Sunday, November 29, 2009
Sienna Grace!!
Thank you, Thank you for all of your amazing comments!!!! I can't tell you how much your prayers mean to us... Please continue to pray for protection for Sienna Grace! And, that the Lord is preparing her heart and mind for the major changes coming in her world. We can't wait to love on her and bring her home!
Sienna received her care package on Sunday, November 22nd!! And look who showed up on my computer Monday night just hours after receiving our LOA news!!! The end to a perfect day!!! She is wearing the coat and hat and mittens we sent. And, her Foster Mom is wearing the silk scarf I wrapped around her gift bag! :) What a blessing to see her!!!! To see them! Her referral photo was taken in March, so we were so anxious to see what she looks like now! I think she is so beautiful! We also got updated measurements. She is 1/2" taller than Ruby and almost the exact same weight! That is going to make shopping and packing for her easy!!
I am saving my favorite photo for Wordless Wednesday... We can see some of her "Spicy Girl" personality shining through!! Oh, I can't wait to meet her!!!!
What happens now.... Well, the CCAA will receive our SIGNED Letter Seeking Confirmation tomorrow, and the USCIS (Homeland Security) is working on our I-800 Approvals... Once approved, the U.S. Consulate in China will issue us an Article 5. At this point, it will all go back to the CCAA and our Travel Approval will be worked on... This can take anywhere from 2-8 weeks... And, then another 4 weeks out for travel. Chinese New Year begins February 14th so we will have to work around that! Hoping it is a non-issue and we are in China in January! (A girl can think big, can't she!!! One thing I do know, is anything is possible with God!)
Thank you again!Blessings,
Monday, November 23, 2009
Our New Daughter!!!!
At approximately 2:45 today, I received the call that our "Letter Seeking Confirmation" arrived from China! Which means we have officially been granted the referral of the beautiful Xia Chang! We are so thankful for the way God has answered our prayers! It has been an amazing day!
Thank you all for your kind words, and prayers. We look forward to traveling back to China soon to bring Sienna Grace home!
"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him." 1Samuel 1:27
Happy Thanksgiving!
Blessings,
The Hired "Help!"
There is one thing I appreciate in life, a good cleaning lady! I have been blessed to have one on occasion. The last one didn't show one day, and I have never replaced her. So, yours truly, is the cleaning lady! Oh, and my wonderful husband, who really is the best wife anyone could ever ask for. I have never loved the job title, Home Maker, or House Wife.. I really don't understand it... I like being Jeff's wife.. I can only handle one marriage in my life!
So, as much as I LOVE a clean, tidy, and organized house, I do not LOVE cleaning mine. Were talking the real cleaning... On your knees cleaning! It seems to be one of those things I really need to be in the mood for. Some day I will figure out a schedule to stay on top of it. But, when you tackle it in one day, it is a bit overwhelming. On a good day, a five hour job!
So yesterday, Jeff went to the Vikings game and my "staff" was very excited to help me. Well, they don't come cheap, and I am not sure they are that good. But, they came in uniform ready to work. My bathroom is sparkling, and all of the toilets look pretty good. The little one asked to go on break after two bathrooms! :) She said, "Hey Manager, can I be done?!"
The Pearl hung in there a little longer! She even hit me up for her wages before she disappeared! Along, with her overdue Tooth Fairy money!! :)
Thankfully, my kids are funny! They keep me going. Even when I am knee deep in cleaning supplies!
Have a great Monday! And if you are traveling, have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Friday, November 20, 2009
The Great Gobbler Get Together!!!!
I love Pre-School Events!!!! They are so darn cute.. The kids get so excited, especially Her Rubiness! Wednesday, I was invited to join my precious daughter at "The Great Gobbler Get Together!" One could describe it as a three year old feast with turkey sandwiches, mashed potatoes and the very best pumpkin pudding I have ever had. Made by Ruby's class!!!!
It has been such a blessing to have a front row seat to watch her embrace school. I know the teachers are enjoying "little miss bubbly" too! They describe her as the girl with the ready smile that skips everywhere she goes!!! I love that about her too!
I look forward to next year's "Great Gobbler Get Together" with two pre-schoolers!!!!
So much to be thankful for!
Blessings,
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Shop, Sponsor, Help!!!!!
Well by now you know I have a heart for orphans. Today I have three ways you can help and get involved during this joyous time of the year where it is about giving back to others!
I know why God led me to Pearl River. It is the perfect fit for my passion, adoption! We had six Bamboo Babies adopted in the past few weeks!! When that happens tiny blessings move out, and tiny blessings move in.. And, I have the awesome job of making sure ALL of these precious children are having their needs met! You can go HERE and see who needs a family to help give them the love they need this year! So they too can have a chance for a future with their forever family!
Secondly, over at PRO we are also raising funds (goal of $1000) to bless 88 little babies in Changsha with care packages of goodies... You can donate through PayPal or send items directly to the Meadows Family. You can go HERE to help!
Lastly, someone very special to me is hosting an auction for an Orphan's Wish. Jenn and her husband Joe host "My Adoption Websites." This amazing auction begins today. You may recognize some Pearl/Ruby dresses over there! (Scroll way down for details)
So, let the sponsoring and shopping begin!!!!
Bless you and thank you for caring about these children too!
Hugs,
Friday, November 13, 2009
PA!!! and What Happens Next?
First of all let me start this by saying, WOW!!! What a blessing to have so many celebrating with us. Thank you! I can't wait to share the story of how this little girl came into our life. It is a story that only God could orchestrate. It all began with an email from and adoptive friend to me back in September of 2008. This led us to a little girl that we thought was meant to be ours. But, ultimately God had another plan. Much bigger really.. And, it involves this quote by Jan Beazely in her book, "The Strength of Mercy." This is what she heard God say to her when an adoption for a specific child fell through:
"I showed you one to give you another. Trust me. You don't have time to grieve
over this. If you do, you'll miss the child I have for you. I promise
in the end you will see and understand."
Jeff and I have learned that when you really trust God, and hear his voice, and step outside your comfort zone that He blesses you abundantly. The verse that encouraged me during the past year was this...
"The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it!" ~1Thessalonians 5:24
Our new daughter's name is Xia, pronounced "See-ah." We think it is beautiful, and we are working on keeping it or naming her something very close. She is a summer girl like Ruby and Jeff. Her birthday is July 20, 2005. She was on the Waiting Child List in August, but we did not find out about her until late September (from another amazing adoption Mom.) We locked her file on October 9th. And, yesterday we received the coveted PA (pre-approval). We are logged in, so now we are waiting for our LSC (Letter Seeking Confirmation or "LOA" Letter Of Approval.) This is the official referral of her to us. This is when I get to share her beautiful face with you all! They tell us it can take anywhere from 6-12 weeks to receive this. Then another 8-12 weeks to travel to Changsha, Hunan to meet her. So, best case we are in China in March, worst case May. Of course we are praying for things to go quickly!
Many of you have asked about the girls! Well, they are very excited. Ruby tells everyone who will listen that she is getting a new sister!!! She and Xia will be roommates, and Ainsley is willingly giving up her big bedroom. Some have asked how Ruby will do with Xia being older.... In my opinion Ruby needs to be the baby here. She fits the role perfectly!!!! And, they will be so close in age, that I don't think it will matter. Ruby will love having a "buddy!" and partner in crime! Sharing her Mama will be another story!
And, for Jeff, I just have to say thank you honey!!! Your willingness to have four girls in your life and two female dogs is such a blessings!!!! I can't wait to go back to China with you!
We know that bringing a 4 year old into our family is much different than a baby. But, we also believe God led us to Xia. And, He WILL equip us with what we need to meet her where she is at. And, in the meantime we are working closely with a friend in China to communicate to her foster mother what is going on. With the hope that Xia will be as prepared as a four year old can be when she meets us. There will be more than one care package going to our precious girl!
So, thank you again for your kind messages. We look forward to sharing the story of God's faithfulness!
~Blessings,
Thursday, November 12, 2009
First a Pearl, and then TWO Rubies!!!!
Sorry for the little teaser yesterday!!! I have been waiting a very long time to share that photo!!!
Yes, it is true! It looks like we are bringing another daughter home. Sometime in 2010! It is a God size story, that deserves to be written and shared. Which I will do, at the right time. Let me just say, that Jeff and I are in awe (and so thankful) of how God has chosen us to be the parents of this very special little girl. He wove a story so amazing, that His handprints are ALL over it.
We locked our precious girl's file in mid October. We are currently waiting for our PA (Pre-Approval) which is overdue! Once I have that I will give you more details about her. I can't share her photo for a while, but trust me when I say she is very beautiful!!! She is described as an extrovert and an active girl!! Another one!!! :) She is four years old (one year and 11 days older than Ruby) and she lives in the Hunan Province in Foster Care! Her Chinese name means "Summer."
Prayers for PA and LOA would be so appreciated! We need to get her home!
(UPDATE AS OF 8:40am! We got our PA!!! WOO HOO!!!)
Thank you for celebrating with us! More soon, I promise!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Columbus Play!
The Third Grade Classes at Ainsley's school performed their play about Christopher Columbus on Thursday! They did a GREAT job! All of their hard work paid off. It was so fun to watch these forty kids come together to perform. It was obvious that they learned a lot about team work, and all of the other life lessons that happen when you work together for weeks on something! I was very proud of our little banker!! And, as you can see one of Ainsley's #1 fans, Lucy, came along to see her pal!Have a great week!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Happy Birthday Shaelee!
Today this precious child turns 4. Someday soon I will be able to share how God has used her in our lives. It is a mighty story, with a big red thread tied around it. Shaelee and I first met when her big brown eyes were staring up at me from a posting about Pearl River. That began my relationship with them and with her. This little girl has pushed Jeff and I to get out of our comfort zone, and trust God's plan for our family.
Yesterday, her parents asked me to be her Godmother! Today, they are on a plane to bring her home. Monday she will be united with her forever family. She has waited four years for this day... And, I am privileged to share in the journey.... truly humbled by it...
Happy Birthday Shaelee. It is an honor and a blessing to know that I will always have this very special relationship with you! I am humbled once again by the way God orchestrates the details of our lives. I know He has an amazing plan for you!
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Special Friend Day!
Yesterday, Aunt Bop was invited by Ruby to be her "special friend" at pre-school. We are so blessed to have my sister close by for these special events for the girls! Ruby was so excited to walk into "my school" with her Aunt! Thanks Bop!!!
Today is the big Columbus Day play that the third graders have been working on so hard for weeks. Yesterday I saw the dress rehearsal! It was GREAT!!!! More on that tomorrow!
Blessings,
Monday, November 2, 2009
Weekend Extras!...
We had a fun night celebrating Halloween with Camp H! Ruby definitely had fun trick-or-treating this year. Gone is the shy little girl who only went to a few houses in 2008! This year she went last and held her pumpkin out for one more piece! :) Seriously, how would you resist?
The girls had fun dressing as Flapper/Go Go Girl/Twins!! Purple may be my new favorite color for both of them!
If you have time today, please jump over to Pearl River and see what some of our wonderful sponsors are doing for our Bamboo Babies! And, how you can help bring smiles to the faces of our children during the holidays!
Have a great Monday!
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