IN CHINA - DAY 2, adoptions similarities to pregnancy

My body finally relaxed enough and I slept for 4 1/2 hours straight and
woke up at 2:30am (China time). After an hour or so I was able to go
back to sleep. Mr. Incredible had the same sleeping trouble as well.
Our bodies were screaming it's 1:30 in the afternoon, GET UP lazybones!
After breakfast this morning, I came back to our room and Zumbaed while
Mr. I prepared for his business meetings. After 30 minutes I was
dying. Don't know if it's from the overall lack of sleep, lack of
exercise while traveling, that I had eaten recently or the air pollution.
Mr. Incredible still shows no signs illness. I joked with him that he's
just one hot daddy and the Chinese thermal scans just aren't used to
that. Still rejoicing that we are NOT in quarantine after our scare
yesterday.
When we landed yesterday, we got the news that Mr. T had a fever and was
coughing. The latest update is that he is holding his own with ups and
downs. I should have known this would happen, but still I am a little
nervous for T and my parents. The closest hospital is 40 miles away.
Fortunately I remembered to pack the nebulizer this time and so there
won't be round the clock trips to the EMS station- although the
gentlemen there were very friendly and helpful.
Mr. I and myself kept commenting on the way over how this all seems so
surreal. Yesterday, after our possible quarantine scare it hit me just
how this whole process is very similar to a pregnancy.
Ovulating- God planted the desire in our heart to expand our family
through adoption.
Conception- We acted on God's leading and began this whole process.
Gestation- Though not the normal 40 weeks (I think we are at week 97) as
our time has progressed we have gone through the ups and downs of
pregnancy-- the excitement, the reality check- "What if something goes
wrong and we lose the baby?", the realization -"We are having another
one?! (Especially after having been up with sick kids all night), "Is
this the right thing?", "We are having a GIRL!!!!!!", "Will the baby be
okay?", "How will God use this if the baby is not okay?", "I am tired of
waiting, will this baby ever be born?!", having some issue near the end
that threatens the baby-abruption like with Mr. T or as was on our
arrival a possible quarantine. Yesterday I looked down and even noticed
my feet and ankles had swollen :-). Talk about similarities!
Birth- Even after being "in labor" with Mr. Z for a month, that seems
like nothing compared to the event of packing for a family of seven
(including Elizabeth since she has 1/2 of Mr. I's and mine's suitcases
and a car seat), getting ready for international travel, driving the 9
hours to my parents, being awake for all but 5 1/2 hours of the 53 hours
from when we woke in B-ville to when we finally got to bed in S-zhen,
China. AND we still don't get her for another 72+ hours. Talk about
LABOR!!!!!!!!
With adopting Elizabeth we know she is not "okay" and we are OK with
that. We know God has a mighty plan for her life and we look forward to
being a part of it. It's still surreal that this going to happen. I
tear up every time I think of how far we've come.
Well, I am enjoying my lazy Friday in the hotel room while Mr. I is
somewhere out in the city doing business stuff. The picture is of the
view out of our hotel room in S-zhen. We are on the 14th floor.
There's water about 1/2 way up from the bottom and mountains on the
other side of the water. Hope you can make 'em out through the smog.
We are heading back to Guangzhou this afternoon and hope to do some
exploring. We think we might even be just a block away from the WS- our
group's hotel- had expected two+ blocks. We ended up in the V and are
already loving the free internet and MUCH cheaper price.
P.S. I have no idea how long this post will look since we are having to
use a bypass to post and cannot access directly. Also have not been
able to update FB, not sure if that is even a possibility.

Health Update, Sleep Update

Mr. Incredible was detained for a 1/2 hour because his initial temperature scan was too high, he failed the second one as well.  The officials were also concerned because his face was "red" (we had just walked a 1/2 mi. after deplaining) and his eyes bloodshot.  The officials listened that he had been traveling for over 30 hours and that he had contacts in which were making his eyes red.  Mr. I finally passed his third temperature test after hosing himself off at the lavatory.  He was finally able to join me and we could pass through immigration.  A special thanks to Mr. B who was a fellow traveler since LAX and alerted me to the fact that Mr. Incredible, who had been right behind me, was pulled aside.  One minute my Mr. Incredible was behind me and the next thing I knew he was no where to be seen.  I used that time to pray and sing in the airport.  Think of Paul and Silas in prison and how they praised, take it down several notches- since I didn't want to attract attention to myself- and there you have it, a little church going on in the Chinese airport.  We are feeling very blessed that we don't have to spend the next week in quarantine.   Well it's been 44 hours since I woke up on Tuesday morning, it is 1 am on Thursday (in Texas) and I have slept a total of 3 hours and 20 minutes.  Mr. Incredible dozes anywhere, so he has gotten lots more than me.   We are off to Shenzhen for the next day or so for Mr. Incredible to do some work.  I gotta get us repacked, shower and try to start making some sense- this update is taking all of the brain power I have.  I will probably be able to get to bed in around seven more hours.  Maybe I can nap on the train ride to Shenzhen.   Please lift up our tiny T, he's running a fever and coughing.  Fortunately, I remembered to take the breathing machine to my parents.   Picture is of us in our hotel room.

R temp high

PRAY HARD!!!!!!!!!

Www.elizabethssong.blogspot.com

In Korea

We arrived in Korea safely and passed health inspections.  About 1/2 way through our 3 hour layover before we depart for Guangzhou.  Somewhere over the Pacific we lost Wednesday.  The picture is of Mr. Incredible at the gate here in Korea.

Exhausted and 21 hours left

Title pretty much says it all. After being up all day since 5 am, I
have been up for 20 hours already. Pray all of our luggage makes it.
Long story...

We will be with you in about 150 hours, Elizabeth!

On Our Way

We are checked in at SAT airport. Will arrive in China in 27 hours.

Extra baggage fees exceeded what was given to us, but at this point we are not letting another $55 stop us! The blankets will be delivered!!!

God has been and continues to be our source of strength in a tumulteous time.

Thank you for your prayers.

Last 24 hours Stateside

We are fast approaching our last 24 hours before our departure. Mr. Incredible and I are overwhelmed by all that has transpired and all that has yet to transpire. We are amazed at God's goodness, grace, provision and feel truly blessed. Please pray for health and safety for us, for our kids and for my parents who are watching our kids.
B-ville is nice and relaxing. Mr. M is loving the sun and water.
We were encouraged recently by our agency about how we will represent ALL adoptive parents in China. I couldn't help but think of who else we will represent...

"You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden"

Last day

Today is the last day that we are a family of 6 in our own home. So much packing still to do. All of Elizabeth's items are packed. Most of mine. But none for Z, J, M or T. Incredible Husband noted that he has about a 1/2 a suitcase or less to pack his items. He has as much room as I do.
Well apparently there is spilled milk. Never ending....

Ever lost a day?

Just realized we are going to lose a whole day with our flight over!
Hope it's not an important one.
Oh well!!!

Itinerary

9-10 Arrive in Guangzhou

9-11 Business Excursion

9-13 Tour Hong Kong?

9-14 New Family Day- Elizabeth's 26 month birthday

9-15 Adoption finalized- Our 153 monthiversary

9-16 Shopping

9-17 Tour Zhong Shan Memorial Hall

9-18 Tour Six Banyan Trees

9-19 TB test

9-20 Sightseeing to Chen family temple

9-21 Get Elizabeth's passport

9-22 Visa picture, medical exam, TB result

9-23 Guide takes paperwork to American consulate

9-24 consulate interview (this may actually be on the 23rd, waiting on clarification)

9-25 Other families in group leaving

9-26 Saved over $400 by leaving a day late. Hopefully we won't be a dollar short!

Friday, Friday, Friday

It's hard to believe that in a week it will be the last time I sleep in my bed for 3+ weeks. So much to do tonight. Packing, get house ready to show in the morning, birthday party we are going to in the morning... We are still waffeling on what hotel to stay in. Our agency's hotel is the WS and it is where we are supposed to stay. But, our agency has graciously allowed us a varience of being able to stay at the V in order to save money. The WS has twin beds (their actually slightly larger), you pay for internet usage, $139/night, "free" crib in room and breakfast is included. The V is 1/2 th price, has free internet, a king bed and breakfast. We would be responsible for getting from the V to the WS, it's about a 1/2 mi. walk. Is saving $1200+ worth it???? According to a recent traveler it rained every day. Do we want to walk in the rain with Elizabeth EVERY day? Am I being too miserly? Our total airfare came to $2777 flying San Antonio to Guangzhou. So we saved there. Oh, decisions, decisions. We have to finalize our hotel Monday.

Now for Booking Flights!!!

We got our Consulate Appointment confirmation today!!!!! YIPEEEE! Now we need to book flights and hotel. Hopefully we can get better deals than our agency's travel agency. Our agency will also need to grant us permission to stay at a hotel other than their preferred hotel. But still overall rejoicing!!!! Have already found a flight for $874 out of San Antonio directly into Guangzhou- our total flight duration will be about 24 hours including layovers, hmmmm.
*As a side note, a family that has endured all of the long waiting with us is still waiting for their consulate confirmation. Please lift up the O family.*

It's Here, It's Here!!!!

Our Travel Approval finally arrived at our adoption agency. It took 9 weeks, was supposed to take 2-4 weeks. But God is faithful. Please pray for our consulate appointment to be scheduled Tuesday in China (that's tonight US time) and that we can book flights tomorrow once we have the appointment.

Our TA is coming!!!!

Word on the street (according to our adoption agency) is that our TA is on it's way!!! Thank you God for releasing the captive!!!!!!
Pray for:
~us to be able to travel as soon as possible. Likely dates are Sept. 3rd or 10th. Would prefer the 3rd since we have dentist appointment's back here on the 28th. We will be gone at least two weeks.
~strength for packing up all that Incredible Husband, I and Elizabeth will need in two suitcases and two carry ons. Taking two suitcases that are already crammed with 130+ blankets donated by members of FBC.
~that once we get TA (hopefully Monday) our agency can easily and QUICKLY set up our consulate appointment and a guide.
~that God will provide the extra $500-$1000 for fees, as we will most likely not be traveling with a group or a very small group.
~wisdom in making travel arrangements. Airline, flights, hotel.
~wisdom on where to fly into-Guangzhou or Hong Kong. Hong Kong is cheaper, but we will have four suitcases two carryons and two personal bags to then carry on a train. Suffice it to say train travel in China is not like the US.
~we will need a soft car top carrier to help transport four carseats, two suitcases of blankets, a vacuum, luggage for seven, GF food for five, two adults and four boys to Jennifer's parents.
~and last but not least pray for Elizabeth. Her world is about to get rocked. Pray that we can show her love in a way that she understands.
Thank you for the prayers. If you have made it this far, you are a dedicated friend and prayer warrior.

God's Timing Is Not Our Own

I was looking over our support letter that was sent out about a month ago now. In it I say that we will be traveling in 3-7 weeks. Seven weeks is Aug. 30th. Will we travel by then? No clue. Still no Travel Approval. It is 29 days (that's 4 weeks, 1 day) overdue from the "last possible time it should arrive". It is still waiting for Director Lu's signature. You know there are the Where's Waldo? games. I'm thinking of a new one. Where's Director Lu? It's about one man that holds all the power to unite a family, all you have to do is find his signature. I'm thinking of marketing it to adoption agencies worldwide. But I am afraid that the only response will be a longer delay.
It's days like today overcast, the day after a high energy day, faced with more discouraging news that I really have to lean on God for strength. WE REALLY SHOULD BE IN CHINA, RIGHT NOW! Dang it!!! Each day Elizabeth grows older, now she is 25 months old. I know our time will come- supposedly. But, when God when? Our life has been on hold for over a month now.
Fortunately, today is a good day for Mr. M. Thanking God for that!

A Little Retail Therapy

Well, since the adoption is at a standstill until China issues us our travel approval. I decided to get some deals. This is what I got from CVS. =>

I would have had to pay $8.87 cash, but used a gift card and I got $12.99 in ECB so I made $4.12!
My next stop was Walgreens. I had $10 RR from buying 8 Ragu last week. I ended up with 8 Ragu for $4.80 if you count the RR that I got. So anyway back to Walgreens this week, I had the RR and some other coupons. I ended up getting all that you see =>
I ended up paying $1.34, but got $6 in RR. So they paid me $4.66!!!!
On to Kroger where I got 2- Tide detergents, 32 loads ea., 3- Tide Stain Boosters, 1- Downy dryer sheets, 4 boxes Post Fruit/Cocoa Pebbles, 4- Snickers, 6 - Puffs Plus with Lotion and 2.14 lbs of grapes. The cost of all that, $37.34, my total savings was $38.09.
At Albertson's I got 3- French's mustard, 2- Coke 2 liters, and 2- Fresh Express Salads for a total of $6.68. Total savings $9.52.
Next was Walmart where I got enough cheese and meat to last us at least two weeks (as long I cook it :). I matched competitor adds and then had roughly $20 in coupons, my total ended up being $76.25 for 38 items. That includes 9 lbs. chicken, 2 lbs. ground turkey, 6- 12oz. pkg Kraft American singles, 4 lbs. brick cheese, 4- 8oz. pkg of shredded cheese, 2-4pk. of TP, 2- Hormel entrees, 1 gal. chocolate milk and even items that I didn't have a comp. add or coupon for- like some Bliss chocolate to indulge my ever worn nerves in.
So all told how much did I spend for a family of six for groceries "for a week". $111.49
Don't worry I don't really use that much detergent in a week. :)

The End of Day 49

Still no TA or update other than it is still waiting for the top director's signature. Our Travel Approval is now 21 days overdue. We've been waiting for that signature for at least the last week and a half. The family that got their TA on time, their daughter is even in our daughter's orphanage as well, is now enjoying their daughter.
Words cannot express the grief, frustration or any other emotion that I have right now. I know, "God has a time for everything". But that is not a balm for my breaking heart right now.
Trying to be thankful for our four blessings we already have.

Pray for this family, please

http://jayscruggs.livejournal.com/
They had to leave their TB positive daughter in China.

Do You Ever Get Tired of Having Patience?

I know another packet is being delivered to our adoption agency today. Is this the day that we will get TA? It's three weeks overdue today.
On another front, we are less than $400 from having our matching grant fully funded. Praise God!!!! When I see who's donated tears come to my eyes. Thank you notes are coming, donors!
We received the disappointing news last week that we were not approved for another one of the grants we applied for. Apparently they think our monthly income should cover the cost of the adoption, what?! Did they take into account that we already have four boys? Did they look at our monthly expenditures on utilities, Gluten Free food, any of the other necessities- car insurance, homeschooling curricula, fuel for the car? Oh well, I am not fretting because that grant organization is not my provider, God is.
Thinking happy thoughts and trusting God (that's the hard one).

Will Our Travel Approval Ever Come?!

It's been 7 weeks 5 days since we got our LSC, 6 weeks 5 days since our
signed LSC arrived in China, 2 weeks and 5 days since we should have had
travel approval.
Oh where is our travel approval?!
Oh where is our travel approval?!
Oh where, Oh where, Oh where
Is our travel approval?!!!!
(sung to Larry's hairbrush song)

USCIS updated approval finally arrives

Just got our updated USCIS approval, stating that we are approved for a special needs child. It took 20 days! But I will choose not to complain. God remains in control. Come on TA, today is two weeks since you were supposed to arrive!!!!!

She has hair!!!!

We got an update first thing this morning. She's 30.75 inches tall and weighs 20.06 lbs! We also got updated pictures!!!! She got our birthday presents we sent her. The shirt she is wearing in the picture is one that we sent and is size 3-6 mo.! Still no TA.

Financial Update

Applied for 8 grants and 1 loan. Have got 2 grants and 1 loan, with 4 grants still left to hear from. If you feel God leading to help us adopt Elizabeth, see the Lifesong information on the right of the page. Last I checked Lifesong had received $1614.39 of the possible $4000 that they will match on our behalf ($1036.25 of that is from our garage sale).

We got an interest free loan!

No news on TA, but we got an email and call today saying that we got an interest free loan from ABBA Fund! We won't have access to our Lifesong money until after September 3rd or get our State of Texas grant until we return and since we have to pay for travel arrangements before we leave this loan will be a true blessing and meet the immediate necessary expenses. Yeah, God! Still planning on leaving town Aug. 19.

It's not official, but....

We still do not have our TA, but after an extensive conversation with our agency she told us to prepare for Aug. 21st departure. Which in reality would mean leaving our home on the 19th. Nothing is set in stone, but I feel some better. She said that even if we get TA on the 13th we could still do departure on the 21st. Please be in prayer that we will get travel approval, it is overdue. In the meantime I've been collecting items needed for our travel and trying to keep my mind off of our MIA TA. I hope to have an update on Elizabeth in the next couple of days and will post any new details that we find out. Thanks for your prayers.

Nothing

Our wait continues. Families from our same agency with our same timing got their TA last week. Families that haven't been waiting as long as us got their TA's last week and today. I would love to be peppy about this, but I just can't. China, who is always reliable, concerning adoptions, has let us down big time and right now I feel like our adoption agency has too. I know we aren't the only client, but part of me wonders if this extra long wait is some mistake on their part. I really want to call or email CCAA in China and find out what is going on since our agency isn't! GGGRRRR!

Livin' Like We're Leaving August 13th!

Still no word and now it is the weekend in China. I decided yesterday to simply start living like we are leaving August 13th. That gives us a day to get to my dear parents, a day to get the boys settled and then off to the airport for a very early morning check-in. A watched pot never boils and apparently a watched phone never rings- unless it is an untimely solicitor, ugh. Pray for us, but please not for patience, simply to be wise stewards of our time and HIS money.
Praising God for low eighties this morning, VBS, playground removal, Zumba and friends,
:) J

LSC in China 4 weeks + 2 days = what feels like forever

Still have heard nothing about our travel approval. It is hard to not get angry or depressed. Especially when you have other stressers in your life- puking kid, dog that won't go outside, schooling decisions to make, Incredible Husband that travels an incredible amount as well, construction (basically in my backyard) going on at 5am, ADHD kid,...the list could go on. Compared to a friends teenager's arm being broken and needing surgery, it's all small stuff, but face it the small stuff does add up! My mom refers to them as nibblers, right now I feel like I am swimming with piranha's. Please pray for our travel approval to come, for peace and wellness to reign in our house for financial wisdom regarding the adoption and that I would have strength- because all I want to do is sit down and cry then curl up and lose myself in a book and forget about all the responsibilities and "areas of growth" I face everyday.
11am- no more puking child, yeah!

.....the wait continues

I was all excited for Monday to come- we should get our travel approval (TA) for our trip!!! Well should doesn't mean will and as of yet no TA. Others from our agency got their TA's (glad for them!), but wondering if WE will ever be there. I encouraged someone just the other day, that there is a season for everything- a season to sow, a season to reap... and right now a season to wait. God has a reason and time for everything. And though I do believe what I said, right now it sure is a horse sized pill and I am tired of trying to swallow it. If you see me staring at the sky, I am looking for the silver lining.

Test Post

Remote posting operational!

WE GOT IN!!!!!!

God opened the doors at the immigration office. We got in, got fingerprinted and got out within 30minutes!!!! We then drove over to the main USCIS field office to file our updated homestudy. Well we ran into that we needed an appointment (first they wouldn't let us in the building without an appointment, but I pleaded our case of having traveled from afar, they let us in, next guy (at window) wouldn't even listen that we came a long way without an appointment, but using the infopass in their lobby, I got an appointment for 15 min later! Lady at 2nd window couldn't take our "hand delivered" documents, but offered us an envelope and told us which drop box to put it in. We've done all we can now and it is in the hands of the US government and God (but it has always been there). We celebrated Elizabeth's birthday and the completion of our last step by going to PF Chang's- a Chinese restaurant that serves gluten free food. They even blessed us with a GF dessert in commemoration of Elizabeth's birthday today. Thank you so much to all who prayed.

USCIS - Prayer Request

We are off this morning to Dallas to the USCIS Support Center in Dallas to try to get our finger prints updated. Please pray that they will accept us without an appointment.

Ministry Video

Here's the launch video for our church's new orphan care ministry, Legacy. Some of the faces might look familiar. I put it together from people I know, most go to FBC, that submitted photos of adopted kids, adopted children who are now grown and foster children.
Enjoy!

Garage Sale

At last count we were able to raise over $1000 at the sale. We even had a couple of people stop by as we were packing up and sorting. (They even bought!) The leftover nice winter clothes we are putting on consignment with the proceeds going to our church's new adoption fund. The leftover nice summer clothes we have boxed up for foster families at our church. Just want to send out a BIG thank you to the W family for hosting our sale and for all that they did- I am blessed to be your friend. Mrs. H thank you for coming Friday- I was soooooo in need of help, I know your a true friend. (Mrs. T and Friend thank you as well) We ended up with somewhere around 15 families donating to the sale, so BIG thank you's to the A, B, other B, C, F, H, other H, M, N, R, S, T, W and a couple ?'s families. Your generosity has blessed our family and will be a blessing to other families.

Counting my Blessings

Just wanted to let everyone know. It is official. The playground is GONE!!!!! If you don't know what I'm talking about, look at the older posts. Maybe moving is not what we need to do afterall?! God remains faithful!

A Grim Discover/ A Sweet Rememberance

We have had two birds build nests in our hanging ferns. The first nest/eggs did fine even though we had an issue with Mr. M bringing a baby bird into the house and putting it into his shoe- amazing enough the baby bird lived. Anyway, second nest, I discovered that another nest was made in another fern, over the course of several days there were another four eggs laid. Then all of a sudden three eggs were gone and the mama seemed to be gone as well. I figured that the first three must have been stolen by some creature and that the fourth was a dud because no parent was around anymore. Well, it's been a couple weeks since I last looked but today I found a hatched fourth egg and a dead baby bird. I was crushed, my first thought is I should have been more faithful at checking everyday.... Then my second thought was that not a bird falls from the sky that the LORD doesn't know about and HE cares even more for ME! (my paraphrase). God saw that baby bird live and die and He had a plan. God sees our daily challenges with Mr. M and my daily struggles to homeschool and keep house. God sees our paperwork delays with the adoption and in all of these things He has a plan. I don't know how it brought God glory for the baby bird to die and I sometimes don't know how I can bring God glory with all my failings and shortcomings. But He is Faithful and He has a Plan!

Stockpiling for the garage sale

Just want to give the T, C, H, F, M, and B families a big thank you. I have been pricing for the last two days. These two pics is what is priced so far.

These are the boxes of clothes, yet to be priced.
There are LOTS more items in our garage. Our purging continues as well as the pricing...
We have our appointment for refingerprinting in two weeks. Trying to get in sooner. Praying that they won't want us to come next saturday, the day of the garage sale. But we need to get that ball rolling... I keep reminding myself that God provides and never gives us more than we can handle. BTW, if checks are used to pay for items at the garage sale, we can submit them to Lifesong and they can count toward our matching grant. Isn't that cool?!

Quick Update

We got a call from Lifesong a few minutes ago and they have approved us for a $4000 matching grant!!!!!!! This means that if we raise $4000 (through friends, family or anyone who wants to help), they will contribute $4000 as well! More details to follow.

When it Rains, It Pours

Ever have one of those weeks, or months.
Our vacuum died (and a vacuum is not a maybe at our house with 4 boys, 2 large dogs and 1 cat and dust allergies), our washing machine is requiring a $200+ repair (I value clean clothes). We had to get new tires on our van, another $200+, but it was a manufacturer's defect and so we saved over $90 for three tires. (Trying to look at bright side here) I finally broke down and ordered our curriculum for next year, more $$$. But we need to go ahead and start schooling because we will be traveling most likely in August, when we typically start. Our land had to be brushhogged, another $1000. The pool repairs we have waited/put off for so long, finally happened, but cost $5000+. I keep asking myself where the money is coming from to pay for all this. Some has been savings, but mostly I think it is God just taking the little we have and blessing it. Our electric and water bills have been really low compared to last year (our yard is a shade of brown and you can break a sweat if you move in the upstairs of our house). I am couponing my brains out, and getting rewarded with lots of groceries and other items for REALLY cheap or free. I am happy to say we haven't even had to start eating just beans and rice. I could live this way, but my husband likes meat. All this to say, I have no idea how God is going to provide for the adoption. Because all my "saving efforts" seem to be in vain, some other major expense keeps coming that's not adoption related. I have come to the conclusion that we might just have to take a loan against hubby's retirement, but then I wonder if God is causing futility to all my efforts to save so that HE can provide for the adoption!? I know that our adoption of M was definitely God and there were road signs that pointed out God's provision. So maybe my washer breaking down, isn't that it is six years old, but it is a road sign that will point to God's provision for Elizabeth's adoption. I can only pray that I am learning the lesson and try to trust that my heavenly daddy has a plan, a time and a purpose for all things. Meanwhile we wait for the fingerprinting paperwork.

Update

We got an update on her measurements and personality today. The gist of it is she is about the size of a 12mo. old, 19lbs and 29.5 inches. She is active and outgoing. Part of me cringes and asks, "How active?!" But she also loves to be held... Hopefully she will like bows in her hair, wearing dresses and playing with 4 brothers.

LSC in China/Fingerprints Expire

I know what your thinking. Your fingerprints don't change, how can they expire?! Well if you are adopting your FBI fingerprints that you need for immigration approval do expire. I discovered last Thursday that ours had. No big whoop, right? WRONG!!!! Our fingerprints and immigration approval BOTH have to be valid in order to get our US Consulate appointment. Our travel is arranged around this appointment. So on Friday- remember the black hole of communication post?- I was scrambling to get the right information. The USCIS office got our paperwork on Monday for our fingerprint renewal.
-PLEASE PRAY that we can get in to Dallas late this week/early next week and get our fingerprints done/approved/renewed. We could get our travel approval from China anytime in the next 2-4 weeks. I know that God knew this would happen. Something has to give with raising four boys, homeschooling, GF diet, hyperactive child, two dogs, a cat, having house on the market, organizing a garage sale... But I don't want my mistake to cost us precious time that we could have with Elizabeth.
-Another prayer matter is that with H1N1 (swine flu) and the "pandemic", China is quarantining anybody with elevated body temperature/flu symptoms/or who was in near proximity to someone with symptoms while on the plane to China. China will separate children from parents (like your children who are traveling with you to China). Because of this along with the fact that M is hyperactive (was not looking forward to 14 hours in a plane with that) and Elizabeth will have quite a large adjustment going from a Chinese orphanage to English speaking parents, we will not be taking M or Z or J or T with us.
-Pray for my dear parents strength as they will have all four boys.
The list of prayer requests could go on, but if you have read this far, you've heard enough from me already.

Frustration never ends, but God remains faithful

Lest it be thought that my life is perfect or everything goes my way:
-Our adoption agency has once again been a black hole of communication for the last 24+ hours. I call, email -need a question answered!!!- and nothing.
-I am crazy enough to consider becoming a foster home again, right in the middle of Elizabeth's adoption, so that we can provide a loving and possibly permanent home for a beautiful sibling group of four children. I've met them, I love them and they hold a special place in my heart, but maybe that may be all that God has for me concerning them. God sees their need and I have to trust that He has their best at heart.
-There are good days and there are bad days with our dear M.
-Clean (at least it is clean!) laundry is PILED on my loveseat in need of folding and putting away.

Matthew 6 (the Message)

^25-26"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

^27-29"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

^30-33"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

³⁴"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

I found this interesting....

While listening to Focus on the Family tonight one of the hosts said something that stuck with me. "Changing things and having hope starts in our own home".
May I be raising children and living a life that impacts the world for the LORD. Amen

We Have It!!!!!

Well technically it is not in our hands, but our adoption agency called and they have our Letter Seeking Confirmation!!!! We will have it tomorrow, need to sign it, return it via fast mail to them by Friday and then it will be in China on Monday! Whew!!! It will be five to eight weeks till we travel depending on how long it takes China to issue our travel approval.
Today was already a special day, it's our 150th monthaversary. My loving hubby sent me flowers, how sweet :) And now their dual purpose-monthaversary and a baby girl! I love when he saves money!
Happy June 15th!

Answered Prayer -Even If It Does Take Years

We bought our house almost 7 years ago. About 6.5 years ago a playground was installed between a school building and our house. This playground has been the source of much irritation, frustration, tears, migraines, sleepless children, etc. As our next door neighbor described it, it sounds like 17 children getting raped and murdered every day, and he doesn't even live directly behind it! With our upcoming adoption and Elizabeth hopefully taking naps I was not looking forward to trying to get her to sleep with all the screaming. For over a week now I have heard heavy equipment doing "stuff". I finally made a couple calls to find out what was happening behind our backyard. According to two different sources the playground is being removed!!!!! There is conflicting information about what is going there- another temp building or a gym.... But my heart is soaring at even the thought of not hearing all the screaming. I have learned to love the summer, cold days below 40 and rainy days, the children aren't on the playground then. We have enough noise in our home without it coming through the walls! I had prayed for 5 years for the playground to be removed and for the last year I have prayed that God would give me grace to deal with the noise. I would just like to encourage you all that God does hear prayers and He will answer, it may just take a loooong time. I am also encouraged that though my wish of being with Elizabeth on her two year birthday is really just wishful thinking at this point, God does have a plan. His timing is perfect and in the meantime we trust, wait, pray and clean :)

Prayer Request

We have confirmations from two of the places where we applied for grants that they have recieved our applications. One is a matching grant, the other is a grant of up to $3000. Please pray that Lifesong and Show Hope will have wisdom and discernment.
Meanwhile we wait....

Update Time!

We received a letter from the State of Texas saying that we will be eligible for a $1500 grant. We have to complete paperwork now and when we return with Elizabeth before we can get the money. It's kind of like a rebate, but I can do rebates!
We have moved our two younger sons out of their room and are beginning to prepare it to be Elizabeth's room. I am not sure if we will decorate much before she comes or if we will let her help.
Checking out a friends blog today I found this: http://allforfunphotography.blogspot.com/2009/06/perfect-for-princess-giveway.html
It's hard to believe we will soon have a princess. I know her four princes are looking forward to "guarding" her! And the King and Queen are anxiously anticipating her arrival.

Thank you, Thank you

I haven't been posting because I have been busy applying for grants!
I do have an update- on fundraising that is...
Our photo shoot fundraiser raised $180. Thank you S family, E family, another S family and H family. Your generosity was overwhelming, I cried. Thank you to my dear parents too that sent $100, I know that is a big sacrifice for you.
Any day we could get the call that our LSC is here, in the meantime we wait and clean and sort out for our fundraising garage sale. Can you tell that I deal with stress by cleaning?
It's in times like this when my boat is rocking and the waves of uncertainty and life are rolling, I need to remind myself of God's faithfulness and how He continues to be faithful.
This picture of our sons reminds me of God's faithfulness. He comes along side us and never leaves us behind.

Long Days....

Today was one of those long days and it is not over yet....
I love people asking about Elizabeth, but I feel so inadequate to answer. We don't know how hearing impaired she is, I would love to know, but we simply don't. Can she hear me tell her I love you? Or will signing be our only form of communicating?.... What size is she?.... What is her favorite toy/activity?.... We pray for her, her adjustment and our adjustment at least daily and I keep telling myself God is in control.
We continue applying for grants. We've already been turned down by one, don't know why- apparently they don't disclose that!
We've been dealing with issues with our son that is adopted and I have to admit that I am scared, tired and wondering how God is going to help. In the midst of all the things we are dealing with him about, I keep asking myself are you crazy?! Now you are adopting a hearing impaired girl!!! I think others may think I am insane, we already have four, four boys no less! The scripture comes to mind, God never gives you more than you can bear and I remind God that I didn't "bear" him. But even on his bad days, our son is a testimony to God's faithfulness and grace.
Well on to finish some grant applications....

Answer to Prayer!

While writing my previous post, I got an email stating that China has started referrals again!!!!
Our agency got 18 referrals, congrats families!!! We don't appear to be one of them, but our turn is coming....
Thank you soooo much prayer warriors.
God reigns!

Bumps in the Road

Bump #1 My parents dog (used to be mine) died this week. It made me wonder how Elizabeth is. What's happening with the bump under her good ear? Does she cry herself to sleep? Does she know about us yet?
Bump #2 I had to assist in killing a fly, it was for science, and the fly is currently not dead, at least not at our hands. But it took sooooo long for that fly to stop moving. We are learning about insects and it was experiment time. We went outside when it was time to revive the fly and somehow we managed to all get out the door without the door ever getting unlocked!
Bump #3 We were locked out of the house!!!! Fortunately while the fly dried out I remembered an unlatched window and by the time the fly was up to par we were in! Though I usually don't like a certain son unlatching windows, I am glad that he did this week. Otherwise we would still be outside!
Bump #4 It came in the form of a letter, a grant denial letter. But my Father owns a cattle on a thousand hills and He sees Elizabeth and He sees us and He will meet our needs.
We are plugging along on this adoption journey. My heart yearns to hold Elizabeth and comfort her. I long to shower her with love and tell her how much Jesus loves her. It's not about just finally having a girl to dress in pink. The reason for adoption is about making a difference. I would love to help all the children of the world and though I can try I doubt that I can really have a significant impact on 143,000,000 children. But just as we've had an impact on Michael's life, I look forward to how God will use us to impact Elizabeth.

A Prayer Request

I spoke with our adoption agency yesterday because earlier this month China did not issues referals. The people who are waiting for a healthy child have already been waiting 38 months since their paperwork was logged in. So pray for those families who continue the ever increasing wait.
What this means for us. We are planning to travel in July or August (of this year, 2009). Our paperwork is still on track for us traveling then. We are expecting our referal, which is a letter seeking confirmation (LSC) because Elizabeth is a waiting child, in the next 12 to 43 days. (Whose counting? :)) However, if China continues the hold on referals beyond that our paperwork WILL be affected. If all those prayer warriors out there could pray that China will lift the hold on referals, we and many other families would appreciate it.

Elizabeth's Story

Elizabeth is a 22 month old little girl. She is hearing impaired- mild in left ear and moderate to severe in right ear. Because of her hearing impairment she is considered a waiting child. She lives in an orphanage in the southern part of China with 130 other children.
When found at approximately two days old she weighed 1 kilogram, or 2.2 lbs. She spent about a month in an incubator. From that information we believe her to have been premature. Exactly how premature we will never know. But God knows, he created her for a reason, he has seen her life and has a plan for her. We look forward to showing her God's love in a real and tangible way.

Our Story

October 31,2007 After much prayer we decided on the country and adoption agency and submitted an application to begin the journey to our daughter.

April 2008 We fell in love with a precious girl named Lydia while in China for one of Rick's business trips. (we had first met her about a year before) We spent the next six months in contact with her foster family.

June 2008 After completing our paperwork we recieved a log in date of our paperwork in China.

October 2008 We were informed by Lydia's foster family that they were going to adopt her. We were devestated. But God had a plan and we knew we could trust Him.

Through our pursuit of Lydia, a little girl with osteogenesis imperfecta, our eyes were opened to the need for families willing to adopt special needs children. There are so many other "Lydias" out there. Was a special needs daughter really what God wanted for us? God worked on our hearts and we had to examine our reasons for adoption. Two things that kept coming up were "if you do this for the least of these, then you do it for me" and "if not you, then who".

So in December 2008 we filled out the waiting child application with our adoption agency and became the "who" of those willing take in the least of these.

February 27, 2009 We got a phone call from our adoption agency about a hearing impaired 20 month old little girl. We had seen three other files of little girls who had special needs, but NEVER had our agency called us asking if we were interested. It was always me initiating. We could not lock that file fast enough once we saw her picture and heard about her special needs.

March 1, 2009 We submitted our paperwork for Elizabeth.

April 2, 2009 We recieved our pre-approval from China that they were going to pull our Dossier out of the stack of families waiting for healthy girls and complete the review of OUR Dossier. This review will take 60-90 days. That is where we are now.

Birthday Season

This is the time of year when we have the birthdays. J and M's were in January. Mine is coming soon. Then it's T's, my dad's and Z's. I am so thankful that we decided not to do big birthday parties every year for every child. This year it is M and Z's turn. Z is still trying to decide what/where he wants his. M had a blast at Pump It Up.
This is also the time of year that it gets hard to stay to content. If we are doing school, I want to be outside or cleaning. If we are playing, I am thinking of how my house so desperately needs a deep cleaning or finish remodeling!
But in all things give thanks. For the warmer weather. For the way our sons are maturing. For the fact that some day my house will be clean, just maybe not today or anytime soon!

Life goes on

Christmas has come and gone. We are home. Everyone is well, finally.
2 has had his birthday.
1 and 2 had their first basketball game on Saturday. 1 scored at least 3 baskets! His total for last year. 2 scored at least 3 as well! He didn't even hardly touch the ball last year.
AWANA is back in full swing and so is school.
Oh ba dee, oh ba da, life goes oh, la, la, la, la life goes on

See those pearly whites

All four boys went to the dentist. All four had good reports. It was #4's first visit. With two hygenist working we were there just over an hour and have scheduled dentist appointments into 2010! To occupy #3 we played "dentist". Sarah, one of the hygenists, took this picture of our fun! Thanks, Dr. Baker, Lisa and Sarah!! We LOVE our dentist!!!

Life

It never slows down. Time races on and our day always seems to be consumed with something. I try to spend some time reflecting on life this time of the year.
Here's what I've come up with:
My wonderful husband and I recently celebrated another anniversary- 12 years and counting! It hasn't been easy, but it has been worth it!
The celebration of Christ's births is coming. Most of the presents have been bought. This year we're even getting a jump start on our usual hurried Christmas Eve gift wrapping. Our tree is up and decorated and I have only had to pull one son out of it a few times. The decorations are even staying on the tree (mostly), this is a first in about four years!
I truly feel blessed. I feel almost too blessed. We have a home. It's even a warm home (or at least as warm as I want to pay for). My husband has a job that he enjoys. I get to spend my days fulfilling my childhood dreams of being a schoolteacher and a trabahadora (spanish for maid). We have food to eat. Clothes to wear. We have money for more food or clothes if there should be a need.
No life is not always easy or clean especially raising four active boys. Celiac Disease complicates our diet. And we all want a little girl to be a part of our family. But God provides and proves himself faithful. Thank you, Jesus, for suffering so we can live forever.

Coming Together

~Well our "new" kitchen is taking shape. Same cabinets just fewer of them and no more overhanging fur down. Yeah! I can't wait till Rick is done sheetrocking and I can start taping and texturing and painting. It is looking so much better already that the end product will make it maybe even look modern. To think!
~Now that the school year is almost half over we're FINALLY getting in to a groove.
~The psycotic break that I was concerned that I may have had, apparently I didn't :) I found the missing school folder that I had become to question was even in existence. YEAH! My memory of making it was so vivid, I knew I had. But I could not find that folder anywhere and had begun to think that I had just dreamnt the whole thing. Now for the missing domino (It's been gone for about two years now). One can still hope!
~God remains faithful and things do come together in HIS time.