Happy Birthday Maisey!

Steve reflects on Maisey's Second Birthday
Our little girl is two today!  Today we will have a very small birthday celebration followed by a larger one later this month.  This is likely her first birthday celebration, as we're not so sure they celebrated birthdays at the orphanage.  Last year at this time, while her first birthday was passing we didn't even know her.  It wasn't until April 16th of last year that we got our referral and saw her picture for the first time.

Birthdays are an interesting milestones, they mark the passage of time, achievement in our lives, friends made and lost, and often cause me to be very reflective.  As I reflect on Maisey's birthday, I can't help but feel all warm and happy inside.  She has ignited a flame on our family.  A flame of joy and laughter that a year ago I could not have imagined.  A year ago, she was in an orphanage in China, not knowing what it was like to sleep on a mattress, not knowing what a full stomach felt like or looked like.  Now she often points at her stomach with pride whenever her shirt is off.  A year ago she didn't know what a loving hug was or felt like, now none of us could live without them.

It's a great day for our family today our little girl is in her forever home, she has unconditional love, and so do w

e.

Thank you Lord, it's truly been the year of your bountiful blessing.

Lisa Reflects on Maisey's Second Birthday

Dear Maisey Mae,

Today is your second birthday and I want to write down what is in my heart.  First of all, I love you so much!  A year ago, we didn't know you.  Seven months ago, we only knew your face from 5 grainy photos.  But today, we have the privilege of knowing you.  Hugging you.  Kissing you.  Seeing your amazing smile.  Today, I can see you wake up.  Today,  I can hug your neck.  Today, I can watch you play.  Today, I can tell you how much I love you.  And today, I can show you how much I love you.  You have firmly planted yourself in my heart and I am so grateful.  You belong here in my heart.  You belong in our family.  You are pure joy and you are home.

Love,
Mommy

Citizen Maisey

In this election year in which we choose a President to lead our country, I'd like to reflect on what it means to be an American.  To me, America has always stood for freedom.  Freedom to succeed and freedom to fail.  The only guarantee is the that we all have the same freedoms.

As we worked hard through the entire process of tons of paperwork to ensure that Maisey would be a citizen of the USA upon her return, we honestly thought of why that mattered.  You see, the contrast between where she came from to where she now lives is stark.  In China, the citizens are restricted to one child in urban areas and two in rural areas, but only if the first child is a girl.  China is a country that restricts what it's citizens read and how they communicate.  I'd be concerned that some in China would read this and take offense, but they can't since all social media is blocked from its citizens.

Maisey now lives in the United States where things are so good, in comparison, that we often forget how good.  Our freedoms are hard fought and anything but free.  A high price has been paid for them by our soldiers and we cannot be grateful enough to them.  Maisey now will have the opportunities guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States.  She will have the priviledge to decide what she  wants her future to be, not  given one by a giant government that suppresses its citizenry.  I'm not trying to pick on China specifically but it is the most appropriate example.

The rights we receive as Americans are a beacon of hope for the whole world to see, and to strive for.   The rights we receive are not limited to a particular class or race.  It's hard work and determination that directs our destiny as Americans.  It's a value we will instill in all of our children, regardless of their race or country of origin.    Maisey is a citizen plain and simple, no excuses required, just a dream and a lot of hard work.

Wonderful Noise

In the spring of 2003, I remember Lisa and I sitting on our couch watching TV and talking about Jake, who was not to come for a few more months. Lisa said something like "so, are you ready?" I assured her I was, but then said something I'll always remember. I said "Listen." Lisa told me she heard nothing. My reply was "and isn't that wonderful? Savor it as we won't hear it for 20 more years." I thought I was making a profound statement about the noise of children. I hadn't the slightest notion that the "noise" that children make is like beautiful music. It may not seem so at the time, and it seldom does, but now when it's silent there's a strange uneasy feeling. It's too quiet where there should be a lot of noise. I do try to remember this when the noise includes countless arguments about who did what to who first, or whatever the argument of the minute is. I try to remember that the noise is just the kind of noise a family makes. The healthier the family, the more noise it creates. The worst thought for me would be a house filled with people where no noises could be heard. And I mean human noises, not iPods or Play-stations. I'm so grateful that the noise level in our house is at a decibel level that could drive bees from their hive and that's a good thing.  It means things are going well.

The apostle Paul commands us:

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)

So the next time the noise in your home is about to push you to the brink, rejoice, pray, and give thanks. I couldn't even imagine, nor do I want to, what a silent house would feel like.

Up for Air!

After a week of free fall we’re finally emerging.  We are now in somewhat of a routine with Maisey and the boys, and we’re finally back on Eastern Daylight Time.  No small feat.  I’m caught up with emails at work and already I feel like I need a vacation.

Maisey enjoys her new yard.

We’ve made a few outings already too.  We’ve been to Harry’s Pizza, our favorite pizza places, to the park to visit with some friends, and did I mention the doctors office?  I mean the four visits to the doctor’s office!  Don’t worry, purely routine, but harrowing nonetheless. 

Tuesday Lisa took Maisey to the doctor’s office for her first check up and we determined rather quickly and with a high degree of confidence, that Maisey does NOT like doctors! (sorry Uncle Scott.)  Anyway our pediatrician tried to listen to Maisey’s heart and was unable.  Not due to incompetence, but due to the fact she couldn’t hear over the screaming.  Then, if the screaming weren’t loud enough, the four vaccinations of the ten or more legally required.  We had the choice of having the vaccines given in China or signing an affidavit that we would do so on our own in the US.  Based on our limited view of Chinese medicine, this seemed to be the best option. 

So then came the news that she needed to have blood drawn.  Thinking that a place that caters to exclusively children would be the best place, we went to the children's hospital.  They ended up sticking her three times in three different locations and STILL did not get any blood.  Seems that Maisey’s eardrum shattering scream and contortions with super human strength prevented the technician from getting a clean draw.  “Come back another time and we’ll give it another try.”  That was not what we wanted to hear, that we’d need to cause our daughter more anxiety and mental trauma.  So on Friday, we tried again, hoping that enough time would have elapsed and that her memory may have faded.  Wrong.  We coupled the visit to get the blood redrawn with an ordered series of x-rays.  Well, three sticks later, we had the required amount of blood, and then came the alligator-wrestling match in the x-ray room.  After a 30 minute ordeal Lisa, with Maisey and the boys in tow, came home.  Fifteen minutes after returning, UCONN called us to tell us that one x-ray had too much movement and that we need to return.  I was home by this time and was able to go with Lisa.  Her mom stopped by on her way home from work to watch the boys.  Twenty minutes later we were completely finished.  All done! 

 On Saturday,  Daddy took a trip to Cabela's with all three kids.   And then we all went to church for Saturday service and dinner.  On Sunday, we finally introduced Maisey to our church “Community Group” who have been meeting as families throughout the summer.  All the parents and children, who had prayed so hard for Maisey for so long, got to see God’s answer to prayer first hand.  It was so great.

People have been asking if I’m planning on keeping the blog going.  I will for now, but probably only weekly for the next month or two.  Please use the follow by email,  which will alert you when new posts are added.  I will formally sign off when we’ve decided to call it quits. 

Thank you, to all who have read this blog and have commented to us.  We’ve had a great time keeping this up and we’re so grateful to all those who have decided to join us in this adventure via this blog.

Steve

Family!

Now that Maisey’s home the real mission begins, having her and her brothers get to know each other and helping Maisey understand that boundaries do exist, even for her age.  We all need to adjust to having a new baby, while still parenting and providing due attention to our boys.  But the most important piece will be helping us all grow as a family unit.

Flanked by brothers. (A good thing for a young girl)

It’s a funny thing, adopting a child.  You wonder ahead of time if raising and parenting an adopted child will be different than parenting our biological children.  How will this affect our boys?  How will we do with one more? All these questions you keep asking yourself, asking, asking, and asking.  Until you see your child, then all the questions are answered in one instant.  Except that there’s one other question you ask.  How will I handle this much joy in my life? 

This process has been difficult at times, stressful all the time, and exciting too.  I look at this little precious one that God himself chose for us, and think I couldn’t love this child more.  I couldn’t discern the difference between how I love our boys and how I love Maisey.  Children are a blessing from God regardless of how they become part of your family.  Whether they are biological, foster, or adopted.  They bless your lives, and you bless theirs.   Family is the seed from where blessings and joy flow.  We’re so in awe of how God has worked in this process to expand our family. 

Family Photo (Dad's behind the camera)

Maisey has already started changing the dynamic of our family and it’s such a blessing to see her big brothers walking her around the house.    She smiles and laughs and teases her brothers and brings such smiles to both of their faces.  They keep asking who can sit next to their sister at the table, in the car, on the floor, who’s going to say goodnight first, etc.  We keep telling them that Maisey will be their sister for the rest of their lives and we don’t need to do it all in one day.   But they’re too excited to think of anything else. 

Maisey and Granny

People have already started asking if we’d do this again. When you think about the joy that it brings you, and the life it brings them, there aren’t many things I can think of that are more worthwhile.  We, for now, are content to focus on Maisey and our boys, but will keep the matter in prayer.

  

If you have been reading this blog, and wondering about adoption in your family please contact us.  We’d be happy to share some of the details of the process and our experience.  I couldn’t recommend it more strongly. 

Taking a walk with Jake and Seth

Splash Down

This was not contrived, I really meant it!

Home!  What can I say but WE ARE HOME!  I've always appreciated our home, but after being away for so long, I have an even stronger fondness for our home and country.

We arrived in Newark Liberty Airport at 1:45 after a 15-½ hour flight.  Maisey did so well, we’re so thankful for all the prayers for this.  We took off and she played with Mommy for a while and did laps around the plane with Daddy.  Overall she only slept for 3 hours, and not in a row.  But she played so well and only really cried when we were descending and her ears popped a little. 

Maisey sees her new family for the first time.

Meeting her big brothers! Too bad this is from the back
they had BIG smiles.

Giving "Five" to Seth

Meeting her Grandmothers

Considering whether this "five" will be returned.

We got through immigration with only one small delay.  Requirements for citizenship are that all immigrants take an oath, which the agent thought Maisey needed to take (we had already done this in Guangzhou.) So we were sent to the back room where we waited for 10 minutes.  We were finally called, and that agent said “She’s too young to do the oath” and let us go.  So that one snag aside, we said though Immigration and Customs, and to our car.  We got in the car where I started a commute through the NY Metro area, to CT.  Traffic was brutal and we didn’t get home for 3-½ hours.  I said to Lisa “You know what the best part of coming home late is?  You’re HOME!”

So we pulled up and the boys and both grandmothers came outside to greet us.  We took Maisey out of the car and she met the family.  I told them to hold their hands out to let her reach out to them if she wanted.  She didn’t touch anyone but her two brothers and her cousin Ian.  She slapped “five” to her brother and laughed.  They’re officially her brothers now.   Eventually she gave hugs to her grandmothers too.  But we are so glad to be home, and look forward to venturing out soon.

More to come stay tuned.

Sleepless in Hong Kong

First of all I would like to thank you all for your prayers that Maisey would adjust to Connecticut time.  You must be praying fervently, as she seems to already be on Eastern Time.  We put her down at 9:30 and she awoke at 1:00, seems she's ready to be awake during this time.  Now if only Daddy was too!

We are so excited about our trip home, but this sleepless night should make it interesting.  My hope is she sleeps right after take off.  Me too for that matter.

Sincerely,

Sleepless in Hong Kong