Saturday, October 11, 2008

God Said "Yes"... To What?

If you haven't read last night's post, please start here first. I'll wait on you...





For those of you that did, I'm sorry that I kept you in suspense. I just wasn't sure how to share our story and explain how this all came about. I'm still not sure how I'm going to be able to condense it enough so that a) I keep your interest, and b) I don't crash the entire B.logger network. In the interim, I thought I'd better not keep you waiting. I'm not exactly good at giving subtle hints, so I think y'all already caught this, but I'll make it official...

101208 Adoption Announcement

A big sister, in fact. Yesterday, Nolan and I submitted the application to adopt a 10-year old girl from China. Yes, a 10-year old girl. And yes, the application. Which means I am just at the beginning of our paper chase. I truly thought I would never be doing this again. (I don't mean to leave Nolan out with my choice of pronouns, but I am the official paper chaser of the family.)

I wish I could post pictures, but the agency has requested that we not post them yet. (Although they did say it's OK to make our announcement and share photos privately.) We think she's beautiful!! Doesn't she have pretty feet? ;-)

The biggest question I've been asked is how does Leila feel about this. I was pretty impressed that her first reaction was, "That will change everything." She wasn't necessarily against it at first, but she did realize the impact it would have on our family. We gave her a few days to think it over and she decided she was OK with the idea. And now, she said she is getting pretty excited about having a big sister. She knows that she may no longer be the oldest, but she will always hold a special place in our family as our first child. Her other comments were pretty funny, but I think I'll save those for when I write "our story." And as for Mia, she is too young to understand any of this.

So... until I can figure out how to articulate how we went from "we're done at two" to adopting a third, I hope you'll join us in celebrating our big news.

48 comments:

Faye said...

Michelle- I am beyond excited for you all. I look forward to being your friend and sharing in this beautiful journey with you.
God Bless You and Your Family
Godspeed to China
Faye

Anonymous said...

ABSOLUTELY! Whoo Hooo. I would love to do this too. I will follow your journey closely :).

Pixel Fairy Princess said...

OMG - that is WONDERFUL!!!
What a blessing and I am SO happy for you ~
Ladybug hugs,
;D

fleur de lis cottage said...

Michelle - that is awesome news. I'm so excited for you guys. Can't wait to hear the rest of the story.

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

OH MY Goodness!!! I am so excited for you and your family.....this is TERRIFIC news!!

I can't wait to hear the rest of the story!!

God Bless,

Lisa

a Tonggu Momma said...

Congratulations!!!! I can't wait to follow along on your journey. And I do love her feet, especially the ruffled socks. But then - I'm partial to those types of photos. ;)

LaLa said...

Michelle~ as I already told you she is BEAUTIFUL!!! I couldn't believe how that smile just lit up the screen. I am so happy for you guys and can't wait to hear all about how this came to be. I hope you can get your dossier completed in record time (yeah, I am the paperchaser in my family too as hubby doesn't even know what a 171 is!!)

a Tonggu Momma said...

Okay, so I totally published before I read here. Not like you don't have a million things on your mind, but...

Tag! You're it! (Sorry.)

Sarah said...

WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOO! I'm so excited for your family! I can't wait to hear more! Congratulations on taking such an earth moving big step!

kitchu said...

Oh my gosh!!!!!!! I am just so thrilled for all of you!!! What incredible news!!!!!

missy said...

You did it...you took that giant leap! As we've already discussed I am your number one prayer warrior! This beautiful child is meant to be in your family!!!

God is sooo good, my friend!
HUGS

Lori Lynn said...

Adopting an older child can be such a great challenge, but one that I am sure you are up to! I admire you so much! I too, wanted to adopt an older child, but we ended up with a 3.5 yr old.....still a perfect compliment to our first daughter.

I cannot wait to see pictures. How great to change the life of a child who has been waiting so long.

Lori W

Green Family said...

Oh Michelle...celebrating with you here in Phoenix!! This is what life is all about - and what brings me soooo much joy. I'm a counselor - I hear A LOT about what families don't like about each other. Blogs are my therapy. I love hearing stories and goals of adventurous love. WAY TO GO!!! Tell the girls congatuations too...they have so much so teach and share.
Kelly

Tisha said...

Michelle,

I have tears in my eyes as I write to say "CONGRATULATIONS!" I can't wait to follow you on this extraordinary journey. God speed on all of the paperwork!!!

Sincerely,
Tisha

Shawnstribe said...

Oh Michelle!!!!!
HUGS HUGS and MORE HUGS!!!!!!
congratulations!!!!!!
it will be quite a journey but it will be awesome.
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength
Isa 30:15
this verse has been going round my head, i hope it encourages you!!!!
xxx
s

Roselawn said...

I just started following your blog recently and just love it! How did you make your header? Guess you'll be adding to it soon to include daughter number 3! Congratulations!!! We have one adopted daughter, so I share in your joy of creating a family born from the heart.

Sherry

P.S. You can check my blog out if you'd like: www.roselawnbnb.blogspot.com

Rebecca Lily said...

Celebrating INDEED!!!
I am overjoyed!!! And I can't WAIT to follow this journey to your daughter!

She has BEAUTIFUL feet... will you set up a private blog and share ALL of the cuteness??? :)

Dawn said...

That is wonderful and I am anxious to hear your entire story.

mommy24treasures said...

oh Michelle I DO celebrate with you. My, what amazing, unexpected, but perfectly delightful news! I am so happy for you all.

Anonymous said...

Hi Michelle - I have been following your blog for a while now and I am so excited for you! My husband and I are LID 10/2008 for our son (we brought our daughter home from China in August 2006 - she turned 3 today)who will be 10 the end of this month! We are so excited, but also a little anxious because of the language barrier, etc. We do not personally know any other families who have adopted a child this age, although I know many families have. If you would like to keep in touch to know how our journey goes, please email me. We are hoping to travel to China in January 2009.
Denise
shorescynthia@yahoo.com

Stacy said...

Congratulations! I can't wait to hear more and see pictures!!!!!

Stacy

Michelle said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! How exciting!! :) :)

We were another family that was definitely done at two! Ha ha...never say never. :)

Stefanie said...

OH my goodness, Michelle!! How WONDERFUL!! I can't WAIT to be able to see that sweet face :)
Congratulations to you, my friend!!!

Rydley said...

WOW WOW WOW!!! Congratulations to all of you! I can't wait to learn more about her!!!

Jboo said...

Congratulations!! I am so excited for all of you! You are truly blessed.

Janet

Adele said...

Oh Michelle, this is the best news ever! I am delighted to know that Leila and Mia are getting a sister. They will love her and adore her. What a beautiful family you are creating. I can't wait to follow in this journey. I am just dying to see her!!! Know that you are in my prayers as you began the paperchase for your precious daughter.

Cammie said...

Wow! Congratulations!!

Annette said...

Oh Michelle, I'm so happy for you and your family. What a beautiful thing you guys are doing. I can't even begin to imagine what your new daughter must be feeling after waiting for so very long... to finally have a family. God bless you. Can't wait to see her!

ellieshine said...

I just found your blog from the Mamarazzi Picture blog - even though I don't really know you when I saw your big news I just had to stop and say Congratulations!

Marla said...

How exciting, and yes she does have pretty feet! I cant wait to see more pictures. Congratulations to your family.

Heather said...

Oh Michelle - CONGRATULATIONS!!!! In a time when it seems there is so much bad news, this is wonderful news. Blessings to your whole family as you ready to adopt another angel. We will be praying for you:)

I will be carefully watching my inbox for one of those privately shared pictures;)

Don't you just love it when God says YES???

So happy for you!
Love & Hugs,
Heather

De Lucchi Family Treasures said...

Hey congratulations, that is so so cool. I have a friend in the UK who is adopting a 9 year old, I should put you in touch.
What a blessing
Love Jules
xxxx

Staci said...

Congratulations!! So happy for you all. :)

Leslie said...

Michelle, I am truly truly excited for you and your family. What a treasure your new daughter will be to you. I knew when we talked on the phone that night, this is where your heart was, and how excited you were about this little girl (your daughter). I wish you a speedy process to your paperchase, and many prayers as you wait to bring your newest precious blessing home forever.

((((HUGS))))

Anonymous said...

Michelle,

I must admit that I am a lurker - until today- I may have commented a few times, but I wanted you to know how excited I am for your family! I actually spent some time in Ukraine and Russia working in orphanages and that is what originally brought me to your blog - the story of Leila. Your two daughters, soon to be three, are so lucky to have your family. My best wishes and prayers go out to your family!

Ashley from Baltimore

day by day said...

Oh, Michelle!! This is WONDERFUL news and I am over the moon happy for you!!!!! Can't wait to hear more!!! And yes.....she has BEAUTIFUL feet!

Ohilda said...

Michelle,

I can't begin to tell you how happy I am for you! This little sweetie of yours (which I'm dying to see) is gonna be so blessed becoming a part of this family, as I know you all will be!

Many hugs and kick butt on that paperchase, my friend.

Ohilda

Ohilda said...

Oohh....I just RE-READ the post and saw about "privately". Can I pleeeeease have a sneak peek at those pretty feet everyone is talking about? Plleeeeease!?? :)

Anonymous said...

OH MY GOODNESS. I go away for a few days and come home to one of the greatest surprises!!! This is awesome news!

I am so happy for you and your family. And I can hardly wait to see her pictures!

With much love and so much joy,

Krista

Doug and Terrye said...

How exciting!!! I love pretty little girl feet...especially when they have on pretty white shoes ;)

Terrye in FL

Deb said...

What awesome news Michelle!!! I can't wait to hear more of the story!!

Global Girl said...

Congrats and best wishes! That is wonderful news :)

Janelle said...

Hello! I just spoke with Nolan this morning at work, and as I sit here in the Columbus airport waiting to fly home, I just had to jump on your blog to say MANY CONGRATULATIONS to you as well!!!! Your daughter is beautiful and I am so excited for your family!

So, during the concert, did SCC sing 'when love takes you in?' Gets me choked up every time I listen to it!

Gwen Oatsvall said...

OMW ... I go underground for a few days w/ a crying baby and look what you go and do ... TOTALLY DOING THE HAPPY DANCE HERE !!!! of course I will begin praying and just cheering you on from afar ... I love how God moves us !!!!

can i get a private picture ... s.oatsvall@comcast.net

JinXiu said...

what wonderful news

congratulations

I can not wait to follow your journey

good luck and a speedy and ashe journey

Davisix said...

LOVE, love, love your blog. I happened upon it through another and am so glad I did. I will anxiously read each post as your new family member arrives. Our youngest is also adopted through a distant family situation. What an amazing blessing she is to us! God bless you! Angie

Steffie B. said...

OMW......how could I missed this....email me her picture...talk to me about what is going on with her. Is she from a SN list or just an older healthy child....beyound excited! ;)
Hugs,
Steffie

Tami said...

Hi Michelle,

I'm so glad I stopped in via mamarazzi to check out your personal blog....It's awesome...I love the title bar....very cool! Congratulations on your decision to add to your family- how exciting!

When my husband and I decided to adopt, and we were deciding on which country, we origionally looked at Russia. I'm Russian on my mom's side and it made perfect sense to go there. However, God had other plans, for as we continued our research, we both felt very drawn to China. In the end, we decided China was where God was telling us our daughter was! So now we wait;-).

Anyhow, just wanted to say hi. I look forward to following along as you go to China!!

God bless!