Take This, Not That

The packing frenzy is in full swing...we've had no less than two fights so far about size of luggage and room for his stuff...there's room, there in the corner of that one honey...sheesh!  I have definitely packed less than our last trip, a litle credit here, k?

On another note, we were to meet Olivia Zi Jing on Monday and that's all changed...seems there's a holiday Monday so they've moved us up to Saturday!  We had the choice of this or waiting until Wednesday...yeah right!  So, we will only be in Hong Kong for one night.  We are meeting a family that used to live in our town and they are going to give us the whirlwind tour Friday night if all goes well with our flight over (ha!). 

So, we leave tomorrow morning at 10:40am.  Please keep us in your prayers, intentionally praying for a smooth transition for all and rest for the weary.  Thanks!

Just the Same

My niece sent me this, what a beautiful poem...thanks Sarah.

Just the Same

By Diana Lynn Lacey

Sometimes--

God sends rain

Straight from the sky

To nourish the young flower

and it grows.

Sometimes--

God sends rain from the sky

To the mountaintops,

Then over hills and through valleys

Until it reaches the flower

and it grows, just the same.

Sometimes--

God sends a child

Straight from His realm

Into a mother's arms

and love grows.

Sometimes--

God sends a child

From heaven to another's arms,

Then over hills and through valleys

Until he reaches the arms of his mother

and love grows, just the same.

FINALLY!!!!

We received our travel approval today, a mere 31 days after our article 5 was dropped off.  The average of late has been 17 days, so who knows what happened.  Guess now it doesn't matter, God's timeline has been different from mine this whole time, so why question it?  Now we wait for news of when we can travel, we are READY to roll...

A Very Special Girl

Yesterday was the Abigail's 6th Birthday Extravaganza at Chuck E. Cheese's.  It was such a fun day and the kids all really seemed to have a good time...even some of the grown ups couldn't resist the fun and felt like kids again!  We wanted Abigail to feel EXTRA special for her big day since her sister is coming home VERY soon we hope and our attention won't be 100% on this gal for a bit.  She deserved a little extra fun for her big day!  We were joined by family and good friends and what a blessing to see all these kids playing so well together, too cute! 

 The reason to even go there...Chuck E. Cheese!

 and some yummy pizza helped too!

 and games...

 and a special girl....

 yeah, her...she's pretty special....

 and tickets and presents...

 and the best group of friends EVER... (she does have shoes, oy vey)

 and of course, GeGe who helped win lots of tickets in the ticket blaster.

We just love this girl so much, she is our little princess~

again, Happy 6th Birthday Abigail Xin Ru!

Abigail's 6th Birthday Today :)

Wow.  When I look back over the last four years with my little girl, I am so thankful.  She makes me feel soooo special.  Don't get me wrong, my boys used to do that too, but they are "older" now and don't need mom so much.  Miss Abigail, she needs me and loves me, and she makes no bones about it.  Daddy is her favorite plaything and she adores him as well, but there is a special bond between us.

We had a quiet family birthday celebration tonight, just so Ab could bask in the joy of being  SIX now.  Saturday we will host her and her closest buds at Chuck E. Cheese...her choice, last year too. Never fear, taking the Purell.  We weren't going to have the "big" party this year but since her sister is coming home SOON and will likely garner much of the attention, we felt Abigail deserved this.... she does!

Silly Gege... 

On the Olivia front, just waiting for Travel Approval...any day now!!!

Sick Sick Sick

My hubby always says colds come from stress.  What does he know???  So, last week I started feeling crappy and developed a pretty healthy sinus infection.  I mean to tell you, this thing laid me OUT!  I've been hoarding my vacation time for travel and FMLA and HATED to have to use it but, I had to!  The headaches, the snotty nose...well, you get the picture...and you know what?  Maybe he's right...there's a lot of stress built up in these here muscles and nerve endings!  I need to try not to control every.single.situation in my life and let God do His thing...TRUST!!! 

My Abigail was sick with me, hers of the strep throat variety, poor baby...she gets these ugly cold sores from the fever...eek!  I've certainly painted a lovely picture, haven't I?  And for the record Sarah, it has NOTHING to do with living in Ohio :)

So, in trusting God and His perfect timing, I'm thrilled to report that:

1) I'm feeling a little better every day and so is Ab,  and
2) our paperwork has wound its way to the Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs (Article 5 for you "in the know" folks) and we are already on Day 6 of the count to Travel Approval...who knew? 

Can you see the pressure lifting?  Can you feel it?  I CAN!  We better start packing...now where is that list?????

God is Good

Yes, we are still here, still waiting...but the process is moving along, albeit at a snails pace.  We are still very hopeful to travel end of March, first of April.  Anyhoo...

We recently had a potentially life altering situation happen in our family.  One of those things where you blame yourself as a parent, try to analyze and figure out where you went wrong and kick yourself.  I'm a classic enabler, always have been, always will be without therapy. 

{Oh how I love this kid}

I want what is good for my children, to a fault.  So, I turn a blind eye sometimes when I know better.  Well, God saw fit to allow us to have another chance to do the right thing.  So, I have hope.  Hope that the "right thing" will occur when faced with difficult decisions and hope that things will change.  Hope that I can say no when I need to and hope in Jesus.  Cuz' He certainly has hope in me.  I've seen it first hand.