Saturday, April 18, 2009

I Love You


  • Abbey is so incredibly happy and joyful. She has 3 settings: happy, happier, and happiest. Her true north is Happy, and if something temporarily knocks her off, she quickly springs back to her joyful self. I remember all the walks I took up and down a big hill in my neighborhood as I was waiting for her. I would walk and pray for her and I always had the sense of a bubbling little spring coming up out of the ground bringing refreshment and new life. I just knew that's who she was, and it is perfectly true.
  • I love her pearly white little baby teeth. They are adorable.
  • I am fascinated with the way she folds paper up into these perfect little triangles. Where did that come from? And the way she sections off paper with a cross or an x and then makes little marks in each quadrant, like the letter a or circles. It's just fun seeing how she thinks and creates.
  • Hearing her singing, talking, laughing, and giggling in the shower brings me joy.
  • She has a funny way of reworking certain words. She has choir on Friday afternoons, but she always calls it "chord". We have some imaginary animals that live in our bathroom, Patches, the donkey, and Snowball, the horse. She always calls Patches "Patron". She loves to paint pictures for both of them while I am in the shower and hang them up in their stalls, which is either side of the sink. She brings them vitamin water, carrots, and M & M's. And they love her because she is so nice to them. They've never been out of the house before but the other day Snowball was crying because he wanted to go to her birthday party, so we decided that could be his first outing. Today Abbey used the term"woffers" while describing something. It took me a minute to realize she meant "whoppers" which is the word I used yesterday when we were blowing big bubbles. Now that I'm not worried about her speech anymore it's fun to just enjoy the little bits and pieces that are unconventional.
  • She is such a global girl. She is always talking about flying here and there, taking trains, and needing her passport. At first it was around here to Shanghai and Beijing and Hong Kong, but then it branched out to Japan. She kept asking me all the time to explain Japan and what it means if something is Japanese. Then she got zeroed in on Africa and talks about going there all the time. Just as this all came to a peak we had a week long unit at school on other cultures and now she's interested in England, Holland, Australia, France, and Germany. It's a delightful watching her synthesize all this. She definitely has a global mindset. Now she's telling me that she really likes Italy...that's my girl. I spent the two summers there before I got her there and would love to take her back with me.
  • She has such a cute little body. I just look at her in awe and think, that's the way bodies were meant to look.
  • I love the way she loves the stories we read from our most important Book. She has so many questions and loves to act it all out. Everynight we both have to take turns being asleep in the boat in a storm and then being woken up and standing up to say, "Peace, be still!" But she always makes it funny by changing it a little and saying something like, "Peace, hold still!" to the waves. She just loves to go over the stories again and again.
  • I love the way she treasures people that are important to her in her heart.
  • Abbey so readily forgives me when I fall short. Sometimes when things go wrong I say that I am sorry and it was my fault and she always tries to say, no, it was her fault.
  • I LOVE the arch in her eyebrows. The first moment I saw it in my referral pictures I fell in love with it. I have my own baby picture with that same arched brow.
  • Abbey's teachers always talk about how enthusiastic and eager to participate she is. She's been nick-named the Cruise Ship Director (always wanting to make sure that everyone is engaged and having fun), the CEO (thrilled if she gets to issue the marching orders), and the Factory Manager (mobilizing and organizing workers). She is a mover and a shaker and always happens to be front and center, ready to be the first one up to bat.
  • Abbey tells me over and over how much she loves me, how happy she is we are "hooked together", how much she wanted me and was crying for me before I came to China, and how I am her Sugar Pie and the best, best mom in the world. Oh, it is so sweet.
  • Her enthusiasm for learning is contagious. She is just so pumped up to learn anything and everything and is so full of questions. Oh, the questions! I find myself saying more and more, "We'll have to look on the computer and find out."
  • Abbey is no shrinking violet. Although she hasn't needed to follow through yet, I've seen a few times when someone did something wrong to her and she looked capable of punching their lights out. Woe to the person that messes with her. I have to say that somehow I feel good knowing she isn't passive. I have no doubts that she will stand up for herself if needed.
  • I remember being sad when Abbey turned three, I was sure it couldn't be better than two. Well three was so wonderful that I now feel excited that she is turning four. Just when it seems like it can't be any better, it is. I had such dreams of being a mom and having a daughter, but they all pale in comparison to the brilliant reality. I thought my expectations would be too high, but they didn't even scratch the surface of the joy she has brought me. Everyday I feel that I am the happiest and most blessed person in the world. She is the best gift ever.

80 comments:

Bob W. said...

Wonderful...just wonderful. This brought such joy to my heart!

Linda said...

Beautiful post.... Tears in my eyes reading this. I have followed your blog since before you had referral and am so happy for you and Abbey.. My wish is for Donna and Lauren to have the same Love for each other that I see in you.. I know how Donna feels and I hope that Lauren does also. Lauren is a smart little one like Abbey was when she was younger. Lauren also has a happy smile that lights up her face, I can only hope she is as happy as Abbey when she is older.
I'm so happy to have been able to follow a piece of your life as you travel on your journey. Linda

Debra said...

How wonderful! I'm so glad that everything is going so well for both of you.
Blessings,

Kimber and Chris said...

I LOVE this update- just love it. i can see and imagine her doing all these things. My very favorite thing is her calling you sugar pie and that you are hooked together. Just magical. She is perfection and as always i say ditto to your feelings of motherhood. I am so happy for you both. You are always a few months ahead of us on birthdays and I remember you telling me that about age 3 and then I experienced it a few months later. I feel we are in the same magical phase of discovery about to turn 4 this July.
we miss you!
K. & T xx

Joannah said...

What a great post! My heart is warmer after reading this.

:-)

Anonymous said...

What a great family you are.

Can't believe she is almost four!

Donna said...

She's so happy because she's so well loved!

:)

Donna
Our blog: Double Happiness!

Leontien said...

I love how you are both so happy!!

Leo

PS No talking about Holland yet:-)?

Mick and Caitlin said...

Christi, thank you SO much for sharing! I loved it! Four already??! Happy Birthday beautiful Abbey!

dawn said...

I read your blog always and I have to say that you two just melt my heart. I truly admire you for following your heart.
One day we hope to take our girls back to China for one year to experience life and the culture they are missing. thank you so much for continuing to share your life with all of us.

Lisa and Tate said...

She sounds like the such a loving delight!

Truly Blessed said...

What a wonderful post, such a great recap of your beautiful daughter at "just turned four" - I sure hope she had a wonderful birthday!

I think this sentence " I had such dreams of being a mom and having a daughter, but they all pale in comparison to the brilliant reality" sums up motherhood the best.

Thanks so much for posting such a thoughtful post!

C's Mom said...

What a beautiful post. That just melted my heart, mama.

Four already...I can hardly believe how quickly the time has flown.

Donna said...

So sweet...I know we all feel that way about our children, but it was so nice to hear all the reasons why Abbey is so special to you!

Kris said...

I love to check your blog and see her beautiful smile! She's so precious...and you are blessed indeed.

Robin said...

What an awesome post. God has rewarded your faith in Him when you received that referral. You prayed over and went forward when many would not have. In you faithfulness, you have been given the best treasure! I know in my heart that the two of you will bring each other so much joy in your ventures through life together. And that is exactly how it was supposed to be!!!!!!!
Blessings to you both!

Super Mommy said...

Yep - she's a gem. I could tell that about her from the start . . . she has that special spark!

Anonymous said...

You always make me cry with your posts! It will be extra special for Abbey to get to read when she gets older. What a great rememberence of her first years.
I am heading to Australia this summer and C is heading to England, France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, and Switzerland. We will have to bring her goodies!!! I come home on July 16 (C's 17th bday!) and C comes home on July 19. It will be great to all be home on this side of the world by August!!
Love to you both

Unknown said...

Beautiful post! We miss you a lot out here.

You and Abbey are so good together and you're such a great mom.

Salome said...

Christi,

I sent you an e-mail last week but somehow it didn't work. I got a notification that there's a block from yours against my address...?! Do you have another e-mail address so I could try again? The one I have is: christi_416@hotmail.com

What a wonderful post this is! I am so happy for you!!
:)
love
salome

Kim said...

So incredible how He has created such an amazing bond between the two of you. Loved the arch in the eybrow, knowing that you had the very same one as a child. That of course was not by accident!
Abbey is such a special little girl. We too feel blessed to know and love her. We miss you both. Thank u for continuing to share your thoughts with all of us.

Stephe said...

OMG, you are an AMAZING mom!!! You bring out the best in Abbey and I'm sure she brings out the best in you!
Was she always so joyous? What is your secret? My girl is still way to serious with only an occassional smile and giggle!
I can only hope Giorgia is as happy as Abbey when she hits that age too!!!
I'm also a true believer in seeing who your child will be as an adult when they are this young. She's definately going to be a worldly girl!!!
What a wonderful post. Thanks. Stephe

the meaklims said...

I just love this post. I have been a follower of your blog for a long long time, and I came remember when we got our referral and I heard Lilah was from Yangdong, all I could think of is your beautiful precious smiley Abbey. She truly is an amazing gift, from the most High.

Love, Jill xx

Tamara said...

That is a post she will treasure when she grows up.

Doug and Terrye said...

What a beautiful "gift" your daughter is! She is truly a delight to read about, and to see how you are "linked" by Him! :)

Terrye in FL

Maria M. said...

Hi Christy, This is a very powerful love letter that will have great impacts for a life time. Thank you for sharing it with us. I really enjoyed reading it. I am always blessed to read your blog.

Bailey said...

First, I just wanted to say "hi" to you my dear friend. I think about you often, and hope that you are doing well. Second, I just adore the quote, "I remember being sad when Abbey turned three, I was sure it couldn't be better than two. Well three was so wonderful that I now feel excited that she is turning four. Just when it seems like it can't be any better, it is. I had such dreams of being a mom and having a daughter, but they all pale in comparison to the brilliant reality. I thought my expectations would be too high, but they didn't even scratch the surface of the joy she has brought me. Everyday I feel that I am the happiest and most blessed person in the world. She is the best gift ever."
What a beautiful thought. You have put to words so eloquently exactly how I feel. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.
Miss you... {{{Hugs}}}

Paulette said...

That was just so wonderful to read. Abbey is such a wonderful little gril because she has such an incredible Mom. I love that she is such a Global Girl with such a warm and lovin heart. She is going to do somthing pritty speical in this world someday.

R in TX said...

She is a treasure & growing up by leaps & bounds. How our group would love to see you both again
in a reunion.. Thank you for keeping up your blog even in China.
Your strength & love for Abbey is so awesome! She is thriving! You are an inspiration for your faithfulness & giving natur3e. What a hppy girl she is!

Teacher Mary said...

What a heart warming post. I know how much you love her and it is wonderful to hear her respond to you in kind! She is truly one-of-a-kind with a mind like a steel trap! Watch out world, Abbey Baby is on the move! I am so glad that she is stretching you out of your cozy little comfort zone! You have been richly blessed from above with Abbey. It was not an easy road to be united with her but it was worth everything it took to get her! Tons of Hugs, Kisses and Love to my two best girls!

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