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Fear - A Four Letter Word

Fear is a four letter word.

What if we had said no? Said no to adoption? Said no to his file? Said no to his medical needs? What if we said no out of fear? Because when it really boils down to it, it is fear that would have kept us from him and nothing else. Fear that our comfort would be disrupted. Fear that we couldn't handle, take on, or "deal."

How I Survived Chuck E Cheese's

I had a goal in life as a parent: NEVER ENTER CHUCK E. CHEESE’S.

Okay - maybe it wasn’t a goal. But in all honesty, I have never had a strong desire to take my kids to Chuck E. Cheese. I envisioned it to be SUPER chaotic, tiny humans running all over the place, and the environment to both smell of child sweat and sugar. Not to mention, Chuck is a large rat, which I understand he was rebranded in the 90’s to be a mouse, but come on, he’s straight up creepy looking.

A Year Ago Today || November 21, 2017

Today was our last full day together with our group. That day we headed to a HUUUUUGE shopping market, which I regretfully did not take a lot of pictures. We did a lot of shopping, but I did not adequately document this location. And it was IMPRESSIVE in size and the quantity of stuff.

A Year Ago Today || November 19, 2017

Adoption. It is such a life altering experience truly difficult to put into words. Adoption is beauty through tragedy. Redemption through abandonment. It will strip every emotion you have and bring it to the surface. It is an experience I am so grateful to have walked. And grateful to have experienced with these incredible families.

A Year Ago Today || November 18, 2017

For decades, adoptions were finalized in China on Shamian Island. The U.S. Consulate office use to be here and thousands upon thousands of families have walked these streets with their new children in hand. And while the U.S. Consulate has since moved, adoption groups still return to this historic place.

A Year Ago Today || November 17, 2017

After touring the orphanage on November 16th, we took our first flight with Tristan from Shanghai to Guangzhou , where the U.S. Consulate is.

The flight was itself was smooth. However, the sitting on the tarmac with a screaming 2 year old at nap time wasn’t so much on the smooth side. This was the first time I cried after having Tristan with us. And my sweet first sitting next to me just put her hand on my arm and said, “It’s okay, Mom.” Bless her.

A Year Ago Today || GOTCHYA! November 13, 2017

Today was the day.

We woke up early that morning. Partially from our internal clocks and also from excitement and anticipation.

Before heading to breakfast, Jerry and I gave Brooklynn a card we had written for her. Today wasn’t just a huge day for Jerry, myself, and Tristan. It was a monumental moment for Brooklynn. Her world as an only child for 8 years, was about to drastically change. But one thing I observed throughout our entire adoption process was her consistent excitement. She never once suggested we do otherwise. So this moment right here. These moments before we left our hotel to welcome Tristan into our family were huge.

A Year Ago Today || November 10, 2017

Our day started super early. After a decent first night sleep, we headed downstairs to the hotel dining room for breakfast where we re-connected with all of the families touring in Beijing. For months prior we had all been communicating via Facebook as we discovered who would be traveling together. It was so great to meet everyone in person and connect.

A Year Ago Today || November 9, 2017

November 9, 2017

WELCOME TO CHINA!

Landing in China was surreal. At first I thought it was super foggy outside… Then quickly realized, that wasn’t fog, but smog. We also arrived in China while President Trump was visiting and saw Air Force One on the tarmac, which was pretty cool! China had even worked on “cleaning up” their air for Trump’s visit. So it was nice to actually see blue sky on some of the days we were in Beijing.

A Year Ago Today || November 8, 2017

The day felt surreal. Our bags were packed. Our house in order. And our journey about to begin.

My dear friend Tracy drove us to the airport that day and my heart and emotions were so raw. God had worked amazing miracles to get us on that plane. And here we were, standing out in front of the Sea-Tac Airport preparing to board a 13 hour flight to China.

A Year Ago Today || November 7, 2017

A year ago today my sweet family of 3 was zipping up our suitcases preparing to travel thousands of miles to become a family of 4. We had spent the last 13 months preparing for this day. Countless hours, prayers, miracles answered, now had us less than 24-hours before we would bored our airplane and begin our travels east. Destination - China.

Family Photos by Kim Charie Photography

It has been almost a year that Tristan has been home. I can’t believe how quickly the time has gone by and how much has changed over this past year for Tristan as well as our family. God has richly blessed us beyond our imaginations over this last year that only He can receive all the glory.

A Year Ago Today I Saw You

It was a year ago today I saw your face. I had seen so many faces up to that point... And at that moment your chubby cheeks, adorable smile, and precious eyes caught mine. You made me giggle and say:

"That's my kid..."

It was a bold and scary sentence to say.