16 Months

Today, my darling Isabel is 16 months old.  She was not quite 10 months old when I saw her face for the first time on a Friday afternoon...

I emailed my agency, but it was after hours.  I prayed all weekend.  I was sure she was our daughter.  Monday brought sad news.  Other families had already requested her file and I was put "on the list."  Well, I was sure that was it and I was heartbroken.  Weeks passed as we continued to complete our dossier and submit it to Ch*na.  Then 3 weeks to the day I was told I was on the list, I received the call.  The other families said no.  She wasn't their daughter.  

She was OURS!!

I have watched her grow up from afar...

We celebrated her 1st birthday without her...

We learned through her updated reports that she is making amazing progress...

...which is wonderful, but she's still without her family.

15 more days until we leave.  19 days until she is in our arms... finally!

We Have Travel Dates!!

We're leaving Wednesday, November 14th!!! I was really hoping for November 7th, but obviously all the Consulate Appointments were taken for the week of Thanksgiving.  I know that the delay has its own purpose that has yet to be revealed, so I'm trying not to be too disappointed.

I'm looking forward to connecting with the families that will be traveling in our group.  I've already been in touch with one mom and we're happy that we will have a chance to meet in a couple weeks.

So much to thank our Heavenly Father for this evening.  When I look back over the years that have led to this point, I am overwhelmed at how our Lord has carried us through the hard times and has orchestrated the amazing details in is this adoption process.  There are some details that make me weep, that can not be explained away other then the hand of God.

I'm going to have to really hold it together when I meet my daughter face to face, because honestly, I'm already a weepy mess when I think about it! ALL my children are treasured gifts.  Even in the hard times, I know that truth!  It actually carries me through those hard times! ; -)

Thank you, Lord, for all those treasured moments that I have been given and all those that are yet to come!

Hooray... we got TA!! : )

I was giving up all hope for this week and then we got the email this afternoon letting us know that our Travel Approval had arrived!  Oh, thank you God for answered prayers!  We won't know our Consulate Appointment until Monday and, consequently, our travel dates.  We were given the earliest option of November 7th travel which we are REALLY praying for.

Monday cannot come soon enough!!

15 Days and No TA : (

I know that we are still in the normal timeframe of Travel Approval, but I was really hoping for the 9 - 12 day approval that was coming last month.  There's still hope for today, though!!

We have a busy day today.  I've been up since 6am... went on the treadmill, showered, fed the chickens, fed the dog, fed the cat, fed the kids,  We've started school.  At 9am I take the dog to the groomers and then we're having firewood delivered.  Later this morning, when Nate naps, I'll run some errands while Daddy's home.  This afternoon, the babysitter's coming so I can get my hair done and go to the eye doctor.  Whew!!

We don't have many days like these because I just don't like it and the kids don't care for it either.  We treasure and appreciate taking it slowly and having time to just "be" together.

Looking at their favorite horse book!

Pregnant?

Yep, that's me... paper pregnant.  The key word being "pregnant."  So, I'm about 8 1/2 months and ready to BURST.  I'm emotional, easily irritable, tired A LOT, nauseous, not really hungry and SO READY FOR THIS TO BE OVER!!!  Every little email notification has me running to the computer, just like every little contraction has me thinking... is this it?!  I've been pregnant and birthed 5 kids and the resemblance is uncanny... it really is.  Anyone else felt this way or am I the screwy one?? : )

I want my Travel Approval.  I want to know my travel dates.  I want to be able to confirm with my wonderful friend and sister-in-law exactly when they will be watching our 3 youngest while we're gone.  I want to PLAN our trip... know when we're going, know when we'll be back so we can start our life with our new littlest blessing.

However, as much as I want to hurry up and bring home my daughter, I  have to admit that I am scared.  I'm scared about how she will receive us.  I'm scared about "re-entry" when we get home.  I'm scared at managing and homeschooling 6 children aged 11 and under and having essentially twin 1 1/2 year olds! Yikes!!

All these really hard emotions that I'm feeling are... well... normal, I'm sure.  But I also know that I can do a better job "managing" them.  I have NOT been reading God's word lately.  I have NOT taken this to prayer.  I have been burying these feelings inside, withdrawing, running (A LOT) and just waiting out this time.  By doing this, I am missing an opportunity to reach out to my Father, to let him carry this burden with me (for me?) and to learn more about what God wants to show me.

So, today I purpose to walk closer to the Lord.  I have always known, even as a little girl, that I "feel" better when I'm closer to God.  And as an adult, I know that the only way to do that is to read His words and connect with Him through prayer.

This has all culminated at a perfect time to pray and fast tomorrow with all those led to do so at Linny's blog.  I am praising the Lord in advance for the work He will do in my heart and my life.  Do you know how faithful and loving our God is?  Really?!

My sweet daughter.  Isn't she just beautiful?

    

Autumn Weather

Well, here in Southern California, we don't really get the beautiful fall colors and cooler weather.  It's supposed to be 92 degrees today, 99 tomorrow and 102 on Thursday!  Ugh!!  It'll do this off and on till about Halloween and then November will bring cooler nights and at least 60 - 70 degree daytime temps.

Better go turn the air conditioner on...

Waiting on Travel Approval!!

Our Article 5 is done and all the paperwork is now with the CC*WA to issue our Travel Approval (TA)!!  Yippee!!  I was told that TA's take 2 - 4 wks.  Last month they were coming pretty quickly.  Hoping and praying that we are closer to the 2 weeks and can travel early November.

So close now!! : )