Packing and Trip Prep

This past week or so has been quite busy for me in preparation for our first trip. Wes has been out of town for 2 weeks at training, and he just got home late last night. His flight was delayed, so I had to put Kate to bed, and then scoop her up and put her in the car at 10:30 to go get Wes at 11:00 last night. She slept until he got in the car, and then all she could do (with a glazed look) was smile and kick her legs in excitement! It was so cute!

I feel like we're in good shape overall, but our visas didn't arrive today like they were supposed to. I've left a message, and I hope things are on track for us to receive them on Monday before we travel on Tuesday.

Since Wes has been out of town, our only day for medicals is Monday. So, we have to drive to Nashville (to see our doctor we had before we just recently moved who has done other paperwork for us) Monday morning, get our xrays and all our other paperwork done, and then drive back home to Jackson. Hopefully, Kate can take a nap at home. Then we'll load everybody up (including the dog to be dropped off at Grandma's) and head to Memphis. We'll spend the night there and leave Kate, then head to the airport the following morning. That is, of course, if we get our visas in time!! I'm not going to stress......

Travel Dates

I found out 3 days ago about our travel dates for our first trip!!! This is the first moment I've had to blog about it, because I've been SO crazy getting things arranged. Wes is out of town until Friday of this week, so that added some difficulty to it all.

We leave on Tuesday, Jan 19th!!!!!! It was more of a YIKES when I found out, but more and more it's feeling like a YAY as I get more and more done. Since Wes is out of town until Friday night, we'll only have 1 day (Monday) to go to Nashville to get our doctor visit in - it's definitely going to be a whirlwind, but I can't wait to see the little guy!!!!

Lots of prayers will be needed over the next week and a half - we are SO incredibly blessed, and we are so thankful to be closer to family. They already have been and will continue to be such a huge help and part of helping us bring him home!

Can't wait.....will keep you updated

Referral Acceptance :)

We happily accepted our referral yesterday!!!!!!! I wish I could post his name and pictures, b/c he's SOOO stinkin' cute!!!!!!!! As an awesome and totally unexpected surprise, we received some updated pics of him yesterday. I'm going to be staring at those quite a bit until we travel :)

I can't wait to find out when we travel to meet the little guy - I hope in January!!!

God is SOOOOO amazing, and I wish I could type all the amazing ways He has knitted this story together so far.....even down to the little things.

I'll post again when I know more!!!!! yay!!

REFERRAL!! Early Christmas Present!!

2 of my friends had said that maybe we would hear something of a referral as a Christmas present, and I didn't think that was going to be a possibility........I'm glad I was wrong :) God is SOOOOOOO good!!!

YAY!!!! We received a referral for a 10 month old little boy, and he's SO cute! We are trying to get in touch with our International Adoption Specialist to have a consultation, but he came with a lot of information. We are thankful for that!

I'll be singing songs of praise all day :)

7 Months & Counting

Ok, so once we were registered into our region it was only supposed to take 2 months to get a referral for our little boy.......or so the trend HAD been. Even though you know that it could take longer, (b/c there are SO many things and/or reasons why it can) I didn't think it would. I guess it's that thing where you never think it's going to happen to you.

Although we are waiting and praying for our little boy, we have been busy moving and enjoying the holidays so far. We are liking being in Jackson and being closer to family. Kate has adjusted very well to the new house and her new school that she goes to 2 days / week while I work in Memphis. We have been very blessed in many ways and we are thankful, but we can't wait to hear word of our little one.

We pray now that our 2nd long trip (whenever it may come) won't disrupt the opening of Wes's shop too much and/or that God would provide a way to work everything out as He has so far.

Moving

SO, to those of you who don't know, we are moving to Jackson, TN...........in 2 weeks!!!! Yikes!! Anyway, we've known for a long time that we would be moving, we just didn't know when. We are very excited, and the Lord has blessed us tremendously with timing, work, selling our house, finding a rental, etc. etc.

I had hoped we would be further along in the adoption process than we are, but I'm sure that's also all part of God's plan and timing :) I spoke with our family coordinator yesterday, and, of course, it all means more paperwork.....and re-doing a lot of paperwork. It won't be difficult, just MORE!

Hopefully, life will be less crazy in a few weeks and we'll be more rested and prepared for when we get "the call."

5 Months and Counting

So, it has been 5 months since we were registered into our region, and we still have not received a referral. The "expected" and anticipated wait was approximately only 2 months. I emailed our family coordinator yesterday. She said that she would let us know as soon as she even had any information on a referral, however, she hadn't heard any news of one yet. She said she knows the wait is "excruciating"........I think that word describes it perfectly. I have to know that (for some reason or reasons) it is best for us in the long run that things are happening as they are.

Hopefully next time any of you check back I'll have good news :)