• Home
  • About
  • Wild Olive Tees
  • No Hands But Ours
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • RSS

Ni Hao Y'all

when east meets south

  • Ni Hao Y'all
  • Faith
    • my faith
  • adoption
    • special needs adoption
      • clubfoot
      • Down syndrome
      • dwarfism
    • shared list
    • advocating
  • family
    • Magnolia
    • Clementine
    • Tallula
    • Poppy
    • Esther
    • Vivienne
    • Shepherd
    • Jude
    • Isabelle
    • Sophie
    • Dalton
    • Asher
    • Zach
    • Victoria
  • Life
    • memory lane
    • what works for us
    • things I love
    • Q and A
    • marriage
    • cooking
    • celebrations
    • blogging
      • love others
      • kudos
  • photography
    • photography 101
    • Sunday Snapshot

I’m gonna miss ’em.

So what does a mama do, when she should be packing for China? She ventures into the fall-colored woods with her kiddos and takes pictures of their sweet faces. Because she’s gonna miss ’em.

Crazy to me that I’ll be leaving in a little over 24 hours.

And I’ll be away for 2 whole weeks.

FallKids-8

Away from all these shiny little faces.

FallKids-3

All these busy little hands.

FallKids-4

All these noisy little feet.

FallKids-10

I am *almost* missing them already, and I haven’t even left yet.

Almost.

FallKids-11

Thankfully, they’re not feeling the same sappy sentimentality over momma leaving.

Because if they were going to miss me as much as I’m going to miss them, that would make leaving just that much harder.

FallKids-14

They can hardly wait for us to go. Because the sooner we go, the sooner Aunt Angie will be here to spoil them relentlessly.

And the sooner we will be home with Clementine.

Or Clem-tine as Tallula calls her.

FallKids-15

“I think Clem-tine gon’ be cute with her new jammies. And she’s gon’ be nice to us and we’re gon’ be hugging her and kissing her, I think.” – Tallula

FallKids-16

“I love Clementine so she could learn ’bout God and I love her because she might be funny and I love her because I want her to grow bigger. I want to show her my room and I want to show her the dogs. She might be scared of the dogs, though.” – Poppy

FallKids-19

“I’m happy about Clementine because I’m going to teach her how to do her ABCs and I’m going to show her how to walk. I think she’s going to be sweet.” – Vivienne

FallKids-6

“I’m glad that I’m going to get a new sister and I can teach her a lot. Like math and reading and writing. And I can play outside with her.” – Shepherd

FallKids-23

“I’m excited for Clementine to come home so I can help her with stuff, like if she’s on the couch and she’s trying to get up I could help her. And when she’s crying I could get you and maybe give her a toy. She’s going to be very cute.” – Jude

FallKids-26

“I can’t wait to meet Clementine because she can’t walk, talk or crawl yet, so I want to teach her. I want to teach her how to read, and ride a bike and I want her to be beautiful and happy when she grows up, not prideful or furious. I want her to be awesome and good.” – Isabelle

FallKids-32

“I think she will be cute and whenever she’s trying to walk or sit up, I’ll help her. I know that she’ll be different so she’ll need more help. I really want to see her smile and hear her laugh.” – Sophie

Me too, Sophie.

FallKids-33

Miss Sophie is especially excited about this trip.

Because she’ll be making the trip with us.

FallKids-27

Yep. We had initially thought it would be a typical China trip – me and one of the “big kids” to come along as a travel help/companion.

And Sophie was next in line.

FallKids-28

But then we found out that Clementine was in fragile health, and might even require hospitalization. We had to reconsider.

Chris and I knew we both needed to go – but we weren’t sure what to do about Sophie.

So we did what we could. We prayed and we waited.

FallKids-29

Thankfully, God knew exactly what He was doing. And He made a way. Through some very special friends who donated just the right amount of money for Sophie to come along.

Amazing.

In less than 24 hours, the three of us will be setting off for China. And I have a feeling it’s going to be quite a trip.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • More
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
«
»

11.10.14 · Clementine China trip, Isabelle, Jude, Poppy, Shepherd, Sophie, Tallula, Vivienne 19

Comments

  1. Lisa says

    November 11, 2014 at 12:12 AM

    Wow, Sophie must be excited. Is Clementine the youngest to come home since Isabelle?

    Reply
  2. Aileen says

    November 11, 2014 at 1:06 AM

    Yay, Sophie gets to go too! That’s amazing, what an experience it will be for all of you. I’ll pray for your family both here and overseas as you go to finally meet your youngest (so far?). Bless you all! PS. Hope Seamus is doing well.

    Reply
  3. Kelleyn says

    November 11, 2014 at 4:47 AM

    So excited for you guys! Go get her!

    Reply
  4. Stephanie M says

    November 11, 2014 at 7:05 AM

    We are praying you there and back! God’s speed to you all!

    Reply
  5. Rebecca says

    November 11, 2014 at 7:33 AM

    So very beautiful. Love the quotes. Praying you to Clem-tine.

    Reply
  6. Leslie says

    November 11, 2014 at 7:53 AM

    My first thought: YEEEEAAAAHHHHHH! So excited for your family.

    Reply
  7. Ashley says

    November 11, 2014 at 8:05 AM

    So, so excited for you! Tears in my eyes that Sophie is able to go with you!! xoxo and huge hugs!! Ashley

    Reply
  8. Rachel Stahley says

    November 11, 2014 at 8:07 AM

    Okay, so now I have to put my heart back together because it just totally melted reading the quotes from the big kids. WOW! Was amazing and pure little hearts you have in your home Stefanie. Clementine will be one very lucky little girl having all those hands helping to raise her up….just as you will be lucky to absorb her little cuteness and blissful childlike innocence.

    Reply
  9. emily says

    November 11, 2014 at 9:17 AM

    leaving is ALWAYS the hardest– those 48 hours before leaving i am just a blubbery mess… worst part of the trip. worse than jet lag… but can’t wait to see you holding clementine!

    Reply
  10. Malea says

    November 11, 2014 at 10:42 AM

    sooo exciting!! i love how excited they are about their new sister.

    Malea

    Reply
  11. Kristi says

    November 11, 2014 at 2:35 PM

    Our family will be praying for your family. Praying for …..The travelers, the ones staying at home, and your newest addition…. sweet Clementine! Can’t wait to follow your journey and pray for you all in every way!
    Kristi Henderson

    Reply
  12. lorimcmurphy says

    November 11, 2014 at 6:33 PM

    I can’t wait to watch this unfold! Praying for you while you are gone!

    Reply
  13. Jeanne Minney says

    November 11, 2014 at 7:11 PM

    Praying for your whole family and especially baby Clementine.

    Reply
  14. Lisa says

    November 11, 2014 at 10:15 PM

    These quotes need to be a book one day.

    Reply
  15. Leese says

    November 11, 2014 at 10:30 PM

    Gah your pictures are always so gorgeous!

    I’m cracking up every time about how Tallula is saying her name and I’m sure it’s even sweeter hearing it than just reading it!

    And Isabelle and the not being ‘prideful’ or ‘furious’ for some reason struck me funny. I love what sticks out to kids and why ::they:: choose particular traits as what they think they’ll choose to emphasize or teach their siblings!

    So excited to hear about the trip – especially from Sophie’s perspective!

    Praying!

    Reply
  16. Kate Hawk says

    November 11, 2014 at 11:37 PM

    Oh so very excited for you all!!! Prayers covering you all through this new exciting time in your family’s lives. Praying His hedge of protection to go before you and behind you, and for His favor to cover you. God Bless you, Stefanie!!

    Reply
  17. Sheryl says

    November 12, 2014 at 3:36 PM

    What precious, priceless little quotes! So excited for Sophie! I bet she’ll be an awesome traveler 🙂 Praying lots today for smooth travels, connections made, luggage where it needs to be, and calm hearts!

    Reply
  18. Jane Klingenberg says

    November 12, 2014 at 8:20 PM

    Clem-tine! Love that. Kendal and I just looked at all the pictures of the kiddos. She wanted to know everyone’s names. Praying for you. Sending hugs.

    Reply
  19. Melissa S. says

    November 13, 2014 at 11:07 AM

    Praying for you and yours on this journey! I realize you’re overseas at the moment, but I read something today that I could NOT not share with you…another precious Esther and Vivienne waiting to come home from China – their family reminded me so very much of yours, as they have many special needs gems from China, and I couldn’t believe they had your babies’ exact names! Linny posted a blog entry (at A Place Called Simplicity) yesterday (the 12th) about them…but here’s another link – http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/bringing-home-esther-and-vivienne-/232628
    Blessings!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

I'm Stefanie. Wife to one, mom to 13. Occasional blogger and t-shirt maker. Wannabe photographer and exerciser. Constant grace-needer and orphan advocator. more
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS

Subscribe

instagram

see more...follow us on IG

our china journeys

magnolia - 2016
clementine - 2014
tallula - 2012
penelope - 2011
vivienne - 2010
shepherd - 2008
jude - 2007
sophie - 2006
isabelle - 2005

ways to make a difference

Love Project

proceed with caution

a dirty secret in adoption
we don't celebrate gotcha day
there's no such thing as an easy adoption
if I can, you can.
co-sleeping, why we do it.
gawsh. the series.
crazy
affording adoption
God and me.
Vivi's diagnosis
the ugly, beautiful truth
special needs: my .02
my testimony
dear anonymous
my chinese son

Creative Commons License

Copyright © 2023 · Darling theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 · Darling Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.