Merry Christmas! Day 33 waiting for LOA... but who's counting!

We went to Stone Mountain for our main Christmas gift to the kids this year. It was super cold (for Georgia) but we had a great time. As you can see they all sat on Santa's lap (even Joshie wanted to). He just didn't understand why after enduring the event why Santa didn't give him a toy! Santa gave him a candy cane instead and that was good enough. We had a great time relaxing and seeing fun things as a family!

Grace, Faith, and Isaac were in a Christmas play at church. Isaac was obviously a sheep, a really cute one I might add. Grace and Faith both sang solos and did a fantastic job! We are so grateful for our new church family and to be in a church that is focused on God's work around the world and invests into our children's lives and hearts. Joshua wasn't too fond of Kid's choir but after seeing Isaac up there as a sheep I think he might be more inclined to try it in January. We'll see... he likes singing Jesus Loves Me!

Joshua has healed nicely from the surgery, emotionally and physically. His speech is a little better since the VPI closure seems better. We are probably going to be seeking another surgeon at some point this year. We are looking for someone that craniofacial disorders is all they work with and right now are communicating with a doctor in D.C. So anyone with any recommendations for anywhere other than GA please let us know who you use and why.

On the adoption front we are hoping to receive our LOA in January and then travel in March but we rest in the fact that God knows the timing. After Christmas we'll start trying to check off our list of things to get done before Joy comes home. For now we are trying to get as much information as possible on older child adoptions and attachment. I'm so grateful for yahoo groups and others that have gone before us and their willingness to share their lives and experiences.

Well, better go enjoy the kids while we have a relaxing Christmas break planned!! I have a feeling the new year will bring lots of busyness and excitement (traveling to China, possibly D.C. with Joshua to see a new surgeon, and Disney in December with my parents).
WOW! God's provisions and strength to press on are truely amazing!

Merry Christmas and God's blessings in 2010!

Another favorite adoption song (We are LID as of Nov. 19... the countdown begins!!)

Great song and speaks so much truth as an adoptive parent! Please pray for children without the joy of having families this Christmas and do what you can to support and love on them. I commited about a month ago to fast and pray to the Lord on Wednesday's for Joy and it has turned into praying for orphans everywhere. There are so many places you can help (Lifesong for Orphans, Hopegivers, Show Hope, Grace and Hope Foster Care- Joy is in a foster home through this organization) just to name a few. A few weeks ago we changed rooms around so that the 3 girls can share the largest bedroom and Isaac was having a hard time accepting the change. I put him on my lap and told him that mommy and daddy feel like God wants Joy in our family just like we know that God wants him in our family. I asked him if he was in China would he want us to go to China to bring him into our family. He of course said yes and now says that he loves he and Joshie's new room. I do not want to discount the sacrifice that our kids make to add to our family but the truth of matter is that this song is true that we have plenty of room, food, and love. And I have noticed that our kids seem to have an extra measure of compassion for the hurting and I believe it is because they have seen first hand what it is like for one of their siblings to be in need. I guess it just hits close to home for them and they all talk about when they get older adopting like its just something everybody does which is such a blessing to us.

On a personal note to update on our family. Joshua is doing well from his surgery to modify the pharyngealplasty (should help with his speech for those of you without cleft affected children). As you can see from our title for this post we have a log in date with China so we are counting down now to the next step. We should receive LOA in January or February and travel hopefully in March or April. So things are starting to move along. The girls and I were having a good time setting the table for Thanksgiving when I got this feeling of it not being fair that Joy couldn't be here with us for the holidays. So I said to myself, "It's just not fair" which was too funny because "not fair" is one of Joshua's favorite things to say. (He picked it up from Isaac who is 5). Not the most godly response to not getting my way I know but I'm just being honest. I do know that we will see God's hand at work and His perfect timing. He will use this time to shape Joy into the woman He desires her to be along with teaching us things along the journey. Namely trust in Him and patience!!