About to POP!

Why not celebrate our Embassy appointment tomorrow with an updated photo of our sweet girl?!?!?!??!

The star in the photo is a gift we sent (recorded our voices singing "twinkle twinkle") and it just melts my heart to see her holding it with a smile on her face--hoping she's hearing our voices over and over again!!!

 

Tell me she isn't the sweetest thing ever!  I can't even stand how stinkin' cute and squishable she is!  Oh my mommy heart is truly about to pop!  I WANT HER HOME!!  I want my baby girl in my arms, sleeping on my chest, and giving me slobbery kisses all over!  

 

Please keep Addy in your prayers as she'll be "interviewed" tomorrow and then we begin our LAST wait of this process--her visa being issued. In the mean time, we continue to push on with life, tyring our hardest to keep busy! 

 

Big brother Eli started Kindergarten yesterday!!!  He is having a blast and is sure growing up too quickly!

 

 

Hoping I get some zzzzzz's tonight---anxious for tomorrow and the continued unknowns! 

Birthday Party, Visas, and Preparation

This is going to be a real quick "update in a nutshell" post.....

Eli turned 6 yesterday.  Yes, my BABY is growing up on us!  He had such a great day...the weather was beautiful, he had a great Lego party with friends, and enjoyed an evening get together with family.  In the midst of all the fun and celebration he looked at me and said:
"The best thing about my birthday is it means daddy and mommy are going to get Addy soon!"

I'm telling you 4-6 year olds that are reading this crazy lady's blog right now...he's going to be a catch in about 30 years....but until then, he's all mine!

Here's a peek into his birthday fun!

Eli got to spend the day Saturday in Baker, MT with Cain, Ally, and Walter at their small town fair and tonight he's out camping with Uncle Jesse---yikes!  AND this week he starts KINDERGARTEN!!!!!!!!  What a busy week for the 6 year old!

We're busy on the home front getting everything set to go meet our sweet daughter (and parenting 5 kids---the foster daughters are lasting longer than expected)!  I am hoping/thinking we'll get a picture of her this week--probably the last update until we meet her in person!  Last week we got a little note stating that she is a very good baby that only cries when she messed her diaper or is hungry.  They also said she sleeps a lot and sweats a lot:)

I got home today to a nice surprise in the mail...OUR VISAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

PLEASE be praying for Addy these last few weeks in her current "home."  Pray that she continues to be healthy, and that she is enjoying her time with all her caretakers and friends in the home!  We would also covet all prayers about the embassy appointment and visa process.  Her embassy appointment (interview) is THIS FRIDAY!!!!!!  After the interview they will do an investigation before they will issue her visa.  As soon as her visa is issued
WE CAN GO!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Right now the trend is for the consular to require a birth parent interview (which would mean they would have to track down her father for the interview).  Please pray that the embassy/visa issuing process is speedy and that there are no bumps in the road!

I'm feeling so blessed today!  Getting our visas in the mail reconfirmed that this long process is almost over and
Addy Rose will SOON BE IN OUR ARMS FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

Crazy Beautiful

These past two weeks have been crazy, stressful (it takes me a lot to get stressed but I can be honest and say it's been S-T-R-E-S-S-F-U-L), fun, hard, long, but beautiful beyond measure.

I work part time as a literacy coach for the public schools.  It's a job right up my alley...in leadership, time with kids, and learning/teaching about literacy!  With Addy soon joining our family and the lack of maternity leave, I've been working MUCH more than part time to build up days off!  In addition to work, I have the day to day crazyness of being a mom and wife, and preparing to bring Addy home.  Bobby's been working sooooo hard on our new house and is often BEAT when he comes home that we've had hardly any time to just sit down and chat! 

All this and then we receive a phone call to bring in two foster girls. 

WHAT?  God, why now?!??!  I don't get stressed, but I'm stressed right now and you want to throw this at me?!?!??!?! 

We brought the girls into our home on Tuesday and were unable to leave the house (even to the park next door) until Friday. (I did get a breather as my mom came over to watch the kids on Thursday as I worked---PHEW!!).  Needless to say, Wednesday was a L-O-N-G day. 

But it was BEAUTIFUL.  I had no clue when we were called to take in the girls that they were black...no clue that bringing them in would give me a great initiation into black (natural) hair care!  I had no clue how sweet, loving, fun, and silly these girls were.  I had no clue they would bond as closely with our kids as they have.

As I sat down on Wednesday night, all five kids finally tucked in, Bobby gone at a meeting, I began to pray and reflect on the day (that long, hard, noisy day). 
From my journal Wednesday night:

"....I'm surprised I have any hair left after today.  Sugar coating aside, it's been a LONG 30 hours.  The girls aren't bad (they are actually wonderful), but having 5 kids stuck in a house in the middle of summer is not fun!  I had so many plans for this week.  Errands we needed to run.  Work that needed to be done.  But I've been pulled elsewhere.  I've been pulled exactly where I WANT to be....at home being a mommy...to many kids.   

Foster care, adoption, biological...whatever it may be, it's tough.  Yet my ups and downs are MINIMAL compared to so many (like these two beautiful girls lying in a stranger's bed trying so hard to rest their eyes for the night).  Yes a glorious, easy, comfortable life would be tempting....but I'm continually reminded that even our Savior  beared sweat and tears leading to the very day that He gave His life for ME... 

My sweat and tears are NOTHING compared to the price He had to pay.  God has reassured me time after time again that this is exactly where He wants me to be...and I can assure you He NEVER told me it was going to be easy.  It's time I tuck my tail in, stop complaining, and put my best foot forward in this CRAZY-BEAUTIFUL life I've been given."

Here I am, 3 days later, all 5 kids tucked tightly in bed, Bobby gone (this time out of town for state softball) and I'm refreshed.  I spent the last 24 hours with 7 girlfriends in Bismarck for an uplifting women's conference (with Lysa Terkeurst).  I'm ready to face what He has in store for me.  I believe Him enough to obey this calling He's placed in my life through the thick and thin.

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1-2
Love from my crazy-beautiful family to YOURS!

My Birthday Gift

Two months ago I had a wish to have Addy in my arms by my birthday.  Well, even though that wish didn't come true...I got the next best thing.

AN UPDATED PHOTO OF OUR SWEET GIRL!  What a wonderful birthday blessing for a mommy who is aching to be with her daughter!! 

Addy will turn 6 months this week and even though we will not have her in our arms, she is ours none-the-less!  The feeling of having a child whom God has chosen for you half a world away is one not many can understand.  It's hard.  It's sad.  It's challanging. 

But our God has a plan for all of us.  A plan for me as a mother.  A plan for Bobby as a father.  A plan for Eli, Ayla, and Owen as siblings.  And a plan for Addy, born 8,380 miles away from her parents.  And His plan is ALWAYS perfect, always right!

As hard as it is to describe, it's even harder for me to imagine having this sweet face in my arms in 5 weeks!   I almost can't believe that God has chosen OUR family to get to bring THIS sweet girl HOME.  For the next 5 weeks we'll continue to pray for her...and continue to dream of this silly, sweet face.

Yes, the tongue is out again;)  Look how BIG she is getting! 

My heart is melting!  I had no clue I could love some I've never met THIS MUCH. 

EMBASSY DATE!!!!

Quick post to just update you all that we received our embassy date!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We are a little bummed that our travel will end up being in September...but we are rejoicing in knowing (approximately) when we will finally meet our baby girl face to face!

We have been scheduled for our embassy "interview" on August 24.  We will not be there for this appointment and will have a representative there for us.  After the interview they will do an investigation to review how/why Addy is orphaned and track where she has been since birth.  This process usually takes 1-2 weeks but I'm hoping that being she is so young and has only been one other place, the investigation will be rather quick (just my own hopes!).

As soon as the investigation is clear, we will be cleared to travel and can go GET OUR BABY!!!!!

Bobby and I got up before dawn this morning and drove to Bismarck for our yellow fever and typhoid shots....we are officially done with every step of this adoption other than the appointments....

Between work, the new house, and our three kiddos, I am hoping to stay VERY busy so August flies by as fast as July did! 

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow---His hand has guided us along this journey 100% of the way.  He called us down this path and has been by our side gently guiding and proving all we need for EVERY step down to the penny, worry, and doubt!  Wow, our God is so great! 

Please take a moment today and reflect on all the blessings YOU have been given and the tough times He has helped you through.  If you're like me there are way too many to count!

Good (happy) night!
(P.S.  updated photos of our sweetness should be coming any day---yahoo!!!)

Are We Saving Addy...or is She Saving Us???

Today we sent the LAST bit of paperwork needed to bring Addy HOME!  The excitement around our house is buzzing like crazy!  Even the kids understand the time is getting closer and their excitement and anticipation has been turned up a notch!

Being the paperwork is done and appointments will SOON be made, it's time to start preparing to travel!! 

Last round of Hepatitis A/B shots tomorrow, yellow fever and typhoid next Tuesday....and of course....PACKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

To get SOON:

• Talcum powder
• Zip lock bags of all sizes
• Several bottles of hand sanitizer
• Toys for Addy's LONG flight home
• Baby carrier (Becky?!!?!?)
• Baby bowls for rice cereal
• Rice cereal
• Baby laxative
• Powdered pedialyte
• Anti-diarrhead medication
• Anti-fungal treatment medication
• MORE LUGGAGE BAGS!

Bought Today:

• Travel blanket/pillow
• Baby tylenol, mylicon, cortisone cream
• Super duper strength insect repellent (for clothes and skin)
• Teething Orajel
• Electronic converter
• Travel Alarm Clock
• Money/Ticket holders
• English/French Translation Book

Received Today:

• Two more boxes full of breast milk from a friend (to some this may sound disgusting...to me, it sounds like love)

Wanted Today (or in the next few weeks):
Our agency just started a transition house and they are in need of supplies!  We got word that sweet Addy arrived there on Monday and now has 17 other playmates.  We are beyond thrilled that she is there, but I am sure the caretakers are a little overwhelmed (all these children arrived in the last few days and there isn't much but beds and bare walls)!!!  We will be taking two duffle bags full of donations when we travel and may send some stuff ASAP.  What can you donate?????

• Bottom sheets for beds of all sizes: medium pop and play size, twin and double.
• Blankets for cribs and throw-size blankets
• Towels and wash cloths
• CD’s of music of all kinds
• Developmental toys for infants and young toddlers
• Puzzles for 4+ year olds
•  Shoes of all sizes especially croc-type, flip flops, easy to put on/off
• Clothing of all sizes, for all seasons with mostly hot weather clothing (not heavy sweaters
•  Underwear / training underwear for kids of all ages (esp. toddler/preschoolers)
• Light weight and medium weight coats/sweaters/sweatshirts
• Children’s training tooth paste and older kids tooth paste
• Tooth brushes for little ones and big kids
• Diapers of all sizes
•  Pre-folded cloth diapers
• Plastic pants to go over diapers
•  Formula
•  Older toddler formula
•  Chewable vitamins for toddlers and older kids
• Hair accessories for girls
• Good quality body lotion/oils
• Children’s DVD’s (for kids 8 and under) such as Elmo, Veggie Tales, Barney, etc.
•  Board books for pre-school age
• Wooden puzzles or other durable easy to use puzzles
•  Basic durable toys like: balls, building blocks, trucks, dolls, etc
•  Pillow case protectors, washable

Deuteronomy 16:17
Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.

There are numerous verses in the Bible that mention giving and the purpose/reason/calling to do so. BUT, I have found over and over again that giving is not done to be rewarded, but should ONLY be done to bring Him glory and to exhibit the characters of Christ Himself.  All we have and all we are able to give has been given to us through the gifts God has given us. 

Just this morning I read a blog post by Ann Voskamp (http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/07/the-1-thing-you-really-have-to-know-about-your-family/).  I've been following her blog for some time now and my small group has been reading "One Thousand Gifts" for the past couple months--and she continues to break me--over and over again.  Today she wrote:

"We’re either responding with indifference or with intercession, either with apathy or aid.
You can’t look into the face of the poor and just plead the fifth amendment. Your life is always your answer."

She ends her post with this gut wrenching quote from Tim Keller:

“[Anything you have...] It is due to the century and place in which you were born, to your talents and capacities and health, none of which you earned.In short, all your resources are in the end — the gift of God.” 

Those faces....the ones of poor mothers, fatherless children, AID stricken communities... they very well could have been YOU OR I.  Yet here I am, living the American {dream} and about to make an orphaned child from a very torn, poor country a part of our life--the life of riches, comfort, and {joy}.

My heart is broken for US...our sweet family of six who are comfortable beyond all measure yet continually seek more. 

During a conference call with our agency the topic of "needs" for the transition house came up.  To us it's barron, boring, and drab.  But as Kelly reminded us, these 18 children that have been moved there KNOWING NOTHING MORE.  They are UPGRADING by moving to this house that has no toys, no washing machine, no "American" comfort. 

Through this process I've often wondered.........will we be saving Addy, or will she be saving US???????????? 

 

No New News on News

We had a conference call with our agency today for all of us families who are nearing the end:)  It was a follow up call after the email news we received earlier in the week...nothing new, but it was great to hear their voices and it made us feel sooooo much closer to bringing Addy home.  I got off the phone almost giddy and relaxed!

They pretty much confirmed that all of us families can expect we'll be travelling in 6-8 weeks (of course something could always come up, but that's a good estimate).  6-8 weeks means we *could* be travelling anytime between August 24-Sep 7.  If you recall my biggest dream has been to have Addy in our arms before she turns 7 months old (first week in September). 

I am hopeful today in believing that may be a reality! 

We also found out that Addy will be in her new, temporary home probably this weekend!

Starting the end of next week our agency will start submitting requests for the important appointments---that are usually scheduled about 4 weeks out.  After the first appointment (interview) they will review and investigage our case--average of 2 weeks.  Then Addy's visa will be issued and we will be called to get READY TO TRAVEL.

Again, this isn't no new news on the old news we received on Tuesday....but it reconfirms that we understand the process and will have Addy home shortly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

 

Oh how I can't wait to see how her photos bring another shining face to our family! 

Have a great weekend!

Lastest News!

Some of you may recall that two of the ladies from our agency were in the Congo the past 3-4 weeks. During this stay they were preparing a "Halfway Home" aka "transition house" for the children. What does that mean?

Many agencies that work with international adoptions have transition houses. These are homes that children are moved to after they've been referred to a specific family. The children are then placed in this home until the families are cleared to travel and are under the care of people hired by the agency.

Our Addy has been living in an orphanage in her (very unsafe) birth region of the Congo. We do not have any information about this orphanage other than its name. Which means we basically have no clue what type of care she is receiving, what the living conditions are like, how many children, how many workers, etc, etc. Because our agency hadn't yet set up a transition home, that is where she has been since birth (we received our referral March 15).

We just received word that our sweet girl will be moved to the Halfway Home sometime this week or next. We are BEYOND excited about that!!!!! Her living there will mean:

· 24/7 care by caregivers

· Two nurses on staff

· House manager lives on property for 24/7 oversight

· Monthly medical evaluation by staff nurse

· Bi-weekly photos

· Running water, inside flush toilets and electricity

· Optional: Skype video conferencing with your child

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My worried heart can be at rest knowing she is in good hands and receiving proper medical care and love!

 The other news is that the process has changed (yes, again). Instead of US filing our I-600 in the DRC like we originally planned AND instead of us filing in the US like we last thought....

Our I-600 will be filed IN THE DRC by an ALBB representative who will file our petition and attend the embassy interview on our behalf.
(we're anticipating this interview to be in about 5 weeks)
After this interview they will have another appointment (typically 3-4 weeks after the first appointment) to get Addy's US Visa and file her exit permission.

At this point we will be notified to make our travel plans (will have one week or less notice). Really we won't know any travel dates until almost the day we board the plane....but it is pretty safe to estimate it will be ANOTHER 6-9 weeks from right now. Bummer!

I feel relieved about the Halfway House and bummed about the timing. Of course we're always wishing it was quicker (but then again, even if they told us to expect to travel in 4 weeks I'd wish it was sooner).

Little Miss Addy will have lived in the orphanage, the Halfway House, our current house, and then will be moved to her LONG TIME home this fall!!!! As anxious as I am, and as desperate as my posts may sound at times, we are extrememly busy this summer and finding more than enough to do to keep our minds occupied!

Here are a couple updated photos of the house being framed. Basement is done, main level almost done, will start the 2nd level next week!

Back of house (work in progress)...

Front of the house (yay, it's coming along!)

Well, I'm off to bed feeling somewhat at ease and still extremely curious and as anxious as always to be holding my baby girl!  (we have our first repite foster child--almost 2-- living with us this week so I'm getting a little sneak into what life will be like with four kiddos in my care!). 

I don't know how we would get through this long journey without faith in our Father and the understanding that He has called us down this path and will equip us as needed along the way.  Oh, our God is so great and His love is so mighty! 

Matthew  6: (33) Seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  (34) Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.



Tough Subjects

I am not confrontational.  In fact, I have only one friend who I have been able to completely and openly confront about true feelings/issues (thanks Becky!).  Usually I'm the"on-the-surface" type.  I'm not talking about things I'm passionate about like literacy or orphan care...but more day to day things.  I don't like to argure or be in awkward situations.  And I like for everyone to get along.

I have a feeling I'm in for a rude awakening in just a couple months!  I don't mind sharing our thoughts/opinions on bringing home our African princess.  What I don't want to face is those who don't understand or who are unwilling to accept the fact that two white people will be (and can be) adopting an African child into our home. 

BUT, there are times when others just don't KNOW or don't know HOW to even go about understanding such crazy people like us (really we're not crazy, we're just two people trying to live as Jesus would want us to and calls us to--but that's pretty crazy to a lot of people!). 

Last month I got a great message from a college friend asking for advice in helping her children not be "color blind" (that noticing skin color does not make someone racist, but the way you treat people is what is important).  She (like us) lives in a primarily white community. 

I am eager to hear the comments we'll receive from our primarily white community when we are toting around our beautiful 6 month old princess.  I truly believe most people will be open and accepting of our adoption...but I am not naive to believe all will be. 

As I promised Anne (the awesome mom who wants her children to understand different cultures), I will be blogging about these tough subjects as I find time (so---maybe never???) and as I am awkwardly placed in situations I'd rather not be in (but don't worry Addy, as much as I don't like confrontation, I'm going to stick up for you and your culture to the ends of the earth!).

White vs. black
Domestic vs. international
Adoption vs. orphanges
Small family vs. large family

I pray Jesus will shine through our family and the love He has for ALL will become more evident through our crazy white family including a beautiful African princess.

---------------------------------------------

We continue to wait for more information on our final processes!  We are expecting an update VERY soon (the next couple days).  Our agency's director and our family coordinator just returned on Friday from the DRC.  They were working on setting up a transition house in which THEY will staff--meaning we can be assured Addy will be getting care from great nannies.  

I also got an email with a statement for Addy's escort fees from where she is currently living in an orphanage to Kinshasa (where the transition house is).  I don't quite know what that means--will find out when I get our update--but that either means she has been moved or will be moved very soon to the new place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  That also means we will have a better update about her, her health, her daily schedule, etc! 

We are hoping our I-600 will be filed or has been filed which would mean we could still be travelling in August (long shot-but possible!).

Praying for updates that will bring happy dances:)

Now What?

A lot of people have been asking us the dreaded question lately....

So, when will you be travelling?

I wish I could give some clear cut answers or even understand the process completely myself. International adoption is NEVER clear-cut!
 
What I can share is what is left in the process for us (as far as I understand it)...

We received written judgment that the judge in the DRC has given us the stamp of approval to adopt Addy.

Right now we are waiting for all the documents to come in WITH NO ERRORS, so we can file our I-600 to the US government and get approval to make Addy a US citizen. Those documents (birth certificate, passport, judgment, etc) are currently being translated from French to English and then they’ll be sent in. Once sent in it typically takes 3-4 weeks to get the I-600 back.
 
After we get the I-600 back from the US gov, it will be sent to the DRC for the LBB staff to make appointments with the DGM (their immigration officers). There are two DGM appointments:

1)     Pre-Approval, visa process (befrore we travel, a rep will be there for us)
Usually 2 weeks after I-600 approval

2)     2. Exit Letter (the appointment we need to attend)
This appointment is usually 1 week after 1st DGM appointment

We are estimating (and praying, praying, praying) to travel
in 10 weeks:

·         1 more week to finalize documents and get I-600 sent

·         4 weeks to get I-600 back

·         2 weeks for DGM appointment #1

·         1 week for DGM appointment #2

·         2 weeks for wiggle room

That still means there is a possibility we COULD travel in August. Keep in mind that these are ESTIMATES and some people end up waiting 6 weeks for their I-600....some wait 4 weeks for their DGM appointments. So again, we are asking you to lift our family up in prayers.

v  Please pray that things go as planned.

v  Pray her documents have no errors.

v  Pray that appointments are made in a timely order.

v  Pray that we travel in AUGUST

v  And ALWAYS be praying for Addy’s health and safety

 So what do I do in the wait?!?!?!??!

GET READY FOR MY SWEET DAUGHTER!

Yesterday mom and I went to Bismarck and did some ADDY SHOPPING!

Formula (EXPENSIVE!)
Diapers
Bottles
Hair/Skin Care
Clothing
Etc, etc

Addy's Loot from Yesterday 

 Addy's closet all ready and waiting...

Have a great weekend all!

YOU ARE OURS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whining. Complaining. Crying. Comparing. Being jealous.

My last few days have had MORE THAN ENOUGH of those things! And I have to say....

I AM SORRY GOD!!!!

I did not mean to put on such a front to get what you have given. My ranting, raving, and not believing in you fully was unnecessary!

Just yesterday I had such a sad, downcast post about my honest feelings.....and TODAY our God has reminded me that I must be patient and fully trust in Him.

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT....

TODAY I GOT WORD THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED JUDGMENT!!!

AND

TODAY WE GOT MORE NEW PHOTOS OF OUR PRECIOUS ADDY.

 I have so much to say right now but we are headed out the door and there is NO WAY I was not going to share after so many of you gave me encouragement yesterday and have been praying for our family!

Addy, you are PRECIOUS and you are LOVED soooooooooooo very much. We CANNOT wait to have you home. You CRACK ME UP...I can't help but just laugh when I look at your photos...you with your tongue out and your chubby belly (which I pray and believe is from being well cared for, not malnutrition). And you know what sweet baby girl...

 YOU ARE OURS
Addy Rose Williams!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My heart is full.  My God is so great.

Half-Empty Optimism

It's been two weeks since I posted....a lot has happened in our lives over the past two weeks but unfortunately not much on the side of GETTING ADDY HOME. We've celebrated birthdays (Mom's, Owen's 2nd, my cousin Jace's), had VBS, I had new teacher training, AND we've been busy getting our new house going. (adoption updates at the end of this post if that's what you're here for!)

Owen, our clown, celebrated his 2nd birthday on June 1st. I wish everyone in the world would get a full day to spend with this little man. HE IS HILARIOUS, and smart, and loving--definitely a class clown in the making. I can't help but just squish him as he's so stinkin cute and has a way to turn every bad situation into good. 

Vacation Bible School was a long but "oh so worth it" week. Debbie and I were the directors of the toddler group... thirty two 3-4 year olds from 5:30-8:30pm all week.....I'm still sleepy;) It was fun having Ayla in my group again and also fun to have Eli join the bigger kids and tell me all about it late at night. One night while tucking Ayla in, I asked her what her favorite part was:
"THE SHOW" (drama) she quickly replied....then added, "oh and the crafts, and the zoo, and the singing, and the yummy snacks, and Reece (the puppet)." Every morning she'd wake and ask if it was PBS (VBS) time yet. Incrediworld sure helped reinforce to them how awesomely incredible our God is and how the Bible's word is always true.

I am beyond thrilled to have a little time off of work this summer!!!!! I am only working two days in June so for the rest of this month, it's mommy time!! I will go back to working 2 days a week for July and August until we head TO AFRICA TO GET ADDY. With all the new literacy initiatives for our school district, there is a lot of work us coaches have to do this summer. AND, whatever I work this summer will offset my 12 weeks maternity leave, so it's all good:)

 The new house is coming along!!!! It's crazy how Bobby builds houses every day and there is so much of it that I did not know or understand! We got our flatwork poured on Saturday, lumber will be delivered this week, and then Bobby will start framing. He gave me a list of assignments to do today: pick out doors, showers, and faucets and get an appointment made to go over cabinets and siding this week.

Pre-Flatwork

Watching the flatwork being poured (after swimming lessonsJ)

And now for what you're really here for......the adoption process;)

If you've been reading you know we were submitted to court on May 11th. On that day we were told we should expect a 3-4 week wait before we received judgment. On May 29th we received an update stating: I've been notified that your case is currently on the docket to be approved and finalized at the end of this week or early next.

Now it is June 11th and we have yet to hear anything about our case (while we get update after update from other families who have received judgment). I'm being honest when I say I am extremely discouraged! And while I'm being honest, I must say I am sick of people saying, "God's timing is perfect" or "it's worth the wait." I am not saying I don't agree with BOTH of those statements...but it's H-A-R-D. I want my baby girl in my arms.

Last week we had a couple of conference calls with our agency. They are changing the process and are no longer going to have families file their I-600 (application to the US to bring Addy here) in the DRC but instead we will be filing it in the US. The reason behind the change is the DRC government is very different than ours and their sense of urgency, practices, etc are so unpredictable. Some families have travelled and ended up staying for 5 weeks. With us filing in the US we may have to wait a little longer to travel to the Congo, but our "homecoming" date will not change. Instead of being in country for 3-5 weeks, we will only be in country for 3-5 DAYS. As hard as the wait is, that timeframe helps us out tremendously. Not only is it VERY expensive to stay in the DRC, but we are also leaving behind our three rugrats...and 3+ weeks is just too long.

I know most are now wondering what that means for our timeframe...and I'm not going there today! I'm having an emotional day and honestly, I HAVE NO CLUE. Once we receive word on our judgment, I will have a few more answers on the steps from here....but for now, it's back to the "TRYING TO BE PATIENT" game. I tend to believe I am a pretty darn optimistic person....but I'll admit today, my optimism is half-empty;) 

It's one of those days in which I can't seem to imagine the end.  It's a day in which I get mad just thinking of how much of the "firsts" I'm missing in Addy's life.  Babies change soooooo much during these months, and I won't be able to write so many things on our calendar (first smile, first rolled over, first laugh, first food, etc).   Does she sleep through the night?  Does she like being rocked (if she's rocked)?  Is she tickleish?  How big is her smile?  How much does she weight?  What size clothes is she wearing? 

We sent another care package to Addy last week. Praying she gets it and that she will learn to love this little star and the voices of her mommy and daddy singing to her....

With my voice I cry out to the Lord;

with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord.

I pour out my complaint before Him;

I tell my trouble before Him....

I cry to you, O Lord;

I say, "you are my refuge,

my portion in the land of the living."
Attend to my cry.

Psalm 145

P.S. Sorry about this Half-Empty Optimism post....sometimes it feels good to just be honest and not sugar coat things;)

Love From Our Family to YOURS!