Merry Christmas to All

and to all a good night.

Jadyn is preparing herself for bedtime with some of her Daddy's tea. She is totally oblivious to what is about to take place. I can't wait to see her in the morning, what will it be like? Will she be overwhelmed? Will she be excited? How will she react. Stay tuned for the excitement! I'll post more picture later and maybe even a video or two (if I can get that one figured out).

Merry Christmas Eve,
Amy

Patience is a Virtue

I have stepped over to the other side, the Mac side that is. I am proud and excited to say that Pat and I got each other an iMac for Christmas and I am so excited. I am just vaguely familiar with a mac as that is what we used while we were in China, so I know just enough to be dangerous. But I am ready to learn.

So, meanwhile, you must be patient while I am in computer limbo. My pictures are all on the other computer, my printer is not hooked up, I don't know how to get my stuff from my old computer to the new one, but I can update my blog and email from the new one. Yay!

We are steadily preparing for Christmas and almost through with the shopping. We're looking forward to having a little one around the house again on Christmas and fully expect this year to be great. Last year was a tough Christmas as we were so close to seeing her face and knew that she would be spending Christmas alone in China, but now she's home where she belongs and a brand new kitchen (along with a few other goodies) awaits her. So, bear with me, I'll get everything up and running as soon as I figure it out.

AH

All I Want For Christmas...

...is for you to beat it!

This is our attempt to get a picture with good old Saint Nick and just as I expected, it was not high on Jadyn's to do list for the day. I'm sure she was thinking "who is this guy anyway?"

So, that jolly old man in the red suit was most accomodating and allowed Jadyn to "steal" his seat while he went behind the curtain. We tried to get her to smile and of course, my smart little girl had it all figured out. This was when she looked up and saw him there, the rest of them she had free flowing tears. Well, Mr. Claus was not the least bit offended and still gave Jadyn her favorite thing in the world, a sucker. So all in all, I'm pleased with the outcome.

Friday Photo Fun

So, I missed last week, but this week is definitely worth the wait. I actually
took the picture a week or so ago when went in to get Jadyn up for church. I
yelled for Zac to bring my camera and when he came into the room he simply said "oh my". I'll just let the picture speak for itself.

7 Months Today

Dear Jadyn,

Today you have been in our arms 7 months, my how time quickly passes. People
say that time flies when you're having fun, and boy, are we having fun!

You bring such joy to our lives and we often wonder what we did before
that special day in China that you were place in our arms. I can't believe
that it's been 7 months and that you are 20 months old today. You have changed
so much, from a little girl who could barely sit up, to a running - yelling -
talking - barrel of fun! You certainly keep us on our toes, but we wouldn't
have it any other way. We must have been some really boring people before
we brought you home.

As I reflect on Christmas, I remember how hard it was last year. Even though
we had not seen your face, we knew that God had you picked out for us and that
most likely, you were waiting for us somewhere in China. And you were. Waiting
patiently in the Fuling SWI in Fuling, China. In just a few short months after
Christmas, we saw your face. It was so hard knowing that you were in China and
we were here, we so wanted you to be with us. But, as the song says, "it's Christmas time again and now you're home". And that's just where you belong - home right here with those who adore you and will watch football and play with your dollhouse at the same time!

I love you Jadyn, with all my heart. Thank you for the past 7 months and for the unending joy that you bring into our lives. As I've said many, many times before, you make my heart smile.

I love you,
Mommy

Fuling Orphanage Video, Fuling China

This video was taken fairly recently at Jadyn's orphanage. It's
just one of the many facilities in China that these precious
children call home. Get yourself a tissue.



Last year, this song wrecked me, and this year it really starts the wheels in my head turning. Watch this video, if you have never considered adopting, listen carefully to the words - they tug at your heart strings, if you are in the process of adopting - go ahead, have a good cry, and if you have your children home where they belong - give them an extra kiss and a hug. Adoption really does change your life.

Friturday Photo Fun

Here is a picture that my brother took last week of Jadyn and me before church. It's one of my favorites.

Jadyn's Dedication Service

Friday Photo Fun

Someone knows WAY too much about the computer mouse. What's funny is that she moves it around and clicks away, like she's really doing something. Maybe she is, who knows???

So Much to be Thankful For

If I listed all the things that I am thankful for, the list would be practically endless. But, the picture above says it all. This is what makes my heart overflow with gratitude, my precious family. I am truly blessed.

From the Hood Family of 5 to your family,

Happy Thanksgiving from the bottom of our hearts.

We love you all!

Happy Birthday My Love!

To day is the love of my life's 41st birthday. So in honor of the big day, I'm going to list 41 reasons that we love him so.

1. He is the funniest person I know.



2. His feet are always warm, no matter how cold the night.



3. He is my first love.



4. He's the father of my children.



5. He filled out the preliminary application for adoption and suprised me!



6. He plays "I'm gonna get you" everynight with Jadyn.



7. He prays with me.



8. He loves me like no one ever has.



9. He ALWAYS seeks the Father's face on every issue.



10. He's proud of our boys.



11. He adores "Daddy's little girl".



12. He wants to adopt again.



13. He's hot.



14. He dresses really great.



15. He does our laundry.



16. He sweeps the wood floors.



17. He has more integrity than anyone I know.



18. He's my spiritual super hero.



19. He prays for our children.



20. He prays for me.



21. He lets my dog sleep with us.



22. He loves to shop.



23. He loves shoes.



24. He spends time every day with God.



25. He leads our family.



26. He's so smart.



27. He use to be red headed.



28. He makes me laugh when no one else can.



29. He makes our children laugh too.



30. He lets me sleep with my mattress warmer on in August.



31. He always drives when we go places together.



32. He takes such good care of me.



33. He don't mind if I sleep in socks.



34. He rarely complains about my flannel sleep pants.



35. He likes the same TV shows that I do.



36. He always watches them with me.



37. He always wants me to go to bed when he does.



38. He has a heart for the lost.



39. He has a heart for orphans all over the world.



40. He is our spiritual leader.



41. He's my best friend in the world.

I could go on and on and on, but since he's only 41, I guess I'll stop there. I love you baby, with all my heart. And your children love you too. I hope you had a wonderful birthday!

Friday Photo Fun

Happy Fall Ya'll!

No One Ever Told Me

Six months ago today, you quietly came into our lives. A stranger delivered you into my arms and I quickly began to feel my fears, worries, and the stress of a two year wait begin fade away. The emotions that I felt were the same emotions that I experienced the day that both of your brothers were placed in my arms. The joy was overwhelming and the magnitude of seeing the hand of God with human eyes as 14 families gathered in a small conference room in Chongqing, China and had their lives changed forever.

What have I learned over the past 6 months? The lessons have been many, too numerous to mention here, and one day, I will share all of those lessons with you, at just the right time. The time when you want to know what I learned during the long wait for you to be born, for you to lovingly be placed at the gate of an orphanage in Fuling, China by someone who loved you very much, for your paperwork to be completed and placed on the very same desk as our paperwork, for the match to take place, for the journey to be made, and for the our lives to be forever changed. Oh, the stories I can tell.

But what is ever in the forefront of my mind are the things that no one ever told me. Those things that I wasn't prepared for even though I read, studied, researched and prepared myself to the best of my ability. Like...

...No one told that I would experience an undying gratitude to a country that I only visited for 2 weeks. That everytime I see a picture, watch a show, or simply daydream about our travels, it takes me back to a place that I have developed a love for it's beauty, culture, and it's people - China - a land that I will never forget for it has given me one of it's greatest treaures - Fu Bao Jun.

...No one ever told me that not a day would go by without me praying for the family who God created to concieve, carry, give birth to, and finally place you where you would be found, cared for, and then lovingly deliver into our waiting arms.

...No one ever told me that I would grieve for your China Mother. That I would think about her and wonder what she is feeling. I know she must be very sad and I pray that God will give her a sense of peace. I will never be able to tell her what her gift of life, your life, has meant to me. Her gift has made me complete. I can't help but wonder if she has your spicy personality or your firey temper. I wonder if she holds her mouth like you hold yours when you get sleepy, almost in a pucker. I wonder if she loves the water, loves to go barefooted, or ate lots of fried rice while she was carrying you in her belly because you love it so. Did she place you there in the still of an April night? Did she wait across the road to see that the first person to arrive to work the next morning found you and took you in? Does she wonder now about those round, rosey cheeks and your tulip lips?

...No one told me that I would be changed forever. Oh, I've heard a million times, adoption changes your life, but no one ever told me that it changes everything about you inside and out. Beginning the adoption process, waiting on you, making the journey, and bringing you home changed who I am. It has caused me to want to be a better person - a better wife, mother, and ultimately a better Christ follower. You, sweet Jadyn, make me want to experience every second of being the mother of a toddler again. When I am away from you, I long to be with you. Watching you learn and grow causes me to marvel at the wonders of your mind. I am filled with gratitude for the lessons that you are teaching me.

I can't believe that it's been 6 months already - time really does fly when your changing diapers. Jadyn, you have renewed my soul, given me a new love for life, and simply put - you make my heart smile. Thank you for teaching me all these things while climbing on the dining room table, sticking your hand in the toilet, kissing cows, jumping on the leather couch with your shoes on, and allowing me to step in your breakfast banana in my sock feet. You, sweet one, are a master teacher. I only hope that I can continue to learn the lessons that you have for me. I love you with all my heart, Jadyn Grace BaoJun Hood.

Mommy

The Obsession Continues

Be very, very quiet, I'm hunting dum dums!

I briefly mentioned in a previous post about Jadyn's current obsession with Dum Dums. Well, it's getting worse and it looks as though we are going to have to have some intervention. For whatever reason, I purchased a bag of the little devils for Halloween and she know's where they are, no matter how many times that you move them. I think she has Dum Dum ESP! Well, this is what we are dealing with due to her obsession with the Dum Dums.

Hmmm, where are those dum dums?

Caught in the act!

And this is after I put them in a bag and put them in the closet. She still searches for them. We can't keep her off of the dining room table. Oh well, a tootsie roll will have to do.

Friday Photo Fun

Well, here it is, what you have been waiting for all week - my favorite photo of the week. Let me just tell you, it was a tough decision this week as there were a significant number to choose from. I'm sure, however, they will be made available for public viewing at a later date.

I went into Jadyn's bedroom to get her up and couldn't resist going back and getting the camera. What a face. God has blessed us with such a beautiful little girl (if I do say so myself) and we are so thankful. We are taking applications for Jadyn's husband as we fully believe in and support arranged marriages! ;)

Pancakes, Football, and Cow Kissing!

Today was a super fun day. We started the day with our Saturday morning favorite breakfast food (well, Pat and Jadyn's Saturday morning favorite) peanut butter pancakes with cool whip. With that kind of beginning, I'm sure that your thinking that it just can't get any better - but wait, it does! We went to the Rec Park and watched Pat's football team play football. His little league team is in the play-offs, the semi-finals to be exact. They beat Franklin in over-time. I am much too old for over time games - my heart just can't take it any more. I needed something for a headache after it was all over. But, nonetheless, they won and will play their championship game next week! HOORAY Daddy! Football will FINALLY be over. (don't tell Pat I said that)

Next we went to the church for the Fall Festival. Let's just say that the highlight of the day was the petting zoo. Jadyn touched, man-handled, checked the teeth of, and kissed (yes, I said kissed) every animal in the pen, even the duck. Here's a run down of the animals she kissed -

• a little brown goat (complete with horns) who was not particularly impressed with the kiss,
• a white sheep, that was less than cooperative but was jerked into line when Jadyn grabbed the hair, fur, wooly stuff on either side of it's head
• a black and white bunny
• a black and brown sheep who wanted another kiss which is only expected behavior from a black sheep
• a rather dirty, large pig who got a kiss right on the forehead
• a black duck who's bill was grabbed and kissed before he knew what hit him
• an alpaca/llama looking thingy
• and finally her favorite - a sweet brown calf with big eyes. He got more than one kiss, I'm thinking there was a little favoritism involved here.

You are probably saying to yourself that you can't believe I let her kiss every animal in the pen, but I did. She thought it was great, the animals enjoyed it, and I'm almost sure that a germ or two won't hurt. But, never fear, we did clean our hands with hand sanitizer. Anyway, here's a few pictures from our very fun day.

By the way, check out her shirt. It says "I'm Famous in Chongqing". I ordered it off the internet and she proudly wore it today. She's pretty famous here too - at least to a calf, a duck, a bunny, a goat, 2 sheep, a pig, and a llama looking thingy, and oh yeah, a mom who allows her to kiss farm animals!

Later,

Jadyn, who kisses cows and Mommy, who lets her!

Friday Photo Fun

What do you do when you tire of someone being in your face with a camera all the time - you simply put the lens cap on for them. I LOVE this picture - Jadyn is over my camera and she simply picked up the lens cap and put it where it belonged - she is such a smart girl!

A and J (who is NOT ready for her close-up Mr. DeMille)

Happy Halloweeeeeeen!

What a night it has been. Jadyn is learning first hand about the really strange things we do in this country, and she is thinkings it's not half bad.

The dilemna of the day was what to wear, what to wear? She had 3 costumes to choose from, but we settled on what we think was the coolest.

Biker Babe J

Here is the biker babe in all her glory. We went on a hay ride with some friends and had a great time. She got a little fussy, so we hopped off and headed home on foot, luckily, we hitched a ride from the Neas'. Jadyn and I sat on the front steps and handed out candy. She unwrapped about 42 dum dums - which I'm still wondering why I bought a whole bag of those given her current obsession with dum dums. She has to have one for each hand - twice the sticky, twice the fun! And she eats on both of them.

The unwrapping of the Dum Dums!

The Zehr's came over and the kids enjoyed sitting on the porch, handing out candy, unwrapping dum dums, and posing for the camera. Here's some cute shots of the whole crew. A good time was had by all, except that Ashley ended up with something chewed up on her hand that we're not sure what it was, probably a dum dum.

Jadyn is fast asleep, I'm sure that I have a dum dum stuck to me somewhere that I'll find later, and all is well. Good night friends, loved ones and trick or treaters. Jadyn says thanks!

Friday Photo Fun - Times 2!

For your viewing pleasure, not one but two photos this week - since I missed last week it is the least that I could do. I thought about an apology post, but who has the time to type a lengthy, heartfelt, apology. Not me, I have a toddler.

So without futher delay, here they are.

I wear my suglasses at night...

because it's bright in my bedroom.

Suddenly she has started wearing these

sunglasses for whatever reason. I guess

just to give us a laugh, because it's

really funny!

This is from the pumpkin patch.

Everyone was very thirsty from

running and petting the calf. J

only wanted to drink Addie's juice

and not her own. Addie was a real

trooper. The face says it all! J

was too busy trying to drink all

of Addie's juice while she was

smiling for the camera!!!

Friday Photo Fun

Boy, once again, I have been a slacker. It was a tough decision on my favorite photo this week, I have taken tons of pictures. We had company last weekend, a family that traveled with us from Iowa. We were so excited to have their family visit us, it was a blast.

Jadyn and Mattea spent their first year of their life together at the Fuling Social Welfare Institute, we consider them to be "Fuling sisters". Most of the families feel the importance of keeping the connection between the girls and Jordan, the one little boy who was "delivered" into our hands on Mother's Day, May 13, 2007. After all, this is the only connection to our past. We have such a strong bond as a travel group, which is really neat. We check in fairly regularly with each other through a yahoo group despite our crazy, busy lives.

More later about our fun weekend.

Amy