I finished "Sophie's Story" back in October and have been hesitant to share it on the web; but knowing the heartache many waiting families are feeling these holidays (especially with the slowdown), I have decided to share it. I remember how difficult last Christmas was- knowing that our precious Sophie Lu was in an orphanage somewhere in China- not knowing who she was or how she was, and wondering if she was safe and warm. The only comfort for me was seeing new referral photos and watching other families' "Gotcha" moments and adoption story videos.
The video is long (25 minutes), but it includes photos of Sophie with her caretaker taken with the camera we sent to the orphanage and video footage from our "Gotcha" day. The music is pretty (so have the volume on) and be prepared to wait a couple of minutes while it downloads. Also keep in mind that this is a personal documentary I made for my daughter and that it is not perfect (I learned as I went along). I know it's not much, but I hope it helps! Lots of love to my waiting friends and your darling little ones who wait for you in China!
Happy New Year & God Bless!
With love, Shana
(click arrow on the screen below & have your volume turned up)
78 comments:
Oh, My Gosh, Shana! I am soooo glad you decided to share the video! I do think it's a tremendous asset to those who are waiting.....and a testament to your patience and talent! I'm sure everyone will love it....and be grateful for your willingness to share such raw emotion and joy.
Can't wait to hear about Sophie's Christmas!
Love from Tennessee,
Nicole
Oh my gosh. That was beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing. I was choked up throughout the entire thing. :-)
Merry Christmas
Rachel
Shana,
Thanks so much for sharing this. We have three wonderful boys but waiting for my daughter is hard especially at Christmas. This is beautiful and the love for Sophies shines through the movie.
I enjoyed the video. Thanks for putting it out there. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Shana,
Thank you! We just received our referral for Hannah Joy Si Si on December 8th and last night was hard knowing it was Christmas in China and Hannah was in an orphanage. I needed this today...on Chrismas morning. Thank you! Check out our site when you have a minute: www.journeytohannah.com
Love, Kim
Thank you for sharing Shana. I too have been teary over the long wait. All we parents of adoptive children have is hope. That is the only thing we have to hold on to. The video is lovely and I am so greatful you have shared it. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Yoli
Really really gorgeous Shana! Thanks for the nice Christmas present!! Now I need some kleenex...
Kris
Lovely.
So very lovely.
Perfection!
Beautiful!!!!
Shana or anyone...can you tell me the first song on this?
I have been looking everywhere for that song since I saw it on another video months ago.
Thanks Shana!!! I loved the video of Sophie. Following your blog really helps my wait. You are so blessed, Sophie is so precious.
Daphne from Georgia
www.emilysadoption.blogspot.com
Thanks soo much for posting this wonderful video. I was near tears the entire time but needed a reminder of why we wait.
Thanks again!
Happy New Year
im here at bringmemia.blogspot.com
How beautiful. For some, lives are spent wanting to know they are special and loved. Sophie will be able to look back on these moments you captured before she could recall them, and always know how very much she is loved. Beyond measure. Thank you so very much for sharing your life with us. I'm still researching adoption and it seems every day brings me to "yes, this is right for us". Thanks for helping me learn.
With gratitude from Pawleys Island,
Heather
I haven't watched the video yet- it's downloading as I type this- but I wanted to say that that is a stunning photo of Sophie. Thanks for sharing your story. I'm not a mom yet, but my days of waiting will come in a few years.
It was so nice to see your Gotcha moment with Sophie. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks soo much for sharing. I'm sure Sophie will treasure this for the rest of her life!
What a great gift to Sophie! And kudos for learning how to do it! You have given me inspiration for a gift to my son for his graduation this June! Thank you for sharing your greatest moments!
Kim
Shana,
The video is beautiful and it's so obvious how much you love you little girl. Sophie looks so incredibly happy...what a precious little one! She will treasure this video gift her entire life and will one day show her daughter.
Also love the music you choose, especially the next to the last song. I recognize it and just can't place it. Is it from a movie?
Donna :)
www.waitingforlaurenelizabeth.blogspot.com
Shana - that was so beautiful. I enjoyed it very much. I was crying happy tears for Sophie and sad tears for the little ones still in China waiting. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing with us!
Shana - thank you SOOO much for putting that together. It looks to me that you have carefully selected and put together photos and moments of a very precious journey for Sophie. I am very greatful to have your blog to view and now the video. I'm sure I will watch it again...it helps somehow with our wait. Thank you again - all the best to you and your family.
Colleen~
Such a beautiful video... I am so glad that you decided to share it... It had me in tears...xxx
Shana,
Thank you for sharing this with us. This is a beautiful video. You have succeeded in making one mom in waiting very thankful for finding your blog and getting to "meet" Sophie's family.
Sending love from Massachusetts,
Sparky
Shana, I can't tell you HOW MUCH your video touched me! What a beautiful archive to give your daughter! The love that you & her daddy have is just GLORIOUS!
My husband & I are awaiting the arrival of our first daughter & due to the slow down it is just agonizing. We were to have her by Christmas, but we didn't! I was so sad, but happy to be with family! Thank you SO much for sharing your life with us, you are truly blessed
God Bless
Amanda
The video is perfectly wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
Absolutely gorgeous. The whole family. A match made in heaven.
What a wonderful video!
Shana,
Thank you for sharing your video! It is truly an inspiration for someone like me that is "waiting". I can see the love that is showered upon your sweet baby. She is beautiful!
God bless you always!
Robin
Shana, it was really fun to see you and Sophie in "real time". If it's possible, you're both even more lovely than the still pictures show us. I loved seeing the Gotcha photos and the familiar faces of our wonderful "China team". And lots of kudos for your soundtrack. Enya is a favorite in our house. I'm taking notes for our soon-to-be-released video but you're a tough act to follow!
Give Sophie a kiss for me. Just squeeze it in there on top of the gazillion she already gets from you and daddy every day!
Lots of love,
Donna
Mom to Gwen of Shenzhen!
Shana,
I loved your video. Sophie is beautiful beyond words. Your story is one of love. Thanks so much for sharing.
Gina
Oh Shana! Thanks for the afternoon tears. All those moments are so precious and Sophie will know that right from the start she was LOVED to peices. Your "Gotcha" moment....you can tell that you wanted to bust out crying right away....then when it was your turn...you where crying before she came out....I couldn't imagine. Bless you Shana and Daddy!!!
I am adopted...but I never felt the love from my father that I needed....Bless Sophie for having wonderful parents...and Bless her parents for having a wonderful Sophie!!!
Shana-
What a beautiful video. Thank you for sharing it. I am amazed at how you captured so much of your story. I loved the whole thing. Tears and laughter mixed together. The dancing part was great. It is so very obvious how Sophie as touched your family and your love for her is beautiful. Thank you so very much for sharing such a personal thing. Best wishes to you-
Jenny
www.sophiashope.com
Beautiful video. Loved the Sound of Music part at the end!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful video. The wait for our daughter is very difficult and it's helpful to see such a happy ending! Or, I guess I should say, a happy beginning. I hope you all have many more happy beginnings!
Heather
LID July 20, 2005 for Sydney (or Twins!)
www.EncinosaFamily.com
oh Shana, that was beautiful! you did a fantastic job on that! loved it, so did the girls, they watched it with me!
Happy Holidays to you, Michael and Sophie Lu!
hugs
Kristin, Brian, Catie & Meigan
Shana, I just watched this today. (Just switched over to high speed vs. dial up.) Anyway, I am speechless. That video was awesome. You may be a beginner, but it sure doesn't show it in the finished product. Thanks for sharing this. It was lovely.
That video is so precious, Shana... Litle Sophie will love watching that when she gets older... just like she loves watching her Christmas DVD :) She's such a little Ham... in more that one way he he....
Love *(biggest)* Sister Amy
That is a beautiful tribute to your daughter's story! It had me in tears! Thank you so much for sharing!
Absolutely wonderful! loved it, loved it, LOVED it!It's PRICELESS! I LOVED every minute! :) Great Job.
Wow was this a great blog to read...thanks so much for sharing it...The Christmas slow down really made the holidays hard as Our daughter wanted to know why her new little sister was not home for the holidays....You gave me some great ideas for our Lifebook.
And your Sophie is a doll....Our almost 4 year old is from Fuling and keeps me on my toes....so watch out she just starting to walk and she will be running in no time...Thank you again...Best to your family....Jolene
Words can not express how your video made me feel.Thank you so much for sharing!!We are almost DTC and can not wait to be blessed as you have been.This is a wonderful thing you have done sharing your happiness with so many people...Thank You!!
Melinda in NJ
Shana,
I feel so blessed to be able to share these most precious moments of your new family in the video. Thanks, you did an amazing job! Sophie is an angel. You have given me the uplift I need to get through this long journey that my husband and I started June of 2005. We hoped to be DTC this week for our China angel Savannah. Sophie has given me the inspiration I need to endure the long wait we have ahead till we finally have our sweet "GOTCHA" moment! God bless your beautiful family.
Brian & Melinda
West Virginia
Oh gosh, that is just amazing. Thanks you so much for sharing it and Sophie is just going to love it when she is older. Amazing.
My husband and I watched this video from start to finish! My husband's first reaction was "she is beautiful" and I totally agree. My husband thinks Gwen and your Sophie Lu are just stunning. The photos are SPECTACULAR - she should model and the video SUPURB! It made me cry -my favourite was the SOUND OF MUSIC!! Just beautiful....continue the memories.
hugs
maav & jiam
Absolutely beautiful!!! She is truly your sweetest dream come true, you are a lucky girl.
Lynn
Shana I loved the video Sophie's story thanks for sharing with all of us who are waitning. I wanted to share it with my husband but I can't get it to play. Can we still view the video?
Thanks again
Susan R.
LID 01/10/06
Hi Susan,
Thanks so much! Yes, you can still view it. It plays just fine on my computer... Maybe try hitting F5 or refreshing. Usually that works. Let me know if it works or not...
Shana :)
Hi Shana
I tried refreshing and f5 neither worked. It is telling me that it is a private video. I tried sending it to an other e-mail address and it says I can't share someones else's private video. HMMM
Suasn R.
Susan
Are you trying to get to it through YouTube? You can only get to it now through my blog... press the arrow on the screen- and/or click the link to the right at the top of the blog (under videos). It should work... :)
Let me know!
Thanks! Shana :)
Susan,
Oh my gosh! You're right! I just went into Michael's office and tried to view it- it says private! I thought it would still work because it worked on my computer- but that is because I was signed in to YouTube! I will go change it back to public right away! Thank you soooo much for bringing this to my attention! Give me 5 minutes or so, and please let me know if it eventually works!
Thanks again!
Shana :)
Hi Shana
Don't ask me how but I got the video to play.Once again it is beautiful I was telling my husband you both could not look more happy. It is touching to hear the excitment in your voice when Sophie was placed in you arms. I know that when My Sophia is placed in my arms I will feel the same way. We are naming our litle girl Sophia and plan to call her Sophie. Thanks again for sharing it is very nice of you.
Susan R.
Hi Shana
I just read you last message. I guess you fixed it thanks so much
Susan R.
Love your video!! Best wishes to you all!!
Cindy, future aunt to baby from
China!!
Thank you for sharing this video...it is so beautiful and has really affirmed the decision my husband and I made two days ago to pursue a Chinese adoption.
Shana,
Pam told me about this wonderful video you did for Sophie. Wow! It is very clear the love you have for this little girl. She is truly your daughter. Life is interesting isn't it? Who would have thought that you, Pam and myself would be mothers and so in love with these little hearts.
You are a perfect picture of motherhood - you are unselfish and loving and Sophie is the luckiest girl in the world.
Love to you,
Lannette (Pam P.'s friend)
I was just surfing and found your blog. The video was absolutely beautiful and I was in tears. The way Sophie looked at you it was like she was thinking "yep, this is my mommy". She is a gorgeous little girl :).
Wow, I'm all teary now! I'm visiting from Sojourning's blog . . . I just happened to click on your name and I'm SO glad I did! My husband and I have considered adopting through China and this makes me want to do it even more. I would love to know more about the agency you chose and some details, so if you're willing and able to give me that information, please email me at bonnabellebaby@gmail.com.
God bless!
Shari
Dear Shana,
I just saw the video of Shana. Oh my gosh, That was such a joy & a tear jerker! What a joy to see. With what emotion and delight to be a part of the gift you shared for us all.
My husband and I are adopting a 2yr old girl from Blagoveshchensk, Russia. We returned from trip one the last week of April 2006. I can relate to your video of your trip. I had tears running down my face seeing you meet your Sophie. What a beauty she is. What a treasure in life to add a little girl to your family. I know we can't wait to return to Russia in a few months to bring our little girl home. I miss her terribly. Seeing your family together brought me joy. It reminds me that we too will have those moments one day soon.
Thank you for sharing those pictures and video. That lovely ending with the music from "The Sound of Music" was absolutely breathtaking!! That is one of my favorite movies and I love the music. Our daughter in Russia loves music and I can't wait to share that movie with her....and dancing!!
God bless you. Your sharing your family moments was really uplifting for us "waiters". It made my day and helped me get thru this rough patch. I'm still crying from the joy of those pictures & video!!
Alison Pope in WA
05/29/06
alisondawnp@yahoo.com
This was so beautiful, could you tell me what program you used to create this wonderful slideshow of your darling daughter? I would love to try and do the same.
Stacey
Shana, thank you so very much for sharing. Your video touched my heart, and made me cry. Your daughter is beautiful and your family is beautiful.... Our DTC is June 16 2005 and we are waiting for our referral for our little Hannah who is somewhere in China..... thank you for bringing me closer to my precious daughter if only for 29 mins.
God Bless Your Family
Daleea, Hannah's Mommy
Truly beautiful, had me in tears and laughter. Thank you so much for sharing such precious personal moments.
Bless your family
That was beautiful, the most beautiful video I ever saw. My tear just couldn't help falling off from my eyes silently when I saw the first moment you holding your baby into your arm....that's the moment you couldn't use any words to describe how joyful and how blessing you had inside of your heart...it's just the ...so beautiful. God blessing all you family and people just like you....
hi ms. handy...we were all watching this....it made us all cry(me my mom and my godmom and sisters)...i am so happy for you to...
we all love you and wish you the best
sandy and her mom
Absolutely beautiful...dreams are really made in heaven! I love the video.
Dee
LID: 8 Nov 05
Waiting for Cassidy
This is a GREAT video! Your JOY is overflowing and contagious!
I produce these movies for a living for families, and you said you were new, we hats off to you it was a work of art, had me in tears the whole time!!! Beautiful story wonderful family!!! Happy Endingxoxo
The most touching and beautiful adoptive video I have seen through the internet.It is great!!!The people, the music and so on.
Even in the other half world--your adoptive daughter's country----China which people live in can feel it and be touched......
Thank for all your kindness and blessing your family.
Thank you. We have such a long wait and it helps so much to see a happy ending to all of this. I know it will be so worth it in the end. Thank you again for sharing your story.
Thank you thank you!!
Mille merci pour ces instants magiques qui m'ont permis de m'évader et de penser à ma petite puce.
Je vous souhaite tout le bonheur du monde.
Sandra - France
Somewhere in Normandy
Thank you so much for posting this wonderful video!! My huband and I are patiently waiting to hear our official LID and know the wait will be painfully long. Your video helps to know that no matter the wait time - our beautil child is waiting somewhere in China just for us!
You site is one of my favorites. thanks so much.....
Pam
http://engeladoptionjourney.blogspot.com
Your movie is something I have never seen; such pure and undiluded emotion, sincerely overwhelming... All my thanks.
http://kaylie-kaylie.blogspot.com/
Dear Shana, Your video touched my heart as we are waiting for our Sophie Rose to come home to Maryland. What a beautiful family and video; she will treasure it!
Because of His Grace,
Shari
Thank you for sharing your amazing video. What a beautiful family you have. We just received our referral for daughter #2 on March 6th. I can't wait to go back to China and relive the magic one more time.
Stephanie
www.journey-to-lindsey.blogspot.com
Hi !
What a beautifull princess you have. Congrats with her 3 birthday and your son. Your life seems like a fairytale story. We are waiting and waiting - LID 27 dec. 2005 !!! Best wishes from Iceland, Hrönn and Tommi.
ht@ir.is
I can understand why you didn't want to put your family on the internet, but we are so glad you shared your love with us. My wife and I are waiting to be matched and was inspired and refreshed in our quest to get our little Mei. Thanks again, and God bless you and your family.
I have commented on this before, but I could go back to minute 20 again and again everyday and still get the chills! I am sooooo glad you were able to capture these moments. You, and your family, are truly amazing!
Hi Shana!
I wanted to show your beautiful video to my mom. It pretty much the best video. I am sad that it's not up or not working. Maybe you don't know that it's not working. I would love to show it to my family to show them what I am about to go through.
Take care,
I love your blog of Shopie Lu and Oliver. It inspires me as I have 20 months left to wait.
Laurie
Dear Shana,
thank you so much for sharing this very heartfelt video with all of us.
It is beautiful!
I have a very dear friend who right now is waiting for her little girl from China....and I see how hard the WAITING is on her and her husband.
Please, all of you;keep her in your prayers that she soon will be able to hold her daughter in her arms.
Thank you again for sharing this video.
I feel so blessed to be able to share these most precious moments of your family.
God bless you,
Dara
I have been 24 minutes crying...!
Thanks a lot for sharing
Dearest Shana,
That's the most beautiful movie I've ever seen. It really touched me. Thank you so much for sharing!
I always knew I wanted to adopt, now I know from where. Sophie's story really inspired me. She's such a lucky girl to have so caring and loving parents. God bless her and her beautiful family.
Theresa
Shana
I cry every time I watch this!
SO much love shown in a 25 minute movie! So sweet so tender!
You have to see the movie and know a family that has adopted from China too! (We do)
May God Richly Bless your whole Family all the days of your life!
Love and Blessings from East
Tenn!!!
) Cindy
Post a Comment