News!!

We received an email today that our Article 5 was overnighted to CCAA last Wednesday! Yippee!! So, only two steps left - the TA (travel approval) and the CA (consulate appointment). We are incredibly excited and blessed. Our friends also received the same news so we are still on track to travel together! Kimberly (How We Found Joy) and I have formed a wonderful friendship and I cannot imagine this journey without her!

Happy Birthday!!

It's Saturday morning in Beijing and our little boy is waking up to his 7th birthday. How it breaks my heart that we can't be there with him or even talk to him on this very special day. I think it is even harder because everything seems to be moving slowing in China right now - almost as if quicksand has taken over. We had hoped to travel before Christmas but that dream seems less likely to happen. So, we continue to wait. We have purchased Simon a few presents - still unsure of all of his likes and dislikes. I am baking a cake and will decorate it with the appropriate number of candles - fully lit of course. We will be sending pictures and a letter through Red Thread in hopes that BCWI is in a receiving mood :)

I still haven't bought a new tooth brush holder yet - waiting for just the right one...maybe I should shoot for one that holds 5 just in case we decide, or God does, to go through this insanity again? Hugs and prayers to my friends who are waiting with me.

Wordless Wednesday

Orphan Sunday

"Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs on our hearts and keeps our souls, knows what we know, and holds us responsible to act." - Proverbs 24:12

Glory to our Father who takes us at any age and in any condition.

Best Friends

Ok, really, I now have the official best friend in the entire world. As I have previously mentioned, our son's birthday is the 21st and it is very unlikely that we will be joining him by this time. I don't think I have mentioned this previously, but I LOVE horses - really...I sometimes don't buy things for myself if my horses need something and I have taken in horses that no one in their right mind would choose - stories for another day :) I have been blessed to have a best friend who is exactly the same in this respect. She is also a wonderful prayer warrior during this adoption. She knew I had been stressed and would continue to be so because, despite my faith which has grown by leaps and bounds, I still worry way to much. So, what does she do? She buys tickets (really good tickets) to the most wonderful show on Earth - no, not the circus. She bought us tickets for the 21st to Cavalia - think horses, Cirque de Sole, artistry, magic, etc. all rolled in to one and this is Cavalia. The videos are absolutely breathtaking. And....we get to go backstage!!! How cool is that!! After many years of friendship and a few disagreements - she still knows be better than anyone and is willing to make some sacrifices, just to help me deal. So, Beth, here is your public thank you! I love you and appreciate you more than you know. God gave me a wonderful gift when he gave me your friendship that day during Lamaze :)

National Visa Center

Ok, we have confirmed that NVC wired our packet to Guangzhou yesterday. Our agency had already sent everything over so, hopefully, Article 5 and then TA are not far behind. In the meantime, I have bought a few things to helping with the nesting. I ordered new stockings for the entire family, complete with embroidered names. I am still hoping we will be able to use them this year. I have bought the boys matching jackets, and I have bought a blue jean jacket so he can match my other "boys" (husband and son). I don't know why that matters to me but it does. I think it is extremely important that he know I consider my sons, MY sons - one is not better or replaceable. His birthday is the 21st. We are buying gifts right now. I plan to take pictures complete with a birthday cake to send to China - just so he knows that we know and we are still thinking of him. Too much? Any other ideas I should consider? I was looking the other day and noticed our tooth brush holder only holds three tooth brushes. It was very surreal to realize, oh my gosh, I need to buy a new tooth brush holder!! :) I am sure I am missing some other things, so please feel free to make suggestions. I know everything will not be perfect - but I want him to feel at home. Thanks for all the kind words. It is always refreshing and renewing to know we are not alone!