Still in shock...

that after:

16 months

1 miscarriage

13 cycles of charting my temp

3 cycles of medication

countless ovulation tests

miserable bloodwork

1 heartbreaking ultrasound

lots of tears

lots of prayers

and many, many negative pregnancy tests...

that we're expecting another baby!!!

There is so much to write and maybe there will be 100 more posts on the pain of our time of loss and infertility. There were so many times that the most-well meaning person said the most hurtful thing, or that people didn't know what to say to me on the subject. There were so many times that I wondered if God would really give us another child (and some of y'all are rolling your eyes...I have done that before until I went through what seemed like an eternity of waiting). There were the comments that started when Harrison turned 2 about how we needed to have another one quick to either straighten up his attitude or because "those families" who waited a long time in between kids were just selfish.

But those posts can wait because, for now, I rejoice! I cannot believe that our prayers (and the prayers of countless others) have been answered! I had prayed fervently that we would be pregnant before October 22, which would have been my due date with the baby we lost back in February. And you may recall that I posted something about it. It turns out, I was actually pregnant at the time but it was too early to know! We found out our news on Halloween! Without posting too many details, it was a very unlikely month for us to get pregnant, but the Lord was so sweet and gave us the desire of our hearts!

Little one is due sometime in the beginning of July. I have already had a couple different due dates, but the very first one was July 12. We are so very thrilled to be able to come back to the states for the summer and deliver the baby in Atlanta! I have been dreaming nightly of Chick-Fil-A, cheese dip from my favorite Mexican restaurant and the countless lunch places I can't wait to dine upon our arrival!

As of my last ultrasound a few days ago, the baby is the size of a "small bug" says my chinese doctor. Hilarious. Pre-natal care will definitely be an adventure over here, but I couldn't be more thankful. I never dreamed I would have to wait this long for another child, especially since Harrison came within, like, 5 seconds of us thinking we might want to start a family. I know our journey is short compared to other dear friends close to my heart, but it felt so very long to me, and I am thankful and relieved to be able to share the news with all of you blogging friends!

Prayers for pregnancy in a foreign country with a toddler-in-tow would be much appreciated...It is not easy, especially when said toddler is not napping every day, when I am carrying 30+ pounds of him up and down 4 flights of stairs multiple times daily,and when the food is really hard to get down. I was not sick a lick with Harrison, so even though I feel okay most of the time, the sickness is new for me, but I really wouldn't have it any other way (and again, some of you are calling me crazy right now)!

We praise God from whom all blessings flow!

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord." --1 Samuel 1:27-28

Our First Date...

***

Was 8 years ago today, and it was HERE in East Asia! Now, it's debatable as to when we actually had our first date if you ask me or Brett or the 20 other people who watched our relationship under a microscope while we were here, but today 8 years ago was the first time he came to visit me with the intention of taking me (and only me) out.

He picked me up at my apartment wearing an afro wig~he had me at hello!

And sweet Brett had a tape of Christmas music that he asked each taxi driver to play when we were in the cabs. He also had a small gift for me during each taxi ride. We ate pizza, went ice skating, and went to a lounge on the top floor of a nice hotel in town and just talked and talked! It was such a fun time, and I often think or our time of dating here in China with such fond memories. He led me on scavenger hunts, we travelled together, we danced on tables together, sang karaoke, and the list continues! We had so much fun, and are still having fun today! I am so thankful that God brought me here back in 2002 to not only fall in love with a new culture, but to fall in love with Brett as well. It has been quite an adventure since that first date, and I have loved living life with him!

***In the above picture, shadows may look larger (or smaller) than they appear!

Some Christmas Eve Dancin'

Christmas Card

We had so much fun taking pictures for our Christmas card this year! We knew that this guy would not sit still for long, though. Check him out....this is how he helps me get taxis!

A friend graciously took some great pictures for us in a park.

But, what I really wanted was for us all to sit in a sanlunche (sawn loon chuh-- "three wheeled vehicle"). This is how I get around a lot here, and I thought it would be so cute for our Christmas card. We found one with a window open in the back and got some great shots. We paid the driver about 75 cents to sit in it for 5 minutes and get some photos. (That is also about how much we would pay a driver of these to cart us a short distance around town).

We landed on this shot (I think). I so love Christmas card time of year and I'm SAD that it's hard/expensive/takes so long to mail things over here! I miss getting Christmas cards from all our sweet friends!

Merry Christmas!!

Hong Kong

The type of visa we are on here is a tourist visa....meaning we have to leave the country every 120 days to get a stamp on our passport showing we left the country before returning. Our time here was up....we had to leave. So, last week, we, the three amigos, decided to venture to Hong Kong for a visa run.

Now, before you go and check your maps, yes, Hong Kong is in China. It was under European rule for 99 years until 1997. China considers it China now, but for whatever reason it counts as leaving the country for our visas. I know, weird. However, since it's only a little over a 2 hour flight, we decided that it would be a great and easy trip. Also, it's an incredible city and we both had not been there in years. We were so excited for blue skies, great weather, good shopping, yummy food, and taking Harrison to go see Santa.

Well, guess what we did instead??

We threw up....the whole time....all 3 of us.

Sad, sad, sad!!! We managed to at least hit Toys R Us and one little market for some shopping before it hit Hare Bear. We were standing at a bus stop, and little H leaned into me. I just put my arm around him and was enjoying him leaning on my leg. And then my pants were soaked. Sad. Next, it hit the Brettster....and finally, yours truly. Poor us. We came home empty-handed, with empty stomachs, and with barely any pictures.

But, we are so glad to be home and on the mend.

Meeting the neighbors

A few weeks after we arrived here, I met my neighbor in the stairwell. He lives directly above us, and we struck up a conversation. His English was incredible and he told me that he had a 3 year old daughter and he would love to have her play with Harrison sometime. Thrilled at the option to have a local friend for Harrison, I told him that would be great. We exchanged numbers. He told me at the end of our meeting that he would (again) like for his daughter to be around me and my son because she is afraid of foreigners and he wants her to get over her fear.

Months go by...

Last weekend, Wu Gang (said neighbor) calls and asks if now would be a good time for the kids to play together (it is very cultural to not plan even 5 minutes in advance). I apologize to him saying that Harrison is sick and now would not be a good time, but soon I would like for them to play. He explains to me that his daughter does not live with him all the time (also a very common occurrence here. He is not divorced, but he and his wife live in separate places so he can work in the city and she lives further out.) I apologize again and say now is not a good time.

5 minutes later...a knock on the door.

Me: "oh hello, Wu Gang! Oh, is this your wife? Oh, and is this your daughter? hi little friend! you are so cute!"

Little girl: Crying hysterically

Neighbor: gives us a present, meets Brett. Small talk. We discover the little tyke's English name is Mia

Brett & Lauren: "Hi Mia! Would you like to meet Harrison?? You're so cute! And so tall!" Smiling very big, trying to be inviting

Mia: Standing outside the door, crying hysterically.

Meanwhile, we have 2 guys staying in our home, they are coming in and out...she cries even harder as they pass by her.

Neighbor: "Well, we wanted her to at least meet you all so next time we can play. She is very scared of foreigners."

Me: "Why is she scared of foreigners?"

Neighbor: "Because her baby-sitter told her that foreigners eat children."

Oh....Okay.... Yeah, I don't think she'll be back.

Especially after I flashed my teeth at her about 42 times.

Thankful

Last year I posted a list of things I was thankful for according to the alphabet. In an effort to be thankful over the past week or so (because I have not been the most thankful person lately), I thought I would do it again. Some letters may be the same as last year, but there are just some things that I love all the time! So, here goes, the ABC's of thankfulness, 2010...

A. Atlanta, Georgia. My hometown. I miss it and it's eccentricities and great culture and great food so much. I love Atlanta and although, I'm sad to say I'm pretty sure I won't live there again (at least in the near future), I will always consider it home.

B. Brett. He is my best friend and I have become more thankful for him the past 3 months than I have ever been.

C. Cheap Baby-sitters. Oh, they are in abundance here! I should not even tell you what these lovely young American teenagers charge. But, it definitely makes it possible for lots of....

D. Date nights. Brett and I have gotten into a great habit over here of going out once a week. I am sure this is so normal for lots of you, but it was hard for us to do with our crazy travel schedule before now. I love this time and look forward to it every week (Thursday to be exact).

E. East Asia. Oh, it's been so very hard to move back here, but whether I am here or there, I will always love this place, and I am thankful to be here.

F. Friends. I LOVE my friends! I miss them all so much.

"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." -Kahlil Gibran

I wouldn't miss my friends so much if they had not been my greatest delight.

G. Glee. I have loved it since day 1

H. Harrison. How do I love him more each day? Today he is very very sick, and it has been so sweet taking care of him. I mean, he threw up in my hand...that's love!

I. Internet. It's totally a lifeline for me over here...not sure if that's a good or bad thing, but I'm thankful...for email, facebook, blogs, skype, and being able to make cheap phone calls to my loved ones!

J. Jesus. He saved my life.

K. Kevin. My brother who we lost in 2008. I think of him everyday and miss him so very much. I am so thankful that I had the chance to know him. He was one of the most extraordinary people I've ever known.

L. Laughter. "I just like to laugh. Laughing's my favorite." --Buddy the Elf (except he was talking about smiling).

M. My Local Starbucks. I love Starbucks, truly I do. I would choose other coffee shops if I had the option, but I love that there is one just a 10 minute walk from our neighborhood. It's such a haven for me!

N. Netflix. We don't have a DVD player here yet, so we can either watch chinese TV or watch TV over hulu and netflix. Netflix saves my life for a portion of each day while I show Harrison a 'Thomas the Train' or 'Dora the Explorer' episode (or 4) so that I can have some sanity. I am so thankful!

O. Orlando. This crazy touristy place has become home to us and we miss our life there! Whenever we move back, you always have a place to stay if you're visiting Disney!

P. Parents. I am so grateful for both my parents. I feel that I have a better relationship with them both now than I ever have. I love them dearly and admire them both so much. I also love my Dooley parents too!

Q. Quiet. Especially since H is trying to drop his nap (eeek), a few minutes of quiet time to myself is quite a treat!

R. Running into friends unexpectedly. I love being out and about and running into someone I know. It usually makes my day! Yesterday, I was having a particularly sad morning and ran into a new friend and it really made me feel so much better!

S. Siblings. I love my family ever so much. My sister and brother and I did not have the most conventional upbringing and in many ways took care of each other. I would not trade a minute of the time we spent together. I will never forget the tears I cried over not wanting Robin to leave for college when I was 15. I felt I was losing my best friend. I will also never forget the tears I cried when I had to leave Chris behind when I left for dear old Athens. Although life has taken us to different places, I cherish the few times a year we are together. We laugh so hard and I am so proud of them for being the smartest, most creative people alive (I did not receive that gene). And I was even more blessed to get to have another brother and sister. Kev, who I mentioned earlier, and Hayward who have always been family no matter what. And I lucked out with great sibling-in-laws! Dan, Lindsey, Chris and Julie are the bees knees!

T. The Classic City. Athens, Georgia. Love this place. It changed my life and I had the best time ever there.

U. Umbrellas. It rains here a lot.

V. Visitors. We have had our first crop of visitors here this week! Brett's best chinese friend from years ago (Tommy) spent 2 nights with us and now we have 2 other guys staying at Chez Dooley. I love hosting people in our home!

W. Waiting. Not my favorite, but it's always neat to see how things change while I wait. I find in most cases, that I would not have changed the length of the wait because of what I learned during that time.

X. Xylophones. I really am not sure how thankful I am for these little musical instruments. I'm sure if we had one, I would not be at all, but I really couldn't think of another word that starts with 'x'.

Y. Youth Group. One of my highlights of my growing up years, and even beyond!

Z. Zara (and H&M) just opened in my city on Wednesday. Total bonus that a) Zara is one of my favorite stores ever, and b) i may actually be able to find clothes that fit there (chinese people are tiny).

So, on this day after Thanksgiving. I truly am thankful. Thanksgiving morning was a hard one for us. We were so homesick, but the day got better and better and I can honestly say that I went to bed way more thankful than when I woke up. We had a fabulous turkey dinner with some friends, watched football and had great laughs. My heart was so full. And although I missed being at the Dooley family Thanksgiving this year and getting to hug my parent's necks, I will never forget the sweetness of celebrating this day of thanks with my beloved husband and son in far away China. I'm so thankful God brought us here.