Alright, now I'm just curious...
I added Stat Counter to this blog, because so many people have said they read it every day... get a life, people! Just kidding, come back, I love you!
Anyhoo, I added the counter an hour ago and there are 33 hits already. Ok, about 5 of those are mine, and several others are (what's the term? being botted?) But who all is out there? Would you consider leaving a comment letting me know you're lurking and/or reading. I would love to know who you are. You can remain anonymous too, especially if you'd have to kill me for knowing your secret identity.
You have no idea how much it means to Lee and I to know you are out there. We surely do thank you for your support and prayers. Seeing that there are comments on a post is just about the most exciting thing in my day. Ha ha. No, really. That doesn't sound too desperate, does it? :)
51 comments:
Here's my shout out. I have a little girl from China so I like to read other adoption stories...I guess you could consider me a "stalker" of sorts. Feel free to stalk me anytime!
www.journeytohannah.com or my husband Pete at: http://hannahsdaddy-petey.blogspot.com/
Kim P.
Florida
I read your blogs daily. What you are going through right now is an adventure. I hope someday to meet your new family.
Emma and Lucy's Grandma Witz.
Hey guys!! I guess you could consider me an adoption blog "stalker." I've been to Guatemala twice to work at an orphanage and have begged my parents to adopt but so far the Lord has not led them there yet! I love reading your stories about this journey and getting an honest perspective on what it's like to adopt older children, something I would like to do when I'm older (I'm only 16 right now). So that's my story. Feel free to check out my blog anytime!
Molly
http://www.guatemolly1.blogspot.com/
Hi...it's me, reading from Wisconsin. In a few days I'll be reading from Washington and then from Oregon. Praying for you guys and really 'feeling' it all, from the aches to the joy. Mike reads too (just so you know that it's not just ONE of us compulsively checking to see if there's something new posted...)
Hi guys,
I'm sure I'm only one of TONS of FUMC folks who are spying on your new family! My mom said she saw you outside our house tonite. Stop by whenever you feel ready. Also, the pool is ready (not warm, but clean) so bring H and Y on over for a dip whenever you want!
I am enjoying your posts so much. The English teacher in me would like to compliment your wonderful writing styles! It's a blast to read things from both your perspectives! You're in our prayers as you know!
Sue Holmes
Belvidere
OH MY WORD!!!!! You guys crack us up!!! :D
You're our new fav. blog to read cuz you're so darn funny!!! And after moving 2 rooms around, taking the face off a VERY tall cabinet to move it to another room, transferring ALL the books from 2 other tall shelves back and forth just to move them, etc...all so the baby's crib can fit in his brother's room...heck! We need to laugh! :D
We love how real and down to earth you guys seem to be...you know we're all thinking and saying the same things, we just haven't gone "public" with it! hahaha
It's so cool that you jumped right in to the parent thing and adopted 2 older children!!! We know it must be very hard at times and pray for you! So cool how you can find out about someone on YG, and then start stalking their blog and end up praying for them!! :D
We hope you have a great week and fun 4th of July!
Take care,
Amy & Dietrich Lusse (AWAA, ET)
My Google reader lets me know that you've updated every day. I look forward to reading your adventures! It is an interesting read to me since we have bio kids around the same ages as Y & H -to think of them adapting to our culture... WOW!
Anyway, you probably didn't know how interesting life could be before Y & H hit your home and your hearts!
~Susan (AWAA Family, waiting for court for infant boy)
www.schmidtcafe.blogspot.com
I'm one of the lurkers. I don't check every day, but I'm following your progress. How could I not? I have been waiting for this for years!
Blessings to all four of you!
"Aunt" G
Chris,
You know I read daily! And, yes, for those of you who don't know Chris and Lee personally, they have undertaken a huge "adventure" and are doing a fabulous job! We have had the pleasure of meeting the kids a couple of times and seeing Chris and Lee in the "parent" mode...happy, sad, mad, exhausted, and just plain glazed over.
I am the Julie Lee mentioned in the 4th of July blog that chased Yordi at the fireworks when she freaked out after the first boom...and promptly got up and ran!She handled it like a trooper after I picked her up and walked away from the fireworks and she could admire the colors from afar!
Keep up the good work guys.
Julie & Greg
I've been lurking. Your blog is one of my faves! :)
Oh, so I wasn't supposed to redirect the district home page to your blog? Whoops....
Hey, this is Patty V. I'm on the Yahoo group. My hubby and I have a referral for a beautiful 10 year old girl (pending our dossier submission - waiting child program). You blog is helpful because I am adopting an older child too! I pray for you guys, I know it's been a big adjustment! Sounds like you are doing great.
God Bless,
Patty V.
I'm here! I love catching up on my extended Wesley family. Aunt Carrie keeps me in the loop too. Also, as a Speech/Language Therapist, if there's any way I can help, let me know. Thanks for letting us share in your joy and adventures! Great writing too! :)
Okay, so I'm a daily lurker...I mean reader. I love reading your, um, "adventures" while you all are transitioning into daily life. I'm an adoptive mom of a little boy from Kazakhstan and I have a bio daughter. Hang in there, life will get easier! In the meantime, write it all out on your blog!!!!
Chris and Lee,
We've met a few times, I'm an old friend of Nicola's. Ali BG has you all linked from her blog. What can I say, I got hooked. I have a boring job so the more blogs the better. :) Christy C.
I came across your website from Kari Gibson's adoption website. I love reading about your adventures with H and Y. Our daughter died of cancer last year and I got tired of reading about other kids with cancer so now I read about adoptions---much happier stories! Thank you for letting us "watch" you on your parenthood journey. I hope there are blessings in addition to the headaches--I know I have both. I pray that God will help you love H and Y with his unconditional love and that he will knit your hearts together as a family.
Okay, Okay, I have to admit, I get on at least 2-3 times a day. I am addicted!! Your stories are so touching and heartwarming, and yet hysterically funny. Chris, I've got to tell you, I think I laughed the hardest at your comment about seeing the face of God as you were eating your candy bar. I was laughing out loud at work! Oops! Did I just admit that I visit your site during work hours. Well, of course it’s only on my lunch hour. :)
Sue Laude, Wesley UMC, Elgin
(You know, one of those weird Wesley people who remember Lee when he was a baby. He was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO cute!!!)
Hey Guys,
I've been lurking from the beginning. I love reading about everything you're going through. I hope to meet the new family someday & maybe do some well deserved knitting with Chris (and kids?)
Trixy
John and Dottie with AWAA. We're leaving Saturday to pick up our 2, ages 5 and 6. (Whoa! I guess I better pack!)
Hey guys - it's Kim from Missouri. Fellow AWAA Fam!!!! I love to see what your family has been up to. Your posts are great!!! Blessings,
Kim
www.ablissfulheart.blogspot.com
I'm reading religiously! :)
Ali
Hi Gardners,
I read your blogs daily and make my husband listen as I read to him! I say to him, "see, that was love and logic parenting in action." If you aren't aware, you guys parent just like a book we're reading on parenting! It's so great! You make me laugh daily - you're just so honest and real. I love it!
Your kids are developing so beautifully!
Julia (an Ohio AWA family - DTE 3/19/08 for an infant boy)
http://richardsons2ethiopia.blogspot.com
Absolutely love your blog--great writing by both of you! Just started following it from the Dragovich link when you were in ET picking up kids. You're now in my top 3 of adoption blogs I check almost daily. Husband and I are discerning int'l adoption ourselves, but we've been seasoned parentally with 3 bio girls--22, 19, and 17. I can't imagine what it would be like to plunge into parenthood with older kids from another culture. Wow--you two are amazing. Love the guitar sessions. God bless.
Symona in Wyoming
How great to have so many people reading...your posts are wonderful for all parents...makes us all know that we are in this crazy parenting thing together---Hope to see you guys soon--take care--and just for the record I do check a few times a day (b/c you sometimes post more than once a day....not that I'm a compulsive blog watcher :-)
Lurking? *raises hand*
I'm here most days, Chris! On days when I think parenting is impossible, and I can't do it one more day, I come here and see what you're doing JUMPING IN RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF IT! You and Lee are my heroes :)
I'm raising my hand as well - a daily checker-inner for sure!
It's pretty wild seeing everyone step out of the blogo-shadows and chime in here! Keep up the good work - can't wait to meet H & Y in person... unfortunately we're going to be on hiatus from church on a summer vacation-looking forward to reconnecting sometime soon!
Chris and Lee,
I'm guilty. I am addicted to your blogs. I get on several times in the evening waiting for the days blog. You guys have such great humor. That right there will get you through just about anything your kids could throw at you. You guys are doing an amazing job. I wish I had some of your ideas when my kids were little. Please let me know if I can make a meal or anything else. I can make a mean jello with mandarin oranges. LOL Keep up the great work. You guys are doing a wonderful job.
Love Jody
Hi Chris and Lee!
It's Betty. Just checking up on you guys to see how things are.
You've got LOTS of support here at U-46.
He he he! I guess I'll add my comment here so that you can spend a few more moments in blog world instead of the daily grind of life. We're Joshua and Bethany from AWAA YG. We're going to be 1st time parents too when we bring home our 6 and 4 year old sibling group. I only hope to be as resilient and hilarious as you all are! Take care, you are often thought of and prayed for!
Hi Chris and Lee! Pete and I are on the YG and are waiting for an infant girl. I've been reading since just before you left for ET. Can't wait to meet you all when we have a get-together at an ET restaurant in the Chicago area!
Melissa Juvinall
Sean and I read daily. we find ourselves saying... what was the last entry you read? or have you read about this yet? I feel that I know your kids already. I think it will help us interact with them when we meet them because we will understand them. I can totally relate to your sleepless nights. I was feeling your pain. We are very proud of you both for being so loving to your children. H and Y are so lucky to have you. I was thinking about Y the other day b/c i found a pillow that you can velcro on the seatbelt strap. Maybe give her a little neck support. Keep sharing your family with us. We love reading!
well you know I'm here, of course!
I love your blog! I read it every time I go down my list of AWAA blogs. What an adventure you guys have embarked on. And great to see all the other comments of those who love you guys and love sharing in your story!
*karen (from the AWAA YG, http://adoptionmusings.wordpress.com, DTE 2/1/08)
Hi there! I read all your updates daily through my google reader. Your blog is one of my favorites to read! It just cracks me up, but yet gives me perspective. We are looking to adopt a sibling group, with one younger than our soon to be 3 year old and one older. We also have 15 and 16 year old girls. Know that we are praying for you!
Blessings! - Sherry Semlow, AWAA YG DTE 5/1/08
www.semlowadoption.blogspot.com
I'm here whenever my feed reader says you've updated! :) I'm an AWAA Ethiopia mom-to-be & am on the Yahoo Group. We've received a referral for a beeeeauuuuutifullll baby boy! Do you really think you might have pictures of him? I'd love to see! :)
Chris and Lee, I read everyday. I must admit I am addicted. It is better then tv. Lee can we come see you perform Sound of Music at Karaoke?
Jennifer
I've been checking your blog daily since you guys got back.
I'm not very good at these things (All you kids and your fancy new technology! ::shakes fist feebly in the air::), but I LOVE reading about your new family adventures. I think it's really amazing, sometimes hilarious and always moving.
H&Y seem like a couple of really great kids and I think you guys are doing a great job as parents.
In the words of one Kai-Lan, (one of Alannah's favorite cartoon characters) "You make my heart happy!"
With much love,
Bill Owens
I was headed here to comment earlier today, but got interrupted. I also read your blog every time the blog reader shows me you've updated. You really make me laugh a lot...and I always have to read something to my husband (who doesn't read blogs).
We are first in line for a young sibling group at AWAA, so we're waiting anxiously!
Blessings,
Forrest family
Ahh, yes. I giggle at your pain daily.
Hi Chris & Lee!
I am a daily reader because I have absolutely nothing better to do...NOT. I am just so touched by your candor and honesty! Your faith inspires me to be more faithful in my own personal struggles! I might pop in ocassionally with some parenting tidbit, on an as the spirit moves me basis.
My prayers are with you always!!!
Denise
I read your blogs daily and have given you blog site to a friend at work whos daughter is in the process of adopting from Ethiopia...she lives in Denver. It has been a huge help to her in the waiting process. When she gets her paperwork all complete she will start her own blog. Thank you so much for letting ME know it is not just Americans that have needs as children...it's all over the world.
Debbie B.
From your Church family
Hi Chris and Lee
I try to read daily because, well we're part of the village. Can't wait to meet the kids. And see you again.
~Becky
Hey Guys!
I read your blog all the time. Sorry I don't always have enough brain power, or time to make a comment. Alannah and I do lift you up in prayer at nap time and bed time though. Hope to hang out soon!
Much love,
Barley
Hi- I check your blog every couples days. Your daily posts remind me of when we adopted our son. You guys are doing great! I think I finally felt rested after being home 6 months- HA!
candy
AWAA YG
I read your blog cause what you write is way more hilarious & heartwarming than stuff they put on TV
We were on a missions trip this past week, but under normal circumstances we too/two read/laugh daily.
Aunt Carrie and Uncle Paul
I did the same thing one day on my blog and couldn't believe how many people were reading it! You guys are hilarious--when I have a second I love to read about your antics as it makes me feel sane.
When we brought Ella home we had a hard time adjusting. It's all a blur now, but was so difficult at the time. It seems like you are doing the absolute best you can during a hard time. Savor the little successes and try to remember the failures in a funny light. That's how I deal with the absolute insanity of our lives.
take care!
apryl
A friend of a friend gave me a link to your blog. We just started the adoption process to bring home an older child from Ethiopia (hopefully) next summer. Love your humor and stories! Thanks for making your story available!
-Nikki
Oklahoma
We returned home in January from Ethiopia with our two little ones and have been following your blog for a while now. It's great to hear how life is adjusting to older children. Adopting an older child is something that God perhaps has in our future. We are also an AWAA fam and our household also enjoys bananas to excess.
With Love,
Penelope
Oops, I guess I should have left the comment I just left on the above post on this one. Once again, I love this blog.
--Leeann
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