Day 76

We bought new luggage today for Sam & Asher. Our adoption education is absolutely complete. I have all the clothes for Asher and a few toys to pack. I've made my packing lists. We've been working on travel contingent plans if we travel after Labor Day. We're signing our updated wills next week, our vaccination affidavit and the poas for Jacob and Anna. Is there anything we're missing?? Oh, yea...that's it...we're missing TA...just a minor piece of the puzzle. BUT....

Rumor has it TAs may arrive Monday or Tuesday. Our TA may or may not be included...so we wait, we wait, we wait...with our lamps totally ready!!

Day 71

Well, a little tidbit of news. There are many TAs to be issued. Lots, huge amounts, hundreds! But, the CCAA just moved, so the processing is delayed a bit. So, we'll continue to wait. In the meantime, try this little diddy:

(To the tune of Mr. Postman)

Please Mister Director, look and see(Oh yeah)
If there's TA on your desk for me
(Please, Please Mister Director)

Why's it takin' such a long time(Oh yeah)
For us to adopt that son of ours
There must be some word today
From our Asher so far away

Please Mister Director look and see
If there's TA, TA for me

Day 70

Is this not the sweetest little face? We've received a couple of great photos this week, but no TA. I'm all for no photos this week and TA tomorrow!

Today I had to laugh as our pastor preached from Matthew 14:22-23 and referenced that we need to "get out of the safety of our boat" and into the water with Jesus. My mind kept saying, "I'm out of the boat! I'm out of the boat and ready to step into this new adventure!! Can we go now?" Then my mind wandered onto to other subjects such as, My Father in heaven must think I sound like my children...are we there yet?..why?..when?...are you listening?

Patience has never been my strong suit. And Asher's adoption has been a lesson in patience to beat all. But, I remain strong in knowing that yes, God my Father knows my heart, Philip's heart and Asher's heart. He's preparing our family to unite in His absolute perfect time. Just as the entrance of Jacob, Sam and Anna, there is a perfect time for Asher to be adopted by us...and that day will happen soon...and just like Jacob, Sam and Anna the moment will be beautifully and majestically executed in His presence. I will rest in that knowledge and fully trust that all will be well.

Friends and family, know how much I love all of you and appreciate your patience with me at this time. I truly am a hormonal expectant mom and I am blessed by your calming presences!

Day 67

I'm blogging from my email account today as a test for when we're in China.
I've been reading that actually logging onto the blog is difficult in China,
but you can update via email. So, here's a test in hopes that we will soon
be sitting in Hebei province with Asher and giving daily updates!

What to do today? Jacob & Sam have cross country, then will help their aunt
paint, so I'm effectively free after 11:30. I'm thinking of escaping
somewhere with Anna...away from the phone...away from the computer...away
from all things Travel Approval related. I think I'm coming to accept that
it will be probably a month or more before we have travel approval in our
possession. So, might as well do something productive today instead of
waiting by the phone!

I'm inserting a random photo...just to see how it works via email ;-) It's
our dog, Cooper, and he looks pitiful...kind like me!

Day 66

So, I haven't posted because, basically, I've been fowl, crazed and insane waiting for news...any news regarding our travel. Then, I'm upset with myself because I absolutely know that God has a plan and the perfect time and as usual, I need to be patient. It's that ole "head knows" but "heart doesn't get it" scenario. And it's not just me...Philip's trying to figure out when to schedule meetings for work...but knows making it may be futile because we could be in China next month!

This morning I get up (entirely too early thanks to Philip's alarm and Anna's bad dream) and get all my morning routines completed...coffee, paper, general web surfing. Yesterday I remember telling Amy what my devotion topic for today was, but I had forgotten, so this morning I get a laugh...Today's devotion: "A Sound Mind Part I" (From K-Love's On the Right Note devotion booklet). It's a quick & easy read, but the only part that really hits me is the "sound mind" and how mine is not right now. But, God knows that, is laughing with me and knows that I'll soon be back to my "normal" soon.

So, family and friends, bear with me...my sound mind has left me for the moment soon to return. I'll try to stop grumping and enjoy the rest of the summer with Jacob, Sam & Anna and learn that my lists of "to-dos" will just need to be put aside until the timing is right.

Please keep us 5 families waiting for travel approval in your prayers. We keep hearing "any day" yet any day has yet to arrive!

Day 60 and Grumpy

Okay, I'm admitting it. I'm extremely grumpy. Philip's been out of town since Monday...Jacob and Sam have kept me busy with cross country practice...Anna is whiny...I need to organize our garage for a garage sale next week...AND no TA in sight.

So, half the battle is admitting the problem , so now I'm going to go work on changing my attitude instead of eating pounds of chocolate and going to bed. As Scarlet said, "Tomorrow's another day." Unfortunately, I still have several hours left of today!

Day 55

I'm in that "expectant mother" no sleep phase...basically I lie in bed going over the"stuff" in my mind that need to be done to prepare everyone for Asher's arrival. Finally, after spinning my wheels for several hours, I decided to pray for God to prepare Asher for our arrival and fell right asleep and dreamt about our Adoption Day. I'm guessing the "stuff" was not why I was up...praying for my son was. Lesson learned (I hope!) and I'll turn to prayer much quicker tonight!

Philip and I were certified in Infant/Child CPR this morning as part of our adoption process. I found it hard to watch the scenarios of a baby/child getting hurt and needing help. I'm such a mom! But, it is good to know that we really know how to perform CPR if the need arises. I pray it won't. We have just a few more chapters of our last online adoption class and then we'll be done. Then...for those of you who really know me...I'll cross it off my list and be on to the next task! Surely list making (and completing) is a spiritual gift??

Oh, Ash, the stories your siblings will tell you about your mother!

July 7 - Day 53

I woke up this morning to discover an email from Tim Baker about the package I've sent for Asher. He'll get to open it up after we receive TA. It's a photo album of us...all of us, including the big Bench Christmas photo and the Thanksgiving photo with Chris & Angie. We also sent some dinosaurs & stickers, so he has toys from Dad & Mom. Tim mentions he spent the afternoon with "Ash" yesterday day and he is such an awesome kid. Oh my heart! I hope later today we're rejoicing with TA!

On another subject...is it possible that Jacob and Sam are growing an inch a day? Really, I feel like I'm shrinking, and it's not in my hips! I am simply amazed at how much these guys eat. I am also rejoicing that they have such giving hearts. During the course of their day they both spend time playing with Anna and cannot wait to be big brothers to Asher. (They also spend time teasing Anna...and probably can't wait to do that to Asher, as well...we truly are "family")

Many random thoughts in my head today...expectant mom syndrome. Feeling much more calm and confident today...and very blessed. Psalm 40:8 I delight to to thy will, O Lord, it is written on my heart.

Here's our family...from left to right: Philip, Papa Izzy, Jacob, Anna, Heather, Sam and Cousin Lauren in front.

Day 52 and Counting

Okay, we made it to day 52 of waiting for TA (travel approval) before really beginning to count the days. That's pretty good. We know that all will happen in God's perfect timing, but it's getting rough.

So, we will continue one day at a time until we get the call. Then we'll move onto an adoption day full of emotion and love. We'll become acquainted with our son in China and bring him home to meet all of his loving family.

Oh, if only we could reach out at hug him tonight. My mama's heart just needs to see his face and hear his voice...