MIA, I Know!

Well, soo much has happened since my last post! We received TA on Wednesday 25th. Originally requested 28th of September for our CA (consulate appointment). However, noticing that the 25th is on a Tuesday, the week after the Autumn Moon Festival in China. The Chinese offices will be closed the whole week before the 28th not allowing enough time to get Natalie's paperwork to take the CA appt that is mandatory. Thinking of how hard it is to already leave for 2 weeks, I asked our agency rep to see if it were possible to get an earlier CA. It will be so much stress on us initially but at least I won't be sitting in Guangzhou a whole week with nothing to do and still risk the possibility of not getting her documents. After sitting on pins and needles all yesterday afternoon and most of the night, I wake up to an email from Kerry stating that we got our appt on 09/14 @ 1030 am. Yippeeeee! I know it's gonna be tough but I also know that sitting here for another 2 weeks waiting to leave would be tougher. Let's get this show on the road! I will be home on September 17. The bad news is I have to depart/arrive from Raleigh..Ugh...that 2 hr drive home after flying for 30 hrs..not too enticing. I think Todd and I have decided to just stay in Raleigh that Friday night after we arrive home. Just to get some rest and get the girls together asap!

So, FINALLY, it is happening! After sooo many years of waiting! Your prayers and support have been tremendous! Thanks again for everything!

T

Monday,...Again!

So off to a new week. I've decided that I wanted to make these little envelopes for Caroline & Claire to open each day we are gone to China. So, after trying to figure out how to come up with something that wouldn't make them sad and something that would let me finish them without bawling my head off again I had quite a successful trip to Party City today. Bracelets, lipgloss, soccer ball erasers and who knows what else is in that bag. I plan on starting tomorrow. Because I STILL don't have a travel date, I'm not sure if I have enough goodies for every day. So, I will just keep waiting and waiting and waiting...and surely it will come sooner or later!

Friday night...I just had this huge tear fest...I mean downright boo-hoooing...it had no specific origin...It just finally sank in that my oldest will be a senior in 4 years....I can't believe it..I mean I still remember the ultrasound to confirm my pregnancy...where does it go? They are all changing so much...Claire has been asking me for a year if she could shave her legs when she turns 12. Poor little thing is a hairy little beast...so I caved...yes, against my best wishes I now have 2 daughters that have crossed into the dark side of being a woman...ugh! I want my babies back! I want them all to wear matching St. Paddy's, Halloween, 4th of July, Easter t-shirts & scooter skirts just like they did not so long ago!!!!

It's a harsh reality. Ready or not they will grow up and leave and then come back with more....YIPPPPPEEEE cannot wait!

Keep praying for a TA soon!!!!!

First Day of School

We did it!!! First day of school has come and gone! Wooohooo! Girls survived, everyone is glad to be home and the best part is tomorrow is Friday! I could sooo get used to this! Still nothing from China...geez..get on with it now people! Got a sweet little girl waiting on me who probably thinks we are never coming!!!!

Research-China.Org: Trees in the Forest V -- Finding Locations, Part 2

Research-China.Org: Trees in the Forest V -- Finding Locations, Part 2: "#10 -- Bridges
No finding location strikes me as stranger when I am doing research than our next finding location, bridges. Often have I stood on a bridge in the middle of the countryside, looking for some reason why a family would leave child there. Often one finds a reason: a bus stop, a house, or some other explanation, but often there is no apparent reason. Nevertheless, in 2006 a little over 2½% of children found were found at bridges. There is one common thread that connects most bridges, and that is that they have heavy foot-traffic as farmers, students, and women walk to fields, schools and markets."

School Daze!

Well it's only the Tuesday before school starts and I am already exhausted!!! I know that this year is going to be full of surprises, ups/downs and new beginnings for all of us. Yesterday I think I was in this huge state of denial...cannot believe that summer is over and still no news of travel. But the rumor tree is rustling it's leaves....from privileged sources it is believed that our TA should come by this week's end or early next. Allowing for travel either first or second week of September, depending on available Consulate Appts. Then the mayhem will commence. Reservations, flights, scraping that last chunk of money needed to take with us. The scary thing is a huge amount will have to be carried on me while travelling..Am I excited about that...ummm no!!! But I am a very cautious person by nature...so I will make sure I am safe in every regard!

So as soon as I hear something so will you guys! Wish me luck as I embark on a new year of 3, soon to be 4 little girls but with the Lord's blessing we all will be fine!

Talk soon!
T

Lookey Here!

When we first got photos Natalie...she was holding a painting that she had done at Camp Ox. Camp Ox is where our agency got together with the orphanage and had plays, skits, arts/crafts and just an overall good time that the kids don't normally get to have. I spoke with one of our agency reps on Thursday and asked if it were possible that they still had Nat's picture. So, Saturday after nearly dying at our yardsale we had, I came home to find this in the mailbox...What an awesome surprise!! It was so surreal to know that finally, I have touched something that our daughter has touched. Even though we've never held hands this was enough to get me through until we get there!

Next big question...WHEN???? I wish we knew. I do know that I start back to work at school tomorrow...and then school actually starts officially on Thursday. My biggest fear all along was it would be so close to school starting and then we would be gone for the first day. I have NEVER missed a 1st day of school for any of my girls...so I do believe the Lord was looking out for me to not have this happen. Our agency has said that we should've had TA by now. It seems there are 6 families should have been notified of travel before then....but we will see. The Lord's timing is PERFECT and I know that...

Enjoy this beautiful day....starting to feel a "nip" of autumn in the air....

Until next time...

T

How Quickly Time Flies When Your Girls Grow

Looking back through some pics today, I stumbled across last year's first day of school pics. Wow! What a difference a mere year makes! I am hoping that we are still here for the first day...have never missed one yet!!! I'm sure we will..school starts back next Thursday and I'm sad..I admit...but they are excited! That is their whole little social networking nest...so enjoy!

Listen to bmwfeismoms Playlist

Ah Monday!!!

Today has been wonderful! The girls and I have a whole week scheduled of appts. doctor today, dentist tomorrow, violin/church on Wednesday, hair on Thursday and my little one is hoping to squeeze Grandma's in one more time before D-Day! I think I've figured it out! I am OVERWHELMED!!! There I said it!!! I know it's going to be ok...I just know that and I think today I am at peace with that..FINALLY!

It's also a blessing to know that I'm not the only one feeling these apprehensions and they too will pass and just be a fleeting glimpse of unneeded stress!

Here are a couple of pics of the girls from last week. The day after my surgery I had to head to downtown Raleigh to pick up Todd's POA (since he's not travelling to China) and we stumbled upon an awesome museum. So, needless to say, I took the girls to run around and burn off some steam. They were so patient with me the day before with the surgery. Sure, I didn't need to be there...but we had a blast! Enjoy!

Sunday....

Hi everyone! It's been awhile since I posted...for a couple reasons. Been fighting this funk that I have been in for a few days now. I dont know if it's because I still do not remotely feel like myself or maybe I'm coming down with something? Not sure...ugh! Hubby thinks I'm nesting...I wish! I wish I knew something more definite...school starts in a week and a half. Which means I'm back full-force there as well. There are a couple more items that need to be addressed in C & C's room. Nothing serious, moreso Mommy being the weirdo that I am, has this huge issue with completion. That all would be fine and dandy if we were loaded but I think having to come up with such large amounts of money here lately and just all of the stuff that needed to be done here at home has finally took it's toll on me...Overwhelmed, I think that is the term that describes me to a "T" at this point. Me a planner? Oh my gosh yes! I am in charge of all family vacations and activities from start to finish. I just do things the way I do them...and this whole adoption journey has told me that regardless of how in control I think I am, the Big Guy comes in and shakes things up a little just to get me back baseline. Paitience, Faith, Servitude, Compassion, Obedience these are just a few terms that keep things in perspective for me.

Trying to get some rest...I just want to feel better!!!!!!!

Night all...

Day 1---Post OP

Hello all...so glad this computer doesn't have a live webcam on it or you would think I've been backed over by a dumptruck! Na, not really but maybe that's how I'm feeling! The pain meds and anesthesia officially worn off last night-early morning...around 3 am precisely. After fighting all afternoon with Percocet, I figured I would try to get something more solid on my tummy and take 1/2 of the pain meds....so, I am as of 932 am EST, checked out of the hotel and headed to feed my lil ones some decent breakfast. I'm sure yesterday it consisted of nabs & soda....
I also learned that trying to yawn too early after jaw surgery is not the most comfortable move to make. I'm soo ready to get home in my old lumpy bed and rest. Well, praying for rest...
Catch ya'll later!

T

A Surprise For This Morning!!!

Well this is a total shocker! Woke to an email from our friends who are in China now...I have new pics of Nat and her doll we sent her. So now I'm sooo excited and more certain that she knows we are on our way! She is the sweetest little thing...what a smile!!!

Waiting to hear back from Chapel Hill this morning. I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning at 9. Since it's a university hospital, got to double-check they have the sedation meds on hand for my procedure. I sure hope so!!! I took off this whole week at work to have this done and I'm ready to go and get it over with!!! I am not a procrastinating person, never have been so therefore I don't do well with hurry up & wait...let's get there, get it done and get home...so please be in prayer for me that we can move this little obstacle out the way and move on!

Enjoy our new pics of Natalie!!!

Happy Monday!

T