Julia Thank goodness you are on your last leg before coming home. I'm glad you had that serious conversation with Julia. Hurray for getting a tooth. We could only get the photo at the top of the page. My skype computer says the internet is not available for the last 3 hrs. We would love to skype again so We'll e-mail when it is fixed. Love to all, Mom
What a gift! Am writing through tears to responds to your entry, A Heavy Trip. . Your sensitive and beautifully written feelings and understandings are such a gift you have given to all of us who love you all and are following your family's bonding with your beaiutful baby daughter. Your writings will indeed be a gift to Julia as she grows and understands her life's journey. It is our prayer that somehow her birth mother could know the depth of your understanding and gratitude. God is good!!
Indescribably Described This entry is so incredibly written!!! I am filled to the very top with hundreds of emotions. I pray that sometime, somewhere, somehow that your incredible love for precious baby Julia transcends to the heart of her birth mother and gives her peace. Julia will be forever grateful for what you all documented on that day. Love, Katie and crew
Joy We are overjoyed for you all. We could not hold back tears reading your tender account of the visit to the train station and the orphanage. It brought back memories of our adoptions of Trey and Miriam. Absolute high points in our lives. Love to you all, Barby and Mason
God's Perfect Timing Absolutely divine and incredibly emotional to read your blog and see these photos. The tears of joy, thrill, and emotion are impossible to hold back. Each and every word and then each and every photo we read and view with heightened anticipation, eagerness, and joy!!!! The Perfect timing of God's plan is extremely evident and perfectly exhibited as we follow this journey with you. ~ blog and pre-blog : ) Patience is a bitter plant with a sweet fruit. Any door that was closed with confusion and bewilderment has now opened another one with blessed clarity and gratitude. How comforting! You taking the time to share your day by day journey with priceless photos too ~ is and has been such an incredible blessing and treasure to all of us as we think about you and send our prayers your way every step of the way! THANK YOU for blessing us while God is blessing you all!! We love you and are so incredibly happy for all five of you! You ALL look fantastic!
~ Katie, Todd, Paige, Cade, Shea, and Tate
Welcome Baby Julia! Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. We are all so excited for all of you and your growing family! Safe travels.
Will, Margot, Maggie and Liam
P.S. Liam and Maggie can't wait to meet their new playmate when you're home and settled (so probably some time in 2011).
why? My heart feels so heavy after reading this entry. If there are so many orphans why does it take so many years to adopt? Julia's face is radiating! She can already understand a new way of life is beginning.
Just caught up today after missing the last few days....so, so happy everything is going so smoothly! Julia is absolutely beautiful! You all look so happy and totally in love with her! What an absolute blessing. Prayers for the rest of your trip to go as smoothly for you. Love reading the blog...great job!
Congratulations! Jim and Shannon,
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful family story with us. We are in Italy and have not been able to read your blog until now. What a rush of emotions and memories. Julia is magnificent. Your long wait is over and your patience and presistence will be rewarded with a lifetime of happiness with your beautiful forever family. All our love goes out to you. Safe travels for the remainder of your trip! Love ~ Amy and David
WOW Shannon and Jim,
I'm so touched by all the pictures that it has taken me a while to stop the tears from coming!! She looks so beautiful and I can tell she has such a personality already. Emma and Josh just are full of wonder and love and seeing you two with her is so wonderful too. I can hardly wait until it is my turn to see her and become part of her life. We have been in Maine and now are in Aspen viewing the fall colors - simply outstanding this year. Safe travels and my prayers for you all will be said each night. Love, Lindy
We are so thrilled for you! Julia is beautiful and you all look so happy! We love reading about your experience and looking at the pictures. Lots of love to all of you and continued prayers for safe travels!
Happy wishes! Prayers that all will go smoothly tomorrow, as you all visit Julia's first home. It'll be so good to have the pictures for her baby book. We love you all! Aunt Mary and Uncle Phil.
Yippee! Wow - so many happy faces! God is good. We love you all and wish you more safe travels. It sounds like all the "red" tape, crossed t's and dotted i's went without a hitch. Thank you for letting us share this journey with you. See you soon. Hug each other for us:)
Can't get enough of your narrative of this! Thank you so much for sharing it with all of us. Sending lots of love and good vibes for easy sailin' through all this bureaucracy--I love seeing you with your girl!!
love you all What amazing pictures and comments!! It is so good to see Julia smiling and happy along with Emma and Joshua. We are so glad to hear that the attachment is going well. God has blessed us. Love you all, Grandma and Mom
baseball Joshua, I miss you. It is very fun watching your trip on the computer. Your little sister is adorable and I can't wait to teach her how to play with the DS. We lost our baseball game last week because we didn't have our second baseman. I am looking forward to you telling me all about your trip. Have fun and keep the wonderful pictures coming. It is so weird looking at you on the computer when you are all the way around the world. Safe travels and I look forward to seeing soon....so we can play Wii. Love Jack
beyond words Oh Shannon, the photo of Julia looking at you brings tears to my eyes, my heart is so touched to see how she looks at you! so loving. so beautiful. It is truly a pleasure to read all your entries Jim, I can hear your voice as I read your entries. Thank you so much for letting us be a part of this moment. We continue to pray for and also ask God for moments that you can share your hope in China.
Jack and Gail Bartels
non-member comment
Julia
Thank goodness you are on your last leg before coming home. I'm glad you had that serious conversation with Julia. Hurray for getting a tooth. We could only get the photo at the top of the page. My skype computer says the internet is not available for the last 3 hrs. We would love to skype again so We'll e-mail when it is fixed. Love to all, Mom