Celebrating

Today we had a party with family to celebrate Princess's birthday. Yes, I know the cake is lame. It would have been even lamer if it was up to me.

Princess wanted a "funfetti" cake - no problem! I was even planning on making a cake from scratch but if she wants funfetti, she gets funfetti. So the party's at 3:00 and I finally get around to making the cake at 1:30.

It's sitting there cooling and my sister sees the chocolate frosting on the counter.

She says, "so that's what Princess wants for her cake?"

"Yep! She wants funfetti."

"With chocolate frosting?"

"Well, that's all I have and I don't think I have what I need to make frosting from scratch."

Sister gives me a weird look.

So I call Princess (Yes, she is just downstairs but that's a long way to walk!). Low and behold she wants funfetti cake with white frosting (DUH!). My wonderful sister offers to run to the store to save the day!

It's still a lame cake but at least it's a lame cake with white frosting!

The Process

Sorry for 3 posts in one day. That's just a little neurotic but we wanted to share what's next.

We left our Angel today with her foster family. It was so hard to leave her. Even though she's not ours yet, our hearts have already convinced us she's our daughter but we're not able to take her across state lines because the paperwork is not final yet.

On Monday (2 days!) the court hearing will take place to terminate the rights of the birth parents. This is considered a "high risk" adoption because we've asked to proceed with the processing before termination of rights. So yes, it's possible that the birth parents could change their minds. Although from what we've been told it sounds like there's not a very likely chance of that happening. If all goes well on Monday then we just wait for the interstate compact paperwork to get completed. This allows us to take her home and although the adoption isn't finalized for 6 months the birth parents rights will have been terminated so they could not come back and reclaim her.

There's really no way to know how long it will take for the interstate compact paperwork to get done. Basically it depends on whether someones on vacation or not. We are pretty optimistic it will happen next week - but it's possible it could be the next week or the next. Our agency is so amazing and they are doing all they can to make it happen as quickly as possible.

Please pray:

For our Angel. That she would continue to be healthy, that she would eat well and when she does come home, would attach to us quickly.

For me, Hubby and Princess. That we would be patient and trust in God's timing. That we would not worry about what tomorrow brings but hold tight to the promises of God's word.

For court on Monday. That God's will would be done. That the birth parents would have peace.

For the interstate compact. That the paperwork would get done in record time and we could bring our Angel home next week. Let's pray specific - bring her home Monday or Tuesday.

For finances. That we would have what we need for the adoption fee. That we would be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us and know what supplies we should buy and when. That when our Angel comes home and my maternity leave is up it would be possible for me to stay home, if not full time at least part time.

Thanks so much. We appreciate your prayers and encouragement!

Just In Case You Didn't Get Enough

Any thoughts on a nickname?

"pumpkin"
"shortcake"
"sweetie pie"
I'm sorry, but it will not be "red"

And the Sure Sign That I'm A Mom

My uneaten sandwich from supper. :-) All you moms out there, you probably didn't realize this part of being a mom (eating last or not eating at all) was a blessing. But for those of us that have never had the priviledge of not being able to eat because of kids it's a really cool thing. Yes, I know I won't be saying that in a week!

More Pictures of Our Angel

There's a smile!

Trying to take it all in. She loves to lift her head and look around.

Please, no more pictures!

Wrestling match with Angel's baby. Looks like Angel is giving up!

Just hanging out - trying to smile.

Mommy and Angel

Daddy and Angel

Angel's first baby from Grandma Susie.

Our Angel

Here she is, neon orange hair and all! She's so precious and we're having fun getting to know her and love on her. We'll post more pictures later. Please pray with us that she would bond quickly. She does have some eating troubles - not every feeding but will be something we'll need the doctor to check out. Pray for that too and her overall health.

Happy Birthday Princess!

Our sweet Princess is 17 today. I've had the pleasure of being her step-mom for 5 years and it has been such a joy. We've had our ups and downs, that's for sure, but God has seen us through it all.

Princess you truly are a gift from God. I couldn't love you more if I had given birth to you. You are that ray of sunshine that brightens our day everytime we see you. We love your silly faces and goofy laugh. You amaze us with the wisdom God has given you. You have such an insight into the heart of God and into the heart of His people. You love deeply and that means sometimes you get hurt deeply. But through it all, through the questions, the joy and sorrow, the good days and bad you have kept your feet walking in the way of the Lord

It's not always easy having 4 parents but you do your best to be respectful and honoring of all 4 of us and that is amazing! We know that going back and forth between our home and your moms is not easy and some days it's just down right annoying. But again, your attitude has always been one of gratitude and you let Christ shine through you.

Princess, your determination through cross-country amazed us. Most everyone else would have given up after the struggles you endured but not you. "Give up" is not a word you will probably ever utter. You are strong and persistant and have a heart of perserverance. I know because I not only saw it in cross-country but with the wrestling matches with your dad!

You are an amazing little sister. Prince is so blessed to have your love and encouragement. You are also an amazing big sister. Although Omarea wasn't with us for long you loved him like he was our own and we know he'll never forget that.

The other night you said to me, "The princess is turning into a queen!". It was pretty funny but I know it's true, as much as we'd like to stop it from happening. You are growing into a beautiful young lady and soon will spread your wings and fly. We love you sweet girl. We pray for you every day and ask that God protect you and speak to you and make Himself known to you. We pray that you will always seek the wisdom of God before the wisdom of man. And we hope you will never ever forget that we are here for you no matter what life brings.

We love you so so so so much! We pray you have a wonderful day today on your birthday and that God blesses you with many more. Happy Birthday Princess!

Pray for Kate

Please pray for a blogger friend Kate. She had brain surgery today for cancer. This was her second surgery although this one was much more invasive. She's a young mom with three boys. You can read more about her story here.

Roller Coaster of Emotions

(Can you even see this picture? It's Hubby, Prince, Me and Princess on a roller coaster at Disney World. Check out Princess making a funny face - what a goof! Anyway...)

Up, down, all around. Feeling excited, nervous, queasy, laughing, crying and sometimes screaming at the top of our lungs. No, it's not the world's scariest roller coaster - it's adoption!

Today was one of those days. I praise God for our social worker. She is so amazing and quick to remind us of God's timing. It's official, I've memorized this verse:

"Let not your heart be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me." John 14:1

1. Plans were made yesterday for us to go see the baby. We'll get to go see her on Friday at noon, take her with us to a hotel and stay with her overnight. We'd bring her back to the foster family at noon on Saturday.

2. That won't work for the foster family. We have to go for the entire weekend (Friday-Sunday).

3. That won't work for us. We're having a dinner party birthday bash for Princess on Saturday night and we need to be back by 4:00 or 5:00.

4. Ok, we'll try to schedule something for next weekend. NEXT weekend? Like in 9 days which really translates into a millennium? Wow, that makes me really sad.

5. How about this week. Wednesday or Thursday?

6. Ok, that will work. Thursday from noon-5:00. We'll have to be at the foster home, no big deal. It's not as much time with her, we'll take what we can get.

7. Wait, God has heard our cries! We're back to the original plan. Friday noon - Saturday noon. Yippee!!

Hold on to your hats. Lord willing on Friday evening we'll email a picture of our Angel!

Please keep praying for the finances we need to come in. Still about $2000-3000 short.

Just a few more days!

That's right, in just a few more days we get to see and hold and hug and kiss our Angel. We've heard lots of news today from our social worker - here's an update:

1. Everything is right on track. Just waiting on Holly's fingerprints and we realized today our TB tests. Our agency is doing what they can to expedite everything.

2. We get to see her on Friday! We'll meet her at noon, spend time time at the foster home and then get to take her with us! And we get to stay over night with her. Oh the joy! Unfortunately we then will have to leave her and come back home without her.

3. Best case scenario we'll be able to take her home for final final final on Monday, Dec 17th. We are hoping and praying for that but being realistic too that it could be later.

4. I shared earlier how family had given us $8000 towards the adoption. Well $4000 of that was some jewelry someone gave us that we thought we could easily sell. The jewelry is appraised at $7000 approximately so we figure we could easily get $4k. But now we're being told it's not likely we can get that much, and in this short of time it will be difficult too. So we are still hoping this will work out. If we can get some funds by selling the jewelry we're just a few thousand short. If we can't get the funds for the jewelry we're more like $5-6 thousand short.

This week we'll be busy getting the nursery ready. Right now it's a disastrous storage room. I guess I shouldn't say disastrous - I worked on it this weekend and made some progress but we have a long ways to go. I have no idea how we get so much junk. We have a crib, 2 packs of newborn diapers and that's it. I just can't let myself buy too much until we have all the funds raised for the fee so for now we're going to just hold off on any major shopping.

Thank you so much for your prayers. I'm still in shock, not really believing that this dream will be coming true. In fact, papers aren't signed yet, there's always a chance, although slight, that something would happen. We do feel at peace though and are trusting God for each decision and each step we take.

Please continue to pray for me, Hubby, Princess, our Angel, her foster family, our two social workers, Kim and Deanne, who are amazing and for all the paperwork and funds we are still waiting.