TA for Thanksgiving

The second to last part of our adoption waiting is over!  On Monday we received the best news that we would be traveling to get our son very soon!  The wait to receive our travel approval was one of the longest periods of waiting that we have been through, but now that it's here, we are in GO mode trying to get everything done in our home and everything packed to bring to China...wew!  

I have been blessed with meeting so many amazing people who have helped with the process each step of the way. Some of the connections and friendships made were through blogging and I can't thank the Lord enough for those people in our lives. They have answered numerous questions, given suggestions, encouraged us and prayed for us through this entire journey!! Some have even recently given me packing lists that are absolutely perfect for making sure we have everything we need! The Lord has greatly blessed us!

The most exciting part of traveling is that I will be able to look directly into those big, brown eyes, kiss those chubby cheeks, hold that cuddly boy and whisper sweet prayers of love and thanks into his ear.  It's been almost 5 months since we saw that tiny 1 year old boy in a picture and knew he was ours.  It's been almost five months since we were blessed with a son and almost five months since we became a Mama and Baba.  Amazing!

The wait is hard and times unbearable to think about your child not having your arms to hug him and comfort him.  To pick him up when he is sad, to kiss booboos and to whisper "I love you" in his ear.  I had to be very careful not to get discouraged and let my mind wonder.  I relied 110% on Jesus to intervene and take fear from me.  I trusted the Lord to protect Eli and placed him in our Redeemers hands...without that hope I don't know what I would have done.  It's not a walk I would have wanted to do alone, thank you Jesus!

We are so excited for our trip and are now getting packed and ready to go.  We have tons of friends, family and neighbors praying for us, covering us with the Word and staying at our house while we are away (huge blessing!).  We ask you keep  in prayer  :

• We are protected at all times by the Blood of Jesus
• That all our flights are on time, protected and we have traveling mercies
• That we are free from illness, disease and infirmity the whole time there and coming home
• That all our appointments will go smoothly without any difficulties
• That Eli will be filled with joy and peace as he transitions into our family
• That Eli will bond and attach quickly by the power of the Lord
• That AJ and I have the mind of Christ and are given
  wisdom to help Eli, provide for him and keep him safe
• That we will all return home healthy, happy and filled with the joy of the Lord

It is a such an amazing time for us and our family!  We feel blessed to have shared the journey this far and for you all to experience the next part of our journey to get Eli!  We only have a short time left of being of family of 2 before there are 3!!!!  For that we are THANKFUL! 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

God is GOOD and we are BLESSED!

And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes Me.

Matthew 18:5

Showers of Happiness

A lot has been going on here in the our household since my last post!  I can't believe it's been two months since I posted about Eli and I feel like I have A LOT of catching up to do!  

In Vermont enjoying everything about it!

We have been on GO GO GO since September and I cannot believe we will be celebrating Christmas very soon!  In October, AJ and I and my side of the family traveled up to our usual spot in Vermont for some peace, rest and beautiful scenery---most of which you do not get here in the Tri-State area (those who live here KNOW---the pace ooohhh the pace!!!).  Once we came home, the following weekend my mom and I traveled up to Rochester, NY where AJ's family lives.  My MIL had a sweet shower at her home where I was blessed with a lot of nice things for Eli (he will not be lacking in the clothing department that's for sure)!  We literally drove up late Friday night, had the shower on Saturday and rushed back home early Sunday morning.  WEW!!!  AJ did not come up with me this time because he has been working on a bathroom project and it's crunch time to finish!  THANK YOU to our bestest friends Dan and Theresa for sacrificing so much of their weekends to help us!  I'll tell you what, our friends are not just friends they are most definitely an extension of our family--I think that's the best way to have friends!!!!

Mom and sweet MIL

My amazing SIL and me!

This past weekend my mom and I hosted a beautiful shower at a gorgeous country club down the rode from where my parents lives!  The club did an amazing job with food and service, it was wonderful!  I had soooo much fun coming up with a color scheme, deciding decorations and planning the day!   Pinterest is dangerous..very dangerous...but ooooooo how I love thee!!!!  It's a really good thing Pinterest was not around when I got married because my wedding probably would have cost double with all the ideas I would have wanted to cram into the day!  Anywho I digress! But seriously I love Pinterest..nough said!

 I remembering just dreaming about this moment and wondering if it would ever happen for me!  Guess what!?  It did!!!!

 

Pinterest is the best as well as a touch of artistic ability from my Great Grand Father Bevalet (he helped design the statue at Rockefeller Center) and my Aunt Tara who made the incredible center pieces!

The day of my shower was like a dream!  The room was filled with so much love, happiness, support and the presence of God!  I really felt like I was floating and I don't think my feet really touched the ground
the whole afternoon!  It was amazing to see people from
different times in my life gather in one room to celebrate the beginning of what God has ALWAYS called me to be ...a MOM!  I had a dear friend whose sons I nannied for when they were 2 and 9 months...they are now 17 and 16  WHAT!!!!!!!! I had my best friend there who started college with me 16 years ago and we have not left each other's side since (we live like 15 minutes away!) Many women from our church came, all of which have blessed me with friendship over the recent years.  A lot of my family was there, as they always are to support and love us!  I love my family! Childhood friends/ neighbors and their parents came and present coworkers who have loved and encouraged me through the struggle of infertility were there! Of course my most cherished person was there-my mom!  Without her, oh my, I don't know how this would have been possible!  She is the most loving, giving and selfless woman I know!  It was a room filled with history and love, perfect for welcoming Eli!

My amazing BEST friend..we were meant to be sisters!

The day went so fast and I was blessed with an incredible amount of gifts for Eli....you all did not hold back!  I would apologize for making everyone sit through the tedious task of opening every present, but you all did it to yourselves...MY GOODNESS!!!!!  Hee hee!!!  No really I can't believe the outpouring of generosity, amazing!

Now that the last month of baby shower frenzy is over, AJ and I are now focusing on the last details before we leave for China!  We will know by next week when we go and I cannot believe it is happening..I can't wait to kiss Eli's sweet cheeks!  We have finishing touches on his room to do, finishing our bathroom project and organizing all the stuff we need to pack and bring to China...it's a lot people...A LOT (those who have done this know)!  We will be heading into the doctor's office this weekend to conference with our doctor about our travels, get vaccinations and prescriptions for meds to take with us.  It's the final countdown now and we cannot wait to go!  We promise we will let everyone know when we go and when we return so that those who want to be at the airport to welcome Eli home can be there!

Well I realize this post is rambling and very long, that's why I need to post more often...just hasn't been enough time!  I realize I want to document more of Eli though once home and I'll have to commit to it more so!  We can't thank all of you enough for blessing us so greatly through prayers, doniations, gifts and above all LOVE! Eli is one loved boy and we are blessed to be bringing him home!!!!!

Mom beautiful, giving, Godly Mom and I! I love her sooo much!

God is good and we are BLESSED!!!!

 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.

Ruth 1:16