FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not yet seen.
Heb. 11:1

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Our daughter Faith

My heart just melted when she was asked what she most wanted and she replied "to have a family".  This
picture was made in the Spring of this year.  She's so cute!!!  And studious?  Hmmm!!  Maybe Faith
will inspire some other kids I know (lol).

Go take a peek at some of the items that will be included in our upcoming fundraiser auction that begins soon!!   http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=220925641285124

And if you would like to contribute to our fundraiser, there is still time to participate.  Just click on the facebook link above which will direct you to our fundraiser auction event that's coming up soon.  Simply
e-mail Jackie your pictures of the items you would like to donate.

Here's a little bit about me and our journey so far:

Through this adoption journey I have learned "patience" in a whole new way. I have met soooo many new friends. I can't tell you how blessed we are to have met such wonderful families. Whether they have been through the adoption process or not, they have been so supportive and encouraging. Also, we've had many a fundraiser that has gotten us this far through the adoption process to help with the fees. Thank you again to everyone who has helped us along the way so far. Unfortunately, we have a long way to go. But I know in my heart through trusting in God, that it too will come!! Thank you Jackie for conducting this fundraiser!!!! And thank you to everyone participating!!!!


   I can't believe I first saw our daughter February, 2010.   When I first saw a picture of her, not knowing what was to come, my heart flittered. I knew when I saw her that God had a special plan. Not being financially ready, my response was, next year. But that feeling never went away. I thought about Tammy (her name on the MAA WC list) every day and every night before I went to bed. I prayed about her every day, sometimes 2 or 3 times. So this went on for 7 months, yes, 7 months.  I would ask God "but how?." Financially we're not ready.  But in all honesty, are we ever ready.  She also has CP which scared the daylights out of me. And at the time she was 10 years old. But after some research and more prayer, I felt at total peace with her need. During that time, I found a very special blog where a family put their adoption of 2 little girls in God's hands. They trusted that He would provide, and He did. I kept praying and knew that we had to do the same thing, "trust in God", it's His plan afterall.   In September I wrote our agency that we wanted to be Tammy's family.

A little bit about our girl:

  As an infant, before 6 months of age, she had a head injury. Her reports state that she loves school and does well in school. She loves to dance and perform. I'm so fortunate to have pictures of her performing on Children's Day this year. I also have a video of her performing. Emmi, takes dance, so I hope Faith will be open to learning other forms of dance, ballet, tap or jazz. We'll see!!


Wang - means "accumlate"

Xia - means "rosy clouds" "morning or evening glow"

SN - sequelae from brain trauma - cp

age - 11 years old and will turn 12 November 20th this year.

This paperchase has seemed to be soooo overwhelming for some reason.  Maybe it's the new Hague process.  It seems like we've had to wait forever for every single document that has come our way.  I keep telling myself that it's all in God's timing.  "It will come"!  This week we received our immigration approval and now we can move on to being dtc.  Yippeeee!!!  Our daughter doesn't know she has a family yet, so once we are dtc, we're sending her a package with a letter and lots of pictures of her family.  Faith will have an older sister, Emmi; a younger sister, Maggie; and a younger brother, Jacob.   We're all sooooo excited!!
Thank you all for following our journey!!!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Immigration Approval!!!

Wooohoooo!!!  I can't believe it, we finally have that wonderful piece of paper in our hands to move forward
to the next step to bring Faith home, "immigration approval".   Now our papers can finally be China bound
once we finish with the authentications.   Hoping to be DTC by the end of July!!!!!  Thanks for all the encouraging words!

Blessings,
Anita

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Birthdays!!! Oh how they grow!!



We celebrated a couple of birthdays just recently, Maggie and Jacob!!!!   Maggie turned 10 years old June 7th and Jacob turned 9 years old on June 18th.  Oh how they grow so fast!!  As I enjoy each and every day and new adventure with all my kids, in a way I miss those toddler years.    Happy Birthday Maggie and Jacob!


 Maggie preferred a cookie to a cake!!  She is just not much on sweets, but she loved the cookie!!

 Jacob picked out his cake!!  Normally I surprise them with a cake, but this year he wanted to pick it out.  Mmmm, mmmm it was good!!  I love birthday cake myself.  Happy Birthday Jacob!!

 Jacob's birthday landed on a Saturday so we were able to sneak in some fishing.  I have to tell you that it's so much fun watching the fish sneak the bait off the kids hooks.  Jacob loves to talk, so while he talked and looked around, the fish filled their tummy's.  It was a wonderful day!!!

 This picture was made earlier in the month.  Hubby always plants a small garden and the kids love to help, that is Maggie and Jacob.  It was soooo cute!!  Jacob carried the water container from the house to the garden making several trips.     From a seed to . . . . . . .

. . . . . This!!!  Oh how the plants have grown!   We have our first bloom on our yellow squash plant.  The kids love squash casserole.   Now just waiting for the squash.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Bummer!!

   I opened the mailbox earlier in the week and was so excited to find (what I thought) our immigration
approval for Faith.  I looked through the mail and there was only one (what I thought) approval which was mine.  I kept thinking, where was the other one?  Why would they send just one?  Was the other one lost? Would it come tomorrow?  I looked through the mail again.  And there wasn't much to look through so it would be hard to miss. I was so excited to get mine (so I thought) that it took a moment for reality to sink in.  Uh oh!  So I opened my (what I thought) approval.  I looked at the letter I know 2 or 3 times before I realized that it wasn't my approval after all.  It was a letter stating I needed to be reprinted.  Really?  It had
been 3 weeks since the first print so I really thought I was in the clear.  In the past I've had to be reprinted not once, but twice.   After a thorough print this time with a supervisor approval I was sure they took. 
Bummer!! 
   Please pray my prints take when I go back the second time.  I just have to remember it's all in God's timing.