Packers

The movers came today. A crew of just three people were able to pack up our entire life in just about 9 hours. That has NEVER happened. They were early. They were polite. And best of all, they didn't smell like smoke. I was an extremely happy customer!

Our friends (Air Force family that we knew in Carolina) the Davidsons have 3 boys and live in the neighborhood. They've invited Nathan to visit them each afternoon since his house is being packed/is all packed up and there isn't much to do. They keep telling me that it's no big deal and that having an extra kid there helps to keep their kids from bickering. I understand. But it's all I can do not to wrap my legs around her waist and kiss her face each time she tells me it's no big deal. The Lord has blessed us with some amazing friends!

They had allotted 3 days to pack us up so now Andy and I have two "free" days before the madness begins. The boys are still in school. This is working out pretty well!

Cross country move with an international adoption in the middle

I think we will deserve some sort of organizational award when this is overwith.

Here's what our month looks like...

14-17 May packers and truck driver
18-19 May clean house/have it cleaned
20 May leave for Oklahoma
21 May arrive at Val's
23 May leave for Taiwan (arrive 24 May)
25-27 May Taipei 101, Flower Market, Night Market, Jade Market, etc...
28 May take High Speed Rail down to Tainan to meet Katelyn
29 May Visa appointment at AIT
31 May leave for Oklahoma
9 June Andy flies to Alabama
10 June Andy out processes and flies back to Oklahoma
12 June leave Oklahoma...Vegas or Bust!
19 June household goods delivered to our new house in Vegas

I'm tired just listing it out!

But it's all coming together and I'm so happy!

Travel Dates!

We got travel dates! You must read that in a sing-song voice because that's how I'm saying it. We got our travel dates!!!

The final decree has been signed (don't know the date) and they want us there on May 28th. We will put our arms around our girl on May 28th and we. can't. wait.

Now we just need to you know, work out the whole cross country move thing. YAHOO I've never been so happy to be stressed out about how to make this all work. Ha!

Just kidding Idaho..how about Vegas?

So, the medical clearance for Mountain Home was denied. I'm beginning to get a complex.

And so we waited a few days and suddenly, we're now going to Las Vegas. AFPC looked at medical stuff first and THEN made the swap. Love when they're smart about stuff.

And sure enough, the hospital at Nellis has given approval. We had to jump through several hoops, find a specialist there, and get letters from my doctor, and it worked. Someone finally listened!

We are SO excited! Now to find out the details of the move and the timing.

First Decree!

The first decree has been signed. Did you read that? The first decree has been signed! The judge in Taiwan has issued a judgement saying he believes this adoption is in her best interest and he intends to grant it.

YAY YAY YAY!!!

PTL!

Mountain Home AFB!

So today we received word that they are going to send us to Idaho. We will live on base in the designated house for the MXG Deputy. It's several miles from anywhere, but it's also extremely beautiful country.

I'm nervous about the altitude and not counting my chickens yet. We still have to get medical approval, but this is amazing and exciting. So blessed!

No thank you. Signed, Korea

Well it was denied. After all that...after the DOD changed their contract with the pharmacy, they've denied my travel.

Disappointed. Relieved. Anxious. And now waiting to see what's next. AFPC is looking to swap some people around and still put Andy in as a Deputy.

I really believe God has this and that He will put us where we are supposed to be. I can't help but be disappointed for Andy's sake. He was really looking forward to that job.

Onward and upward.

Deadline, what deadline?

So we got the letter from the pharmacy (stating in writing that they would ship my meds to me in Korea should we be approved). I skimmed the letter and realized that this company has now changed it's entire policy. Because of my doctor. Because of me. They will now ship to APO and AE addresses.

Now really, we HAVE to go now, right?

Which leads to... we are still waiting for approval from Osan. Maxwell submitted our medical clearance package on Thurs 2/28 (which is Osan's 3/1). Counting 14 days from then, we should have their decision no later than this Thursday 3/14.

However, we've learned that when it comes to us, deadlines appear to be merely a suggestion. Yesterday we learned that Osan didn't "accept" the package until Monday the 4th. That means they have until this coming Sunday. I'm not counting on hearing anything until Monday. At this point, what's a few more days right?

Today I sort of talked myself into thinking that this might actually happen. It would be such an amazing experience...I'm hoping for good news.

Nothing else..anywhere else. Katelyn will soon turn 7. I can't believe it will most likely happen before we can get to her. That was NOT my plan at all!

Last weekend, I went down to Orange Beach with the girls from our Connect Group.  The beach refreshes me, and I could walk, and sit out on the beach in the breeze, listening to the waves every. single. day. When I look out to the horizon and I can see the curvature of the earth...I am in awe of God. When I think of this world He created, and then remember that He cares about and loves little ol' me...I am so humbled. It's hard to wrap my mind around it.

The girls in my Connect Group...we laughed until our cheeks hurt. We talked about God, our children, shopping, adoption, waxing, husbands, waxing husbands (ha!), etc... you name it, we talked about it. Of course no girls' weekend is complete without the inappropriate fart machine, fake bugs, and Big Mama's Undies being brought out. I'm so thankful to be surrounded by this amazing group of Believers and it doesn't hurt that they laugh at farts. Yes, really.

So Spring is almost upon us. The weather is getting nicer, soccer has started, and we are counting down  the days until we can fly to Taiwan and bring our sweet girl home. Even the lady cutting the boys' hair today sounded doubtful when she asked for an update. When you have to convince the hair lady that you are indeed adopting, you know it's been too long! Call us please!

Skype # 9

I miss her so much already!

We had a great visit with Katelyn. She was in a different location this time (or so it looked) and we had different translators and such. Her foster mom was nearby of course and we were able to get the whole thing on video. Her foster mom was a big part of the session so I'm SO happy to have her on film for Katelyn to view later.

She received our care package (seemed to have just gotten it) and it was fun to go through it all with her. She immediately went for the chocolate coins and we discussed the pictures of the extended family some. She's very interested in the girl cousins, especially the ones who like to play with Barbie (that would be Regan and Tenley). They mentioned her favorite foods again and they include hot dogs, hamburgers, and chocolate. And she doesn't like to brush her teeth. She's going to fit right in.

We can hear that her english is improving bit by bit. She has lost several teeth too. I LOVE that gapped smile and can't wait to get that girl home. She also drew a pic for her brothers...what a neat keepsake if it survives until we can get her/it home.

She also talked about growing her hair out. Now THAT is something I can get behind. I mentioned shopping and going to the park and growing her hair out and fixing it. She just wants to shop and grow her hair out. LOVE!

We did ask if they had any idea about when we can come get her. They said they are guessing April, May at the latest. Can't it be tomorrow?

Another day closer...

God's work and our blessings

So my poor mom has been in the hospital. She started with a cold and through a (not so funny) comedy of errors, she ended up with pneumonia, 3 broken ribs (from coughing), and some internal bleeding. She's on day 3 in the hospital and wants desperately to go home. They've got everything under control and she's feeling better, but her heart is racing (atrial fib). The docs have to figure out the right combination of meds to get her heart rate down, and then she's home free.

I hate living so far away when things like this happen. But I'm thankful so many prayers have been answered and that she's on the mend.

It's Friday night and I simultaneously hate and love it. It means all of the courts in Taiwan are closed. The doctor in Korea is not at work. Bad because don't need any breaks in the game, good because I can take a couple days off from wondering.

I'm happy to say that 5 years ago I would have been obsessed about it all. But it is literally by the grace and peace only God gives, that keeps me at whack level 5, not 10. Prayer has been such a big part of this journey and I'm really thankful to have grown in that respect. You go into an adoption with thoughts of growing your family, giving an orphan a home, and with a full heart. Months/years into it (and before your goal of bringing that child home is met), you look around yourself and find these glorious examples of God working in your life and you realize WE are the ones who are benefiting here.

I swear (and perhaps I shouldn't swear?) that it's as if God is sitting in our recliner...with us each day, observing it all, and rejoicing in the times that we "get it." We've had multiple instances in the past 2 yrs where we looked at each other in awe. God's work is amazing. When we see His hand touch this process, it is both heartwarming and mind blowing. Is it inappropriate to want to fist bump him and give him a little good game pat? Seriously, I get so excited and happy and I just can't stand myself.

Those who adopt will say this, but I truly get it myself now. WE are the ones who have been blessed here. And not just by having the privilege of parenting another child. No. Our blessings come from experiencing God on a very personal level. The blessings come when strangers know things, donate things, say things, show you things....all while not knowing about your adoption/upcoming bill that's due/that you're adding a girl to a family of boys. Non-believers would classify these moments as "random" or "coincidental" and they couldn't have it more wrong. God is working it, He knows what's up and when this is going to be complete. I want to go NOW, but am honestly, for the first time in my life, thrilled to wait and go when His timing is right.

I wish every family could/would experience this. The things that happen along the way, that put you on the right path, that guide you to the right agency, to the right country, to that child born somewhere without a family...those experiences are priceless and you find yourself sitting in a quiet room. And you know He's there. You pray. You talk. You ask. You confess. You thank. And you walk away feeling amazing. And I wouldn't want to skip over any of those moments.

I didn't get to meet Gabriel. And I didn't hear a voice from high above. I haven't seen someone healed, or raised from the dead. But I know God is all around and part of this process. The miracles are happening...I just think in this big, busy world, we don't necessarily realize it. Adopt an orphan...you'll realize they're everywhere, multiple times. And YOU get to be part of it.

Those who know and love me will say I'm do a  notoriously horrible, no-good, terrible, awful job of waiting. But I'm genuinely calm and I honestly look forward to what's next Lord? What really cool, unexpected, amazing, perfectly timed move are You going to make next? We will Go where He wants us, Go when He wants us, and Wait when He wants us. And rest easy each night knowing that with His help, this can't be wrong. There are few things in life that are guaranteed, but I'll happily endorse this one....if God is part of your adoption process, no matter how/where/when/if it happens, it will be right. Period.

Oh and we get to Skype on Tuesday night with our sweet girl. Perhaps our last one before going to get her? A girl can pray!