ANNIVERSARY DAY

In some ways it is unbelievable to me, but today marks one year since the first in person meeting of my precious Zhuang Lu Mai, now Emma LuMai Broberg. What a joyous day that was and what a year it has been! (Well, actually because China is almost a day ahead of us, we passed the one year mark yesterday on December 4th...but thats just logistics).

Of course it is impossible to count all the ways that my life has been changed and blessed by the presence of this beautiful person into my life. She is truly amazing and brings me such joy, purpose and fun.

This past weekend Emma and I went to Portland to celebrate this Family Day Anniversary with three of the other families that travelled together to China to pick up our girls. (There was one other family, they live in Alaska and adopted twins, so no one has heard a peep from them...but we think a lot about our sweet Bei Bei and Bao Bao and hope they are all well.) Anyway, it was just wonderful to see these four precious girls who had spent the early months of their lives together. They had all grown so much and come so far. What a special relationship they share, even if they don't know it yet. Here is a picture of the four of them together:

On our return home from our fun trip we had a very odd coincidence. Los Angeles is not a small airport and there are hundreds of gates. For somereason the airport gate that we were assigned for our return was in United International Terminal. As we exited the gate, I looked around and realized that it looked awfully familiar and knew that it was, in fact, the gate that I had been scheduled to go through one year ago on the first leg of my journey to China and to my Emma. Just kind of an interesting coincidence...but one that did not escape my memories as this time I entered that gate, now with my beautiful child in my arms, fast asleep on my shoulder. I had to pause to acknowledge my blessings and express gratitude for all the events that have occurred this past year.

Here is a comparison picture of Emma, from our first day together and now one year later in front of the Christmas tree. What a beauty she is!

DTC TODAY

Well, it may be insane, but my papers have officially been sent for adoption #2. I hadn't planned on doing this quite so soon, but there were pretty reliable indications that China was going to cut off their adoptions to singles starting in January of 2007. So, just to be safe, I decided to go for it before the end of the year. I rushed around like crazy and got everything done early and now it is just a waiting game again. Actually, it will probably work out just great with the timing because now China has really started stretching out the time between receiving the paperwork and matching you with a child. The latest batch of 'referrals', as they are called, was between 14 to 15 months of waiting from the time they sent their papers. So, if that trend continues, that means I should get my referral sometime in the spring of 2008. Emma will be three years old and it might be just perfect. Of course the length of time might get longer than that even...and maybe I will have to travel in the winter again. But it doesn't matter - whatever the weather or timing - it will be wonderful. I am excited about adding another little one to the family...even though that seems really overwhelming! I hope to get a lot of things worked out in the next year! Anyway, thats the official news and announcement of new events of our lives.

Happy Halloween!

We enjoyed a plethora of Halloween festivities this year.... Emma's Day Care had a party. Emma wa a beautiful cow - thanks to Aunt Karen for sending the adorable costume. I made an attempt at being Cleopatra - given that I had about 20 minutes to get ready (since I just left work a little early anyway). It was a nice party and a good chance for me to meet the kids and their parents who Emma spends her days with.

There was "Trunk or Treat" at church. Here is a picture of Emma (who had ditched her cow costume after about 10 minutes) with her best friend and neighbor Matthew (the spider!)

On Halloween night we carved a pumpkin and went to our friend Andrea's house to decorate cookies and play before trick or treating. It was fun, although Emma couldn't grasp the concept of trick or treating - so we didn't do much of that...and subsequently we didn't end up with much candy. Hooray! But she really loved the pumpkin, especially how it glowed.

In the end, Emma was never terribly fond of her costumes....but she did like the witches hat that I wore to Trunk or Treat. Never underestimate the power of a good hat!

Fall changes

Mom and Emma at home, having some breakfast. See the pretty flower arrangement on the table, done by Grandpa!

Emma just gets bigger, faster, and smarter everyday. It is a joy to see her growing up! I am so proud of her!

Grandpa and Grandma Broberg came to California to visit for a whole week. It was so fun!

Emma with her cousin Dane. She really loves being with her family. This picture was taken when we were in Pocatello one more time for my dear grandma Broberg's funeral. What a wonderful woman she was and I am so glad that Emma had a chance to meet her great-grandmother a couple of times.

One year ago...

One year ago (yesterday) I received my 'referral' from China - in other words, I was told that I had been matched with a child and given her picture...in essence it was the first meeting of my Emma LuMai. That was such a sweet day, full of tears and anticipation. I fell in love with Emma immediately, but had no idea how that love could just keep growing and growing. What an amazing year it has been and I know that it will just keep getting better.

THEN:

AND NOW:

The latest news

Time to start posting again. Not only because you all need to see how miss Emma LuMai is growing and changing, but also because I have started on the process to adopt #2!! It came sooner than I had planned, but I feel it is wonderful and is the right thing. I was expecting to start later next year, but one of the agencies I was considering working with called me and told me that it looked very likely that China would be changing its policies and not accept applications from singles beginning in January 2007...so they said if I wanted to do it, then I better hurry up and get my paperwork in before December. So that is what I am doing. It actually has gone pretty smoothly and I am already practically done. I am just waiting for the Dept. of Homeland Security to issue my approval (it is known as an I-171) and I can send my stuff up to my ageny and then off to China...I expect it to be done by early to mid-November. Cool huh.

Emma is growing up!

Emma is absolutely amazing! She is running and climbing like a real pro these days. Plus she loves to sing and dance and although she isn't talking much she also loves to use American Sign Language. We started learning some basic words through a wonderful series of DVDs known as Signing Time. Emma absolutely adores the signing time videos and knows a bunch of signs. It is really fun. Here is a picture of Emma signing the word "eat" and she is being held by the creator/star of "Signing Time" - Rachel Coleman. If anyone wants to check out the videos and information about it go to www.signingtime.com

Family...isn't it great?

Emma sure loves her grandpa and grandma. They are soooo much fun!

Emma and I love spending time with grandma and grandpa and aunts, uncles and cousins and many other relatives. Emma is adored by many and she adores them right back. It is fun to see her so joyous and active.

Mom and Daughter Pics

We just got some pictures taken of us together...Here are a couple. Isn't she cute? Aren't I lucky?

Summer's Here

OK. So, I've not updated here in ages. I guess because I am too busy and too happy being a mom. Emma and I are doing great...but life really is busy. We were both sick on and off through May, but now we are all getting well, although Emma still has a nasty cough. She is growing though and right on the verge of walking any day now. She is cute as ever, but she is sure getting stubborn and picky about somethings...eating is a battle every day! She is though, the most adorable child in the world. I can't seem to get the picture/image thing working here on blogger...so you have to go see her cute pictures at her website: www.babysites.com/sites/broberg.

BIRTHDAY GIRL

EMMA'S ONE YEAR OLD PORTRAITS

My little Emma turned one year old yesterday. Even though we've really only been together for four months (almost)...it feels like forever and I can't believe how quickly she is growing and changing. It is exciting to watch, but also a little sad since she has been so adorable at every moment of these last 4 months. There are already games or little faces that she doesn't play anymore - I suppose because she has moved on to "older" games. And now she is crawling! I better hurry up and baby proof my house! Here's some pictures from her blessing and birthday.

What's the big deal with Valentines Day?

Oh for the Love!

I guess there are a lot of people who love me!

Hooray!

Beach Baby....

Our first day at the beach! Emma loved playing in the sand. I loved watching. She also loved eating the sand. That I wasn't too thrilled with.

She is the BEST!

Life with Emma

Look at that amazing girl! Isn't she cute? I love this picture. Emma is starting to look so much older and grown up. She is so sweet. I look at this picture all day long while I am at work. Yep. I had to go back to work on Monday. It was about the worst day of my life that I can remember. There I was sobbing as I drove away from the daycare. Emma was fine. I was so sad though. Not only do I really think that it is good for babies to be with their mommies when they are this age - but I am sad because I am missing out on all the adorable things she does all day long...the cute faces, the fun sounds, the way she plays and smiles and laughs. I can't stand that I only get to enjoy that for a few hours every day! Doesn't anyone have a job for me where I can stay home....(and still make enough money to pay my bills and save for Emma's college fund?)...or maybe some lottery winner would like to give me a share?....ha, ha.... a girl can dream.

I've not fallen off the planet!!

I've just entered the realm of motherhood and can't figure out where all of those hours in a day go! Sorry that I've not updated this site for two months...I still want to give a recount of my travels to China and the amazing journey of meeting my little Emma. What a joyous time that was for me. When I get a little extra time, I will try to give details of the trip on Emma's website :(www.babysites.com/sites/broberg). But, just for fun here is one picture of Emma and I just a few days after getting together. We visited a local site in Nanchang where they let us pose in Chinese royalty garb. Life is so great and so fun with Emma. I am so lucky!