The Little Things

It's the little things that help us get through this crazy roller coaster ride called adoption. This weekend we decided to put the new car seats in our cars and put Drew's crib together. Wow...what a difference little things like that can make. While the back seats of our cars are very crowded, it makes me happy that we've taken that itsy bitsy step. Now...all we need is Drew to put in the car seat and the crib. Soon....hopefully VERY soon.

9 Months Old

Well...today our little guy turns 9 months old. I never thought I'd be blogging about him turning 9 months old without him in my arms :(

We received another height and weight update yesterday. He now ways 19.14 pounds and he's 26 inches tall. He's a big boy. He does still have a bit of a cold though.

Still no word on our paperwork. Jynger is in Washington, DC this week at a Joint Council meeting. Maybe she'll have a few more answers regarding the latest USCIS policy when she returns.

Ian is ready for his baby brother to come home. Sunday night we were getting ready for bed and Ian picked up Drew's picture and took it to bed with him. He then proceeds to tell us "I going to teach baby Drew how to pray, OK?"...and then said "I love you baby Drew" and kissed his picture. Talk about a big lump in the throat...Charlie and I were both choked up.

Little man Drew, we're trying to get there....hopefully it won't be much longer.

Growing

We received a height and weight update this evening. Drew is now up to 18.3 pounds. He is almost 9 months old and he weighs what Ian did when we got home with him (he was 11 months old). Of course I don't fully trust the weight....but he does look a little chunky in his pictures. He has been sick though. The report said that he has had the flu....due to unseasonal temperature changes. He just needs his mommy.

There's a LOT going on right now in the Vietnam adoption world. Too much to really go into here. It's insane and irritating and the folks causing all of this confusion are not the Vietnamese....IT'S OUR OWN GOVERNMENT!!! That's the part that makes me crazy.

On Sunday, Deron preached on Matthew 6:25-34...Do Not Worry. How timely was that sermon? Deron encouraged all of us to be obedient to God's command...but to be prepared. When we give it up and say "OK, God...that's it....I'm not going to worry...be prepared for God to "test" you." Geesh...did that ever happen this week? I'm doing my best to be obedient...and actually as unsettling as this week has been...I'm not in my usual frenzied worry mode. Don't get me wrong...worry is trying it's best to creep in...but I just repeat simple prayer..."Jesus have mercy on me" many times and right now it's working. God is getting me through this because this is HIS plan. He never says that it's going to be easy, but what He does say is that He will not forsake us. Thank you God for being a God of love and mercy.

For all of my adoption buddies out there...we are praying ferverntly for this situation to be resolved. I'm standing on the promise of God's faithfulness and love. Stay strong my friends!!!

Drew...you are so loved and we pray for you daily. It's about 11am in Vietnam right now and I hope at this very moment someone is giving you a sweet hug. It won't be long until I'm giving you those hugs sweet boy. Mommy, Daddy and Ian can't wait until you're home with us.

Most Recent Picture

This picture was taken in February when Amy (Samuel's mommy) was in Ninh Thuan. Our little guy looks quite chunky in this photo. Looks like he's got some wild hair. Also...the little boy in the background is Sam (Shelley R's little guy)...he looks precious too.

Thanks so much Amy for taking the pictures. Can't wait to get my hands on this little guy....I'm just dying to kiss those chubby cheeks.

More December Pics

Thanks to Kim (Isaac's Mommy) for sending these pictures to us. These were taken when Kim was in Ninh Thuan picking up Isaac. She said the her Dad (who's the sweet man holding Drew) called Drew his little buddy. It just warms my heart knowing that they loved on our little guy.

Step 8

Finally we received word that we are on Step 8 of the 12 step process. We are thrilled. Hey...at least it's movement.

We had a great meeting with Jynger last week. We felt much better after talking with her. There was just so much stuff flying around out there and we were really, really concerned. But, bottom line...Drew is ours and we'll get him very soon. Now...not soon enough for me...but soon.

Today was a good day. It's Ian's 3rd birthday and we found out that we're on Step 8!! Woo, hoo!!!

Ten Things I've Learned

Looking back over my posts from the last few weeks, I see a common theme.....misery. So, I'm trying to think of something positive to post. Nothing is really coming to mind. But, I thought I'd try to come up with 10 Things I've Learned during this adoption process.

1. Don't compare time lines...it only causes heartache and frustration.
2. Expecting things to go smoothly all of the time is unrealistic.
3. Relax and enjoy the small triumphs...there have been a few.
4. Take time for your family because it will never be the same again.
5. Ask questions and if you're still unsure...ask again.
6. No matter how much I think I'm in control, I'm not.
7. Don't buy baby clothes early because by the time you actually travel, they may be too small.
8. Prepare for the long end of the estimated time from log in date to travel. Then if it happens earlier....woo, hoo...celebration time.
9. Pray for my children more and more.
10. Submit to God's will. This is HIS plan and it WILL happen when HE says it's time. Boy that's a hard one when you're in the thick of the frustration and delays. But, we have some wonderful friends around us that pray and support us through this.

Surprisingly, I'm amazingly calm this week. Not sure exactly how that's happening. Who am I kidding? I know precisely what's going on. Many prayers are going up on our behalf and God is putting his loving arms around us and keeping me calm.

Those same loving arms are also wrapped around little Drew. God also has wonderful nannies that care for and love Drew until his mommy and daddy can bring him home. How awesome to think that God's arms are wrapped around me, the nannies and Drew all at the same time. Pretty powerful stuff.

8 Months Old

Today our sweet Drew is 8 months old. We thought for sure we'd have him home by now. Guess that wasn't in God's plan. We're praying and praying that we have him home very soon.

Trying To Remain Positive

It's not working. I'm trying hard to see the positive side in all of these delays. It's not happening. I can't understand why it's taking so long. I know that it's in God's perfect timing....I KNOW THAT. But....that's not helping this mommy's heart that's breaking right now and it's not helping a sad, sad daddy.

Yesterday we received word that our I-600 paperwork had indeed been returned to our agency staff in Vietnam. Today....we heard that our 60 days for approval will start when the paperwork is resubmitted. What? It's already been there since October 29th...now it has to start all over again? Unreal. So.....instead of what we thought would be a March...maybe April travel date is looking more and more like May or June. I can't believe this and I can't get my heart around it. We got Drew's referral when he was a little over 2 months old. We had so hoped we'd have him home by the time he was 6 or 7 months old. But now...geeesh...I'm just praying that we have him home for his first birthday.

I'm incredibly disappointed, sad, mad, irritated and just totally beat. We just want our baby!!!!

What A Day

It's Monday...a cold rainy Monday. That's enough...but no...it got worse. This whole I-600 nightmare is still not resolved. There's much confusion at the Embassy in Vietnam, which in turn causes lots of confusion for the waiting families. BUT....I think everything is going to be fine. We're not at a point, where we're actually missing document yet...since we're not on Step 8 yet. Once that step is completed, any missing document can be forwarded to the Embassy. I know it doesn't make a lot of sense, but it's just part of the process. It's just been one of those days when it seemed like the sky was truly falling.

We did get our travel packet today. Not that it means anything really positive at this moment...but it's giving me something to focus on.

I'm praying that God will guide the folks at the Embassy and help them get organized. I also pray that Jynger (who is in Vietnam right now) can get some clear answers.

How do you miss a baby you've never met? It's funny to think about it that way...but I miss my baby boy. This mommy needs her baby boy.