Mother's Day

I have been emotional this week.  REALLY emotional.  You know the one were you know your husband is thinking "Just when I thought I found the bottom of her crazy I find an underground garage". That is the type of week I have had. 
I have tried to pin point it and I believe it is a combinitation of things.  One I am so ready for summer that I am about to explode but mostly it is my youngest sweet baby boy's Momma.  Not this one but the one who God chose to carry him as God knitted is sweet little body.  The one who lives in a country were abortion is common and could have aborted but didn't.  The one who for reasons I do not know felt like this was the only option.  I am grieving for her. 
I wish I could tell her that I love him.  I wish I could tell her that I am so thankful for her gift.  I wish I could hold her and pray with her.  I wish I could let her know that there is a Heavenly Father who loves her and created her and that she can trust Him. 

April Showers

Apirl 5th, the stress of the any minute call was about to kill me.  Everytime the phone rang I prayed that I would see that 503 area code on my caller ID.  It was Thursday and I knew my case worker was in the office working.  I also knew that this was my last chance at finding out if my LOC had come.  Tomorrow was Good Friday, AGCI would be closed and no work would be done that day.  I knew that if it had not come that night (China's Thursday) then I would have to wait until next Tuesday before I heard anything else from China. 
I decided to jump the gun and sent a quick text to my case worker wishing her a sweet weekend while she celebrated Our Risen Savior.  I also made a remark that I knew this was the last day I could find anything out.
Fifteen minutes later the phone rings and it is that beautiful area code that I have been looking for.  Then I think, "Oh Snap, what if she is just calling to tell me Happy Easter!".  Not that that is bad but my heart was racing and I was waiting with bated breath for the information I needed to press on in the adoption marathon.  I answered the phone and said "T, I hope you are calling for more than a Happy Easter!" She laughs (she is used to me answering my phone in such a manner).  Then with mischief in her voice she answers, "Well I do just happen to have an important piece of paper here." I'm not sure what exactly was said after that I just kept squealing and thanking God.  Thanking for His favor, thanking Him for taking care of this little boy and bringing us to him.  Just SO thankful. 
We then had to talk about all of the work that needed to be done which I only heard about half of it.  Thankfully she always follows up with a very informative email spelling out everything that I should be hearing but can't due to the squealing in my head.
We took the whole next week filing paperwork.  We of course are still trying to expedite, we are still in the air for travel.  Our best quess is 8-12 weeks from LOC.  So we wait and see.  As of this date it would be 4-8 weeks till travel. 

We received this picture 2 weeks after LOC plus a little update.  Our pumpkin is growing and has 2 new teeth.  He looks so good.  It looks like I might have 2 paci babies.  I must make a note to self to stock up on his type of paci while I am in China.  I also must comment on his hair. OH MY!  (Charity if you are reading this get your scissors ready he will have to have a trim when we get him home.  Heehee!)

The celebration of our Risen Savior was so sweet this year.  I have to admit that it suprised me a little bit.  I do better when it is in late March or late April but the early April always messes me up.  Rin was having a little bit of a rough morning thankfully she was able to get it together and enjoy her day.  FYI: This is the first time that she has gotten to pick out her Easter dress and has not been forced to wear something that I chose.

We spent most of the weekend visiting family and Sunday worshiped with our faith family.  It was amazing to see how much has changed in one year.  Last year we were in our old building and this year we are worshiping at a building for another church.  Open Door Baptist has been so kind to let us have our services there.  They have been such a picture of Christ's compassion.  I am so thankful we spent this Easter with them. 

As for our building, demolition was completed the week before the one year anniversary of the horrible tornado.  We will be building back and I look forward to watching us build back and I don't just mean the building but I mean the community.  I can't wait to see us be the hands and feet of Jesus in the community that will surround us.  Big God = Big Things.

I hope to have several short post for you over the next several weeks.  We are working hard trying to wrap up our school year.  We have several end of the year functions happening this month plus we are so close to getting to travel.

Yesterday we received our Approval for our I800 now we go to the Embassey for approval and then as China for travel approval.  I pray I am letting you know were we are and how we are preparing for travel soon. 

March Madness (lots of pictures)

If your looking for a bracket for the basketball tournament this isn't the post.  This is however a post of all of the madness that took place in our home during March.  Lot's of fun with a little disappointment.

March 8th was one month since we were told China would expedite.  It came and it passed. 
March 14th was one month since our log in date into the data bank in China.  It also came and went. 
That weekend we took the kiddos on a weekend trip to Chattanooga.  We knew that with baby boy coming home soon that a summer vacation was not in the books, so we took a little weekend trip instead.  We also combined it with Josiah's birthday.  He was willing to forfeit a birthday party to go out of town for the weekend.  I have to admit I wish we could do that for all of the birthday's but I don't think that is in the financial plans either.

Our first stop was Rock City.  A lot of fun and a tad bit scary!

Let me elaborate on the "scary" part.  I have a fear of heights and it is worse when my children are with me.  I noticed Ethan on the swinging rope bridge with Korinna and my heart sank.  Before I could get up there #2 and #3 and made their way to him.  Thankfully I had Leila on my hip.  I was keeping calm and thought if I took a picture then I could scurry them off of the bridge before someone plummeted to their death.  Unknown to me was that Ethan told the kids that when I got close to start jumping on the bridge.  It was not good folks, not good. 

After Rock City we got settled into our rental and headed out for dinner, donuts and a walk.  Dinner was decent at best but the donuts were phenomenal. 

I miss Krispy Kreme.

Okay funny story, I think anyway:  That night we get back to our rental and start the bedtime routine which sometimes is a lot like herding cats!  We had put Elaina and Leila in one bed and Josiah and Korinna in another bed.  Josiah was lamenting about how he wanted to sleep with Elaina.  We reminded him that he doesn't like to fall asleep but play when they sleep together.  Then the tears.   He then started telling us that he didn't like sleeping with Korinna because she scratches his face. 

Okay folks this is the child who has almost NO hand use. This went on for a few minutes before I noticed that Korinna was sitting perfectly still staring at Josiah with an almost maniacal grin on her face.  He noticed and said, "See, see she thinks it funny, she is gonna scratch my face."  Cue Korinna's giggling. 

Yep folks more tears, more drama and more giggling from Korinna.  It was hysterical.  My little girl who has so few ways to pester her siblings found a way.  And, I let her do it.

After a few minutes I told him to turn his back to her and she couldn't scratch his face.

The next day we headed out to the local zoo.  It was a perfect day.  Nice and cool.  What we call perfect Rin weather.

Let me share my crazy zoo story.  When I was taking the below photographs, I accidentally dropped my lens cover into the exhibit.  I was heartbroken.  E was a little sad but not mad.  Anyhoo, when we left the zoo (several hours later) and while I was getting everyone settled in the car I looked up and noticed that E was gone.  Assuming that he had gone to the Men's room I finished my work and got in the car.  After about 10 minutes he came back to the car and threw my lens cover in my lap.  I was shocked and surprised.  I quickly asked how he got it and with out missing a beat he told me that he had jumped the fence and retrieved it while no one was looking.  I had a romanticized response about how that was so chivalrous and I was so proud of my knight in a shiny suburban. 

Three hours later when I was recalling that amazing act of love and devotion I found out he asked someone to get it for him. His response to my question of lieing to me, "Well when you got I all doe eyed about it I just let it go."

 He is feeling very sneaky this trip.

 

Just for future reference Leila doesn't like a carousels.  Thank goodness we were the only people on them.

Last day was the Aquarium.  It was nice but the kids were starting to get ill for some reason un beknownst to us. Rin was acting all sleepy, Josiah was whiny, Leila was sassy and Elaina was ..... Okay, Elaina we didn't have a problem with. 
It was nice to enjoy our little vacation and just think about family right then and there.  On occasions my mind would wonder and I would think about our baby boy.
How would we do this trip next year with him?
I wonder if he and Leila will be like 2 peas in a pod or will they be so amazingly different? 
Will he like the stroller or will he want to be held all the time or want to walk all the time?
Will the animals scare him or will he love it and squeal and point with delight?
What adventure does God have in store for this little miracle of a little boy?

We returned to celebrate sweet Josiah's birthday the 22nd. 

He is a funny monkey. 

My first son.

 Chocolate Chip Pound Cake is his favorite birthday cake.  Lover of Star Wars and Lego's, Highly distractible, loves to be silly and likes to manipulate all of the situations to give himself the best odds to do what he wants to do.  This is his first year to play the piano and is doing well.  Getting him to read is like pulling teeth.  He only works fast if he wants to do something.  He is everything I have dreamed of in a little boy.  He makes me laugh and makes me cry, sometimes with in the same hour.  I wouldn't change anything about this sweet boy.

I then finished the month off with a weekend retreat for Adoptive Mommas (Created for Care).   Oh what a blessing to my soul.  And, my funny bone.  I was so thankful to be able to learn so much and worship so much with so many women who think and feel the same way I do.  God really comforted me in this time of waiting.  I was constently reminded that this little boy was His son and He was providing and watching over him.  When I arrived I was in turmoil over the waiting and when I left I had such a peace with in my soul. 

During "Date with God" I had someone pray for me.  She had asked about my adoption and my little boy when we finished she looked at me and said " I just want you to know that God is in the job of miracles and your son is one of them."  

Oh how I know that.  Little boy do you know how much God has protected you and guided you and placed you were you are for a perfect reason and His perfect timing.   

It was shortly after that when Ethan called to tell me that we had received our new I800A approval in the mail (we had to file a supplement 3 due to some changes that the Consulate has made).  One step closer to our baby.

It was a mad month but full of mayhem that I want to remember for years to come.  We made so many good memories.  During this process of adoption and homeschool and life I have really worried about whether I am stopping enough to smell the roses and play with the kids, and really learn what is going on in their hearts and lives.  I want to remember the silliness, the hardwork, struggles, laughs, cries, and all of the in betweens. 

An Information Dump

Okay guys I have a lot of tidbits to share so I am just gonna dump on here.

This following link is to a video from our agency, All God's Children.  They are highlighting some precious children that need a forever family.  I pray you will take a look and pray for these children.  They are too sweet and I have to admit that there are two on here that have my heart.  O since this was first released the little girl who has an eye problem and needs surgery has found her family.  Praise God!!!

  Hearts of Joy

Next this is a conference that is going on in Birmingham, Al.  One of the founders is a graduated with Ethan from high school and is also in the process of bringing a little one home.  I hope you will check it out and if you have this Saturday free you don't want to miss it.

kNOw Orphans

February was so much fun and so crazy.

We found out Korinna had a hairline fracture in her femur. 

She wouldn't bare weight on it for several weeks.  We kept on thinking it was muscular and after a week we started going to all of the physicians.  Physical Therapist agreed probably a muscle strain with us during that first week. Another week past and we went to see our pediatrican and we were sent for X-rays and again we were thinking a muscle strain.  Another week, we go see Orthapedist and he finds a fracture in this very small area.  Korinna was so happy to have someone tell me what was going on.  She didn't know it was broken but she knew the pain was real and something was going on.  After he told us of his findings, I was just doing everything I could do to keep it together.  I might have even asked the doctor if he was lying.
Thankfully for everyone, it didn't dislocate and he could tell that it had been healing for three weeks so no cast.  We just had to be very careful and promise not to call him a liar anymore.

We made some super cute Valentines this year.  Last year, we made lots of cute crafts and we reused most of them.  So this year we focused on some totally-awesome-pinterest-inpired Valentine's

The big girls Valentine's

Josiah's Valentine's

   We finished up our Upward Basketball season.  I will have to tell you this was our first time doing basketball and this program and we loved it.  Josiah played basketball and Elaina cheered.

(please excuse the really cute wild haired baby who slipped into the picture)

We sent our baby boy in China a care package.  We met someone who is adopting our little ones playmate and they are hoping to get to tour the orphanage and meet our little one while they are there bringing their baby home.  We are so excited for them and are anxiously waiting for them to bring their baby boy home.

We also did a lot of playing.  Only in Alabama can you play in shorts one day.

And sweaters and hats the next.

Last but certainly not least we started preparing a room for our sweet baby boy.  We are moving things around the house, carving out his own space.  We noticed after Josiah that any more children added to our household was gonna take some work.  When Leila came we got rid of a playroom for her bedroom. This go around, we have moved the crib into Josiah's room and given Leila a "BIG" girl bed (FYI: she loves it!!).  We are also moving furniture around to make room for more clothes.  I hope I get to share pictures of all of the projects finished.  Right now we are in the ugly phase.  You know, everything is everywhere and we are trying to put it all back together in some sort of orderly fashion. Basicly a HOTMESS!

We have good reports that indicate we could recieve our LOC in March.  After that if nothing else is expedited we could travel in 12 weeks.  But, if things continue to expedite we could go sooner.  I know there are still tons of if's, could's and but's.  It is actually getting funny because every step we take we think, "Okay, after this we should have a better idea of travel."  WRONG! We just ask that you continue to pray for our son and his health.  Also pray for our kiddos we will be going without them and we are all sad to be away from each other for that long. 

Happy Chinese New Year!!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!  Today China started their celebrations of the Lunar New Year.  The Year of the Dragon.

We celebrated at the Blankenship house as well.  We ordered pick up from our favorite Thia restaurant.  Now before you start, yes I realize I am not adopting from Thialand and that the food is different than Chinese food but it is my Chinese New Year and I will celebrate the way I want to! HA! 
We had a lot to celebrate so we ate like it was Thanksgiving but instead of Turkey and dressing with mounds of creamy sides I had eggrolls, Nam Sod, Spicy Cocunut soup, Thia Noodle, Spicy beef noodle and Pork Fried Rice.  Every person waddled out of our kitchen.  I love that the kids gobble up just about everything I put in front of their face.  Let me add a funny story to show you how much we ate.  About 15 minutes after we at dinner I was trying to get Leila in the tub when my comedian Josiah walks into the bath.
"Mom, you need to take my temperature." rather seriously, "No, Mom I'm serious. My tummy feels really bad.  I think I might be getting sick"
After I stopped giggling I reminded him that he at as much as Daddy had and what he was feeling was the feeling of being stuffed. 
So now that all the kiddos are in bed I can focus on all that we have to celebrate.  Friday the 13th was the day we sent out our last package of info to our agency for our Dossier.  It was received Tuesday and I had told T to do whatever she needed to do to get it to China.  Since my Dossier was only waiting I800A approval letter from immagration we were willing to pay the extra money to have it translated quickly so that it could GO, GO, GO!   If you are wondering how I got from the last post to this post it is because of you.  You have prayed with us, you how have encouraged and you who have shared tons of information.  You were used as one of God's instruments in His grand plan to move that paperwork. We found out shortly after my last post that because of our sons severe heart condition that we could ask for his file to be expedited.  So we filed the extra paperwork needed and on the 6th of January we received an email confirmtion that our file had been approved.  So now we just wait.  Wait.... Wait.... Wait.... Wait.....  If you know me than you know this is not my strength.  I don't wait well.  This week the Chinese Governement is closed for the celebration of the New Year.  I could wallow in my self pity or I could celebrate That is just what my little man did for his birthday.

This is what I woke up to Saturday morning.  Pictures from my sweet sons birthday party.  Doesn't he look good after just recovering from his second surgery.  I also love that he is wearing yellow this time around.  It has gotten very cold there and ther is not much heat so they wrap them up to keep them warm and toasty.  Look at his hair it looks like he needs a little trim above his ears.  I wonder if he will get one for New Years.  It is a Chinese tradition to get a hair cut for the new year celebration.  I hope you guys can feel the excitement that I have.  Lot's and Lot's to be thankful for. 

We still have a long road but I'm excited and I have faith. 

P.S. If the young lady from the pool reads this.  Timberdoodles, Apologia Science, Sonlight

P.P.S.S. Does anybody know were I got that temperature money ticker thingy on the side.  I can't find it and I need to change it.  It is driving me crazy.

Happy Birthday BABY!

Today is the celebration of a lot of firsts!
The first day of 2012
Our new sons first birthday
The first time I have not been with my child on their birthday.
The first time I am crying out to you guys and begging for your prayers and help!

 

Remember yesterday when I told you that immigration originally said that it would be 45 days for approval. Well, they have changed.  Let me rewind a couple of weeks.  I received a call from our agency letting us know that the Chinese Consulate was starting to deny dossiers if they had any documents that had notaries of 6 months old or older.  So we went through our documents and realized that our Birth certificates and our Marriage License had expiered the week before.  So we reordered.  Then we noticed that our medical exams were gonna expire soon as well.  So we started getting anxious about sending them in.  Since we were only so close to that 45 day mark we opted to wait and see if our immigration approval letter one come in and we could send it all together.  On day 53 we still had heard or received anything. 
E took off on Tuesday headed to Montgomery to have our information State Certified.  He should have known it was gonna be a bad day when he hadn't even gotten out of Tuscaloosa when he came to a stop light only to have his phone slide off the console and fall into his glass of water.  :( Then when he made it to Montgomery he realized that there were documents that still need to be county certified before they could be state certified.  One of those documents was the medical exams that we were getting close to expiring.  So he turned around and headed back towards Tuscaloosa.  On his way home he stopped at a Publix to pick up a few items for the house.  He threw them in the back of his car and headed back towards the house so he thought.  As soon as he turned a curve the items fell over and hit something in the back of car and broke.  Did I mention it was also his birthday?!
The next day E woke up and started the process all over again. First to our notaries office to have one more document notarized.  Then to the County Courthouse to have it County Certified.  Next, to Jefferson County to have 2 documents that were notarized in Jeffereson county County Certified.  Then back to Montgomery.  He had no problems this time (hee hee) and after he received all of the certifications he found a FedEx/Kinkos and "started making copies" (Does anyone else remember the copy man on SNL).  After all copies were done he overnighted it to AGCI.  I wonder if E did a little dance when he sent that package off.  Just kidding, all of us know E is not the dancing type.
While E was gone I had a talk with T from AGCI.  She really felt like I should give immigragtion a call and check up on the status of my I800A.  Well folks there is just no way to sugar coat this.  It was not good news.  I was informed that my case had not even received an Officer and it was going to be more like 90 days instead of 45 days and then she said it could be longer.  So if you haven't done the math that would put us at the beginning of February being able to submit all of our paperwork to China.  That was a punch in the gut.  Everyday we don't have that letter adds a day (or longer) til we can go bring our baby home. 
So this is were I beg for your prayers.  O to cry out to the Heavenly father and beg Him for His mighty hand to push that paperwork through. For protection of our sweet son and his body.  God has already given me peace and reassurance so now I just have to fight and pray him home.
While we are praying him home and finding every way we can to get him home sooner than later I am going ot keep myself busy.  I have a list of things to do around the house, 4 beautiful children who need me to love, nurture and teach them, a relationship with my husband that needs to be invested in and grown, time to pray to a loving, sovereign Father so that I can grow in my relationship with Him.  We will also be fundraising.  See the list below of some of the things that we will be doing.  If you would like to help out or have an idea then let me know.

• A raffle from a friend who does photography and is also adopting please go check it out at here
• Print created by a local artist (pictures to come) of a sketch of 5 eggs in a nest with the verse from Psalm 84:3
• In May we will have another Boston Butt Sale
• We are having a 147 million orphan button put on the blog so that you can click on that button and have it take you to our virtual 147 store to purchase gear.

And So....

I am catching everyone up on all things adoption so if you didn't see the last two post go here and here. 


I went back into the kitchen.  I sent out a few emails and with in minutes our information had been received and was being prepared to go to the Chinese government asking for permission to adopt this child.  We made the deadline with time to spare. 

(Our sons referral picture)

Over the next few days there was much paper work to do and calls to be made with our placing agency and our homestudy agency.  It was going to be 2-3 weeks before we would receive pre-approval.  During this time we were also putting the final touches on our Homestudy to file for our I-800A.  I will attempt to explain,  China allows you to receive a referral before your homestudy is approved and before a Dossier has been submitted.  A family can accept a “special focus” child while their dossier is being worked on, these are kids that are harder to place like older kids and children with medical needs.  Once the home study is done, which takes 2-3 months, families can select either a special focus child, or children that have been on the databank 2 months or more, but are not necessarily special focus.  Once their dossier is logged in, they can take brand new referrals, special focus children, or a child that has been up two months or more.
We received our pre-approval on Nov.3 the same day we filed our I800A immigration paperwork.  At that time we were told that it would take 45 days for approval.  So during that time we were able to contact someone in China to get an update on our little boy.  We used ladybugs and love and were floored when 6 days later on Novemberr the 14th we received 19 photos, 2 videos, and the answer to all of our questions plus some information that we hadn't asked for. 

(Second week of November)

I called Ethan talking very fast and almost crying especially when our information said that the orphanage was sending  him for his next heart surgery.  I was not prepared for that.  We knew he was going to need more surgeries but we thought that they would wait till we brought him home.  I have to admit I was torn about it.  I replied to our contact and asked if we could have some more information about the time frame of the surgery and if we could contact the orphange after the surgery to check on him.  On the 21st. we found out that he had left on the 16th for the hospital and the orphanage would call our contact when he returned. 
It was a long December not knowing what was happening with our son.  On December 19th we were informed that our son was on his way back to the orphanage.  Such relief, such Thanksgiving,  we were so excited to here that he had made it through surgery and was on his way back.  We ordered a care package to be sent to him and a birthday cake for his birthday (his birthday is January 2).
So now we wait.  I will post again on the first for his Birthday since his birthday is January 2nd we will celebrate it on the 1st since China is 12 hours ahead of us.  See you then.