Friday, August 30, 2013

Just what I needed today.......

Things have been tough lately, life, crazy people and the major delays in the adoption are just too much to deal with somedays.  Then I remember why we are doing this and it is all the reminder I need why we are doing this.  And, all I need to keep going.  We have two princesses waiting for us and nothing will stop us.
Then as I am looking at our blog this afternoon I was shocked to see the amount of our donations!  It rose a lot since this morning.  We are so blown away by each and every donation, no matter how big or small they all mean so much.  There is just no way we could have brought these two princesses home without all the support we have gotten.  We funded Mia's adoption in 2011, Max's in 2012 and then started with China.  The money just wasn't there but this time I knew again that God was calling us to get Molly and Meilin and that he would provide.  It is hard to explain to people but it really is that simple.  That doesn't mean it is always easy but I do trust it will work out.  Thank you doesn't seem like enough but I don't know what else to say.  Thank you for all the support and donations to help two orphans become part of our family!

STUCK.....AGAIN

Our girls are officially STUCK in the adoption process AGAIN.  I just want to shake people and say we aren't buying a house or car, this is a child we are talking about.  A child without a mom and dad.  The paperwork process to bring them home doesn't have to take a year.  Unfortunately the reality is it does.  Unfortunately all are girls are is another name on a piece of paper, under a huge pile of other children.  Trying to trust in God's perfect timing to bring them home.  He sees the bigger picture that we can't see or understand, atleast now and maybe we never will.

My worst fears were confirmed that paperwork wasn't done properly in the past so it will cost our girls more time away from their family.  This was separate from anything we did or our agency and just in one of the girls' file.   We now will wait longer to hold them and tell them they are wanted and loved.  We watch other families fly through the process.  We will watch them bring their children home while we stand still.  I am so happy not every family deals with them and will celebrate with them.  Honestly most adoptive families hit a snag or two.  Some less then us and some a lot more.  So I will keep my eyes looking forward.

A little progress is being made but we will be stuck in this step that is taking everyone around 2 weeks for another week.  Total for us will be atleast 6 weeks.  That is hard to take most days.  Very hard.  They are worth it though so we will get up each day and do what we can to bring us to closer to them.  It makes it even harder when you approach holiday's and birthdays.  I remember all too well being stuck in this exact spot with Mia's adoption. Her birthday is a day before Molly's and we missed it and Christmas.  That shouldn't happen this time but the way things are going you never know.

We need prayer more than ever to get them home.  Pray that the person working on our case does it in record time.  Pray everyone she needs to cooperate does.  Pray good news comes sooner than later.  Prayer and Faith are all we have right now.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Prayers Needed

The step we are currently on has been taking twice as long as it should.  We are watching families that were way behind us fly by us since our LOA took so long and this step has it a huge road bump too.  There is a problem with the paperwork.  We may find out at the end of the week that it is ok and move forward.  Or, we may find out there is a mistake and it may take awhile to fix.  I don't even want to think about how long that will slow us up.  We are probably still ok to travel Nov if they figure it out but if not I have no idea.  I need all the faith I can find to stay strong.  I am also asking that everyone prayers for us.  Pray that when the officer on our case gets the file she needs it is complete.  All I have is faith and prayer right now.  I know God can move this mountain and am trusting in his timing!

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

School

 
It was the first day of school yesterday for the older three.  The little ones start preschool next week.  I miss having the kids home and they are my big helpers with the younger two.  I am now outnumbered and they know it!
 
Before you know it there will be 2 more with backpacks ready to go to school.  I have no immediate plans to send them though. I am very lucky to be able to stay home with them.  We will just wait and see when they get home and when they are ready to go.
 
Hard to believe Taylor is off to college, Travis is a senior and then they are all the way down to preschool.  It is going to be a busy year and I am sure it will fly by!
 
 

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

August

Things are moving along here.  Taylor is off to college this week so this is probably our last family pictures as a family of 8.   Can't wait until there are two more in the family shot!

Our paperwork is still moving at snails pace and we are not even 100% sure it is where it needs to be so we are working on that.  Hopefully everything is on track and we are on to the next step soon.  We don't need anymore delays.

School starts back next week.  I am not looking forward to the kids going back.  I have enjoyed having them home but both girls are excited about their teachers and ready to go back so that is good.

The adoption and life has been pretty hectic and crazy.  So much paper work and things to do with the adoption.  Larry is saving his vacation for our trip so we haven't had a break this summer.  It will all be worth it in the end though.

We have had to deal with some difficult things lately too.  Satan doesn't like adoption and anyone that has adopted will testify to that.  Usually you start hearing stories how the second people sign papers to start the process, Satan shows his ugly self and causes problems.  We have had it happen to us quite often, you can feel the negativity and Satan trying to derail things.  We usually just figure that we must be headed in the right direction if he is so upset.   It continues to happen and is getting pretty personal though and that is harder. 

With the past two adoptions we have chosen to keep things private and not put our life out there on an open blog.  There are unfortunately people that are not only not happy for us but will do anything to bring us down.  People we stay away from and do anything to avoid drama and interaction with.  But, our legal system allows you to take anyone to court and then even if you are innocent you have to hire and prove it to the courts.  No matter how ridiculous the charges are.  Even though we don't have time from drama and would never do things to intentionally hurt someone others don't live the same way and get sucked into the evil easily.

Putting our story out there has made us vulnerable and fund raising has as well.  We knew this could happen yet we feel like God has been present through this adoption as well as our last two.  I think we have a story to share.  We hope that if people will hear our story and think if we can adopt 4 with specials needs they can adopt one.  If even one child gets a family because our story is out there then it is all worth it.

It is hard but worth it.  I thank God daily for all the blessings he has given us.  I pray constantly for protection over our family.  It does hurt when people that should be close to us aren't standing by us but we can't control other people.  We see it happen and are dealing with it now.  We just will continue to distance ourselves from anyone trying to harm us or our family.  Again it isn't always easy but with our adoptions and maybe because they have special needs, we have to be so protective of our family and we are.

We need all the love and support we can get.  Bringing home our girls will be wonderful but the reality of bringing home orphans at 5 and 9 with special needs won't be easy.  We are ready but the extra negativity around us has to move on.  The people in our lives causing it need to as well.  We have gotten a huge wake up call with all these adoptions on what really matters.  We now know what God is calling us to do and that is a great feeling to be doing it.  But we need support and can't do it alone.

Please pray for us that we won't be under attack any longer.   That people close to us will see the truth and quit following the darkness.  We don't have the energy, time or money for it.

This morning I woke to new pictures of Meilin on FB.  Seeing her or Molly is all it takes for me to refocus and keep our eyes on what really matters!  We got LOA a couple weeks ago for two very special girls.  Makes sense that Satan doesn't like it but our God is bigger than he is and we will be bringing them home as soon as we can! 

Pray for protection over our family though.  We need it now and all the way through rest of this adoption!

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Garage Sale Fundraiser

We had 3 beautiful days for the garage sale and a wonderful turnout!  I didn't expect to make much but it was amazing.  I didn't even start with that much compared to some garage sales but made the same amount!  God has really blessed us through this adoption and by using some wonderful people and their donations!  Words don't seem like enough to thank everyone for all of their support!  We are getting so close to getting them and money won't stand in the way!

Friday, August 2, 2013

Meilin is just as excited as we are to get LOA!!!!!!!!!!!!  We are coming to bring you home soon sweet baby girl!