tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post8332765845536569554..comments2023-05-12T05:12:06.483-04:00Comments on An Unfinished Life: It's Been a Long TimeLeahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324207485114310927noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-23578529748414943822010-08-23T11:09:00.740-04:002010-08-23T11:09:00.740-04:00Have been praying for you!!! Hoping that you will...Have been praying for you!!! Hoping that you will update with new pics of Christian's little sister!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-22288187926504018122010-07-23T09:40:57.021-04:002010-07-23T09:40:57.021-04:00I am so touched by your post. It is good to hear ...I am so touched by your post. It is good to hear that you are healing and surviving one of the most difficult times a parent will ever face. Congrats on the new baby girl! Can't wait to see pictures. I am sure she will be just as beautiful and precious as her big brother! BethThe Cheesecake Ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12614292923937533066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-11858273055191023662010-07-21T03:34:18.047-04:002010-07-21T03:34:18.047-04:00Just wanted you to know your family is still in my...Just wanted you to know your family is still in my prayers...hope all is going well and God is bringing Maya closer to home. I truly believe those we love in heaven make special choices for the ones they send to us on Earth! Christian gets to whisper the most special things in God's ear!Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02799618471890624163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-46386786418415388302010-06-29T21:18:38.560-04:002010-06-29T21:18:38.560-04:00I read your blog daily while you were going throug...I read your blog daily while you were going through your sorrows. You were so inspiring and I prayed for you daily. I'm a Texas Teacher and off for the summer, so I stopped by your blog today....what a joyful story. Thank you for sharing your your life and know that even people in Texas love you and lift you up in prayer. Maya will be the luckiest little girl :-) HUGS from TEXASAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-8418531046703901262010-06-15T22:22:31.825-04:002010-06-15T22:22:31.825-04:00Hi there! I have been checking in on your blog for...Hi there! I have been checking in on your blog for a long time now. I haven't looked at it in so long, but just popped on here tonight and read your latest post. I burst into tears when I read the end. We just adopted our little girl from China six months ago and it has been the most amazing blessing! The whole time I was reading your post, I was thinking ... I wish they would adopt from China. And what do you know?! I am so super excited for you and the amazing journey ahead. We are already counting the days until we can go back and adopt again! Congratulations and, if you haven't already, may you quickly find your way to you daughter!By God's Designhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12321317929350946296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-5358184452144064772010-06-07T11:15:20.874-04:002010-06-07T11:15:20.874-04:00Leah!!! I am so happy for you and Ryan. That is ...Leah!!! I am so happy for you and Ryan. That is glorious news. <br /><br />Thank you for your transparency. I find it so hard to be honest with people about who I am and I put a 'mask' on.<br /><br />Your post encouraged me and made me thrilled that you are doing okay. Dale & I prayed for you a lot.<br /><br />Please post pictures of Christian's garden! <br /><br />Love to you!Just Mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09512279885499148837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-89209411813011023442010-06-02T10:30:03.281-04:002010-06-02T10:30:03.281-04:00i just wanted to say thank you for your post about...i just wanted to say thank you for your post about mother's day last year. i sent a mother's day card to my friend who lost her son in october and she really appreciated it. i never would have thought about doing it if it wasn't for your post. i hope to see another update from you soon.I Just Love Youhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11019493669764729700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-39884190571302591222010-06-02T01:17:05.493-04:002010-06-02T01:17:05.493-04:00Oh Leah I have been worried about you.. I am so ex...Oh Leah I have been worried about you.. I am so excited about your adoption news, how awesome. I didn't realize what a year you had last year, I am glad you are doing better. I will pray for you guys!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-26651333049832993582010-05-13T00:24:04.591-04:002010-05-13T00:24:04.591-04:00leah!!!! i am so glad you are back. I was pregnan...leah!!!! i am so glad you are back. I was pregnant with my son the whole time you were (our boys share the same b-day)and I can remember reading your blog and feeling such a connection to you and Christian. Please do not apologize for being gone...you had to go through a lot and I am just so glad you are back. Adoption is amazing and our daughter was brought into our family through the miracle of adoption from kazakhstan. There are so many gorgeous loving children who want nothing more than a mommy and daddy to love. I am fairly involved in the international adoption community and if I can be of nay help please let me know.<br />muriel collison at hotmailThe Cookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02070815905198183370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-16746464193372068702010-05-10T15:38:08.525-04:002010-05-10T15:38:08.525-04:00HI Leah-
It's good to hear from you - I've...HI Leah-<br />It's good to hear from you - I've thought of you often. My heart goes out to you and hurts for you in what you endured in the last hours of Christian's life on this earth. <br /><br />I pray that God would continue to give you sweet glimpses of what Christian might have looked like and done as he grew ... uplifting moments the would tell you God knows the desire of your heart to know your little boy.<br /><br />Rejoicing in the news that Christian will be a big brother.<br /><br />Love in Christ,<br />AndreaAndreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16638967563027741043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-62320000059126026952010-05-10T09:36:11.656-04:002010-05-10T09:36:11.656-04:00Leah, I am glad to hear from you even in the bad. ...Leah, I am glad to hear from you even in the bad. I/we may not understand your life exactly, we can love on you :) What a tough year! I am excited to hear of your adoption plans and I pray everything goes quickly and smoothly! Hang in there!!<br />ToniaToniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00932591665219087854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-5498465530406677472010-05-05T21:24:22.425-04:002010-05-05T21:24:22.425-04:00Oh Leah, I've thought of you often and was thr...Oh Leah, I've thought of you often and was thrilled to find this update. I've missed you by friend. Thank you for sharing your feelings and allowing us to be part of your family. I'll be checking back often to get updates on Maya. May God hold you tightly in his hands. <br />AngieAngienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-90898333720162818402010-05-03T16:19:14.036-04:002010-05-03T16:19:14.036-04:00Have worried about you much over the past year. Gr...Have worried about you much over the past year. Grief wears many faces and non are more valid than others. I am so happy for you to be bringing a sister for Christian into your lives. You have and will always be a great mother to Christian and now you will be able to be a great mom to your daughter. Christian I am sure is already keeping his sister safe for you.Murielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06234654910403882674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-806813056504899952010-05-03T00:10:18.802-04:002010-05-03T00:10:18.802-04:00I am so glad you are back to blogging.
You don...I am so glad you are back to blogging. <br />You don't know me but I have followed your blog since before Christian's birth. I have prayed for you and Ryan often and have checked in often because I hoped you'd be back one day!<br />I am so excited about your adoption and I'm sure Christian is watching and smiling down on you.<br />I hope you will allow us to share in your joy as you bring your daughter home and show her Christian's garden!<br />God bless!<br />christi<br />Lafayette, LouisianaThey call me the bosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01683309354755920106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-14764208756880210862010-04-29T01:38:08.902-04:002010-04-29T01:38:08.902-04:00Leah,
I am so glad that you are back. Wow, what a...Leah,<br />I am so glad that you are back. Wow, what a journey that I can so relate to... grief and loss are so hard. We lost our son, Samuel Mark on October 29, 2008. We still miss him like crazy... <br /><br />Leah, I am so glad that you shared all you did... and you are not alone in so many of your feelings. Your honesty and vulnerability will help so many others. Thank you for that. <br /><br />I am praising God over your adoption of Christians little sister. I will be praying that the road will be smooth and move as quickly as possible. What a wonderful gift she will be to you... but you will be such a blessing to her as well. <br /><br />Much love in our Savior Jesus!<br />SaraSarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17679265370655421932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-57282483461770053442010-04-26T22:48:54.409-04:002010-04-26T22:48:54.409-04:00Wow...what an amazing ending to your post! Congrat...Wow...what an amazing ending to your post! Congratulations!<br />One more thing, NEVER be ashamed of your feelings! Each one of us cope with life and loss differently. <br />I lost my grandson,Noah, 16 months ago and thought I was doing "fine"...little did I know that I was not! I have had help and same as you when the word depression was mentioned, I pick up my boot straps and tried my best to find a way out of it. <br />Good for you for being able to share so freely, you will be of big help to others that find themselves where you have bee.Vernahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08124266222149142991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-3078579256968322592010-04-26T13:21:33.971-04:002010-04-26T13:21:33.971-04:00We knew you'd come back...you're an amazin...We knew you'd come back...you're an amazing mother. FANTASTIC MOTHER..im crying. Im so happy to hear that you're adopting a baby girl from China...Christian is SO looking down on his parents with love and smiles...! Cant wait to hear the detailsCanadian Girlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-45794398393777874092010-04-24T00:15:47.082-04:002010-04-24T00:15:47.082-04:00You have been SO missed!! I am SO happy you are b...You have been SO missed!! I am SO happy you are back. I've checked in many, many times as I know others have, too, because we sincerely care about you. You have shared so much here, Leah. You are a beautiful person. Genuine. Loving. A survivor. You've dealt with so much in these many months. I'm sorry you've had such heartache. What a beautiful testimony you share of how your faith is what keeps you.<br /><br />Beyond the moon to learn a precious little girl will have the gift of your and Ryan's loving hearts and home. Cannot wait to hear more from you. <br /><br />Welcome back!! (oh, wait. is it right to welcome YOU back to YOUR blog??) Well, you know what I mean? SO GLAD you've touched base with us again. <br /><br />Love and blessings to you and Ryan.Deb D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15667732964425801280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-19395360860870611662010-04-23T09:10:39.880-04:002010-04-23T09:10:39.880-04:00I am so happy for you both! I haven't been on ...I am so happy for you both! I haven't been on your blog for a very long time as I too have been very busy, but always wondered how you were doing. You see, I was one of the nurse's at the hospital the day you gave birth and saw the joy in your eyes in spite of a difficult road ahead. I prayed that God would give you strength and comfort in the months and years ahead. God is not finished yet and will always be right by your side. He will give you this beautiful little child from China for you to cherish and love. She will bring you much joy but, will never replace your Christian. And you are right, you will get to see your son again. Please hold on to the wonderful memories and add to those with your daughter. May God bless you all!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-11327536110830435282010-04-22T20:13:17.497-04:002010-04-22T20:13:17.497-04:00I am so happy that I checked your blog and see tha...I am so happy that I checked your blog and see that you are doing so much better. <br /><br />I too have a little girl from China. We adopted her in April, 2007. She is now 4 yrs. old as of November. <br /><br />Your daughter will never take the place of your son, but she will bring so much happiness into your lives. I wish you the very best. I hope that you will blog about your Journey to your Daughter. I'd love to follow along. If you would like to read about our Journey, please send me an email to candy0722@aol.com and I will add you to my private blog. <br /><br />All the Best to you and Ryan.<br /><br />Candy<br />Mom to Rebecca - married 4/17/2010<br />Mom to Rachel - adopted 4/2/2007 - Anhui, ChinaCandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06295079361015465331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-26815613226908784612010-04-22T16:06:03.442-04:002010-04-22T16:06:03.442-04:00So glad to see that you have posted again! I have ...So glad to see that you have posted again! I have checked in often wondering how you were. Congratulations on your adoption. We have a little girl from China. You are pregnant, in your heart and not your tummy. Adoption is an incredible journey.<br />I can't wait to hear more!Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17735931470948901209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-66076869104223956572010-04-22T07:48:16.684-04:002010-04-22T07:48:16.684-04:00Leah, so glad to see you here again. It is so dif...Leah, so glad to see you here again. It is so difficult to hold back the tears as I read your post. In reading your very personal experience in this part of your life... thank you for sharing. Thank you for your honesty and insight. Getting back in touch with all those from your past will prove to be a good thing and I think it requires mentioning that all those that could be perceived as looking at you with "pity" were really looking at you with love and care and uncertainty of how to comfort. It is awkward for everyone. It is so personal and I would never want to pretend that I could ever imagine how another person is feeling and surely never want to say anything that could upset them (that’s where the awkwardness comes from). I would say, I would cry with you but maybe you don’t want to cry... i could laugh with you but maybe you don’t want that either. I guess the only true thing to do is let you know that you are Loved by many and however those people could facilitate hope, love, support and anything else you could want or need they would surely do so because you are so fantastic. Good friends are hard to find and sometimes (times like this) so hard to communicate with. In our life we will always have challenges and breakthroughs... they are part of every day to some degree. each challenge can remind us of a breakthrough and each breakthrough can remind us of a challenge. Life is intertwined this way. You are right, this pain and sorrow will be with you forever and after our minuscule time here on earth you will be with your son again. The key is to be able to share all the great things that happened while apart. He will love that! Your tears and sorrow are never ever interpreted as weakness. What you are sharing gives strength not only to you but others as well. You and Ryan are Awesome. We all wish we had the magic words to wipe away your sorrow but it is now part of you and without the ability to go back in time and change things it is just as much an important part of you as anything else. what stories and experiences will you share with Christain? In the place he is now, he feels your love and is waiting because at the right time... Naturally, you will be back with him again. He wants to know all about your time with Ry, your thoughts of him, the things you accomplished, the impact you made here etc... Live each day with that in mind. Let it guide you.<br /><br />Always and Forever, your Loving Friend...<br />Ski.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04383087755765292995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-86584338565726608442010-04-22T07:46:35.065-04:002010-04-22T07:46:35.065-04:00Leah, so glad to see you here again. It is so dif...Leah, so glad to see you here again. It is so difficult to hold back the tears as I read your post. In reading your very personal experience in this part of your life... thank you for sharing. Thank you for your honesty and insight. Getting back in touch with all those from your past will prove to be a good thing and I think it requires mentioning that all those that could be perceived as looking at you with "pity" were really looking at you with love and care and uncertainty of how to comfort. It is awkward for everyone. It is so personal and I would never want to pretend that I could ever imagine how another person is feeling and surely never want to say anything that could upset them (that’s where the awkwardness comes from). I would say, I would cry with you but maybe you don’t want to cry... i could laugh with you but maybe you don’t want that either. I guess the only true thing to do is let you know that you are Loved by many and however those people could facilitate hope, love, support and anything else you could want or need they would surely do so because you are so fantastic. Good friends are hard to find and sometimes (times like this) so hard to communicate with. In our life we will always have challenges and breakthroughs... they are part of every day to some degree. each challenge can remind us of a breakthrough and each breakthrough can remind us of a challenge. Life is intertwined this way. You are right, this pain and sorrow will be with you forever and after our minuscule time here on earth you will be with your son again. The key is to be able to share all the great things that happened while apart. He will love that! Your tears and sorrow are never ever interpreted as weakness. What you are sharing gives strength not only to you but others as well. You and Ryan are Awesome. We all wish we had the magic words to wipe away your sorrow but it is now part of you and without the ability to go back in time and change things it is just as much an important part of you as anything else. what stories and experiences will you share with Christain? In the place he is now, he feels your love and is waiting because at the right time... Naturally, you will be back with him again. He wants to know all about your time with Ry, your thoughts of him, the things you accomplished, the impact you made here etc... Live each day with that in mind. Let it guide you.<br /><br />Always and Forever, your Loving Friend...<br /><b>Ski.</b>Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04383087755765292995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-48888377627057747862010-04-20T22:01:15.006-04:002010-04-20T22:01:15.006-04:00I can't wait to hear more about your new daugh...I can't wait to hear more about your new daughter. You have been in my prayers this whole time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047288093885552680.post-70145712295386004812010-04-20T16:42:06.601-04:002010-04-20T16:42:06.601-04:00Leah,
I, too, have checked in often over the last ...Leah,<br />I, too, have checked in often over the last months, but have sensed that you weren't ready to 'be back'. That is OK! I'm so glad to be able to hear where your heart's been, and I am proud of you for your honesty. It's hard, I know. I'm excited to follow the journey God takes you and Ryan on as you move forward in building your family. Christian will NOT be forgotten...Maya will be such a gift to your hearts. <br />I've also struggled with depression over the past several years, more so the last 2, and it's not easy. Feel free to contact me if you need an understanding 'ear' (or eyes) :)Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15509129307087220105noreply@blogger.com