Thank you

Well, I dont know who all prayed for a good weekend, but it was much better than expected.... so I thank you sincerely.

Saturday was not great... I felt very taken advantage of by some people, but what can you do? But that night, we had a good dinner and time with some old friends.... the night ended on a wonderful note!

Sunday.... well, Sunday, just exceeded my expectations.... it was wonderful... hearts are finally beginning to ever so slightly soften.

No worries about this weekend... its all good... Ill tell you more about it next week.

So now, we just sit here and wait for approval... hoping it comes this week.... really, really hoping and praying.

In the meantime, I am getting all of our dossier together.... the main thing missing is our medicals - and we go for those next Tuesday... so I am hoping to get our approval this week and then send in our dossier next week..... honestly, it probably wont happen that way, but that is what I want to happen... :)

I just saw this on another blog and it made me cry (its not really hard these days, but this is really good!).... its only 6 1/2 minutes... you may recognize this young man (and his dad) from Extreme Home Makeover.... :)


Again... thank you for standing in the gap with me.... its nice not to be alone.

ok, what am I missing... how come you cant comment on this post... or is it just me? (I guess that is kind of a dumb question if you cant comment to answer it)

*oh, and if you ever wanted to know anything about me, Im taking questions on my other blog, http://www.talleyimages.blogspot.com/

Fingerprints are done!

We went yesterday and had our fingerprints done.... in and out in 15 minutes... easy peazy... :)

We were the only people in there that didnt work there, so we walked right in, filled in a form, they scanned our fingerprints and off we went to enjoy the rest of our day.

I actually thought they still used ink to do fingerprinting... Im so old school.... imagine how much longer that would take to get approval that way.

Lets hope and pray for a quick approval. Now we wait.

Yesterday was such a blessing in that I also got to spend the day with Daniel. Since he is going back to school and I do the photography thing and we love to spend time with our kids... well, that doesnt leave us much time together. So we visited World Market and the party store and picked up a few decorations for Chinese New Year (Im so excited!)... we went to our favorite thrift store and of course, Target! And then we had a wonderful sit-down dinner.... ahhhh, the life.

Then we came home and visited with our kids for little bit before they went to bed.... we also surprised them with a balloon - they were thrilled.... Gabe was feeling a bit puny yesterday, but has since picked up this morning, so off he went to school - it was a fun day today so we didnt want him to miss if he didnt have to.

Yes, I am feeling better.... yesterday was a good "time out" for me.... this weekend is ramping up to be a doozy though so I may be beat down again come Monday... :)

Again, please pray for this approval... I know God is in control and His plans are best... but honestly, I would love to travel at the end of July or the first week in August..... before Daniel is back in school - 1. I would hate for Daniel to miss a week of class - that doesnt look good and doesnt help in getting good grades.... 2. I dont want Daniel to miss out on any bonding time.... but that is just my limited human perspective. I know God knows best, but I know He also loves to hear from His children.... and He loves to move for the orphan.... :)

I dont think Ive said it enough.. but thank you to each and every one of my readers and followers and commenters and emailers.... seriously, you are God's hands/feet/ears/mouth to me alot of days.... if I could send you all a cake, I would (unfortunately, we are saving for an adoption - go figure! and shipping would just defeat that purpose).... I am so, so grateful for each of you.

Ok, thats its for today... just a happy post (I heard that sigh of relief).... hopefully, I will have good news about an approval soon!

Happy weekend! Enjoy it for all its worth!

Fingerprinting

The next day after that last post, we got our fingerprint appointments in the mail! Color me happy!

We go this Thursday! And its in Birmingham! I was so excited to read that b/c we didnt know they did them in Birmingham.... we were hoping for Memphis (3 hours away) instead of Atlanta (5 hours away) and God gave us Birmingham (only 2 hours away).... in the afternoon, which means Daniel doesnt have to miss class...

Very excited.... please pray that both of our prints are acceptable and we get approval shortly after.

And yes, I left you hanging with that last post... I know, I know... but it will be worth it when I can share, I promise!
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I have been debating on writing this or not, but I want to be real....

*this has nothing to do with our family or the adoption*

Lately, my soul has been taking a beating... it is bruised and raw and exposed... I am tired. I am tired of fighting. But I know the fight is worth it.... I know it is. But can I endure?

God keeps calling me to this mission, but He provides no rest. I feel like I am treading water - working hard, aching, but moving no where.

I feel like I need a break.... from everything... About a week to myself.... but it isnt coming.

To be honest, church is sucking the life out of my soul.

That hurts to say, but there it is.

Im praying for God to speak again... All I hear is "just keep going"... but Im wondering how much longer I can....

Sorry to be a downer.... Im debating on making some chocolate cupcakes tonight... :)

Any prayers for sustenance would be appreciated.

Thank you for reading my blog.... how cool is it that we are all so connected in this way.
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Again.... yay for fingerprinting.... let's hope for quick approval! And I promise, the secret is so worth it.... :)

Home Study Arrival

After a bit of initial confusion, we learned today that our home study had arrived at the Hague office.... :)

Now we wait for our fingerprint appointments.... and then we wait for approval.....

Oh, I cant stand it! Im so excited!

Not much of a long blog post, but still a huge step in the process...

(if only you knew what I knew.... but my lips are sealed until a better time)

The Next Step...

We got word yesterday that on January 7th the state of Mississippi reviewed our home study, approved us and mailed our paperwork to immigration...

So now we just wait for our fingerprint appointment... and then approval for that.

Next is the dossier and approval for that and then we wait to travel...

Woo hoo!

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In other news... Daniel and I could use a few prayers... I dont want to talk too much (and it doesnt have to do with the adoption), but we are facing some serious spiritual warfare right now. Please pray for guidance and direction for us. And that God be glorified no matter what happens.

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Daniel and Emma both have started at the W and Gabe has started back to kindergarten... Gabe and Emma are really enjoying where they are at. Daniel is taking a little bit to get adjusted to going to school for 20 hour, working 20+ hours, working at the church and helping with the family. He'll get it though.... last year with 21 hours, he got all A's except for 1 B.... awesome!

We are making it.... life is good.

I love each one of you.

Approval

Looks like our home study was approved today... woo hoo!

So we will probably be sending off our I800A application tomorrow.... so excited to finally be getting this in the mail. I really dont have any idea how long it takes to get approval for this but we are one step closer.

After we are approved, then we will be given a fingerprinting date.... not sure if it will be Memphis or Atlanta - hope its Memphis b/c its closer.

After the fingerprinting, comes the I800 application. And then the dossier. And then we get matching approval from Hong Kong. And then we just wait for travel.

Yes, I know I already covered all this, but Im excited.... :)

Oh, and for anyone who cares.... I had a good birthday. Nothing too exciting. Could someone please remind Daniel this year that I would actually like to have a birthday cake - or ice cream - or something.... :)

Anyway.... wanted to say current on my dates for this process.... 2010 is going to be a good year... I can feel it in my bones.

Im Back...

And better than ever....

I never did really get into the "Christmas spirit" but I will have to admit this was one of the best Christmases I can remember...

Christmas started the 20th at my grandparents house.... the whole kitchen and dining room was full of family and food.... nice.... after eating, the kids got down to business and tore into the presents.... we stayed most of the afternoon, just visiting and letting the kids play

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, I stayed home with the kids and we played and watched cartoons all day... and each night, they recieved 2 presents and we ate dinner together and then watched a Christmas movie or cartoon.

Thursday night... Christmas eve... we went to Communion and then to my other grandparents house.... another night of family, food and presents for the kids.... a good time was had by all

Friday... the kids got their stockings with just a few little things - new plates, bowls silverware, socks... and then we went to my mom's house.... one of her main love languages is gifts, and she loves her grandkids.... she also made a huge, spectacular breakfast.... all of us left her house a little bit more spoiled

We then came home and took naps... :) Except for my most awesome husband who put presents up and got things ready for the party that night.

We then got the party started with a few Christmas records, a sweet friend who came over, and a wonderful dinner. We then read the Christmas story and talked about it for a minute. We ended the night with a Hermie Christmas cartoon.

And for one of the first times in a long time, I didnt have that perpetual letdown feeling that usually ends Christmas night.... the one where you look at all the gifts and wonder why you dont feel better.

Daniel and I sat on the couch that night after the kids went to bed and smiled and recounted our blessings....

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In other good news.... our home study is about to be sent off for approval. Hurray!

More good news.... our social worker has really stepped it up and done a really good job lately (and yes, I feel bad for complaining so much - boo on me)

Once we get approval for the home study, then we will file the I800A which says that we are approved to adopt. After that, fingerprinting. Then the I800. Then the dossier. Then we wait for approval from Hong Kong. After that, its just waiting to travel.

Are you getting excited? I am.

Feels like the ball is finally rolling. :)
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I just wanted to take the time to wish all of you a wonderful New Year.... 2009 was really great, and I am anticipating 2010 to be even better. I hope that you experience many blessings in these last few days and that you experience Christ even more in the new year.