So, we've been home a week and we are SO thankful!!! We had a rough time getting here as our flight was delayed from HK which caused us to miss our connecting flight in Newark; but, after a 6 hour layover we landed in Jax at 11:30 to an amazing group of friends and family to welcome our sweet princess home!
We stayed up WAY to late that night and the 2 middle kids got up to go to school Friday morning! It was worth it though, and I can guarantee they'd do it again!
We have had some amazing highs over the week and also a couple of lows. It's definitely an adjustment. The time change alone is enough to kill anyone, let alone bringing home a precious treasure that is still learning to trust and on top of that she's 2, and let me just say that 2 knows no country lines!!! 2 is 2 is 2!!!
JG has thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her siblings. She follows them around like a lost little puppy and calls for them constantly if they're not around. It's how we get her up in the morning and after naps. It's such a sweet thing, but it has it's down side. Bed time is ROUGH!!! She hates to say goodnight to them. We are pretty sure she is afraid they won't be there in the morning, it breaks my heart! But, it is a process. She is learning that they will be there when she wakes up, and that is a good thing.
The 3 siblings are LOVING the time with her. When we got our travel dates I was a little unsure of the fact that we would be coming home the last day of school for their Christmas break. All I can say is I'm so thankful that God works His will according to His plans and not my one! (One day I will learn that that is always best...). He knew that she would need them, and this time is something they will never get back.
It has been CRAZY, but it has been crazy GOOD!
God is so good and we are seriously so thankful to be so blessed.
I'm not sure what to even say about Christmas... it was the same... sure it was JG's first Christmas home and that was AMAZING, but it was also a reminder to me of all the precious ones that are still without. Without families, without food, without water, just without. It was a reminder of how blessed we are and how much we have. Even adding a 4th child we were able to get our children exactly what they asked for. We were able to bless our families with gifts and not even bat an eye. We started a tradition a couple of years ago where our children get 4 gifts under the tree (stockings are usually 3-4 items as well, but always just small things). We know that they have so much more than they need so we figured this was a good way to dial the gifts back. It started out feeling so "small" to me. This year, as they were opening gifts, I often thought of the precious children all over the world that were without gifts at all, that would give anything to just have clean water, or more than 1 meal a day to eat. And here we were with more than we could ever dream of, and wanting more! I don't know, Christmas was so much fun to watch our precious new daughter laugh and play and open gifts and meet new family members and play with cousins; but for me it was a little bittersweet. I thought often of the 23 other families that were with us in China celebrating their first Christmas with their newest family members. I could only be so grateful for the sacrifice these families made to put a smile on these precious little ones faces, to give these little ones one of the greatest gifts of all - a family. I could only pray that these little ones would learn the real reason for Christmas, that it was the celebration of Jesus' birth. The birth of the Savior, King, Lord, the Lamb of God, the sacrifice that would one day be made for all of our sins so that we could have a relationship with His father. Oh what a gift!!!!
Prayers that you all had a wonderful Christmas!
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Journey to Jadyn Grace... Last 2 days in China
So, we are sitting in our room counting down the last hour. We leave here to catch a train to HK where we will spend the night to wake up for our flight home!
Yesterday, Tuesday, was our US Consulate appt. Praise Jesus her passport made it just in time, with only hours to spare. He is so good at teaching us faith and trust! After our appt we came back to our hotel and did some shopping and had lunch. After nap time we headed to the lobby for a group picture. That was interesting, to say the least! Imagine 24 families, 26 adopted children, and other family members - I believe like 75 in all! After pictures we headed to a cruise on the Pearl River. Jadyn Grace was not to thrilled with it so mommy and daddy did not have a great time, but, we did it, and I think (hope) daddy got some pictures! We came back to our room just in time for bed time, and we all must have been tired cause it's the best we've slept the whole time. We had to wake her up at 8:10!
Wednesday (today) has been very low key. We had breakfast, finished up some shopping, took a nap, had lunch, and are waiting to get her visa and head to the train station. We have had an amazing time getting to know and love on our baby girl, and getting to explore her culture... but oh, I am SO ready to go!!!!!!
Next time I update we will be HOME!!!!
Prayers for safe travels please! We can't wait to see you all!
Yesterday, Tuesday, was our US Consulate appt. Praise Jesus her passport made it just in time, with only hours to spare. He is so good at teaching us faith and trust! After our appt we came back to our hotel and did some shopping and had lunch. After nap time we headed to the lobby for a group picture. That was interesting, to say the least! Imagine 24 families, 26 adopted children, and other family members - I believe like 75 in all! After pictures we headed to a cruise on the Pearl River. Jadyn Grace was not to thrilled with it so mommy and daddy did not have a great time, but, we did it, and I think (hope) daddy got some pictures! We came back to our room just in time for bed time, and we all must have been tired cause it's the best we've slept the whole time. We had to wake her up at 8:10!
Wednesday (today) has been very low key. We had breakfast, finished up some shopping, took a nap, had lunch, and are waiting to get her visa and head to the train station. We have had an amazing time getting to know and love on our baby girl, and getting to explore her culture... but oh, I am SO ready to go!!!!!!
Next time I update we will be HOME!!!!
Prayers for safe travels please! We can't wait to see you all!
Monday, December 15, 2014
Journey to Jadyn Grace... China days 9 and 10
We decided that we would opt out of the group plans on Sunday and Monday. We are just tired and enjoying down time with just Jadyn and us. Sunday we slept in and decided to take a cab to Shamain Isaland. It's the touristy part of where we are. Sweet little shops, beautiful gardens with statues, just a pretty place. We spent about an hour there and did some shopping then we came back to the hotel and spent the rest of the day here. It was nice to just relax and let Jadyn play. We had a group dinner planned that night at an authentic Chinese place. John and I didn't partake (we are scaredy cats) but Jadyn LOVED it!!!! It was cool to sit and talk with other families going through this journey.
On Monday we had NO plans, just to stay and relax. We toured the hotel and found an outdoor playground with slides and a swing. Jadyn was so excited. She played for about an hour and we walked around. We really did nothing, and it was nice!
What we're learning about Jadyn Grace (and she's learning about us)...
- She's what they call "spicy". She is SO strong willed! She knows what she wants and she wants it now!!! She's learning that she is not in charge though. She is learning "no" pretty quickly!
- She's not used to sharing! She does not like it when she has to share, whether food, toys, daddy, anything.
- She is so incredibly sweet. She'll walk up and just lean against you for some love. She loves her daddy.
- She is SMART!!!!!!! She has been with us a week and we are already having to spell things because she understands. She repeats everything. She still says lots of things in Mandarin but English is coming easily.
- WE ARE IN LOVE!!!! She is so smart and cuddly and sweet and happy and giggly!
Thank you all so much for your prayers. We have been so blessed during this entire journey and you have all been a part of it. Our God is a mighty God and He has done amazing things!
On Monday we had NO plans, just to stay and relax. We toured the hotel and found an outdoor playground with slides and a swing. Jadyn was so excited. She played for about an hour and we walked around. We really did nothing, and it was nice!
What we're learning about Jadyn Grace (and she's learning about us)...
- She's what they call "spicy". She is SO strong willed! She knows what she wants and she wants it now!!! She's learning that she is not in charge though. She is learning "no" pretty quickly!
- She's not used to sharing! She does not like it when she has to share, whether food, toys, daddy, anything.
- She is so incredibly sweet. She'll walk up and just lean against you for some love. She loves her daddy.
- She is SMART!!!!!!! She has been with us a week and we are already having to spell things because she understands. She repeats everything. She still says lots of things in Mandarin but English is coming easily.
- WE ARE IN LOVE!!!! She is so smart and cuddly and sweet and happy and giggly!
Thank you all so much for your prayers. We have been so blessed during this entire journey and you have all been a part of it. Our God is a mighty God and He has done amazing things!
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Journey to Jadyn Grace... China day 7 and 8
So, Friday morning we woke up knowing it might possibly be a long day. Our flight was scheduled to leave Wuhan at 7:20. We were to have our luggage out at 2:00, then we would head to the Civil Affairs office to pick up passports for the kids and their final paperwork then head to the airport.
Around 12:00 there was a knock on the door and there was our guide, Echo (whom, by the way, was AMAZING!!!! Another God story that I'll add at the end). She came in and said she had not good news, :/! Apparently, for the first time in 10 years, the officer that had to sign off on our kids passports was not available. She asked why was there not a back up, someone else available in case, she was told no, this person has to sign, he's the only one, and he's not in. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!?! Echo told us that one parent from each family was going to go with her into the Civil Affairs office to make sure they understand how extremely urgent this is.
Now let me explain to you how extremely urgent this is, without a passport Jadyn can not get a visa, without a passport or a visa Jadyn can not come home. Our visa appointment at the consulate is at 7:40 Tuesday morning, so her passport HAS to be here before that! Echo, after many conversations and phone calls, got arrangements made to have our documents signed Monday morning and sent via 12 hour shipping to our hotel in Guangzhou. As of right now her passport is supposed to be here by 9:00 Monday night. Talk about cutting it close! We are still PRAYING that this all goes as planned, thankfully there's no weather or anything like that that could cause delay, but we are very anxious!
Anyway, we flew out of Wuhan on time Friday evening and I was TERRIFIED about the plane ride. How was she gonna handle the confinement? Were her ears gonna bother her? Were we gonna have a repeat metldown like Tuesday? Ugh, just so many things in my mind! I was worried for nothing, she did AMAZING!!! She sat in her seat for about the first half then climbed in daddy's lap and was happy the rest of the time. We landed about 9 and caught a bus to our hotel. It was a pretty long night from there. We didn't get check in til about midnight and not to sleep until 12:30. Jadyn had a scream fest for about 20 min but finally gave in and slept until 7:30 this morning.
This morning we had to be in the lobby at 9:30 to catch our bus to the visa medical check. It consisted of 24 families and 26 children getting visa photo's taken, ENT check, general screening, height/weight/temp, and a TB test. It was interesting!!!!! We made it through about the first hour great, then the attitude started emerging, it's amazing how "2 year old" knows no country lines. It translates into any culture. She is just 2, there's no way around it. She screamed the rest of the time, it was ok though cause imagine 24 other families going through the same thing, most of them toddlers... she fit right in! After the dr we made it back to the hotel in time for lunch. A Mcdonald's right across the parking lot, I THINK YES!!!! (And Jadyn loves chicken nuggets!) We made it back to our room just in time for the melt down. After no nap yesterday and not enough sleep last night, we knew it was coming. We did learn that we can tell her to lay on the couch and she will lay there, not happily but hey, we'll take what we can get! It took about 45 min but she finally gave in.
We have enjoyed being back with Dan and Michelle. Their precious girl is so sweet. It has also been cool to see all of these precious little ones interact with each other and their families. Such sweet ones, they are now forever with families that love them!
Quick story about Echo. When we were in Beijing with the Walshes they were talking about their guide the last time they were here. They spoke so highly of her and were so hoping to possibly have her again. Well, we recieved what's called our red book on Saturday evening in Beijing. In that book was an update if there was any, our general itinerary for the rest of the 2 weeks, and our guide information. Our guide, for the 5 days we would be without our friends, would be none other than the very guide they were so fond of, Echo! They were a little jealous, but I know God gave her to us as our comfort while we were away from them.
It's so crazy how He works like that! I just love it!
Around 12:00 there was a knock on the door and there was our guide, Echo (whom, by the way, was AMAZING!!!! Another God story that I'll add at the end). She came in and said she had not good news, :/! Apparently, for the first time in 10 years, the officer that had to sign off on our kids passports was not available. She asked why was there not a back up, someone else available in case, she was told no, this person has to sign, he's the only one, and he's not in. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!?! Echo told us that one parent from each family was going to go with her into the Civil Affairs office to make sure they understand how extremely urgent this is.
Now let me explain to you how extremely urgent this is, without a passport Jadyn can not get a visa, without a passport or a visa Jadyn can not come home. Our visa appointment at the consulate is at 7:40 Tuesday morning, so her passport HAS to be here before that! Echo, after many conversations and phone calls, got arrangements made to have our documents signed Monday morning and sent via 12 hour shipping to our hotel in Guangzhou. As of right now her passport is supposed to be here by 9:00 Monday night. Talk about cutting it close! We are still PRAYING that this all goes as planned, thankfully there's no weather or anything like that that could cause delay, but we are very anxious!
Anyway, we flew out of Wuhan on time Friday evening and I was TERRIFIED about the plane ride. How was she gonna handle the confinement? Were her ears gonna bother her? Were we gonna have a repeat metldown like Tuesday? Ugh, just so many things in my mind! I was worried for nothing, she did AMAZING!!! She sat in her seat for about the first half then climbed in daddy's lap and was happy the rest of the time. We landed about 9 and caught a bus to our hotel. It was a pretty long night from there. We didn't get check in til about midnight and not to sleep until 12:30. Jadyn had a scream fest for about 20 min but finally gave in and slept until 7:30 this morning.
This morning we had to be in the lobby at 9:30 to catch our bus to the visa medical check. It consisted of 24 families and 26 children getting visa photo's taken, ENT check, general screening, height/weight/temp, and a TB test. It was interesting!!!!! We made it through about the first hour great, then the attitude started emerging, it's amazing how "2 year old" knows no country lines. It translates into any culture. She is just 2, there's no way around it. She screamed the rest of the time, it was ok though cause imagine 24 other families going through the same thing, most of them toddlers... she fit right in! After the dr we made it back to the hotel in time for lunch. A Mcdonald's right across the parking lot, I THINK YES!!!! (And Jadyn loves chicken nuggets!) We made it back to our room just in time for the melt down. After no nap yesterday and not enough sleep last night, we knew it was coming. We did learn that we can tell her to lay on the couch and she will lay there, not happily but hey, we'll take what we can get! It took about 45 min but she finally gave in.
We have enjoyed being back with Dan and Michelle. Their precious girl is so sweet. It has also been cool to see all of these precious little ones interact with each other and their families. Such sweet ones, they are now forever with families that love them!
Quick story about Echo. When we were in Beijing with the Walshes they were talking about their guide the last time they were here. They spoke so highly of her and were so hoping to possibly have her again. Well, we recieved what's called our red book on Saturday evening in Beijing. In that book was an update if there was any, our general itinerary for the rest of the 2 weeks, and our guide information. Our guide, for the 5 days we would be without our friends, would be none other than the very guide they were so fond of, Echo! They were a little jealous, but I know God gave her to us as our comfort while we were away from them.
It's so crazy how He works like that! I just love it!
Thursday, December 11, 2014
And then there were 3...
I always knew what "mom"/"mama"/"mommy" meant; but these words have taken on a whole new meaning now. "Mama" is the one that loved, nurtured, took care of. "Mommy" is the new one. The one that she's not sure about, the one that kisses her and holds her and rocks her, but she doesn't know yet. I never thought it would hurt so much to be called mommy. I am not mama. I am a stranger, and to her that is mommy.
On the other hand I am SO thankful! Her first mother (whom doesn't have a name) left her at the doorstep of the orphanage with A LOT of information. Her real name, birth information, medical information, everything she would need for a new mother to take perfect care of her. To that precious woman I will forever be grateful! Her "mama" I will forever owe everything to! She is the woman that loved my precious girl. She taught her what it meant to give and receive love, to trust, to be taken care of, everything I could have only dreamed of for her to experience in the beginning of her life!
And then there's me, mommy. Right now to her that means nothing. I cannot wait to show her new meaning to that word. The day she gets hurt or scared and comes crying to me calling "mommy" instead of coming to me crying and looking for "mama"... I just can't imagine the joy I will feel then.
For now, I'm just grateful that she likes me ok. She laughs with me and kisses me and is learning to trust me. I'm grateful for the first 2 that loved her and cared for her until I could get to her!
Thank you mother and mama, you will always be a part of who she is, and because of that we will always love you!
On the other hand I am SO thankful! Her first mother (whom doesn't have a name) left her at the doorstep of the orphanage with A LOT of information. Her real name, birth information, medical information, everything she would need for a new mother to take perfect care of her. To that precious woman I will forever be grateful! Her "mama" I will forever owe everything to! She is the woman that loved my precious girl. She taught her what it meant to give and receive love, to trust, to be taken care of, everything I could have only dreamed of for her to experience in the beginning of her life!
And then there's me, mommy. Right now to her that means nothing. I cannot wait to show her new meaning to that word. The day she gets hurt or scared and comes crying to me calling "mommy" instead of coming to me crying and looking for "mama"... I just can't imagine the joy I will feel then.
For now, I'm just grateful that she likes me ok. She laughs with me and kisses me and is learning to trust me. I'm grateful for the first 2 that loved her and cared for her until I could get to her!
Thank you mother and mama, you will always be a part of who she is, and because of that we will always love you!
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Journey to Jadyn Grace... China Day 6
Whew, we are officially half way through this trip. Sure, it's not even close to half way on this grand adventure, but we are counting the days to get to go home!
We have loved every minute of being here, learning about our baby girl's culture, watching her learn to trust us, experiencing lots of "new", but to start our new life together at home is weighing on our minds.
Today has been a good day. We went to a park this morning and walked around. Jadyn did good. No melt down while we were out today, which was huge! Today, so far, her only sad time was again before nap time. We were able to hold her off until after lunch, but she was not very happy about it. She's getting better about snuggling when she's tired, so that makes it easier to settle her.
Please pray as we prepare to leave here tomorrow evening (Friday morning at home) that our plane ride to Guangzhou would not be to traumatic. Our flight is during her normal night time sad time, so it should be interesting. Pray for a calm, peaceful, hour and a half flight please.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and encouragement so far. They have been felt and appreciated! God is SO good!
Love you all!
We have loved every minute of being here, learning about our baby girl's culture, watching her learn to trust us, experiencing lots of "new", but to start our new life together at home is weighing on our minds.
Today has been a good day. We went to a park this morning and walked around. Jadyn did good. No melt down while we were out today, which was huge! Today, so far, her only sad time was again before nap time. We were able to hold her off until after lunch, but she was not very happy about it. She's getting better about snuggling when she's tired, so that makes it easier to settle her.
Please pray as we prepare to leave here tomorrow evening (Friday morning at home) that our plane ride to Guangzhou would not be to traumatic. Our flight is during her normal night time sad time, so it should be interesting. Pray for a calm, peaceful, hour and a half flight please.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and encouragement so far. They have been felt and appreciated! God is SO good!
Love you all!
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
How about some PICTURES!!!!!
she was so sweet holding my hand the first night
in the entry way into the Civil Affairs office
inside the Civil Affairs meeting area
first night in hotel
when we first met
she LOVES the ipad
all smiles
second night
Wednesday morning breakfast
bus ride "home"
after a ROUGH morning Tuesday
the only way she will fall asleep
outside of the Hubei museum
Journey to Jadyn Grace... China Day 4
Well, today was interesting to say the least!
Jadyn's normal sleeping routine is nap from 12:30-3:00, bed from 9:30-7:30. Well, nap time yesterday was obviously completely skipped and bed time clearly didn't happen on time.
After falling asleep at 11:00 last night we woke up at 6:30. Holy early after such a late night! She woke up in a decent mood but immediately got out of the bed and again just stood on the side. She was quiet and again just kind of watched as we slowly started getting up. The kids at home were DYING to meet her so we decided to facetime with them. As soon as she saw them she started calling them. She knew exactly who they were, it was so sweet and they were so excited. It was an early morning after not much sleep so there was not a lot of showing off for them. We said our goodbyes and started getting ready for the days event, we had to go back to the Civil Affairs office to finalize the adoption. We got dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast knowing she was ready to eat! And eat she did! Peaches, pears, rice, orange juice, milk, eggs, WOW!, it was impressive. After she ate she became that sweet, giddy, happy baby girl we met yesterday. We hopped on a bus to our paperwork appointment and she nearly fell asleep, obviously exhausted.
We went upstairs and she played for a little while. About 1/2 way through our time there this morning she lost it. I mean complete emotional breakdown! Screaming, crying, hitting, flailing, upset to the point of throwing up. She was soaking wet from sweat as well. After about an hour of that she finally calmed down as we were leaving. She reached out for John and called "baba". As soon as she was in his arms she laid her sweet head on his shoulder and passed out. That was at 11:30 and right now, at 3:15 she is still out! I think between the events of the last 2 days, and sheer exhaustion we could expect nothing else. We are sitting here debating whether or not to wake her up! I want her to go to sleep at a decent time tonight, but I know she needs the sleep. I guess when I finish this post tonight I'll let you know! Until then...
So, she woke up a little sad but had some lunch and from then on we got better and better. She was pretty quiet the whole evening and night but that's ok, she's still judging us and we are fine with that. She will learn that we are going nowhere! We are hers and she is ours forever!
Thank you all again for your prayers. I have a feeling there will be good and bad days mixed together over the next weeks. We love you all and are so thankful!
Jadyn's normal sleeping routine is nap from 12:30-3:00, bed from 9:30-7:30. Well, nap time yesterday was obviously completely skipped and bed time clearly didn't happen on time.
After falling asleep at 11:00 last night we woke up at 6:30. Holy early after such a late night! She woke up in a decent mood but immediately got out of the bed and again just stood on the side. She was quiet and again just kind of watched as we slowly started getting up. The kids at home were DYING to meet her so we decided to facetime with them. As soon as she saw them she started calling them. She knew exactly who they were, it was so sweet and they were so excited. It was an early morning after not much sleep so there was not a lot of showing off for them. We said our goodbyes and started getting ready for the days event, we had to go back to the Civil Affairs office to finalize the adoption. We got dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast knowing she was ready to eat! And eat she did! Peaches, pears, rice, orange juice, milk, eggs, WOW!, it was impressive. After she ate she became that sweet, giddy, happy baby girl we met yesterday. We hopped on a bus to our paperwork appointment and she nearly fell asleep, obviously exhausted.
We went upstairs and she played for a little while. About 1/2 way through our time there this morning she lost it. I mean complete emotional breakdown! Screaming, crying, hitting, flailing, upset to the point of throwing up. She was soaking wet from sweat as well. After about an hour of that she finally calmed down as we were leaving. She reached out for John and called "baba". As soon as she was in his arms she laid her sweet head on his shoulder and passed out. That was at 11:30 and right now, at 3:15 she is still out! I think between the events of the last 2 days, and sheer exhaustion we could expect nothing else. We are sitting here debating whether or not to wake her up! I want her to go to sleep at a decent time tonight, but I know she needs the sleep. I guess when I finish this post tonight I'll let you know! Until then...
So, she woke up a little sad but had some lunch and from then on we got better and better. She was pretty quiet the whole evening and night but that's ok, she's still judging us and we are fine with that. She will learn that we are going nowhere! We are hers and she is ours forever!
Thank you all again for your prayers. I have a feeling there will be good and bad days mixed together over the next weeks. We love you all and are so thankful!
Monday, December 8, 2014
Journey to Jadyn Grace... Gotcha day, Mon Dec 8th... China Day 3
Obviously a HUGE day in this journey, gotcha day came with many surprises and lots of excitement!
Our appointment time was not until 2:30 so we kind of sat around and twiddled our thumbs all day. John, as any of you that know him can imagine, was very fidgety. He couldn't stop messing with stuff, needed to just be there and get it done. I was overcome with an emotion that never occurred to me. I could not stop thinking about what we were about to do to this precious little girl. Sure, we sent her a photo album to be being prepared, but at 2 years old how much can you really understand that you're leaving the only family you've ever known and moving half way around the world with these new people, I mean really! I was consumed with grief and guilt! Now, believe me, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that God placed this little girl in our family, that she was my daughter; but in this moment that was about to occur I was the bad guy, I was the "stranger", I was the one taking her away from all she'd ever known, I was the one turning her world upside down. I could not overcome it. My sadness for her about this was nothing I ever imagined I would feel, I was not prepared for it. Needless to say, I couldn't eat or barely think.
We left for our meeting at 1:30. We arrived 30 minutes earlier than expected so we had to just and wait outside the room in a tiny entrance.
Now, understand, there are 4 families total in this province bringing home their beautiful children. We all are in this small almost entry way/foyer type space right when you get off the elevator. We were told on the way there (3 of us traveled together there as we use the same agency) that our 3 children were all from different parts of the province. One of them about 4 hours away, one of them a couple hours away and our precious one was actually in this city. When we arrived at the civil affairs office we found out that the child from farthest away would be early and that our baby would be probably late.
So picture this... we are sitting in this foyer just off the elevator outside of the office. We know there will be children coming up the elevator but we don't know what order. Every time the elevator lights would come on we'd all hold our breath, then nothing. Suddenly the light stopped at us. The doors opened and out comes this precious 13 yr old boy that immediately knew who his parents were. He ran to them and hugged them and quickly started trying to talk and communicate with them. It was one of the most precious things I'd ever seen in my life, even if it was happening at basically the top of the elevator! At the same time there is a shy, precious little 2 year old boy that is trying to meet his new parents at the same time (the 4th couple from another agency). He was so overwhelmed. I felt so bad for them and those kids right then. We stood there for about 5 more minutes until the office doors opened, without any more babies coming. When we got into the office it was like a big meeting area with offices off the sides and a little play area for the kids. There were couches and tables and chairs and such for us to sit around. The 2 families that had met their children were happily learning about their kids, talking with the representatives from their orphanages, and playing with their boys. Still, the other family and us... we waited, and waited, and waited! Finally the sound of the elevator ding... in walks an adorable little almost 4 year old to meet her forever family. Okay, seriously, it's been over 30 minutes now and our baby girl lives here, where in the world are they?!?!?!?! For 15 more minutes we stood there, watching these precious families meeting and loving on their new babies. Finally, the elevator dinged again and in walked the most precious little girl you have ever seen! She was a little hesitant at first, but we walked over to her and knelt down in front of her and she ran over to us saying "baba, mama" knowing exactly who we were! It was absolutely amazing! We couldn't believe what was happening, it literally was like a dream. She laughed, played, talked, we went through her photo album and she told us about her brothers and sister waiting for us at home, it was seriously amazing!
We spent about an hour there and then it was time to load up the bus and get these precious kiddos to the hotel. The others were doing well, but pretty quiet. Not our baby girl. She was having so much fun that our guide, who works for our agency, commented that this did not seem like the first day for her to meet us.
We got back to the hotel and the fun continued. We played with blocks, we played on the ipad, we played with the baby doll, all kinds of things. We were having so much fun that we skipped dinner having cheerios and water instead.
It became time to get ready for bed so I decided to bathe her. I was a little bit concerned not knowing if she'd had a full bath before or not. I filled the tub up just a few inches and let her play. She seemed to enjoy so we started washing. She did ok, until I got to much water over her face. She got a little upset but I wiped her off and she was better. I wrapped her up and dried her off and put her pajamas on... then everything changed!
I guess she thought we were leaving at that point. She grabbed her shoes and brought them to me and pointed and grabbed my hand toward the door. She was done, ready to "go home". When I picked her up and put her shoes back on the ground and walked away from the door the tears started. She cried and cried and cried. I was thankful for her to finally have a "normal" reaction to what had happened in the morning but it was so sad. One good thing was that she clung to me. She wasn't trying to get down, she wasn't mad, she was just sad, and she just cried. For about 45 min. She finally calmed down and I put her in bed with us. It was about 9:00 and her papers said her bedtime was 9:30 so we were hoping sleep would come soon. I handed her the ipad and she played for a little bit. She stuck her precious fingers in her mouth and covered her eyes with her other hand. She was almost asleep and suddenly sat straight up. No crying, no whimpering, nothing. She quickly climbed over me and onto the floor. Over the next 2 hours she would pace that floor more times than you can imagine. It will be one of the most precious memories for me of this whole trip I can promise. She held her 2 little fingers in her mouth and walked back and forth from John to me. She refused to get in the bed and it wasn't worth the fight. She needed to watch us, to see what we would do, to know that we were there and it was ok. She would walk around to John and just stand there and look at him. Every once in a while she'd reach up and hold his hand, or climb on his foot, watching all the time. Then she'd walk over to my side and just look. She'd lay her head on the edge of the bed, then walk back and forth again. About half way through this time every time John got up she'd follow him, everywhere he went! She'd just walk right behind him to wherever he was going then back to the bed, never touching him or letting him touch her, just following and watching. It was incredible to watch, and oh such a sweet time. Finally, at 11:00, she was walking at the end of the bed and she put her hand up over her eyes. She literally almost fell asleep standing. I reached over and picked her up, she laid her sweet head on my shoulder and was out! I rocked her for a few minutes to make sure she was good and asleep and I climbed in bed and laid her between us. That precious angel slept right there all night long.
It was an amazing day, a long day, a tiring day, but a day full of joy and hope!
Our appointment time was not until 2:30 so we kind of sat around and twiddled our thumbs all day. John, as any of you that know him can imagine, was very fidgety. He couldn't stop messing with stuff, needed to just be there and get it done. I was overcome with an emotion that never occurred to me. I could not stop thinking about what we were about to do to this precious little girl. Sure, we sent her a photo album to be being prepared, but at 2 years old how much can you really understand that you're leaving the only family you've ever known and moving half way around the world with these new people, I mean really! I was consumed with grief and guilt! Now, believe me, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that God placed this little girl in our family, that she was my daughter; but in this moment that was about to occur I was the bad guy, I was the "stranger", I was the one taking her away from all she'd ever known, I was the one turning her world upside down. I could not overcome it. My sadness for her about this was nothing I ever imagined I would feel, I was not prepared for it. Needless to say, I couldn't eat or barely think.
We left for our meeting at 1:30. We arrived 30 minutes earlier than expected so we had to just and wait outside the room in a tiny entrance.
Now, understand, there are 4 families total in this province bringing home their beautiful children. We all are in this small almost entry way/foyer type space right when you get off the elevator. We were told on the way there (3 of us traveled together there as we use the same agency) that our 3 children were all from different parts of the province. One of them about 4 hours away, one of them a couple hours away and our precious one was actually in this city. When we arrived at the civil affairs office we found out that the child from farthest away would be early and that our baby would be probably late.
So picture this... we are sitting in this foyer just off the elevator outside of the office. We know there will be children coming up the elevator but we don't know what order. Every time the elevator lights would come on we'd all hold our breath, then nothing. Suddenly the light stopped at us. The doors opened and out comes this precious 13 yr old boy that immediately knew who his parents were. He ran to them and hugged them and quickly started trying to talk and communicate with them. It was one of the most precious things I'd ever seen in my life, even if it was happening at basically the top of the elevator! At the same time there is a shy, precious little 2 year old boy that is trying to meet his new parents at the same time (the 4th couple from another agency). He was so overwhelmed. I felt so bad for them and those kids right then. We stood there for about 5 more minutes until the office doors opened, without any more babies coming. When we got into the office it was like a big meeting area with offices off the sides and a little play area for the kids. There were couches and tables and chairs and such for us to sit around. The 2 families that had met their children were happily learning about their kids, talking with the representatives from their orphanages, and playing with their boys. Still, the other family and us... we waited, and waited, and waited! Finally the sound of the elevator ding... in walks an adorable little almost 4 year old to meet her forever family. Okay, seriously, it's been over 30 minutes now and our baby girl lives here, where in the world are they?!?!?!?! For 15 more minutes we stood there, watching these precious families meeting and loving on their new babies. Finally, the elevator dinged again and in walked the most precious little girl you have ever seen! She was a little hesitant at first, but we walked over to her and knelt down in front of her and she ran over to us saying "baba, mama" knowing exactly who we were! It was absolutely amazing! We couldn't believe what was happening, it literally was like a dream. She laughed, played, talked, we went through her photo album and she told us about her brothers and sister waiting for us at home, it was seriously amazing!
We spent about an hour there and then it was time to load up the bus and get these precious kiddos to the hotel. The others were doing well, but pretty quiet. Not our baby girl. She was having so much fun that our guide, who works for our agency, commented that this did not seem like the first day for her to meet us.
We got back to the hotel and the fun continued. We played with blocks, we played on the ipad, we played with the baby doll, all kinds of things. We were having so much fun that we skipped dinner having cheerios and water instead.
It became time to get ready for bed so I decided to bathe her. I was a little bit concerned not knowing if she'd had a full bath before or not. I filled the tub up just a few inches and let her play. She seemed to enjoy so we started washing. She did ok, until I got to much water over her face. She got a little upset but I wiped her off and she was better. I wrapped her up and dried her off and put her pajamas on... then everything changed!
I guess she thought we were leaving at that point. She grabbed her shoes and brought them to me and pointed and grabbed my hand toward the door. She was done, ready to "go home". When I picked her up and put her shoes back on the ground and walked away from the door the tears started. She cried and cried and cried. I was thankful for her to finally have a "normal" reaction to what had happened in the morning but it was so sad. One good thing was that she clung to me. She wasn't trying to get down, she wasn't mad, she was just sad, and she just cried. For about 45 min. She finally calmed down and I put her in bed with us. It was about 9:00 and her papers said her bedtime was 9:30 so we were hoping sleep would come soon. I handed her the ipad and she played for a little bit. She stuck her precious fingers in her mouth and covered her eyes with her other hand. She was almost asleep and suddenly sat straight up. No crying, no whimpering, nothing. She quickly climbed over me and onto the floor. Over the next 2 hours she would pace that floor more times than you can imagine. It will be one of the most precious memories for me of this whole trip I can promise. She held her 2 little fingers in her mouth and walked back and forth from John to me. She refused to get in the bed and it wasn't worth the fight. She needed to watch us, to see what we would do, to know that we were there and it was ok. She would walk around to John and just stand there and look at him. Every once in a while she'd reach up and hold his hand, or climb on his foot, watching all the time. Then she'd walk over to my side and just look. She'd lay her head on the edge of the bed, then walk back and forth again. About half way through this time every time John got up she'd follow him, everywhere he went! She'd just walk right behind him to wherever he was going then back to the bed, never touching him or letting him touch her, just following and watching. It was incredible to watch, and oh such a sweet time. Finally, at 11:00, she was walking at the end of the bed and she put her hand up over her eyes. She literally almost fell asleep standing. I reached over and picked her up, she laid her sweet head on my shoulder and was out! I rocked her for a few minutes to make sure she was good and asleep and I climbed in bed and laid her between us. That precious angel slept right there all night long.
It was an amazing day, a long day, a tiring day, but a day full of joy and hope!
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Journey to Jadyn Grace, Day 2
It's Sunday evening right now where we are and we have had a busy day!
We got up this morning and headed to the airport. We were a little anxious because this would be the beginning of the part of our trip where we would be without our friends. We got into the van with the other family that was traveling to the same province as us, that we did not know, and began conversing with them about our journeys and such and come to find out they are believers as well. It was so comforting to be traveling with another family with the same hope and rock as we have.
We arrived at the airport for a 2 1/2 hour flight. We landed in Wuhan City at about 1:30 and met our guide for the week. Our friends had been telling us about their guide from their first trip and about how wonderful she was and how they hoped we would get someone like her. Turns out we have that same guide. GOD IS SO GOOD!, and they were right, she is amazing and we've only spent a couple of hours with her. She got us checked into our hotel and then took us on a tour of the area, where we could shop, what was safe to eat, etc. We met another family here that will be finishing the trip with us as well.
We took a trip to the local "walmart" and wow is it not really like walmart! Much more like a sears with a grocery store, sort of. Kind of hard to explain but yeah, crazy!
We headed to the mall to have dinner, MCDONALD'S!!!, and look around a little. This city is definitely much more culture shock then Beijing was.
We found out today that our baby girl was actually born in this city and this is where she has been living. So we could be right down the street from her right now, or she could be 30 min away, but CRAZY!!!!
They brought us a crib to our hotel room, and that is unbelievable - to have a crib in our room?!?!?! It's definitely getting real!
Please pray that tomorrow (tonight your time) would go great! Our appointment at the Civil Affairs office is at 2:30. That's when they'll bring us our princess and she will be ours! It's quite overwhelming, actually, to even think about for me. I can't even fathom what that moment tomorrow is going to be like.
Thank you all so much, again!
We got up this morning and headed to the airport. We were a little anxious because this would be the beginning of the part of our trip where we would be without our friends. We got into the van with the other family that was traveling to the same province as us, that we did not know, and began conversing with them about our journeys and such and come to find out they are believers as well. It was so comforting to be traveling with another family with the same hope and rock as we have.
We arrived at the airport for a 2 1/2 hour flight. We landed in Wuhan City at about 1:30 and met our guide for the week. Our friends had been telling us about their guide from their first trip and about how wonderful she was and how they hoped we would get someone like her. Turns out we have that same guide. GOD IS SO GOOD!, and they were right, she is amazing and we've only spent a couple of hours with her. She got us checked into our hotel and then took us on a tour of the area, where we could shop, what was safe to eat, etc. We met another family here that will be finishing the trip with us as well.
We took a trip to the local "walmart" and wow is it not really like walmart! Much more like a sears with a grocery store, sort of. Kind of hard to explain but yeah, crazy!
We headed to the mall to have dinner, MCDONALD'S!!!, and look around a little. This city is definitely much more culture shock then Beijing was.
We found out today that our baby girl was actually born in this city and this is where she has been living. So we could be right down the street from her right now, or she could be 30 min away, but CRAZY!!!!
They brought us a crib to our hotel room, and that is unbelievable - to have a crib in our room?!?!?! It's definitely getting real!
Please pray that tomorrow (tonight your time) would go great! Our appointment at the Civil Affairs office is at 2:30. That's when they'll bring us our princess and she will be ours! It's quite overwhelming, actually, to even think about for me. I can't even fathom what that moment tomorrow is going to be like.
Thank you all so much, again!
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Journey to Jadyn Grace...
China day 1 (and the first few hours)
This may just be random notes/expressions but I don't want to forget a thing from this journey, so bear with me!
Some funny things...
- Dinner our first night was interesting! Our friends and us went to a restaurant just down the block from our hotel in Beijing. The ordering was quite interesting, but thankfully there were pictures on the menu so we muddled our way through. I never even thought about the fact that there would be no utensils at the table, just chop sticks... which I am not so good at, nor is the wife of the couple we are with. We laughed and laughed as we tried to pick up our dumplings, those slippery little boogers!
- Saturday morning John was in the shower and I heard a bang and him gasp. I ran in to check on him and discovered that he had accidentally found the rain head when he pulled a plug and freezing cold water doused him from the ceiling!
Saturday morning we met our guide at 8:00 to head to the Great Wall. We were told that we were very fortunate with the weather and very low smog. Visibility was amazing. We climbed about 10 million steps (not really but definitely more than I've ever climbed in my life, and we will seriously be feeling it tomorrow!). I almost gave out twice but when we made it to the top I was so thankful I pushed through. It was absolutely amazing!
This may just be random notes/expressions but I don't want to forget a thing from this journey, so bear with me!
Some funny things...
- Dinner our first night was interesting! Our friends and us went to a restaurant just down the block from our hotel in Beijing. The ordering was quite interesting, but thankfully there were pictures on the menu so we muddled our way through. I never even thought about the fact that there would be no utensils at the table, just chop sticks... which I am not so good at, nor is the wife of the couple we are with. We laughed and laughed as we tried to pick up our dumplings, those slippery little boogers!
- Saturday morning John was in the shower and I heard a bang and him gasp. I ran in to check on him and discovered that he had accidentally found the rain head when he pulled a plug and freezing cold water doused him from the ceiling!
Saturday morning we met our guide at 8:00 to head to the Great Wall. We were told that we were very fortunate with the weather and very low smog. Visibility was amazing. We climbed about 10 million steps (not really but definitely more than I've ever climbed in my life, and we will seriously be feeling it tomorrow!). I almost gave out twice but when we made it to the top I was so thankful I pushed through. It was absolutely amazing!
After the Great Wall we went to a Jade market. We were able to watch men cut and etch some amazing detail into these pieces. I actually learned a little about Jade too, I thought it was all green, nope, there is yellow, white, different shades of green... six different colors actually, it was a cool place. We learned that Jade is considered an heirloom. Passed down from generation to generation in this culture.
When we were done in the market we ate at the restaurant above. We enjoyed a traditional Chinese lunch. It was yummy, though the guys weren't thrilled. We also got more experience with chop sticks, and the experience was equally as entertaining as last night's dinner!
After lunch we returned to the hotel and took a break for a few minutes. We then headed out to the Forbidden City. WOW, all I can really say. The history in that place was amazing! It was absolutely beautiful as well. The detail they put in to the craftsmanship of that place was truly extraordinary.
After we finished there we headed towards Time Square Beijing, and the "walking" street. Literally, walking only, no cars allowed. On our way there we passed "food street". Well, that was interesting! Fried star fish, steamed snake, fried spiders, fried crickets, fried scorpions, boiled centipede, and even fillet of cat or dog! Seriously, the smell was almost enough to make me gag!
Then we made it to Time Square Beijing. It was crazy, a lot different from the rest of what we had experienced so far. It was definitely the modern part of where we were. 2-3 story tall buildings housing department store after department store. It was sensory overload!
We ended our evening at Pizza Hut. It was a welcomed taste of home.
It's been an amazing day of learning and experiencing. Tomorrow morning we head to Wuhan City where we will then meet our girl Monday!
Thanks always for the prayers and encouragement! As always, will post when I can!
Friday, December 5, 2014
We are here!
Oh what a glorious day!
We flew out Thursday morning and landed Friday afternoon, crazy stuff to move forward in time (13 hours)! Our flights were outstanding, and my husband, who DOES NOT fly, did amazing! Even a 13 1/2 hour plane, though it was long, felt like a bus ride.
Today we visit the Great Wall and Hutong Lane. I am so excited to experience some of Jadyn Grace's culture before we meet her.
Please continue to be in prayer; for us, for her, for our families at home. It's going to be a big month!
I will post longer, with pics, about our day, this evening!
We love you all!
We flew out Thursday morning and landed Friday afternoon, crazy stuff to move forward in time (13 hours)! Our flights were outstanding, and my husband, who DOES NOT fly, did amazing! Even a 13 1/2 hour plane, though it was long, felt like a bus ride.
Today we visit the Great Wall and Hutong Lane. I am so excited to experience some of Jadyn Grace's culture before we meet her.
Please continue to be in prayer; for us, for her, for our families at home. It's going to be a big month!
I will post longer, with pics, about our day, this evening!
We love you all!
Monday, December 1, 2014
A letter to Jadyn Grace
So, in one week I will hold you for the first time. I can not even begin to tell you how that makes me feel. I am excited, scared, anxious, sad, overflowing with love, and so much more! I have been told many times to be prepared for you to be upset, to be sad, to be nervous. I am okay with these emotions. You will not know me, will not trust me, will not want me, will not love me. I am okay! I know that in time all these things will come. I know that one day we will share stories about your reactions and feelings and marvel at how far we have come.
What I want you to know, I love you. I will not leave you, I will hold you and cry with you and laugh with you. I will wait for you to know me and trust me. I will wait!
I will pray with you for the parents that made that first hard choice. That knew you and loved you enough to give you life. I will mourn with you for them every time you ask why or how. I will do my best to explain and help you understand.
I will, most importantly, do all I can to show you Christ. He and only He can fill the holes and emptiness that I'm sure you will experience. His love is everything, it is all you need. Without Him we are and have nothing. He will love you, He will mourn with/for you, He will pursue you, He will wait for you; and He'll do these things SO much better than I will!
Jadyn Grace, I can not wait until next week when I will see your precious face and hold your precious hands!
What I want you to know, I love you. I will not leave you, I will hold you and cry with you and laugh with you. I will wait for you to know me and trust me. I will wait!
I will pray with you for the parents that made that first hard choice. That knew you and loved you enough to give you life. I will mourn with you for them every time you ask why or how. I will do my best to explain and help you understand.
I will, most importantly, do all I can to show you Christ. He and only He can fill the holes and emptiness that I'm sure you will experience. His love is everything, it is all you need. Without Him we are and have nothing. He will love you, He will mourn with/for you, He will pursue you, He will wait for you; and He'll do these things SO much better than I will!
Jadyn Grace, I can not wait until next week when I will see your precious face and hold your precious hands!
Sunday, November 2, 2014
He cares about every detail!
So, we have friends that are adopting for the second time from our baby girls country. They started out a little faster in the process this time than us because they have been here before. They were matched a little over a month before us. For awhile we've been talking about how crazy it would be if we ended up traveling together.
Now, let me just interject here a little... This is a couple that we've known for YEARS! Like, since high school. We've been married about the same amount of time, we spent years at the same church; it's just a family we are extremely comfortable with.
Also, and I'm sure I've said this before, John HATES to fly! When he just completely trusted God last year and went to a first meeting to go on a mission trip, without me, as the people were coming in behind him he noticed that his best friends, his sister-in-law, his best friend's dad, etc, were among the group preparing to go. I kept telling him "God is giving you a gift! He knows you are completely out of your comfort zone but you trusted Him anyway and now He's sending some of those closest to you as comfort!" It was truly an answer to prayer.
So, when we started talking about how crazy it would be to travel with friends to bring home our girls it was but a dream. I mean, there were SO many variables! Like 6 months worth of variables that would all have to work out in perfect timing for us to all travel across an ocean to the perfect children God had prepared for us.
Well, as the last few weeks have progressed it was looking more and more like we WOULD be traveling together.
It started out that we would be going and coming home the same dates, then that we would be spending our tour day together, and then that not only will we be on the exact same flights to and from, but literally on 2 of the 4 we will be sitting behind each other!
I mean REALLY?!?!?!?!
All I can say is BUT GOD!
Dear Father God,
You are so good to us. We fail you everyday, but in our failures You bring Your will to fruition and cover us with Your grace and mercy. I am in awe of You and Your goodness. I pray Lord God that in all I do Your name is lifted high and Glory and Honor are all Yours.
I am filled with thankfulness and humbleness in Your presence. Thank You for all things!
Amen!
Now, let me just interject here a little... This is a couple that we've known for YEARS! Like, since high school. We've been married about the same amount of time, we spent years at the same church; it's just a family we are extremely comfortable with.
Also, and I'm sure I've said this before, John HATES to fly! When he just completely trusted God last year and went to a first meeting to go on a mission trip, without me, as the people were coming in behind him he noticed that his best friends, his sister-in-law, his best friend's dad, etc, were among the group preparing to go. I kept telling him "God is giving you a gift! He knows you are completely out of your comfort zone but you trusted Him anyway and now He's sending some of those closest to you as comfort!" It was truly an answer to prayer.
So, when we started talking about how crazy it would be to travel with friends to bring home our girls it was but a dream. I mean, there were SO many variables! Like 6 months worth of variables that would all have to work out in perfect timing for us to all travel across an ocean to the perfect children God had prepared for us.
Well, as the last few weeks have progressed it was looking more and more like we WOULD be traveling together.
It started out that we would be going and coming home the same dates, then that we would be spending our tour day together, and then that not only will we be on the exact same flights to and from, but literally on 2 of the 4 we will be sitting behind each other!
I mean REALLY?!?!?!?!
All I can say is BUT GOD!
Dear Father God,
You are so good to us. We fail you everyday, but in our failures You bring Your will to fruition and cover us with Your grace and mercy. I am in awe of You and Your goodness. I pray Lord God that in all I do Your name is lifted high and Glory and Honor are all Yours.
I am filled with thankfulness and humbleness in Your presence. Thank You for all things!
Amen!
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
The countdown begins....
When I posted last night I had no idea I'd get confirmation of our travel today. Our travel approval email came which means we have an official countdown!!!! Praise Jesus, He is so good to us!
We have prayed for so long for this day. There were days that seemed like years and then there were weeks that seemed like seconds. God is so good and has taught me so much in the last almost 2 years. His love never fails and never ends, and His grace is unfathomable to me.
We will be arriving in country on Dec 5. I CAN NOT wait to do some exploring of our princesses heritage. We will "tour" a day and then fly to her city on Sunday.
After what I pray will be a decent nights sleep, WE'LL GET OUR GIRL!!!! The official day will be Dec 8. I can not begin to imagine what that moment will be like. I can't even think about it without tearing up. I just, WOW...!
We will be in her city for about a week and then on to another city where she will have a final physical and we will get her visa. Our earliest fly home day will be Dec 18. We have not actually bought tickets yet, but in less than 6 WEEKS we'll be holding our precious girl. It takes my breath away...
I know I keep saying it but I seriously can't express enough God's provisions and blessings in this process. He is SO faithful, and my love for Him, I just can't even...! His love and grace are more than enough.
The next weeks will be maybe random posting, obviously got a lot to do in the next 6 weeks.
Thank you so much for the prayers and love and support from ALL of you! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!
We have prayed for so long for this day. There were days that seemed like years and then there were weeks that seemed like seconds. God is so good and has taught me so much in the last almost 2 years. His love never fails and never ends, and His grace is unfathomable to me.
We will be arriving in country on Dec 5. I CAN NOT wait to do some exploring of our princesses heritage. We will "tour" a day and then fly to her city on Sunday.
After what I pray will be a decent nights sleep, WE'LL GET OUR GIRL!!!! The official day will be Dec 8. I can not begin to imagine what that moment will be like. I can't even think about it without tearing up. I just, WOW...!
We will be in her city for about a week and then on to another city where she will have a final physical and we will get her visa. Our earliest fly home day will be Dec 18. We have not actually bought tickets yet, but in less than 6 WEEKS we'll be holding our precious girl. It takes my breath away...
I know I keep saying it but I seriously can't express enough God's provisions and blessings in this process. He is SO faithful, and my love for Him, I just can't even...! His love and grace are more than enough.
The next weeks will be maybe random posting, obviously got a lot to do in the next 6 weeks.
Thank you so much for the prayers and love and support from ALL of you! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!
Monday, October 27, 2014
What's next...
So, after our NVC letter came in, the next thing to wait for was our Article 5. ( Just so you all know, if you don't know what all of these paper's titles mean, neither do I! So it's ok! Just know they're important! )
The estimated time of wait from NVC letter to Article 5 is 3-4 weeks. Our NVC came on Sept 29, our Article 5 came today, Oct 21. Basically this paper means we start travel planning. We've sent (well our agency has sent) our preferred travel dates so that we can get our travel approval. After travel approval comes we can book flights!!!!!
It's really happening. We are about to start a real countdown to bringing home our precious girl!
When our travel approval gets here I will let you all know our official countdown begins, but in the meantime THANK YOU!!!
My prayer through this entire process has been and continues to be that God would be glorified. His faithfulness has been proven over and over again and I am amazed over and over again. To God Be The Glory!!!!!
The estimated time of wait from NVC letter to Article 5 is 3-4 weeks. Our NVC came on Sept 29, our Article 5 came today, Oct 21. Basically this paper means we start travel planning. We've sent (well our agency has sent) our preferred travel dates so that we can get our travel approval. After travel approval comes we can book flights!!!!!
It's really happening. We are about to start a real countdown to bringing home our precious girl!
When our travel approval gets here I will let you all know our official countdown begins, but in the meantime THANK YOU!!!
My prayer through this entire process has been and continues to be that God would be glorified. His faithfulness has been proven over and over again and I am amazed over and over again. To God Be The Glory!!!!!
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
AAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
So, our I-800 came in on Fri the 26th and I filed for our NVC letter. The timeline for that letter is 1-2 wks, BUT GOD! Our letter came at 7:00 Mon morning, the 29th!
Now to file for our next piece of paper!
I'll keep you all posted!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow :)!
Now to file for our next piece of paper!
I'll keep you all posted!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow :)!
Sunday, October 12, 2014
More papers...
So, the first paper we had to file for, after the all important LOA, was what's called an I-800. It's an immigration paper. Remember the paperwork we had to have updated because JJ had turned 18 and because our originals didn't include her "condition"? Well, we had to have that updated to file this paper. JJ had to have biometric fingerprints done, which take about 3 weeks to file for and then another week or so to process.
After what was supposed to take 2-4 weeks we finally got that paper in the mail Friday Sept 26., 5 1/2 weeks later! It's so funny how God's timing works. Things that are supposed to take months take days and things that are supposed to take days take months. It's ALL ok though because He knows when we'll travel and it'll be perfect!
We are seriously hoping to finalize travel dates ASAP, but still waiting on more paperwork to be filed. Every paper takes a couple of weeks, generally speaking. They say 9-10 weeks from receipt of I-800 to travel; so we are still on track for being home by (or on) Christmas!
To God be the glory!
Til next time....
After what was supposed to take 2-4 weeks we finally got that paper in the mail Friday Sept 26., 5 1/2 weeks later! It's so funny how God's timing works. Things that are supposed to take months take days and things that are supposed to take days take months. It's ALL ok though because He knows when we'll travel and it'll be perfect!
We are seriously hoping to finalize travel dates ASAP, but still waiting on more paperwork to be filed. Every paper takes a couple of weeks, generally speaking. They say 9-10 weeks from receipt of I-800 to travel; so we are still on track for being home by (or on) Christmas!
To God be the glory!
Til next time....
Saturday, October 4, 2014
ANOTHER MIRACLE!!!!!
August 20, 2014... remember that all important piece of paper, the LOA? That piece of paper that at the very least is supposed to take 2 months to receive? BUT GOD!!!! That's right, 16 days after our LOI was uploaded our LOA landed on our contact's desk!!!!!!!!! I mean REALLY?!?!?!?!
My phone rang about 4:00 that afternoon. It was the agency's phone number so of course I answered, having no idea why in the world they would be calling. Our contact at the other end said, "Hi Joy, I have some very surprising but very good news for you!" (I couldn't even fathom what it might be. My initial thought was that she had more video to send me?!) She proceeded to tell me, "I have your LOA on my desk right now." I didn't even know what to say. I just cried. I just kept saying, "I can't talk. I don't know what to say." She was as surprised as I was and just kept saying it's fine, just breathe! She overnighted our paperwork, 2 pieces, that we had to sign and make copies of, and return back to her quickly.
Now, this is the deal. We were planning to travel about Feb or March of 2015, based on the estimated timeline of how long things are taking right now. Well, this piece of paper, being the all important one that it is, moves our travel dates up by months!!!!! She informed me that basically, if we don't travel by Christmas it is because we are choosing to wait. DID YOU READ THAT RIGHT?!?!?! She will most likely be in our arms by Christmas, possibly even HOME!!!!!
Oh my goodness y'all, I just can't even put into words.
GOD IS GOOD!!!!! That's all I got!
Now, we are still waiting to receive our updated home study. We can not get our next piece of paper until John John's fingerprints are done. If anything is going to hold us up that will be it.
So, we are waiting again. Hoping to get our update SOON and praying that his fingerprints process QUICKLY!!!!!
Thanks again you guys, seriously, for praying! God is still working, miraculously, making things happen to bring Him glory! This is seriously all a BUT GOD story, and we are honored and overjoyed to be able to share it!!!
My phone rang about 4:00 that afternoon. It was the agency's phone number so of course I answered, having no idea why in the world they would be calling. Our contact at the other end said, "Hi Joy, I have some very surprising but very good news for you!" (I couldn't even fathom what it might be. My initial thought was that she had more video to send me?!) She proceeded to tell me, "I have your LOA on my desk right now." I didn't even know what to say. I just cried. I just kept saying, "I can't talk. I don't know what to say." She was as surprised as I was and just kept saying it's fine, just breathe! She overnighted our paperwork, 2 pieces, that we had to sign and make copies of, and return back to her quickly.
Now, this is the deal. We were planning to travel about Feb or March of 2015, based on the estimated timeline of how long things are taking right now. Well, this piece of paper, being the all important one that it is, moves our travel dates up by months!!!!! She informed me that basically, if we don't travel by Christmas it is because we are choosing to wait. DID YOU READ THAT RIGHT?!?!?! She will most likely be in our arms by Christmas, possibly even HOME!!!!!
Oh my goodness y'all, I just can't even put into words.
GOD IS GOOD!!!!! That's all I got!
Now, we are still waiting to receive our updated home study. We can not get our next piece of paper until John John's fingerprints are done. If anything is going to hold us up that will be it.
So, we are waiting again. Hoping to get our update SOON and praying that his fingerprints process QUICKLY!!!!!
Thanks again you guys, seriously, for praying! God is still working, miraculously, making things happen to bring Him glory! This is seriously all a BUT GOD story, and we are honored and overjoyed to be able to share it!!!
Sunday, September 28, 2014
An unexpected surprise!
On Wednesday, August 13, 2014, we received our email from our agency including more paperwork to fill out. It included things such as a placement agreement, travel questionnaire, some releases, etc. It also included a page that basically lists all of the information we've received on our baby girl and we have to sign saying yes we actually got those things. Well, on that list it said "5 video's". I almost died! We had not received any videos. No way they have videos, I was VERY cautiously excited. I emailed the girl, since I was officially signing it, to verify the information. I told her we had not received any videos and there was some discrepancy about pictures as well. I told her, obviously if there was more we would LOVE to have them! As I said, I was very cautiously excited, cause no way, surely they accidentally got us mixed up with another child.
Well, they hadn't gotten it mixed up. There was VIDEO!!!!! On Thursday we got an email including 5 video's and about 30 pictures taken the day before her 2nd birthday (which was months before we even were matched). I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT!!!! I posted on FB that day about her grin and her giggle. Oh my goodness, it was AMAZING to see her in action. I just can't even put it into words. Apparently one of our agency's social workers had gone over to meet lots of kids in a few different cities and had taken lots of video's and pictures and written small updates, so that when the children were placed they would be able to share them with their families. This girl also wrote little updates about the children.
Ok, guys, like I said before, this was months before we were matched, before we got her file to review. Remember the follow up questions we sent after the initial review of her file? About the seizures - frequency, medicine, etc. Well, this little update from the social worker, that we received weeks AFTER we even were matched, this little update from the social worker that our agency had months BEFORE we even were sent her file... it had ALL of those answers. "This child has had no seizures... She does not take medication...". OH MY GOODNESS!!!! Answers that we waited weeks for, that we really hadn't even needed to ask because they already had these answers!!! God works so mysteriously on our behalf. I believe, without a doubt, that He worked these things out. He wanted us to trust Him completely in the health of this child. To fall in love with her and trust Him to take care of her. I just don't even have words, again, to describe His grace and love for us!
So anyway, we filled out more paperwork and continued to wait for the all important LOA!
Well, they hadn't gotten it mixed up. There was VIDEO!!!!! On Thursday we got an email including 5 video's and about 30 pictures taken the day before her 2nd birthday (which was months before we even were matched). I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT!!!! I posted on FB that day about her grin and her giggle. Oh my goodness, it was AMAZING to see her in action. I just can't even put it into words. Apparently one of our agency's social workers had gone over to meet lots of kids in a few different cities and had taken lots of video's and pictures and written small updates, so that when the children were placed they would be able to share them with their families. This girl also wrote little updates about the children.
Ok, guys, like I said before, this was months before we were matched, before we got her file to review. Remember the follow up questions we sent after the initial review of her file? About the seizures - frequency, medicine, etc. Well, this little update from the social worker, that we received weeks AFTER we even were matched, this little update from the social worker that our agency had months BEFORE we even were sent her file... it had ALL of those answers. "This child has had no seizures... She does not take medication...". OH MY GOODNESS!!!! Answers that we waited weeks for, that we really hadn't even needed to ask because they already had these answers!!! God works so mysteriously on our behalf. I believe, without a doubt, that He worked these things out. He wanted us to trust Him completely in the health of this child. To fall in love with her and trust Him to take care of her. I just don't even have words, again, to describe His grace and love for us!
So anyway, we filled out more paperwork and continued to wait for the all important LOA!
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Our LOI...
First, what is an LOI? It stands for "Letter Of Intent". Basically it is a letter to country of child telling them that we would like to adopt this little girl, that we've done our due diligence in reviewing her medical file and that we are prepared and willing to accept her and her conditions; and that above all we will love her as our own biological child and do whatever needs to be done to keep her safe and take care of her.
So, it was Wednesday July 30. I emailed our LOI to our agency. Now, being that this precious girl was not released yet, our agency would be holding on to our LOI until her release and then they would send it over seas. After I sent our LOI the girl at our agency called me with congratulations! She also informed me that they had been receiving messages that "the city she was from" may be giving a release soon. Our girl was at the end of that list so she may possibly be in that release. I couldn't believe it; not only had we officially said yes, her release may be in the next week or so instead of month or so!
The next day my mom and sister came over. I was so excited to be telling them all we had learned. We just talked and laughed! I'm so thankful that our families are so excited and supportive of our process! Anyway, after lunch I was checking my emails and had one from Holt - SHE HAD BEEN OFFICIALLY RELEASED!!!!!! I was SHOCKED! The blessings just kept coming, I couldn't believe it.
We are so undeserving of God's grace and he just keeps covering and covering us with it. I just am so overfilled with joy and thankfulness! Even though I completely fail at trusting fully He still loves me fully!
Our LOI was officially sent Aug 4 and the timeline for the next wait was 2-4 months. After the LOI comes the most important paper in this whole process. The LOA, "Letter Of Acceptance". It is the paper from in country saying "yes, we accept your LOI and you can adopt this precious girl". I mean, NOTHING else can happen until we get that.
So at this point, Aug 4, we were again waiting, but at least things were moving forward, there were things for us to do during this wait. We had to have our home study updated to cover our princesses "condition" and to include the new adult we had living in our house, John John, now that he's turned 18. We were also waiting for more paper work from our agency that we had to fill out. We also found out that instead of a 4-6 month wait time from this point, there was now a 6-8 month wait, UGH!!! I just want to hold her, to bring her home!!! But, we wait. We wait for God to move, we wait for His perfect timing, we wait for our precious girl to come home, we wait and hope in Him!
So, it was Wednesday July 30. I emailed our LOI to our agency. Now, being that this precious girl was not released yet, our agency would be holding on to our LOI until her release and then they would send it over seas. After I sent our LOI the girl at our agency called me with congratulations! She also informed me that they had been receiving messages that "the city she was from" may be giving a release soon. Our girl was at the end of that list so she may possibly be in that release. I couldn't believe it; not only had we officially said yes, her release may be in the next week or so instead of month or so!
The next day my mom and sister came over. I was so excited to be telling them all we had learned. We just talked and laughed! I'm so thankful that our families are so excited and supportive of our process! Anyway, after lunch I was checking my emails and had one from Holt - SHE HAD BEEN OFFICIALLY RELEASED!!!!!! I was SHOCKED! The blessings just kept coming, I couldn't believe it.
We are so undeserving of God's grace and he just keeps covering and covering us with it. I just am so overfilled with joy and thankfulness! Even though I completely fail at trusting fully He still loves me fully!
Our LOI was officially sent Aug 4 and the timeline for the next wait was 2-4 months. After the LOI comes the most important paper in this whole process. The LOA, "Letter Of Acceptance". It is the paper from in country saying "yes, we accept your LOI and you can adopt this precious girl". I mean, NOTHING else can happen until we get that.
So at this point, Aug 4, we were again waiting, but at least things were moving forward, there were things for us to do during this wait. We had to have our home study updated to cover our princesses "condition" and to include the new adult we had living in our house, John John, now that he's turned 18. We were also waiting for more paper work from our agency that we had to fill out. We also found out that instead of a 4-6 month wait time from this point, there was now a 6-8 month wait, UGH!!! I just want to hold her, to bring her home!!! But, we wait. We wait for God to move, we wait for His perfect timing, we wait for our precious girl to come home, we wait and hope in Him!
Thursday, September 18, 2014
How is he 15 already?!?!
I'll never forget the day we came home from the hospital with Travis. It was anything but joyful! We walked into a house with a broken AC, and a 3 year old puking; it was FANTASTIC! I remember sitting on the couch that evening rocking Travis and crying saying, "what were we thinking? why did we do this? we should not have had another baby!" We like to tease Travis about that he's the only "planned" child we have (until Jadyn Grace makes her entrance) and look what we got! I wouldn't trade it for the world!
Travis, I love you! You are one of a kind and God made you perfect for His purpose! I am so proud of you. I can't help but be filled with joy as I watch you grow into a young man. You are full of compassion. You love to love and I love to watch! You have the biggest heart I've ever seen in a teenager. You carry that heart right on your shoulder for everyone to see also. I love to watch you be so vulnerable and be proud of it. You don't care what anyone else thinks of you and you are confident in who you are.
I can not wait to see how God uses you. I pray you keep Him first in your life and follow His path for you. He will never fail you, He will never leave you.
I love you Travis!
Travis, I love you! You are one of a kind and God made you perfect for His purpose! I am so proud of you. I can't help but be filled with joy as I watch you grow into a young man. You are full of compassion. You love to love and I love to watch! You have the biggest heart I've ever seen in a teenager. You carry that heart right on your shoulder for everyone to see also. I love to watch you be so vulnerable and be proud of it. You don't care what anyone else thinks of you and you are confident in who you are.
I can not wait to see how God uses you. I pray you keep Him first in your life and follow His path for you. He will never fail you, He will never leave you.
I love you Travis!
Friday, September 12, 2014
What the doctor said!
So, the doctor called Wednesday afternoon and his report was AMAZING! After his review of everything he said to him everything looks great. She was developmentally, and physically exactly where she should be as a two year old.
We had been told by our agency that we could send follow up questions from the dr if there was anything else needed. The doctor suggested a few, just so we could try to get a better understanding of the seizures (or epilepsy). Also, there was a small discrepancy in her measurement dates and could make a difference in some of the effects the seizures may be having, or have had, on her. The other questions were mostly about medications and frequency and such.
We sent our questions to our agency, knowing we may get no answers and if we did get answers who knew how long it would be! So, MORE waiting began. On their end there was no big rush since she was still on the prerelease list. However, for us, it was SERIOUSLY more WAITING!!!!!
Again, no sleeping for me. My head was spinning. I couldn't believe how things were going. I was so anxious.
After 2 1/2 weeks I received a phone call on Friday, July 25, from our agency. The girl on the other end, the same girl I had been in contact with already, proceeded to say, "I don't usually make these phone calls but felt like I needed to go over this update with you before I sent it to you." (Ok, what does that mean?!) As the next words came out of her mouth I was in near shock! It was documented that this precious treasure had had no seizures since she had been under the care of the orphanage. Every answer was a "no" to every question that we sent. No medicine, no seizures, no EEG, etc. The words out of her mouth were, "it appears you hit the jackpot." No honey - BUT GOD!!!! From what we have put together over all of the information we have, this baby girl was having seizures. She was dropped off at the hospital and the doctors diagnosed her with seizures. She was then placed into the orphanage with a "label" of epilepsy - and NEVER had another episode after that!!! I mean, truly a miracle in our eyes. This just doesn't happen. From what we know and have heard, a lot of families find out at their medical review for their child's visa, or when they come home, that their babies are healthy, but never before they have even accepted a referral!!!! Just more of God's miracles!
Before I hung up from that phone call I asked how long it might be before this treasure was released. She said it could be 1-2 months. Ugh - if (when) we say yes, MORE WAITING!!!!!
After we hung up she sent me the actual file along with some new pics :). I forwarded all the new information to the doctor, we had to have his final "approval", but it was after hours so I knew it would be the next week, I told them I needed to know by Wednesday.
John and I talked Tuesday night. We knew that if we hadn't heard from the doctor by Wednesday we were going to have to make a decision without his final consensus. (We had already received a phone call from the agency wondering if we had made a decision yet). By Wednesday afternoon, when we still had not heard from the doctor, we knew we'd have a big conversation that night. At about 4:00 my phone rang, it was the doctor! He was so excited. In his opinion our conclusions were right, and there was nothing to be concerned with. Even her new measurements were great! We knew, as soon as the doctor hung up, that she was ours. We agreed that I would send our LOI!
We had been told by our agency that we could send follow up questions from the dr if there was anything else needed. The doctor suggested a few, just so we could try to get a better understanding of the seizures (or epilepsy). Also, there was a small discrepancy in her measurement dates and could make a difference in some of the effects the seizures may be having, or have had, on her. The other questions were mostly about medications and frequency and such.
We sent our questions to our agency, knowing we may get no answers and if we did get answers who knew how long it would be! So, MORE waiting began. On their end there was no big rush since she was still on the prerelease list. However, for us, it was SERIOUSLY more WAITING!!!!!
Again, no sleeping for me. My head was spinning. I couldn't believe how things were going. I was so anxious.
After 2 1/2 weeks I received a phone call on Friday, July 25, from our agency. The girl on the other end, the same girl I had been in contact with already, proceeded to say, "I don't usually make these phone calls but felt like I needed to go over this update with you before I sent it to you." (Ok, what does that mean?!) As the next words came out of her mouth I was in near shock! It was documented that this precious treasure had had no seizures since she had been under the care of the orphanage. Every answer was a "no" to every question that we sent. No medicine, no seizures, no EEG, etc. The words out of her mouth were, "it appears you hit the jackpot." No honey - BUT GOD!!!! From what we have put together over all of the information we have, this baby girl was having seizures. She was dropped off at the hospital and the doctors diagnosed her with seizures. She was then placed into the orphanage with a "label" of epilepsy - and NEVER had another episode after that!!! I mean, truly a miracle in our eyes. This just doesn't happen. From what we know and have heard, a lot of families find out at their medical review for their child's visa, or when they come home, that their babies are healthy, but never before they have even accepted a referral!!!! Just more of God's miracles!
Before I hung up from that phone call I asked how long it might be before this treasure was released. She said it could be 1-2 months. Ugh - if (when) we say yes, MORE WAITING!!!!!
After we hung up she sent me the actual file along with some new pics :). I forwarded all the new information to the doctor, we had to have his final "approval", but it was after hours so I knew it would be the next week, I told them I needed to know by Wednesday.
John and I talked Tuesday night. We knew that if we hadn't heard from the doctor by Wednesday we were going to have to make a decision without his final consensus. (We had already received a phone call from the agency wondering if we had made a decision yet). By Wednesday afternoon, when we still had not heard from the doctor, we knew we'd have a big conversation that night. At about 4:00 my phone rang, it was the doctor! He was so excited. In his opinion our conclusions were right, and there was nothing to be concerned with. Even her new measurements were great! We knew, as soon as the doctor hung up, that she was ours. We agreed that I would send our LOI!
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Our Precious Girl! (continued)...
I guess I need to begin with some explanation, for those of you that don't know how this works. (It's probably different depending on which avenue you take when adopting but this is how our particular agency works). When we first sent in our application to start this process one of the papers in our packet was a "conditions list". Basically, it's 3 pages of possible conditions that the child may have. The idea is to comb through and research and make a list of the conditions that you feel equipped to handle. Talk about HARD!!! It took us nearly a week just to get through that list. We cried over it, prayed over it, and cried over it more. After many conversations with God, friends, our agency, and social worker we finally had our list. (please know, this is not taken lightly!)
So, we decided to review her file.
Because we had called so late that night it was going to be the next morning before they could send us the info. I didn't sleep much that night. Tuesday morning I knew I was going to need something to do to keep me occupied. Our agency is across the country, so it would be 11:00 my time before they even opened. I decided to go get my nails done ;)! When I got the email I went to John's work so we could read it together.
We read it and looked at pictures without much talking. I think we were kind of numb. It really seemed to good to be true. After we finished I looked at John and asked, "what are your first thoughts?". "If this is accurate, I don't know how we could say no!", he said.
My gut wrenched. How could this be?! I was terrified! This was not what I had planned. Isn't it funny how God works like that?! I shouldn't be surprised to fall in love with His plan, not mine, but I am every time!
She was on what is called a "pre-release" list. Basically the orphanages send over lists of children that are about to come available for adoption so that the agencies can begin searching for families. That way when they are released they already have families waiting for them.
We had time to review her file, send it to doctors and specialists. Our agency recommends that the file be sent to an International Adoption Clinic as they are trained in how to read translations, and understand what is being translated. So, we attempted all of the above.
I forwarded her file to an adoption clinic in Tampa, and waited for a reply. It was 2 days before they even got back with me so it would be the next week before the doctor would be able to review and call us with his report.
In the meantime, I tried to get reviews from neurologists, pediatricians, etc. None of whom would give me the time of day. I was shocked! I totally assumed that I could at the very least email her file over and have them review, NOTHING! Ok God, you've given us 1 outlet, we are trusting that he's the right one!
Those next days were agony. I didn't sleep, I could think of nothing else. I looked at her pictures constantly. John was doing the same. We were trying so hard not to fall in love with this precious child, but every day that went by, that we waited, not falling in love became harder and harder!
So, we decided to review her file.
Because we had called so late that night it was going to be the next morning before they could send us the info. I didn't sleep much that night. Tuesday morning I knew I was going to need something to do to keep me occupied. Our agency is across the country, so it would be 11:00 my time before they even opened. I decided to go get my nails done ;)! When I got the email I went to John's work so we could read it together.
We read it and looked at pictures without much talking. I think we were kind of numb. It really seemed to good to be true. After we finished I looked at John and asked, "what are your first thoughts?". "If this is accurate, I don't know how we could say no!", he said.
My gut wrenched. How could this be?! I was terrified! This was not what I had planned. Isn't it funny how God works like that?! I shouldn't be surprised to fall in love with His plan, not mine, but I am every time!
She was on what is called a "pre-release" list. Basically the orphanages send over lists of children that are about to come available for adoption so that the agencies can begin searching for families. That way when they are released they already have families waiting for them.
We had time to review her file, send it to doctors and specialists. Our agency recommends that the file be sent to an International Adoption Clinic as they are trained in how to read translations, and understand what is being translated. So, we attempted all of the above.
I forwarded her file to an adoption clinic in Tampa, and waited for a reply. It was 2 days before they even got back with me so it would be the next week before the doctor would be able to review and call us with his report.
In the meantime, I tried to get reviews from neurologists, pediatricians, etc. None of whom would give me the time of day. I was shocked! I totally assumed that I could at the very least email her file over and have them review, NOTHING! Ok God, you've given us 1 outlet, we are trusting that he's the right one!
Those next days were agony. I didn't sleep, I could think of nothing else. I looked at her pictures constantly. John was doing the same. We were trying so hard not to fall in love with this precious child, but every day that went by, that we waited, not falling in love became harder and harder!
Friday, August 29, 2014
Is it weird?
So, we are at a point now in our process where we can see an end. It's so exciting, I just can't even put it into words!
This morning, however, it hit me that our family of 5 is about to drastically change. Everything about it... we are adding a toddler to the mix. For those of you who have never had a toddler there really is no way to explain what that means to a family, that's pretty set in their ways. I mean, it's been a long time since we've had a toddler!
I've just been thinking, I really want to treasure these last months as us 5. I want to spend time with the kids we have home right now. I don't want to miss anything because I'm certain that when we get home I will miss things. Not only just from the shear exhaustion from transition, but because we will have a toddler!!!!
Don't get me wrong, I CAN NOT WAIT, but I don't want to miss the now because I'm preparing for the next. The now is going to go very quickly, and the next is going to be a blur, and then all of the sudden we will be a family of 6 set in our ways and I really just don't want to miss the in-between!
So, is that weird?!
This morning, however, it hit me that our family of 5 is about to drastically change. Everything about it... we are adding a toddler to the mix. For those of you who have never had a toddler there really is no way to explain what that means to a family, that's pretty set in their ways. I mean, it's been a long time since we've had a toddler!
I've just been thinking, I really want to treasure these last months as us 5. I want to spend time with the kids we have home right now. I don't want to miss anything because I'm certain that when we get home I will miss things. Not only just from the shear exhaustion from transition, but because we will have a toddler!!!!
Don't get me wrong, I CAN NOT WAIT, but I don't want to miss the now because I'm preparing for the next. The now is going to go very quickly, and the next is going to be a blur, and then all of the sudden we will be a family of 6 set in our ways and I really just don't want to miss the in-between!
So, is that weird?!
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Our Precious Girl...
So, we've been informed that we are not allowed to post anything identifiable. I'm dying to share our story but it's going to be a little bit vague as far as details about our baby girl. When I can share detailed information specifically about her I will, but for now... To God be the glory!
On June 30 I received a call from our agency. I try not to answer those calls in front of the kids, just in case, I don't want them to assume anything or be hopeful. (After all, they've been waiting 18 months too!) Well, on this afternoon I was in the car and Jordyn was with me, but there was no way I wasn't going to answer it. I'll never forget those words. The girl at the other end of the line proceeded. "Joy, I have a little girl here..." (Heart into throat...) "She has a condition that's not on your list..." (Shear panic...) "But you guys have been waiting so long..." (good, it's not just me feeling like that...) "When your name came across my screen I just felt like I should try..." (BUT GOD!) After all those words, and my immediate thoughts as she said them, I of course asked what her "condition" was. "She has what they're calling "controlled seizures", epilepsy." (NO WAY, I can't do that. I left that off our list for a reason! Please don't say anything else, I can't do this. Wait, what does that mean?...) So I asked. "It means that she was diagnosed with epilepsy but her seizures are being controlled. They have been controlled for 18 months." (Still, complete panic and near terror...) "Would you like to view her file?" (haha, no way...) I told her I'd need to talk with my husband because this was something that was very scary for us. (At least I've warned her, and given us a way out...) "That's perfectly fine. Please feel no obligation, especially since it's not a condition on your list." (Thank goodness, she'll understand...)
To be honest. It crossed my mind to not even call John. I was terrified!!! There's no way I could do epilepsy. (Hind-site, I know it was just the fear of the unknown but in that moment it was an absolute "not a chance"). Obviously I wasn't not gonna call John. I did but was very negative, and not excited, and totally giving him the ok to say no, without actually saying it. We agreed to talk about it when he got home, we had til 8:00 our time to decide.
I got home that afternoon and decided to google epilepsy. After all, if you want to be scared to death about something, and need to be reassured about your fear and "NO", then where else would you look?! Yeah, that was a mistake. Nothing but "good news", the younger diagnosis occurs the more likely a person is to outgrow the condition and be weaned off medicine or live a completely normal, healthy life on medication. (Yeah, she was 5 months at diagnosis, not sure it gets a lot younger than that). I literally could find none of the fears that my brain had conjured up. How could this be?! Obviously I was a little consumed that day, by the time John got home I had decided (very cautiously) that how could we not at least look at her file. John and I barely talked about it when he got home, but he agreed (very cautiously) that we couldn't say no without looking. I called, at 7:55, and requested the file from our agency. I was very sure to let her know that we were VERY CAUTIOUS and not very sure of our feelings, but how could we say no without even looking...
On June 30 I received a call from our agency. I try not to answer those calls in front of the kids, just in case, I don't want them to assume anything or be hopeful. (After all, they've been waiting 18 months too!) Well, on this afternoon I was in the car and Jordyn was with me, but there was no way I wasn't going to answer it. I'll never forget those words. The girl at the other end of the line proceeded. "Joy, I have a little girl here..." (Heart into throat...) "She has a condition that's not on your list..." (Shear panic...) "But you guys have been waiting so long..." (good, it's not just me feeling like that...) "When your name came across my screen I just felt like I should try..." (BUT GOD!) After all those words, and my immediate thoughts as she said them, I of course asked what her "condition" was. "She has what they're calling "controlled seizures", epilepsy." (NO WAY, I can't do that. I left that off our list for a reason! Please don't say anything else, I can't do this. Wait, what does that mean?...) So I asked. "It means that she was diagnosed with epilepsy but her seizures are being controlled. They have been controlled for 18 months." (Still, complete panic and near terror...) "Would you like to view her file?" (haha, no way...) I told her I'd need to talk with my husband because this was something that was very scary for us. (At least I've warned her, and given us a way out...) "That's perfectly fine. Please feel no obligation, especially since it's not a condition on your list." (Thank goodness, she'll understand...)
To be honest. It crossed my mind to not even call John. I was terrified!!! There's no way I could do epilepsy. (Hind-site, I know it was just the fear of the unknown but in that moment it was an absolute "not a chance"). Obviously I wasn't not gonna call John. I did but was very negative, and not excited, and totally giving him the ok to say no, without actually saying it. We agreed to talk about it when he got home, we had til 8:00 our time to decide.
I got home that afternoon and decided to google epilepsy. After all, if you want to be scared to death about something, and need to be reassured about your fear and "NO", then where else would you look?! Yeah, that was a mistake. Nothing but "good news", the younger diagnosis occurs the more likely a person is to outgrow the condition and be weaned off medicine or live a completely normal, healthy life on medication. (Yeah, she was 5 months at diagnosis, not sure it gets a lot younger than that). I literally could find none of the fears that my brain had conjured up. How could this be?! Obviously I was a little consumed that day, by the time John got home I had decided (very cautiously) that how could we not at least look at her file. John and I barely talked about it when he got home, but he agreed (very cautiously) that we couldn't say no without looking. I called, at 7:55, and requested the file from our agency. I was very sure to let her know that we were VERY CAUTIOUS and not very sure of our feelings, but how could we say no without even looking...
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Jordyn is 10!
Oh my goodness, how does it happen so fast?!?!
I can't believe the double digits have happened. I remember like it was yesterday the day I found out we were having another baby.
Baby girl, I love you. You are growing into such an amazing young woman. God has big things for you in this season of life and I can't wait to see you rise to the challenge. I feel like you are so aware of others spiritually. Your heart breaks for those that don't know Christ and it's precious.
You are going to be a big sister this year, and you will be AMAZING!!!!
God is working huge in your life.
I thank Christ for you daily. You were such a surprise to us and you continue to surprise us.
I love you chicken!!!
Let God move, He is going to take you great places.
I can't believe the double digits have happened. I remember like it was yesterday the day I found out we were having another baby.
Baby girl, I love you. You are growing into such an amazing young woman. God has big things for you in this season of life and I can't wait to see you rise to the challenge. I feel like you are so aware of others spiritually. Your heart breaks for those that don't know Christ and it's precious.
You are going to be a big sister this year, and you will be AMAZING!!!!
God is working huge in your life.
I thank Christ for you daily. You were such a surprise to us and you continue to surprise us.
I love you chicken!!!
Let God move, He is going to take you great places.
Friday, August 22, 2014
When your heart is in 2 places...
So, I often check the clock during the day. The last 3 weeks have been HARD looking at that clock. For instance, right now at my house it's 4:45. We are finishing homework for the day and chores, and preparing for dinner. My heart is also thinking about my precious youngest child. It is the middle of the night where she is. I'm praying she is sleeping soundly. This happens ALL DAY EVERY DAY!!! Literally, when I wake in the middle of the night I can't fall back to sleep without thinking what she may be doing. When we go to bed here she is probably preparing for lunch. When we are eating dinner, she is likely waking up. My heart is constantly wondering what she may be doing at any given moment. I watch my children that are home with me and wonder what she is doing then. My heart yearns for the moment when she is here with us, and I won't wonder anymore!
Just so y'all know, I am WRITING, writing, writing!!!! There will be lots to read when we are finally able to share.
The miracles that just keep happening, the blessings that we just keep receiving! We are so underserving, we fail him daily, but He just keeps pouring His grace on us. There are no words to describe the joy and thankfulness that I feel!
Thank you all so much for all of your prayers and support! Even though we can not share details please know that those things are HUGE in this process!
Until next time...
Just so y'all know, I am WRITING, writing, writing!!!! There will be lots to read when we are finally able to share.
The miracles that just keep happening, the blessings that we just keep receiving! We are so underserving, we fail him daily, but He just keeps pouring His grace on us. There are no words to describe the joy and thankfulness that I feel!
Thank you all so much for all of your prayers and support! Even though we can not share details please know that those things are HUGE in this process!
Until next time...
Monday, August 11, 2014
NAMES!!!!!
So, notice the new blog name?!?!
Anyway, her name...
I posted a long time ago about the meaning of her name. We had 3 "must haves"; has to start with a "J", has to mean something, and we will be using part of her Chinese name. Believe it or not this was very hard. There were not a lot of names that we liked that meant what we wanted it to mean. We wanted her name to mean "gift from God", or something close. So we decided we'd pick her middle name first. We figured we could do like we did with Travis and call her by her middle name, while her first name continues with the "J" tradition.
So, I came up with a list of middle names I like and first names I liked. I gave the list to John one night and told him to circle is top 3. About 10 min later he handed the page back, at the top of the page was written
Jadyn Grace
Personally this was the one I had chosen but didn't tell him that. He picked my favorite! Jadyn means: God has heard. Perfect, I think! And I just love the name Grace.
Our 3rd "must have" will be part of her Chinese name which we can not yet share.
We actually have grown to LOVE this name and will probably call her by it as a whole, we'll see what happens when she gets home.
So, that's her name...
More info coming as we are able to share. Please know that we are still months away from the day we will hold our little one. Please continue to pray with us that things will move as quickly as God would have so that we can hold our princess as soon as possible!
Love you all!
Anyway, her name...
I posted a long time ago about the meaning of her name. We had 3 "must haves"; has to start with a "J", has to mean something, and we will be using part of her Chinese name. Believe it or not this was very hard. There were not a lot of names that we liked that meant what we wanted it to mean. We wanted her name to mean "gift from God", or something close. So we decided we'd pick her middle name first. We figured we could do like we did with Travis and call her by her middle name, while her first name continues with the "J" tradition.
So, I came up with a list of middle names I like and first names I liked. I gave the list to John one night and told him to circle is top 3. About 10 min later he handed the page back, at the top of the page was written
Jadyn Grace
Personally this was the one I had chosen but didn't tell him that. He picked my favorite! Jadyn means: God has heard. Perfect, I think! And I just love the name Grace.
Our 3rd "must have" will be part of her Chinese name which we can not yet share.
We actually have grown to LOVE this name and will probably call her by it as a whole, we'll see what happens when she gets home.
So, that's her name...
More info coming as we are able to share. Please know that we are still months away from the day we will hold our little one. Please continue to pray with us that things will move as quickly as God would have so that we can hold our princess as soon as possible!
Love you all!
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Finally, a new waiting period... :)
"And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised." Hebrews 6:15
It's been almost 3 years of waiting, for me. Nearly 3 years ago I began to feel a sudden urge in the pit of my stomach. A nudge of hope for the precious treasures all over the world with no family, that maybe one of them could be my child.
For about 18 months I waited for God to place that same hope in John.
For the next 6 months we waited for paperwork to be processed, fingerprints to be sent, more paperwork to be finalized.
For 11 months after that it was waiting for a referral, just waiting for a picture of a child that could possibly be mine.
For 3 weeks after that we waited for doctors phone calls, answers from China, more doctors phone calls.
Now, for about 6 months we wait for more paperwork to process and then we get to go get our little girl and bring her home!
THAT'S RIGHT, I SAID OUR LITTLE GIRL!!!!!!!!!!
She's perfect, and the Lord has done amazing things over the last period of waiting. I can't wait to see what He does in the next waiting period!!
A couple of details...
- She just turned 2 in May
- As far as we know she's healthy ( a miracle in itself, a story for another time ).
We've sent in our LOI (Letter of Intent) and are waiting for a LOA (Letter of Acceptance) which could take months. We have other paperwork to fill out and file in the meantime, which is why the continued wait.
So, we've gone from one stage of waiting to another stage. I thought the last 18 months were hard, I'm pretty sure holding her picture and knowing her name and seeing her face and missing the next months of her life is going to near kill me!
Please pray, friends - that God will continue to hold our angel and love on her, that paperwork will move unusually quickly so that we can bring her home as quickly as possible, that we would follow the Lord's path for us and we would be particularly aware of His next steps for us, and above all else that everything we do and say in the next "waiting" time would only bring honor and glory to His name!
Thank you so much for your prayers thus far, we covet them more than you'll ever know!
It's been almost 3 years of waiting, for me. Nearly 3 years ago I began to feel a sudden urge in the pit of my stomach. A nudge of hope for the precious treasures all over the world with no family, that maybe one of them could be my child.
For about 18 months I waited for God to place that same hope in John.
For the next 6 months we waited for paperwork to be processed, fingerprints to be sent, more paperwork to be finalized.
For 11 months after that it was waiting for a referral, just waiting for a picture of a child that could possibly be mine.
For 3 weeks after that we waited for doctors phone calls, answers from China, more doctors phone calls.
Now, for about 6 months we wait for more paperwork to process and then we get to go get our little girl and bring her home!
THAT'S RIGHT, I SAID OUR LITTLE GIRL!!!!!!!!!!
She's perfect, and the Lord has done amazing things over the last period of waiting. I can't wait to see what He does in the next waiting period!!
A couple of details...
- She just turned 2 in May
- As far as we know she's healthy ( a miracle in itself, a story for another time ).
We've sent in our LOI (Letter of Intent) and are waiting for a LOA (Letter of Acceptance) which could take months. We have other paperwork to fill out and file in the meantime, which is why the continued wait.
So, we've gone from one stage of waiting to another stage. I thought the last 18 months were hard, I'm pretty sure holding her picture and knowing her name and seeing her face and missing the next months of her life is going to near kill me!
Please pray, friends - that God will continue to hold our angel and love on her, that paperwork will move unusually quickly so that we can bring her home as quickly as possible, that we would follow the Lord's path for us and we would be particularly aware of His next steps for us, and above all else that everything we do and say in the next "waiting" time would only bring honor and glory to His name!
Thank you so much for your prayers thus far, we covet them more than you'll ever know!
Saturday, July 26, 2014
WAITING.....
Waiting, still waiting, always waiting... If it's not waiting for one thing it's waiting for another... just always waiting!
Isaiah 40:31 "they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength..."
Isaiah 64:4 "... who acts for those who wait for Him."
Isaiah 30:18 "...Blessed are all who wait for Him!"
Romans 8:25 "But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
So, we sit here waiting, hoping to post something different next time!
Isaiah 40:31 "they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength..."
Isaiah 64:4 "... who acts for those who wait for Him."
Isaiah 30:18 "...Blessed are all who wait for Him!"
Romans 8:25 "But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
So, we sit here waiting, hoping to post something different next time!
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
18 yrs!!! Where has the time gone...
My oh my, how has it been 18 years since I gave birth to my first born?!
Dearest John John,
I have loved you since before I ever saw you. I have prayed for you more than you could ever fathom. I pray that I have done what God would have me to do with you in this short time He has given you to me. I am so thankful that He chose me to be your mom. You have grown into a man that I am so very proud to call son. God has led you down a path that has blessed so many, including me. In all that you've been through you've shown nothing but steadfastness. God calls us to be steadfast in all our ways (Prov 4:26), and you have shown that you can and will.
You are smart, caring, a true nurturer, an amazing musician, and a leader. I love you and thank God for you every day. I can not wait to continue to watch God do amazing things in and through you, and am so happy I get to have a front row seat, as your mom!
Dearest John John,
I have loved you since before I ever saw you. I have prayed for you more than you could ever fathom. I pray that I have done what God would have me to do with you in this short time He has given you to me. I am so thankful that He chose me to be your mom. You have grown into a man that I am so very proud to call son. God has led you down a path that has blessed so many, including me. In all that you've been through you've shown nothing but steadfastness. God calls us to be steadfast in all our ways (Prov 4:26), and you have shown that you can and will.
You are smart, caring, a true nurturer, an amazing musician, and a leader. I love you and thank God for you every day. I can not wait to continue to watch God do amazing things in and through you, and am so happy I get to have a front row seat, as your mom!
Monday, April 7, 2014
Will I ever learn...
I'm sure I've said this before, I know I think it ALL the time.... When am I gonna learn that God is faithful, and He is faithful ALL the time. I mean, I know it, you know, I just forget, and I can't believe I forget! What is wrong with me that I would forget! It's amazing how He works things through. Trusting in Him completely means He will not forsake us. It's amazing how He knows exactly what we need when we need it. This whole trusting, waiting, being patient stuff is miserable; but when you have Christ you have hope, and the promises He's made will bring you nothing but joy in the end. Be joyful and thankful in your suffering and trust Him completely cause He will give you exactly what you need through it. He loves us and that is something that will never change! In that I have great joy and peace!
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Perspective...
Crazy how at different times the same thing may be heard with a different perspective. As you all know, if you've spent any time reading my blog, the Lord has been teaching me a lot about the patience I thought I had. I've been learning over and over that my plan/timing is not perfect, His is! (Not that I didn't already know that, but it's just so in my face right now!)
Well, we inadvertently received some information yesterday about our "waiting". It was not directly from our agency but it was from a reliable source. Apparently there are about as many boys as girls on the listings. Apparently 90% of waiting families are waiting for girls. There are some people that have been waiting for 7 months!
Now, at first read you may think that's bad news. Not for me!!! Yesterday I was praying about our adoption process, that I would be encouraged, that I would be given hope. You see, the last couple of weeks I've struggled with worrying about if we'd done something wrong. If there was something in our profile that read "beware". Well, this news gave me such hope and encouragement and relief. It's not US, it's just that there are so many families waiting! I'm fine with that, the news was just what I needed to hear.
So, yes, our wait me be longer than we originally expected, but God knows when we will meet our princess and He has given me hope and encouraged me to press on - He's got this.
As I said before, we did not receive this news directly from our agency so there's a chance that our wait may not be changed. I know who knows and I know who cares, and I know who can make it happen tomorrow if He chooses! I love my God, and I love that He cares about everything.
Praying daily that He is glorified in all things, and that in all things I would grow closer to Him and cling to Him.
Thank you all for your continued prayers!
Well, we inadvertently received some information yesterday about our "waiting". It was not directly from our agency but it was from a reliable source. Apparently there are about as many boys as girls on the listings. Apparently 90% of waiting families are waiting for girls. There are some people that have been waiting for 7 months!
Now, at first read you may think that's bad news. Not for me!!! Yesterday I was praying about our adoption process, that I would be encouraged, that I would be given hope. You see, the last couple of weeks I've struggled with worrying about if we'd done something wrong. If there was something in our profile that read "beware". Well, this news gave me such hope and encouragement and relief. It's not US, it's just that there are so many families waiting! I'm fine with that, the news was just what I needed to hear.
So, yes, our wait me be longer than we originally expected, but God knows when we will meet our princess and He has given me hope and encouraged me to press on - He's got this.
As I said before, we did not receive this news directly from our agency so there's a chance that our wait may not be changed. I know who knows and I know who cares, and I know who can make it happen tomorrow if He chooses! I love my God, and I love that He cares about everything.
Praying daily that He is glorified in all things, and that in all things I would grow closer to Him and cling to Him.
Thank you all for your continued prayers!
Monday, February 17, 2014
Next update!!!
Well, after many more lessons in patience from my all knowing Father God our papers have been logged in country!!!!!
As I've said before, this means we are now added to the shared list throughout all of the country, not just the specific treasures sent to our agency. We are so excited and anxious for what this next step means. Thank you for continuing to pray with us. I look forward to the next post!
As I've said before, this means we are now added to the shared list throughout all of the country, not just the specific treasures sent to our agency. We are so excited and anxious for what this next step means. Thank you for continuing to pray with us. I look forward to the next post!
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
FINALLY.....
Well, I've not blogged in what, OVER 3 MONTHS!!!!
OH. MY. WORD. Well, guess what.... as far as the adoption is concerned pretty much nothing has changed, just still WAITING!
Until today!!!!!!
OH. MY. WORD. Well, guess what.... as far as the adoption is concerned pretty much nothing has changed, just still WAITING!
Until today!!!!!!
I just mailed our dossier to our agency. Sure, it's just one more thing marked off the list of A LOT; but it's a huge one! It's the "takes 9 months to fill out paper work" one. It's the "yes the country is officially notified and you are in their system" one. It's the "add us to more listings in the country" one.
Now, I know I've said it a ton of times, but I am really being taught some patience and faith! In order for our documents to be logged into country before Chinese New Year they had to be at our agency today. I received conformation that our last paper from DC would be delivered on Tuesday. Our deliveries are always made by around 5:00 and I had everything ready so that as soon as it got here I could go straight to overnight it, it had to be logged into the computer for delivery by 6:30 Tuesday night. I had already contacted our agency to make sure of timing and had been assured that as long as it was in their hands by today it would make the next shipment. Well, God surely has other plans, clearly! The document was not only delivered after the 6:30 overnight cut off, it wasn't even delivered until after the place closed! Talk about God closing a door! Needless to say, our paperwork will not be logged in country until after the "New Year", but it is on it's way, and God's timing is perfect!
I also want to say thank you SO much to all of you that have chosen to help with funding and bought a leaf on our princesses family tree! Our funds so far have been completely covered. We are still only about 1/3rd of the way there, so if any of you are still interested in buying a leaf please click on the link at the top right of my blog labeled "family tree". We would love you to become a part of her family!
Thank you so much for all your prayers in this time. We are still SO excited but seriously, anxiously waiting to meet our precious daughter.
Hopefully I'll be updating sooner than later!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
