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.
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
Liberty JOY ;) says
Love love love your sweet Clementine! Happy Birthday!!
Teri says
Oh my goodness! How exciting!!!!! Congratulations and Happy a Birthday!
welshgang says
What a beautiful little lady and her name is just delightful! Congratulations to you!
emily says
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 🙂
Kristín Valdemarsdottir says
Oh my goodness…..my heart just skipped a beat !
Congratulations…..she´s adorable 🙂 Happy birthday !
Kristín
Chris says
WOW! WOW! WOW!!!!!! How wonderful!! Clementine Joy is precious and oh, so darling!!!
Happy Birthday, btw!!! WHAT AN AMAZING GIFT!!!! <3
Jennifer Torrence Webster says
Oh my goodness…she is darling!!! Congratulations!
Corina says
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!
tmafli says
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!
alida5477 says
Fabulous! She is gorgeous!!!! Congratulations!!!! So happy for you guys!
heather says
Congratulations!!
Jean says
So excited for all of you! She is precious! Praising GOD!!
Vicky Simpson says
I can’t think of a better birthday present! Happy Birthday!
Life with Kaishon.com says
What a great blessing! I am so happy for you.
Sue Fordham says
Happy birthday….and what a birthday gift!
Ali says
Just when I thought you couldn’t get more amazing…. Happy happy birthday! Can’t wait to follow her/your/God’s journey. 🙂
Kim Rop says
She is beautiful! Thank you for following God’s promptings in your life regarding adoption. I hope you have a very blessed birthday!
Michelle says
How positively wonderful! I love her name, and even though we have never met, my heart is filled with joy!! Congratulations!!!
Lisa says
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
Judi says
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!
Jennifer Merrick says
So, so, so happy for your family!!!! Prayers for your sweet girl, and ya’ll’s journey getting her home.
holly arnold says
So exciting what a doll!
Ally says
Happy Birthday! What a wonderful gift 🙂
Ally
Diana Rouse says
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
Joy says
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.
Stephanie M says
Congratulations!!! And Happy Birthday!! Your newest daughter is beautiful!
Connie J says
I can’t wait to see Clementine in your arms, sister!!!
Brittany says
Happy Birthday! And guess what, it’s mine too!
So excited for ya!
Danica says
Oh she is perfect and I love the name! Congratulations!
Suzette says
She is a doll!!! Congratulations!!
Suzette says
Beautiful and a wonderful blessing who will bring much joy to your family! Congratulations!
Anda says
Happy birthday!! *gets out knitting needles*
Londa says
So excited for you all!! Such a beautiful little one… and we will share the same middle name:) Happy Birthday Stefanie… and congratulations!!
jdavis2 says
Happy Birthday! & Congratulations on your newest beautiful addition! All praise to God!
Becca Stanley says
Praise God for sweet Clementine Joy such a precious little girl
Heather says
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!!
Shelby says
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!
Kelleyn says
Sheis darling ! Congratulations !
Jessica says
Such wonderful news! She is beautiful!!
CathyC says
She is beautiful, I love her name, and I think your family is just perfect for her. Congratulations!!
Diane says
Congratulations, Stephanie! How absolutely wonderful. She is beautiful!
elisabeth says
She is so beautiful Stephanie! Congratulations to all of you and Happy Birthday! What a gift! Cant wait to hear more! xxoox
mandy says
Congratulations!!!!! And happy birthday too.
Sharon says
CONGRATULATIONS! She is loved already 🙂
Samantha says
Congratulations! She is beautiful, and so loved already!
Praying for her health 🙂
Amber Smith says
Aw! Congratulations. I love your family and the Lord brings you to mind often.Happy Birthday!!
Gwen Sit says
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. 🙂
Mary DeGennaro says
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?
Linny Saunders says
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.
Jane Klingenberg says
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
Rebecca says
Awwww!!! We adopted a little girl with DS from china a year and a half ago and we have enjoyed each and every minute of it! She is Abigail Joy and a “joy” she truly is! Congratulations!
http://Www.loveisonthemove-hope.blogspot.com
Jen from cincy says
How lovely! Amazing news!
Kelli Hunter-Campbell says
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!!!
Miriam says
Happy Birthday & Congratulations! Clementine Joy is a beautiful name. Look forward to hearing more about her.
Amelia says
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!
Amy says
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?
Dusty says
We are so excited for y’all! Cannot wait to follow another one of your adoption journeys! Continued prayers for everyone!
snekcip says
Wonderful news! Clementine is beautiful!! Congrats to your family!
Cindy says
She is just so precious, you are in for Joy BIG time!
Congrats to your whole family!
thenurturedhomeKim says
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
Lindsey says
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?
christelle02 says
II just read this wonderful news ! Welcome in your noew loving family, Miss Clementine !!