Happy Chinese New Year Karsynn!!!!

Yesterday was a great day. Troy and I, along with my niece, Whitney, went to the Lexington Children's Museum and Explorium to begin the Chinese New Year celebration. We were entertained by four skillful dancers from Harbin, China, who attend the most prestigious dance school in China. Harbin is in Northern China where the temperatures reach 30 below zero. It is the home of the famous Ice Sculpture celebration. The dancers introduced us to many Chinese cultural dances that were simply amazing. My favorite was the one where the boy and girl danced together wearing stilts. WOW! There were also about 20+ young Chinese girls who attend a Chinese dance class in Lexington who also performed. They were so adorable. Troy was able to learn to do a bit of origami, and he made Karsynn a paper dog, since 2006 is the Year of the Dog. We watched the art of papercutting, viewed many cultural artifacts, and then participated in some fun activities in the Explorium. We all had a great time. My favorite part was seeing all of the adopted children and their parents celebrating a small part of the Chinese culture. This is very important to Troy and I. We want Karsynn to know about and be proud of her Chinese heritage. She will always be an Asian American, and a very proud one at that. Daddy and I will make sure of.

A Beautiful Adoption Poem

Legacy of an Adopted Child
Once there were two women who never knew each other.

One you do not remember, the other you call mother.

Two different lives, shaped to make your one...

One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.

The first gave you life and the second taught you to live it.

The first gave you a need for love, and the second was there to give it.

One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name.

One gave you a seed of talent, the other gave you an aim.

One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears.

One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears.

One gave you up ... that's all she could do.

The other prayed for a child and God led her straight to you.

And now you ask me, through your fears,

the age old question unanswered throughout the years...

Heredity or environment .. Which are you the product of..

Neither, my darling .. Neither…

just two very different kinds of love.

~ Author Unknown ~

Chinese New Year

Troy and I are planning to attend the Chinese New Year celebration in Lexington, KY this coming Saturday at the Explorium and Lexington Children's Museum. We will learn about Chinese music and dance. There will be Chinese performance artists to watch, and we will also participate in the art of calligraphy and papercutting. We plan on taking our niece, Whitney, and nephew, Dylan, so that they can learn about Karsynn's culture, too. Yesterday, we attended another parent workshop in Lexington at AHH. It was dealing with travel to China and cultural sensitivity. It was extremely helpful and very interesting. We want to be as prepared as possible for our trip to Karsynn's homeland, so that we do not do anything to shame or disgrace her culture and people. We've also been in touch with another couple who have the same Log In Date, and possibly will travel with us to China. They seem very nice, but we have not met in person, yet. It will be nice to get to know them. Please keep sending up prayers that China will soon speed the referral process back up, again.

Karsynn's Lifebook

I have finally started working on Karsynn's lifebook. Troy and I worked on putting our thoughts to paper until late last night. It was quite hilarious reflecting on our lives over the last 13 years. Yes, that's how long Troy and I have been married. We married young and have managed to make it work. It seems so strange that in a very short time, our dream of becoming parents will come true. As I wrote Karsynn's name into our Family Tree my heart smiled. Until now, our Family Tree has seemed incomplete because a very special person was missing...our Karsynn. I cannot wait until she is placed in my arms for the very first time. I can't even imagine the joy that I will experience in that magicial moment.

Happy New Year 2006!!!!

Dear Karsynn,

Daddy and I just celebrated New Year's 2006, and we can't help but wonder if you are somewhere in China, having celebrated earlier today. It's officially the Year of the Dog, and that means we're that much closer to you. This journey has been so long, but with each passing day we know that you will soon be a part of our world. 2006 will surely be the very best year of our lives. I cannot even explain to you, or anyone else, how ready Daddy and I are for you. I've always been told that one should never wish their life away, but the day we travel to China to bring you home forever cannot get here soon enough for us. Our wishes for the new year are for you to be healthy, happy, and for you to know in your heart that you have been a dream in our hearts for a very long time. You have been wanted from the moment you were born. God knew that we needed you and that you needed us, too. It won't be much longer little one, and Daddy and I will be coming to get you. Until then, I pray that God sends angels to watch over you every day and every night. I pray that he whispers sweet dreams in your ears at night. I pray that whomever is taking care of you is loving you as much as I do. We love you and we'll come and get you as soon as God allows.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy