Home Study

I will be calling our social worker this afternoon to set up a time to meet and finalize the home study! I can't believe it's finally time to send it off! I can't wait and I will keep you posted!

Fundraising is Fun...Waiting is ......

NOT! Have I already mentioned that I'm frustrated? Sorry to just jump right into it! But I still haven't seen the marriage license or the child abuse clearence come in the mail! I NEED to have this stuff to complete our home study. I know I have until the end of April, but I want it NOW! Ok...sorry to sound like the kid from Willy Wonka but come on! How long should it take?

On a lighter note, I'm going to order another round of flip flops. If you're interested, leave me a note or just let me know on Facebook. Just click here and it will take you to the site with the cutie shoes! They are $20 for the BeeBops and $25 for the college ones. Happy shopping!

A Taste of What's to Come?

So, I hear the "waiting" part is the hardest thing about adoption! But seriously? I thought people ment waiting for their baby was the hardest part. For three weeks, I've been waiting on my marriage license to come in the mail. I know you're thinking, "Tobie, don't you have a copy of that already?" And to that, I answer, "Yes! BUT they want a new copy of the license!" I know seriously! I guess my ten year old copy isn't good enough. I mean, I would want to see an old copy if I were someone! That way you know it's been a while, you know? So, as soon as that gets in...oh...and we're waiting for the child abuse clearence from Arkansas to arrive. THEN we can send off our home study! So, until then, I ask that you remember us in prayer as we continue to seek the Lord's favor in this process!

Questions...Questions...and more Questions!

Last night, Tony and I had our individual interviews with the social worker. Despite the fact that it had snowed about 5 inches the night before, we were determined to keep our appointments. So, Tony headed to meet her at her house (that was the only way she would talk to us yesterday!) right after work. They ended up talking for about an hour and a half. I met with her right after for about an hour. I left her house feeling amazing! Tony left, feeling a bit uneasy! He was concerned about some unwise financial decisions he had made several years ago. I, however, was not!

It may be hard for some people to understand, but I know that God put this in our hearts because HE wants to make it happen! I love that I'm totally learning to trust him because in case you didn't notice, we have absolutly no control over what happens in this adoption! I know...I said it! I have no control! So, I've handed this to him because it's something I just don't want to worry about! So, instead, I work hard to give him all of the glory for anything that happens!

So, back to the interview.....I learned that the social worker and I were in the same sorority....Phi Mu! Ok, not going to lie, I was pumped about that! She asked everything from whether or not I'd ever been arrested to how my little brother feels about the adoption. (btw...never been arrested! I'm a goody, remember?) I left there feeling on cloud nine and can't wait to get the home study complete!

If you are praying for us during this time, please remember to pray for Baby China's birth parents! God really got on me last night because I haven't been praying for her birth father.

And God Continues......

To AMAZE me! I'm serious! He has provided for us in so many times when He shouldn't have, but yet He does...and I continue to be amazed everytime! We have been preparing for our next round of interviews. We will meet with the social worker individually tomorrow afternoon. I'm excited because it's been a few weeks and those weeks have seemed like it's all been a dream! I'm glad to be sitting down with her again.
This weekend we hosted a gold/silver party. God decided to provide us with the rest of our home study money through this party. Thanks to a few very generous people. we were blessed with a heafty amount of money. I have been in a state of praise for the past 48 hours. Today, we started our next fund raiser. We will be selling flip flops. You can find more information here. If you want to order, let me know!
Please be praying for us tomorrow while we continue the home study process.

Made in China

I saw this pic today on the news and it just made me smile!

Everytime I see a panda, I think of Baby China. She will probably be called panda a few times around here! Brady has always been Pooh Bear, Kaden started out as Peanut but is now Squirt. And Baby China will be Panda!

This week at school, some of the kids asked if we had a name picked out. We do have one we really like but I didn't share it with them just yet!

For the past few weeks, God has really laid it on my heart to give back to the orphanage when we go. Tonight, mom mentioned that she was going to crochet Baby China a blanket. I asked her if she would make a few that I could take to donate. I think I might make a couple of quilts to take with me. I don't make elaborate quilts but my kids love them so maybe they will too! I will continue to pray about that for sure!

I have been tutoring and making some extra money for the Baby China fund. I just talked to a friend about doing a booth at the A'Fair this year. All of the money I make will go to that fund too! God has been showing off at how he's been providing money for us! I love it!

A Journal Entry

This week we embarked on the 100th day of school. According to Brady's teacher, he was asked to answer the question, "What would you do with $100?" This was his answer in his journal.

"I would make 1000 copies of it (if that is legal) and use the money to go and get my baby sister from China."

I asked him about it tonight and he said, "I was hoping there would be some money left and I could buy her some new toys!"

I know how much I already love her. How is it possible for a 7 year old to understand love like that for someone he's never even met nor is probably even born? Amazing!