Day 42

I love this doorway it is just beautiful! Buildings just don't have this kind of charm anymore! The Terminal Tower!

Public Square

a little sad to see not very many lights down town this year!

is that beautiful or what?

And here we have street performers!

We Took the Rapid transit Down Town to see Chris Kringle. We had a nice time! The kids loved it!! I remember going down there to see Higbees window and Mr. Jing A Ling at Christmas when I was a kid!

Things have been quit on my blog because I do not want this to be negative! I have been struggling these last few weeks so I have taken the advise "if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all" But I feel there are so many others waiting just like me that need to know they are not alone in how they are feeling. I get in this circle of being down about the wait getting longer and then feeling guilt for not being faithful enough to have peace with his timing. I just hate that these kids have families for a year and have to wait to come home. 150million orphans and it is soooo hard to bring them home. The stress is horrible. I pray each day that God gives me Peace in this wait...

I sent Lily a Christmas package last week Thursday so I am praying it gets to her!!

I am also praying for others who are carrying a burden this Christmas season, that the Lord will bless you with his peace too!

Day 33

So I get a not so good email answering my latest batch of question. I asked if they had had any families getting LOA's early. Response: No most have been closer to 4 months = (
Then I asked how long after LOA is TA typically? Response: 8 weeks = (
Can you give me a guess when we might travel? Response: maybe April might be long but it could be shorter = (
6 more months??? Does that mean we may only be half way!!!!! UUUUUHHHHHGGGG = (
I was so excited last week seeing others getting LOA's so quickly...
I have said it before I sooo dislike this roller coaster yesterday on top of the tallest hill today at the bottom with my stomach in my throat = /
So tonight after dinner and a bad work call I was in a foul mood and that is saying it nicely. So I asked "who would like to go for a walk with me?" Mike Kai and the Jeff(the dog) decided to come along. I thought some cold fresh air would snap me out of it...
Well not so much
Mike wants to walk in the woods. I do not. I want to walk fast and on level ground. I go anyway. I have a bad attitude. Right off the bat I get hit in the face with a branch. IT IS DARK AND I WANT TO WALK ON THE ROAD NOT IN THE WOODS!!!!! I yell. We continue on, we come to the field, 2 deer in the beam of the flash light, oh how....
JEFF!!! JEFF!!! I HOPE THAT IS NOT A SKUNK!!!!!! JEFFF
I am really yelling now!!!

I stomp back to the house with skunk dog happily trotting next to me...
No more fresh air!

I walk the road alone ..... Praying to not feel the way I do.... It is not working...

I come to my driveway and a lady gets out of her car and says "my car has stalled and I don't know what to do". She has 3 kids and her sister in the car and was on the way to pick up her mothers car because her sister just got a flat and it needs to be towed. I get Mike and we try everything we know to try and start it to no avail. It is cold and we have been at it for 25 min. we have taken kids to the bathroom and passed out gloves. nothing is working and decide this one will need to be towed too. I drive them to get the car they were on the way to get. I tell them how here I was pouting about things not going my way and about my skunk dog and God blessed me by putting them in my driveway.
I do not get to hold my baby girl yet! But a small hand reached up for mine and said I want to hold your hand, I said I want to hold your hand too. She may have been Lily's age I don't know but the Lord spoke to my heart and we were blessed by this broken down car. They thanked me up and down, they have no idea that is just what I needed and it felt good!

Day 29

I am going to be speaking a different language in this post it will only be understood by Moms waiting along with me! =) Sorry I have to babble on in LOA's and LID's for a few...

Yes I am counting the days and we are on day 29!! of the 2 to 4 month wait for LOA ( letter of acceptance). I was excited to see some families got LOA's yesterday the shortest wait was 15 days!!!! Some after only 22 or 49 so there is always a chance we could get it before 2 months = )
BUT...
There are so many factors some people are LID (Logged in to China) in 2006 and 2007 then get LOI (Letter of intent= find their child) We our LOI before LID so the wait is usually longer but a few of the families were just like us so there is a chance. I don't want to get my hopes up...
BUT !!!YAAAAHOOOO!!! it is a chance!!!
The average wait for LOI before LID families is 81 days, now this includes the few families who like us in Kai's adoption waited over 120 days or more. So we are hoping closer to 2 months! or sooner!!!!
Congratulations to all the Families who got A's this week I know some families got TA's (travel approval) this week too! I also want to pray for the families waiting sooo long that they will get there LOA's still this week!!!
Day 29 = )

Thanks giving!

We had a really nice Thanksgiving, my sister in law had it for the first time and did a really great job. We had all the traditional and she added the Porto Rican pork and rice and beans which I stuff myself with. Thankful for my sons!! and walking off the prior days stuffing!

Thankful Jack had a very good youth gun season, He harvested this beautiful 8 point. ( he kept asking me if I put it on my blog) I am proud of him. He does not agree with me that a photo of that deer (alive) would make me just as proud. I know there is a need for hunting and I try not to discourage him.

Love love love that my boys enjoy cooking with me!

and even starting to do some with very little help from me.

together!

and enjoying there handy work!

I am so blessed!

Thank you!!!

I wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has donated so far!!!!! There are so many orphaned children around the world, and their needs are great. We sometimes forget all the blessings we have in this country. There are so many needs and your donation is going to bless these children in so many ways. A few dollors here in the US does not get much, but in China it goes a long way!!! So again thank you so very much!!
I am posting a link from a blog I watch. She helps alot of organazations. Just look at these sweet babies!!! http://dreamingofteafortwo.blogspot.com/2009/11/updates-prayers-and-christmas-list.html
She has posted a prayer list and a Christmas list!
If you feel led to help in other ways this is a wonderful way!!
I will also be collecting things like cold meds, blankets and other supplies to take with me to donate to the orphanage!!

I pray the Lord will pour his blessings on you!!

= )

LID!!!!!

Just got a call our LID is November 4th!!!! That means we are 21 days or 3 weeks into our 2 to 4 month wait till LOA. LOA is letter of acceptance the next step. We are getting closer!

What am I grateful for?

So many things!! Seeing the sunrise each morning on our way to school

Walks in the woods

watching my kids grow

water and the way the sun reflects on it

my senses... being able to see and hear and smell

Trees. I love trees

Colors

The wind or a breeze

Crackling fires

The Bible

John 15:1-4

so many things...

Most of all I am grateful for my Lord who saved me and has blessed me far beyond what I deserve. He has forgiven me and loves me right where I am. I am grateful for who I have become through him. I am grateful for my husband and kids, my family, my church and my friends. I am grateful for so many things!