Thursday, February 27, 2014

Getting Real. Like, {Really} Real

I've always loved English and Literature, and writing and journaling have always been very therapeutic for me.  I've written all my life, all the time.  Most the time, I just wad up the day's writings and trash the scribbles into the wastebasket.  

But right now, I'm getting real.  

And I'm getting real for every other K-adoptive Waiting Momma out there.  

Because we try to be big and brave and strong and happy for all you people who are watching how we handle this wait. 

Because we see you watching us.

But, you wanna know a secret?  

On the inside, we're all pretty shattered right now.  

In every effort to keep my 'preaching positive' here, there have been a LOT of changes for this program.  Some good, some not good.  

But the bottom line?  Our children are waiting.

A. LONG. TIME. TO. COME. HOME.

And our Momma hearts are breaking.  

In two.

Or more accurately, two-million-teensy-weensy-pieces.

It shouldn't take this long.  We shouldn't have to watch our babies for 12-24 {and God forbid some have longer...} months grow up in photographs and well baby check ups.  

We are literally walking around with a piece of our heart on the other side of this Earth.  

And y'all.  

The Earth is big.  

And our arms are aching.  

But through my heartache and my tears, because let me assure you there are plenty of those, I'm so thankful to know that God promises to be by my side.  

Our sides.  

Our precious, precious, sweet, cutie-patootie, chubby-cheeked, grin-from-ear-to-ear, and beyond-gorgeous-eyed-little-fella's side when troubles arise and heartbreak comes.


I am getting weary, but I pray that God will lift me and my sweet momma friends up on wings like eagles so that we may finish this race strong for our babies.  

For those that are wanting a true statistical update, we have these things left: 

E*P approval, court submission, receive official court date {Go to K, meet j, go to court, come home}, wait for final travel/custody date, go back to K, GET OUR BABY CAKES!!!!!, get his Visa and come HOME.

{HOME}

We hope and pray and beg and plead and pray some more we bring him home this summer, but truthfully, we really don't know when that glorious day will be.  

My heart says, the sooner, the better.  

{thankful for}
hope
His promises
Well Baby Checks
Photographs
an incredibly loving foster family
my beloved waiting momma friends

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Snowmageddon

Last month, we had one of the craziest snow/ice storms I have ever experienced.  Let me rephrase that. THE craziest snow/ice storm I have and will most likely ever experience.  Within about 45 minutes, Birmingham and the surrounding areas went from 'hey, a few snowflakes' to 'oh my gosh Perry and I are having to walk part of the way home because we can't even drive from the solid sheet of ice under our tires.'

It was seriously apocalyptic.  Sadly, numerous people were stranded for up to 24 hours on highways and interstates and thousands of children were stuck at school because of the craziness.  Justin was trapped at work the first night (made it home the second night to play!), but thankfully, P and I made it home, eventually, and were able to enjoy the madness.








{thankful for}
our safety
that J had a blanket in the car he was able to sleep with
a crazy family that 4wheels it our way for some knee-boarding... i mean, sledding
hot chocolate
warm snuggles
powdery goodness
that He washes my sins white as snow

Our Adoption Timeline

  • June 19, 2011- We are officially "Paper Pregnant!" We have submitted our Waiting Child Application to Holt!
  • July 5, 2011- Submitted our formal Home Study Application to Villa Hope
  • September 6, 2011- Submitted all of our paperwork for our Home Study
  • October 8, 2011- Completed our First Home Visit
  • October 17, 2011- Completed our Second Home Visit
  • November 14, 2011- Home Study Approved
  • December 1, 2011- Filed our I600a
  • February 1, 2012- I600a Approval Letter
 
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