Tuesday, August 25, 2009

So, what's been going on around our house...

Well, it has been an eventful time with school starting for everyone. I have started my packing/purchasing for my trip to China. Wow - there is a lot of stuff to take on this trip. I think I had forgotten since last time.

I had a fun idea the other day to start sending my mom care packages each week before we travel to bring Tia home. The packages include some Chinese words and the phonetic pronunciation, some details about China and the cities we will visit, and some fun items for the trip. Her package last week included chop sticks and details about Kunming. I can't tell you about the package for this week because she reads this blog and I don't want to give away the secret - sorry MOM, you will just have to wait a few days. This has really been a great way for me to pass the time while I wait for our TA.

And speaking of our TA, I have some news. Our documents left the NBC and were sent to the Visa center and then to Guangzhou. Our agency expects our Article 5 later this week. I am still earnestly praying for a September travel.

Till later....

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Schools Days

It has been an exciting week. This is the first time we have ALL four kids in school. Needless to say, it is very hectic around here. Taylor is a sophomore, Tanner is in fifth grade, and Tess and Trenton are in Pre-Kindergarten.

That first day was pretty tough. I thought it would be easier to drop Taylor off at high school, since we went through all of that last year - but it was kind of tough - one me... I know, sad to say, but I got a little misty eye'd. I have a hard time seeing her grown up. We will soon be facing the fact that we have another driver in the house. I am not sure if I am ready for that one quite yet.
Tanner is in fifth grade -which is one of my favorite years. Our school district does a nature camp for the fifth graders. The kids spend one full week at a local camp learning environmental sciences. It also teaches them some very important responsibility lessons. The kids are tasked with keeping their cabins clean and doing chores while at camp. Taylor had a great time when she went. Tanner is also leaving this weekend for a weekend church camp. He is so excited!!!

Tess and Trenton are now in Pre-kindergarten. Tess was old enough for kindergarten this year, but we thought it would be best to have her wait one more year. They both have wonderful teachers. All of our kids have attend First Baptist Christian Academy. The staff and administration are wonderful!!!!
And Terry and I started back to school as well. I know, like we didn't have enough to do in our lives. Anyway, Terry is pursuing his second Masters - this one is in Procurement. I will be finishing my second Masters in May- this one is Management and Leadership and starting my Doctorate later this year.

So there will be a lot of homework going on at our home this year. Thank God for the weekends!

Till later....

Friday, August 14, 2009

It's APPROVED!!!!


HURRAY!! I just received a call from our USCIS officer letting me know that our I800 application has been approved. This is great news! We were approved in 9 days! The next step will requiring some processing in China, which will be handled by our agency.

PRAISE GOD!!!!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

The Princess


I have posted a new picture of our little princess. Tess is spending the week with just mom and dad. Her older sister is on a mission trip in Kentucky and her brothers are at grandma's house. We realized that this is the first time Tess has had a chance to be an "only child" in the house. I think she is enjoying it a little too much - she may not want the other kids to come home. lol It has really been a special week for us.

On the adoption front, we have submitted our paperwork to the U*SCIS and they are processing our I 800* paperwork. Our officer is so nice - and you can tell she really cares about the families she works with. Our prayer is that the paperwork is processed next week and on its way to Ch*na. Our agency is estimating 5 - 6 weeks from that date before we travel - which puts us at the end of September. We are still praying for early September - and ask that you join with us in prayer. As always, we know that God has a perfect plan in all of this. We just feel so blessed to be a part of it.


Till later....