What it's all about

I know there are many different opinions on how people would have handled this situation, but I know that we would have done the same exact thing this family did.

Another Great Day!

Yes! Mother's day yesterday was wonderful. The boys woke up as usual around 7 a.m. Scott whispered to me that it was my day and to stay in bed. I knew I had to get the boys ready for church, but I complied.

I could hear them in the kitchen rattling pots and pans and giggling with their Daddy (and Ayi & Shu-Shu that had spent the night). About an hour later, in walks Kai carrying a gift bag with so much pride that his smile made the room glow! Then sweet little AJ followed with that little smile that he gives me every morning and said 'Hiiiiiiii!" They both climbed up on the bed with Mama. A few seconds later in walked Daddy....carrying a tray with the most delicious Eggs Benedict I've ever had, along with other yummy goodies. It felt so good to have my sweet boys with me. I had to stop and remember that this time last year, AJ was just a mere 1 month old, and Kai had been home for less than a month. What a difference a year makes.

I munched down all of the delicious food Scott made and shortly afterwards Amanda came home. She had been at her Dad's that night. I started opening cards, and as usual, just couldn't get through them without the tears flowing. I was especially moved when I received a card "from" Anna Grace, signed by her Daddy and telling me how much she wanted to come home. ::sniff::

We then all dressed and headed to church, where we met up with Po-Po and the rest of the family. Our middle guy, Adam, met us after church for lunch at one of my favorite places. OH! And I have to share my Mother's Day gifts. I received an official CTU (from the show 24) tshirt and Adam gave me a Season 4!!!!!!! Wooohoooo! Scott is out of town this week (I'll blog about that later) so I will definitely have something to fill the time while my sweet hubby is gone.

Tito called me early in the morning to say he missed and love me (brought tears to my eyes again) and that he was sorry he couldn't be there. He is coming up Memorial Day Weekend for Kai & Scott's birthday. Also my stepdaughter, Nicole, called and put a smile on my face. All in all it was a wonderful Mother's Day.

I'm off to take Kai to meet with the cleft team (his annual visit) but I will be posting pictures later tonight.

Another Great Day!

Yes! Mother's day yesterday was wonderful. The boys woke up as usual around 7 a.m. Scott whispered to me that it was my day and to stay in bed. I knew I had to get the boys ready for church, but I complied.

I could here them in the kitchen rattling pots and pans and giggling with their Daddy (and Ayi & Shu-Shu that had spent the night). About an hour later, in walks Kai carrying a gift bag with so much pride that his smile made the room glow! Then sweet little AJ followed with that little smile that he gives me every morning and said 'Hiiiiiiii!" They both climbed up on the bed with Mama. A few seconds later in walked Daddy....carrying a tray with the most delicious Eggs Benedict I've ever had, along with other yummy goodies. It felt so good to have my sweet boys with me. I had to stop and remember that this time last year, AJ was just a mere 1 month old, and Kai had been home for less than a month. What a difference a year makes.

I munched down all of the delicious food Scott made and shortly afterwards Amanda came home. She had been at her Dad's that night. I started opening cards, and as usual, just couldn't get through them without the tears flowing. I was especially moved when I received a card "from" Anna Grace, signed by her Daddy and telling me how much she wanted to come home. ::sniff::

We then all dressed and headed to church, where we met up with Po-Po and the rest of the family. Our middle guy, Adam, met us after church for lunch at one of my favorite places. OH! And I have to share my Mother's Day gifts. I received an official CTU (from the show 24) tshirt and Adam gave me a Season 4!!!!!!! Wooohoooo! Scott is out of town this week (I'll blog about that later) so I will definitely have something to fill the time while my sweet hubby is gone.

Tito called me early in the morning to say he missed and love me (brought tears to my eyes again) and that he was sorry he couldn't be there. He is coming up Memorial Day Weekend for Kai & Scott's birthday. Also my stepdaughter, Nicole, called and put a smile on my face. All in all it was a wonderful Mother's Day.

I'm off to take Kai to meet with the cleft team (his annual visit) but I will be posting pictures later tonight.

Another Great Day!

Yes! Mother's day yesterday was wonderful. The boys woke up as usual around 7 a.m. Scott whispered to me that it was my day and to stay in bed. I knew I had to get the boys ready for church, but I complied.

I could here them in the kitchen rattling pots and pans and giggling with their Daddy (and Ayi & Shu-Shu that had spent the night). About an hour later, in walks Kai carrying a gift bag with so much pride that his smile made the room glow! Then sweet little AJ followed with that little smile that he gives me every morning and said 'Hiiiiiiii!" They both climbed up on the bed with Mama. A few seconds later in walked Daddy....carrying a tray with the most delicious Eggs Benedict I've ever had, along with other yummy goodies. It felt so good to have my sweet boys with me. I had to stop and remember that this time last year, AJ was just a mere 1 month old, and Kai had been home for less than a month. What a difference a year makes.

I munched down all of the delicious food Scott made and shortly afterwards Amanda came home. She had been at her Dad's that night. I started opening cards, and as usual, just couldn't get through them without the tears flowing. I was especially moved when I received a card "from" Anna Grace, signed by her Daddy and telling me how much she wanted to come home. ::sniff::

We then all dressed and headed to church, where we met up with Po-Po and the rest of the family. Our middle guy, Adam, met us after church for lunch at one of my favorite places. OH! And I have to share my Mother's Day gifts. I received an official CTU (from the show 24) tshirt and Adam gave me a Season 4!!!!!!! Wooohoooo! Scott is out of town this week (I'll blog about that later) so I will definitely have something to fill the time while my sweet hubby is gone.

Tito called me early in the morning to say he missed and love me (brought tears to my eyes again) and that he was sorry he couldn't be there. He is coming up Memorial Day Weekend for Kai & Scott's birthday. Also my stepdaughter, Nicole, called and put a smile on my face. All in all it was a wonderful Mother's Day.

I'm off to take Kai to meet with the cleft team (his annual visit) but I will be posting pictures later tonight.

Happy Mothers' Day

I wanted to wish all of the Mothers and Mothers-to-be out there a wonderful and blessed Mothers' Day. May you rejoice in the blessings of the beautiful children surrounding you.

For those Mamas still waiting, may your day be filled with dreams of how incredibly awesome it will be when you are finally holding your precious child. There is no doubt that being a Mother is the best job in the world and so worth the wait.

I also wanted to say a very special prayer to all of the birthmoms who have no idea where those beautiful babies are that they gave life to. May God fill their hearts with peace in knowing that their children are loved beyond measure.

And last but not least, to my own Mom....I love you so very much! Thank you for all of the sacrifices that you have made throughout your life for us. For being a shining example of what a Mother should be. I am so very proud to call you my Mom. You are one of my life's biggest blessings, Mom.

An act of desperation?

The 10 things I've learned....

since we started adopting 3.5 years ago.

1. There is no such word as "soon" in the adoption world.
2. Never expect anything and you will receive the unexpected.
3. You have NO control over anything, so you might as well turn it over to God from day one.
4. As much as I want to believe I have learned to be patient, it's just not me.
5. The cost invoved with adoptions always go up and never down.
6. No one except those actually going thru or having gone thru the process truly understands what you are ranting about.
7. Simple two and three letter acronyms added to your signature line means the world to you.
8. You are never prepared to go, regardless of how many months you have been packed, had the nursery ready and funds available.
9. You can easily fall madly, head-over-heels-in-love with a child you have never physically seen, but have carried a crumpled picture of everywhere you go to show off how beautiful they are.
10. Regardless of how much you labor, and the pains and trials you go through....you would do it again in a heartbeat to hold that precious child that tonight you will kiss and tuck into bed.

Honey, we're home!!

Kai is home from the hospital and feeling no pain. Thank you, Lord! Everything went as smooth as it could possibly have gone. Poor little guy. We walked into the prep room where the hospital beds are separated by curtains and he realized immediately where he was. The look of total surprise was immediately followed by a choke hold around my neck and him yelling, "No! No! No!" as he pointed to the gurney. It broke my heart.

I asked him if he wanted Daddy to lay down on the bed and he said, "No!" I then asked if he wanted Mama to lay down and he said, "No!" Then he turned and pointed to the nurse and then to the bed and told her "Sleep!" It was okay for her but not him, his Mama or Daddy. Too cute!

The nurses were wonderful and agreed on waiting till his received his "cocktail" before even taking his vital signs. After about 15 minutes, he was feeling much better and I sat on the bed with him while we read a story and he played with the medical equipment that she had left on the bed. The light on the oxygen meter that goes on his finger was a definite hit! (note to self: get one for Christmas!)

Then another 15 minutes later, the OR nurse (a man) came, picked him up and tossed him in the air like an airplane. Kai giggled and thought...."Fun!" He was then wisked away before we even had a chance to say goodbye or give hugs or kisses.....but I know that was probably best.

Scott and I walked out to the waiting room and sat down. I pulled out my rosary to do a quick chaplet of Divine Mercy while we waited and I only was just starting the third decade when the surgeon came out to tell us he was all done and we could head to the recovery room. It was that quick.

When we got back there, he was still asleep. The nurse woke him and he was a bit dazed about where he was and who she was. Then he saw Daddy and I standing there and he was all smiles. He was offered some apple juice which he gulped down and we were home less than an hour later.

He came home, had lunch, took a 2 hour nap and is sitting happily watching the movie "Cars" for the 3rd time. No pain and life is good. Thank you, Jesus!!! And thank you to all of you for your support, well wishes and prayers. God bless.

Prayer request and updates

First, let me start off with our updates. We received notice from our agency today that our LOA was sent out on Thursday and should be sitting on someone's desk at CCAA right now!!!!!

I sprained my ankle over the weekend and thank God for my wonderful hubby who allowed me to sit on the couch while he played Mr. Mom....AND made an amazing dinner last night!!! I am feeling much better, and although still "hopping" a bit, he was able to go to work without babysitting me.

Lastly, I am please asking all prayer warriors to step forward and pray for our little Kai. Last week I took him for his regular checkup with the ENT and it was found that both his tubes were blocked. What does this mean? Well, I am awaiting a phone call for the exact time that we need to show up on Wed. (May 9) for more surgery to remove the existing tubes and replace them with new ones. Although this surgery is common and will take less time than it will for us to drive to the hospital, it is always scary and possibly risky when a child (or anyone for that matter) has to be put under general anesthesia.

I am lifting up our sweet boy to our Lord and Savior and I am confident that, as in his previous surgeries, Jesus will guide the surgeon's hands and our blessed Mother will be present making Kai feel safe and secure.

Thank you all for your support and prayers.

Raise This Child

I have formed this little child

you hold within your heart.

My mercy and My goodness

have been there from the start.

The face, the hands, the smile -

I shaped all that you see.

Take this gift I've given you

and raise this child for me.

My sister gave me a frame for Christmas for each of the kids with this poem on it and their pictures. Each time I read it, I get chills thinking about the fact that these are His children and that the Lord chose me, above all women, to be their Mama and to raise them in His name.

What an honor!!!

Am I Official Now?

I think so!! I am now what you call an official Mom! After many ways of trying to figure out how to squeeze in 3 carseats and Amanda into our little sport SUV, we came to the conclusion that "it ain't gonna happen"! So, we spent last weekend car shopping. And finally today we came home with a new minivan. A Chrysler Town and Country Touring.

This was last item we needed for Anna Grace. We are so excited and the kids all love the new car. It feels weird having the boys in the car seat so far away from me, but I know I'll get used to it.

I'm also feeling pretty spoiled because it comes with all the bells and whistles, including leather, DVD, EVERYTHING electric, and even has those fancy shmancy seat warmers for the Florida winters. tee hee hee!!! All we need now is a beautiful little China doll to sit in the empty car seat and we are ready to roll.

No, this is not one of the boys saying this....it's me!!

My Mom and sister have been HERE all week, and while I'm insanely jealous of them (in a good way!) and am thrilled that they are basking in the sun, hanging out with the bands, and worshipping our Lord amidst the beauty of the mountains and the sea.....I MISS THEM!!!

A couple of times this week I've picked up the phone to call my Mom and tell her something, then I remember she's on the cruise. They did call when they got to Ocho Rios yesterday, but I think it's because they wanted to speak to Kai. ::wink::

So, Mom and Ily....yeah, yeah....I'm glad you're having a great time, but hurry home!

Brotherly Love

HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!

Oh my Lord!! My sides and my head hurt from laughing for the past half hour at THIS!!!! I'm in love with this little guy. Soooooooo cute!!!

Up...up...and awaaaaay!

Yep, our LOA has been signed, copied, kissed, sealed and its on its way back toour agency! Being that CCAA is closed this week, we sent it 2 day, so it should arrive on Wednesday. Heritage will then turn it around and send it back to CCAA so they could have it first thing when they reopen after the holidays. Then it's just a matter of (hopefully!!) 2 weeks before we get TA (travel approval). I am still pretty in shock. REALITY IS HITTING! We are going to be the proud parents of THREE babies. Oh my Lord!!! My heart races at the thought. I am sooooooooooo scared. But, I know I could do it. I can't wait to see Anna Grace. I was talking to Scott yesterday about how our Gotcha moment may be like. What will she be wearing? Will she and Kai get along or will there be sibling rivalry from the get-go? Will she grieve alot? How big is she? Will she be quiet and gentle or will she be loud and boisterous like her brothers. What, if any, delays will she have? Soooo many questions fill my mind. Yet, none of them really matter. All that matters is that our Lord & Savior has blessed us once again and we will love and adore her beyond measure. Whatever issues she comes with are part of the package and part of who she is and we will work through them together, as a family.

Kai has been carrying her little picture around and speaks to everyone about his "Annnnnnnnaaa". I know that he has no concept that she is "real" and that she is coming home to intrude on "his" turf, or so he thinks is his. heh. But, he does love his Mei-Mei.

Our friend, April, has offered to take some pictures (and possible video...OMG!!!) of her when she visits the orphanage with her new son, Aiden. I can't wait to see if she has changed any. Although, again, Lord I can't thank you enough for every single month of this wait, since it began, you have provided us with pictures and/or info on our sweet baby. Even down to the last week or two of the wait before we meet her! THANK YOU, JESUS!

On another note, I don't know what's wrong with me. I haven't motivated myself to do anything about packing or getting the necessary stuff we need for the trip. (Rest assured we will not be packing like last time.) Going back to the why...maybe it's because I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop....or because this time it's a bit easier since we've already been down this road. I don't know. All I know that is that we will be traveling over 16,000 miles in 4-6 weeks and all I do is sit around and daydream about our girl!

YES!! WE ACCEPT!!

We were out working in the hot sun when the DHL truck pulled up to the house. Since CCAA is closed next week, we weren't expecting the package with our LOA until Monday...but here it was!!! So, both Scott and I and a very excited big brother, Kai, ran out to him (lucky driver didn't get a camera in his face because we were outside already!) and tore the package open! Below is a video clip of the official signing and marking the "WE ACCEPT" box. The translation of the Letter of Seeking Confirmation Form says:

"Based on your application, the following child has been assigned to you. You are kindly requested to give your decision as soon as possible to CCAA through your adoption agency." Then her name is listed below!! HEC YEA! WE ACCEPT!!!! IT'S REALLY HAPPENING!!!

DREAMS DO COME TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wooohoooo!!!!!! We are beyond excited. Thank you, Jesus!!! You are so faithful in your promises. Both being DTC was right before Chinese New Year, and God pulled it through in record time. Now, our LOA is right before the May holidays in China....and He did it again! WHAT AN AWESOME GOD WE SERVE!

Today at 2:45 p.m., after I had pretty much given up, we got the phone call that Vicki, the IA Director at Heritage was holding OUR LOA!!!! I told you our agency rocks!!

God is so good! After all my whining, and dragging myself to prayer group last night, he showed me AGAIN...HE IS GOD!!!!!!!! DAY 73!!!!! It was probably mailed out from China on day 68.

Yikes!! I have so much to do. We hope to get TA my mid May and head to China for Kai & Scott's birthday!!!

Thank you to all of you that held us in your prayers, I know that it is because of those prayers that God answered.

Anna Grace, baby. You're coming home! We love you so much. Hang in there just a little bit longer, sweetie.

Orphans of God

Not sure if you noticed or not, but my blog has changed it a bit. Well, it was accidental. I decided I would explore what the CUSTOMIZE button was for. Oh yea, it warned me that I would lose everything that wasn't on my original template, but I was feeling daring. Needless to say, 4 hours later, I got it back up to some semblance of what it used to be. UGH! What a mission for this blogging newbie.

I was still in "mope mode" tonight when my sister came by to visit the boys. She leads a local prayer group at our church called "Jacob's well". She asked me to attend tonight. My first thought was, "Naaah....I'm not in the mood". But then after some coaxing and realizing that I needed SOMETHING, I decided to go.

I'm so glad I did. The Lord truly quenched my thirst at the "well" tonight. God always gives me that "kick in the butt" to make me realize that life doesn't revolve around what I want all the time. Yes, I desperately wanted that phone call today, but I needed Him more than anything else. It was a very powerful night. I walked away feeling Spirit filled and so thankful for all of the blessings that I do have.

In closing, a beautiful song was played. One I had never heard. It's called ORPHANS OF GOD by Avalon. I will leave you with the lyrics, but please, take a moment and scroll down to the bottom of the page to listen to the song and watch the video.

I know that our precious angel waiting in China is being watched over by our Lord and His blessed Mother. She is protected and loved. God has kept his promise and through this song reminded me that indeed "there are no orphans of God". "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." - John 14:18

Orphans of God

Who here among us
Has not been broken
Who here among us
Is without guilt or pain
So oft' abandoned
By our transgressions
If such a thing as grace exists
Then grace was made for lives like this

(CHORUS)
There are no strangers
There are no outcasts
There are no orphans of God
So many fallen
But, Hallelujah
There are no orphans of God

Come the unwanted
And find affection
Come all ye weary
Come and lay down your head
Come ye unworthy
You are my brother
If such a thing as grace exists
Then grace was made for lives like this

(CHORUS)
There are no strangers
There are no outcasts
There are no orphans of God
So many fallen
But, Hallelujah
There are no orphans of God

Oh Blessed Father
Look down upon us
We are your children
We need your love
We're out before
Your throne of mercy
And seek your face
To rise above

(CHORUS)

No matter where I go or who I meet,
I find we as human beings are all the same.
We all want to be loved and accepted no matter what.
Only God, our father is truly capable of that kind of love all the time.
What comfort we can find in knowing that we are all
His children no matter where we come from or what we've done.

A simple gift

This amazing organization was there for us while we were revieweing Anna Grace's medical. Our doctor wanted further information and they were able to provide us with that.

A few weeks ago, our son's orpahange yahoo group received word that his orphanage had cleft babies starving to death because they did not have cleft bottles. We contacted Love Without Boundaries, and within days, a case of cleft bottles with instructions was delievered to the orphanage. Every cent donated to this organization goes to assisting the orphans in China. There are worldwide volunteers working for LWB whose love for these children have allowed this organization to blossom into what it is today.

My lifelong dream would be to one day be able to go to their medical page and just click, click, click and pay for every single one of those babies needing life saving surgeries.

If we lived in a perfect world, each child would have a forever family and there wouldn't be any orphanages. But since that is not a reality, would you please consider sponsoring one of these beautiful children who may never know what a real family is like....or making a one time donation? God will bless you tenfold, and the joy that you will bring to a child, the change you will make in his or her life, will be something that could never be repaid. Your gift, whatever size, could make the difference of whether a child lives or dies.

"It has become more and more clear to all of us at Love Without Boundaries that we have a clear mission: to heal children and to let them know love. Adoption to us is the ultimate joy, because every child deserves a family. But for those who have special needs that may delay adoption or even make it impossible to find a forever family, we believe that foster care is the answer. We believe every child on this earth deserves to know what it is like to belong."

- Love Without Boundaries.

If you aren't financially able to assist, can you please pray for these babies and children....especially the ones left behind. Thank you and God bless!