Update on Alyza Kate

Check out Alyza Kate's blog to read an update about her!

Click HERE!

Warning: Court Date Approaching

Have you checked Alyza Kate's blog lately? Our court date is THIS Friday, May 22. Needless to say, I'm a little restless.

But, God is good and yes, He is still in control. Check out her blog HERE.

Thanks for checking in on us and I will be putting out a call to all prayer warriors later in the week, so, stay tuned.

Gotcha Day Letter to My Daughter

My Dearest Jadyn,

It's so hard to believe that 2 years ago today, my life was changed forever. I am not sure that I even realized how much of an impact you would have on our lives. Oh, I knew that things would change on the outside. There would be babysitters to find, toys to pick up, doll shoes to step on, sleepless nights, ear infections, potty training and the list goes on and on. But change me on the inside?

When we made the decision to adopt, we knew in our hearts that we had a daughter in China. We did not know you name, or when we would get to bring you home. We did not know what you would look like or if you would even like us. One thing that we knew for sure, we knew that God was in complete control of leading us to you. We began the process on May 2005 and thought that we would have a very short period of waiting, little did we know. Every time I reflect on these times, I remember how very hard it was waiting to bring you home.

Jadyn, I pray one day that you will understand the mountains that you have moved. You completely turned around the life of a brother, you forever changed the heart of another brother, and you have melted the heart of your father. As your mother, you have given me a renewed purpose in life. The role that you have played in changing so many things about our family is enormous. We are so very grateful to our Father in heaven for creating you for our family. Jadyn, we believe that even before the world was created, it was God's idea for you to be our daughter. I will always hold a special place in my heart for your China mommy. She loved you very much Jadyn, I am sure of that. When I look into your beautiful eyes, I think of her. I am so very thankful for her and love her for the gift that she gave us. The gift of you.

The past two years have gone by so fast. These 2 years went by much faster than the two years it took waiting for you. Oh, how anxious we were to bring you home. And, at the exact time that was ordained by God, you became our daughter. That day was May 13, 2007. Today, as we celebrate you day, we want you to know how very much we love you. As we were crowded in that little conference room on May 13, 2007 we realize now that we are bonded to the other families in that room with a very special bond. We shared something that not many people get to share. We saw God perform 14 miracles at one time in that room that day. Each child was placed into the arms of the family that they were created for. How very grateful we are that you were the daughter that He chose for us. Thank you, sweet Jadyn, for being you. For making us laugh, keeping us young, and helping us to see that we are called to take care of the children in this world that have no one to care for them. We consider it an honor and a privilege to be your parents. You have made our lives so much better. We love you with all our heart and cannot wait to see what God has in store for your life.

I love you sweet girl. Happy 2nd gotcha day!

Mommy

Happy Gotcha Day Jadyn

Just to hold you over, here is a recount of Jadyn's gotcha day. It was 2 years ago today that our beautiful daughter was placed in our arms. In a small conference room at the orphange in Fuling, China. Our lives have never been the same.




May 13, 2007

2 Mothers, 1 Gift

OK, I'm laying in the bed feeling guilty because I didn't make more of an effort to get some pictures posted, I did try - really I did, but I was just SO exhausted. After I got Jadyn to sleep, caught a few winks and woke up with you on my mind. This is the best that I can do until she is wide awake tomorrow. This was a risk, snapping pictures of a sleeping baby, what was I thinking?

Let me just answer those questions rolling around in your mind. Yes, we think she is absolutely beautiful. She is truly a treasure and "Bao" means treasure in Chinese. We were deeply saddened by the conditions of the orphanage. This is one of the better facilities in China, but still it is an orphanage. And we were reminded of this with our visit. We were somewhat shocked back to reality. There were times all four of us were sobbing. The boys hearts were truly broken to know that she spent the first year of her life here. They will come away from this trip forever changed. And that was our goal.

She is still pretty somber, although, we are seeing a little personality. She has begun to play with her toys a little, self feed from our hands (love those Gerber puffs) and seems to be letting her guard down. No smiles on camera yet. Maybe tomorrow. She has on her "gifted" pajamas because what a gift she is. She is truly beautiful. What a day it was, life changing at the very least. We will forever be connected to a family in this part of China. The family that gave us the gift of our daughter. Whether I can look out the hotel window and not realize that they are just over the hill, or they are somewhere many miles from here in the countryside, I will truly be forever connected to the woman who carried, gave birth to, and loved my child enough to give her a chance. When I look deep into her eyes, I can't help but think of her Mother on this Mother's day. The joy, elation and excitement of one Mother is paralleled by the pain and sadness of another Mother. One that I will never know. But, on this day, there is a Mother who prayed for another Mother and praised the Father above for the connection that the two of us will forever have. The connection sleeping soundly just a few feet from me. Our daughter Jadyn Grace BaoJun Hood. Truly a treasure.


And yes, in case you are wondering, that is MY bed she is sleeping in. I just didn't have the heart to put her in that port-o-crib. Not quite soft enough in my book. Pat's sleeping well in the other bed. ;)

Reflections on China: The Greatest of Walls

Thinking all this week about where we were 2 years ago today. What sweet memories they are...


"We left the factory and traveled to the Great Wall. I'm talking the Great Wall of China - the one that you read about, the one that can be seen from outer space, the one that stretches about a bazillion miles through the mountains of China, the one that you read about in your history books and travel guides. Pretty incredible huh? But, here's the deal. It was amazing and it was definitely incredible. How many times to you get to climb the Great Wall in a lifetime? But, the strange thing is that, while we were impressed, standing at one of the highest points on the Great Wall, it just simply pales in comparison to the real reason that we're here. Sounds strange? An abandoned orphan girl, given up by her parents, while probably in tattered clothes and a bungee cord diaper, more exciting that the Great Wall of China? In my eyes and the eyes of every family traveling with us, you will get a resounding YES. Pat and I were talking on the bus on the ride back to the hotel and in less than 24 hours, we are going to get our little girl. That little girl that we have always wanted or at least that I have always wanted and Pat has wanted for the past two years. I can't help but wonder what she is doing right now and how she has no idea that in less than 2 days, her whole world is about to change as well as ours. Our minds are reeling and our hearts are full. Tomorrow is Tienanmen Square and the Forbidden City, equally important, it's also a visit to the Beijing Harley Davidson dealer."

Reflections on China

Days 2 and 3 of our visit to China

"WOW! What an amazing 48 hours!!! I think we arrived in Beijing last night. I'm really not sure since I'm in the twilight zone. We met Hope Chen, the house mom for the foster home ran by the m* family where we're exploring starting a partnership with. We arrived at the foster home about 11:15 and went straight to bed."

We visited the city of Langfang, went to the small orphanage there and had a very somber tour of that little orphanage. We spent all day in Langfang and then were taken to our hotel, the Beijing International, in Beijing to meet up with the rest of the travel group.

"We arrived at our hotel in Beijing about 3:30 and got settled in before going to dinner and STARBUCKS with some of the families in our travel group. It's already been an amazing adventure and it's just begun. One thing I know, the people of China have a spiritual hunger that only Jesus can satisfy."

And here is the post from my blog:

WE'RE HERE! And we still can't believe it. Pat posted some pictures on his blog so be sure and check them out.

Man, what a trip. We are having a great time so far, but everything just pales in comparison to the real reason that we are here. My mind is on one thing and I'm having a little trouble feeling the excitement of everything else around us.

We had a great visit with a M family last night and this morning. They are doing an incredible work running a foster home. I so enjoyed seeing the children and visiting with them. All of the 12 children in their home are special needs. They are just so precious. We arrived at the hotel this afternoon and have been out walking the street looking for dinner. The guys ate at McDonald's and I opened the lid of a grilled chicken (?) sandwich that just didn't look to suit me - to much unidentifiable things attached to it. Oh well, the picture on the box looked good. Anyway, I don't think I will starve. I had part of a mashed blueberry muffin that I saved from the plane. :)

Remember to check Pat's blog for more pics. Remember to pray for our little girl. We're so ready to get to her. We love you all and we'll post more tomorrow!

Stay tuned for more reflections.

Here is the post from May 7, 2007, we were headed to China. I cannot believe it's been 2 years. What an exciting 2 years it has been. I will be posting all this week about our adventure. Let's take a stroll down memory lane, shall we?


May 07, 2007

WE'RE OFF!!!!

I can't believe it's finally here. We flew out of Nashville this morning at 8:12 & are now sitting in the Detroit airport waiting for our connecting flight to Tokyo. It'll take us about 24 hours to arrive in Beijing...this really gives new meaning to the phrase "slow boat to China."

We've been waiting for this day for two years & it seems almost surreal. I'll be updating my blog every day, complete with pictures & maybe even a little video, so check in & see where our adventure takes us.

We won't arrive in Beijing until 9:25 tomorrow night, which will be 8:25 AM in Nashville. We're being picked up by some missionaries & we'll stay the first night at their home. They'll take us to our hotel on Wednesday evening, China Time, so it may be Wednesday morning, Nashville time, before I'm able to have Internet access & give you an update.
If I have a chance between now & then, count on an update.

Until then, please pray that we all stay healthy & safe. Pray for Jadyn to have as little problems as possible attaching to us when we pick her up on Sunday. Pray that all the families with us have an incredible experience.