“The Pink Slip”

Yesterday we received a “pink slip” from USCIS.

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I’m here to tell you, this is not something you are wanting or hoping to receive during an adoption process.

Not at any point during an adoption process, but most certainly not this close to the end.

It may or may not bring tears. Just based on my own experience.

But adoptive Mama’s are kind of wacky that way. Tears, and all.

So thankful that the Lord’s mercies are NEW every morning!!

Because HIS PLAN WILL PREVAIL. And I simply love that truth!!

Not too long after I raced to town yesterday, to Fed Ex, to correct the problem with some overnighted mail, I received this photo from sweet friends and awesome prayer warriors.

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They had no clue what was going on in our world yesterday!

Don’t you love how God works that way?

Me too.

I also love how God put a police officer right in front of me the whole way to town.

My own personal escort, within the speed limit, he, he.

And then God had a friend stop by late last night with her two daughters, and we had six arms of support all around us. Praise be.

We will be trying our best to get through to our USCIS Officer today!

With one thing on our minds the whole time.

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We love you, buddy. And we will see you at God’s perfectly appointed time!!

Will you stand in prayer with us and for us?!

Cereal or Hot Dogs

Ahhhh.

I think I will just sit here awhile.

And breathe.

Cause life right now is a cereal or hot dogs for dinner (don’t judge, they are both organic!) – paper plates are my friends – my hair is always in a pony tail – showering is so overrated – kind of life!!

At least we can never imagine being bored!

Sitting….

Breathing….

Ok.

So, Lane and Eliza are our dynamic duo.

Lane has the sweetest heart for his sister!

They are always together.

I wonder how the dynamics will change once Tate is home?

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Speaking of Tate, we are still playing that waiting game.

Waiting for our Cable Letter, and for an update on our little guy.

But I couldn’t resist the awesome sale on these shoes, so I bought them with hopes that I guessed the right size!

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Did you know that folding towels early in the morning before anyone is supposed to be awake is way better with someone to talk your ears off?

We were solving all the world’s problems over that basket of towels!

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This photo may or may not have been taken by the mama of this sweet pea who happened to be snoozing on the couch next to her. Just maybe.

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My awesome shopping crew also got all the gifts for the trip to China assembled, and then labeled each gift with a note that says who it is for.

Cause we are sending two guys over there, remember?

The guys will have to put them into gift bags though!

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We had a fantastic Father’s Day at David and Kayla’s place! David’s family was there too.

Yummy food, awesome fellowship, and some kayaking!

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Eliza’s favorite thing is water. All things water! Including kayaking.

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Looks like it will be another busy week this week! We are finally seeing lots of red!

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Thanks for letting me sit awhile.

Summer, you are a blast!!

The Zoo and My Heart

Our day in Madison was long and full!

We started out with lunch at Chipotle – the kids favorite gluten-free place to eat!

This is where we met up with Morgan, who is staying with us for a couple of days!

We realized this was Eliza’s first time to eat out at a restaurant besides at the tables at the Co-op.

She is such a good eater, and loves Mexican and spicy food, so this was a perfect lunch for her.

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Kayla dropped Eliza and I off at UW Hospital for our appointment.

All is well and our next appointments will be in December!

Even though Eliza was having a complete full-blown melt down when we were done there, we still headed to the zoo.

When we arrived at the zoo, we questioned our sanity with this decision, but just a few minutes later we were really glad we made the effort!

The kids loved walking around the zoo! It was a beautiful day too!

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My monkeys! (That is a sucker in Eliza’s mouth!)

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After the zoo, we headed to Whole Foods to have a popsicle!

Then it was time for the long drive home. It took Eliza about two seconds to fall sound asleep.

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Of course there were snacks on the way home too! Eliza was giving me the stink eye, and then giggling and giggling, while eating her “O’s”.

Cutie pie!

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We arrived home to a huge pile of shower deliveries! So excited about all the blessings that we will be able to deliver to the Samuels in China!!

You can still participate if you like!!!

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As I put Eliza to bed last night, we laid face to face and talked about the day. We did talk about that meltdown, and I was SO thankful that I can reassure her, with words that she can understand, to try to convey security and safety to a situation where she felt so insecure and out of control.

Our sweet girl has come so far.

We couldn’t feel more blessed that God has allowed us to be a part of her journey!

As Eliza closed her eyes last night, she said “Mom, I love a zoo. Ziza love a zoo and a monkey. I love you.”

I love you too, sweet baby. More than you could imagine.

*There is this super fine line now that I am in this bloggy world about what to share and what not to share. I do struggle with this, and I know for a fact that other adoptive mamas do to. I think somewhere in my mind I think I am still writing my weekly e-mail update to my family and a few friends….when in truth, this is the world wide web.

Honestly, when adoptive families share the hard things, they are often misunderstood. I don’t want this to ever be the case, if I can help it. I pray over each post I write before I publish it, because I have always hoped this blog would be used for the Lord I love.

The miracles and joys of our journey with Eliza outweigh the hard times every. single. time. By 10,000 times. The hard times with Eliza are fewer and far between as each day goes by, and we feel extremely confident in her progress and unbelievable attachment to us. She is amazing! A truly unbelievable gift from God!!