June 1, 2003

Caring for and serving families in Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama,  Mississippi,
Florida, Texas, and Louisiana 

 Sunday, we flew to Xian, where we were to arrive around 1:00 and then meet our children at the hotel around 3:30.  As fate would have it, our plane was late, so at 3:00 we were all sitting in the lobby of the hotel waiting to check in......AND all of these women walked through the front door of the hotel with babies in their hands.  Needless to say, everyone went kind of crazy to rush over and find the baby that was meant to be ours.  10 Asian infants when you are highly adrenalized basically just make your head spin.  I did not have any trouble with seeing Jake, and when I went over to him to say "hi," he looked right at me and smiled very big.  What a welcome.   We all rushed upstairs, threw our stuff in the room, and then hurried to a meeting room where a small ceremony took place in about half hour's time.  We then left there with Jake in hand, and my heart in my throat.  It was the most amazing whirlwind of activity that culminated in a major life-changing event that you can even imagine.  

Jake didn't sleep too much last night.  NOT because he was crying - he just wanted to play and look around and have me walk him around.  If I put him in the crib and left him alone, he would start to cry.  Otherwise, we had a blast.   So, the final tally was about 2.5 hours of sleep.  Today, we went downtown to complete registrar and notary paperwork that is part of the legal process.  This involved a lot of sitting in a waiting room; the time in which Jake caught up on all of the sleep he missed last night - and the part where I became really tired, but so thrilled by the feel of his breath on my neck as he slept so peacefully. 

 Things are going SO much better than I ever thought they would.  Jake and I have connected so much - and Nini (grandmother in Chinese) keeps him laughing constantly!  We are having a lot of fun.  We have gotten him to say "dada" even though he doesn't know why he is saying it. 

This morning as I was running around getting ready, I kept hearing echoes of the voices of many of you who have said, "you will never be on time for anything again."  Oh my gosh, you were right!  There is so much to do just to get out the front door.  I hope I get better at it as time goes on. 

I have learned a few things myself: 

a) Never, never, NEVER wear a beige shirt after feeding Jake - carrots are particularly hideous after being regurgitated.  In fact, I think I am going to burn all of my beige shirts immediately upon return to Nashville.

b) I might as well get laser eye surgery now, because my glasses are a temptation that cannot be resisted his little hands.

c)  Sometimes, I can forget the expensive toys - the free cardboard insert inside of the latest shirt that we bought provides almost as much entertainment  - although without the educational value. 

Oh my goodness, he gets sweeter and cuter every day.  I had bathed him before (obviously), but last night I decided to try a different plan - to get him in the tub early when he was full of energy and wanting to play instead of when he was winding down.  Well, I can tell you that paid off.   We had so much fun - there was water EVERYWHERE as he learned to splash himself and splash Daddy - he didn't care that his face was all wet, either.  As long as he could continue the flurry of activity, he was happy.  He was cracking me up - my Mom got some video footage, so I can look back on it in days to come.   

So, what to tell you about Jake?  We continue to have so much fun as we learn about each other and discover what makes each other laugh.   After he sneezes, I always say, "God Bless Jake" and he just giggles so much.  Then, I will fake a sneeze, and that makes him laugh more.  He loves peek-a-boo, and he loves to be really active.  Throwing him up in the air or spinning him around on the bed while he is lying down are big hits.  He hates waking up in the morning (like his Daddy), and he gets really fussy when he is hungry (like his Daddy again).  He doesn't say any words yet, but it is clear that he has a sharp mind - he remembers games that we play, is learning to respond to his name, and can easily anticipate things he doesn't like - such as a kleenex headed towards his runny nose.  

Jake is a playful boy and smiles a lot.  He doesn't crawl or walk but sits up just fine and seems to have a lot of strength.  He has two little teeth in the bottom center front of his mouth that he uses a lot - to bite me or whatever might be close.  He babbles a little - I can tell he wants to talk more than he can.  He communicates a lot, though - he knows how to push something away if he doesn't like it without a doubt.  He will pick up anything in site to explore it, and is ticklish.  He actually reached his arms up to me today to pick him up.  At that point, I would have given him the world if it were mine.  So, bottom line is - we are getting along great.  Our bonding is going so much better than I imagined it would - he is pretty friendly to everyone, but I am slowly seeing that he is starting to prefer me - as he should.  He is cute, fun, funny, interesting, curious, and all of the things that make little boys adorable.  I love him so much already.

Victoria just turned two on March 4 and is doing WONDERFUL!  We cannot describe to you our thanks to Children’s Hope and all of the hard work that went into our adoption almost two years ago.  It’s hard to believe that we made this journey to Russia and that she is so healthy, happy, and energetic and just like every other two year old.  She has grown so much!  What a wonderful blessing she has been for Mike and I.  There are no words to describe what she means to us and how she has changed our lives.  We love this little girl more than words can say.

 We will be hosting our annual pool party and family picnic this month on June 14, at the Barker family home, 1201 Choctaw Trail, Brentwood.  The party will begin at 3:00 PM.  This is always a fun event for both adults and children, as we enjoy an afternoon of swimming and visiting.  It's a great time to catch up with all your CHI friends and families, as well as make new friends.  Please join us for a fun-filled afternoon.  And don't forget to bring a cool summer snack to share with the group.  We will provide the drinks!  Mark your calendars for 3-5 PM, June 14, 2003.  Please RSVP to Ondrea Harrison at 615-309-8109 or ondrea@childrenshopeint.org.

 Dear prospective adoptive parents!

 Due to the current length of wait time for girls in the Russia program Children's Hope International will be temporarily limiting the minimum age requirement to 2 years old or younger. Please note this is for GIRLS ONLY. The minimum age requirement for boys is still 18 months or younger. The new policy will be in effect as of June 1, 2003.

 Please join us for free information meetings:

 Wednesday, June 4

Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce

1001 Market Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee

6:30-8:30 PM

Tuesday, June 10

 CHI Office, 7003 Chadwick Drive, Suite 350, Brentwood, TN

6:30-8:30 PM 

Monday, June 30

Trinity Fellowship Church

Skyline Room 1-Family Life Center

5000 Hollywood Road, Amarillo, Texas

6:30-8:30 PM

Tuesday, July 1

Mahon Library, 1306-9^th, (behind Lubbock Memorial Civic Center), Lubbock, Texas

6:30-8:30 PM

Thursday, July 3

 NorthPark Presbyterian Church, Meeting Room: Fellowship Hall

9555 N Central Expressway, Dallas, Texas

6:30-8:30 PM

Sunday, July 6

Fort Worth First Church of the Nazarene,

2001 E. Main St., Crowley, Texas

3:00-5:00 PM

Tuesday, July 8

CHI Office, 7003 Chadwick Drive, Suite 350, Brentwood, TN

6:30-8:30 PM

June 5                    Russian Class                                       6:30 – 8:30 PM                          Children’s Hope

June 7                    Colombia/Guatemala/India/Vietnam

                                 Pool Party & Picnic                                3:00 - 6:00 PM                          Barker’s Home

June 12                  Russian Class                                       6:30 – 8:30 PM                         Children’s Hope

June 14                  Dossier Class                                        8:30 AM                                     Children’s Hope

                                Travel Class                                         10:00 -12:00 Noon                      Children’s Hope

June 14                  CHI Pool Party                                     3:00-5:00 PM                               Barker’s Home

June 21                  Op Hope Orientation                            9:00-12:30                                  Woodmont Hills Church

June 21                  Pre-Adoption Class #1                         12:30-6 PM                        Woodmont Hills Church

June 27                  Parent Education Seminar                   6:30 – 8:30 PM                         Children’s Hope

June is full of fun in the sun!  I am sure that many of you have busy summers of vacationing, swimming, biking, and being with family and friends….the lazy days of Summer are here!  And, while you are relaxing this summer, it is a great time to begin an adoption!  If we can ever do anything to help, please do not hesitate to contact me at Brenda@childrenshopeint.org.  

We don't want to burden you with a lot of information, but we do want to help you if you are looking for a way to adopt. If not, please let us know and we will regretfully remove your name from our newsletter.   E-mail me at my address below with any question you have.  I would love to hear from you.

Brenda 

Southeastern U.S.
 Brenda Barker, Director
 7003 Chadwick Dr. Suite 350
 Brentwood, TN  37027
 615-309-8109   Fax: 615-309-8483

 Brenda@ChildrensHope.com
 Also serving the following states: TN, KY, GA, AL, MS, FL, TX and LA