The Dreaded Weekend...

Most of the time, I look forward to the weekend. I'm quite sure most of us do. The boys are home, the alarm clock doesn't go off (even if Wesleigh still does!), there's no homework, etc. However, once you enter the adoption realm, weekends become your enemy. You are now painfully aware that nobody is in the government office working on your paperwork, your agency is closed, and there is no hope of receiving any good news.

In addition to this, if weekends are painful, holidays are almost unbearable! Not only are offices closed extra days, but, you know, even when they are "working", they are probably ordering Christmas presents off the web or having office parties...counting down the minutes before they can stop thinking about my paperwork!! And forget about CNY!! Weeks of non-production! Ughhh!!!!

So...while most of the world is dreading Monday morning...I (and, I'm sure most of my adoptive friends) am counting down the hours until the offices are open again!

Enjoy your weekend!! I'm trying to!!! :-)

USCIS...Oh My!!

Today, I am scheduled to receive our approved homestudy via my favorite "big white truck"! I am also hoping for the agency approval letter that has to go with it. If I receive both of those items, I will be overnighting my I800a! When the national office receives this packet, they will issue fingerprint appointments for Richard and I. UGH... Richard has been banned from any hard labor that would, in any way, mess up his hands!! The problem is, that even a simple paper cut could mess things up. I'm going to be a nervous wreck until this appointment is over!!

So....Here's a question...Has anyone ever walked in early to the New Orleans office? Some offices allow you to bring your appointment forms and walk in early. I feel pretty certain that the NO office would not "allow" this. I'm just trying to decide if I have enough nerve to try it. I'm pretty good at playing dumb, so the worst they could tell me is "go away, you're a dumb blonde", right? Richard would, of course, be with me and he's a pretty good salesman so we might just give it a try. Of course, we would bring our secret weapon (Miss W)! She's always seems to put people in a good mood.

I made the comment yesterday that I will now be in the government hands. (Something that makes me nausous to think about) I was corrected, however, and reminded that I am in God's hands. This makes me much more secure and peaceful. Last year when we had that awful experience in the USCIS office, my mom posted this comment:

"The kings heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes." Pr. 21:1. That includes government workers and bureaucracy.

I am going to pray this over the packet before I send it off!!

Time to Get Up!!

The time has come for this mom to get up!! I can't even remember another time where we have had so many lazy days. There have been multiple days that Wesleigh has not even gotten out of her pjs! It has actually been really nice. Usually, I would be going completely stir crazy by now, but I have really enjoyed it.

I started working on our dossier at the beginning on Nov. and have spent an amazing amount of time and energy working on it. When it was time to start with Christmas decorating, etc. I was totally overwhelmed and had a hard time getting in the Christmas spirit. I was just so distracted. It wasn't until the week before Christmas (when the agencies were pretty much shut down) that I was really able to chill out and enjoy the season. It ended up being a wonderful holiday and I have really been able to relax and enjoy being with my family.

However....I think if I sit on this sofa any longer, my behind is going to grow three sizes! The kids are still out of school, but my agency is open again, the mail will run today and I have NO food in this house!! I need to get off my butt!!!

Many of you have asked where we are in the adoption process. Our homestudy has been reviewed once and, hopefully, will be approved today. That is the last piece I need to send off my I-800a! I am praying for God's favor with the immigration process...hoping things will move quickly and smoothly in all areas! The rest of my dossier is actually complete, so this CIS approval is the last piece!

Thank you all for your sweet comments on our big news! What a blessing it is to have a community of cheerleaders behind us! I'm sure there are many who think we are crazy to bring a 5th child into this family (they have a point ;-)), but I am so thankful to have friends who understand the bigger picture and are so supportive. Thank you all! I can't wait to share this next journey with you!! Hopefully, there will be fewer "freak-out" moments this time around, but I'm not promising anything!!

What A Year!!

2010 is definitely a year to go down in the books for this family! Wow! When I look back and realize that it was just 11 months ago that we were in China...amazing!! Wesleigh has definitely been the "theme" of the year. Most of our time/energy has been spent making sure she was adjusting well and felt secure and loved. I'm pretty sure we accomplished that, as she has made herself right at home and fit right in to the craziness. She is the most amazing miracle. When I look at her, I can't help but think about her amazing journey to her forever family. She has been through more, in her 2 1/2 years, than most of us in our lifetimes. God has definitely had his hand on Wesleigh from the very beginning. Some ask, "How could God want her to be abandoned". He didn't, but he knew it would happen. And he turned what the enemy meant for harm, into good. I am in awe of all He has done. I am in awe of His perfect timing. I am in awe of a little 2 year old girl, from an orphanage in China, who has turned our lives upside down. She has changed our lives. My boys will never be the same because of her. I will never be the same because of her.

January 26, 2010


December 24, 2010




So what does 2011 hold for our family? Not too long ago, I would have said it would be a calmer year. No more paperwork, government agencies (especially USCIS which causes me to have chest pains just saying the name!), no planned life changing events. Hmmm.....well.....looks like it's going to be another exciting year in our house! Yes, as many of you have guessed, we do have news...
We are going back to China!!!

I will post details of where we are in the process in the next few days.

I wish you all a wonderful 2011. I hope that it brings you much joy, peace and love.
Thanks for being a part of my "wild ride"!! This bloggy world has been such a source of support, information, friendship and fun!! Many of you will be making a journey to China in the coming year, and I can't wait to see it unfold!
God is Good!!