Visa Interview is Scheduled

I called DC this morning on my way to drop Nathaniel off at school. I am sure everyone in DC gets annoyed by us anxious mamas. However, today I got a sweet lady on the other end and she said your baby is adorable! She told me our packet had been returned and that she was scheduled for March 2nd. We really do expect the BIG CALL either Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. Nathaniel was pretty happy too!

At lunch today we also received a new physical exam. It says she plays pat a cake, waves bye bye, plays ball with examiner, and imitates behaviors. She weighs 19.1 lbs and is 28.2 inches tall. Sorry, we did not get a picture though. I did email to see if we could get one since it has been three months. I am really longing to see that precious face. I know she has changed so much.

Now it is time for a TC!

Overflowing with Thankfulness

I am sure you have heard about the tornado's touching down in Tennessee. My parents farm has significant damage. We are so thankful that my parents are ok. We were there all day today helping start the clean up that will take months. It is so overwhelming that you don't know where to start. We hope the electricity will be back on tomorrow afternoon. Thanks to all those that came today! They will need a lot more help!

The roof you see on the ground was a three car garage

If you look close you can see the whole top of the silo is gone. The old dairy barn is also gone.

Very large trees standing just feet away from the house are totally uprooted.

Power lines and huge towers were bent and on the ground.

All of the five grandsons made a fun day out of the event. Thank you Lord for keeping my family safe.

Thursday Thoughts

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.        Romans 5:3-5

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.    Romans 8:24-25

Do not anxiously look about you for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.   Isaiah 41:10

Class B Waiver Today

Well, Holt was open today after all. We received a class B waiver which is a medical form from her visa physical about something we already had signed off for once. So at least it was not something new and unexpected. We had them notarized and Nat just left to go overnight them by fed-ex. I keep telling myself class B = Travel call. One more step closer to our baby.

We are so ready!

I have had so many people ask me today when we are leaving. I really do wish I could answer that. The truth is... we just don't know. They told us when our EP was approved to plan on 4 to 6 weeks. This Thursday will be 5 weeks. We really cannot imagine this wait going on much longer. Even though it would seem that the wait might be easier because we can see the finish line, it actually becomes harder.

We have been going to an Adopted For Life class at Living Hope. We have really enjoyed getting to know some new people seeking adoption and also the support from others who have already been through the process. We are also in class with others who have experienced some of the same loss and pain we have been through in the past.

Tonight we talked about some of the emotions you experience from past circumstances of infertility, miscarriage, and loss of a child. We can definitely relate to the last two . One of my biggest fears of adoption was that we were trying to fill the void of losing Cambell and that others would think that too. Adoption has always been an option for us even before we married. After the longing to adopt for over a year before we mailed in the application, I am so very thankful that God has confirmed over and over that this is his plan for us. People have asked me if we had not been through the loss that we had, would we still adopt. I don't know the answer to that. However, our circumstances has led us to where we are now and we are just sooooo excited to finally be able to see the end ahead.

I know that Ella has already touched so many and she is not even here yet. I have had several approach me wanting to talk to us about the process and pursuing adoption for their family. I always promised myself I would use Cambell's life to glorify God in any way and I plan to do the same with Ella's story. We are grateful that He is blessing us again with a baby girl.

We will let you know as soon as we hear. It seems to be warming up in Korea. Maybe we will be able to enjoy it without getting frost bite. I went through her packed bag again tonight to make sure everything we needed for her was in there. We are soooooooo ready. Bring on that TC please! We need our baby home!

Birthday Surprise

Across the ocean but in our hearts, you were born.

The plan last night was to go to bunco, but it got cancelled at the last minute. So, I decided that we should celebrate Ella's birthday.  I called a couple of friends to see if they wanted to join us for dinner and they said yes. I wanted to leave early so we could go pick up a cake. Nat said I couldn't get a cake. He finally told me Brittany already had gotten a cake. Right after that, Katy called and asked if we would stop by before we went to dinner because she wanted me to look at Wilson's mouth because she thought he had thrush. Didn't she know what thrush looked like???  I was so confused.

When I got to the door, I saw the decorations and sweet Elizabeth greeted me with a party hat. Everyone was there and they had suprised me with a birthday party for Ella that had been planned for weeks. Sneeky friends! I love it! We had a great time. Ella girl, you are so loved and already so spoiled. I hope you had a great day and celebrated in Korean style. We will be there to get you soon. We love you Ella!

SURPRISE!

Strawberry cupcakes

Your birthday song was loud with drums and cymbals.

The boys opened your presents. You are going to be one well dressed baby girl.

Nolan and Elizabeth blew out the candles while all the others played their loud instruments.

Here is a poem I saw on someone elses blog. It is perfect and I just love it!

As a girl I had a common dream, to be a mom someday.

My baby would have eyes of blue and hair the hue of hay.

But now my dreams have been transformed, new visions fill my head;

Now the tresses that I long to stroke are raven black instead.

And in my dreams those eyes are not so big or blue or round;

Now in my dreams they're almond shaped and colored cocoa brown.

And in my dreams my arms can stretch across enormous seas.

They reach half-way around the world and hold you close to me.

As you grow in your mother's womb, carefully knit together,

you're also growing in my heart, where you will stay forever.

And in my dreams the moment that your mother says good-bye;

I'll be right there to comfort you and hold you as you cry.

Our features may not look alike; we're different as can be;

But still I know the Father has created you for me.

And though I've not yet kissed your face, or held your tiny hands,

and though we're half a world apart in very different lands;

I'll be right there to get you just as soon as God allows.

But 'till He says the time is right I give to you this vow.

I'll pray for your protection every night on bended knee.

For God will hold you in His arms, until you're here with me.

-Gayle Leubecker

Visa Physical is scheduled and her birthday is today in Korea!

We got an email earlier that Ella's VP is scheduled on the 17th!!

We are beside ourselves!! I yelled and jumped around and Nolan, my 3 year old, says, "Mom is it the last thing!" How precious! We went outside on this beautiful day and he was riding his John Deere tractor around the yard yelling Yaaaaayyyy Ella is coming home! He rocks my world! Since Ella has made her embassy appearance already, I think the estimated time after VP to TC is 5 to 8 days.

Because Korea is one day ahead of us, Ella's birthday is today there. I hope she is having an amazing birthday today! We are going to dinner with friends tonight to celebrate.

Happy Birthday, sweet girl!

Dance in the Rain

Today was a little disappointing.

I think everyone in our EP batch was given their visa physical date, for next Wednesday, except us. I have to admit I have been pretty bummed and a crazy emotional mess today. However, I know everything is going to be ok and it is in God's hands.

I needed a little time out of the house to myself for a breather and where does a woman go.....the MALL! I pretty much just wondered around enjoying myself and I went into Kirklands. The first thing I see is a frame that said, "Life is not waiting for the storm to pass... it's dancing in the rain." Right beside of that one was, "If God leads you to it, He will get you through it." Those are words right from my dads mouth. I love that one.

Just a reminder that I am not in control, so I'm choosing to dance in the rain.

Embassy Appearance

I called the DC today and they saw her picture in the system!

Yay! 

I asked if Ella was smiling and she said she looked like she was pouting. I hope she is saving her smiles for us. Now all she needs is her visa physical and her visa interview. It's hilarious that they actually need an interview. But, I am sure there is good reason.

Now, just a little bit longer.....just a few more weeks.

Wordless Wednesday

Ella's Baby Shower and Celebration

     We are blessed to have the most amazing friends! Last night we had a baby shower for Ella at Mariah's. If any of you have been to Mariah's restaurant, you know it is one of the best. We had so much fun celebrating her adoption tonight. We used to get together much more often than we do now. Everyone has expanded their families and life has become very busy. We sure did enjoy having everyone all in one room.

                                 The decorations were so pretty!

Is this cake cute or what!

I would like to give special thanks to Katy, Brittany, and Kara. You guys ROCK!

How fun!

Here are a few cute things for Ella

Thank you to all of you who helped make this night special for us. We cannot wait for you to meet Ella.

This long journey is coming to an end and a new one is about to begin.

New WBC and Getting Closer!

     So as of yesterday when someone asks me when Ella is coming home, I can say, "THIS MONTH!" It really feels good not to have to say next month or we don't know. The word is out that the second batch of EP's should expect a travel call at the end of the month. Yay! So keep your fingers crossed.

     Nat was a little sneaky today. He called me at work to see if I had checked my email. Well, he already had checked it for me. He was so excited because he thought we had the visa physical but really it was just Ella's well baby check. He was so disappointed. It was really sweet how excited he was.

     Ella's well visit was good. She is holding onto furniture and cruising. I hope she holds out on those first steps so we can see! She is 28 inches and 18.9 pounds. That puts her in the Korean 10th percentile. She is a little peanut!

     We are very anxious about our trip. Every time I think of taking her from all she has ever known it makes my stomach feel like I am going down a fast elevator. Because we have fell in love with her through pictures over the past 5 months, it is hard to believe we will be complete strangers to her. I know I have asked a couple of times before but please keep her in your prayers.