Friends Forever?

Something I did not expect were the friendships and support I would find from fellow adoptive families. I have been amazed at the willingness of others to answer my questions, no matter how dumb, or have incredible patience when I asked the same question more than once. You know who you are.

I don't why this surprised me. I have appreciated the blog world immensely for providing insight into other families that look a bit like mine in one way or another. It helps to not feel alone because in the words of Sonia, "Adoption is not for wimps."

Thanks to a Yahoo group for the particular orphanage that Joshua is in, I already knew who these kids were in the picture that Andrea sent when she delivered our package. I have virtually met the adoptive moms and their families through their blogs.

All 3 of these precious children have life threatening heart disease. None of us knows what the future holds, only that these babes need their families AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Joshua, Joshua, and Elisyn

Elisyn will meet her new family in a few short weeks. Hopefully, our Joshua will be in our arms by the beginning of September and Sonia's Joshua will become an American soon after if all goes well.

Did you know that these two boys are best friends?

Jean not only continues to adopt from China (her family is amazing) but advocates for many older special needs children. She had both boys highlighted on the side of her blog where their families found them.

They will both be named Joshua and we hope to maintain a connection after we are all stateside.

How cool is that?
Peace little ones.

Each night I pray that your hearts will be healed both emotionally and physically as we prepare to bring you home where you belong.

Orphan No More

(Fixed the link, sorry)

When I saw Sonia's post I caught my breath.

Because you see, I have the same picture

of our own son in the big yellow egg.
Just like Sonia talks about in this post,

I can't wait to see the "after" pictures.

Orphan no more!

God places the lonely in families;
he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.
Psalm 68:6

Awesome Threesome

Our girl came for her weekend this month.

We are so blessed to have this time together.

I will give those deep dark pools whatever they want!
And now for tonight's entertainment!
Oh, no! He wouldn't.Yes he did.And she loves it.The awesome threesome.Trying out the unicorn style.
Beautiful.Surprise. Cracks me up every time.Erika took these bathing beauty pics and I love this one.
Grin, Micah, grin!He did it!When you are trying to unload your groceries and you have 3 little people, sometimes it is necessary to contain them in one place.Everyone was either working or at VBS this week.
I was blessed to have special time with my littles each morning.

China Pictures

I woke up hoping for pictures of our boy.

I was not disappointed.
Many heartfelt thanks to Andrea for delivering our package with love and taking pictures so that those of us at home can be connected to our kids who are waiting.

I am praying for Andrea and her daughter and her new son as they navigate China and prepare to bring him home. He is also a heart baby and it amazes me how we have bonded with people who are facing similar journeys. Andrea visited 3 children at Joshua's orphanage who all have extremely serious heart issues and she understands how precious the updates are when your child is so critically ill.

She reported that Joshua is sweet, adorable, bright, active, and happy. I love all those wonderful adjectives. He looks genuinely happy and excited to get the presents that we sent.
Andrea was even able to talk to the head ayi and the orphanage doctor for a bit more information on the heart kids.

Hoping our Article 5 is picked up this week.

It is really happening.

I am pinching myself.

We are adopting a boy from China.

I am making a list of the lists I need to make.

Actually I am spinning my wheels.

I am about to go with "as long as I have my passport and toothbrush I'll be good" mentality.

Andrea did confirm that Joshua is probably pretty close to size 5 clothes. I may get him a few size 4 bottoms just in case. Now I can start getting him some clothes and we can think about setting up the bed soon. He will only come with the clothes on his back. This is new ground for me as most of my other kids came with the ubiquitous black garbage bag of stuff. He will have NOTHING except a few pictures of him through the years.

Heart breaking.

For all my kids.

Not having anything tangible to document their past.

A hard journey.

Gone Again

She is gone again.

The big sister.

Off to cow camp.

Remember when we visited here a few weeks ago?
A job offer was tossed out and she grabbed it.

The cows were calling her name.

Which meant another farewell.

Good-bye sweet girl.
Good-bye little bro.
Good-bye little man.
Those stunning eyes say, "I WILL miss my people."Micah hung on.
Don't be sad sweet boy. It's for the cows.Love you buddy.Bye little sister.
It's ok, Cora. I will come back.
Give me a big sister squeeze.
Bye, Dad. I love you.The youngest middlest child is in severe trauma that
his older people are leaving him behind a lot these days..
Ready to roll.
Going, going,.....Gone.
I got two hugs.

Say hello to the cows for me.

Stay safe and be blessed.

A Noise In My Shower

There's a noise in my shower.
Not one,
Or two,
But three sets of little hands appear.Guess who?The sweetest surprise any momma could want!!!

Moving Right Along

Progress!

The State Department's National Visa Center has recently received your approval Form I-800, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative. This letter is to inform you that your petition has been forwarded to the appropriate visa-issuing post where the adoption interview will take place.

Back to China.

Paperwork.

Here.

There.

Back here.

Back there.

Really close now.

Frantic

Feeling frantic.

Somewhere between panic and full cardiac arrest.

It's not funny.

I know.

I feel like I am digging to China,

where my mother said I would end up if I kept scooping out that hole.

China is on the other side of the world, people.

Like globally opposite.

Apparently, I am going there.

I.CAN'T.BELIEVE.IT.

And yes, I'm shouting.

I could write a book about adoption pregnancy symptoms.

Weight gain? Yup.

Foggy brain? Indubitably.

Nesting? Paint cans stacked ceiling high.

Sleepless nights? Absolutely.

Worry about the future? Positively.

Packing for the hospital trip? Barely begun.

Great News and Paperwork Complications

GREAT NEWS!

I800 Approval came today and is winging its way to the National Visa Center.
Thank you, God. Your miracles continue to amaze me.

Thank you to our wonderful NBC officer.

Another step closer to China.

I keep watching the latest video that came in June.

Joshua asks, "When will you come and get me?"

My heart is aching tonight. I LOVE that boy.

He NEEDS his Mom and Dad.

Thanks to Andrea, a very special friend, we are sending a care package next week that will hopefully be hand delivered to Joshua. A sweet woman from church named Grace gave me several quilts. I decided to send them both to China so Joshua could give a matching quilt to his friend who also has serious heart issues.
I personalized the quilts.
This sweet boy will also be named "Joshua."
I miss him tonight. How do you so deeply miss someone that you have never met?
The backs are matching but the fronts are different. Lap size quilts.
We are also sending an instant camera to take pictures of the only home he has known for quite awhile.
And then there is the loot including candy and toys to share. Also a key ring with laminated pictures of the whole family.
I hope he will feel the LOVE that comes with these gifts.

Now on to the......

NOT SO GREAT NEWS!

The Chinese visa applications we sent out were the wrong version.

I sent them overnight to the courier.

China changed the rules as of July 1st.

Not everyone is on the same page.

Oh well, take 2.

We will try again.

I wondered why the lady on the phone asked me if I had any questions about filling out the form.

Now I know.

What if I don't know where we are staying?

No contact in China?

It's complicated.

Thank goodness we have a few weeks to pull this together.

Visas will come.

Arrangements will be made.

Soon, Joshua.