Tentative Travel Dates

Ok so we have some tentative travel dates, but nothing confirmed.  We are requesting a CA (US Consulate appt) of May 18th or 19th or 25th.  Our caseworker said that we usually get the first or second requested dates and either one of those would mean the following itenerary.

Fly out probably Sunday, May 9th (Mother's Day!)

Arrive in Zhengshou Tuesday, May 11th

Get Abbey Wednesday, May 12th

Fly to Guangzhou Friday, May 14th

Medicals Saturday, May 13th

TB test read Monday, May 17th

CA Tuesday, May 18th

Oath Wednesday, May 19th

Visa, Thursday May 20th

Can leave after 8pm on Thursday, May 20th

We should get confirmed dates either today or tomorrow.

That puts us leaving a week from Sunday!  That is quick!  It is a bit surreal right now.  I feel like I should be freaking out or something, but I really am not.  I do have a ton of stuff to do before I can say I am ready to go.  But I am not as overwhelmed as last time.  The big girls are excited, but sad to miss some of their end of the year activities. 

But since I have lived the last few weeks hanging by the phone, today I must go get some groceries!

Do not be afraid, for I am with you;  I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.

Isaiah 43:5

Workin' at the Carwash

Oh yeah, with help like this, who would ever need to pay good money at a car wash?!?!?

I'm just saying!

Prom

This weekend was Ashlyn's prom. 

We spent the day Saturday primping, polishing, curling, and laughing.  I have fixed her hair for all of her big events and I wondered if she would want me to do it again.  She did and I had a blast doing it. 

It was raining all day that day and only cleared up as we were driving to meet up with her friends for pictures.  But as only God can do, a bright rainbow appeared followed by brilliant sunshine, perfect for pictures!

First we had to stop by my grandma's and show her Ashlyn's dress.  Grandma told Ashlyn she looked beautiful.

Nana bought Sydney a "prom dress" too.  She thougth she was hot stuff!

Ash and her friend forever, RayVen.

When did they grow up?

I must have blinked.

Does she love her big sister or what?

So stinkin cute!

Ashlyn and Me

Ashlyn and her date, Evan.  He is a sweet buddy to Ashlyn and a real good kid!

I was happy they went togother.  They are alot alike.

Brooke, Cody, Ashlyn, Evan, RayVen, and Shawn.

Good friends!

She had a good time and it kept me very busy during the latter part of the week.  Busyness is a good thing as we still wait patiently (~ahem~) for TA. 

Four weeks today of the 3-5 week estimated wait. 

But who's counting?

Our update did contain new measurements.  It stated that she was 5'1" and weighed 110 lbs.  If anyone has a daughter about that size and can give me a guess as to what size clothing she will wear, I would really appreciate it.  Of course, you always should take this kind of info with a grain of salt, as proven by her updated foot length.  Apparently our new daughter has sprouted feet that are 38 cm long, which is about 15 inches.

Shouldn't be too long now until we can go get ole Bigfoot!

No TA yet. 

But we did get an update.

Without new pictures.

~sigh~

I will let you know what the update does contain when she emails it to me.......

4 Minutes!

So yesterday Ashlyn needed to go try on her prom dress after alterations.  I got a very uncooperative Sydney ready and finally got out the door at 2:38.  I know this because I looked at the van clock as I was pulling out of the driveway and thought about how late I was.  We had a lovely afternoon picking up her dress, finding shoes, and getting her & Sarah's nails done.  We returned home just in time to watch American Idol (MamaSox you rock!) on DVR and head to bed. 

This morning I realized that I had not checked the caller ID from yesterday, you know, just in case. 

Yup.

Heidi, our case worker, called at 2:42. 

I missed it by 4 minutes.

And in our rural area we do not get cell service until we get  about 15 miles away.

Hmmmmmmm.

She didn't leave a message......what did she want.........was it our TA...........was it our update...........my mind is whirling!  And to top it off, she is going to be out of the office from today until Monday.  And I know that it was her because the number that showed was her desk number.........

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

With the time zone difference, their office doesn't open until 11:00 our time.

At 11:01, I will be on the phone.........................

No news yet on TA.

It is getting increasingly difficult to focus on anything else.

But it is so cool to watch God weave this story together.

Humbling.

We are just hanging on while God moves.

You will see the chip in total amount lower as we receive donations that we receive through other means. 

For example:

I stopped yesterday to just run a normal errand.  When the owner of the business saw me, she gasped and said, "Oh, you're here!  God has had you on my mind!  I have been praying for you!  I have to give you something!"  She then gave me a $500 donation towards our adoption. 

I have heard similar stories from other families who have stepped out in faith to complete an adoption.  But I guess I just didn't believe that it would happen for me. 

Oh how I praise Him!