TA!!!!!

So, FINALLY this morning at 10:30 we heard from our agency that we did indeed get our travel approval!!! Woo-hoo, I *think* I can see the finish line (yes, I know another race starts right after this one!).

Tentative travel dates are August 19-September 4. That just depends on when we can get a consulate appointment. I really am having a bad attitude unfortunately because I wanted to travel sooner. But I know God has a plan.

"....For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future...." Jeremiah 29:11

I think I'm mostly sad because we will miss Hope's birthday August 17 and because I'm impatient and think my plans are best. But seriously, self, snap out of it!! You're going to China! (that's me, trying to talk some sense into myself--not usually too effective, we need a 3rd party--anyone?)

Okay, here is an exercise in trying to trust:

What is good about leaving in 3.5 weeks instead of 2?

--We can celebrate Lilla's birthday here on August 6 and it will be relaxed and she will get plenty of attention right before what I think might be a stressful time for her

--We will have time to finish selling stuff on Ebay so I can get a better camera for our trip

--We will have time to buy new mattresses for Hope and Lilla since the current ones might be better suited for a prison or some kind of forced work camp, or in general for people you didn't like much. They are circa 1980 with LOTS of metal springs and no other cushion apparently.

--I have time to plan school for when we get back

--I can go to the parent meeting at the new homeschool co-op we plan to send Jake and Landon to.

--I have time to read the first 3 Little House on the Prairie books to Jake and Landon so they won't be behind for the Little House class they will be taking

--I have time to think through and wrap all the little gifts I have gotten to leave for Jake and Landon (oh, did I mention we are only taking Lilla and the boys will stay with my parents? Mostly because of swine flu)

--Well finally I guess because God wants it this way!

We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.

May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 33:20-22

it's my birthday among other things...

Isn't it funny how when you get "old" you really don't care as much about birthdays? The kids were asking when my party was and what kind of cake I was getting. Well....never and none! Mark and my dad went to Road Atlanta for the weekend so I think my gift is quality time with the kids! We went to a big mall today and painted pottery, ate lunch, rode the carousel and played indoor psychedelic putt putt. I told them they didn't have to practice piano today if they cleaned the house. There is so much wrong with that, I know!!

I was soooo hoping to hear about travel yesterday. Very sad we didn't. In fact, i cried watching a shampoo commercial

And a church skit

yesterday...(they are good though)

Last weekend, we went to North Carolina to see many of the families we traveled to China with in 2005. It is amazing how you can just pick up with people like no time has passed once you have had an experience like that together. A very fun and flexible group of people.
And then last weekend (with a big sister added in to the mix!)


Here are the girls back in 2005:


Here's hoping for good news Monday!!

Moving ahead!

So, we have only ONE more approval left! All of our things here at the end have finally moved along to their final resting places (if you speak Hague adoption, we got our Article 5 approval!) If I look into my crystal ball, I predict TA (Travel Approval) on July 17 and travel the first week of August. But it ain't done until we get CA (Consulate Apoointment). Can you see why those of us in the Hague adoption world talk about "getting some A's?!" You get PA, LOA, TA and CA :-)

My mom's surgery went well and she has had no complications. She got chemo yesterday too.

Please keep praying about our travel. People are getting quarantined, so we have to keep that in mind as we decide who will travel.

I am busy making packing lists and feeling like packing for a 5 year old is much easier than it was to pack for a 10 month old. For Lilla, we had a baby carrier, bottles, diapers, wipes, formula, food...now we are taking toys, books and stickers!