Thursday, July 26, 2007

Wow! What a weekend....

How do you sum up such an incredible time? I had the most fun I've had in a good long while. (And that was even without the margaritas. LOL!) There are similarities and differences amongst us all. But the one very strong common bond is our adoptions of Chinese daughters. I never could've imagined that my daughter would lead me to so many wonderful things in my life even before she was here. I'm forever grateful to her for that. And so thankful that I was lead down this path to her in the first place. My heart is so full.

I've never ever felt more at home with anyone as I did with this group of women. I've never been in an environment more open, loving and understanding. It's so hard to explain unless you were there to feel it. There was no drama, no catfights, no jealousy. That's hard to achieve with any group of women period. But when there are so many in a house together for several days.... Let's just be honest here, ladies. You know what I'm talking about. I've spent long weekends with large groups of girlfriends many times and before the end there is always something. There was none of that here.

Many of us are very different in our personalities, backgrounds, religions, etc. But there was just this wonderful sense of being allowed to be whoever you are with no judgement. I have never felt more comfortable and accepted. Ever. It sounds so mushy and sappy but it's all true. The weekend was magical. It really was.

There was laughter and tears. Serious, let your guard down and open yourself up to feeling vulnerable kind of talks. And raunchy, hilarious conversations too. Shared hopes and dreams. Similar experiences of pain and heart break. Everything was on the table at one point or another. No topic was off limits. But it was all okay. There was always someone to say "me too". And just this amazing sense of complete understanding. Even if we didn't share the same point of view, there was no judgement, no argument, no trying to convince the other person that you were right. Just loving acceptance. Pure and simple. The experience was amazing. I'm so glad I was allowed to be a part of it.

The trip was absolutely perfect. Just one big slumber party. Staying up late. Sitting around in our jammies sans make-up with bed heads drinking coffee every morning. No schedule. No activities planned. Just relaxation. All we did was hang out all weekend but there was never one second of boredom because we were together. And it was the most fun!

I have more to say about each of these amazing, beautiful women but it'll have to wait for another day. And stay tuned for the video that our sweet Tracy is putting together. For now, I'll share a new pic. You may have seen the one floating around of the whole group. So as to not bore you with it again, here's another. This one is the slumber party crew that spent all weekend together. The local gals were only able to join us for the afternoon on Saturday so they're not in this one.

I miss my girls.

17 comments:

Two Kayaks said...

So happy to hear that you all had such a lovely time. I keep saying that this adoption community is like no other I have ever known in that there are magical people in it. We felt this way when we went to Montreal for the blog summit there and I can feel that you experienced it last weekend. There is nothing more wonderful than to be accepted without judgment. You all deserved to have a special, magical weekend. :)

Polar Bear said...

Amen!

You summed it up so well. It was amazing to be able to move from one group to the next and not feel like it was an intrusion. We were with a wonderful group of women. I keep thinking about it all. My family keeps asking me about the weekend and all I can say is, "it was amazing". I don't think I will ever be able to describe it adequately.

I miss everyone!

Anonymous said...

It sounds like an amazing experience, Krista. The anticipation of the video is killing me!

Robin said...

I second Sandra.. the anticipation of Tracy's video is killing me. Glad everyone had a great time and good friendships were made. We all need all the love and support we can get with this wait process.

Sugar Cookies And Hope said...

CONGRATS ON BEING OUT OF REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Middle-Aged Moi said...

I'm so happy that you guys got to spend that time together. It truly does sound like it was magical!

t~ said...

Right back atcha!!! I miss ya already and thoroughly enjoyed myself with all the girls that were there. However, I felt like I was just sitting down and catching up with you, as if we had just been apart for a mere week.

On another note...go check the CCAA website! Congrats baby, you are moving on to the matching room!!!! And, the video is done, check the group site.

"M" said...

I'm so happy for you (and the rest) as it sounds like an amazing time. Ok, I'm a little envious, too. I agree with what you said about never expecting this journey to lead to the development of so many wonderful friendships. What a great bonus!

Shannon said...

Just saw the news!! Totally outta review and movin' closer to Mia every day!! Woo-hoo!!

Liz and Ava said...

What a wonderful post Krista! I just saw the video on Tracy's blog and am still bawling! Watching that video you can truly feel the emotion and love you all have for each other.
Congrats on getting out of the review room!

Carla said...

Krista, I am glad you had a great time, although you could let the family know when you leave the state so we don't have to wonder where you are until we check your blog!!! I'm glad you have such a supportive bunch of gals to share this wait with you. And you are out of review??? Hurray!!! Another hurdle jumped.

C's Mom said...

I'm going to blow that picture up and hang it in my office with the caption 'Babes I met on the Internet' Hah! - Just kidding....about the caption part.

Catherine said...

What a great way to capture so much Krista! It was that way for the entire weekend! Hanging together, wandering from group to group, being vulnerable together, supportive of one another and so much more! To say I got an education this weekend is an understatement!! I'm now much more knowledgeable in both food and drink categories, that's for sure!

Congrats on being out of the review room friend! What a great way to top off an amazing week!

~ Alison said...

What a great little synopsis!

Congrats onmaking it out of the review room - miss you terribly!

Kim said...

What fun!!! Happy memories :) Love and support...can't get much better than that!

kitchu said...

I swear I want to COPY and PASTE this post, cuz you described it SO perfectly!!!!!!!

I thought of you today and wanted to call,realized I don't have your number... I miss you tons. The sound of your voice, which is filled with so much kindness...

TBG Happenings said...

great post! You are right about that many women in one place for that amount of time....but it was perfect. Lots of laughs, stories,etc. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

miss ya,

maryellen