Happy New Year!!!

So, today I did something new. I washed some of Flor's clothes. I almost cried folding them afterwards. Her little socks are so tiny. I just became overjoyed thinking about how soon her little feet will be filling them! I am so excited to get her here. I'm thinking of every detail and the more I do, the more excited I get!! I thought she would be here in 2008. Now I'm hoping I'll spend MOST of 2009 with her!!

CHIP IN!!!

I've added an easy way for people to give on my sidebar, called ChipIn. If anyone is interested in helping with my remaining travel expenses, lawyer's fees, etc., you just click the ChipIn button, and using PayPal you can give directly to my account!! It's so easy and would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you!!

Mi Princesa

"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, be patient! For it will surely take place. It will not be late by a single day." Habakkuk 2:3

How adorable is that look on her face? How incredibly BIG is she getting? Why is she doing that so fast anyway?

This was another Christmas gift I received, not at all on purpose, but I stole this off of Steve's newsletter... I just couldn't help myself! I can't wait to squeeze her and to feel those little arms squeeze me back!! It won't be long!

Guess who??

Guess who called me this morning??!? Oh yes, my sweet Flor called to say 'buenos dias' and 'feliz navidad'!! She also said 'te amo', 'hola mama', 'adios', and then she laughed a WHOLE lot!! Oh how I miss her laugh!!! It is so unique and such a beautiful sound!! We only spoke for a few minutes, maybe 5, but it was wonderful!! She told me she was going to open presents today at 2pm, well she didn't tell me all that. But Shyrel did. You better believe that it started my day off so well!!!

I'll post more about that later.

Christmas in Dixie

I went out to Goodsprings to stay at Daddy's Friday night. Saturday morning was our family Christmas, which was so special. Every year, as a family we gather the money that would have been spent on gifts and give it to a family or person in need. This year it was decided to give to those who have cared for years for our sweet Flor who couldn't be with us this year. I am thrilled that my family has come together and are just as excited as I am about our newest addition!! We usually do get gifts for the kids, but this year Paw-Paw and Gran had another idea. After breakfast we gathered by the fireplace where there were 8 gifts bags. As he told the story, he had each grandchild come up and open a sack and hand him whatever was in it. It wasn't too long before we realized that the nativity scene was coming together piece by piece. Will handed him Mary. He would ask each time who the person was and what it meant that they were there. Of course, the reason that Jesus was born was brought up a few times. ;) It was amazing because there are a few family members who haven't accepted Jesus and their Lord and Saviour, so I prayed so hard that they were listening, even as the young ones answered paw-paw's questions. And the traditional table cloth was signed. We have 4 tablecloths, so far, that we write on every Christmas, writing what we are thankful for that year. I just could not think of a single thing to write this year.... HA HA!! Yeah right, I had to cut it short, not to take up the entire tablecloth!! It was neat to think that this would be the last year without Flor's little hand print or her writing her own name... :)

Prayer meeting

What a blessed evening I had last night... my sweet friend, Melodie planned a night of praise and prayer at Starbuck's to lift up everything involved with getting Flor home. Unfortunately, most folks have church on Sunday night (and that sounds bad to say "unfortunately", but it's not that they have church, just that they couldn't come). You know!! So, it ended up being just Melodie and I. What a blessing! It really couldn't have been more perfect! We talked a LOT and I had tons of questions for her, since she went through all of this back in the summer. We really had a great visit. Then we prayed. We prayed for every aspect of our case. We prayed. (Then we visited some more!!)

I am so thankful to have friends like Melodie. It's been so amazing how God has brought certain people into my life, at this time in my life, and we have/are all going through the same struggles, joys, and experiences.

... and I can't WAIT for Flor and Fernanda to get together again!!

What's on my tree Wednesday:

My aunt has been doing this the past few weeks, so I thought I'd join in with only 2 Wednesdays to go until Christmas... Here are a few of my favorites:

Here's one my moma made YEARS ago. I can't even remember a Christmas without this ornament on our tree... and no tree is complete without an Alabama ornament!!

Here's another one Moma made. There are actually several of these wooden ornaments that she painted before I was even born. Actually, Stephanie had them all, but brought them over on Thanksgiving and she, Connie, and I went through and split them up. I think we each left with 12 or so. I love each one of them, but this one I remember being a favorite even as a little girl.

Stephanie gave me this one several years ago and it has been a favorite ever since!! Feliz Navidad!! :)

Stephanie also had these made for Connie, herself, and I Christmas 2003. It was our first Christmas without moma, and I just love it. Of course, thinking of spending Christmas with Jesus makes me a little jealous... the back says, "Susan Elizabeth Milam, January 15, 1951 - January 27, 2003"

Well, I guess I'll save some for next Wednesday!! :) Enjoy!!!!!

IT'S A GIRL!!!!

Yes, I legally have a daughter!! She has been my daughter since March 2007, when God spoke her into my heart... and I have loved her for much much longer than that... but today it is official!!! We were approved at PGN and we're OUT!!!

God has answered the prayers of his children today! If any of us ever had a doubt that he does answer prayers in HIS TIME, today we have seen him in action!!

Shyrel took Flor to PGN today and got the run around. She said she went to at least four offices before being sent back to the first, where the guy behind the counter said it had just come down to be released!! She said Flor charmed everyone and they all fell in love with her!! (of course!)

Now we wait for her new birth certificate and the embassy appointment... it won't be long now, baby girl!!

This is my "get out of PGN celebration" picture!!! In this photo: Jami, Daddy, and Flor in front of PGN in October... :) Adios, PGN!!

carefree

This morning as I was driving home from church, I was thinking about my sweet Flor, as usual. I was thinking about how much I love her; how much I miss her. I caught myself wondering if she could even comprehend what is going on in this world for her. If she can even count high enough to number the people that are working so hard to get her home. If she can even fathom the amount of prayers going up daily from all around the world. If she knows how often I think of her. I wonder if she even has a thought for me throughout the day.

Then I realized how selfish I am for thinking that way. Of course, I want to feel her love me back, but I would not in a million years want her to know what is going on now to bring her home. I wouldn't want her to feel how hard this is. How hard it is to wait. How much my hearts aches for her every single day. How often I cry.

I wouldn't want her to know or feel anything that I am experiencing right now. I don't want her to have a care in the world. I want her to go to bed tonight and sleep peacefully. I want her to wake up tomorrow morning, knowing that she'll have breakfast and a jacket to keep her warm. She won't even have to think about it actually. It just happens and she doesn't know any different. There is no worry in her little mind for that. No cares. Just being a little girl with her whole day ahead of her.

not what i wanted to hear

I heard from my lawyer today... she's basically telling me that now another lawyer in PGN wants to revise and check the file, purely out of having Flor's best interest at heart. She's tried to explain to them that her best interest is to be home with her moma, but that for some reason other lawyers have taken a special interest in our case. They've said they don't think it's fair that the case gets out so quickly. Quickly?!? We've been in PGN for almost 4 months now! How is that quick?!? *sign* So, as far as I can tell some lawyer is reviewing our file all over again.

This is not the news I wanted to hear today, but the only option I have is to trust God now. He knows what's going on and he can turn their hearts like channels of water.

Can you feel it?

I just feel it. We're getting out of PGN today... Today is the day!! Please LORD, let today be the day!! It's been almost 4 months... TODAY is the day!!!

Thank you, JESUS!!

a family's great loss and heaven's great gain

Please stop where you are this second and pray for this family in their time of need. My heart broke as I read this last post. Their daughter was just killed, and her entire foster family, in an unspeakable tragedy. They were just weeks away from bringing her home. My heart is so heavy. Please pray when you think of them. Pray for comfort and a peace that passes all understanding.

prayer for approval!!!

I just heard from Melissa, and my lawyer is expecting approval in PGN very soon... PLEASE be in prayer with me that it is next week!!

Gratitude tag!

I was tagged by Amy to list 10 things I am thankful for, so here goes in no particular order:

1) My Savior, My King- without him I would be nothing, my life would have no meaning, and love would have borders. I am an unworthy sinner, but I am a sinner forgiven!!

2) My sweet Flor- I thank God that our paths twisted and turned the way that they did so that I would meet her that March morning in 2006 halfway across the world. She is my purpose in life, the reason I was born.

3) Gino- I'm so grateful to be spending the rest of my life with a godly man, who really has a heart for God.

4) My great family- there are no words. They are such a great support in my life and have been a godly influence in my life since I was born. I love being around them and I love that there are SO MANY of us!!

5) Old friends- we've been through a lot and they know me better than anyone. There is never a dull moment, we act like we're 12 the majority of the time, and we have so many inside jokes that it's like we're speaking another language sometimes.

6) Adoption- what a perfect act of God's love for us. We are adopted into his family and he loves us unconditionally and his own.

7) Music- I love almost all types of music and worship is in my blood. It defines moods, personalities, thoughts, feelings, and even eras.

8) Time- time is the only thing you can give someone of yourself that you will never get back. When someone gives you their time, it shows they really care.

9) Creativity- What a unique trait to give each one of us. The Creator of the Universe gave us the ability to create: whether it be with music, art, teaching, leading, witnessing, invention... the list goes on and on...

10) LIFE- the greatest miracle of all. How each molecule comes together in the womb to form each and every one of us as infants.

Now, I tag Connie, Stephanie, and Debbie