The Phillips Family, party of Four, eventually a party of five

This is my very first blog and to be honest, I really have no clue what I’m doing. I googled How to Create a Blog and followed some steps, paid a small monthly fee, and here I am, to Word Press. I am learning so many new things on my MAC!

Well, I’m creating this blog for one reason only. I want to document each step of our journey to adoption in China. Yes, I said it- The Phillips Family is adopting a Chinese baby. Or maybe not quite a baby baby? A toddler perhaps. Talk about an every day pinch on the arm! Sometimes I can’t believe we are doing this, but then I quickly remind myself that He has called us to do this. The man upstairs. Jesus himself. I am a spiritual person, we are a spiritual family. We aren’t amazing about going to church every Sunday. Definitely not. We try, but not all that well. That’s the honest truth. But I don’t think He necessarily holds that against us. I think he knows we are aware of Him and we think of Him throughout our day. He has gently guided us toward adoption, Chinese adoption! I have gotten so many signs for about a year now, maybe longer. I actually had a Chinese baby boy come up to me and start playing with my iPhone one day. Then I was at the Fed Ex store and looked down to see a beautiful Chinese girl holding a box to mail. If you aren’t a believer, then it sounds like silly coincidences or just ordinary occurrences that could happen to anybody. But, I don’t believe that. I think that over the past year, when I would try to look away from this idea, God would purposefully put something back in my path to remind me of what he wants us to do. No way am I saying No to Him. It’s in my heart, it’s on my mind, and it’s in my soul. My amazing husband has slowly opened his mind and heart to this as well. Thanks to a trip to Mexico and some great tasting tequila, he finally gave me the answer I had wanted to hear. “YES, we can do this.” I would never ever make this decision without feeling like he wasn’t 50% in charge of the decision being made. That just isn’t fair. Last April 2014 is when I started ever so subtly bringing up the subject of adoption to Josh and it took about a year for him to warm up to the idea. I totally expected that and I am so grateful he is letting me follow my heart. I truly believe that for a marriage to move forward, or any decision to be made, there has to be one person willing to bring things to the table. Someone has to put an idea out there. Whether it be moving to a new house, talking about a new job, or adopting, someone has to start the conversation or these things would never happen.

Last night I had the most amazing dinner with some new friends. All of which have adopted from China. These gals have some stories to tell. We sat for four hours eating sushi and talking Chinese adoption. Maureen Osborne adopted Vivi and has an amazing blog www.findingmeimei.blogspot.com. Summerson Springer adopted a sweet girl named Evie. Kathy Shields who has adopted a little girl, Emily and another baby boy Charlie, gave me a red thread bracelet. The Red Thread is a Chinese Proverb-An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break. I love this. Kathy also was so sweet to think of my girls. She bought them a Chinese baby doll which Libby has not let go of all day. She named her Evie after Summeron’s little girl. Libby has been so wonderful through all of this so far and is so excited about having a baby sister from China.