Halloween Fun

It seems like just yesterday I made my first blog post....last Halloween! We had a fun evening trick-or-treating with friends. Our robot had to shed his costume after the first three blocks, as he had trouble keeping up with our baby, crayon, and lion. Now we have a kitchen full of neatly sorted candy. I'm hoping I can stay out if it, especially the Almond Joy and Mounds bars (which no one else in the family likes).

We heard some discouraging adoption news today from a fellow adoptive family. Their Power of Attorney in Rwanda has told them the courts will be closed the whole month of December. That means that we have to get our referral and pass court in the month of November if we are to be holding our sweet "Wanda Baby" by Christmas. I'm trying to look at the bright side...Rwanda in January would be a great get away. But, to be honest, the only place I want to be in January is my family room, rocking my baby to sleep. Please pray that the Ministry will pass our referral information on to us soon.

Micah

Thank you so much bloggy friends for your prayers for Micah. It seems we have quite a few more answers tonight than we did last night. After two CT scans, a very painful spinal tap, an MRI (while vomiting from the pain meds), and an EEG, the team of doctors has determined that Micah has suffered at least one epileptic seizure. They have prescribed an anti-seizure drug and are sending him home this evening. Kevin, Laura, and Micah will likely be making many more trips back to Pittsburg Children's Hospital for further tests and to monitor his neurological health.

It's shocking to me to think about this scenario happening in our family: our nine year old son healthy tonight, sleeping soundly in his bed, waking up tomorrow morning not knowing what day it is or how to get dressed, being rushed to the regional children's hospital, knowing something is terribly wrong. Our world would be rocked! What a reminder to me this has been of the fragility of our lives and our dependence upon our Creator for each breath. How thankful I am that (as the song says) "He knows my name. He knows my every thought. He sees the tears I cry and hears me when I call."

Please Pray for Micah

I am writing this post to ask you all to pray for my nine year old nephew, Micah. He is being transported to Pittsburg's Children's Hospital with an excess of fluid in the ventricles of his brain. He was acting strangely this morning, not able to perform very basic tasks. The doctors at the local hospital were unable to determine from the CT scan where the extra fluid was coming from. They felt more comfortable transporting him to a bigger hospital for an MRI. Thank you, dear friends, for your prayers for Micah, my sister Laura, and husband Kevin. Also for brothers Jared and Ethan.

All Smiles

Everyone woke up with a smile this morning. "Daddy comes home today!" were the first words uttered by all four kids. Feels almost like Christmas morning. There's only one thing that could rival my excitement of seeing my hubby after his 15 days in China..... seeing the face of our baby after his/her lifetime in Rwanda. Not holding my breath, but not breathing really well, either.

No News

Just a quick note to say there has been no news....only that there will soon be news. Chad has two more nights and one more day in China, and then he will be on his way home to us. My two H kids have strep throat, and my two C kids are at school. Will today be the day?

Natalie Kate and Pennsylvania

I am an auntie....again! This weekend the kids and I traveled with Mom and Dad to Pennsylvania to meet Natalie Kate, my newest niece. My sister, Laura, moved to PA after she married her sweet husband and his three boys almost one year ago. We had a great time with cousins, the go-cart, and seeing the most beautiful fall colors I have ever experienced! The only thing that could've made it better is to have Chad with us. He is sleeping in Shanghai right now while we're doing life at home. Oh, how we miss him!

Adoption news is sketchy, but we have heard our child has been chosen and has had medical testing! We hope to be holding a picture of our baby next week at this time (or shortly thereafter). Stay tuned for the big news. I won't be able to post the picture here, but you can certainly stay posted by checking this blog. It's hard to believe we will soon lay our eyes on this child whom we already love so much. Soon, soon, soon.

Today's a Gift

Our C-Man turns 9!

Birthday Party after football with half the family. (First party canceled because of H1N1.) Agh!

H and C having some fun in the yard

H with his famous mustache from flavored water

Chad and C enjoying some swinging time

Don't you think I'll be a better post-adoption blogger than pre-adoption blogger? I don't post because I think tomorrow will be the day with big news. So I might as well wait until then to post. We have had no big news, but we do know big news is looming closer with each passing day. We are expecting to lay our eyes on our child for the first time sometime in the next two weeks, Lord willing!

I considered making a paper chain to count the days until October 12, but I have decided against it. Counting days can be fun and therapeutic, but I've determined to live and enjoy today. No more wasting time, pining over what will be, but trying desperately to enjoy all the blessings of today. "Yesterday's history, tomorrow's a mystery, and today is a gift. That's why it's called the present." Not sure who said that, but s/he really had some things about life figured out.

Would you pray for our family that we would experience peace as we wait? Would you pray that our referral would come before Chad leaves for a two week trip to China? Please do....and while you're at it, pray for that little boy or girl in Rwanda whose last name will soon be Spore.