MADDIE'S POST!!!

Hello, I am Madeline. I am 9 years old. My mom is  Sally. My dad is Bob. I have 2 brothers named Brett and Justin. We met Justin yesterday. Right now they are watching Spongebob Squarepants. We adopted Justin. We are in Tegucilgapa, Honduras. The trip is the best trip ever!!!!!!

Leaving for trip #2

We are headed to Honduras early in the morning. We are excited, and nervous as we will be traveling as a family of 4, coming home a family of 5! With 2 large suitcases, 2 large duffel bags, 2 roll-on suitcases, 4 carry-ons/ personal items we will be headed to the airport at 5:15 a.m. We have a one hour layover in Houston then on to Tegucigalpa. The trip is finally here!

Justin, Here We Come!

We received an email late Tuesday night that said in the memo, "Are You Ready?" Oh goodness. It stated that Honduras would be ready for us the last week of August and that we should make travel arrangements, go crazy, pack, go crazy, clean the house, go crazy some more, and then scream and then we will be fine and ready. Well, I have gone crazy, husband made travel arrangements and I have cleaned the windows, the blinds (ok my sister actually helped me), and now onto the floors. We leave August 29th! The kids are excited I think. When Brett woke up Wednesday morning he said, "Yes, Yes, Yes!!!" and when Miss Maddie woke up she smiled and then asked, "Will we be home for Halloween?"  without hesitation I said, "YES!" (crossing my fingers behind my back)

Justin, We will finally see you again. You will finally meet your brother and sister.  We will begin our new life with you. I know there are going to be so many adjustments and emotions all at once, but Justin we are ready for you to be a part of our family and we cannot wait to see you!!

I want vs. I need

It is true that we will be spending approximately a month in Honduras. My feelings towards this long of a stay in a foreign country have been all over the place. I have been waiting for God to send us back, but I think He has been waiting for me. When we initially signed up to adopt from Honduras 4-6 weeks didn't really cause us to flinch one bit. But after meeting Justin reality really set in. I don't know if its because he was older and he is able to grasp some reality of whats happening or if it is the saying that "seeing is believing". For a long time my anxiety was fueled by me being out of my comfort zone for so long, not knowing what we are going to do with 3 kids in a hotel, not being able to wander outside when we want to, what would we do? But one day it hit me, why am I causing myself so much misery when I can be doing something for children in need. I will be in the same place where children are in constant need, whereas my children are in constant want. Yes, my family will be consumed emotionally & physically on our journey, but the need will be literally staring me right in the face and I am bemoaning the loss of my comforts? The ease of everyday things, my spacious house, hopping in my car and driving wherever I want whenever I want, eating whatever I want, driving to Target and getting whatever I want. After typing those sentences I wonder how much of what I consume is what I need rather than what I want? (this is as far as I had written on August 12th).

 But now I am ready. I truly believe God was waiting for me for my heart to be in the right place. People sometimes think, God moves in mysterious ways, but I am starting to think that it is not they are mysterious it is that His ways are not our ways. I think that is the more appropriate term. I hope our family can be a blessing to the other kids there and we can keep everything in perspective. It will be hard at times I know, but please pray for us as we continue on our journey of trying to love God and loving others.

Justin,

Last week we received an email from our contact person in Honduras telling us that our papers were being processed in court and that it would take 15 days and we would receive a court date. I just want to tell you that we have been waiting and waiting to find out when we will get to see you again. We haven't talked to you for so long, but we know you are there and waiting for us like we are waiting for you. I can't tell you that we are coming soon because in your child like mind that means tomorrow. I pray that in your heart you know that we are coming back. It won't be long now. Hang on buddy we are coming...soon.

Love, 
Mom

Waiting for Justin To Come Home

After a week of our referral Brett drew this picture in his journal at school. Notice I am in the bedroom  changing clothes ok, well maybe don't notice ;) Brett is upstairs playing the WII , Bob and Maddie are running down the stairs, and Justin is ringing the doorbell. I guess this is how he imagined it would happen. 

July 1, 2011

USCIS Approval I171H

It has arrived! Our 2nd approval from the USCIS arrived Saturday, July 30 after being in the system since June 13th. Now for sure we will be ready when Honduras calls us for our 2nd trip. April seems so long ago.