Our 1st Forever Family Day Celebration!

A year ago you were an orphan.

Now you are a beloved daughter, sister, grand-daughter, niece, aunt, cousin and friend.

Because God sets the lonely in families!

This is the first photo we seen of you!

It was love at first sight!

You didn't even have a name, you were a number.

As we moved along in the process, you went from being #208-11 to Qiu Wen...

And from Qiu Wen to Jiana Ellan...

but still there was something missing.

A smile.

A light in your eyes.

Your family.

Our first glimpse of you in person...

You were running late!  It was a good indication that you'd make a fine member of the Stotts family!

Your dress was 3 sizes too big and you were wearing yellow Spiderman shoes!

I tenatively reached out to touch you, you were terrified.

I can't imagine what that day was like for you.

It was one of the most joyous days of my life, but I know it was probably your worst.

Eventually, you decided to take a chance on us.

It was so rough for you the first few days.

I can't blame you for being afraid.

You were so sober.

I will NEVER forget those first smiles you trusted us with!

And eventually, you decided that we were all right and you could trust us with more smiles!
I watched you everyday give in a little bit more.

Your first day home.

Your first day as an American Citizen.

Your first Independence Day!

In just a few short days your personality really emerged!

We found out what a Diva you are!

And what a ham you are!

I'm already imagining you in school!

You're bound to be the class clown.

Oh, all those calls from the principals office...

Now your smile lights up the room.

And you are so happy.

I don't know if you'll remember any of your time in China.

You've chose to leave that life behind and embrace your new life.

But the time we had there with you is priceless.

We will always remember with joy the journey that God took us on to you!

We will always be glad we stepped out of the boat.

You have brought us so much joy.

And love.

Gone is the sober, stoic orphan with just an assigned number and name.

In her place is the greatest treasure from God...

A demonstration of His Grace...

In one little face.

Jiana (God's Grace) Ellan Qiu Wen Stotts

Thank you Jia.

For your courage. 

For taking a chance on us. 

 For letting us be your Baba and Mama.

For trusting us and letting us in your heart.

And for making your way into ours.

We love you sweet girl!

Happy 1st Forever Family Day!

Mama & Baba

Revisiting our last post before Forever Family Day

Boy, do I remember the tug-of-war going on in our hearts the night before getting Jia.  Are we being selfish taking her from everything she knows?  Is this really what's best for her?  I knew all along how much I wanted her, but had I stopped to think of what she would want?  I remember going to bed that night just a bundle of nerves.
Even more, I remember waking up the next morning and reaching for my bible.  As we sat in bed and re-read some scriptures that had become favorites over the years, a peace began to settle in.  Then, as I was looking for a scripture in Psalms, I ran across another one I had read often.  Psalms 68:5 - A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.  I remember reading that one several times before, but I had never continued on.  Vs 6 says "God sets the lonely in families."
I remember the joy that came over me as I realized that that day, God was placing Jia in a family, because that's what He does.  He sets the lonely in families.  I just knew that all was well and as it should be!  From then on, things went so smoothly and perfectly!
You can re-visit our last post before getting Jia here.
Also, don't forget about the GIVE AWAY!!!!  Go here for details and to enter!

Hong Kong

A year ago we fell in love with Hong Kong.

Of course we were to nervous and excited to really enjoy it when we were there, and our time was too short.  But it didn't feel like it at the time because all we wanted to do was get on to China!

But looking back, HK was so easy to get around and so beautiful.  I would love to go back there and explore it some more!

We're celebrating  our first year home with Jia!!!

Don't forget to enter for the GIVE AWAY!  Go to this post and see how to get entered to win a SEW YUMMY apron or a gift certificate to PISH POSH TOTS!!!!

Side note:  our new friends, Danny and Angie are in China NOW!!!!  They'll be getting their precious Emma on Monday, day after Fathers Day.... just like us!  So keep 'em in your prayers and little Emma to.  I know it was all the prayers that paved the way before us and made everything go so smooth!

Celebrating with a GIVE-AWAY!!!!

One year ago today, we boarded a plane in KC and begun our Journey to Jia!

You can read all about that here.

And because we are SEW BLESSED,

we want to bless someone else who celebrates with us!

Here's the give-away contest:

From now until our 1 year 'Gotcha Day' anniversary which is June 22nd, you may enter to win a Sew Yummy Apron and a gift certificate from Pish Posh Tots.

Here's what ya gotta do:

Become a follower of JouneytoJia (if you already are, leave a comment saying that)

Become a fan of Sew Blessed on Facebook

Become a fan of Pish Posh Tots on Facebook

Share the giveaway news on your own blog or Facebook.

And finally, leave a comment with your own fundraising ideas

so everyone can be inspired to acheive their goal of adoption, missions or whatever!

Now, for each thing you do, come back and leave a seperate comment on this blog post for each.

For instance "I just became a follower"

"I just became a fan of PPT or SW on FB"

"I just shared about your giveaway on my blog/FB"

or

"Here's my fundraising idea"

I'll be sure and link to this post daily, so be sure and leave on your comments on the "Celebrating with a GIVE-AWAY" post!

Winners:

The contest will end June 22nd.  We'll be out celebrating our 1st Anniversary as a Forever Family, so winners won't be picked until Wednesday the 23rd.

I'll use a random generator to select 2 WINNERS. 

One will get a Sew Yummy Apron...made by Joy

And the other will receive a Pish Posh Tots gift certificate.

Now go share the news!

Flag Day 2010

Flag Day, is a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag, its designers and makers. Our flag is representative of our independence and our unity as a nation.....one nation, under God, indivisible. Our flag has a proud and glorious history. It was at the lead of every battle fought by Americans.

Many people have died protecting it.

It even stands proudly on the surface of the moon.

As Americans, we have every right to be proud of our culture, our nation, and our flag.

So raise the flag today and every day with pride!

Properly Display Our Flag

There is a right way and a wrong way to display the flag. The American flag should be held in the highest of regards. It represents our nation and the many people who gave their lives for our country and our flag. Here are the basics on displaying the American flag:

The flag is normally flown from sunrise to sunset.

In the morning, raise the flag briskly. At sunset, lower it slowly. Always, raise and lower it ceremoniously.

The flag should not be flown at night without a light on it.

The flag should not be flown in the rain or inclement weather.

After a tragedy or death, the flag is flown at half staff for 30 days. It's called "half staff" on land ,and "half mast" on a ship.

When flown vertically on a pole, the stars and blue field , or "union", is at the top and at the end of the pole (away from your house).

The American flag is always flown at the top of the pole. Your state flag and other flags fly below it.

The union is always on top. When displayed in print, the stars and blue field are always on the left.

Never let your flag touch the ground, never...period.

Fold your flag when storing. Don't just stuff it in a drawer or box.

When your flag is old and has seen better days, it is time to retire it. Old flags should be burned or buried. Please do not throw it in the trash.

Newest Sewing Projects

Sweet Dreams toddler girls nightgown

Sew Sweet in Multi Colored Flowers with polka dot sleeves

Sew Lovely in Pink Flowers and Zebra

Sew Lovely in Purple Flower Power!

Jia and her Junie Doll

Renea and I just reserved our booth for Missouri Day's in October.

I'm gonna be stocking up on Aprons and all things Sweet Dreams!

I just made little boys boxers and they are SEW cute!