Join Us On Our Journey to Bring Sophia Jane Home.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

The Decision

Sophia and Mama at the pool. Love those mandatory swimming caps!

Sophia still packs up all of her treasures and places them around her before she will sleep.


There has been a change with Sophia. When she calls me Mama now, I can tell that it isn't because someone told her to. She is not the same little girl they placed screaming into my arms. Now when she calls me Mama, I can sense in her that she has decided to give me the chance to truly be Mama. I cannot explain it, it is a soul thing. When I look into her eyes and when I see her smiles and receive her kisses, I know she has decided to try with us.
I am doing everything I can to show her how much I want to be her Mama. I am in complete awe of this child. She is fragile yet strong, vulnerable yet in charge. A little pixie dancing around our hotel room. Her laughter is so loud that I wonder if people can hear her in the halls. She is a stunning beauty, she draws attention and holds it. Gives love and then witholds it. An old soul I cannot wait to know better, a hand I love holding every day, a face I can't stop looking at, a dream I just can't believe that has come true.

36 comments:

day by day said...

So glad to see you are all doing so well!! Sophia is just adorable!! That picture of her sleeping with all of her possessions just makes me want to give her the biggest hug...bless her heart!

Enjoy your China time as you soak up all of the wonderful culture!!

Musings from Kim K. said...

I'm so glad I got to see this post before we left for vacation. I'll be without internet and going through severe Sophia withdrawal. She's just precious. I'm so happy for you, Kimberely.

mommy24treasures said...

oh what a sweet sweet gift you have been given. She is a Treasure indeed.

Fliss and Mike Adventures said...

I just adore her smile :)
Look forward to the day where she feels 'secure' enough to not sleep with her 'treasures' and know that when she opens those gorgeous eyes after a sleep that everyone and everything will be there still... forever... I guess it will take a little time...
Hugs to you all...

Holly said...

oh my gosh Kimberely...it's really you..IN CHINA WITH SOPHIA- the seventh diamond!
wahoo!! LOVE the pictures!!!!
Hugs to you from the other side of the world,
Holly-purpose driven family

Holly said...

Kimberley...sorry..just realized that my fingers got ahead of me there! I'm using my son's laptop and it feels weird!

Alyson and Ford said...

She has decided you are all family! So nice to be able to see her change and become the little child she needs to be. Lots of hugs to you all.

Alyzabeth's Mommy for Nine Months!

Kim said...

I am sooo glad things are working out sooo well.
LOVE the photo of Sophia sleeping with her sunglasses..
She is BEAUTIFUL.
Hugs..

Jewels of My Heart said...

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh how wonderful.... I am just so happy for the two of you.
What beautiful words from a Mother's heart to her beloved daughter.
Enjoy every moment.

Faith, Hope, and Love said...

Your beautiful words to your daughter sounds like a poem. Thank you Lord Jesus that Sophia Jane is feeling secure in the arms of her family! I pray for the day when she knows that her loving world and all its treasures will still be waiting for her in the morning. What a sweet photo of SJ sleeping with her treasures.
Praying God will hold your family in the palm of His hand as you journey down this amazing road!

Tell Eli that he is SO handsome that its no wonder he is a star in China! :)

Love,
Robin

Truly Blessed said...

Thank you for this post --your words are so true. This little soul, who is older than her almost 4 year old body, has made the right decision. I'm so happy for her, and for you. She made the right choice!

So glad you posted such encouraging thoughts, and what great pictures of your visit to T'square and the Forbidden City.

If you go to the Summer Palace, don't even bother taking a stroller in (leave it in the hotel or in the car/van) -- trust me, there is NO WAY you will be able to negotiate all those stairs with it!

Say "Hi" to Superman from his girls -- we went to a Families Thru Int'l Adoption picnic at Holland's Tunnel beach today (fun, fun!) and thought that next year your family will be there too! Can't wait.

Joanne said...

I'm so glad everything is going so well. Sophia is such a sweetie ~ it will take a bit of time for her to adjust to all of these wonderful changes - enjoy your time in China :) (Oh, how I miss it!)

Don and Be said...

I don't have the words to express my joy for you and your family. Sophia is beautiful.

Dita said...

This post brought tears of happiness to my eyes.....not only is SJ just amazing to look at and finally have a REAL face (and a gorgeous one at that) and a real personality to see come through...but she is in YOUR arms! These are the first days of the rest of your lives together and I am so grateful to have an opportunity to witness all of you together.

I am hanging on your every post and just JONESIN' for pictures!!!

Hugs,
Dita

Everything Beautiful Shay said...

Very sweet words about a very sweet little girl and her mama!!! I am so happy for you two. She looks just like Ek going to sleep at nap and night. Her bed is full and she knows if something is missing.
Blessings to you all!
Shay

Paulette said...

What a sweety. What is going to happen when she gets home and finds all the goodies waiting for her she will never fit in the bed. Love the shads

Diane said...

YAY!!!!!!!! And, another, YAY!!!!!

I get it:) All, who have walked in your path are so getting what you are saying, and, beautifully written. I was just sitting here reading your every word, saying YAY!!!!!

Kimberley, I am so thankful to God that he chose you to be Sophia's Mama!!! Your family is wonderful and you all have received such a precious gift straight from the Hand of God!!!

Many, many hugs across the miles to you all....and....YAY!!!!! :)

Diane said...

Just had to pop back and tell you your photo's are awesome!!! And, Sophia is B E A U T I F U L!!!! Okay, going back to just study over all your pics!!

Enjoy this journey so much, from this moment forward, China will always have a little piece of your heart!!! Sometimes, it seems the days in China take forever to go by and getting home can not happen quick enough, but, breathe in and savor and carry with you all you can, because once you are home, every sight, sound, smell, every reminder, you will find yourselves so wanting to be right back in China!!!

God continue to shower your journey with His amazing Grace and Blessings!!

a Tonggu Momma said...

Beautiful - your Sophia, your words, your soul and hers. Blessings to you during this time.

frogglet said...

What an awesome transformation! I am so happy for your family!

JMCS said...

Such beautiful words for your beautiful daughter. The pictures of Sophia make my heart smile, especially the one with all her things surrounding her in the bed. She has a smile that can light up the room! So happy to hear how great things are going.

Hugs,
Jonni

Steffie B. said...

I'm crying......just crying... ;)

Love and miss you.....
S*

LaLa said...

I am so happy for all of you!! She is just beautiful and I know how blessed you feel right now. Enjoy getting to know your daughter : )

Number 6 and no more counting! said...

this post is so sweet and humbling. Till now, I don't think I have ever been so touched by any other post.

Thank you, Kimberley. Enjoy your time with her.

Lea
xo

Rachael said...

Oh my goodness -- she is just a doll. I am so, so happy for you, especially to hear that all is well. What a happy time for you -- soak it in!!! :)

Juliette said...

Thanks Kimberley for sharing your pictures and your thoughts.
Your daughter is amazing and I am sure she can feel how amazing her Mommy is too.
Enjoy this special time in this beautiful city with your beautiful girl!

Gail said...

Beautiful post, more great stuff to come...I promise. They are so very brave aren't they?...when I talk to people about the miracle of adoption, this is what I mean.

So happy for you all!

Unknown said...

why must you make me cry? Beautiful beautiful and I am so glad you dream has come true

Andrea Stone said...

Well my goodness. I'm sorry to hear that the beginning was rough but who are you or I to question willfullness? Congradulations big sis. Give everyone hugs from Uncle James and I. My first niece. About time!

Lots of love,

Eddie

Chasing Dreams Photography said...

Oh my your words are so beautiful!!! And Sophia is just adorable!!! I love your swimming cap...I may need one of those : p
{{hug}}

Kristy said...

Oh Kimberley she is stunning, she is just gorgeous and all of you look so happy. I am sooooo happy for you. I absolutely love seeing this happen to you. Have fun okay.

Love and blessings, Kristy

Chelley said...

Does it get much better than this?

Calico Sky said...

So beautiful and now you have all the time in the world together. Just how it should be!

The Byrd's Nest said...

I can't believe you finally have her....just look at that smile....just look at that precious smile. God is so wonderful. Love you sweet friend.

Heather said...

I cried when I read this...I remember when Hannah made the decision...it still leaves me awestruck. I can understand your words on such a personal level...thank you for sharing from your heart Kimberley...Sophia is amazing in every way, what a perfect gift from God.

Enjoy this time!!!

With love,
Heather

kitchu said...

wow wow wow... i am literally shedding tears Kimberley... want to hug you, hug your girl- for her brave spirit and your amazing ability to sense so early on "who" she truly IS- i'd forgotten how kindred you and I really are... blessings blessings blessings on you both, mom and daughter :)