Night

As a child I was afraid of the dark, as most children are. But these days, night has become my best friend. And not because I am getting sleep, which I get very little of. But because it means that in a few hours I get to start all over again. That really bad day I had is all behind me and a brand new one awaits. Reminds me of the Lord's forgiveness. Even when I've done something that I am so embarrassed by, knowing that Jesus forgives and offers me a second chance is comforting, just like the night. So how did all this come about? Eli is cutting his top two teeth and in my experience they are the most painful to cut, next to the molars. So he did not sleep at all yesterday, cried and SCREAMED most of the day and wore both of us out. He ended up nursing to sleep last night and slept in my arms where he was comforted and warm. By this morning, he had rested well and those teeth seem to have eased up (at least for now). So night left yesterday behind and I am looking forward to a better day today. And just like Eli was comforted in my arms, I know I can rest in the arms of Jesus when I need comforted as well!

Pictures

I am really going to try to get better about posting pictures and other things about the family during this long wait. I am also trying to learn how to do this "stuff" just a little better, so hang in there with me. I've already made a few updates to the blog. Here is our 2007 Christmas Card Picture. The kids are 5, 3 and 5 1/2 months and a complete joy. For Christmas their daddy is building them a play house in the back yard. I will show pictures of it real soon. More later...

Review Room

Well Friends, our documents are out of the review room! Hallelujiah! Of course I never actually broke a sweat but it has been on my mind for the past month or so! This posted on the CCAA website: The CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents registered with our office before October 31, 2006. Our LID is October 27 so that is the date our documents were registered. Next we are moved into the matching room, where we may sit for a very long time. That is the news overseas, now for news on the home front. Our adoption agency emailed us to let us know it is time to refile for our I 797. This is the paper work that allows us to travel to China to adopt and bring home our baby. This paperwork has an expiration of 18 months so if we do not travel within the next 18 months we may have to refile again. The good news is that the first time to refile is free, except for the home study update. So what does refiling entail: a home study update where the social worker comes out to our home to conduct a review, getting our fingerprints again and filing some paperwork with the USCIS. Lots of paper work involved in bringing this precious one home. Speaking of precious, I get to spend time with a little baby adopted from China, one I prayed for over many, many months. And she is just the most precious little baby, beautiful, sweet spirited and she loves Eli. She loves me for having Eli!!! But seriously, being around her makes my heart yearn for my little one that is not yet here, but at the same time pacifies me for a little while. Thank you little love!

Way Overdue

Family and Friends,

This post is long overdue. For months I have written it in my head, thinking any day now I would have a minute. As most of you know, Jeremiah David Elijah was born July 3rd. What a tremendous gift God has blessed us with! He continues to bring much joy to us and is my prize for such a hard pregnancy. I've said it many times, if I knew I could have another baby just like him, I would go through that pregnancy again. However, Jeremiah and I believe God has other spectacular plans for our lives and we are trusting and also resting in him.

These spectacular plans seem to be in a holding pattern. The wait for a referral out of China has lengthened tremendously. What was once a 5-6 month wait has now become a 22-24 month wait and increasing each month. As of today, they have referred babies to couples who are logged in with China up to December 8, 2005. Our log in date is October 27, 2006. So we are still quite a ways out. On a good note, it appears from the Chinese Center of Adoption Affairs that they are now reviewing dossiers from October 2006. This is when they check your application to make sure everything was done appropriately and is correct and if there are any questions they will give us a call. We are praying that everything goes smoothly and there are no problems or set backs! We will know one way or the another in another month or so!

Life seems to be a waiting game, and the saying goes, "Good things come to those who wait" so we cannot wait for the good things to come. That said, we believe God has reasons for this wait, one we've already seen realized and his name is Eli. We are excited about the good things coming out of China for us as well!!!!

Just some funsies... We are finally getting a mini van. Ten years ago I would have never even considered driving one, and now I cannot wait for it to come in! We are expecting it today or tomorrow!!!!!! My sister is also pregnant again and we are so excited about this little one on the way. Madilyn is now taking dance (ballet and tap) and of course she is now all grown up. My mom still lives close by and we are enjoying the fellowship we have with her and the girls love the time they spend at her house.

Well my little blessing is calling for me in his sweet little voice to come pick him up from his crib. Thanks for checking in on us! I will be posting more later, and not taking so long this time!!!!

Homeschooling

This past week the girls and I traveled to Charlotte to be with Jeremiah while he was on a business trip. I took the opportunity to find some educational activities to do with the girls. We went to a great children's museum called The Discovery Place where there was a room just for their ages for them to explore, create and learn in a variety of situations. They also got to experience science experiments and interact in some hands on learning activities. They absolutely loved it. Another day we discovered a children's library called Imagin On and there they had a three dimensional interactive fairy tale exhibit where the kids got to explore popular fairy tales. Of course there was plenty of time for fun play as well. It was also the perfect opportunity for me to spend quality time with the girls, instead of feeling like I should be doing laundry or dishes. (I find that to be the most difficult part of homeschooling, seperating my work at home from the time I need to be focused strictly on schooling). It was a time that I truly appreciated the homeschool environment and the opportunities I had to watch my children learn and discover. Instead of defending it I embraced it. I am grateful for our decision to homeschool and the time it provides for us to be together as a family. After all, keeping them home in a safe and secure enviornment is just one of many reasons why we chose this course in life.

Defending

Our family is doing very well. We had a wonderful Christmas season and count our blessings. The top of the list of blessings are our wonderful children whom we adore. Watching them grow up makes us so excited we have two more on the way. Speaking of having two more on the way, it seems like more and more I am defending that fact of adoption and pregnancy. Either I feel like I am defending my abilities to have two more young children at home or I am defending our desire to adopt from China. But I am learning to stop trying to make everyone understand and allow God to take care of that. I am learning that I don't have to explain myself to everyone. So as we continue to wait for our two precious children to arrive, I need to remember that instead of defending myself, I need to thank God for the two more blessings he is bestowing on our family.