Merry Christmas! Please Take a Little Time to Give!

I still need to clean my house before the family comes over tomorrow and wrap a lot of presents!  I really should not be typing right now, but I had to share this with all of you!

I have met a lot of amazing people during our adoption journey.  One of these families is the Woods family.  They are the adoptive parents of Grace (born in China)  and Haven (born in the DRC).  They do a lot volunteer work for Our Family Adoptions.  This is the nonprofit organization that brought our family together.  I urge you to visit their blog Amazing Grace and Safe Haven!  Not only do you get to see their gorgeous kids you also can raise money for Our Family Adoption at no cost to you just with a few clicks!   This organization is so very close to our heart.  Without it Chad in Ian would not be in our arms today.  So please take some time to visit their site and raise some money!  Oh, I forgot to tell you they have opened a really cool new Zazzle store called Where Hope Begins. You will find links to the store at the bottom of my blog posts. 100% of the profit from ALL product sales will be donated to Our Family Adoptions.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

With Love,

The Sullivans

Jamey, Stori, Livia, Parker, Chad, and Ian

A Sad Detour to Joy

I am so madly in love with all four of my children. But still I find myself looking at pictures of Linda and Dokta. I just read old messages between me and the missionary girls who were there. It brought back so many feelings. I am so confused as to why they are not in our home right now. They are not adoptable, but yet they are still in the orphanages and are now separated into the boys and girls orphanages. It just breaks my heart.  But I know the reason why. If our adoption process had not been stopped with them, Chad and Ian would have died in the orphanage in Kinshasa. At the time I could not understand this obstacle at all. Why would God take Linda and Dokta away from us? It felt like they were ripped from my womb. It is still so painful. But again he had another plan for us. Chad and Ian are ours, they are exactly where they should be due to this roadblock in the adoption process. I cannot imagine life without these two. They have brought me so much joy. I am there mommy and so very blessed to be so.

So when you are bummed by the roadblocks in life, I ask you to just try to think of the joy God has planned ahead for you. 

I also ask that you please continue to pray for Linda and Dokta and all of the 5 million orphans we left behind in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Linda and Dokta, I still pray and think of you daily, you will always be in my heart.

Linda and Dokta being held by the wonderfully spirited Emanuell.  These children are being taken care of by an  orphanage sponsored by Our Family Adoptions.  The nonprofit organization that helped us through our adoption.  A wonderful organization if you are thinking about adoption.  Information can be found and donations can be made at their website http://www.ourfamilyadoptions.org/

Conquering the Mommy Monster

Well, Ian has the chicken pox. I am talking about thousands of bumps! I feel so bad for the little guy. Chad was vaccinated a few weeks ago. It must have helped because so far he has only had three spots.

Poor little Ian just will not sleep. Actually, I think it would be better stated to say poor mommy and daddy. Part of his problem now is obviously the chicken pox . But he has also gained a lot of new skills in the past week. He can crawl, pull up, climb, give you a high five, etc. He is so excited about all of these new skills, he simply does not want to take the time to sleep! He wakes up climbing all over us and telling really loud and wild tales (or so I believe)!

I think it’s something like this -“Look what I can do! Wow! I can do this too! And can you believe that I can clap my hands and climb over daddy! Oh, and listen how loud I can talk! I am completely happy in the middle of the night, until the mean mommy monster tries to cuddle me to sleep. What is she thinking! There are so many new things to do! I am not sleeping! I told you I am not sleeping! My mommy is really stubborn. She just doesn’t get it. Lucky for me I am even more stubborn then her!”
Not enjoying being woke up again, mommy grits her teeth. Then can’t help but smile at all of my accomplishments. I she think would really enjoy some snuggle time. I”ll give her a few seconds. Then I am off again!


Here is a picture to end with.  The boys love playing "Choo Choo" in the clothes basket.  They picked up a
hitchhiker today!

Christmas in the Congo!

Wonderful news! The twins are in their adoptive parents arms! They have grown so much! Mama Josephine saved two more little lives. As I look at these beautiful babies, I remember my times in Kinshasa. I remember how mad and upset I was when our trip was extended. God had his own plans and they were so much better than my own! I had the wonderful opportunity to love these babies. I am overwhelmed with joy to see them looking so healthy. Congratulations to the new family!


You can follow their story at Christmas in the Congo.

Here are a few pictures of the twins when we had them.

And here they are now!  You just have to smile : )

"Happy, Happy, Happy!" - Chad Ona Sullivan

Today I woke up exhausted, okay that’s not necessarily a new thing, but I was MORE exhausted than usual. Last night I had changed all of our sheets after all of us were treatment for the boys having a possible scabies case.  Then the dog puked on Parkers bed.  Not only the comforter, but the sheets and matress cover too.  Changed his sheets again.  Then went to the bathroom and found someone had diarrhea and missed the toilet and there were little brown footprints all over the bathroom and bathroom rug!  But as  I made breakfast for my four little ones, I just about busted out of my skin in happiness! I asked Jamey, “How in the world, can I feel so bad and yet feel so good?”

The answer to that question is that little four letter word ……LOVE. There is so much love in this house you can’t help but smile! Sometimes I wonder if I am actually dreaming. Did I really go to Africa and bring these two perfect boys home? I am just amazed. I saw where they were from, the awful orphanage they almost died in. I keep wondering, how they could live through such circumstances and still be so darn perfect.

I don’t always listen to God. Most of my life was spent ignoring him. Let me tell you from experience, if you listen to what God calls you to do, no matter how difficult or crazy it may seem at the time, you will be rewarded inside. I’ve never been so glad that I finally gave in to what I know I was suppose to do. I can’t imagine not being Chad and Ian’s mommy. We were all six simply meant to be together.  I only pray that others will listen to their calling and not be afraid.

I am called to do more than just adopt from the DRC. There is so much devastation there. I must help somehow. I feel God sent me there not only for my boys but for something more. I just haven’t took the time to put on my good listening ears to hear what exactly it is. I am anxious to find out what it is. But for now I am taking the time to cuddle the four bundles of joy I am so very blessed to call my babies.

Oh, and yes, I am the one who is blessed. Not these two little boys. This is a new pet peeve of mine. I keep hearing how wonderful we are and how we are such a blessing for these two little boys. No people, you don’t understand at all, they are the blessing to us.

The following pictures were taken with Parker's new camera.  That may be why there are no pictures of Livia ; )  I will get my camera back soon and will take some of my other beauty.

Parker loving on his little brother Chad.

On Sunday, Chad would fuss anytime Parker put him down.  Parker was complaining he was getting heavy.  I tried to take him and Chad said "No Mama, Parker!"  Chad loves his big brother!  So, Parker resorted to a sling!

"Happy, Happy, Happy!", Chad's favorite thing to say!

Chad being Chad!

I love this little face!  Snot and all!

We are all home and doing great!

Well, if you haven’t guessed I have been REALLY busy! But I am enjoying every minute of the craziness! I do want to share about my trip sometime but today I am giving some little updates on the family. Ian and Chad have adjusted amazingly well. They have been home for 2 ½ weeks and it seems like they have been here forever. Chad sleeps all night. He has not woke up once : ) Ian on the other hand wakes up twice and sometimes has a hard time falling back to sleep. I can’t wait for the day that he sleeps all night! I am still pretty exhausted. I feel like I haven’t quite recovered from our trip. Or maybe I am just to old to have toddlers again!

They have visited the pediatrician and both appear to be in really good health. Chad has started walking from person to person! This is a big step for him! Ian began crawling 2 minutes later! The competition between brothers begins!

Ian is the most easy going child (except at night). He just takes everything in. He enjoys bouncing on your lap and speaks a lot of baby talk and boy can he smile. Chad is quite the character! He is a big ham! He loves to be the center of attention. He gets pretty upset when people in Walmart do not notice him. He will start yelling “Yo Papa!“ or “Yo Mama!“ Which basically means “Hey you!“ in Lingala. He is speaking so much English already. He has almost stopped using all of his Lingala, even though we have encouraged him to keep using it. Our family has always said “ByeYo” (bye in Lingala), but Chad decided he now says, “See ya!” We are hoping to meet up soon with a lady from Bloomington that we met in the DRC. She speaks fluent Lingala and is excited about helping Chad keep his native language and help the rest of us learn more.

Livia is such a little mommy. Bottles, rocking, diapers, the girl does it all! She can’t stand to see them cry, whine or be unhappy. She is going to spoil them rotten! Parker loves his new brothers. Chad and him play a lot. Ian loves to kiss Parker more than anyone else. It is so sweet to see! Parker has been a little kiss shy (except with mommy and daddy) since he started school. But he loves Ian’s kisses slobber and all!

I am still trying to get into a routine and figuring out how to do everything with babies on my hips. Slings are a wonderful thing! I recommend the K-Tan sling to everyone who has little ones who need to be held. But I am soooooo happy and love having little babies again! I am not taking time to proof read this (to much laundry to do), so please ignore the mistakes!

Here are a few pictures and I promise it won’t be so long before I write next time!

Here are a few pictures of us at the airport.  Finally we are all together!

 

Chad being a ham at Thanksgiving!

Ian finally decides he likes food!

Three of my four boys enjoying the hot tub.

Emotion Filled Friday

Having technical issues.  Please follow the link.
Emotion Filled Friday

Stori with a lapfull at the orphanage.

Chad laughing uncontrollably

Ian's beautiful face

They were worn out at the end of the day.  One of the sweetest things I've seen is if they are sleeping and Ian cries, or even whines, Chad rolls over in his sleep and comforts him.

First, I apologize to all of those who have been checking my blog.  I simply have had no time to write!

Well, Sunday night was the hardest day of my life.  Leaving Livia and Parker was so hard.  They are so excited but just did not want us to leave them.  I didn't want to leave them at all.  I was very mad at myself.  I really wished one of us would have stayed home with them.  We have called home several times and of course they are doing fine.  But we all terribly miss each other and we can't wait to get home!

We arrived in Kinshasa on Tuesday around 2:00.  Pastor Loma picked us up and drove us to the guest house.  The boys arrived a few minutes after we did.  I was so overwhelmed with emotion!  My boys were right before my eyes!  I could actually hold them.  I held myself back for a few minutes and talked to them.  Ian came right to me.  He is so adorable.  I then passed him on to Jamey were he fell asleep.  I decided to spend all of my attention on Chad.   Chad would cry everytime I looked at him.  I believe they had been preparing him for this day.  He knew what was going on and he did not like it.  My heart broke for him.  Pastor Loma and his family stayed with us for probably 45 minutes.  I finally decided to hold Chad.  He did not cry and hasn't ever since.  When I finally gave him to Jamey, he fell asleep too.  Daddy seems to have the magic touch.

We all slept together in a king size bed surrounded by mosqito netting. Using a flashlight, I felt like we were camping.  Couldn't help but think that Livia and Parker would really like it!  Wednesday we took the boys to the clinic.  It was probably only 5 miles away, but took about 2 hours to get there.  The boys were wonderful.  The trip was a very long one still.  With no air, high tempeture, high humidity and 11 people in a  mini-van it sure was hot and sweaty!  The boys only got blood drawn and will have a thorough examination next Monday.  They had a very hard time finding a vein on Ian.  It was very hard to see him in pain.  But he was over that very quickly.

Ian has bonded with me very quickly.  He wants to snuggle and give me kisses all the time!  Yesterday, he would fuss if I was not next to him.  He would cry and stop as soon as I picked him up.  He is a very happy baby!  He laughs and smiles and coos a lot and sings a lot too.  He is also very active and jumps on me non stop.  He's sort of hard to hold.  He is very strong.  Jamey found a scale here at the guest house and he weighs 11# and Chad weighs 19#.  We aren't for sure how accurate the scales are, they appear to be very old.  But they both are very small!  Ian has been wearing 3-6 month clothing and some 9 month old.  The clothes I packed for Chad 18-24 months  have been big on him and he has been wearing Ians 9 month old onsies.  I have a feeling both of the boys will be growing very quickly.  Ian takes lots of formula and Chad is eating all of mine and Jamey's meals (at the guest house we are served our meals and only a small amount is prepared)!  We are so excited that he has such a good appetite.  He had been eating mostly bread.  So, I am so pleasantly suprised that he likes green beans, greens, chicken and meat.  He just will eat anything so far.

Chad hasn't cried at all.  But he is not himself yet around us.  When we are with Pastor Loma he lights up and his personality comes out.  He smiles and talks (French and Lingala)!  With only us he still talks, unfortunately we cannot understand him.  He is much more subdued.  It is such a big change for him and he has been through so much already.  But he does love to snuggle!  Will stand and try to walk with assistance.  But he tires very easily.  He had Malaria and I don't think he has ever recovered his full strengh since than.  Well, they just rang the bell so I've got to go feed him some lunch.  I will try to right more the next chance I get.

Well, I am back.  Well fed happy babbies!  They are both so easy.  They never cry.  Ian cries only when he is hungry and has as I mentioned cries when I leave the room.  But he has started being fine with Jamey today.

 Oh, and did I mention how cute they are!  Here are some pictures!  

Chad looking at a book.

Ian giggling!

Ian kissing Stori

Ian and Stori

Chad asleep on Jamey

FINALLY!!!!

WOW!   I can't believe the time is almost FINALLY here!  I am so anxious, nervous, happy, prepared, yet unprepared.....I am just feeling so many things right now.  Packing has been my biggest stress this week.  How do you fit everything you need for two weeks for two babies and yourself in your carry on's?  It seems to be an impossible task!  I am finally almost finished with it : )
 
I am not nervous about our trip at all.  I am very nervous about leaving Livia and Parker.  I am going to miss them so much!  I cry thinking about it.  My outgoing little Livia is excited about all of the adventures she will have while I am gone.  Parker on the other hand would rather stay home.  He is very, very sad we are leaving.  It just breaks my heart to see his tears.  Although, yesterday, I said we would be leaving in 4 days,  he actually replied, "I am so excited!"  Of course, not because we were leaving, but because he knew he would soon finally have his brothers home!  I am so lucky to be blessed with children with such big hearts!

Today I am asking all of my readers to pray.  Pray for my babies I am leaving here.  May they have fun with grandparents and cousins and be comforted in knowing I will be home as fast as I can.  Pray for my new babies as they make such a big transition.  May they find comfort in our arms as they are taken from anothers arms.  Finally, pray that we all make it through the big transition when we come back home!  I just can't wait for that first family hug!

Beautiful Boys, Beautiful People

I was pleasantly suprised to get two more new pictures of my beautiful boys.  They have no idea how many people here are loving them, praying for them, and waiting to hold them.  I am just so overwhelmed by all the support we have gotten.  I knew I'd have the support of all those close to me.  But I am suprised by all the other people who are praying, donating to the orphanages, and offering their help in any way the can.

These people have kept my hopes up when I saw my boys starving.  They helped hold my heart together when we lost Linda and Dokta.  They helped keep my mind together when our trip was postponed over a month.  These people have donated over $1500 towards supplies and have given many supplies for the children we must leave behind in the D.R.C.  These people are just AWESOME!   Thank you!  I love you all! 

Let the Sun Shine!

Yesterday we had a birthday party for Parker.  It is a month before his birthday, but we will be coming home with two little ones the week of his birthday.  Didn't know if they would be ready for 12 kids running around.  So, Parker happily agreed to an early birthday party. 
After what seems of a month of clouds and rain,  the sun shined for his party!  We had scavenger hunts, roasted marshmellows,  went on a hay ride and found pumpkins and did a lot of swinging!  Then Parker enjoyed a slumber party with his wonderful cousins!  I think it was a pretty good day!

The Crazy Gang!

Parker swinging with his buddy Koby.

Livia and Jonathon......cute, cute, cute!

Parker with his spider cupcake!

There is also a lot of good adoption news to share! We recieved news that the Terry's got their referral picture!  I am so excited for them!  The Solberg's paperwork is moving along really quickly!  And we recieved new pictures!!! 

Chad.  Can't wait to see him smile : )

Ian is sitting up all by himself!

Mama Josephine giving my babies some love : )

By the way, we leave in 2 weeks! 

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Sour Cream!

While I was cleaning our refridgerator, I realized we had some sour cream that needed to be used.  Instead of it going bad and throwing it away, I decided to put a dallop on each of our bowls of rice and beans.  It was amazing what excitement that brought!

We are ending our second week of beans and rice.  Unfortunately, we haven't ate beans and rice everynight.  We have had previous plans with others.  But normally on busy weeks like we have had I would be picking up fastfood every evening (costing about $20.00 a evening).  But with beans and rice already made it is very easy and simple.  I am amazed by the money we are saving!  I actually have only bought beans at the store.  We had quite a supply of different types of rice in our pantry.  We are still deciding on whether we should start our own fund for adoptive families or add it to others who have already began funds.  Either way we are adding up money a day at a time. 

This is really making us appreciate the food we are eating.  We also pray daily for those who would love to have rice and beans to eat, but have only empty tummys.  We have started saying the same prayer every night before our rice and beans.  It is such a simple prayer that still deeply touches out hearts.

A cup of rice, a cup of wheat

For every hungry child to eat

And more we ask you, Lord above,

For every child, a home of love.

Finally We Meet!

This evening we had the opportunity to listen to a great band Point1Zero and enjoy beautiful weather on the Ohio.  But we also were able to meet another couple who are in the process of adopting from the DRC!  I have formed great friendships with so many people who have or are in the process of adopting.  It is so comforting to talk to people who know exactly how I feel, who has felt my frustrations, helplessness, who can speak the words that my heart feels, and understands the strong bond that amazingly has happened even before I have met my babies in person. They have all been such a support to me.  Thank you all!  Unfortunately, I never get to meet them in person.

One of these great friendships is with Megan Terry.  We met the Terry's at a benefit for Darfur at King Fish on the River.  Kamron Terry is a member of the band Point1Zero (it is a great band with awesome songs).  Our kids had a blast playing.  It was wonderful to meet Megan in person!  Now I just wish we lived a little closer!  We aren't to far away from each other though.  I am hoping for some future playdates with all of our new little ones. 

Earlier this week we were able to meet Suzanne.  She is the MCC rep in the DRC.  She is the angel who provided the boys with formula and us with priceless pictures.  We have emailed back and forth for months and she has shared her own adoption experiences.  It comforted me to be with someone who has held my boys, fed my boys and rocked them to sleep.   It somehow made me feel a little closer to them.  She shared a lot about Kinshasa and I feel much more prepared for our trip.  Just wish it would get her already!  We were able to bring Suzanne a suprise.  Two of her friends who she hadn't seen in years joined us.  Making the night even more special.  Thank you Miningers for joining us!  She also gave us a gift that was made in the DRC.  Something for me to hold onto until I get to hold my babies (in 41 more days).

So, this week has been a week blessed with opportunities to meet wonderful people : )

A Travel Date!

Bittersweet.
Sweet....we actually have a date!
Bitter......it is so far away!

Our official travel date is October 27th.  The US Embassy has agreed to see us on the 29th.  We will see them again for an interview on Nov 3rd (Jamey's birthday).  We hope to be back home on Nov 7th.

It feels so great to actually have a date to plan for!

God Keep Me Safe

I know it's been forever since I have posted about our adoption. I just am having a very difficult time right now and it is much easier to write about the good stuff. People like to read about the good stuff and the cute pictures, but lets face it, it's not all good. We had hoped to be going to get the boys on September 22nd. But the US Embassy in Kinshasa is not ready for us yet. So......we wait some more. It is most likely now going to be the end of October. It is just so heartbreaking to be here with all of our luxuries while my babies are so far away with very little. I know that Papa L's family is giving them lots of love. But you know that mommy's always feel no one can take care of their babies the way they can. And it is hard to take care of them from half way around the word!


I'm not only upset because they aren't in my arms. It is much more than that. At church Sunday we sang a song called "God Keep Me Safe". I prayed Chad and Ian would be safe. That God would keep us safe on our journey to the DRC. But mostly I thought of all the orphaned children having that hope that God will keep them safe! I immediately started crying. It's just to overwhelming! What can we possibly do to help that many children.



I recently read some statistics. There are appoxiametly 145 million orphans in the world. Most of them have very little food and no one to care for them. Sounds hopeless, doesn't it? How could God allow for all these children to have no one to care for them? That is not the question to be asking though. The question is: How can we allow all of these children to have no one to take care of them? I am not trying to say that everyone should adopt a child, but these children should easilly be cared for. God has gave us enough food on this earth to feed everyone. There are over 2 BILLION Christians on earth. God has taught us to take care of these children. If only 7% of the Christians would take care of one child then all of these children would be cared for.

I have been thinking of ways I can help. Taking two home and leaving the rest behind will be the hardest thing I have ever done. I know a lot of people have been called to adopt, but are scared of the cost of adoption. So, We've decided to help fund another's adoption. We actually have recently put this in our will that we would set up an endowment fund that would help with adoption costs. But then I thought, why am I going to wait until I am dead to do something to help. So, we have began having rice and beans for supper. We plan to keep this up until we bring the boys home. Of course, we already have a few days we know we will break this due to outings we had already planned with other people, but other than those few days, we will be having rice and beans. Not only does this save us lots of grocery money that can be donated to this cause, it is a daily reminder to us all to pray for those who would love to be able to eat beans and rice.

So, if you feel God has called you to adopt. Please do not be scared. These children need you. Or if you have the funds donate to a mission to help feed these children. Or help fund someone's adoption. Or simply encourage other people to help however they can. I"ll end with a prayer I actually read on another blog and wanted to share.

An Orphans Prayer

I am waiting...somewhere far...far away on the other side of the world. I may not know who you are or what you look like, but somewhere deep in my heart I know you are out there. That one day you will come and find me. It's a long journey, and it takes a lot of time...I wish it could be easier. But I know the ones that come for me will not count the cost. They will only see the joy in finding me. For now I abide in the fields of the fatherless. Day by day wondering why I was born here and not somewhere else? Asking why my life couldn't have been different? It is so lonely. Even though I am surrounded by hundreds of other children, I know that something is missing...I know in my heart I need a place to call home. My arms long to be wrapped in a fathers embrace...I long to be saved by a mother's love...Gazing out the orphans window, I offer a prayer of hope, "Oh God please help them come quickly." Even as I lay in the darkness each night somehow I feel assured, that no matter how lost I appear, I am not alone. Holy hands guard my steps; sacred fingers wipe my tears, touching my lonely heart. The one who made me, the God that knew me before I was born, hears me every time I call. He whispers His promises in my ear. I listen with hope to His voice. But what I worry about most is that no one wants to look for me. The fields are vast and there are so many scattered all over the earth. I wonder how one little child, so lost, can be found? Yet He calms my heart and assures me He will find you. That He will make sure that you hear His voice clearly. He has promised me that he will make a way through the fields, that He will personally cut a path, and lead you right to my orphanage door. My prayer is....When He speaks...Please don't forget to listen...When He calls don't be too afraid to go. For I am waiting...somewhere, far...far away on the other side of the world to come home.

Author Unknown

Three Day Weekend!

We had a very fun Labor Day Weekend! We had game night Friday. On Saturday we went geocaching for the first time. We never found the box, but we still had a blast hiking! The hike made me remember how blessed we are to live in such a beautiful place! We often get so busy that we forget to stop and just take in God's beauty. I have a feeling this will be a weekly activity from now on. Sunday we went to my cousins wedding. It was a beautiful outdoor wedding. And thank God no rain! We all danced the night a way! Monday we stayed home, had a cookout and swam.

Livia and Parker just hanging out on a vine! Vines are one of their favorite things in the woods!

Ahhhhhh...Ahhhhhh......Watch OUT for that Tree!

A box turtle, one of Parker's many finds in the woods.

Toby, our little Cavapoo, came along for the hike.

Parker and Livia hiking up to the cave.

After a big hike up the rocks, the kids enjoy a cave. But still no box! We later found out that my cousins hid this geocache box and it was down at the very bottom where we started!

The kids ended the hike with a swim in the creek. Sorry, Livia. (She thought no one was going to see her in her panties!)

My beautiful mom, better known as "Tatu" (which must have meant wonderful grandma to Livia when she was 9 month old), and Livia and Parker. Actually Jamey jokingly started calling her Grandma Cuckoo, because she has a Cuckoo Clock in her living room. Livia soon started calling mom Tatu and we had no idea why. Until one day when the little bird came out and cuckoo'd and Livia started yelling, "Tatu, Tatu!" So now everyone calls her Tatu! She looks to young to be called grandma anyway! Don't you think?

Me and my little man along with my mom and brother were the first to start the dancing!

We also found this cute little kitten under our deck. She is now living in our house, but we hope to find a good home for her soon. Isn't she precious? Any takers?

Give them Hope

Here is a video that Carrie and Brian put together. They are a wonderful family who adopted Haven in May. This video shows exactly where Chad and Ian are coming from. A lot of the pictures are of the orphanage they were in. Just click to watch Congo Orphans- Give Them Hope.

There are still babies there that are in the process of making it to the Pastor Loma's family for foster care. Please keep praying that this happens quickly and please pray for all of the other children left behind.

It's Official!

We finally got the call from Jilma! Thank you God! As of August 26th we are legally the parents of Chad and Ian in the DRC, adoption decree is final! It suprised me how emotional I was with the news. Jamey was all smiles from ear to ear. I was so happy, but couldn't stop crying. I hope I can control myself when I actually get to hold them!

There is a new law in the DRC that states we must wait 30 days before we can bring them home after the decree is finished. Right now our plans are to leave on September 22nd and return home with them on October 3rd. But of course, this depends on the DRC providing birth certificates and passports for Ian and Chad. We can't buy our plane tickets until that is done.

I've been really dreading the day that I take Chad and Ian from the only mama they know now, Mama Josephine. I know how devastating this will be both to Chad and Ian and the foster family. I hope I will be strong. Me crying hysterically is not going to make it any easier for them. It will be such an emotional day of both sadness and absolute joy to finally have them in my arms!

I am continueing to pray for Cassie and another baby boy that are in the orphanage. They both have wonderful families here in the states waiting for them. They need to be removed from the orphanage as soon as possible and into the loving arms of the Pastor Loma's family. You can see a cute picture of Cassie with a head full of gorgoeous hair here.

Wow! I still can't believe I am the mother of FOUR! : )

New picture!

We received a new picture from Pastor Loma in Friday's email. Look at how much healthier the boys are looking already! His family are doing a wonderful job taking care of our babies. I feel so relieved and happy to see them. But I am still wishing they were here already! We are still waiting to hear that our adoption decree has been processed. Hopefully, we will get the news this week. Then it's more waiting. We have to wait 30 days before we are able to bring them home. Home.....that sounds so wonderful....then they will be home.