Several of our friends have shared messages with us to pass along to Alexis. We truly take these to heart and will treasure them. We know as Alexis gets older and gains an understanding of her new life, these videos will help her realize how much love she is surrounded by in our extended family of friends. Below is one of the special messages we have received.

Michael is one of our coworkers in our school district. We have been blessed to call him friend for over a decade. His giving heart has meant so much to our family including his unselfish offering of time to Christian and all of his endeavors, whether it be fishing or veterinary science or chupacabras. This is Michael’s message to Alexis.

 

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.

 

 

 

This afternoon on Monday, September 10, 2012 Scott and I filled out the electronic Medical Conditions Checklist. Christian and I will say often that we feel that whether we are bicycling or camping, etc. it feels that our girl should be HERE with us enjoying the things we are doing as a family. I am reading the Connected Child to help me be the parent God wants me to be for our child. It is so difficult to contain my emotions when talking to others about the adoption. I desperately want to be excited like our child is coming home tomorrow, but no one gives us any indication on a time-frame. I do feel God’s preparation in my heart. Christian has even planned out many scenarios for when his sister starts school such as when someone bullies his sister or he is excited about picking her up from school. I have begun to pray for our child’s safety and to be loved by her care giver until we meet and we can love her.

One may ask why adopt from China.  Well, before Scott and I got married I saw a little girl from China with her parents.  I excitedly told him one of these days I would like to have a girl that has beautiful glossy black hair, fair skin, almond shaped eyes, and is small and petite.  He subtly reminded me he wasn’t Chinese.  I said, “Well, I’d like to adopt.”  Here we are 20 years later waiting to be matched to our beautiful child.  On July 7, 2010 we were officially logged in in China as a waiting family.  It is a monumental day.  There is a long wait ahead for our family, but the wait will definitely be worth it.  I pray for our unborn child to have health and love from the caregivers.  God has a purpose in our wait.  When the time comes we will be joyfully bonded to the God chosen gift from above.  Even though I have never met this child, I already have love in my heart.