Thankful Thursday

I am thankful CHINA IS MATCHING!!!!! What does that mean? That somewhere halfway around the world a government worker is matching us to Nadia. I know that God has selected our child for us, but now the paperwork is going to be put together. I am so excited I can barely contain myself!!!

I am thankful for so many friends and family that can’t wait to meet Nadia.

I am thankful that so many people have RSVP’d to the shower – what a wonderful day it will be.

I am thankful for new friends (Melissa) and old friends coming to visit (Jessica/Randy) and good friends who are moving soon, but taking time to visit with me before they leave (Johanna and Lauren). What a sweet week this has been.

I am thankful for fellow Child Ambassador Nicole who I have never met in person getting 2 “Texas” shirts to our sponsored child in Peru because she is originally from there and went to visit family. You can’t send big packages to the children, so how great is that to have a hand delivery to the WV office down there? WOW – thanks Nicole.

I am thankful for all my fellow Child Ambassadors who take time out of their busy life to share the work that World Vision is doing with friends, family and even strangers! There are around 200 CA’s nationwide all volunteering their time every month for WV. Think how much “payroll” that saves WV that can go directly in to the programs?

Right now I can’t think straight to add more since my head is spinning with excitement.

Baby-brain fog

So seriously, I can’t stop thinking about the fact that we are next! I just want to think about where Nadia is from, when she was born, are the nannies taking good care of her, is she in a Half The Sky orphanage, will she be sick when we get her, is she going to scream like a maniac when she sees us, how OLD will she be? You get the idea. And I have this big to do list that I was really motivated to work on Monday and Tuesday and today, not so much 🙂 My friend Jessica informed me that I am having pregnancy brain and that’s its really okay. I am sticking with that theory.

They had a shower for us today at Mike’s office, which was sweet, with crazy sweek cake (yum!) and crazy sweet punch (yum again!). They gave us the stroller we registered for and a gift card to Babies R Us. That was just too generous. Thanks guys! It seems that when we first started talking about this adoption there were about 8 employees at the office and now there are like 45!!!

So anyway I have a “China box” set up in our closet and as I get things that we need to take on our trip like disposable bibs and diaper wipes. It’s starting to get full, but it’s my organized self wanting it all in one spot, so when the time comes to pack, at least some stuff will be ready. I got this bright idea from another parent who ended up buying a lot of stuff when we thought the wait was 6-8 months and then the wait extended for so long they put it away and forgot. And now that they are running around trying to pack, they are finding doubles of lots of stuff. Hee hee.

We are still waiting on our updated 171 from the US Government. We HAVE to have this piece of paper to get Nadia and I got our agency involved 2 weeks ago, but I don’t think they are having any luck right now. Back in December they moved all orphan petitions for North Texas to OK City. And the OK City orphan officer wanted one word changed in our homestudy update. This word was approved by Dallas in 2005, but we are not alone. Many other parents have told me the same thing and are stalled out like we are. Tomorrow will be 9 weeks we have been waiting. We have time, but I would just really like to have the paper in hand and be done with it. If worse comes to worse, Mike and I will be taking a road trip to OK City to visit the Department of Homeland Security. Fun right?

Weddings & Build A Bear

Aren’t weddings great? My cousin Evan got married to Courtney last night and it was just beautiful! I loved the music and the service and the reception. It was just great. My sisters were visiting with us and we all had a nice weekend. I was dancing around like crazy, but those who know me have come to expect that. Mike got some awesome photos. Courtney’s dress was so classy and she looked fantastic!

In the morning Mike, Tahni, Bayli and I all hit Build A Bear to make some Bears for orphans. Every Build A Bear in America had 200 bears that could be stuffed for free Saturday morning. Then we bought outfits for all 4 and put them in the box to be shipped off. It’s just awesome how many kids around the world are going to get these toys – many orphans around the world don’t have a thing to themselves. What a great idea and hat’s off to Build A Bear! The cashier even let us use a coupon for the clothes we bought which I thought was very kind and unexpected.

Thankful Thursday

I know it’s late for the TT, but I am still thankful.

I am thankful for the KIDS HOPE USA program and Oakmont letting us be a part of their school year. Today was the last day for mentors to be in the school for this school year.

I am thankful that every teacher I talked to today asked me if we were coming back and I said yes, that they got a giant smile on their face.

I am thankful that we were able to give the kids an educational game for a present at the end of the school year. I hope they have someone they can play with this summer.

I am thankful for hugs from sweet little children. And the sound of, “HI Miss Louanne!!” (Which is usually followed by a hug!)

I am thankful for friends. Our friends the Peyton’s are moving to California and there was a going away party tonight. I know they are going to have fun out there, but I am going to miss Johanna and her beautiful smile.

I am thankful for family. My sisters Tahni and Bayli are coming to visit tomorrow for our cousin Evan’s wedding. It’s going to be a fun weekend to visit with family.

I am thankful that God protected Jon from Alt-n from even worse injuries than he suffered in his accident on Tuesday night. And I am thankful that he should make a full recovery, even if the road to recovery is long.

Last of all I am thankful that it’s already the 17th!!! We are that much closer to a referral now 🙂