Complete!

Our dossier is done!  It is with our agency!  They said it looks great!  One problem... they can't send it to Ch*na until Nate's 1st birthday next month!!  We knew this when we started, but didn't think we'd get done with our paperwork so quickly.  So, they'll hold onto it for 2 more weeks and then send it off to Ch*na.

It is a wonderful feeling of accomplishment to have 4 months of work behind me.  For now, we wait until we are notified of our Dossier to China (DTC) date and Log-in Date (LID).  Two very important steps in a long list of steps and acronyms to our sweet girl.

All the Colors of Adoption

My daughter, Anna, colored this during my Bible study at church last week.  I love all the expressions of adoption listed and the colors she chose... the rainbow... God's covenant.

Wounded

Nathaniel experienced his first boo boo today.  His big sister, Kate, was helping him walk.  He let go and fell face first into a small wooden step stool.

Swollen, cut lip and skin as well as inside the mouth!

He doesn't seem too bothered by it, though!

These kids are so amazingly resilient.  We did go over the stitches/no stitches scenario, but 6 hours later and it already looks better.  Knock on wood, we have had no broken bones or stitches so far.

Easter and Birthdays

Every Easter falls around both Kate's birthday and my mother's birthday, so we usually celebrate them all on the same day.  Here are some pictures from our day together:

That's one for our dossier!

Anna with her cupcake creation.

Close up of Anna's cupcake.

The birthday girl (a little blurry, but the best pic of her I had)

Reflections

The past week I've been reflecting on this year versus the last 2 years.  Two years ago at this time, we found out the little girl we were paper chasing for was diagnosed with a severe disease and we couldn't complete the adoption.  Last Easter I was VERY pregnant with Nathaniel and anticipating the arrival of this new life.  This year we are paper chasing again with no identified child but longing to know who she is.

Two years ago I believed in God, but I didn't believe in all that He is capable of.  Last year I loved God with all my heart, but didn't know how much He loved me.  This year I have seen changes in myself, in my husband and in our life that I know only God orchestrated.  This year I have learned just how much God loves me and wants what is best for me.  The last few Easters I have found myself transformed further to the person God desires.  He has a way to go, but I know He won't give up on me! : )

Celebrating what was accomplished on the cross means SO much more to me this Easter then it did even 5 years ago.  Knowing what God planned and Jesus fulfilled leaves me awestruck and humbled.  The effects of this year's celebration is still lingering in my heart and mind today for me to reflect on.  What will I do with my life knowing what I know?  How will this transformation in my heart be revealed in my actions and encounters with others?  How will this affect my relationship with God?  Those are questions that I am working on right now and probably will for quite a while.