Nesting

Still no passports.  That's okay though because we are still on track to travel by the end of the year.  This week I am doing a much better job of not thinking that every email I receive might be from my adoption agency telling me that my kids have passports.  Part of the reason for that.....I am busy nesting!!!  My children are coming home and I have lots to do to get ready for them. 

The upstairs of my house is torn apart and almost nothing is in its rightful place!  The dear hubby and I are painting the kid's bedrooms, refinishing furniture, (If you have never tried chalk paint, I highly recommend it!), putting in ceiling fans, and doing lots or organizing.

Here is a before and after look at one of my projects.  This delightful dresser was purchased off of Craigslist for $25.00 and was my dresser for the past five years.  Not sure why I didn't paint this thing sooner!  Now it is ready for our little girl and is filled with adorable little girl's clothes!

Before

 

 A work in progress!



After! 

Secondly, though this may not be traditional nesting, it is part of my preparation.  My kids each weigh around 30 pounds, give or take five pounds.  You know how new moms and dads carry around newborns, how they hold them and affectionately keep them close?  Well, that's what I want to do with my kids.  The only problem is that they are not a little seven or eight pound buddle...and there are two of them! So, what are we doing to prepare?  Well today, we started back into an intense Jillian Michael's workout DVD in an effort to build some strength into these bodies of ours.  I know, I know, I should have started this months ago, but better late than never, right?!  And please don't tell me they are old enough to walk.  I will carry them around as long as they (and my arms) will let me!  Its good for attachment.

Today, is Thai Tuesday, and as I type, the adoption board is meeting in Bangkok.  Though I am no longer praying for our case to receive first approval, I am still praying for this meeting.  I have been blessed to get to know many other families on a similar journey to adopt from Thailand and some of them are still waiting for their first approval, and so tonight I am praying for them and that their cases would receive approval soon so that they can travel to bring their children home. 

And yes, we do still eat Thai food on Tuesdays! 

Penang Curry! A new recipe from one of Marc's cousins, who grew up in Thailand.

A Shower Invitation

Today, a dear friend of mine handed me a shower invitation.  I have been given lots of shower invitations over the years, but this invitation was different.  This invitation was for MY shower.  I got choked up just looking at.  I am going to have a shower, people are going to give me presents for my children.  I have children. 

As my eyes fill with tears, all I can think is, God is so faithful.  Even when we don't see Him working, He is.  He is working for our good and His glory.  If I could have had it my way, I would already have a couple of children running around my house.  I would have already had a baby shower or two to celebrate the children I was expecting.  But God. God in His infinite wisdom knew that I needed these two children on the other side of the world.  And He knew that they needed me. Its kind of crazy to sit back and think on the journey God has had me on, so very different then the journey I would have originally chosen, but now?  I wouldn't have it any other way.  I am so thankful that this is exactly where God has me, that I haven't had baby showers and that my bedrooms are not yet filled with children, because then we wouldn't be adopting our two precious children.

Infertility and the ache to be a mom have been heavy burdens to bear at times.  But God.  God is so gracious and, when I have let Him, He has carried these burdens for me.  He has walked with me through some hard times, comforted me when I have cried, healed my broken heart, and given me hope.

And now, He is giving me children.  Two precious children that I have yet to meet, but will get to meet so very soon!

Things are still moving forward and it looks like we are still on track to travel this year!! We received approval from immigration for our kids to become US citizens and we have uploaded all their information to the embassy in Bangkok.  Just a couple more little steps and we should be given dates for when we can travel to Thailand. Our kids need to get their passports, hopefully that will happen this week.  Once they have their passports, we have to file some paperwork for their visas and then we will get tentative travel dates.  There are two adoption board meetings in December.  One is on December 3rd and the other is on December 18th.  We hope to be at one of these....with our children!!