May 15, 2008

Please click on the following link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wiz_p-7KuOs This video was made by one adoptive mother as a gift to other adoptive familes. I want to pass it along as well to all the Xingfu familes that have already brought home their children and to the families still waiting...Its BEAUTIFUL!

Julie Ann

UNITED STATES CITIZEN !!!

IT'S OFFICIAL!

Yesterday I received John's Certificate of Citizenship in the mail. What a relief! It came with a letter from the President! I was so emotional reading it. It really reminded me how lucky we are to be born here in this great country. And I realized all the possiblities it opens for my newest son. I am so happy for him, myself and my family. I will be making a color copy of it so that we can frame it, and hang it on my mothers' "wall of fame" right next to my Grandfathers US Citizenship papers. (He came here from Italy as a young man).

"Americans are united across the generations by grand and enduring ideals. The grandest of these ideals is an unfolding promise that everyone belongs, that everyone deserves a chance, and that no insignificant person was ever born. Our Country has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by principles that move us beyond our backgrounds, lifts us above our interests, and teach us what it means to be citizens. Every citizen must uphold these principles. And every new citizen, by embracing these ideals, makes this country more, not less, American..
...Americans are generous and strong and decent not because we believe in ourselves, but we hold beliefs beyond ourselves. When this spirit of citizenship is missing, no government program can replace it. When this spirit is present, no wrong can stand against it."
(excerpt from letter from the White House)

So congratulations to John-John and all the other children in my travel group who are receiving the same letter and Certificate of Citizenship this week!

A little off topic- I have an amazing story...
As many of my friends and family know, I wash my floors on my hands and knees. (stay with me here...its relevant) With the advancements of mops and the introduction of Swiffers, etc, I will admit, I am a little "OCD" or old fashioned. I dont own either! With John- John home and very mobile, I am forever washing sticky substances of all kinds off the floor constantly. The last few times I've done this, John would try to get behind me and lift up the back of my shirt! If he succeeded, he would just lay his head on my back and stay there. I thought this was very odd to say the least. I thought maybe it was the skin contact he was looking for? A backwards hug? Maybe he thought he was trying to help me? Maybe he was just tired and it was a convenient place to lay his head? I couldnt figure it out untill a friend of mine was in the kitchen while I was once again, washing something sticky off the floor. I expressed how odd I thought it was that John always tried to do this. At that moment it was pointed out to me that John was trying to pull the back of my shirt up to trace his finger over the tattoo on my back... and he was laying his head right on the tattoo itself! (Yes, I have a tatoo. I often forget I even have it...my mother is not proud) The interesting thing about this is that my tatoo is of the Chinese Characters for "friendship, love and loyalty" He must recognize the Chinese writing! As I'm writing this, I realize I'm giving an odd visual at best. But to see him do it in person is really unbelievable! He would stop whatever he is doing or playing with to come over and hug my Chinese tatoo....Then of course, I stop cleaning the floor and have to hug my Chinese son!!

More pics to come soon....I promise Marcy!
Julie Ann