Ni Hao Y'all

when east meets south

meet our new daughter

It’s my birthday.

And birthday girls get to do what birthday girls want to do, amiright?

So today, on my big day (both figuratively and literally), I want to introduce y’all to someone very, very special.

Meet our new daughter.

Clementine1

We will name her Clementine. Clementine was a name we’ve considered in the past, but it just never did seem to fit. (Poppy is so not a Clementine).

But for this little one, it just seemed right from the get-go. The meaning of Clementine is merciful and mild, which I absolutely love. And then, a few weeks after deciding on her name, we found out her Chinese name means mild, as well.

Her middle name will be Joy. It’s the name of one of my closest friends and most faithful prayer partner, Colleen. We tried and tried to find a “family” name so that, like our other kiddos, she would have a chosen first name and a family middle name. But we just could not find one that we felt a peace about. We thought about Rose. We thought about Pearl. But, despite the fact that we love both names, they just wouldn’t stick. Then one day – as I was sharing with my prayer buddies that it was *for joy* that the Lord had called us to adopt this child – that we all sat there and it hit us. Joy was to be her middle name.

So there it is. We are adopting again. And we are filled with joy in every way. And there is so, so much more I want to share about this journey. God has done a no-way-God-not-me-okay-maybe-me-actually-yes-me! kind of work in my heart for children with Down syndrome since I saw this post almost a year ago. I also want to share some prayer requests for our little one because she has been sick and continues to struggle with health issues.

But for today, I just want to share Miss Clementine Joy – this precious blessing the Lord has brought into our lives.

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. — Psalm 126:3

Comments

  4. ooooh stefanie— so thrilled for you!!! my heart is the “no-way-God- not me- I’m so done” so would love to hear the story of how God changed your heart!!!! where are you in the process?

    and happy birthday 🙂

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  6. WOW! WOW! WOW!!!!!! How wonderful!! Clementine Joy is precious and oh, so darling!!!
    Happy Birthday, btw!!! WHAT AN AMAZING GIFT!!!! <3

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  8. Congratulations to your family!! Can’t wait to “meet” Miss Clementine through your pictures and writing – I know that she will be blessed to be a part of your sweet family!

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  9. So totally thrilled for you and your family!!! I started tearing up as I read this!! I’ll be so excited to watch her story unfold along that way! Wow just doesn’t cover it! 🙂 She is adorable – the best birthday present I could ever imagine!

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  16. Just when I thought you couldn’t get more amazing…. Happy happy birthday! Can’t wait to follow her/your/God’s journey. 🙂

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  17. She is beautiful! Thank you for following God’s promptings in your life regarding adoption. I hope you have a very blessed birthday!

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  19. OH my heavens, she is so adorable!!! I can’t think of a more perfect way to celebrate your bday!!! I am so thrilled for you, your family, and this sweet baby girl! What a blessing!!! Can’t wait to hear more about this sweet pea and to follow your journey back to China!!! Happy Birthday My Friend! xoxo

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  20. Congratulations! She is beautiful! We have a biological daughter with Down Syndrome. She is now 27 and has been such a blessing to our family! And Happy Birthday as well!

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  24. I can not think of a better birthday gift!!!!! YIPPEE, YIPPEE!!!!!!! Clementine is PRECIOUSLY PERFECT!!!!!! Happy Birthday sweet friend. So, excited for you!!!!!!! ~ Love, Diana

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  25. I’m so thrilled for you all! The Lord has been working our hearts the same way the last several months. And our teenage daughter has been praying for awhile for God to open our eyes to down syndrome. We hope to follow in your footsteps not to long from now. And I love the name.

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  33. So excited for you all!! Such a beautiful little one… and we will share the same middle name:) Happy Birthday Stefanie… and congratulations!!

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  36. Woman! You make me sob with your LOVE!! I am SO STINKIN HAPPY for your family! You guys are just too amazing and I am so thankful you let us follow your journey. So, so HAPPY!!

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  37. This is MADE my day!!!!!! I have a heart for kiddos with Down Syndrome and I’m so beyond thrilled you guys will be Miss Clementine Joy’s family!!!!! SO EXCITED! Can’t wait to hear more, praying for you guys!

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  42. She is so beautiful Stephanie! Congratulations to all of you and Happy Birthday! What a gift! Cant wait to hear more! xxoox

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  47. What a wonderful way to start my day! Congrats on your beautiful new daughter. I can’t wait until you bring her home. What a busy mama you are going to be. 🙂

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  48. Congratulations, Stefanie, abd Happy Birthday!!! I have always had a heart for Down Syndrome children. Did not realize she had it til you mentioned it. My thought when I saw the picture was how beautiful she was and I love the name!!!! How soon will you be going to get her?

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  49. Awww precious friend – I am overJOYed for you!! I *knew* you would!! I just knew it. Your house is emptying out and you are such a tender mommy and your hubby is precious and you guys adore each other and you have a boatload of treasures who love others…how could you not?? I am soooo very excited for you all!! PS Happy Birthday!! If you were nearby I would take you for lunch and we would chat endlessly. Love to you.

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  50. Woweeeee!! I am so happy for you and y’all!! I was JUST telling a walking buddy about you an hour or so ago, about meeting you in China and your amazing family. I came home and saw your blog post. Sorry I am two days late in wishing you a very happy (belated) birthday but Miss Clementine is the best birthday announcement you could ever share.

    Love her name. Just “clicks” with all the other cool names your kiddos have.

    Love to you and prayers for Clementine!

    Jane

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  53. you will blessed with the most loving, sweet, can do, never stop trying little girl. She will light up your lives and teach you so many things. God Bless you and your wonderful family. I can’t wait to follow this journey with you!!!

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  54. Happy Birthday & Congratulations! Clementine Joy is a beautiful name. Look forward to hearing more about her.

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  55. Congratulations to you and your family. Clementine Joy is absolutely beautiful and will be such a blessing for your family. I will keep you all in my prayers!

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  56. AWWE STEF! I screamed (literally) when I saw this. Hubby ran down to see what was the matter. I am so elated for y’all. Prepare to be blessed. I have to admit, I saw you were in the DS adoption group on FB and I became curious. So where in the process are you? Is that Pearl from Lifeline’s page?

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  60. Happy Belated Birthday Stef!!! I am so happy for you. Sweet Clementine will be a lovely addition to your family. I am always in awe of how God calls your family to these children. You have so found what He put you here to do. Lots of love,
    Kim

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  61. WOW! Congratulations! Love this news so much. We have very similar taste in girls’ names. I love Clementine. I have a Gianna (Gigi), Camille, Evangeline (Evie), and Tallulah. When do you anticipate travel?

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