tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73153838385436219292024-03-14T01:49:09.964-07:00I will not leave you...John 14:18Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-32049441419194910002015-04-01T07:39:00.001-07:002015-04-01T07:39:09.914-07:00Bringing Lucy Home- Book reviewWhen Shane and I started the adoption process for the first time in January of 2013 I entered a world that I had book knowledge about but no real life experience with. I knew the vocabulary words and the basic process. I would soon learn the process inside out and would speak the language of adoptive parents. I expected all those thing when we started. What a didn't expect was the vibrant community of fellow parents walking the same road. Thanks to social media and the Internet adoptive parents all over the world are connected to each other. It is an essential part of my life. Our agency has a very active and supportive Facebook group. It is through that group and others that I have connected with some now dear friends. When we were in China and I was staring at that big deep bathtub trying to hold off the panic as I wondered how in the world I was gonna help Emily I reached out and within minutes had real life experts telling me exactly what to do. When we received scary news about a diagnoses I again reached out and within minutes was connected to not only others with the diagnoses but other adoptive parents dealing with the same news. When Sarah reached a new milestone it was celebrated by people who haven't even met her in person. You would be hard pressed to find a more passionate and knit together community than that of adoptive parents. We celebrate together, agonize over days lost together, rally around each other, pray for each other and cry together. <br />
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That's what I saw happening last year when Jennifer Phillips and her family were stuck in the middle of a nightmare after the adoption of their precious daughter Lucy. Day after day on our agency page and through her blog we watched this unbelievable situation play out. Each day I would check to see of their news. Jennifer didn't know me and I didn't know her beyond posts on the Internet but as a community we prayed over this family. <br />
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Jennifer's book, Bringing Lucy Home, recounts the immigration nightmare they lived out in the months following Lucy's adoption. As missionaries living in Australia they had to do things a little differently than most but had a well researched plan. Unfortunately things didn't go as planned and Jennifer and Lucy were stuck, separated from the rest of their family. With a focus on the gospel, Jennifer tells the story of their separation. She honestly tells of her desperation and heartache and also tells of God's grace and lessons through this incredibly difficult time. Reading about Lucy's transformation as she able to pour herself into Lucy is amazing and as a mother you feel her conflict as she relishes the accomlishments of one child while desperately missing her other children. Reading her account of her husband watching YouTube videos so he can braid their daughters hair on the first day of school was both precious and heart wrenching.<br />
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My favorite quote from the book is:<br />
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<i>"When the time came for her to join our family, our neat little lives would be become very, very messy. But that doesn't matter because if life is a series of events to avoid messiness, to avoid heartache, unease and suffering, it is a sad, hollow life indeed."</i><br />
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This has been our families experience the last few years and I feel the same way. We didn't face the immigration issues and separation the Phillips did but our lives have become messy and I am so thankful because as Jennifer says- They are worth it!<br />
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Summer is coming! Grab this book for your beach bag or car trip. Put it on your kindle or ipad and read it as you sit with your little ones while they fall asleep. You will be encouraged!<br />
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Click here to go to Amazon for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bringing-Lucy-Home-Heartache-Happiness/dp/1462745644/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Bringing Lucy Home.</a><br />
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<br />Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-38105299575809451602014-12-31T22:07:00.002-08:002014-12-31T22:07:47.092-08:00All things Emily!Things have been moving slow and then BOOM! Things move really fast. That's just the nature of adoption I guess. It wears a mamma out! <br />
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We got our much waited for LOA on November 23rd. From there we filed with immigration for Emily to be classified as our daughter and be allowed to enter the US. We then waited for that approval and then we call, call, call, email, email, email, the National Visa Center asking for some numbers we need and an email copy of a letter being cabled to the US Embassy in Guangzhou. Then we send it all off to china where we have something called "Article 5 drop off" This is packet of papers that are important and do something...what I am not exactly sure. Two weeks later exactly (unless you have Thanksgiving in there, which we did, then it's two weeks and one day) you have Article 5 pick up an you are officially waiting on your travel approval. That takes roughly two weeks. Nine days for us last year. Several people got them in 4 days around us. Three weeks for us. Three. Weeks. Or all of eternity in adoption time.<br />
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Mixed into that was a major spiritual lesson for me. Someitmes the answer to our prayers in No. Oh how hard that is! I have prayed for a year that we would all be able to make this trip. That limited us to certain times. Namely Thanksgiving and Christmas. I just knew it would be Thanksgiving but it wasn't. Then I was sure we would spend Christmas in China and it was down to the wire. We needed one of those 4 day travel approvals for that to happen. And it didn't. So we aren't all going. The answer was No. I don't understand why and we are sad but I do know that God loves Will and Jenny and Sarah and Emily even more than I do and He is working all for their good and we have to trust that.<br />
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So... with so much uncertainty about travel along with the flu that wiped us out I was WAY behind on Christmas. But we got it all done and had a fabulous time. And our travel approval was mailed just before Christmas and arrived at our agency on Monday. We got our confirmed consulate appointment date Tuesday morning and booked our tickets. We will meet Emily on January 12. To say we are ready is an understatement!<br />
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We had a major blessing during this wait! Our agency set a skype call for us and we were able to talk with Emily. Rules about conatct are very strict and I am thankful they are seeing the value in being able to "meet" ahead of time for these older children. I was prepared for it to be awkward but it all worked out so great and we loved it!<br />
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We also had a friend who visted her orphanage and took a package for us and got some pictures and video. I LOVE this one! </div>
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It won't be long now!! So much to do! </div>
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I've had a bit of a language panic attack and have been downloading hooked on phonics apps and Chinese dictionaries. I've got lots of markers and crayons and colored pencils in order to have something to do that doesn't require talking! </div>
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Please pray for her as she prepares to leave all she knows. We know that she is excited which is a positive thing but sometimes reality is different than what you expect. We expect her to grieve pretty hard. Pray for sweet heart as she gets ready. </div>
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I plan to blog our trip and would love for you to follow along!</div>
Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-11823722595643310852014-12-31T21:19:00.004-08:002014-12-31T21:20:35.482-08:0012 months....a whole year home!On November 4 Sarah had been with a whole year. In some ways it seems like it can't possibly have been a whole year already and in some ways we hardly remember life without her. She keeps us on our toes every single day. She amazes us with her ability to love despite her hard beginnings. She amazes us when we see those survival instincts kick in. She is a fighter for sure and she will fight when she feels threatened in any way. It has been so neat to watch her learn to regulate that and learn when not react that way. I find myself saying things like, "I am so proud of you for not hitting me! Thank you!" We have loved watching her learn to relax, learn to love us, learn that we aren't going anywhere, that there will always be food. We have marveled at how she has learned to communicate. We marvel at her everyday. There are days that are so hard, and so busy that life just takes hold and you just get through but there are so many days that she still just takes my breathe away, Days I still cry over her at night wishing I could take all the hard beginnings and sadness and brokenness from her. I am so thankful for a God who redeems. I am so thankful to be a part of Sarah's story and I pray everyday that I can do right by her. Do the very best for her. <br />
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Here's what she was up to this month!<br />
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The Fair! </div>
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First Fair ride ever! She felt that is was fabulous! The fair was MAJOR sensory overload but she really handled it well. </div>
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Daddy's are so awesome! I'm so glad she has an amazing one!</div>
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Big brothers are pretty awesome too and this one takes the cake. These too have the sweetest relationship. And by sweet I mean they make a lot of noise together and she really likes it when he throws her on the couch!</div>
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She ate the big pretzel at Sam's.</div>
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And topped it off with a big drink all her own!</div>
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She turned 6 years old! What a great day celebrating the day she was born! I am sad to not have been there and I hurt for the woman who had to make hard choices and I am so thankful she choose life for Sarah. </div>
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(Just as an aside....a little "Please be careful what you say" if you will. I've had several people say to me things about how terrible "those" people are. How could a woman throw her baby away.... I would NEVER.... Here's the honest truth about that... We have no idea in our comfortable American houses of the struggles woman all over the world face- the terrible choices made for them. When you say things like that to an adoptive mother you are talking about a part of her child. Her birth family. The woman who made hard choices to bring her into the world. I don't like rules about what you can and cannot say to people but that's just a little bit about how I feel about that one. )</div>
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Halloween was so fun!!!</div>
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It was dress up day at school and Sarah went as Doc McStuffins!</div>
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We carved pumpkins</div>
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Just look at this face will you! </div>
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And for trick or treating she was a panda!</div>
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And a mighty cute one at that! </div>
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She's saying "eeeeeee" which is Sarah for "Cheeeeese"</div>
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It took a few houses for her to figure it out but she loved it!</div>
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This picture makes me laugh. It is no secret among the moms of kids from her orphanage that they used suckers A LOT. She still lights up at the sight of a good sucker!</div>
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A HUGE event for Sarah this month was changing schools. We loved our time at Covenant but with some encouragement from friends we decided to move her to our local public school in their special needs class.</div>
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She started Kindergarten and has absolutely loved it. She is doing so so well and will start therapy there soon. We are so happy with this decision. It was so hard for me to let her go but it was the best thing for her!!</div>
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When Will and Jenny were babies I made handprint tiles for them every other month until they were one year old. I couldn't do that for Sarah as a baby but we have been doing it all year for the first year she was home. </div>
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Working on her angel ornament!</div>
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I got the tiles all hung and I just love this wall in my pantry!</div>
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It has been a great year. It's actually also been one of the hardest years of our married life. We are so excited to see what Sarah accomplishes in the next year. We really think she is going to take off this year! She has so much attachment work behind her, so many initial assessments and setting up of things done. She is secure and safe and I believe she is finally relaxing and realizing how loved she is. It's still two steps forward one step back some days but we are getting there everyday. </div>
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<br />Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-39590823912604746572014-11-01T21:47:00.000-07:002014-11-01T22:14:44.801-07:00Emily Update<br />
When I last wrote about our Emily we were in the thick of waiting. Day 90 I believe. We were getting passed daily by those with log in dates almost a month after us. I was truly despairing. I sat in Bible study one night and asked the group to please pray that it would come. They stopped right then and prayed, and as our leader prayed that I would feel peace during the wait, in my heart I cried out to God, "I'd have no peace - please help me!" I sat there with tears streaming down my face feeling desperate for God's peace to settle me, to help me focus on my family now and to wait well. I longed for a verse to hold onto, but I just felt helpless. That's not a great testimony of faith I realize but it is truly where I was. Desperate.<br />
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That Saturday I had an Usborne book party at a friend's house. This is my friend Amy who is also a China waiting mom. At the end of the party she gave me a little canvas she had painted. On the back she had written 2 Corinthians 12:9. "My grace is sufficient for you…." She read it aloud to me…."My power is made perfect in weakness." And weariness she added. And that friends is the moment the peace I had longed for took over. I felt the words of the Lord soothe my soul. How that ministered to me that day. The whole way home I kept saying over and over…. My grace is sufficient, My grace is sufficient… He is sufficient for this task. I am woefully insufficient but He is perfectly sufficient.<br />
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A week later we hit day 100 with no change in our status. I took a deep breath and we made it through that day. And through the next 5 when FINALLY we got the call. In the Target deli line. A hate to be rude and be on the phone while checking out, but that number was from Birmingham and wild horses could not have kept me from answering it! It was our social worker with the news our dossier was now listed as match reviewed. Praise the Lord!! We just had to wait for the hard copy of our LOA (letter of approval) to arrive at our agency. </div>
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The next Wednesday, as Shane and I packed to leave on our first trip away together since Sarah came home, the phone rang and it was Anna. The LOA was at Lifeline and would be overnighted to us at our hotel. Day 111. </div>
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The poor front desk staff at The Grand Hotel. Shane was in meetings all morning so I slept a little late, ate some breakfast and asked the front desk 10 times if the package had arrived. I went back to our room and gathered up all the documents I had brought with me that had to go back with the signed LOA and headed back to the front desk. Could she maybe make a few copies for me? Sure….ok, well its like 20 pages, mostly in Chinese, and has my package come yet? </div>
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Just before noon I got a call from the gate that my Fed Ex package was there. The nice man brought it to me and we signed it and sent it back! </div>
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It really is a beautiful document. I hate that it was only in my hands for about an hour!</div>
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Everything is at USCIS right now awaiting approval. Things will move quickly now hopefully. I have so much to do. Nesting has kicked in and I feel like I need to clean out every drawer and straighten every closet. Unfortunately Sarah's nickname around here is "The Destroyer" and nothing stays clean for long. </div>
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A friend from my Lifeline group traveled this month to bring home her daugter from the same orphanage as Emily. She was so kind to take a letter and some pictures and a little gift to her. I was so happy to wake up the day after we got the LOA to several new pictures. We got video from her yesterday and it just makes me so happy. She is reading our letter and looking at our pictures and she sings a song. It's a Chinese children's song about two tigers to the tune of "Where is Thumbkin." I mentioned in my letter that I was trying to learn it and she sings it for me. We are so ready for this precious girl to be home.</div>
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We would like to ask you to pray with us as we enter these last few weeks before she comes home. Pray for her heart to be ready to be part of a family. Pray for Will and Jenny as they once again scootch over and make room. Pray for Jenny as she will be sharing a room, and although she is excited, the reality and the thought are sometimes different. Pray for Sarah as the trip and the adjustment may be rough for her and therefore for all of us. We do have a medical concern that we are seeking information on and would ask you to pray we will get that settled before we travel.</div>
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I am so very thankful for God's promise that His grace is sufficient. I am so thankful for a friend who spoke peace and truth into my heart that day. I am so thankful and humbled that God has called us to be this precious girl's family. I am so ready to be her mamma!</div>
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Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-32507549853280110422014-11-01T20:42:00.001-07:002014-11-01T22:08:12.665-07:0011 monthsI figured I better get this 11 month post up since a year is literally just around the corner! <br />
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The biggest thing Sarah did this month was start soccer!! I happened upon this great program called Top Soccer. Will was wanting to find a rec soccer team to play on this year and while I was looking for that online one day I came across Top Soccer, a program for people of all ages with special needs. It seemed like a perfect fit for Sarah and it was! Each player had a buddy and Sarah had a wonderful lady who taught special needs kids for many years. She was perfect for miss priss who really just wanted to stand at the water table. She loved it though and we were very proud of her!</div>
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When I put this uniform on her I just started crying. Every now and then something stil catches me off guard and when I saw her in her soccer uniform I flashed back to other pictures I have of her. Pictures that I won't ever show and I just fell apart.</div>
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Getting some coaching.</div>
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GOOOOOAAAAALLL!!!!</div>
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And the best part…Snack!!</div>
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We also spent a lot of time making sweet rolls and we are so thankful!! We are almost caught up but not quite! We will have an update on that VERY soon! I was glad for the good (and cute) help!<br />
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Sarah also discovered my scrapbooks. She keeps pulling them out and looking through them. </div>
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I'm so glad to have them and I am so glad she loves them but to be honest it makes me sad. I don't have any baby pictures and I missed so much. I'm so thankful for every first we've had this year and so thankful she is here.</div>
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Madison Central's Homecoming was also this month. Will went with a group of friends and it was a really fun night. Late, but fun. We were so happy to have them here to take pictures and then they went to another friend's house for breakfast. A sweet group of kids!! Jenny escaped with her grandmother to Starkville that weekend and so it was just Sarah at home to watch the activites. The girls actually got ready here. Sarah sat and watched intently as they curled their hair and did their makeup. Then of course it was picture time! Sarah has gotten used to having her picture made so she felt as though she should be in these as well!</div>
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Beautiful girls and handsome boys!</div>
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Beautiful girls and handsome boys and a cute cheerleader!</div>
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Everyday when Jenny gets out of school she calls and lets me know when she is getting close to the house (she walks home.) That's my cue to send Sarah outside. All I have to say is, "Sarah! it's Jenny!" and she takes off for the door. This is what happens next. Every day. </div>
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Sarah also got a sweet new ride this month! She doesn't need it all the time but it's great for long distances. She had outgrown all the regular strollers we could find and this is made just for her! We love it, although she wasn't too sure at first.</div>
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It was perfect for our first trip to the zoo. I wish I had more pictures of that but MAN! The zoo is kinda pitiful! We had fun though and she got an icee out of it so she was good! We also ran into some friends and rode the train so it was a good day!</div>
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Speaking of sweet rides!! We should all be able to ride through Target like this, right!!</div>
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She got in some early morning toothpaste painting before school!</div>
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Please look carefully. Not just her eyebrow. Her nose, her mouth, her arm, her dress. She smelled minty feash for school that day!</div>
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It is hard to believe we have been home for almost a year! I can't wait to celebrate that huge milestone!!</div>
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Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-72750517188552805562014-10-03T05:16:00.001-07:002014-10-03T05:16:40.818-07:00Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-51611666379773698892014-09-30T18:02:00.001-07:002014-09-30T18:02:17.160-07:00And so we wait….It has been a year since we saw this beautiful face.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvu_bHp5oYLQlZzCI9Db1zoTiGjUfD38vHf_02YbUxGmjCvWbxl3_ZJbpwRr9k1eF1WpN8-ovW6_mkLQX-vHP3xfxCJVqwTNF8dUF9w9WGnvWx9PqbDqmh5DaS9Q7hFzpY7Fr6CtRqOZWP/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-28+at+10.30.55+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvu_bHp5oYLQlZzCI9Db1zoTiGjUfD38vHf_02YbUxGmjCvWbxl3_ZJbpwRr9k1eF1WpN8-ovW6_mkLQX-vHP3xfxCJVqwTNF8dUF9w9WGnvWx9PqbDqmh5DaS9Q7hFzpY7Fr6CtRqOZWP/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-28+at+10.30.55+PM.png" /></a></div>
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And my breath caught in my throat and I knew! I knew she was meant to be my daughter. We were still waiting to travel for Sarah but I knew we would be back for her. </div>
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Only weeks after we came home with Sarah updated pictures showed up on the website. And we both knew it was time to start over. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHUOVCiHic8eSK3QMPork1EkT8Jkpu0Q506sXK_rlGL7DDxIcdTiOMDIcxsvmhzit262gsXPYmuItSHJhFyoLl0nHzeQNX670XESpsVkn96RMmgZF4sE591hyphenhyphen44rhMJL5e8BMW7Nyx8n5/s1600/UnA_0519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHUOVCiHic8eSK3QMPork1EkT8Jkpu0Q506sXK_rlGL7DDxIcdTiOMDIcxsvmhzit262gsXPYmuItSHJhFyoLl0nHzeQNX670XESpsVkn96RMmgZF4sE591hyphenhyphen44rhMJL5e8BMW7Nyx8n5/s1600/UnA_0519.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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In February we received approval to pursue her adoption. Things moved along well. Homestudy was updated, immigration approval was extended, dossier was prepared and authenticated and finally sent to China. On July 3rd we were once again officially logged into the system. And we began the wait for our LOA or letter of approval. This wait was 42 days with Sarah. We began to hope for possible Thanksgiving travel. However, I began to realize that this wait was beginning to stretch. Just watching the facebook groups and boards I knew they were coming in around 60-70 days and then we received an official email stating that the waits were stretching 60-90 days. So we settled in. And I really was waiting pretty well. 20 days, 30, days, 40 days, 50 days….now getting a little restless. 60 days…..it's time! I began to communicate with some fellow moms wo had simialr log in dates. We were all gettin restless. And then on day 67 we got word that we were out of review!!! Rejoicing! All that was left was the match review stage. I knew that typically people jumped from review to match review anywhere from one day to 2 weeks. Most of the other families that got news that day skipped the review notice and went straight to match review. I just knew ours would come quickly. It did not. One week….two weeks…..nothing.</div>
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The possibility of Thanksgiving travel passed. We set our sights on Chirstmas.</div>
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Tomorrow marks 90 days waiting for this precious piece of paper…. a month since we were out of review. No news except that we haven't moved. Tomorrow starts a week long holiday in China. So we will not get anymore news for at least a week. </div>
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Christmas travel is not likely. </div>
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I have cried my ugly cries and I wish I could tell you I am ok with it. I'm not ok. I am weary of waiting. She is 13. She needs to come home. </div>
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But…..</div>
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I know that God loves Emily more than I do. I know he doesn't waste time. I have prayed that he will redeem this time by prerpaing her heart for us and preparing us for her. I know his timing is perfect. I know these things. I am repeating them daily. </div>
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I was also reminded this past sunday that we are not given a spirit of fear….fear for her health….fear that we won't travel in a timely manner or when we can all go….fear for our process. We have been given a spirit of love….love for this precious girl…love for all four of my children and a spirit of self control…..controlling my fear….controling my worry. And that is hard. </div>
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And so we wait…day 90. We will likely hit 100 days. And we will strive to be patient. And we trust in the Lord's timing and in his love for Emily.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YXcJrk1zAdr19nV3AXID5uRYumHJXl-T65bEw-flgAm5lQSFPhc5LCFXGwBWgNBYqfrX13m9H7QqhRoWOL5_ifSGFKZ0laUzo0qncv-q7ymbguISFiiXzbNekKBT-U3zsjbGg7IcAltP/s1600/IMG_0394.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YXcJrk1zAdr19nV3AXID5uRYumHJXl-T65bEw-flgAm5lQSFPhc5LCFXGwBWgNBYqfrX13m9H7QqhRoWOL5_ifSGFKZ0laUzo0qncv-q7ymbguISFiiXzbNekKBT-U3zsjbGg7IcAltP/s1600/IMG_0394.PNG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-854405763274131482014-09-22T19:28:00.002-07:002014-09-22T19:28:44.002-07:00Run for OneOn Saturday August 16 Lifeline's orphan care ministry, (un)adopted, sponsored a 5k to benefit their ministry. The event was held in several locations around the southeast including Birmingham. Shane and I talked about maybe going over for the weekend and doing it all together, but the closer it got the more we realized it just wasn't going to work out. But Shane had a great idea! There was a "run where you are" option for the 5K. He suggested we invite our family to walk with us that day and have our own family event. He sent out an email to everyone and every single family member said yes!! We all signed up and set the time for 8:00 am on Saturday the 16th.<br />
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Lifleine encouraged you to pick something to run for and each of us has something different we were running for .Here is Sarah working on her sign.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uNPfudTfYpD4-rtjwp5LGMuIj5Sb9LFF20OwOD3dtD-vehyaMxi87ofP0WzvcHykYa51soHoVD0phQ927VoimaymJ98HMHEFXKYVFnwvENGCZ3JVIlwPSVMF1GzgxLS2DT5-5NLEQ4JY/s1600/IMG_4289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uNPfudTfYpD4-rtjwp5LGMuIj5Sb9LFF20OwOD3dtD-vehyaMxi87ofP0WzvcHykYa51soHoVD0phQ927VoimaymJ98HMHEFXKYVFnwvENGCZ3JVIlwPSVMF1GzgxLS2DT5-5NLEQ4JY/s1600/IMG_4289.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaxTwRLfckf_UiZFp-eITJil2Qa_QJaHQQs7sYm-c0HTNhlDVnd8zfjta2l38cImDP6nnhF0_jGd0FfYythcPSbBXvAY1aIq5jG550ynmH-vf1NjWO0JaswIBhWhWi2RVU8LvlI6xAlPH/s1600/IMG_4290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaxTwRLfckf_UiZFp-eITJil2Qa_QJaHQQs7sYm-c0HTNhlDVnd8zfjta2l38cImDP6nnhF0_jGd0FfYythcPSbBXvAY1aIq5jG550ynmH-vf1NjWO0JaswIBhWhWi2RVU8LvlI6xAlPH/s1600/IMG_4290.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOolvooDleJlSkqKzFaEVHvZiYUksutzot0cfFYsQDKGJ7z1V2g2BXapw8Bn4hodOw9t0kilTsHYRb2VrcqlHsy9Yz_uCaEK8wMWA0a6RWGXbXm9q6br-78FeG4q_6wIkpefff3gNLiMJc/s1600/IMG_4298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOolvooDleJlSkqKzFaEVHvZiYUksutzot0cfFYsQDKGJ7z1V2g2BXapw8Bn4hodOw9t0kilTsHYRb2VrcqlHsy9Yz_uCaEK8wMWA0a6RWGXbXm9q6br-78FeG4q_6wIkpefff3gNLiMJc/s1600/IMG_4298.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Sarah was running for her friends Matthew and Ben. They are from the same orphanage as she is and will be coming home VERY soon! Praise the Lord! I got to hold and love on Matthew when we were there last year and I am ready to see them with their families!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9MuY-Toihaua5CrvtoPqE3freXttulxseIORXxd9CReTUY_h2Fqnjtbcl2RFoVyXjbsVfK7VfLs-ELmH5b9atLE9cSDP9YRpu48hkU-xsQBkyO8y2Uk-K1Oj_ZWa2F-c1FV1RCq_7eHW/s1600/IMG_4321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9MuY-Toihaua5CrvtoPqE3freXttulxseIORXxd9CReTUY_h2Fqnjtbcl2RFoVyXjbsVfK7VfLs-ELmH5b9atLE9cSDP9YRpu48hkU-xsQBkyO8y2Uk-K1Oj_ZWa2F-c1FV1RCq_7eHW/s1600/IMG_4321.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here we all are with our signs!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuzxOWJRxwDi35WV4yNh0sz1yAu56LzCsy8VgEgN40YvmHeMmCIBRZZQWl1Fh1Ykwr9Qf3TWiG3Md1Xljasz6KzuktjvjI9jTKKJImyvCwyZYrvjXE1lMqDL9_xq5GGPamVVl2YllqGrd/s1600/IMG_4318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuzxOWJRxwDi35WV4yNh0sz1yAu56LzCsy8VgEgN40YvmHeMmCIBRZZQWl1Fh1Ykwr9Qf3TWiG3Md1Xljasz6KzuktjvjI9jTKKJImyvCwyZYrvjXE1lMqDL9_xq5GGPamVVl2YllqGrd/s1600/IMG_4318.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The morning of our walk we all met at the Old Craft Center to walk the trail. Sarah and LuLu got in some stretching before we started.</div>
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Shane and have said before that one of the reasons we felt called to adopt was because-To whom much is given, much is required. We don't believe that applies just to material things, because look what we have been given!! Look at all this fabulous family!!</div>
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It took us an embarrasingly long time to walk a 5K and we had a blast. We chatted and the little kids took turns on the bike and being pushed in the stroller. The big girls took off and beat us all. It was so much fun….and then we had breakfast at Cracker Barrell! </div>
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But wait!!! That's not all. We said all our family said yes and that includes my brother and sister in law Julie all the way in Texas! Andy and Julie organized a walk with their friends at church and had a great turn out! We were so excited about that and so humbled that they would do that! </div>
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I mean how awesome is that!!!</div>
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It was a great day for a great cause and a reminder of how blessed we are as a family to have each other!! </div>
Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-90180410479428603502014-09-22T10:20:00.003-07:002014-09-22T10:20:59.340-07:0010 months!As of September 4 Sarah had been with us for 10 months!! August was a nice quiet monthwhich was good because September has been C.R.A.Z.Y. <br />
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What has Sarah been up to this month?<br />
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She walked to the lake to feed the fish. This is oneof those things I always intend to do and always forget to do. So one day when it was just the 2 of us we took off for the lake. I just knew this would be the stuff that memeories are made of! This look pretty much sums up how she felt about it. Whatever..can we go home. She wasn't so impressed and really just wanted to eat the bread instead of throwing it to the fish. Of course since there were no fish it wasn't a big deal. A little different from the last time we took bread to feed fish in China!!<br />
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She also finished up her gymnastics class this month. She was a mess that day. Hair everywhere, body everywhere. Shirt soaking wet. There is a picture of me with her getting her certificate but since she was a mess you can only imiagine what I looked like. She loved that class though and still cries whenever we pass the shopping center it was in. We aren't continuing right now but maybe again next summer.</div>
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She learned to cheese it up big time for the camera! She also has finally learned what she looks like. this is was kind of big deal to me! She clicked on Jennys phone one day and saw a picture of herself and pointed at the phone and then pointd at herself! It has taken 10 months but she finally recognizes herself! Of course when I was laing with her the other night I was reading a blog about another adoptive family and there was pa picture of their daugter and she kept pointing at her and then herslef. Still have a little work to do!</div>
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She ran through the sprinkler one more time!<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxV1lxiPMAqAMB73zXROAD9lk-vhFSuJsOkkQkPaBqRWCbXiu05dkyrtOPirshNyUwqaVGoBFNwxJJwnk9C7A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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She got a bike! She can sit on it but riding it is another story. We just aren't quite there yet. She loves it though!</div>
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She worked on her reading skills or napped while reading. One or the other!</div>
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She showed some Jag pride!! Go Madison Central!!</div>
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And the biggest thing of all this month was…..starting school!!!</div>
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When she started down the steps that frist day I just broke into tears. I saw in my head where she was a year ago. I saw the pictures I have that I won't show anyone becasue they break my heart and then hear she is! Loved and growing and going to school with her very own granmother walking her down the steps. It was just too much!</div>
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She absolutely loves school. She is actually saying the word school and is ready to go each day she goes! She has stayed for lunch a day or two and loves that! I am so very proud of my girl!</div>
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<br />Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-37596231411224654652014-09-07T21:13:00.000-07:002014-09-07T21:13:37.819-07:00SWEET!<i>I am so far behind blogging! I will catch up eventually but for now I wanted to let you know about a fundraiser we are doing!</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At our house we are passionate about two things right now- getting Emily home and caring for those we had to leave behind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are making progress towards Emily and we are SO excited about the <a href="http://lifelinechild.org/china-foster-center-update/" target="_blank">new foster home</a> that Lifeline has opened to help the children from Sarah's orphanage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So……</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have an idea to help us reach both goals!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Who doesn't love sweet rolls right?!?!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBar5eIpqtaxtumrzMHAYN4SBMQ78nEw1jgjo9rstik0NTpeXzXgsFV8VFeJ4dkUAEYk0YEL7vUoSiFMzFnonl_3MGx8FVhs7YZdO-6zxI1wnduXcdAwA350518TgIhXobm1wTjyy06MAO/s1600/IMG_4388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBar5eIpqtaxtumrzMHAYN4SBMQ78nEw1jgjo9rstik0NTpeXzXgsFV8VFeJ4dkUAEYk0YEL7vUoSiFMzFnonl_3MGx8FVhs7YZdO-6zxI1wnduXcdAwA350518TgIhXobm1wTjyy06MAO/s1600/IMG_4388.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We call these Yummy Goodness!<br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is the idea:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Each pan of sweet rolls has 16 sweet rolls and is ready to eat or to freeze. They are homemade from scratch with quality ingredients.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Each pan costs </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">$20.00</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What does that $20.00 go towards?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">$2.00 will go towards our expenses to make them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then the remaining $18.00 will be split between the 2 things we are passionate about!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">$9.00 will go towards our adoption of Emily- specifically it will go towards the orphanage donation each family is required to make.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">$9.00 will go towards buying supplies for the new foster home that we will take with us when we travel. We hope to fill a suitcase full of things they need. Lifeline is getting a list together for me of the things they need the most.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Would you like some sweet rolls?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please comment below, comment on FB, or send me an email at stacyhuff@me.com.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We will take orders all week and they will be available for pick up or delivery whatever day you choose this coming weekend</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">September11-13.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is Sarah's pretty please face</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And if that doesn't work here is her</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whatchoo talkin' 'bout face</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_GjkeHfYopAL8bBNBiC977Aco4KjGyzS1Xef9DyE81bkAiHlexioytY2L0Gaj4pfU68bD0Pz3fIvXsbbaq4s5Ucf-h0eqUwvqy-_WVeuCFlxDKWX9EDavxjqmQXY_sgIbS-fPGSWbMSP/s1600/IMG_4409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_GjkeHfYopAL8bBNBiC977Aco4KjGyzS1Xef9DyE81bkAiHlexioytY2L0Gaj4pfU68bD0Pz3fIvXsbbaq4s5Ucf-h0eqUwvqy-_WVeuCFlxDKWX9EDavxjqmQXY_sgIbS-fPGSWbMSP/s1600/IMG_4409.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And here is our beautiful Emily who we are so ready to have home.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Xn81robA_Lg7ENLtbDBMHH1I7ydxOnWRpPrh7JYb3eGiVO3BXxDDgULppTqKa6zMVTaravCSs-ArkfYyeXkVQ2JE-_0zEFsAoiYCweLo-4OsEqrUqW36EhunInf6TdZm7Hl0hwgN10oF/s1600/IMG_4404.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Xn81robA_Lg7ENLtbDBMHH1I7ydxOnWRpPrh7JYb3eGiVO3BXxDDgULppTqKa6zMVTaravCSs-ArkfYyeXkVQ2JE-_0zEFsAoiYCweLo-4OsEqrUqW36EhunInf6TdZm7Hl0hwgN10oF/s1600/IMG_4404.PNG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And sweet rolls or not please pray for our sweet Emily's heart as she is about to undergo more change than most of us face in a lifetime and please pray for the children and nannies at the foster home.</span></div>
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Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-68406727775475749902014-08-11T20:03:00.002-07:002014-08-11T20:16:42.303-07:00Swimming….or notIt took Sarah a few times to warm up to the pool this summer but by the end of summer she was really enjoying it. I decided to take her by myself one evening after Shane got home. I thought it would be a fun way to spend a little time and get her good and tired. It was overcast whe we left the house but I thought it would be fine. We stopped at Walgreens to get a floatie and it started to rain but it was just a quick shower and by the time we got to the pool it had stopped. But then the clouds rolled in. Fast.<br />
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I got her floatie on. I put the ring around her. I sat her on the step of the pool. She laid down and smiled really big. And then it thundered. Did it? No surely not. If I pretned it didn't maybe it wont again. </div>
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Nope. More thunder. Have to get out. Thirty seconds after she got in. I looked at the girl working and gave her fair warning that this would not be pretty. And it wasn't. No way on earth to explain to my partially deaf, no language until 6 months ago child that the thunder she can't hear means we can't swim. It's impossible. Trust me.</div>
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This is what she looked like all the way home.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHPXsgdcd5uMF9yPdzQfimU6J50omM2myvnOIDikYO-5-2_0ozo2fCVe0zZJjl_oIiWCGAXd5npDEITvgUn6sUy5CBJPj_0ZEDKfPJom3UWMirWTFaxxXaczP5BrhC3TKwYX16NX1d40m/s1600/IMG_4104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHPXsgdcd5uMF9yPdzQfimU6J50omM2myvnOIDikYO-5-2_0ozo2fCVe0zZJjl_oIiWCGAXd5npDEITvgUn6sUy5CBJPj_0ZEDKfPJom3UWMirWTFaxxXaczP5BrhC3TKwYX16NX1d40m/s1600/IMG_4104.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdsVNvrVHM2zIDadg053oj_E_ubqP1SMjgllCJa40eXSZSlj2zpOtKJdn0nLGAT9rRkBZUmLUdLfy93Bn0aTuhqgALZ3URkfZ6t39eDSWMpJoJRMz42e_kmbyGpCzLWLdeUV7P4gwvIt3/s1600/IMG_4103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdsVNvrVHM2zIDadg053oj_E_ubqP1SMjgllCJa40eXSZSlj2zpOtKJdn0nLGAT9rRkBZUmLUdLfy93Bn0aTuhqgALZ3URkfZ6t39eDSWMpJoJRMz42e_kmbyGpCzLWLdeUV7P4gwvIt3/s1600/IMG_4103.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I let Shane take over once we got in the driveway because, well honestly because she had screamed for 10 solid minutes and mamma needed a minute. This is how things went for him.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1gx5p74NUQy2OEo8uAhHKe6fwLcgDj9jggPaCo9I-i5zFFSAnCSurcpLYQ7FKF1vyn5-mHem18j7mQ3CIH2uB1T4d4nKecjTMIfWI33LY07wvSiP7El15dlHHA1oRpjJs05Mu-PoANOrL/s1600/IMG_4105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1gx5p74NUQy2OEo8uAhHKe6fwLcgDj9jggPaCo9I-i5zFFSAnCSurcpLYQ7FKF1vyn5-mHem18j7mQ3CIH2uB1T4d4nKecjTMIfWI33LY07wvSiP7El15dlHHA1oRpjJs05Mu-PoANOrL/s1600/IMG_4105.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cMSMnbi8D6TPEQ9coqHU3J63D5_ckB13biWm9KBkEu8vptwYANQDeUr919XXmIr38AyCGIKovsOX_eJj46LJbzYG-8KPFC_jCj_xwurwFIqi9HMnMCXNlvSiNuWq6ZKVcntK-lE2po2n/s1600/IMG_4106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cMSMnbi8D6TPEQ9coqHU3J63D5_ckB13biWm9KBkEu8vptwYANQDeUr919XXmIr38AyCGIKovsOX_eJj46LJbzYG-8KPFC_jCj_xwurwFIqi9HMnMCXNlvSiNuWq6ZKVcntK-lE2po2n/s1600/IMG_4106.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I know it's probably not great parenting to take a picture while your child is pitching a massive fit but you've either got to laugh or cry. She was crying plenty so we just had to stand back and let it run its course.</div>
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She recovered and she has had plenty of swim time!</div>
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Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-22720964406577341022014-08-11T19:49:00.001-07:002014-08-11T19:49:22.883-07:009 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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She's been home 9 months now. <br />
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Here's what we've been up to. July was a stay at home month. The boys were back from their big trip. Jenny had been to youth camp. Will did go to Super Summer during that time but other than that we pretty much did a whole lot of nothing. <br />
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We played in the rain. We walked out to the garage with Shane one morning and it was raining. She kept motioning to go out on the driveway and I kept telling her no and then I just thought "What the heck!" She LOVED IT!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepPS0ULosucY9nGy5uW1eoEl_REMjasw4ar_AEAFFXwAjmTI5W3y3xvFHrOmYlcaAivbWK9arEWJHIQ4EHVg03-ClRQAdxDm0JpB20DpML1VgtuQnvQAxHRxNhqNQJfhmGiExEOvFgPG9/s1600/IMG_4091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepPS0ULosucY9nGy5uW1eoEl_REMjasw4ar_AEAFFXwAjmTI5W3y3xvFHrOmYlcaAivbWK9arEWJHIQ4EHVg03-ClRQAdxDm0JpB20DpML1VgtuQnvQAxHRxNhqNQJfhmGiExEOvFgPG9/s1600/IMG_4091.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Will continues to amaze me with how natural and relaxed he is with her. She adores him and squeals whenever he comes home. He comfortable keeping her and is just so great with her.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLem3sIW2aedZ-k8O5Ca-ct71uf1ufDyA4eas-Qa2AKdjPvOm_Cb-HSzaFtF8pYc-B24leaGrj2YTliLK9i4QA0djaAR5jUjH-Z4kX-Tf98cYEdS73fT_P0uyW57zaSgoA3R6dBEp9ZOju/s1600/IMG_4133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLem3sIW2aedZ-k8O5Ca-ct71uf1ufDyA4eas-Qa2AKdjPvOm_Cb-HSzaFtF8pYc-B24leaGrj2YTliLK9i4QA0djaAR5jUjH-Z4kX-Tf98cYEdS73fT_P0uyW57zaSgoA3R6dBEp9ZOju/s1600/IMG_4133.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how she rides in the car when he is next to her.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WuXdQdIVECdrk3ShNSby_8VhP3fTQvwC18nyFRC0e4gbK0A2ALGxbF8QW4gOt9i0wWZ-iPkMLbOiivc7HeZ8rKzW24GEYOnAqQG96A-TVw7PF9c7_SyvG3HhT2ZK9BLFO2kCIdCYluvk/s1600/IMG_4121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WuXdQdIVECdrk3ShNSby_8VhP3fTQvwC18nyFRC0e4gbK0A2ALGxbF8QW4gOt9i0wWZ-iPkMLbOiivc7HeZ8rKzW24GEYOnAqQG96A-TVw7PF9c7_SyvG3HhT2ZK9BLFO2kCIdCYluvk/s1600/IMG_4121.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching TV- SportsCenter probably<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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Jenny wanted to take her to the Children's Museum so we hung out there one day. She really enjoyed it!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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She played so hard she fell asleep on the floor. She was organizing her wipes one minute and was sound asleep the next!<div>
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Her brother and sister dressed her up again- at least she doesn't look like a gangsta this time.</div>
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She watched Will weed eat the yard and fell asleep watching TV with Jenny. This time it was probaly Little Couple on the TV. </div>
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She painted. Her face.</div>
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And then a tile at the ceramics shop.</div>
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She conitnued with her gym class. To say she enjoys this would be a lie. She LOVES it! Everytime we pass the shopping center it is in she cries. She has really come very far and for the most part follows the directions. Her precious teacher Mr. Jemarcus has gone back to school now so we will see how that transition is but I am very glad we attempted this this summer. It makes me feel good about how she will do in school. It took her a few weeks but she got the routine down really well. She only went once a week and we missed a couple of classes so I know going several days a week at school she will get it even faster. Physically she is doing really good too! She is jumping and running with no problem and can even jump and twist around. So proud of how far she has come!<div>
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Will and Jenny finished up the summer good too. Jenny had a date with her daddy!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She has grown up so much this summer!</td></tr>
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Will had his first college visit! Gracious! It wasn't an official visit, but we tagged along on a business trip to Birminghm with Shane because Will wanted to look around. We introduced him to Mr. Beeson.</div>
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As we walked around Samford I texted Shane, "I am walking around my old college showing my teenager around while pushing a stroller with my Chinese baby in it. Life is funny!"</div>
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He answered, "Yes. Yes it is."</div>
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It's also good. Hard, busy, but very, very good.</div>
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Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-75094782912667393992014-07-19T21:14:00.001-07:002014-07-19T21:14:11.812-07:00EncouragementI've been a little bummed this week. We have entered the great unknown as far as the wait for Emily goes. We are 16 days into our LOA wait. Sixteen of how many. Who knows? Last year for Sarah it was 42. That is very fast, especially for last summer. Last year the central authority in China underwent a major database change and it was, in a word, disastrous. We somehow managed to skirt past that and came out just as things straightened out and started working again. Things are working fine now but wait times tend to cycle. I don't really understand why but they definitely do. You will see several weeks or months of LOA waits in the 40-50 day range and then it will get a little longer and a little longer and then suddenly it corrects itself. Who knows?! The fact of the matter is though that right now they are stretching between 70-90 days. Almost twice as long as last year. Once you get LOA you travel about 10 weeks later. The days add up quickly and we are looking at Christmas at least. I have prayed that somehow our whole family could go. I have prayed for her heart to be prepared. The thought of her waiting that much longer hurts my heart but maybe she needs that time. It's just been a little discouraging this week.<br />
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Until…..<br />
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One of the most precious things about adoption is the relationships with other adoptive mammas out there. We just "get" each other. The best thing this time around is that Emily's orphanage is a long time partner with Lifeline and many people are matched from that orphanage. I have been able to send several letters to her and that has been so nice. <br />
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This past week a precious Mamma was headed to China to get her sweet son who is from Emily's orphanage. She was taking a letter and some stickers for her from us. I knew what day she was going and so I woke that morning wondering if maybe she had messaged me. Goodness knows she had way more to deal with than my letter but I checked anyway. All of a sudden a message popped through! A message with this precious picture.<br />
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Not only a picture but a reiteration of what everyone who meets her says. She is sweet and soft spoken and precious. And not only that but a letter. A Letter!!! From her! She wrote us back and it is the most precious thing I own right now. I am holding it close but I can tell you it did my heart good. I have been doing some reading on teen adoption and it is deep, hard stuff y'all. We are peaceful and are preparing and we are not under the delusion that because she is sweet that it won't be hard but this little letter just made things ok for today. I can not wait to love her in person. She deserves that.</div>
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We are encouraged by her level of care. The nannies at this orphanage are so good and we here nothing but good things. She always looks cute and taken care of. It is just a different experience for sure! But she needs to come home. She needs PT and school and her mamma and daddy.</div>
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I am so thankful that the Lord hears the cries of a mother's heart and has without fail during both adoption given us just what we needed. It is such an exercise in trust and faith. He is stretching us! </div>
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<br />Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-10669780153078839992014-07-12T11:40:00.002-07:002014-07-12T11:40:11.690-07:008 MonthsEight month sure flies by fast when you are in the thick of life. And that's what it feel like right now. It isn't always easy but we have a front row seat to what God is unfolding not just in Sarah's life but in all three, four, of our kids lives. June- July have been busy and fun. We've kept fairly busy but have had planty of lazy summer days. We hit some MAJOR milestones in Emily's adoption. It's been a good summer!<div>
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We started off June with a BANG! VBS was so much fun and Sarah did great in her class. We have been putting her with the 3 yr olds at church and that seems to be working well. </div>
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The best part of VBS though?!?!? Our precious church raised over $4,000.00 for the new foster home Lifeline is opening for the kids from Sarah's orphanage. We were so blessed to be able to share about those children in church and our church responded in a huge way! We are blessed and humbled and grateful! The foster home is scheduled to open this week so keep that in your prayers!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys and Girls were dead even!<br /></td></tr>
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<br />Next up, Sarah "ran" in her first 5K. Actually she was pushed in a stroller by her Aunt Cam and uncle Josh but you know… it counts! Sarah went to the Flash Dash with them while we took Will and Jenny to see Tim Hawkins. Fun was had by all that night!<div>
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Sarah has continued with her gymnastics and is doing <strike>great,</strike> <strike>pretty good,</strike> <strike>getting better,</strike> getting in some good practice on her listening skills as well as gymnastics skills. Girl still can't find the Big, Green wall and she can do a mean front roll.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On your belly Sarah- or not- whatever<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<br />We said goodbye to our boys for 16 days during June! Shane and Will spent 16 days in New Mexico on the Philont Scout ranch. I have known this was coming since before we even started the proess for SArah so I had been praying for almost 2 years about those 16 days. We did just fine and Sarah even slept pretty good. I <span style="text-align: center;">was sure happy to see them home though!! </span><div>
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<br />Sarah also had her first taste of the ice cream man when a new ice cream truck made an appearance in the neighborhood. Jenny was thrilled as well and used her quick math skills to figure an ice cream treat into her daily sugar/carb/insulin balance.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the ice cream truck treats.</td></tr>
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<br />We played at the park with cousins.</div>
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And made a few early morning runs for biscuits.</div>
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We finally made it to the pool and Sarah has slowly learned to like it. I can't imagine what was going through her head the first time. You can see her clinging for dear life to Jenny. But she has warmed up to it and squeals when we pull out her swim suit.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was her favorite spot for awhile<br /></td></tr>
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While the boys were gone we made a road trip to Collins mississippi. I know, living on the edge! We went to the water park for the day and then drove over to Hattiesburg and spent the night in a hotel. We ordred pizza, swam in the hotel pool and watched TV. It was a fun, little road trip with my girls!</div>
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Sarah got new pink, sparkly crocs and to say she was thrilled would be an understatement. They don't fit with her AFOs so we mostly use them for the pool or a quick errand but she has gotten better at walking in them and she just loves them! </div>
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She went to her first MS Braves game. In her pigtails no less! Her hair has finaly gotten long enough to put in pigtails and I love it!!</div>
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We had a special treat this month too! One of the biggest blessings of our adoption journey has been the new friends we have made. These relationships have been invaluable to me especially. Most of these frienships have been "cyber" in nature. Finally we were able to all get together. We will add another sweet face to this group in just a few weeks!! And then Emily will join in as the big kid this fall hopefully!</div>
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<br />Fourth of July was so much fun. We spent the fourth at home (and at the ER- Will popped himself in the eye HARD with an exercise rubber band making what should be a round pupil really really not round. All was well though.) We ate and played outside and watched fireworks later that night. It was a fun, family day.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making Blueberry muffins<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the muffins out on the porch. The weather was fabulous!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corn on the Cob! Even with no front teeth she can do a number on the corn!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTmuslFHcNxhACWVqhsizTyKH0MEaiIEMDSmCaSLuvR3GvWkqR5yxhtIgtRwG38JIctom4wZtD8kHXwb9bXPcl_esBzyCJlYdC-IObSRm7RUnC4qOc40TJJFSpMKa4qOQjKhQNlBMUdPQ/s1600/IMG_4034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTmuslFHcNxhACWVqhsizTyKH0MEaiIEMDSmCaSLuvR3GvWkqR5yxhtIgtRwG38JIctom4wZtD8kHXwb9bXPcl_esBzyCJlYdC-IObSRm7RUnC4qOc40TJJFSpMKa4qOQjKhQNlBMUdPQ/s1600/IMG_4034.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swinging with Daddy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjHuH5k7Ss7oGUTCXlVrPfMyO3C6huRuLjOEw8ATjjk94v_TLv8r0al5L75h2nICe2wgy7vXyIDlXpmpSVkpYARcNhw4TE1mUrlxY1pkXKophU6JEIG7rcqoGt3346AYr0BMivmADpQ4Z/s1600/IMG_4026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjHuH5k7Ss7oGUTCXlVrPfMyO3C6huRuLjOEw8ATjjk94v_TLv8r0al5L75h2nICe2wgy7vXyIDlXpmpSVkpYARcNhw4TE1mUrlxY1pkXKophU6JEIG7rcqoGt3346AYr0BMivmADpQ4Z/s1600/IMG_4026.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Legos with Daddy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_zbtqXeSPArr4MmAdH9YMi96zDfalsQu8dMhE2Ja5QQWy8giPhFaGi4AbSPBY0nUE5hOn91hxk_cs06C57EihDuqDJEJBrIzrrGNvlO9OcZ_e3GYgLk2g46qY6DWrm8sxlaDCF4LMQ0n/s1600/IMG_4043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_zbtqXeSPArr4MmAdH9YMi96zDfalsQu8dMhE2Ja5QQWy8giPhFaGi4AbSPBY0nUE5hOn91hxk_cs06C57EihDuqDJEJBrIzrrGNvlO9OcZ_e3GYgLk2g46qY6DWrm8sxlaDCF4LMQ0n/s1600/IMG_4043.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah discovered the joy of poppers! <br /><br /></td></tr>
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Fireworks! She is still not sure how she feels about fireworks but she tolerated them for us.</div>
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It was a fun month full of lots of firsts. She has made some big leaps in her language and I will post about those separately. For now, I will leave you with what is my favorite picture from the last month.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy summer y'all!</span></div>
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Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-34939120453189176502014-07-07T10:03:00.001-07:002014-07-07T10:28:52.769-07:00A HUGE Leap towards ChinaIt has been a great few days around here!! We had a great fouth of July weekend and enjoyed being with our family!<br />
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Just a few days before that we got a great surprise! Lifeline had sent a team to Maoming and I sent a small care package with them. I emailed our SW and asked if I could just make sure she had gotten it. She did way better than that and sent me 2 videos of our girl getting her package and reading our letter. To here her sound out "Mishishippi" was too precious. It was not only so great to see and hear her voice it was confirmation to us that she can read Chinese characters. Our precious girl is only alloowed to go to school at the orphanage and so she is a class with younger kids. The sweet nanny that was with her while she was reading it helped with a few words and encouraged her and gve her a big thumbs up when she finished. I'm so happy she is being taken care of. It is an entirely differernt expierence this time around!<br />
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Here are some screen shots from the video we got.<br />
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And then today we got a very important email!!! I had a good feeling about today! We found out we are offiially logged in China! We were actualy logged in on July 3 so we are already 4 days into our next wait. Yep! From one wait to the next and this is a yucky one but I am excited to have four days behind us without even knowing it! We were logged in last year on 7/8 so we are just ahead of Sarah's timeline.</div>
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Its been an exciting few days. Please pray for our sweet girl. Pray for her heart as she ponders over our letters and pictures. I can only imagaine how she is feeling and I am praying for peace for her heart. Please pray with us! </div>
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<br />Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-18023361507930939842014-06-26T08:03:00.003-07:002014-06-26T08:03:54.749-07:00Big Step Forward!The good thing about boomeranging back to China so quickly is that the process is fairly fresh in my mind and I know what to expect. The bad thing is - I know what to expect and how long things should take. So when our dossier headed to the Consuate in Houston for authentication I knew it would take a week. It was one week to the day last time and we were DTC that day. DTC means Dossier to China. It is a HUGE step forward. <br />
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Well, the one week mark came and I checked and no dossier. Next day- no dossier. LONG weekend wait. Monday- no dossier. Our social worker is out this week and she let me know who would be handling our "case". Poor girl. She got me on an email everyday kind of week. Tuesday-no Dossier. Now I was becoming anxious. Someone in a group I am in posted that they were having a "nightmare" with the Houson consulate. Anxiety was beginning to creep in. Pateince Lord, give me patience. Wednesday- no dossier. We are bumping up against 2 weeks now. And then this morning-- "I have your Dossier- It is headed to China today!!! Praise the Lord!!! That means we are one gigantic step closer to our girl.<br />
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Next we wait for our Log in Date (LID in China adoption talk). Not sure how long that will be- typically 3 weeks (ish). Then the yucky wait starts! We wait for our LOA (Letter of Approval). Theoretically it could be a shorter wait because we are a "re-use", but who knows. We had a fairly short wait last time so I am not holding my breath for shorter this time. We are 6 days behind where we were last year and we traveled the first of November. I am not looking that far forward right now. Today I am celebrating the milestone of DTC and praying over my sweet Emily!Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-2647539474017562502014-06-15T21:32:00.000-07:002014-06-15T21:38:35.960-07:00SelahI'm writing this with a baby asleep in my arms. She woke up a little while ago and I can't bring myself to put her down. I'm amazed at how brown her skin is. She was so pale just a few months ago. She's been home 7 months. She's been put under general anethesia 4 times and there is a good possibilty another one is coming. She's had major dental surgery, had so many hearing tests I've lost count, gotten hearing aids and leg braces and she really doesn't like having to do what the PT tells her to. She's learned that if yelling and spitting don't get you why you want, smiling, holding out your arms and saying Mama just might. She has woken up in the middle of the night with her heart racing, her arms searching and grabbing on to me so tight it takes my breath away. Scared, unsure of where she is. <br />
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But…..<br />
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She's had her teeth fixed, she's gotten her hearing aids and leg braces. She may not like it but she can walk the stairs at PT one at time now. Her skin is dark from hours of being outside and when she wakes up scared there is always someone there to grab onto.<br />
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I'm so very glad she is here. So very glad we are with her. I know she has been through it since she got home, but I'm so glad she has a chance. A chance to know Jesus.<br />
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There is another little one. From the same place as Sarah. She was there when we were in November and I wished I had seen her and held her. Pale and so very sick. Thankfully she was able to be moved to a foster home to get better care and now she waits in a hospital in Beijing. Waiting. Waiting for money to be raised so her heart can be fixed. Her heart conditon is complicated and complex. A doctor is willing to do it, but the funds are lacking and honestly they are greatly lacking. It will take $25,000 to fix Selah's heart. Only $8,000 has been raised. <br />
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I'm so thankful she is being given a chance. I'm sad that she doesn't have a mamma waiting with her, altough I am thankful for the nanny who I am sure is with her. I'm praying she gets to have dark skin from playing outside and skinned up knees from falling off a bike and she gets to yell at her therapist for making her work hard. I want her to know Jesus. <br />
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Can you help Selah? As followers of Christ we are all called to care for the orphan. This is a very good way to do just that. Can you spare $10? Maybe more. I'm amazed somedays what I say I can't afford to do as I drive through somewhere or stop for snacks. Skip it just once and help give Selah a chance. <br />
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You can go here to donate and write Selah in the comments box.<br />
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<a href="http://unadopted.org/donate-2/" target="_blank">Donate for Selah's Surgery</a><br />
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This will take you to the (un)adopted website. This is the orphan care ministry of Lifeline Chilldren's Services. They are our adoption agency.<br />
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Here is sweet Selah.<br />
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I'm so thankful someone is taking care of her. Look at that smile. Put please also look at her fingers. Sweet, dimped, baby fingers- with blue fingernails from a lack of oxygen. Her heart needs to be fixed. Soon. <br />
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Please pray for Selah and help as you can.Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-30427619694640018682014-06-12T20:43:00.003-07:002014-06-12T20:43:36.693-07:00 7 months!!As of last week "the baby" as I affectionately call our 5 1/2 year old has been home 7 months! How can that be! I will admit that the last 7 months have challenged me and frustrated me and wounded my pride and blessed me more that I ever thought possible. Not just in my parenting of Sarah but with all three of my kids. When Will had his first wreck last week I told Shane that was proof that I had not yet had all I could take! The Lord is teaching me to lean and press into Him. I know its is only going to get crazier from here as we add Emily to our family but I have a total peace about that. <br />
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The last month was busy, busy. We finally finished up school and we were all glad. Everyone of us. It was year y'all but we did it. Moving on to 11th grade, 8th grade and preschool. Will is done with Spanish and we all sang the hallelujah chorus. I told the big kids one day when I left them at home that I wanted the backpacks cleaned out and all the school stuff put up while I was gone. I came home an hour later and smelled a strange smoky smell. I found them in the backyard standing over the fire pit literally burning their notebooks. A couple of days later I saw what I thought was a novel half burned in there. I picked up preparing my speech about not burning books when I saw it was the Spanish/English dictionary. I put it back. Done I tell you!!<br />
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We were concerted and programmed out by the end of May. When school was finally out I breathed a deep sigh a relief and then this happened.<br />
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I tried for a good long time to come with a reason he couldn't drive himself to baseball the next day but there just wasn't one. So off he went. He hit a little snag a week or so ago but we've all been there so it's all good. <br />
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How do you know summer has started? Roo cups of course!<br />
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I had my first Mother's day as a mother of three and we celebrated by having Sarah's Dedication at church. I'm pretty sure she thought she was supposed to be singing and she lost a shoe half way through but it was a sweet day.</div>
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We went to Birmingham for an MRI. Why all the way to Birmingham? We love going to Children's of Alabama. It is a great hospital. The International Adoption Clinic is there and we love them! They were able to get us in much sooner there than we could have here in town so we took a road trip. More on that later.</div>
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She played in the splash pad for the first time and loved it! It is so fun to watch her in completely new situations. She had absolutely no idea what to do at first. But after watching some other kids and the help of Jenny and her friend, Isabelle she finally figured it out!</div>
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She got a new rock box and has loved playing on the slip and slide. It has become somewhat of a routine now to spend an hour or more outside after dinner on the porch chatting with the big kids while Sarah slips and slides. And cackles laughing!</div>
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A big deal this month was getting her new AFOs. They have helped tremendously with her mobility. She was getting around ok but as she became more and more active her left foot especially was beginning to drop and drag and she was hyper extending her knee. Her flexibility was improving but her toe walking was not. She was more active than she had ever been allowed to be and she was beginning to fall and trip. These have given her so much more stability and she is doing great in them. She even ends of somewhat flatfooted now with them off. They have been a great for her and I happen to think they look cute! They do of course make her different. They invite comments from strangers like, "Whats wrong with the baby's legs?" But I just answer and move on. There are sweet moments too like talking with the janitor at Madison central after she saw Sarah in them about how her granddaughter has pink ones too and the precious gentleman I met the DMV who is a Shriner and told me all about how he used to drive parents and children to St. Louis to Shriner's hospital. </div>
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And then of course this happened. "Will watch Sarah for just a minute please." This is what I come back too. </div>
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She adores him. They had a bit of a slow start since he wasn't in China but man she loves him now. He's loud and silly and so much fun!<br />
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And he watches "Let it Go" with her.</div>
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She went to VBS for the first time. She loved it. She has learned the sign for church and knows where she is going when we say "church". This was her reaction. I love that!</div>
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It rained a lot so we just played in the bubbles in the sink. That's why God made mops. Kept her busy for 30 whole minutes which in Sarah world is like a whole day!</div>
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She had her passport picture made so she can get a US passport. I wish you could have seen the Walgreens guy and me making big ole fools of ourselves trying to get this picture. It would have made good television. Sarah has a Chinese passport but because she is now a US citizen she can not travel on the Chinese passport. I have her Chinese passport though and pulled it out to see if there was a difference in the pictures.</div>
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Just a little difference. Gracious. That takes my breath away!</div>
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She started going to gymnastics one day a week at The Little Gym. I think it will be good for her. She is in a three year old class and it's pretty relaxed and she LOVES it. The teacher told me she seemed a little distracted this week. That made me laugh. He keeps telling her to sit against the Big Green Wall while loud music is playing. I keep reminding him that if she happens to hear him over the music words like big and green and wall mean absolutely nothing to her. Sit she understands but again only if she can hear you. Its a process. A long process.<br />
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It is easy to make life look rosy and perfect in pictures and for the most part things are going so well. We pretty much have all our medical stuff with both Jenny and Sarah worked out and a good routine of therapies scheduled. She was doing so well at PT that we are stretching it out to once a month for awhile. She goes to speech once a week. That is a slow slow process and it is very easy for me to get discouraged. I have to remind myself over and over just how many cards this sweet child had stacked against her. Our ENT put it best when he said that the 2 things that can cause the biggest developmental delays in children are undiagnosed hearing loss and a neglectful environment. Stacked on top of each other for 5 years and we are starting from scratch. She basically had no access to language until just a few months ago. She is understanding a lot of what we say. She associates words and signs quickly now. I can teach her a new sign in just a day or two. She has a few words that only we can understand. We think we will get there but it is going to take years. Years. </div>
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Her MRI showed some significant sinus issues so we will be dealing with that soon and I hope it will help with a few lingering issues. And maybe help with sleep. </div>
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She is going to go the Covenant Preschool next year a couple of days a week in a three year old class. I've second guessed that a time or two but it is what we feel like is best for her. I have sought out opinions from every professional we see and they all agree that it is a good place to start. She is behind deveoplmentaly but also cognitively. I want to say here that we knew that going in. We knew these would be issues we dealt with. We still don't know what her potential is and I am hesitant to have her labeled too quickly by the school system. When the time comes in another year or so we will go down the SPED and IEP roads and I am prepared to do that but for now I just want to follow developmental steps in order. So what if she is behind, I want her to get the chance to be a preschooler. To nap in the afternoons and be little. She deserves that chance.</div>
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We still deal with some behavioral issues but I am pretty sure most parents of 5 year olds do. How we deal with it is different. Trust me when I say Will and Jenny didn't hit me more than once. That was not tolerated. I am still learning how to diffuse those situations with Sarah. In all our training we learned that when these kids feel frightened or threatened they will fight, flight or freeze. Looking at pictures of this little girl I imagined her freezing, just withdrawing and detaching. Um…..no. The girl is a fighter. She comes out swinging. Part of the time it makes me crazy and part of the time it makes so so sad. She's had to be a fighter. We will get there though. Again….time, time, time.</div>
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We are so blessed to be her parents. I have been amazed by Will and Jenny's love for her and acceptance of her differences. It is a marathon for sure but we are learning every day how to help her be all God want her to be.</div>
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Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-4750646706324075162014-06-09T18:43:00.000-07:002014-06-09T18:43:00.161-07:00Making progress!Things are moving along very well in our adoption of Emily. This is such a different experience than Sarah's adoption. I can't put my finger on it exactly but it is much like a second pregnancy. I have a much better sence of what I am doing. I have a better sence of what to freak out about and what not to fret over. I am much less fervent. Last time I had the next step done and waiting this time I have had to scurry a couple of times to have things ready on time. A certain 5 year old keeps me on my toes and keeps my time occupied! I also have a peace about where Emily is that I did not have with Sarah. I knew her situation was dire- that she needed to get out there as quickly as possible. With Emily, I want her home as soon as possible. I want her to be getting the care she needs and to be able to go to school and to have a mother and father and a family that cherishes her. I have however been told that the nannies at her orphanage are so great and really love the children. I have also been told they do a great job of preparing them for adoption. What a blessing that is! I am praying for the Lord to use this time of waiting to plant the desire for a family in her heart and to ready her for the coming changes.<br />
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One really neat thing this time around is the amount of contact we have been able to have. We sent Sarah a couple of things and a letter while she waited but I was never sure she got them and I knew she could not understand what was happening. This time however I know Emily gets what we send and it seems very important to me to have as much contact as possible. We haven't talk to her- we only have some videos but we have been able to send her multiple letters. Her orphanage is larger than Sarah's and one of Lifelines oldest partnerships Many families adopt from there. I have been able to send several letters. I mailed a package today for Lifeline to take to her next week when they visit. That has been really fun!<br />
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Our dossier is being authenticated right now. It should be headed to the Chinese consulate this week. I hope we will be DTC next week. We are trying to decide who will travel but so much depends on when and we just don't know yet. I really want everyone to go at least for part of the time. It will all work out. See- much more relaxed this time around! We have ordered Will and Sarah a passport just so we have our bases covered!<br />
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I am hopeful to get knew pictures in the next couple of weeks from this trip Lifeline is taking. I plan to send another package and ask for an update when we are logged in. Hopefully around the first of July.<br />
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I am ready to see her sweet face. I am growing to love her more each day and am feeling her absence in our family. It won't be without it's challenges but few things worth doing are. We are preparing and praying and trying to wait patiently!Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-35657111449527904072014-05-12T21:30:00.002-07:002014-05-12T21:57:08.213-07:00 6 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When we were in China adopting Sarah I remember thinking I couldn't wait for her to be home six months. I love seeing the transformation these children have after being home and I was anxious to see how she would blossom and grow. Well it's been six months! I can hardly believe it.<br />
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This picture was taken just moments after they handed her to us. She was tiny and frail and so much a baby. She was so thirsty - she just drank and drank from the cup of water I had brought with me. She didn't shed a tear. They told us later when we visted the orphanage that she never made any sounds or words but as soon as they got in the car headed to Guangzhou she started saying "Mamamamamama" over and over. They were amazed. Now I don't think she understood or was actaually saying "mamma" but I do think she knew she was leaving. I prayed for months that God would show her me in her dreams and give her a desire for a mother through her dreams. She can't tell me that right now, but I believe He answered that prayer. </div>
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This picture was taken a few days ago. She just looked so cute that day. She likes to hold on to the food when we grocery shop. She is no longer so baby like and very much like a preschooler.</div>
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This was also taken last week. Such a beautiful girl.<br />
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I was going through her clothes the other day changing out seasons and I pulled out the clothes she wore while we were in China and it made me sad to put them away. Those are the closest things to baby clothes I will ever have for her. Her gotcha day clothes are her going home clothes. I mourn the things I don't have for her. Baby pictures, baby clothes, first steps. But I rejoice for the firsts I do get to see. And I am so thankful she is here!</div>
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Before I recap the last month here are some highlights from the first six months!</div>
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*She has gained 11 pounds and grown 2 inches! Tonight she is wearing pajamas I brought to China that absolutely fell to the floor she was so skinny. They are a little snug now.</div>
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*She is gaining some language slowly, slowly, but it is coming. Her words are:</div>
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"Mama" - this is an all purpose word but she has a definite different tone when she wants me.</div>
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"GO!" This is done along with the sign and it sure is cute!</div>
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"Let it go" Like every other five year old in America, mine is obssesed with Frozen</div>
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"All Done"</div>
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"More"</div>
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"Mouth"/"nose" Sometimes we get these, not consistently.</div>
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*She tested at an 18 month level 6 months ago, last month we retested and she tested at a solid three years old. I'll take it!!</div>
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*She can run, climb, jump and catch a ball. She could not do any of those things 6 months ago.</div>
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*We have had all major tests, surgeries and evaluations done now. We get her AFOs tomorrow and that is the last thing for awhile. We have a good set schedule of speech and PT. </div>
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*We have made a decision about school for next year. She is going to go to Covenant preschool a few days a week to the three year old class. She could technically go to Kindergarten but I just want her to be able to be a preschooler and we have worked very hard to get in wth the therapists we are seeing and want to continue to see them as we continue to evaluate what she can hear and work toward speech.</div>
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*Sleep continues to be an issue. She is sleeping in a twin bed next to ours. She is finally over a cold and is beginning to sleep a little better. She does nap, but only if I lay with her. I fought this for awhile, but have decided that this is the Lord's gift to me. An hour each afternoon to rest and snuggle with her. </div>
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We are just so proud of her. She especially seems to be loving the warm weather and getting outside. We try to get her to the park once a week or so. She loves it! She seems to be growing and passing through stages so fast. We continue to work on some food issues and expressing frustration in a better way - as in spitting isn't nice! We will get there!</div>
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Here are the highlights for the last month!</div>
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She rode a speial adaptive bike in PT for the first time. You can tell from her face how much she loved it!</div>
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She stayed up on current events. We are trying to teach her to be an informed citizen.</div>
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She hung out in the hammock with her cousin Holt.</div>
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First Easter!! Four Egg Hunts, egg dying and cookies and of course the annual egg toss. Pretty sure she thought we were crazy!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Egg hunt at the City of Madison egg hunt. She did not get this at all.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom and me at the egg hunt</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing off my climbing skills</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r1q02bnCjL-GrqE6DT2dXNeDLdx5GX7orakkFJv-TIE0OzmQ-0OsypMtnrCGXO86rWhdKf5_Rgde6OwQOjaKtwfghDIwkjfc79PD2vlY2uW-WswVr16EicMqOXXh4TvnFlH7ljhQFZJE/s1600/IMG_3231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r1q02bnCjL-GrqE6DT2dXNeDLdx5GX7orakkFJv-TIE0OzmQ-0OsypMtnrCGXO86rWhdKf5_Rgde6OwQOjaKtwfghDIwkjfc79PD2vlY2uW-WswVr16EicMqOXXh4TvnFlH7ljhQFZJE/s1600/IMG_3231.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next egg hunt at the Lake- did a little better. Brothers are awesome!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8P8L0Pa1gROwRIZBv8C1lWw0YzJ0-eM25J4ljf1ANwYpiZp7E72oK2JURyfIe_alhAKUtWgpzXBARW1ZoIP8lqcgmvHKgUNq19UjY0cY6eWSGyQXrr151ux1W_lx1G798ky93vN6fq6l/s1600/IMG_3307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8P8L0Pa1gROwRIZBv8C1lWw0YzJ0-eM25J4ljf1ANwYpiZp7E72oK2JURyfIe_alhAKUtWgpzXBARW1ZoIP8lqcgmvHKgUNq19UjY0cY6eWSGyQXrr151ux1W_lx1G798ky93vN6fq6l/s1600/IMG_3307.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church egg hunt!</td></tr>
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Making cookies!<br />
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Dying Eggs!<br />
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Easter Morning. </div>
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Egg hunt at Lulu's- now she's got it figured!!<br />
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I'm supposed to throw the egg??!!<br />
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First time to sing in church. Precious!!</div>
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First tornado. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> I've got the bacon pillow- now what do I do?</td></tr>
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We went to Birmingham for an MRI and she was casted here at UMC for her AFOs.</div>
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It is has been an exciting, exhausting, challenging six months. I can only imagine what the next six will bring!<br />
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Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-44487798222774879942014-05-10T13:23:00.001-07:002014-05-10T13:23:05.389-07:00Forward movementYou would think I would be better at waiting this time around but the truth is I'm just not. We received PA for Emily on February 20 and started our homestudy update immediately and although it was more like starting conpletely over than just an update it went pretty quickly. I had the finished homestudy in my inbox before the end of April which was my goal but for whatever reason it took two more weeks for it to get approved and signed and back to Birmingham. <div><br></div><div>Our immigration paperwork was at the Agnecy waiting on the homestudy. My goal had been to have that off by the first of May but we missed that deadline. Finally on Thursday afternoon I received an email from our social worker that it had arrived and she had been able to get the immigration paperwork mailed off. So glad!!!</div><div><br></div><div>Now we wait again. Hurry up and wait. This immigration step should hopefully not take quite as long as it did with Sarah because our approval is still good. We are simply asking for an extension and an addendum to include an age change to what we are approved for. We were approved for two children ages 4-6 and now we need to be approved up to age 13 because Emily will be 13 before we get there. We are hopeful that this will take 3 weeks instead of 6 and then we will authenticate and be DTC mid June hopefully! That puts hopefully on track to travel in November again. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm getting ready to send her another care package. I want to continually remind her we are coming! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhW4RyU-hnyMmQKaGrPwIMq4xIEltbd_KmyfaurN4Z6FDKG-IaLqok2PPSJo40WDDw2TLx8bor9oj515tXacT0dBDwHiNXSXkO0bu8ByimSwjohJWCDvMSMDMaAHyQ8taHONUGLCJOC2CC/s640/blogger-image--1073034270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhW4RyU-hnyMmQKaGrPwIMq4xIEltbd_KmyfaurN4Z6FDKG-IaLqok2PPSJo40WDDw2TLx8bor9oj515tXacT0dBDwHiNXSXkO0bu8ByimSwjohJWCDvMSMDMaAHyQ8taHONUGLCJOC2CC/s640/blogger-image--1073034270.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-27866142101978716112014-04-24T12:45:00.000-07:002014-04-24T12:45:23.558-07:00Update on EmilyWe are working away to get Emily home as soon as possible. Things have moved along really well. We have had a great social worker who has really been helping move the home study along. We already had much of the paperwork gathered so that was helpful. Our medical forms about drove me to drink but we finally got them done right. Directions people. Read them.<br />
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We got word yesterday that the home study is written and is being approved. That is great news because I was hoping t apply for a grant with an April 30 cut off date. We will cut it close but I think we will make it.<br />
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What's next? Immigration. Many people have asked if we had to start completely over since we just did all this and the answer is pretty much yes. Our home study was shorter because most of our education was still good. We had to redo all our clearances and medicals, but since it was already written it just had to be updated. We shaved about a month off there. This fist round of immigration will be another place that is not a total redo. We were already approved for 2 children so we have to file and extension and an updated home study and wait for approval. We will have to be refingerprinted but don't have to do that now. After that it is the same process as last time. We will have our dossier authenticated and then sent to China. We will wait for a Logan date and then start the dreaded LOA wait. We are hoping to travel between October and the end of the year. <br />
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A sweet family traveling a few weeks ago took a few pictures for us. It is such a gift to get these pictures. We received pictures several times with Sarah's adoption and some of them were much to difficult to post. All of Emily' pictures have been good and we know she is being taken care off. We are anxious to get her home and get her healthy and the help and school she needs and deserves but we are not fearful and that is a nice change.<br />
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Here are the sweet pictures we got.<br />
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We were happy to see her sitting up in chair. Our previous pictures had her sitting on the floor or in her wheelchair so this is good. We also have precious video of her doing embroidery work. What a girl!!</div>
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I spoke to someone the other day hat has spent a good amount of time with her and she just went on about how sweet she is. About how she is the kind of person you just want with you. We are so ready to have her with us!</div>
<br />Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-10709016630829556702014-04-24T12:25:00.002-07:002014-04-24T12:25:09.694-07:005 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On April 5th Sarah had been with us for 5 months! I can't believe it! What a 5 months it has been. The very most exciting thing to happen was this!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hearing Aids!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
We are so very excited that Sarah finally has her hearing Aids. She is doing so well with them and we can tell a huge differencr in what she can hear. I am getting better at putting them in and she is getting better at letting me. She is good about leaving them in and she wears them all day. Lots of people have asked me if she is speaking English now that she can hear. The answer is no. She has never hard language clearly before now and we are still assessing what she can actually hear. It helps to think of her language abilities like a newborn. Think of how long it takes a newborn to aquire language and that is what we are looking at. She is understanding a lot of what we say and she has some signs that she uses. We are making signfigant process but we have a very long way to go. We are so proud of her and so glad she is able to hear now!</div>
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Also this month we went to the Memphis zoo during spring break. If you are wondering f the Memphis zoo during spring break might too muchfor a newly adopted child the answer would be yes. Yes is is, as evidenced by the ever increasing zoned out look on her face in these pictures - which is better than the screaming. It was a long day. But we saw Pandas. </div>
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Also on the zoo trip my 13 year old complained, um..constantly, that she was tired. So so tired. So tired mom. That combined with a few days of finding her like this:</div>
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Combined with a yearly check up ended us up looking like this:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the look 13 year olds give you when you take their picture in the hospital<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Jenny has been diagnosed with type one diabetes. To say we were shocked is an understatement and we are still reeling somewhat. She is an amazing kid though and has taken the bull by the horns and is managing things very well. We are still working it all out but we are so proud of her.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Just a few days after we got home from the hospital Jenny was in the school play.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">All of that was a lot of excietent for one month so we hae been taking it easy for a few weeks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Playing with the Weeble treehouse</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whoever sold this at the Little Feet sale… thank you. She couldn't love it more!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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Reading Frozen at Barnes and Noble.<br />
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Hanging out on the trampoline at Pop and Peanuts.<br />
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Taking selfless while we wait for Jenny at piano.</div>
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It has been a trying, hard, busy month for my girls but we are haging in there. Will had a good month too. His show choir went to a national competition in Nashville and had a great time. We didn't get to go so I don't have pictures. Fun was had by all though.</div>
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We are praying things begin to slow down a little but we are headed straight into May and anybody with school age kids will attest to the fact that May is otherwise known as "Please no more programs, concerts, testing, parties- just let me make it to summer" month. </div>
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Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-65551409718911794772014-04-24T11:32:00.001-07:002014-04-24T11:32:12.430-07:00A trying monthI am way over due a 5 month update. Not that I think everyone out there is dying for an update every month but this is sort of like my baby book for Sarah. A place to look back at everything that had gone on during each month. Six months is just around the corner so I am way behind, but in an effort to keep it transparent. I am weary.<br />
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These last 2 months have been the hardest of all my 16 years of motherhood. My precious 5 year olds is working hard to heal a broken heart and learning how to be a part of a family. As beautiful as it is, it is hard and it is messy. We have had some hard hard days. My precious 13 yr old, Jenny has had a major, life altering medical emergency. We are still reeling a little from that and learning how to manage her new diagnoses. And my almost 16 year old, is well…..almost 16. Enough said. <br />
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And I am working to get my 4th child home. I long for her most days. Her sweet spirit shines through her pictures and the reports we get. I am anxious to get her here.<br />
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I am struggling too. Finding where I fit and finding where Sarah fits. I tire of the looks she gets when she doesn't answers some one's questions or makes noises some don't understand. She is such a joy but I do get a glimpse of what the world sees sometimes and it hurts my mothers heart. I still feel very disconnected from things and am struggling to find a place to fit. <br />
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A few years ago I complained to the Lord that I was bored. That makes me laugh today. The truth of the matter is that what God loves Satan hates and he attacks with fury. Shane and I both feel like we are under attack. We are buckling down to protect our children, our marriage and our family. He may sling a few arrows and hit his mark form time to time, but he will not win.<br />
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We did have some very good and exciting things happen during Sarah's 5th month home and I will write about those soon. We are getting into good rhythm and for the most part things are really good, but my heart is so very heavy for my children these days. We covet your prayers.Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315383838543621929.post-80529290562981296882014-04-15T20:37:00.000-07:002014-04-15T20:43:09.696-07:00Where God is workingMost of us live in a bubble. We may get outside that bubble for short periods of time but it is so easy to slip back in. I sat in a waiting room today and listened for 30 minutes while 2 mothers complained about how busy they were. Kids to take here and there, no time to shop for clothes, no one had booked the hotel for the baseball tournament and now the best hotel was full and whether to stay in a bigger house a mile from the beach or stay in a smaller house on the beach. First world problem, we all have them.<br />
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But I have seen. And when I slip back into my bubble full of first world problems I force myself to remember what I have seen. I have seen a room full of cribs with only plywood for mattresses. No place for an adult to sit or sleep….who stays there during the night? I've seen children with towels instead of diapers tied around their waist with ropes. I have seen older children who have never spent a day in school. Never. With gray teeth, unable to speak. I've seen a child sitting with their legs through the bars of a third story window watching me look over the only place he has ever known. Watching me hold children and pass out lollipops and leave. <br />
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When I lay by my beautiful daughter at night I see those children. So thankful for the ones who are home now, Susan, Sarahbeth, Sophia. So thankful for the ones coming home soon, Stewart,Sean, Suzie. But I hurt for those who aren't home. Who may never be home, Samuel, Susanna, Seth.<br />
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Lifeline Children's Services has a partnership with this orphanage. The orphanage my daughter once lived in. They have worked to help and have prayed for the Lord to open doors and He has. In a might, mighty way He has opened doors for Lifeline to establish a foster home for 14 of the babies at this orphanage. Fourteen children able to sleep in peace and safety in a suitable bed with plenty of food. Able to get interaction and love and touch everyday. Given the medical treatment they need.<br />
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The challenge of course is money. Always isn't it!? But God is so much bigger than money. Lifeline needs a lot of money in a short amount of time to get this foster home off the ground. God has made the path smooth through the hard things like an apartment, a manager and government approval, I have no doubt that He won't let a thing like 40,000 stand in the way. But how awesome that he allows us to be a part of His work. He allows us to be blessed by being obedient to help to fatherless. Do you have $5? $10? $25? Maybe more? Would you be willing to help? <br />
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You can click on the link below to hear more about this opportunity and how to help. Nothing is too small. <br />
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<a href="http://lifelinechild.org/chinafosterhome/" target="_blank">http://lifelinechild.org/chinafosterhome/</a><br />
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To see these children's faces you can click on the link below. Pick one out and pray for them. Pray that they will know the love of a family. Pray that the Lord will guard their future. It is dim without Him, but He is big God. I have seen these children with my own eyes. They are not just pictures, they are as real as the children you tucked into bed tonight and just as fiercely loved by our creator. One of those children, Susan on the list, is home now. Sleeping in her bed in the room next to the one I'm sitting in now. She is safe and loved and home. They all deserve that. This foster home is gigantic step in the right direction. <br />
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<a href="http://lifelinechild.org/suixi/" target="_blank">http://lifelinechild.org/suixi/</a><br />
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Many years ago I took part in the Experiencing God Bible study. I remember Henry Blackabey saying that if you wanted to do something for God to look for where He was already working and join Him. He is working here, Join Him!!<br />
<br />Stacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11721733415717930582noreply@blogger.com0