Another week

Well, we had the last home study visit with our social worker this week. She is busy finishing up the typed part of the HS and we are now waiting to get the fingerprints and child abuse clearances back. On Wednesday, Griff and I met with our adoption agency to discuss aspects of the adoption like bonding/attachment and travel to China. It is so exciting to hear about the traveling because I know by that point we will be ecstatic to finally be getting close. I watch a youtube video about every other day to prep myself for what GOTCHA DAY will be like and I find myself swiping tears, so I know I will be a blubbering fool when someone hands Mia over to us. We did find out that as soon as our Home Study is complete, we can begin to match with a child. I'm hoping we get matched very soon. :)

Interesting fact: If only 6 % of the Christian population would adopt an orphan child, there would be no need for orphanages. All orphans would find a forever family. Wouldn't that be awesome?

Oh, Lord... what have I done?

Okay... I really shouldn't be so impulsive sometimes. Let me start from the beginning... Last summer I was taking some chemotherapy medications for my arthritis. One of the side effects... hair loss. Well, I wasn't working with a great head of hair to begin with. So, after a few months of the poison... guess what? Very thin hair. It's been very upsetting. Today I went for a routine hair cut with the intentions of getting some much needed highlights. Well, my sweet hairstylest, David, had another idea. Why don't we just cut it off into a pixie cut? Yeah... that sounds cool. Until... I saw what I thought was short hair become even shorter. I still haven't gotten over the shock of it yet. I cannot believe I have done this to myself. I told David today as he was cutting it that I was just glad we didn't have to shave it and order me a wig. That was an option a few months ago. So, anyway, the hair does look thicker, but it makes me look old. Okay, breathe, Ashley... it's just hair... and it WILL grow back.

Our social worker is hard at work on our home study and we have our last appointments scheduled for next week. We are coming, Mia... hold on, baby.

International Adoption Clinic

Today my mom and I attended a day-long workshop on "The Joys of International Adoption". We are so fortunate to have an international adoption clinic at Children's Hospital that ministers to the whole child once we come home. They will be our source for answers when we have questions... they will reassure us when we are in doubt... they are going to be an enormous lifeline during this journey of adopting a child from another race than our own. The staff at the clinic is awesome and I am so thankful to know they will help us. Again, as I do many days, found myself worried at the thought that our little baby girl is laying in an orphanage bed and hasn't been held not once today. It is a very unsettling feeling and my only source of comfort is prayer right now. So, if you are reading this... please pray for our sweet little Mia... pray that she had enough to eat today, that she is warm and dry, that she felt a loving touch from a caregiver. Pray that she is comforted from angels above when she is lonely. My heart hurts... I can hardly wait until we can bring her home to be with us. May the time go quickly.

"I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live." Psalms 116: 1-2

Things are moving right along...

Today was a productive day. We had a second home visit with our social worker, Jennifer, today. It went well and we are trying to wind down this portion of the adoption process. There is still an enormous amount left to be done, but each day I'm able to check off something else from the list and that makes me so happy to know that we are one step closer to getting our Mia. I finished all of my Hague Convention Modules (YEAH!!!!), assigned readings, and written assignments for the Home Study. Griff is trying to get through his as well. He isn't extremely verbal, so answering essay questions is taxing for him. I have to give Griff credit though... he has been a real trooper through all of this. The needle phobic that he is gave five vials of blood for his physical, has traveled around with me everywhere getting forms, passports, etc. I had a thought the other day... adoption is somewhat like being pregnant... the first trimester is exhausting... and then there's the waiting. Continue to pray for Mia and for us... thanks, everybody.

Take Two!

Well, I accidentally deleted my first draft of today's blog... Ughhh...

Just an update: Griff and I got fingerprints done today, Griff had his physical, and we had a phone conference with our adoption rep. from Lifeline today. We are hopeful that if we can plough through this home study and dossier prep., we might have a shot at traveling to get Mia next summer. As I say that, I fully understand that God is in control and we will go when He decides. So... in the mean time, I am still reeling from the thought that we will have a little girl in this house. I bought her a little baby doll yesterday... I can't wait to send it to her. Once we know where she is, we can send her care packages. There are many, many more prayers to be said and I ask that if you are reading this blog, that you pray for Mia's parents, especially her mother, for a safe delivery and that Mia will be protected from all harm. I am asking God to surround this little baby girl with his best angels until He's ready for us to go get her. Thanks everyone.

"Wait for the Lord, and keep His way." Psalms 37:34

What a day!

Well, today has been busy. Gus and Max went to Slocum Ridge for their grooming. Max now looks like a gray rat... but he does look better than he did. I am feeling remorseful for getting another dog, because right now I just don't have the time to devote to housetraining him, playing with him, etc.

The Glencoe Junior High football team played at Jacksonville tonight. We were trampled ...
36-0. Ouch. Cole played one play that I counted. I have to say one thing about my kid... he's got guts. He loves football, practices everyday without complaining, and is as fired up as any kid on the team. He doesn't play very much, but he's willing to give it all he's got when he does. That tells me a lot about the man he will be. I am so proud of him.

Garrett starts back to guitar lessons at Andy's Music tomorrow. He is so artistic. He's making a comic book right now... He wants to be a cartoonist when he grows up. I can just see him working for PIXAR, designing the next blockbuster!

Nolan... wow... he talks nonstop.... Wonder who's genes are dominant in that little thing? He is too smart for his own good.

And then there will be Mia... I just wonder who she will be, if she's been born yet, what her parents are like, and how our family will change when a little girl enters this house. That is a lot to ponder on.

Productive Day!

Garrett, Nolan, and I went shopping tonight and we bought a few things for our Mia. I can't wait to send them to her when we find out who she is, where she is, etc. etc. It's a weird feeling buying toys for a baby that may not even be alive yet. This is going to be a journey, I can tell...