Wow! It has been a long time since I have last posted. I have add some more stuff to Hannah's Collection. The stuff on the left is what I brought with a gift certificate I got for my Birthday in November. The stuff on the right is stuff I got for Christmas. I got the green stocking just in case we have a son someday. If not, we can give it to someone else someday.

Also a update on this 1st day of January, Tom and I have decided that we will not be able to adopt from China right now. The changes that CCAA is making to the China Program will affect us. We know that one day we will have our daughter from China. We give her to God and ask him to bring her to us in his timing. We both have a peace. We keep Hannah in our hearts. Our prayers this year is for God to bless us with a child. This wish is even more precious because we found out the day after Christmas, that my mother in law has incurable lung cancer that had spread to her back and stomach. She had surgery to remove the cancer from her back and stomach the day before Thanksgiving. She will go through chemo and radiation. We are not sure when yet. So we want her to meet her grandkid(s) since Tom is her only son. As we start 2007, I am reminded how precious life is. I thank God for my husband who is my best friend. I can't believe we have been married almost 4 years. I thank God for our health. I also thank God for all of my family and friends. I also thank God for our church. I also thank God for the people who I have been introduced to this year through all the blogs I have found. Hopefully in 2006, I will stop lurking and comment. I thank God for all of the precious girls and boys who I have watched be joined with their Forever Families. I also pray for those families who so want to have their children home but have to wait. But I know that they will have the right child for them in the right timing. Waiting is not fun though! I am so excited about 2007 and what this year holds for Tom and I. What does God have planned for us?

What a special day!

My friend, Christi has been in the process of international adoption from China since 2005. She meet her daughter, Abbey today for the first time. Abbey is such a gift from God. Christi is going to be a wonderful mom. I am so happy for Christi and Abbey! May God bless their family. Abbey is now a part of a family who will love her and be there in good times and bad times. She is no longer an orphan. Giving thanks to God for putting those two together! What a happy time and they will have so many happy moments together. If you want to read the whole story, click on cherryblossombaby in the side-bar.

The Orphan's Prayer
I am waiting... somewhere far.... far... away on the other side of the world.I may not know who you are or what you look like,But somehow deep in my heart I know you are there.That one day you will come and find me.It's a long journey, and it takes a lot of time...I wish it could be easier.But I know that the ones who come for me will not count the cost.They will only see the joy of finding me.For now I abide in the fields of the fatherless.Day by day wondering why I was born here and not somewhere else?Asking... why my life couldn't have been different?It's so lonely...Even though I am surrounded by hundreds of other children,I know that something is missing...I know in my heart I need a place to call home.My arms long to be wrapped in a father's embrace...I long to be saved by a mother's love...Even as I lie alone in the darkness each night somehow I feel assured,That no matter how lost I appear I am not alone.Holy hands guard my steps; sacred fingers wipe my tears, touching my lonely heart.The one who made me,The God that knew me before I was born,Hears me every time I call.He whispers His promises in my ear.I listen with hope to His voice.But what I worry about most is that no one wants to look for me.The fields are vast and there are so many scattered all over the earth.I wonder how one little child, so lost, can be found?Yet He calms my heart and assures me that He will find you.That He will make sure that you hear His voice clearly.He has promised me that He will make a way through the fields,That He will personally cut a path and lead you right to my orphange door.My prayer is...When He speaks...Please don't forget to listen...When He calls don't be too afraid to go.For I am waiting...somewhere, far... far... away On the other side of the world To come home.

Book for October!

The Book for October!


The Book for October is called One Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury. It deals with September 11,2001. It is about a woman who loses her firefighter husband on the horrible day. It deals with her grief and life after that horrible day. There is also a sequel to this book called Beyond Tuesday Morning. It is a great book. But it is sad. Click Here

Happy Fall!


I can't believe it is Fall! I enjoy the cooler weather! It is also fun to see pumpkins and apples. On the way to South Lake Tahoe on Highway 50 is a place called Apple Hill(http://www.applehill.com/). Apple Hill is home to many farms and orchards where you can get fruit( especially apples and pumpkins). You can also find yummy desserts. This is a pumpkin patch at Kids Inc where you can pick your own pumpkins.http://www.kidsincapples.com/ Apple Hill is such a fun place. There are farms that have fun crafts for children. It will be so fun to take our children there.

Adoption Seminar


Yesterday, my husband and I went to adoption seminar that was given by American World Agency. We learned about the agency and the couple who started it. We were touched by what God thinks of adoption. We have had a desire on our hearts for 3 years now to adopt our daughter. We know that our desire is from God. We know that God wants us to reach out to the widows and orphans. We also met a man who is married and adopted his only daughter from China. He showed a short clip of their gotcha moment. It was so neat to watch the little baby get united with her parents. What a incredible moment! Then we got to see her now. What a sweet girl. What a gift from God. We also watched a video about Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife and their adoptions. As we were leaving, the man who adopted his daughter stopped us and talked to us. It was neat to tell him that we are starting the process to adopt. He invited us to a local group for adoptive parents of all stages. I have done so much research online and have meet so many families through blogs. But haven't met any one locally. So it is great to hear that we can meet another families and see children that have been adopted. I am so excited to be able to be a part of the group. I know that they will be great resource and support system for us along with our church and our family. I know that adopting internationally isn't easy. But I know that if it is God's will for us, he bless us as we start the journey and through the journey. I am so excited to say that we are on the way to our daughter Hannah.

The Beginning

This will be a place to document what I am reading. I will comment about the books that I read also. Since I am a nanny, I will also talk about children's books also. I love reading. So this will be fun.

Fall into Reading Challenge.

Katrina at Callapidder Days( http://callapidderdays.blogspot.com/) is hosting the Fall into Reading Challenge from September 21st- December 21st.

Since I was a child, I have always loved to read. But as I have gotten older, I haven't had time to pick up a book. But I just joined a book club through my church. The ladies of the book club each hosts one month and picks the book for the month. For the month of September, the book was Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. It is a great book. It really shows the heart of God. We discussed the book last night. We had a great discussion on the book.


Here is my books ( Sorry it is a dark picture). But here is the list of my books.

1. The Power of Praying Wife- Stormie Omartian.
2. Healing is a Choice Devotional- Stephen Arterburn.
3. Enjoying where you are on the way to where you are going- Joyce Meyer
4. One Tuesday Morning and Beyond Tuesday morning- Karen Kingsbury.
One Tuesday morning is the book club's book
for October.
5. It's not about me- Max Lucado
6. Forgiven and Found by Karen Kingsbury
7. Waiting for Summer's Return- Kim Vogel
Sawyer.
8. Symon's Daughter- Don Ian Smith
9. A promise for Ellie- Lauraine Snelling
10. Enjoying your journey with God- Daniel
Brown.

I am hoping to get through this list hopefully. I know that I look forward to reading this books.

Update October 7,2006 I got a new book at the christian bookstore that I am adding to my book list. It is called Becoming a Woman who pleases God. It is by Pat Ennis& Lisa Tatlock

A couple of things for Hannah


I got this tea set for Hannah. I also collect tea pots and tea cups. I look forward to having tea parties with our children. I am blessed to have a husband who will go to tea with me. On our honeymoon, we had high tea at the Empress in Victoria. It was so much fun. There are also a couple of tea places near us which we go to when we have time.



I got these two dresses at Kohl's. I know I will not know Hannah's age until the referral. So I am getting 24 months dresses. I am trying not to spend too much money on clothes for Hannah. It is hard there is too many cute clothes for girls.

We found this doll at Costco. Since It is breakable, It will be staying in the box until we are starting a room for Hannah. It was must-have. It is on our fireplace. It reminds me of our daughter to come. I know in my heart that God has a daughter for us in China. I think of her every day. I am trusting that God will direct us to start the process in his timing. I am little worried about rumors that I have been reading on the Rumor Queen that China might change their rules for adoptive families. That you have to own a house. Which we don't. I am not sure what God has planned for Tom and I. But it makes me wonder how many families who really want to adopt are not going to be able to because of the rules. It makes me sad for the children who are not going to be able to adopt into a family who loves them for who they are.There are so many children that really need their own families. I don't understand the rules if they came to be. This string of rules might affect single woman who might not be able to adopt. Which makes me sad also. Anyway, I guess we will have to want to see what China is decides to do.

Our Trip to Monterey

Last Friday, Tom and I drove down to San Jose for my family annual trip. We went to Great America in Santa Clara for a full day of rides and fun. My dad and my brother actually went skydiving. Which is something I would never do. I would be so afraid of falling. But it was neat to watch Dad and my brother do it. We had a nice dinner back at my dad and my step-mom's house. Then on Sunday, we drove to Pacific Grove where we stayed at a hotel. We went on the 17 mile Drive. We stop at a viewing spot overlooking the ocean. We saw sea otters playing in the ocean. They were so fun to watch. We went to Carmel after the 17 mile Drive. We had lunch in Carmel. Then We went to the beach. It was wonderful day to be walking on the beach. We had dinner that night at the restaurant right next to our hotel. I had the best clam chowder. We had a fun dinner talking to each other. My step-mom asked us why we were so set on adopting from China. We tried to explain to her that we really feel that God wants us to adopt our little girl from China. She and my dad are both supportive of us adopting. Side note so is Tom's mom. I am grateful that our families are so supportive. Anyway back to our trip. after dinner we played a game, Scatteragories. It was so much fun. My family can be wacky. The Next day, we went to the Montery Bay Aquarium. I haven't been there in years. It was neat to see what they have added. I enjoy seeing the ocean animals. After the aquarium, We went to Big Sur and had lunch at a restaurant on a hill overlooking the Ocean. It had a beautiful view. After lunch, we went back to the hotel. My dad and step-mom had to take my brother and girl-friend to the airport to fly back to Washington. So Tom and I had time by ourselves to hang out in our room watching t.v. Then it hit me that we were in a hotel near the beach and we should go out and enjoy the ocean and beach. So we went on a walk to the beach. It is great to spend time with family. but it is nice to go for a walk with my husband. When we got back, my dad and step-mom were back, so we went out to eat. It is almost 1 in the morning, I need to go to bed. I have church in the morning. I will finish this tomorrow. But I will post this part now.

What asian country should I visit?

China can satisfy your craving for many travel opportunities in one trip.You can hang out in modern Shanghai, walk along the great wall, or visit sacred mountains.

What Asian Country Should You Visit?

Jelly Belly Factory


We went to the Jelly Belly Factory today in Northern California which is a hour from where we live. We got there before the long lines. So we were able to go on Factory tour to see the jelly beans being made. It was so much fun. But what was special to me was all of the asian families I got to see. One of them had 3 boys. The youngest one( around 2) was so cute. I enjoyed watching them. Seeing the girls made me think of Hannah and what she will look like when she is that age:) Tom and I had lunch and shopped at the gift shop. Of course the tour is free, but you end up spending money with lunch and the gift shop. But the jelly bean hamburgers are yummy. Anyway, what a great day!

Updates from Selima and Tom


Life has changed since I last posted. I left my job as a childcare coordinator at a crisis center. Working at a crisis center is a difficult and changing job. I loved the people and children that I worked with. But the commute was getting to be too much. But I know God has plans for me. I am starting to help a friend start up her business. It is going to be a fun place for children to play. So hopefully the business will open up the beginning of October. But on the adoption front, I am really feeling that God wants us to start the process. I have few questions for the agency before we fill out the application. But I am starting to think of fundraisers to get the funds to bring Hannah home, hopefully the end of next year. I have a couple in mind. I am trusting in God that he will direct our steps towards Hannah.

Today I just got back from Women's Retreat near Lake Tahoe. What an experience that was. It was a blast to hang out with women from the church that I used to call home. Now I am a part of a new church plant. The ladies are incredible. I love each lady that was there. The speaker Kathi Lipp was so wonderful. She talked about that we are princesses. That Jesus wants to dance with us. He will led us. We just need to follow him. What a hard concept to let soak into my heart. But I am choosing to remember that. We got to wear tiera the whole weekend. That got alot of questions from the men who were also at the conference center. No we weren't together. We had a own separate building. We just saw men at meals in the meal hall.

When I got home, I changed my blog name. Our daughter will also be a princess. I got to talk to friends about adopting Hannah. They were so encouraging. I know ladies are praying for me and my husband and our precious daughter. It made me realize that adoption process and Hannah are in God's hands. I have nothing to fear. I am praying about what we should do now. I know that God will show us. I am so looking forward to the process.

Ladybug Sighting!

Today, when we got home, I noticed that the bush by our front door had a ton of Ladybugs.:) I took pictures of them. People will wonder how we took pictures of the bush. But ladybugs are significant to the chinese adoption community. It means good luck. It was so neat to see so many of them. I also am praying that my friend Christi and other ladies who I have been following their blogs will get their referrals soon. I am sure it is hard to be patient. But I know that God has his perfect timing.

I started this blog to document our lives and our journey to having a family of our own. We want to have children of our own which is in God's hands. But we also know that God wants us to adopt a little girl from China. We are not sure about the timing of all this. But God does. I am looking forward to seeing what he has in store for us.