adoption update

  I will admit I haven't been the best at blogging about the adoption.  I really wanted to keep a thorough record of our experience in our adoption process but honestly its been pretty slow going.  We just finished our home study in August.  We had our finger print appointment in November and now we are waiting on our documents to be authenticated so we can send it all to CHINA!!!!  I am praying that happens next week!  A few weeks after that we should be logged in.  We might have a hold up because of Chinese new year.  During this two weeks China basically shuts down so nothing will happen with our paperwork.  Can I tell you how ready I am to see my daughters face????  I am so ready!!!  Please pray with us that we have a fast log in.  I know several people with our agency that have received referrals before they are logged in or not long after but that is not the norm.  That being said it is hard not to get excited every time the phone rings!!  Please pray for my anxiety level as well!!  I am trying very hard to go along with my life and not obsess over it and trust God's timing!  I am sort of failing at this!  I am so ready to meet my girl!!
   I am so thankful for this experience it has taught me so much.  I am so much more grateful for things than I think I used to be and it has taught me patience which has never been a strong suit of mine. It has taught me that no one is in a hurry as much as I am paperwork wise!  It really shows me how I need to step out of my comfort zone and do more to further God's kingdom (why are we here after all)?  I hope people will follow our adoption story and be inspired to step out in faith to adopt or do something else God has called them to do.  I have never been the kind of  person to do missions or even witness to others like I should but God called our family to adopt and I am so thankful we said YES!  It has been a ride for sure but it will be so worth it!

Trucking ALONG.....

In case you were wondering where we are in our adoption process, we are trucking along finishing up our home study.  We are still in the beginning stages!!  The next stage is basically getting many other documents together (including being fingerprinted for the second time) and have them authenticated with the county, state and authenticated at the consulate.  Then all of that paperwork is sent to china.  When you are officially Logged in, in China (All paper work has been submitted and accepted) You are on the list for a referral.  Our agency has told us that the wait for a girl under two has increased from 2-6 months to 6-9 months after we are logged in.  I am hoping and praying we will be logged in by November/December.  I am not going to lie the waiting is hard and I know I haven't even begun the real waiting yet!!  I have liked several China foster homes/institutions on Facebook and they are constantly posting pictures of these precious children who need a forever family.  It is hard to see these precious little ones and know they long for a family.  I know that God plans are better than our own but the lengthy paperwork and waiting process of adoption can be hard.  When you see the thousands of children who need homes and you are longing to fill your arms with one it can be difficult and discouraging.  I am just trusting that God and his finite plan for our family and I am patiently (trying) to wait for his perfect timing.  I think I thought that adoption would be easier than a pregnancy in a way, but it really isn't at all at least you know your baby is in your belly!!   I am leaving you with a video from New Day Foster Home in china.  This video is lengthy but it is worth watching and you might want to get a box of tissues handy.  It is amazing to see God's work and his grace and love that he bestows upon these children!!! You might have to copy and paste the link.
http://vimeo.com/64241988

Guess What???????

 

 

WE'RE ADOPTING!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

AND WE ARE SO EXCITED!!!!

 

 

Kyle and I are in the process of adopting a little girl from China!!  We are very excited about this Journey that God has called us to do.  We are extremely excited about adding another member to our family! We are just getting started on our journey.  We just finished our first home study and we are busy filling out the mounds of paperwork and going through A LOT of training to become adoptive parents.!! I will fill you in on more of the details in a later blog post about how we came to this decision, and why we chose China specifically.  For now, here are some helpful resources that we used to get a better understanding of what adoption means and why we as Christians should aid in Orphan care. 

 

This is a book Kyle and I read before we came to the finite decision to adopt!





   A few of our favorite verses that have really spoken to us through this process are :

John 14:18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

Psalms 10:14,17-18 You are the helper of the fatherless. LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more.

 

James 1:27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

 

Psalms 68:5-6 Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families.

 

Matthew 18:5 And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.

 

 

Amber

 

 

 

Easter 2013

Easter 2013 was a busy one for us!  It was so much fun to watch the kids dye/decorate and hunt for eggs.  Callan loved "hunting for the eggs" and this year Chandler was able to participate a little too.  We had several "hunts" and parties to go to and the kids racked up big time with all the candy!  While we enjoyed all the egg hunting and parties and candy and getting dolled up in new outfits for church there would be none of that if there was no Easter, if Jesus did not die for us and make the ultimate sacrifice. I was so amazed this year about how much Callan seemed to understand and remember about Jesus dying on the cross and his resurrection.  We talked about it a lot with him and it is amazing to see how much he has grown in his understanding.  I look forward to the day when he excepts Christ as his savior and gives his life to him.  It makes this momma so happy and thankful that we have such a strong bible believing church that also instills these lessons in him.  Next year I would really like to do the "resurrection rolls" with him and Chandler.  If you have never heard of these google it because it is a great way to teach your child the resurrection story. We really do enjoy the whole egg hunting and Easter present thing over here but we know those are not what Easter is all about and we are so thankful he died and rose again for us!!!

Chandler enjoyed Dying eggs this year

 

She loves her daddy can you tell??

 

She was over dying eggs :)

He was into it big time!  We dyed about 50 eggs!

Ready for the hunt!

Ready for Church

Soccer Spring 2013

Callan played soccer this spring and Kyle decided to take on the role as coach! It was a lot of fun to watch them in action.  They all improved so much as the season went on.  Many of the games were freezing! But they braved them all and had a ball in the process.  Here are some of the pictures from one of their games.

 

We take this game seriously :)

 

Always acting silly!

Baby sister cheering on her big brother

 

Coach Kyle getting serious!



 

Running through the tunnel their favorite part!!

Best friends!!!!

A Play day

A friend of mine and I took our kiddos to the Science museum and I will have to say it did not disappoint.  It has been YEARS since I have been there and I don't remember it being anything too special but they had a GREAT time and they played on the playground outside which is really something!!  I truly enjoy watching my kids smile and laugh with happiness.  It is so much fun to watch Callan and his "friends" play and have a good time.