MY GOD IS!

We had known for a month or longer that our home study agency's license was to expire the middle of April (Wednesday, April 13th, 2011 to be exact).  We found out just recently though....We have to have a current notarized and apostilled copy of the license for our court dossier.  We were told that Joshua's country will not give us a court date with an expired license. 

Ok, no big deal though because our social worker, who I really like, assured us that as soon as the agency had the renewed license in their hands she would get a notarized copy to us.  So I didn't really worry too much about because I thought that the agency would surely have to have their license to function legally.  So logically (to me) they should be getting the new license pretty close to April 13th, right?!  Not so.

On the Monday before the license expired, I got an email from our home study social worker.  bad news.  She had talked with DCFS (who renews the license) and told me this:  Unfortunately, the state of __________ is incredibly understaffed and our DCFS licensing worker believes that there will be a delay in receiving our new license.     

While up front this does not sound like the end of the world, this was REALLY bad news for us.  Delays like this can be weeks or even months.  This little piece of paper could cause some major delays in our adoption.  We have been pushing hard to get a court date because Joshua's country takes a major summer break.  If we don't get our court date before this summer break it may well be Fall before can go get him.  So the sooner we get on a judge's docket the better.  And then again, we don't know how long his orphanage can legally keep him there.  I know they were fine with keeping him for a few months longer but 6+ months or longer?!  My guess is that he would have to be transferred sooner or later.   Oh and get this.........since Joshua's country is a major stickler on having ALL papers be current.  If we get delayed, we would have to update our home study which would then have to be DCFS approved.  YES - full circle back to DCFS who of course is understaffed and to expect more delays.  ARGHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So yes, it would really unleash some serious complications.

I prayed God would move His mighty hand and help us. Then Todd and I felt strongly that this was the time when we should call our state representatives.  Todd looked up all of the numbers for me and on Tuesday (the day before the license expired) afternoon, I started calling.  Telling any secretary, any live body who would listen to me - of our situation.  I was a little deflated because they all told me they would get back to me later. 

So, Wednesday, April 13th, 2011 dawns..................

I start getting phone calls about mid-morning.  We learn that our home study agency's license is being renewed that very day!  Our prayers are answered.   MY GOD IS A GOD OF MIRACLES!!

and there is more................the actual license can take up to week or longer to arrive at the agency.  Remember I need a notarized copy of the license.  It arrived on FRIDAY!!  MY GOD IS A GOD OF MIRACLES!!

and there is more................our representative has adopted twice himself and is on an adoption reform committee!! MY GOD IS A GOD OF MIRACLES!!

and there is more............an older gentleman called from a different representative's office, and he told me that he has a younger brother with Down syndrome and that he tells everyone that his brother is 'a little piece of heaven on earth'!  MY GOD IS A GOD OF MIRACLES!!

What an amazing experience this has been to see God's handiwork in this way!!!!

So our little notarized and apostilled license copy is hopefully in Joshua's country now joining the rest of our court dossier!!!!!!!!!  We are waiting to hear if we get a court date mid-to late May.  Please continue to pray for us!!  We cannot wait to bring Joshua home!!

Our Little Guy Gets a Name!

After MUCH discussion (mostly friendly!), we have finally decided on a name!!  We were finally forced to put it down in writing after we got back from our first trip.  Naming our children has become increasingly more and more difficult.  I am leaning towards more unique names and Todd likes the more traditional.

Well I lost again!!  It is a very traditional name.  But that being said I do really like it.  I mean love it!!
Drumroll please........And he shall be called:

Joshua   

so there you have it!! 

Processing . . . .

We got home Friday evening around 9:00pm.  Our 3 oldest were still up to welcome us home.  SO GREAT TO BE HOME!!  We were in bed around 10:00pm, which if you know me well is nothing short of a miracle.  I am a night owl.  But we were exhausted.  Saturday morning started like we had never been gone.  The little boys were up by 7 and I don't think they even noticed that we were gone.  They acted like every thing was normal.  I am thankful our kids did so well while we were gone.  And we jumped right back into our lives and roles like we had never left. 


And now I am just trying to process a life-changing event while my life just keeps rolling along as normal.  I don't know if this makes sense or not.  It's just that it almost seemed like a really great dream and I have wonderful memories of it but nothing has physically changed.  And then on the flip side I try to imagine when we really do bring him home and the big changes that really will happen........like my post title.....I am just processing and trying to make sense out of it all tonight.  I love that little guy and miss him so much.  

Saying Goodbye

Bittersweet.  That's pretty much how I feel.  Missing him already yet so ready to be home.  I can't wait to see my kids!!  Here are some pictures from our last time together.  We saw him later in the day and he was a little 'antsy'.  He kept trying to escape from our little room to show his friends toys.  He also kept wanting to wash his hands and when he did he got water on his shirt and then wanted to change his shirt.  The first time was an accident the next two times were definitely on purpose.  You should have heard him giggle.  Funny stuff!!

Just Plain Cute!

The flexibility is amazing!

Smart Boy!  Learning sign language so fast!!

Laughing Hysterically

Playing Doctor

He knows he's funny!

Bye Papa!  Bye Mama!

Love you so much little boy!!