Our family is getting a little girl named Guo Tian Lin, whom we will call Alexis Lin Floyd. It was the night before New Year’s Eve when we got the call at 8:30 P.M. Elmo and I were playing Rummy-O while the guys were napping, yes napping, it was indeed a vacation. CCAI, our adoption agency, was working late due to getting files from CCCWA shared list. Judy Winger called and joyfully said, “We found a precious little girl for your family.” I am crying with joy remembering this moment. I felt such happiness and relief in soon being joined with the child God planned for us to love. I do believe the Chinese tale of the red thread that binds us together no matter how far apart we are.
That evening Scott and I went into fast mode to email the following to read the file referred to us: Dr. Dibs, international adoption specialist at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Dr. Scott and Wendi Smith, a friend that has adopted 6 children from China, Dr. Fearon, cranio-facial and plastic surgeon, and Beverley Lewin, our social worker. Everyone involved was quick giving positive and realistic feedback, even during a holiday. The next day we were able to speak with Dr. Dibs on the phone after she reviewed the file. Immediately, afterwards Scott and I compiled a letter of intent for adopting Alexis. We stated our family’s feeling about the adoption and our plan for medical care due to her having cleft lip and cleft palate. Scott, Christian, and I had prayed about the decision to adopt, and we had guidance and peace from God that she was meant to be our little girl. Praise God!
The following Friday while our family was shopping we got the best present ever, CCCWA had accepted our letter of intent to adopt. I cried even more tears of joy. Now, I had hope the adoption was truly going to happen. We called and spoke with Grammy and Papa. They were looking forward to getting to know their new granddaughter. We got to meet with family in Corinth. Kamryn Alexis was thrilled to have our girl named after her. She proudly said,”I will teach Alexis everything I know!” We girls and Christian went shopping. Christian picked out Alexis’s 1st pink princess dress. He said,”I have to make the final decision on everything Alexis wears.” He is already a protective and honored big brother.
Sunday, when we attended church I had an overwhelming feeling of humility towards God. Even though we had waited 4 long years, I felt I did not deserve to have this little girl, but was so very blessed. I continued to worship God and thank Him for what he was doing for our family. I cried and cried with tears of gratitude.
Our family set about on the task of compiling a care package for Alexis to enable her to get to know us before we travel to take her home with us. Christian picked out a panda bear with a tag that read, “Where wishes come true.” Christian sweetly said,”This is a perfect stuffed animal since Alexis’s dream will come true when we adopt her.” Grammy & Papa picked out darling pj’s and cozy socks. Elmo sent fuzzy pink pants and a hooded jacket. Mr. Gras generously gave Alexis a hot pink digital camera with a SD card with extra batteries for the caregiver to take pictures. We also included a Sassy photo album full of family photos labeled in Chinese writing. The last item was a recordable device we introduced our self to Alexis. It was adorable when Christian stated proudly, “This is Bubba.”
Presently, Scott and I are busy filling out and filing the multiple pieces of paperwork and getting fingerprinted. Grammy & Papa gave Alexis a dresser. Scott and I stripped the paint off and Scott repainted it. Scott also made a butterfly headboard. We also painted Alexis’s book shelf Scott made and filled it with wonderful picture books that Christian enjoyed and I am eager to share with Alexis. Christian has been busy putting together Alexis’s 2 new strollers. As a family we registered at Target, Toys R Us, and online with Amazon. Christian insisted on getting his own gun to zap items for our registry. He thought long and hard on toys for his little sister. They had to be just right. Oh, my goodness has it been fun picking out cute toddler items.