All in His Plan

He reveals himself more and more in this process.

Today in the mail Brennan received a free supplemental learning package from Highlights magazine. We opened the package and much to our jaw dropping disbelief we found this:

What a Surprise!

Yes,  the Guide to China! What timing!  It came with all kinds of activities - world maps, play passports etc...  I was in awe.  What a great tool for the boys to enjoy before we travel.

Just had to share.:)

Also - today received an email from our adoption agency stating that our girl had the TB skin test as a proactive measure.  They do this ahead of time to try and catch medical conditions so they can be treated prior to our arrival.  Since she is over the age of 2 the medical checks to leave the country involve more.  She will have to have a blood draw add to all the other screenings.  Good news as -   ---initial screening was negative.  Praise God!

We are counting down the last few steps:

• Finish last documents for Dossier
• Agency review and translate Dossier
• Mail Dossier to China and get Logged in
• LOA Approval of Our Girl
• 800 - Immigration for our girl
• Article 5
• Travel Approval -  to China in 3 weeks (I am guessing by end of year)

Please continue to pray over these last steps specifically:

• That if it is in God's will he will continue to provide us with a smooth and timely process
• That we will continue to embrace each of these last steps and learn from each and every experience
• That our girl is being well cared for and staying healthy
• That our girl is being prepared for our arrival and calm will come over her when she meets us (this is a very difficult one - need extra prayers in this area - not sure who will be crying more - me crying of joy, happiness and amazement or her crying in fear as she leaves everything she knows to be with her forever family - such tug of emotions for all of us)  Please ask God to comfort us and give us peace in this time
• That God will continue to provide for this process.

We are extremely grateful for this journey and very grateful for everyone's loving support and kind words.  We could not do this without all of you.  Thank you. 

Love - Traci xoxox

The Blessings found along the way

Yes, summer flew right by.  I can't believe the boys will be back to school in less than 2 weeks.

We have really had an awesome summer.  I will have to say I was very nervous about having them home all summer.  How would things go?  I knew we could not spend any money on camps - so this was our option.

I have come to the conclusion that this adoption has been super beneficial for us in so many ways.  God is working out his plan to grow and shape us in so many ways:

1.  The boys being home for the summer was of great benefit as the brothers became very close and really learned to get along as well as respect each other.  They are truly best buds and show love for one another.

2.  The boys learned to cook, clean, take care of plants, help out with the dogs, juicing, eating healthy, a little gymnastics here and there,..........  I know it is kinda of funny to hear.  Sounds like I am domesticating them - but truly they are learning about everyday life responsibilities this summer.  Reading and school enrichment activities were included as well but I have seen a huge difference in their "life skills"the most.

3.  Brennan learned to help mow the yard.  He was very excited to earn his wage of $4 (he set the wage).  Carson did not get off Scott free.  He helped pick up sticks and with weeding a bit.  He was so proud that he pulled 20 weeds.  Great job Guys!

4.  Couponing - I was never huge on coupons.  I enjoyed finding a good sale but I never really worked at coupons.  I am forever grateful for friends encouragement to keep me going and trying this Art!  It is an Art and a blessing!

5.  Attending Church as a family - for the first time ever in 8 years we have been attending church together as a family.  Brian would go here and there but not as regular until the adoption process.  Now we all Go - Miracle!

6.  Budgetting - I have to tell you we are trying our very hardest to make this work financially - but it is not easy.  Fund raising is very difficult and options and support are becoming slim.  I am staying very positive and persistent that God will provide. We are budgeting like crazy - happily cutting out many things that we would not otherwise.  Blessing in Disguise!

7.  Even the most frustrating things such as all of the paperwork and running around were all blessings in disguise.  I can see us growing everyday in this process.

8.  More time at home means more Board Games - yes, the boys are obsessed with Monopoly.  They have learned to make deals on properties - manage money etc....  Once again lots of life lessons.  Their love managing and developing their own cities in Megapolis as well.  I laugh when I hear them state that they need to go check a contract or they need to collect taxes.

9.  Forts and generally house disarray.  I have learned to be OK with a little mess day to day.  As my husband says - kids thrive in mess as it makes them comfortable and creative.  Creative yes I will agree with  - creating forts and all kinds of mazes and obstacle courses with blocks and dominos.  This has been work for me though - another one of God's plans as I tend to like everything cleaned up but realize I would take away from their "work of creativity"  if I was constantly frustrated with the "creative messes".  Soon enough they will back to school and things shall be tidy again.  Soon enough they will be grown and out of the house and I will probably be looking for a "mess" to enjoy- Ug

10.  I enjoy/like to have control - be proactive on things.  Wow!  this situation has taught me that no matter how fast I prepare the paperwork, no matter how fast i send off papers - this is all very helpful of course but ulimately there are things I can not control such as - the agencies preparation of papers, the governments preparation of papers, China's preparation of documents etc....  So much of it is out of our control and we give this all to God and know that it will work in his timing.  This has been such and comfort in these times.

11.  We submitted to God when he called us to adopt - even when we did not know financially how it would all work.  There were many fears but we moved forward resting in the comfort of God's love that this would all work out.  Trusting in Gods plan and not our own - Blessing!

12.  I have had to become very strong to fight for what I believe in.  That orphans are important to us and they deserve a life, a forever home and loving family.   This was difficult - but it was part of God's plan to make me stronger in what I /we believe in and to be a Voice for the least of these.

I could go on and on about the many Blessings of this Adoption process.  I am so amazed already about God's work in all of this.  I can't wait to see what is to come as we Grow through next and last bit of challenges.

Thank you again for all of the prayers.

Love -
Traci xoxo

July 20th - Good News - I797 received.  This means that homeland security has received our paperwork to begin the immigration and fingerprinting process.  Just another step in the process to check off.  Yeah

Today is my younger sister Shawnda's birthday as well!  Two great things!

We are on our to visit my mom for the week.  This will be very nice to spend some family time and have a change of scenery.

I have really enjoyed having the boys home this summer.  Everything has worked out well.

We have worked on summer workbooks, lots of reading (mostly obsessed with the Magic Tree House Series), audio books in the car (again Magic Tree House mostly), attended vacation bible school, grew lots of plants (tomato, pepper and various flowers), lots of swimming, a little gymnastics and fitness, baseball throwing and catching, Monopoly, the game of Life and most recently the Megapolis game.  Yes, they are learning to build cities, manage them, collect taxes etc. It is really something else.

My favorite deals for the summer were - $1 movies at the local theatre and Free weekly bowling.

Another big hit was a trip to the Science Museum.  Our local Science Museum was recently remodeled and now includes a larger aquarium section that is very nice.  That was a great day!

Last but not least we have worked on nutrition.  Lots of smoothies and juicing over the summer.  I can say both of the boys do not mind wheatgrass.

Moving right along

We are moving right along in the adoption process.  Today we completed our fingerprints to receive I800a immigration approval.  1800a approval document is the last paper that we need to complete our Dossier for China.  Hip Hip Hooray.

We are getting down to the last final steps:

i800a approval - 1-3 weeks
Certify and Authenticate the last few docs - 2 weeks
Review and Translate Dossier by Adoption Agency - Not sure how long this will take.
LID - Dossier Logged in with China
LOA - Final Approval of our Girl
i800 - Immigration process of the child we wish to adopt
Article 5 - Yes, the child is able to immigrate to the US
Travel Approval by China - Yes, we can come get her

Hard telling how long this could all take.  I am sure we will know more once we are logged in with China.

Very Excited!

Please continue to pray over this process.  We truly feel that God is on our side in this process.  When we walked into the immigration office today 10 days before our actual fingerprint appoint and requested that we go early - we were immediately accommodated.  The process was very speedy.  We were very leary about going early but knew we had to try as 10 days makes all the difference.  Praise God!

We will be planning a yard sale sometime in September to help raise funds for this adoption.  If you have items that you would like to Donate, please let us know.  We greatly appreciate it.

Love,
Traci xoxox

July Update

I know - It has been sometime sense my last blog!  There just has not been much excitement! 

We had a fabulous 4th with great friends!  The boys and I are having a great summer staying busy at home with projects.  Brennan got a microscope and telescope as well as a few fun science kits that we have been working on.  Carson learned to ride a two wheel bike!  Lots and lots of swimming and staying cool in the pool of course.  I can't believe how fast this summer is going by.  I just want it to slow down. 

Well, today much to our delight and surprise, we received an update on our sweet girl.  They state that Our sponsorship of her has given her the ability to have better care and progress much better.  Her foster grandma loves to dress her up and take her out to show her off.  They say she is very pretty and very smart.  (Of course, I think so! I am her mother:) After her foster grandma mops the floor she helps out by bringing the trash can over.  When her foster grandma starts cooking dinner she will help out by getting out utensils and chop sticks.  She is well potty trained and gets her foster grandma up in the night when she needs to use the bathroom by telling her “pee-pee”!  I love seeing this picture of her observing her toys.  Thank heavens she is being allowed to enjoy and observe her toys.  She has a passion for learning!  Her hair is growing a bit too!  She is still just 28 pounds but she has grown an inch.  She is 35 inches tall now.  She is so precious!  We cant wait to love on her and play with her and make her a part of our family!  Thanks so very much for all of the prayers!  They are working in the evidence of her progress!.

We got a picture - but for whatever reason I cant get it to work on here.  Sorry!

We are moving forward in the process as well!  Today our I 800a immigration was sent off.  Yeah - for progress.  We have finalized our home study - Hooray for that as well. 

Ok - I got the picture to work.  Had to copy and paste and snap a picture with my phone but I got it. 

Please continue to pray as we go through this process:
That Alivia Grace will continue to progress and remain healthy.
That she will know that she has a family waiting and excited to welcome her.
For strength and patience as we continue to wait out this process.
We pray for her birth mother that she knows that her daughter will be well loved and cared for.
We pray for her foster family as they care for her in this time.
That God will provide the funds needed to complete this process.

Thank you so very much!
Love - xoxo
Traci

Family Photo Shoot Day

Family Photo Day! 

Summer Fun Has Begun.....

Despite our efforts to have a Tennis Fundraiser event, the weather just did not cooperate at all.  So we will reschedule for a later date when the weather is a bit more stable.  The courts quickly flood with a down poor. 

Anyway ----

We kicked off summer with a fishing trip with our good friends on their boat.  They were so kind to invite us out - However,  I am very prone to motion sickness and the waves were not as low as we had hoped.  Needless to say the ride out was great, but once the we stopped and the boat started rocking forget it.  Done - Over!  Despite my efforts to take motion sickness medication, wear motion sickness wrist bands and chew ginger gum all at the same time - still no luck.  I probably needed to take the motion sickness medicine an hour before.  Anyway - they quickly got me back to shore and I spent the next couple of hours recovering and watching the boats go in and out of the marina.  I was very happy to be on land and just watch! :)

Anyway - Everyone else has a great time.  They caught several snappers and some mahi.  We had a great dinner that evening!

Let's just say Brian and the boys went fishing alone with our friend yesterday and I used the day to be kidless and have some me time.  They were successful fisherman once again and brought home several snapper for dinner.  I made a new marinade of garlic and ginger, fresh dill, olive oil, aminos by Braggs, blackened redfish seasoning and some lemon juice. Soak the fish in this, so yummy!

The boys and I are at home for the summer and we are finding our routine. In the morning the boys complete their summer study (consisting of reading, summer workbook, bible and an optional subject) , help out with chores and then fun activities. I have signed us up for the Free Bowling for the summer and the $1 summer movie club at the local movie theatre.  Today we saw Ice Age.  Even though we have seen some of these movies, it is always fun to go to the theatre.

Adoption News:

Our Homestudy is complete!  This is huge.  Now to complete immigration and then complete the dossier to send off to China. 

Earlier this week we sent out a  second care package to Alivia Grace.  This consisted of a little dress, sandels, toys for her doll that we sent in the first package, more pictures and a lovey blanket.  We hope this brings a smile to her precious little face and that she will come to recognize us through the pictures. 

Nothing else to report!

Love,
Traci xoxox