She's growing up!!

This picture makes her look so old to me....

I can't wait to see her again!!

In 28 sleeps!!

I'M GOING TO SEE MY GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I am super-duper excited! I can't wait!! I was so blessed to be able to go and I am forever grateful for how God works things out and gives us the desires of our hearts!!! As if this wouldn't be enough... I'm going with some great friends who are adopting one of Flor's friends, and my brother, his wife, and their son are going as well!!!!!!!! This trip is going to be so awesome, so memorable... **sigh** I am out of words for now.

PEEKCHURES!!!

These are some new (old) pictures of my baby girl!! Her hair has been cut since and she lives at the 2nd house... but they are new to me!!! I just love all the expressions on her face!! She cracks me up!!

This is Melissa. She is the angel who is helping me bring Flor home!! (see the halo?) It looks like Flor is pouting... I imagine that Melissa tried to put her down. The girl likes to be held, what can I say??
Flor with more of Melissa's family. Look at the camera, Flor!!

Taken by surprise much?? HAHA!! (this is Melissa's sister-in-law holding Victoria, talking to Flor, who apparently is stuffing her babydoll underneath something on the stool.. )

Flor and Danny watching (healthy) Victoria, such a precious shot!!

Make me whole, make me yours

I need to say something before my social worker gets here...I have to admit that I have struggled today and last night with my thoughts. I have let doubt come in. I have let negativity effect what I know to be true in my heart. I keep trying to figure this thing out on my own. I keep trying to think how this will work and what I can do to MAKE it work. I'm trying to make a plan; to get ahead of myself. Bottom line: I am worrying about something that is out of my control.

Pastor Rusty said something in the service today that made me think. He said, "Praise God before..." Praise Him before He shows Himself faithful, because HE IS FAITHFUL! Then keep praising Him afterwards!! It hit me. I need to praise God now because I know that He will somehow come through for me. He always keeps His promises. He has a plan when I don't. He knows how all of this will work out and He knows every detail!! Even if it doesn't work out that way I think it will, it is still GOOD because it is GOD!!!

So, here I am confessing before you and God that I am not enough. I am not enough.

God, once again I am clay in your hands. Forgive me and show me YOUR way!!

It went well! Sorry for the delayed update!!

The meeting went well today. It really helped to settle my mind a little more. It was a short, but sweet meeting and she was in and out in less than 45 minutes. She had to physically see where Flor will live and see that I didn't live amongst the cockroaches, etc... HAHA!! (that's a joke, but I have lived that way before... but I was in a 3rd world country) Anyhoo... we went over the financial stuff a little more and she seems very confident that everything will be fine. I have a few documents to fill in the blanks on or sign and I will fax those to her tomorrow. She said she should have a preliminary copy of my home study sent to me by tomorrow afternoon. It should be sent off to DHR by the end of this week... if not before. Specific prayers are that my home study be sent off promptly and that God's angels go with it to DHR, get it to the right person, and that it is approved and sent on the Immigration... we'll pray for Immigration in a few weeks... stayed tuned... one thing at a time here people!! I really do appreciate all of your prayers and thanks to all of you who called or wrote to ask how it went.

Put off again..

My social worker called me this morning saying that they were calling for bad weather this afternoon in Birmingham. Her son's daycare would be closing early and since her husband was in Africa, she had no one to help her with him. So, unfortunately we are postponing until Sunday, probably around 2 pm. So, thank you for all of your prayers... please keep praying!!!

What a gift!!!

I got an email today that said Flor finally got the gift I sent for Christmas. It was a little night gown and a picture book with pictures of her new family... and a little blanket. Shyrel said that she showed her a picture of me and asked who it was, Flor immedietely responded, "Momma"... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just cried my eyes out!!!

One day closer

Tonight was the first adoption life group meeting with members of the Rock and others who have/are going to/are adopting. It was so neat to share with each other about our unique experiences and how God led each of us to adoption and how we were led to our particular country, international or domestic. I can't explain how great it was!! Seeing all the little kids running around playing!! Red and yellow, black and white!! It was great!! It got me all excited about it and now I can't sleep!!

Also, a co-worker gave me a toddler bed and brought it over today, and I got a cute little top and shorts to send her next month (hopefully)... I can't wait until she gets here!! Somehow today I am beside myself with anticipation!! Maybe all of the above, plus the fact that my home study will finally be over this week... I'm just really optimistic that things will go so smoothly and quickly!!

I could be a professional mover!!

There were so many huge things packed into today. It is unreal. After working until 1, I came home and tried to pack to get ready to move this afternoon. I am just moving to another apartment within the same complex, but it is a 2 bedroom. One for me and one for Flor!! Anyway, my sister comes over, we pack up my kitchen and move it over.

The hold up on moving today had been waiting for the carpet guys to come and clean the carpet. I was told they would be here by noon and they left about 4:30. So, after we got the dress, we went out to eat, hoping to let the carpet dry at least a little.

So, at about 8:30 PM I called Bill and Melodie and they graciously came over even though I had originally told them 5:30!! But I seriously don't know what we would've done without them! We got all the big stuff moved in and a lot of odds and ends too! We stopped a little after 10 and I am so warn out!!

I'm actually staying in my new apartment tonight, but I'm sleeping on the couch because the smell from the carpet cleaner upstairs is just too much!! The only bad thing right now is that my heater won't come on. But I don't feel like calling maintenance, so I'll just bundle up on the couch and wait until morning.

Since I'm now in the two bedroom, my social worker and I have set the date for my final home study this Friday at 1:30. I am so excited to finally get this behind me and move forward. Every day I get more and more excited about bringing my daughter into my life! I dream of how my days will be. Oh, and you know I got my first sign of motherhood three weeks ago... my first gray hair!!!! I just love it!! (HAHA!! Not the gray hair necessarily, I just mean life in general!!)

I will keep you updated this week!!!

Mom's night out!

A few weeks ago I met with some other adopting moms at Rosie's for dinner. It's still so amazing how God brings similar hearts together to fellowship and encourage!! We had a great time. (We were there for three hours if that tells you anything!!) Great laughs, conversation, and getting to know each other and our stories!

In the picture: Melodie (Guatemala), myself, Laura (Ethiopia), and Amy (India)

You know that you're an adoptive parent if:

1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has ever made you lose sleep.
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
4. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.
5. It drives you crazy when people ask you about your adopted child's "real"parents.
6. You have ever been "pregnant" with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth (2 years!)
7. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway knowing where God calls you He will provide.
8. You have ever taken an airplane ride half way around the world with a child you just met.
9. You believe God's heart is for adoption.
10. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.
11. You know what the word Dossier means and you can actually pronounce it!
12. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
13. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have them in your life.