Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Your two cents, please!

We are really having a hard time coming up with the perfect name for our little chinita. We've all agreed that her middle name will be "Mei," which in Chinese means beautiful. We will probably add a second middle name, most likely the name they gave her in the orphanage. But as far as her first name is concerned, it is a hard decision. Here is what we have so far....

Elizabeth Mei _______ Fernandez Nicknames: Ellie, Eli, Lizzy
or
Gabriela Mei ________ Fernandez Nicknames: Gaby or Gabby

There were other names that I really liked such as Grace and Sophie, but Lalo didn't like them.

I strongly feel that her name should have significant meaning considering the circumstances. Gabriela means...the Lord is my strength. Very appropriate, don't you think? And Elizabeth, which has been trailing us for years, means... consecrated to God. Hmm?

So, I'd love to hear which you like best!

Christy :o)

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Why are we doing this?

Dear Family and Friends,

Last summer we made one of the most meaningful decisions of our lives...we decided that we were going to go ahead with my childhood dream of adopting a baby. The reaction we got from people was mixed. I remember when we announced that we were pregnant with Natalie and Annie. Everyone was so excited and eager to share in our joy. I understand that some might think we are crazy. We have two beautiful, smart, and fabulous daughters...great jobs..a beautiful house.....a great life. Why would we take on the unknown, the uncertain? Life should be more than this, though. We need to experience life apart from the everyday characterizations we find comforting and certain. We should be blessing others with what we have, little or great and taking chances or as I call them..Leaps of Faith. I want my girls to know the power they have over change; the power of one .
It's funny because Lalo always said we would have three girls. I think he wanted three because he knows there will always be a woman somewhere to take care of him in his old age. Talk about planning ahead! It also guarantees that Thanksgiving and Christmas will always be at our house! A girl always has to go home, you know.
So.. as far as we are concerned, the only difference this time will be that little baby Fernandez will be born of OUR hearts instead of my womb. This isn't so bad..no nausea, feeling tired, body morphing (you all remember my nose, right?) The girls are so incredibly excited and eager to talk to anyone who will listen (just like their mother) about their new baby Chinese sister. Natalie often says, "Okay, lets talk about the adoption." When Annie draws pictures, she includes her yet to be born sister. Anyway, we aren't doing this for anyone else. We are doing this because we feel that we have been called to do so. I truly feel that we will be an even better, stronger, and blessed family for having gone through with it. The lessons to be learned I am sure will be life altering. The lessons for the girls about humanity, love, acceptance, and generousity will hopefully shape the strong women they will become. I know that the road ahead will have its bumps and that it won't be easy, but it's a journey of Faith and love. I don't think that God would have put this upon our hearts if He weren't going to support us and hold us up. So we have surrendered to His will for our family. I know that this is what our family was supposed to be. I am so excited about our future and about our lives.....

Christy