asking. The next day, my mom told me that she had been thinking about what i asked her, about me wanting a sister, and she said that i needed to talk to my dad...ok??! I was petrified, i didn't know what or how to say it to him, so i just thought about how sad and alone i had felt and i said "dad, im tired of being alone", little did i know that about 2 years after i spoke them words i would be boarding a plane with my parents to China to pick up my new baby sister.

Between the time i had that talk with my dad, until the day that Chloe was placed in our arms, i have struggled personally with obsticles that i didn't think i could overcome, my best friend being diagnosed with Leukemia at 15 years old, myself struggling with depression and health problems and losing my great aunt to melanomia..an endless list of doubts and fears without adding in the extra stress of the 14 month wait was almost enough to begin to question myself wondering if it was meant to be. If it hadnt have been for the extra wait, we wouldnt have gotten matched with the child we have, and i couldnt imagine life without this certain little girl who makes everything better!

The point im getting at is the power that a person has and the things they can do if they want it bad enough. I wanted a sister more than anything in this world, and after its all said and done, because of me i changed a life, my family changed the life of a tiny baby girl who needed a family as badly as we needed her.

**12/18/2006 a dream come true**

Chloe's baby shower!

I know i know im a slacker blogger..lol..but this week has been crazy busy getting ready to go to China and dealing with finals in school..so finally here are a few pics of the wonderful baby shower we had on sat. given by people at our Church for miss Chloe!!

we got a lot of cool stuff for our sweet baby girl

Im going to miss these girls when im in China...

Some of "THE LOOT"!!

We had an awesome shower and are so blessed to have such loving family and friends to support us during this special time in our lives...thanks again, Chloe will look stunning in the adorable outfits and we cannot wait for her to meet you all!!

One...

HAPPY 1ST BiRTHDAY CHLOE MADiSON XiAN!!

WE CANNOT WAiT TO HOLD YOU & FiNALLY BRiNG YOU HOME!

LOViN YOU MORE AND MORE EACH DAY,

YOUR FOREVER FAMiLY!!

~~We are having a small family get to-gether to celebrate Chloe's first birthday, with cake and of course a couple of presents for the birthday girl..i will post pictures of it later:-]

This face...

..this face is means more to me than all the money in the world, all the riches, fame, and fortune. This face makes me forget about all the little things in life, because this face IS my life, and for the past month I have stared into this little girl's face so intensely that it is almost as if i can read her mind by the look on her face, the look of innocence, of confusion, of needing to belong and to be loved, to be taken to a place where she will be someones daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend to wipe her tears away and comfort her, no matter what. This face is the face of my sister, Chloe Madison Xian Jones, who will turn one year old tomorrow, and this face has no idea what amazing events are going to unfold during the next couple of weeks in her life that will transform her forever, unfolding amazing things yet to be discovered, and that my friends is worth all the money in the world.

And the bond grows stronger...

It's been an amazing week to say the least, just thinking about how much my life has changed in the past seven days makes me come to a halt and just look around me at the blessings that God has given me and my family. I am so blessed and I will continue to say that because I just cannot say it enough, I am blessed with a loving family, great friends who have been like the sister I have never had and I wouldn't change them for the world. God is SO good and I am a changed person since November 2, 2006, I am a better person, a more loving person, a believer, a proud sister, and just a sister!! I am SO ready to go to China and hold this precious baby girl, whom I am falling more in love with as each second goes by.....ahhh life is SO good!!

~~A Perfect fit!!~~

I'm just a tad proud..lol..

I just can't stop staring at this picture of Chloe..it is by far my favorite one and you will be seeing a lot of it until we get to hold this beautiful child..gah this kid has my <3

Yup thats MY adorable sister!!! =)

~~~Check out my new song..it has a great meaning and basically kept me sane through the last 2 weeks when waiting for Chloe's referral...powerful song!

Great weekend

Ever since we recieved the news of our beautiful baby girl, we have been on cloud nine and I for sure have been doing backflips ALL weekend, at first on Thursday right after we recieved the call I was just in total awe of everything, and fell in love with Chloe instantly, it was like right when I saw her picture I formed a bond to her that was so intense that I cannot begin to put it in words, i mean I never knew that I could fall in love with someone I have never even met, and I never thought I would have a little sister! I am SO proud and just love this kid to death already, just looking at her picture makes me smile, I cannot even begin to imagine what it will be like to see her smile for the first time. She has already changed my life forever, making me feel like I have a purpose..and wow this is the BEST time of my life.

"I've never been more happier"

More Information on our sweet baby girl...

We recieved wonderful information today VIA Fed Ex...and got a translation of what her name in Chinese means, what her personality is like, etc. We are just thrilled to find out more information on the baby that will be joining our family...so here it is complete with her FULL name!

Chinese Name: Nan (south) Xian (virtuous, worthy, good; able) Xing (star).

Soon to be: Chloe Madison Xian Jones

Born: November 29, 2005

Resides at: Maonan District SWI
Maoming City, Guangdong Province

She is a deep sleeper which is perfect for my family! enjoys being held and patted and loves music. She has 2 teeth, and smiles openly, and has a lovely laugh!!

We recieved this picture today with her medica report..and look at the ADORABLE ladybug outfit she is wearing...now if THATS not God's amazing power, I don't know what is!!

What a day!

After the most awesome day a girl can have I am off to bed to dream of my sweet Chloe...I will post more about the day's events tomorrow but I am sleepy and just want to rest and stare at her picture....she's already my everything and more.....All I have to say is wow, I'm in LOVE with this child.

goodnight my sweet baby sister...may God comfort you until we are finally united!!

I HAVE A SISTER!!!

WE JUST GOT "THE CALL"!! WE DON'T HAVE MUCH INFORMATION AS OF YET BUT HERE IS A LITTLE OF WHAT WE DO KNOW:

CHINESE NAME: NAN XIAN XING

BIRTHDATE: NOVEMBER 29 2005

We are thrilled beyond words with the news of our baby girl!! God is SO good and we give him ALL the praise in the world! I also want to thank all our family and friends that have stuck with us through this process and lastly to you guys my "cyber friends" thanks for all your inspirational words they have gave me strength on days when it seemed like the world had turned its back on me. Thank you all!

Here comes the sun...

WAHOO!!! Now c'mon phone..ring please!!! Will post when we recieve "the call" and I have time to process the amazing transformation fixing to unfold, as for now I am just seizing the moment and taking time to quietly thank God for this miracle happening before my eyes!!

***STORK ALERT***

"Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land."

Proverbs 25:25

FINALLY TIME TO GET THE REFERRAL..CAN I GET A WAHOO?!!

Now for a little "Pre referral" stork alert task..

Sunday, me and my friend Lacie took a trip to Lowes and found this cool toy storage unit for Chloe so today I put it together all by myself, with absolutly NO help from anyone and I did it just for Chloe..I'm SOOO excited about how it turned out but its not finished yet..check back after I paint it and make it a "LINDSEY ORIGINAL"