Thanksgiving with The Chunster

Amelia was very into Thanksgiving this year. Her teacher christened her with a Native American name for the week. Amelia chose the name "Water" because, in her words, "I like to drink water and take a bath in water. Water is good, Mom." She also loved saying the word "cornucopia." We looked for an inexpensive one to purchase, but finding none, Grandmama and Amelia decided to craft their own. Amelia also enjoyed bits and pieces of the Macy's Parade. It was too long for her to really sit and watch it all, but for a kid who tells me "Santa is not real, Mom," she sure was happy to see him at the end of the parade.

We have so much to be thankful for - our salvation, our family, our friends, our health, our homes, our education, our freedom to worship, our abundance...the list is endless. As so many people have suffered economic losses and woes lately, and as many close to me have had serious health issues this year, it helps me to remember that our security is not in wealth or plenty, but in a Person, in Jesus Christ, from Whom all our blessings flow. May we always honor and praise His name.

Happy Two-Year Forever Family Day!

It was two years ago today that I awoke in a strange bed in a hotel room in Chengdu, China, and thought “it’s today,” realizing that the day had finally arrived when I would meet my daughter for the first time. I remember seeing her for the first time, carrying her foster mother’s purse, and wearing the coat with purple lace and beads. She would stand as far away from as she could, stretching out her tiny hand to quickly pluck a Cheerio out of mine – our first touch! When it was time to leave, her large eyes, swimming with tears and filled with distrust, betrayed her efforts to be remain stoic and aloof. Her chin was stubbornly set to not look at me or walk with me, and when the tears spilled over, she hid her face in the crook of her arm. She did not want me to see her cry.

Two years have passed. The transformation is nothing short of miraculous. In some ways, she is still Fu Ai Chun –determined, strong-willed, brave, smart, and a big-time worrywart. However, those qualities are now tempered with laughter, joy, and a fair amount of silliness – pure Amelia AiChun. She is easily among the funniest people I have ever known. She is affectionate, readily giving out hugs and kisses to those she loves. Her mama gets a lot of kisses! She loves to sing, dance, jump, and sashay. She is my heart’s delight.

I could never put into words all that the Father gave me when He chose to give me this child. I have learned so much about Him by being her mother. I have seen miracle after miracle. She is a treasure, a pearl of great price. I am so honored to be her mother.

Thank you for being a special part of our lives and our story. Amelia is who she is today because so many people loved her and prayed for her. We appreciate you.

Love,
Amy

PS - Amelia and I celebrated this special day with Chinese food (noodles!) and tickets to see a high school production of The Sound of Music, her favorite show. What fun!

Random photos from the past few weeks...

The Chunster has been a busy girl over the past few weeks. She has been preparing for a ballet recital, a school program, and church stuff. She has been learning to read ("go, dogs, go!"). She has been saying things like "'A' says a as in apple, 'A' says a, a, a!" and so forth. She always wants to "do work". My mother took her to the toy store, and she didn't ask for anything except a phonics workbook. She is a bright girl. Now, if we could only get some of those irrational fears under control!!! Enjoy the photos.

The difference a year makes...

Amelia chose to be Minnie Mouse again this year for our church's Harvest Festival. The first photo was taken last year. The second one was taken this year. It's pretty neat to look back over a year, and see not only how much she has grown physically (look at the difference on the length of that dress!), but how much she has progressed emotionally. She is a smart, funny, beautiful, vivacious little girl, and I love her!

Amy

Pumpkin Patch time

We don't have real pumpkin patches where we live, so we just happily traipse through the man-made ones! Enjoy the photos.

I got TAGGED

My fellow China-single mom blogger friend, Debby, tagged me. I have never been tagged. Ok, I don't know how to add those cool pictures of random things or links to other blogs, but I can attempt to come up with 7 random facts about myself.

OK..so 7 random facts about me.......

1. I have been to 5 of the 7 continents. I am lacking Antartica and Australia. I wanted to go to both before I turned 30, but when I turned 30, I began an adventure of a different kind. She's known as The Chunster. I think Antartica and Australia will have to wait.

2. I don't care for dogs. I know most people love them, but not me. I don't like to be licked or barked at or jumped on. I am a cat person. They are quiet. They are calm. They are regal. They know what they want, and it's not to please YOU. I love them. I think it's cool had God puts people together. Amelia has a serious dog phobia. Good thing she has a mom who thinks a life without a dog is a perfectly lovely thing.

3. Speaking of cats, I love them so much that when I was Africa, I asked my friend if I could pet a lion. She arranged it, and I have photos (but not digital!!!) of me wrestling with 2 large lions. It was so much FUN!!! But hint, hint...if you are allergic to a domestic housecat, you will break out into welps if you wrestle a lion. Here, kitty kitty.

4. I have a serious addition to Pringles Select Szechuan BBQ chips. I picked them up because they said Szechuan, and I really miss my Sichuan hot and spicy food. Now, I need the Pringles 1-800-HELP-ME-STOP number.

5. I love baths. I mean, I really, really, really love baths. Someone told me before I had Amelia that I would have to give up my lengthy bathtime when she arrived. Let me assure you, other things have fallen by the wayside, and my baths no longer exceed one hour, but I still get in my daily bath.

6. I am a lawyer, and I go to court almost every day, but I still get nervous when I stand up to talk to the judge. Will I ever get over that?

7. I look and sound just like my MOM. Our childhood/teenage photos are so similar that if weren't for the date-stamp of the clothing, you would not be able to tell us apart. We are both relieved that our gene pool is not being passed on. A Burch woman with normal sized thighs??? Yes, it will happen in Amelia.


I am going to tag:

Kim from Raising McGees (www.raisingmcgees.blogspot.com)

Becca from In Service of the King (www.paulandbecca.wordpress.com)

Tonni from Hope Has Returned (www.hopehasreturned.blogspot.com)

Barbara from On the Go with Guo (www.wwwgoguo.blogspot.com)

Shelley from Finishing our Family from China (www.finishingourfamilyfromchina.blogspot.com)

Hugs, friends!

Amy & Amelia

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMELIA AICHUN!!!

Today was Amelia AiChun's 4th birthday. We started the day with presents in our hotel room. Amelia chose to wear her Minnie Mouse dress to celebrate the day. The waitstaff at the hotel breakfast came out with cheesecake and a candle for the big morning.




Next, we took the ferry to The Magic Kingdom. We enjoyed seeing the castle, riding the carousel, doing It's a Small World, and lingering around the park.





Amelia loved the "Dreams Come True" afternoon parade. Each time a new character appeared, she would turn around and say, "MOM!!! It's (fill in the blank)!!!" I have to admit to getting very weepy as I stood behind her and listened to the song about dreams coming true and seeing her squeal with delight. It's so hard to imagine that 4 years ago, she was born without much hope of a future. I wonder what her birthfamily thought those first 5 days as they held her close. Did they dream this moment for her? Amelia is SO much more than I could have ever dared to ask for, dream for, hope for or imagine - and yet, here she is, my daughter. I prayed for the family that did not keep her and thanked the LORD that He brought her to me.




The next big adventure was the Minnie character dinner. We arrived a little early and were thrilled when the Disney host bestowed a "Magical Moment" on Amelia. Amelia got to go to the back and meet the characters privately and visit with them and then have her photo made with all of them. What a treat!!! Then, the characters accompanied Amelia to the top of the restaurant, where she rang the dinner bell to welcome the diners to dinner. We had a great meal and a chocolate cake.






We decided we were too tired to stay for fireworks, so we headed back to the hotel just before dusk. Amelia cracked us up by pulling her own "Titanic" moment on the ferry boat. It was the perfect end to a wonderful day.



My daughter is my greatest gift, a treasure from the Lord. I thank Him every day that I get the honor and delight of being her mother. My heart is so full because of the joy she has brought. Happy Birthday, my little Chun-bug!