Nesting---Preparing for the boys

We are among the hardest part of adoption---the long wait for the LOA (letter of acceptance) from the C. government.  The boys are preapproved for our family and all our paperwork sits on their desks awaiting final approval.  Although this time hurts, we must recognize everything will happen according to God's perfect will and timing.  Our dossier (the packet of paperwork sent) is littered with the message of Christ and how we live our lives for Him.  Everyday this packet of paperwork sits upon the desk of a worker and maybe, just maybe, His glory will shine through to those who have yet to hear the good news.  We pray our wait is not in vain and there is a purpose for everyday.

In the meantime I feel the nesting urge to prepare our home for their arrival.  Rooms are being painted and redecorated. Boys will all be on one floor sharing a bathroom.  The girls have redecorated with butterfly stickers and love their new room.  The first night after our big make over, I asked Huahua to take care of her dirty clothes.  After a few minutes I thought what could possibly take her so long to dispose of her clothes a few feet away in the dirty clothes closet.  She had went two flights of stairs, to use the clothes shoot on the second floor.  She was really tired, but such a good listener!  Old habits die hard.

Today we met with our social worker for our year follow up.  Can you believe it's been almost a year since sweet Huahua joined our family.  Part of us feels like she's been with us forever and then there are haunting reminders that she carries pain from her past.  Adoption doesn't end when we bring a child home, we will forever work with her to process her trauma.  She is beyond her years in street smarts and emotionally an infant at times which I love to cuddle, hold close to assure her no one will ever hurt her again.  One year ago in a ceremony we promised to protect, love, and provide for her as one of our own but we had no idea what a gift we would receive in return.  She is pure joy, with a side of spicy CQ sassiness to boot!  We love you sweet girl.
Tonight she wanted nothing more than to snuggle into bed with her big sister, jie jie. (Jordan)  She loves her, adores her and wants to be her at all times!  Jordan treats her sister with such kindness and gentleness, teaching her so much.  I am so proud of her!  Looking forward to the new bonds the brothers will create.  Justin and Jackson are such good buds now, we know they will teach their new brothers how to love and care.  Of course there will always be an occasional battle of the wills, but that's how life rolls.  It's the ability to solve our problems in a reasonable, respectful way that we are striving to teach.

Some of our recent adventures......

                                                        Halloween 2013

 The family (except Huahua) volunteered at Feed my Starving Children one afternoon.  What a great experience for us as a family to serve others.  We packed dry meals for those in need across the world.  The children learned to work hard and have fun while giving of themselves and serving.

 Everyone tool turns at different jobs, either scooping food, weighing the bags, and packing boxes.                           We had so much fun they did not want to stop when our shift was over.
                                   And we even got to keep our hair nets are a souvenir.

                                          Dad was given the heavy lifting job!

                                           Princess Huahua always good for a laugh

 Jordan and Huahua sledding at Thanksgiving up north at Grandma condo.  They hit the jump and loved it.  Dad was saying under his breathe "please don't hit the jump, please don't hit the jump" and they hit it right on target!  Laughing all the way :)

                               SNOW....................a DELICIOUS AFTERNOON SNACK!

                                          All the play time is hard work....time for a nap!

                    Building her first gingerbread house...It was very hard not to eat the candy.



Sorry it's sad....no new pictures of the boys....  We cling to the knowledge they will be home soon and we can love them and take as many pictures.  Between now and then we wait on the Lord and his direction for our lives.   We have successfully raised about $5,000 of the $30,000 of our goal.  Praise God and thank you to all who have donated for bringing hope to these young boys.  Donations are tax deductible and accepted through the home page of this blog or checks can be sent directly through LifeSong for Orphans.

We still have shirts available too...

Sizes large and XL left in kids and adult. Colors sport grey and orange (as shown by our great models)  XL kids is the same size as an adult small.  Makes a great Christmas present!