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.

School Starts Already!?!

Well, I just tucked Parker and Livia in. I am so sad that they are going to school tomorrow. The summer flew by. I still can't believe break is over. This summer ending was very hard for me to handle. I felt it was my last chance to give them as much attention as I could. Because as much as we are all looking forward to our two new additions, I know all of our lives are in for a big change. I am really starting to have a lot of anxiety. I am so worried I won't be able to give everyone enough attention. I often ask myself, "Who do you think you are? Why do think you can actully do this?" Yet, there is something deep inside me that tells me this is what I am suppose to be doing, no matter how crazy it may seem. Most people do think we are crazy for adopting from the DRC. I guess I can't blame them. If someone would have told me a year ago I would be flying to the Congo to pick up two babies, I probably would have thought they were crazy too! But I feel this is what God has planned for me. And no matter how much I doubt my ability, I know with all my heart that I am suppose to be Chad and Ian's mommy.
So anyway, I tried to cram in as much as possible into the last few weeks of summer. We went to Kings Island Amusement Park, a water park, the zoo twice, the childrens' science museum, many cousins slept over and of course we did a lot of swimming. I am actually pretty worn out. I am glad to take a little rest and to be able to start preparing for the new babies. But I am going to miss my my older babies terribly.

Livia with her cousin Sara are all smiles at the waterpark : )

Parker full of excitement after taking a ride down the slide!

Jonathon (one of the cutest babies ever happens to be our next door neighbor) and Parker are heading to the zoo.

Livia doing the rope course at the Louisville Zoo.

Jon, Jonathon, Livia and Parker posing with the Buffalo. We are so lucky to have such wonderful neighbors! They are the best!

Livia and Jadyn are new best friends! They met in Ohio this summer at a church convention. Then happened to be at Camp Amigo in Sturgis, Michigan on the exact same week!

FINALLY our paperwork is on its way to the DRC

Thanks to Jilma making several phone calls to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, our paperwork has been stopped before it was mailed. So it will not be going to Kenya, but it is on its way to the Democratic Republic of Congo. I am so thankful for this! This mistake would have cost us a delay in getting Chad and Ian.
I can't believe we will hopefully be getting them next month! I have so much to do! Parker's new room is almost completed. Livia's room is newly decorated and painted. As soon as Parker
moves to his room this week I can start on the babies' room. We finally have two cribs, a few outfits, and a double jogging stroller. Oh, and some super soft stuffed animals that Livia had to get for the boys! She is so excited! She just will scream out with uncontrollable excitement several times a day, "I just can't wait to hold them!" (Me either kiddo!) I really need to get busy looking for cloth diaper possibilities. Am I absolutely crazy thinking about having two in cloth diapers? I am still researching this. I have only used disposable. So, I would appreciate any advice. And of course the bottles and formula. Also new to me! My first two were only breastfed.
I often feel so clueless as to what to even start to buy for these two. Not for sure what size they wear or where they are developmentally for toys. I guess that all can be bought after they are home.
Well, I am heading to bed. Getting up early and heading to the water park with the neighbors tomorrow! Should be a blast!

Thank you

Today, I thank you God for being here with me today.
As I looked up at the beautiful sky, I felt you shining down on me
As I felt the cool damp garden soil, I felt your richness here with me
As I saw the smile of neighbor, I saw your warmth here with me
As I felt the gentle hand of my husband, I felt your love here with me
As I heard a neice giggling, I heard your joy here with me
As I snuggled my children to sleep, I felt your comforting arms here with me
I know you are always here, but I don't always take the time to notice.
Tonight, I pray that I will take time and see you again
and that everyone around the world
might take a deep breath, look around
and see you too.