What an emotional roller coaster!! We now have beautiful Alissa in our arms! We could hardly contain ourselves as they brought 5 children into their new families. Alissa came right to us and held onto Kristin very tight. She came with a backpack from her foster family with pictures of her childhood, gifts from her foster parents so they would be remembered, and a letter to us. What a tear jerker! To top it off, Kristin had brought along the same photo book of us, our family, and her room that we sent to her foster family. We got this out and right away, Alissa was pointing out mama and gu gu, but she wasn't so sure of me. Her foster parents had prepared her for this day! Again, more tears!! Alissa had missed her nap and was extremely tired. So it wasn't long before she was falling asleep. We got her back to the hotel and she was fast asleep. We all crashed. After she awoke, she then began a very deep grieving process for her foster parents. It broke our hearts! No amount of books or training can really prepare you for this moment. We need lots of prayers for her to work thru this process in a positive and healthy way and to allow us to help her comfort her thru this process. She finally came around and we had a lot of fun playing together as shown in the picture above. That was great until she started to put her shoes on to go home to her foster mom. We then went thru a very dramatic bed time. We simply did not have the energy or time to make a post until this morning at 7:30 am. As I'm typing this, Kristin is getting ready and Alissa has awoke to play with Benjamin. The morning has been great so far! We need to leave for breakfast and then meet at 8:30 to make the adoption official. We will post again when we have some more moments. God has been so great, and has surrounded us with so many family and friends to walk with us on this Journey. Alissa is a precious little girl and we feel humbled to be her parents. Thank you for your prayers as we transition as a family and as Alissa mourns the loss of her foster family. We love you all, take care.
27 comments:
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So happy to see you finally holding Alissa! We cannot imagine how utterly exhausted you must be...both physically and emotionally. Just in this post alone prayers have been answered...her foster parents prepared her and she's grieving. Praise the Lord! We continue to pray for the adjustment and bonding process.
She's such a cutie! Two beautiful children...you are blessed!
Much love,
Kenton & Janelle
How wonderful!! She is so sweet and looks like she fits in perfectly with your family! We couldn't be any happier for all of you. We will continue to pray that these next few days go well for each of you. what a blessing that this moment has finally arrived.
Enjoy it to the fullest!
Love,
Dan and Lori
The Lord truly does answer prayer!!! We have been praying that Alissa would have a positive reaction to you guys and we are so relieved to hear that she has! We will continue to pray for all of you as you adjust to one another and as Alissa grieves for her foster parents. How awesome that they prepared her for this day! Words cannot express how happy we are for you guys. We love you all very much!
Jon, Becky, Ethan and Emma
Praise the Lord! He is SO awesome and has answered all our prayers! Brent, Kristin and Benjamin, you have a beautiful addition to the family, and little Alissa has no idea of the loving family she has just become a part of! It was so good to hear from you, and we will definitely keep you all in our prayers, and especially little Alissa as she goes thru the grieving process. We look forward to more updates and can't wait to see all of you! You have such a precious family!
Our love and prayers!
Mother and Daddy
I can't tell you how many times I came and clicked on your blog to see if you posted pics of your meeting Alissa! Now I can finally say Congratulations - Alissa is simply precious! I totally understand your being so tired, emotionally and physically not to post. It is so special that the foster family was preparing her for this day. GOD is good all the time! Know that your family continues to be in our prayers during this bonding time, as well as for Alissa as she learns to let go of foster family and become a very loved daughter and sister of yours.
Benjamin, you will be such a great big brother. You'll have to tell Alissa when she is older how you were a rock-star while you were in China :)
Hope to see more pics in the coming days!
Love,
Lynette, Sam,
Chelsea & Caylei
Words cannot express how happy we are for your family -- such a beautiful family of four now. We will continue to pray that Alissa finds comfort with you. Thank you so very much for sharing these special moments with all of us.
Love,
The Smiths
YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! We just came from sister supper and we all were talking about your journey and hoping that there would soon be pictures. She is precious. I called Mom to read the blog and the tears were flowing. Your family is complete. God will continue to bless you and will wrap HIS arms around you all, getting you thru the grieving process. Get some much needed rest. Alissa is so lucky to join the Kreider/Wile family. XXOO, Tracy
YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! We just came from sister supper and we all were talking about your journey and hoping that there would soon be pictures. She is precious. I called Mom to read the blog and the tears were flowing. Your family is complete. God will continue to bless you and will wrap HIS arms around you all, getting you thru the grieving process. Get some much needed rest. Alissa is so lucky to join the Kreider/Wile family. XXOO, Tracy
We have been anxiously awaiting your post. Alissa is precious. She has an awesome forever family! We will continue to pray for Alissa and you as you walk through the adjustments. Congratulations!! ~ Gary, Sonda & Kiana
I think I checked the blog a hundred times an hour all through the day today. Just got home from sister supper and as I was signing in to the blog, I had my fingers crossed that there was an update. She is BEAUTIFUL. Benjamin - you are a BIG BROTHER!! Oh the fun you will have helping to take care of your little sister! Brent and Kristin - I sit here and try to figure out what to say to you both and I can't say a word because I just cry. I cannot wait to see you all. God bless all of you as you are there for Alissa as she grieves for her foster parents. It sounds like they have done a wonderful job in preparing her for all of you. Can't wait to keep reading these updates and see more pictures. Enjoy the rest of your trip - get some rest and just relish this incredible family time you all have together.
My love - Tami
Thanks for the update. To see that smiling face of hers is priceless. The picture of the 4 of you brought tears to my eyes. Your family is complete. These next few days will be filled with so many emotions and we will pray for you to have strength as you deal with her transition. Matt and Amanda wanted to know if she speaks any English, and if not how the communication is going? Get some rest and we look forward to our next update. Congrats!
Love and smiles,
The Harnish Clan
Kristin, Brent, Benjamin & Alissa,
Congratulations! And thank you again for taking the time to bring all of us along with you on this incredible journey. She's a beautiful little girl! I know God will give you just what you need to help her through this time. He chose you for her and her for you. I hope you can feel all of our prayers for your family. We miss you and can't wait to meet Alissa!
Love,
Doug, Sonya, Lexie, Tristen & Jordan
WAHOOOOO!!! What a Fabulous update!! God is SOOOOO GOOD!!! We are praising the Lord with you for this BEAUTIFUL little miracle!! Zach and Ian pray every night for the the boys and girls that still need families....they were really EXCITED this morning when I told them today that one of the little girls found her Mommy and Daddy while they were sleeping! It has been SUCH a blessing to follow your journey!!
Matt, Jen, Zach, Ian and Seth
What a special day--a long awaited day. God is so good. He does care about each detail. We will be praying that the bonding of you and Alissa will continued and that she will not have too much pain in the greiving of her foster parents. Benjamin, I know you will teach her all about throwing a ball. From the picture, it looks like you started already. Have a good day. Love, Jim and NancyJi
I can't even begin to know what to say! She's so beautiful and I can't stop crying! The 7 Cs are praying for you all and can't wait to get to know precious Alissa! God is so good! Many blessings and prayers are being sent your way!
Much Love,
Chad and Coleen
The little song "God is so Good" keeps running through my head - and the tears are running too! She is PRECIOUS and BEAUTIFUL and oh my the list could just go on and on. Thank you for the update and for being such an example of what it means to trust the Lord - He has brought you down a difficult road and you have made it! We pray that He will continue to walk with you and especially Alissa as you all bond and fall in love with each other! We can't wait to get to know her!
Love and Prayers
Jeff and Alicia
Our hearts are rejoicing to see you with Alissa. God's faithfulness is so alive and powerful. We will continue to pray for peace and for a healthy transition for all of you. I could not wait to read your blog today. I probably checked the computer 20 times today. Blessings to you!!!
Much love, Todd and Twila
Oh my...the tears are just flowing...Auntie Bradi and Uncle Brad and Raegan and Sydney love you Alissa!!
We simply can't wait to see you guys! Praying and praying for you.
We couldn't be happier for you! What a beautiful little girl!
Congratulations!
Preston, Julie, Levi & Hailey
Wonderful News!!! Praise the Lord that you have Alissa in your arms!! We were watching for an update all day. The pictures bring tears. How blessed Alissa is to have you as parents and big brother and what an honor it is for you to have her in your family! Simply beautiful. We will continue to pray for you.
Love,
Shawn, Shelby & Kassidy
Praise the Lord!!!! You have been given a beautiful daughter and sister to love! It was a thrill to see Alissa Quan smiling and to know that she easily bonded with Kristin. God is smiling too because he knows that Alissa has been blessed with so much love and extra special parents. We are praying and know she will adjust well and come to love her new family. We are so full of joy, knowing that she is now part of our family! We love you and miss you all.
Love,
Mom and Dad
Hello Kreider Family!
WOW! What an experience you're all having! Benjamin, I'm thinking especially of you today. I remember a special day, very much like yours...that happened to me about 32 years ago! I know that seems like a long time ago to you, but I remember it just like it was yesterday. It was the day that I met my three-year-old brother, Tim, for the first time. I was six years old then, and he had just flown accross to ocean to meet us in NY City! I think that he thought we were all a bunch of crazy people who never learned how to speak with the right works:). He got car sick on the way to our hotel, and we were all very worried about him. But, he and I became very good friends very soon, and we love each other very much even now. The one funny thing I remember is that, when we took off his socks to change him into his PJs the first night, he had GREEN feet! They must have just put a new pair of socks on him, and when his feet sweat, they turned green. Can you think of something silly that you saw Alissa do today? We're so happy for all of you...and we know you'll make a wonderful big brother.
Love,
Kelly
Wow, I think you should win an award for "Best Tear Jerker Blog Entry". It is absolutely amazing to see you holding her! What a faithful God we serve!
Congratulations!
Cousin Heidi
God is good all the time!!! What a beautiful little girl! We continue to pray for her and you all during this adjustment period. We checked your blog so many times yesterday and were thrilled to read your message and see the pictures! Can't wait to meet her in person!
Many blessings,
Doug, Karen, and family
And Alissa makes four. CONGRATS!! We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers as you continue your journey. We are thrilled to have another memeber added to the family.
XOXO-
Dominick and Kimberly
Yay! She is beautiful.
Congratulations on your beautiful daughter.
Praying for a smooth transition as you all adjust to your growing and changing family.
How exciting!! It is so awesome to see you holding Alissa! She is a real cutie! We will be praying for emotional stregnth in all 4 of you as you go through this wonderful experience with Alissa. Can't wait to see more pictures!
Love,
Ryan and Courtney
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