"By adopting a child and helping them reach their potential, they help us reach ours. An adopted child is not an unwanted child; to the contrary. They are a child who was searched for, prayed for, cried for, begged for; received by arms that ached, making empty hearts full. Love is meant to be shared." Author unknown

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Confirmed CA appointment!!!

We learned this morning that we have a Consulate Appointment set for Tuesday, November 15th at 8:30am!!!!  Now we can begin to make actual travel plans.  Wooohoooo!!!!!!  Can't wait till I have confirmed dates that I will meet each of the boys, I have a general idea but waiting for certain dates!!!! PTL, mama's coming boys!!!

Please pray that they will allow Corban to piggy back onto that appointment once we get his travel approval.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Bitter-Sweet day made even sweeter....

Today is a bitter-sweet day, it is the day Noel turns 3.  Eight months ago I thought we'd be home with her, celebrating this day with her. Unfortunately for us, God has bigger plans for her.  Happy 3rd birthday, precious Noel!

To make the day a little sweeter, we received the call this morning!!! We have been given permission from China to travel to bring Tegan home!!!! PTL! My heart is overjoyed!

We now await confirmation of a U.S. Consulate Appointment, which is the final task that needs to be completed while we are in China, to bring the boys home!!! We hare asking for Nov 15, 16 or 17.  We pray then that Corban will be able to be piggy backed onto this appointment when we receive his travel approval next month. Otherwise, travel will need to be pushed back to schedule the boys onto a later Consulate date.

For the cherry on top, we received the following picture from a family who recently travelled to bring their newest family member home.  The picture was taken Sept 14th.


I can't wait to see a smile on Tegan's face - this is the look he has had in most the pictures we have of him.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Blessings in abundance...

I received a phone call from one of our dear friends from church today stating that some of the church families wanted to hold a "baby" shower for us - my heart skipped a beat... I think WOW, how blessed are we that our church family would think so dearly of us and want to bless us on this journey.  Then the "you don't have to do that" part of me kicks in and that response comes out of my mouth.  Her response,  "but what if we WANT to". I humble myself and respond that we would be grateful.

note: I'm a "do for others" kinda person and have a hard time accepting the generosity of others - I think the Good Lord is working on me learning to humble myself to other's generosity.

After getting of the phone, the tears began.  Tears of appreciation, of realizing just how blessed we have been through this entire journey.  Blessed that my mom and aunt will take 2 week of their time to travel to China to support and assit me.  Blessed to have friends who have stepped up to care for the four children who will remain home when my husband joins me for the last week of the trip.  Blessed for a church family who has prayed many prayers for us and now reaches out even further to show their love by throwing a celebration.  And last but not least, blessed that our Heavenly Father thinks we are worthy enough to parent these precious boy.

This journey has been nothing but amazing.  There have been many twists and turns that I don't understand but I know that He has orchestrated it all for the best.  I know that the trials we have faced are all blessing in disguise.

Quicker than expected!!!!

I am happy to say that we received the NVC letter today!!! This is a few days ahead of what I projected. Finally something comes sooner rather than later!!!  Now onto the final step which will take a little longer due to China's week long holiday the first week of October but I knew that.  Looks like we should be able to travel the end of October!!!! About 5 weeks till I'm off to China, oh my!!!!! PTL

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Another step closer...

We received Corban's provisional letter of approval for the I800 today, approved 9/15.  Now we move onto the NVC letter, that takes about 10 days.

On another note, we should receive Travel Approval for Tegan this week, can't believe we are almost complete with all the steps to bring him home. 

The reality of this all is beginning to set in, as well as some nervousness.  The Good Lord brought us to this so I know He will see us through it!  PTL - hopefully 2 months from now I will have both these boys in my arms and preparing to come home.

Pictures of our Journey to bring Tegan and Corban home!