Wow!! I've been MIA for a month from the this blog and Blogger has gone and changed how to post! I bet you thought that my ADD meds had me SO focused that I'd never blog again. I thought that. For some reason and I am just not into blogging anymore. Busy with so many other things that demand my time more than the time it takes to do pics and think of something great to say.
I decided to go ahead and post for those of you faithful souls who've been around for the past several years and have vicariously walked this jagged adoption road with us. I felt the need to share PandaJOY's beautiful full face with you since all you've seen up til now are creative shots of her arms, neck, cheek, feet and other random ways of not showing her.
It's been over a week now, but we have gone to court and all is said & done with this little one. We are so done with the foster system. We are so done pursuing more children. We are so done locking up our medicines and having to report every single time I want to put a dang band-aid on the kid or give her Tylenol*. We are so done with bio visits!! (sort of.....we have to visit once a year til she's 18) We are so done not being a complete family.
WE. ARE. DONE.
My mind wasn't exactly sure what or how to think the day after we consummated the adoption. For eleven years I had ADOPTION spinning around in my head in some form or fashion. Now I can actually think about something else. Maybe, like........losing about 60lbs!! YIKES!! Yes, health is certainly on the agenda these days. Getting older is hard and I'm not really THAT old yet!
The Lord has shown me countless things through the past ELEVEN YEARS of pursuing adoption. It is our testimony as a couple. Very hard road that PandaPop and I have walked, but it has not been alone. God has walked us every step of the way. He also used many people to pilgrimage with us. Never did I imagine myself adopting, yet here I am at 41 with daughter from China and a half black, half white biracial daughter.
Boy, do we turn heads when we enter a room together.
We are Pandaleidoscope, indeed.
There is no way to properly say thank you to all of you who've prayed, held our hands, let us vent, been joyful with us and heart-broken with us all these many years in pursuit of our little family....so, THANK YOU is what I can say. Thank you.
Please leave a comment so that I know you've been here and have seen her darling face. I call her Cupcake because she just reminds of a cupcake with happy sprinkles. JOYful sprinkles.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord Almighty, "plans to prosper you, not to harm you; plans for a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Your youngest daughter is so beautiful it brings tears to my eyes. You are an inspiration. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAnd congratulations!
Jana & Wayne!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you guys! You endured the challenge that I never could. It was too hard for me. I am so thankful that all the prayers have been answered. You have a beautiful family and I can't wait to see what God has planned for all of you. Thank you for letting us into your lives.
Congrats!
Bonnie
She is def. precious and both children are worth all that God has brought you through! I know you know that too.
ReplyDeleteAnd there it is.... The post I was looking for. She is beautiful. They both are beautiful. The testimony, the heartbreaks, the joy and the completion... All beautiful. What I have learned in my years... Our life is never as we imagined.
ReplyDeleteJana, she is just beautiful. It just made my heart smile to know this was finally over. Praise God!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I am so glad to finally see her sweet beautiful face. You have such an amazing family.
ReplyDeleteI am a friend of a friend who lives across the pond. I have followed your blog for a while now. I am just in tears as I read your post as I have been following this long hard road with you. My Hubby and I are in the beginning stages of fostering to adopt a baby through CPS by "legal risk". I am expecting it to be one of the hardest things we have done as a couple, but I can see when I look at your Cupcake's eyes, it will be totally worth it. My prayers are with you and your family! God is so faithful!! He hears the cries of those babies that need a home. I pray He will bless yours with many wonderful memories to come. Your family is a picture of heaven and it is beautiful!
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ReplyDeleteCongratulations! She is such a cutie. God is good!
ReplyDeletePraise the LORD! I called over Emma to my laptop this morning before she headed to the bus stop to look at your blog and read the joyous news and see the beautiful pictures. Continued blessings. It's been a long time coming. I can't imagine the stress you've all been through. Now, it's time to take care of YOU! HUGS!!!
ReplyDeleteBeen following your blog since Panda Girl was little. Overjoyed for your family at this wonderful news! Rejoicing with you! :)
ReplyDeleteshe is just beautiful, and so worth the wait, I'm sure, as painful as it has been. love your heart, Girl.
ReplyDeleteSo glad that this journey had a happy ending for you!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! She is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure there are words that I can even speak to say how happy I am for you guys. You know I love you and will be praying for your family always. God has put together your family as He does all of them, just the way He wants and knows it will be perfect. Your family is just right, beautiful and blessed. Those kids have two of the best parents in the world, they are so lucky! Thanks for sharing the pics. She is a beauty, just like her big sis.
ReplyDeleteI'm so very happy for the Panda Family! I've been following & praying for you for a few years now! God is so GOOD all the TIME!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your beautiful family!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. You have truly learned to give thanks IN ALL THINGS. There are no words to say what's really in my heart. Having been on the pilgrimage with you...I am so glad for you that the end has come. I'm proud of the ways you and PP have allowed Father to mold you into His image with each joyous step as well as each heartbreak. When I look at your family I see God's redemptive plan so beautifully scripted. It really is a beautiful thing to behold. It's been my joy to walk with you. My heart smiles and I can't wait to hug you and let out that breath we've been holding (togther)...togther and just bask in the goodness of our God as we watch our little ones play. See you soon...
ReplyDeleteI'm so proud for you and glad that your family is complete!
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