The Family

The Family

Thursday, March 29, 2012

We're Leaving On A Jet Plane!!

Well, the time is here!  Oh my word how long I have waited to utter those words.  I cannot believe I am actually going to be on my way in less than 24 hours to go get our babies!!!!!

I can't say time has flown over the last 13 months.  It hasn't.  But we have managed to get through the wait with a lot of prayer and a lot of patience I didn't know I had.  It hasn't been fun, but as many have reminded me along the way, it is God's timing, not ours.  He knew from the beginning what would happen and when.  He plans it all perfectly and it is up to us to execute the plan.  Well, that time is now, and I am ready to go!

I must say, there is a lot of nervousness mixed in with all that excitement.  There are so many unknowns, so many possible bumps in the proverbial road that we are to trod over the course of the next month or more.  I know He knows those too, and He will lead us through any hardships that might come, but it is still scary.

As always, I ask for your prayers.  Pray that we have safe travels both to our children's country and in it.  Pray that their health is good and ours remains that way.  Pray for a smooth and uneventful trip all around.  And pray for our other children and their caregivers while we are away.  We are blessed to have such wonderful, responsible kids and such thoughtful and helpful friends!!!!  Though we will of course still miss them TONS while we are gone!

So, the packing is done, the plans are made, I will rest easy once I am on that plane.  (maybe)  But I will try  :)

We will try to keep you up to date if you have been given access to our blog while we are away.  If not, we'll see you after we get back from the other side of the pond!!!  Here we come Charlotte and Atticus-- Mommy and Daddy can't wait to meet you!!

Monday, March 19, 2012

We Have An Appointment!!

Hallelujah!  One year and 5 days after we officially began this adventure, we have an appointment for our babies!  Praise God.  Truly I praise Him.  I praise Him knowing that His timing is perfect, whether I agree with it or not.  I praise Him for granting me the patience and will to persevere all this time.  And I praise Him that our children's country approved our dossier and sees us fit to adopt two precious children from their country.  PRAISE!!!

I am so overwhelmed right now I don't know what to do with myself!  I have been anticipating this day for so long but now that it is here it is so surreal.  There is much to do-- meal offerings that have been made for feeding our kids while we are gone need to be scheduled, as do various helpers, the babies' room needs to be finished, bags need to be packed, airline tickets are already in the works, more (yes more) paperwork needs to be filled out, and all within a very short time.  Craziness is now setting in upon the Rowe household!  But happy craziness  :)

We still covet your prayers throughout this process.  This is far from the end or a done deal, in fact this is really just the beginning.  There are appointments to be had, court dates to be set, lots of meetings with facilitators, nannies and orphanage directors in our future too.  Please pray that the Lord guides us through it all, that we have safe passage there and back, that we know the right things to say at the right time, and that we are able to complete this whole process in a timely manner.  There is still lots riding on the opinions of others-- the judges, the prosecutors.  They wield the power in it all.  We hope they have mercy on us and our children.

As well, I will be making my blog private again when we travel.  This is at the advice of our facilitation team.  We don't want to take any chances on anything we say being misconstrued or used against us in any way during this adoption, so if you would like an invite for when I make it private, send me an email or let me know in the comments below.  Only people we know well will be approved at this time.  We hope you understand, it is for the safety of our adoption and our future children.  :)

I can't even express adequately how extremely HAPPY I am that this day is finally here!!  All the paperwork and the re-do's and the waiting, it will all soon be worth it when we are able to gaze into those tiny faces and tell them at long last that they have a mama and a papa who will love them FOREVER.  Adoption is such a blessing and a gift!  I am a very blessed woman and we are a very blessed family. 

Monday, March 5, 2012

Happy Birthday Grayson!!

Today is my littlest buddy's 9th birthday!!  Nine years ago today he was the best 30th birthday present any momma could ever receive!

 
Little Boys
Author: Unknown

... Little boys come in all shapes and sizes,
Shy and adventurous, full of surprises,
With misshapen halos and mischievous grins,
Small dirty faces, and sweet, sticky chins.

They'll keep you so busy, and yet all the while
Nothing can brighten the world like their smile.
And no greater treasure has brought homes more joy
Than a curious, active, and lovable boy!

Yes, we share a birthday so happy b-day to me today too ;)


We had a fun day today celebrating together with breakfast out......


then some shopping, lunch with friends and then tonight seeing the movie The Lorax by Dr Seuss.


This past Saturday was his birthday party-- a soccer theme complete with soccer game in the muddy front yard since it had monsooned the night before.  The kids were covered head to toe, but they had a blast nonetheless.  (Hope the parents weren't too mad!)




We had originally thought we would already be gone to Europe for our adoption by this time, so I hadn't planned anything.  It turned out pretty well considering I pulled it all together in a couple of days!  And I think all the kids really had fun which is the most important thing.  I know Grayson did!!


 
We put our kids' soccer jerseys over each chair.  Scary that we had enough for 12 places!

Trophies and soccer balls in grass made up the table decorations

 The dessert buffet!!




 Coloring some soccer pictures

 My attempt at cupcakes!

 Schuyler and the birthday boy!

Brothers being weird.... like usual!  ;)

 Opening presents!!


All in all, it was a really fun day.  I feel so blessed to have this sweet boy in our lives, and thankful for each and every day I get to spend with him.  I am equally thankful for the wonderful children he calls his friends.  It is a great comfort to know he is surrounded by such loving and kind children as he grows.  Thanks to everyone for sharing his special day with us!!! 

Grayson, your dad and I love you so much!  We are very proud of the young man you are becoming and consider it a privilege to watch you grow each day.  We thank God for entrusting you to us and pray that we can be capable, loving parents for you in your life.  You are a wonderful boy and I pray you have another year full of health and happiness!!!