Happy Anniversary

18 years ago today I married my best friend! I wouldn't trade a single moment of our life together and look forward to all of the moments ahead of us!! Happy Anniversary David...I Love You!

Play Ball!

Oh, I just love this time of year...Spring is here and Summer is just around the corner; I love that the days are longer! I love the smell of a leather glove and the sound of a ball being hit by the bat! Best of all, I love watching my son play the game that he loves...BASEBALL!!

Tonight was our first game and this year Nicholas is playing 7U coach pitch for the Bulls. It's amazing to watch how much the boys have grown and changed from one year to the next. Nicholas got on base each time at bat and made a fabulous out at second base! Way to go Nicholas - We are so Proud of You!!

Nicholas & Daddy ready for the Big Game!

Waiting for the Pitch!!

Great "Baseball Ready" Position!

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While we spend our evenings at the baseball field, we wait daily for word on Eva. The agency tells us that they expect to hear something any day and that day can't come soon enough for us!!

Waiting is SO Hard

Today, it has been 65 days since we first saw our daughter's beautiful face! Everyday I look at her picture and I long to kiss her sweet lips, to pinch her chubby little cheeks, and to whisper in her ear "I love you"! In all of her pictures she looks so sad, and I just want to see her first smile and hear her laugh. I ache to hold her, smell her and feel her hand in mine. Waiting is SO hard!!

I check my email no less than 100 times a day waiting for any word. I walk in and out of her room and she's not there. I can't shop without wanting to buy for her but I don't know her size. I check my watch to quickly figure the time in China and wonder what she is doing. I go to bed each night hearing the boys pray for their baby sister as I offer up my own petitions. Waiting is SO hard!!

I am so thankful that God waits with me! Even though I don't understand why it is taking so long, I am blessed to know that His timing is perfect. I take great comfort in this scripture that has hung on our fridge for the past three years:

"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, be patient! For it will surely take place. It will not be late by a single day." Habakkuk 2:3

Waiting is SO hard, but to not wait is unthinkable!
Eva, we love you...therefore, we wait!!!

Our Triathlete

Noah competed in a triathlon today, something I would have never considered doing at the age of 9!! His next goal is a half marathon in December and knowing him...he'll do it!!

Our children never cease to amaze and inspire us!

I know that I set up this blog to post about our journey to Eva, but there are so many fun and exciting events going in our life that I can't help but post about them too! Hopefully one day Eva will enjoy looking back and seeing what else was happening while we waited for her.

I Raced...I Finished...I Kept the Faith! 2 Timothy 4:7

Package of Goodies

This morning, after two trips to the Post Office, I mailed Eva a care package from us. We have been putting it together for a little over a week now. Since we are not sure what size she might be wearing, thought it would be easiest to send her a pair of pajamas and socks. Nicholas picked out the ladybug blanket and Noah the pink cell phone; of course he wants a real one of his own :) I put a photo album together with pictures of us and her grandparents all labeled with the Chinese characters and our names. We had Adele at http://www.blessedkids.com/ translate a letter to the orphange director and nannies thanking them for the care that they have been, and continue, to give Eva. I also included the candies for them. Now we just hope that it all makes it there safely to her!!

Baptism

Today was a very special day for our family...Noah was baptized! It is such an incredible experience as a parent to walk with your child as they accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. I have been blown away by the understanding and love that he has for Jesus and I learn so much from him. It is amazing that our time together on this earth will be spent as mother and son, but we will spend eternity as brother and sister in heaven...Praise God!!

Very special thanks to all of the family and friends that supported him today. You have all been a part of planting a seed within him and creating the passion that he has for Jesus. We love you!

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Mark 10:14

One Step Closer

I just checked my email for the 100th time today, and this time there was a message from our coordinator saying that they received Pre-Approval on our case this morning! Basically this says that China has reviewed our application for this child and have approved us to move forward with the adoption!

Now we wait for our "Letters of Confirmation" which usually take about 4-6 weeks from now. Travel approval about 4 weeks after that and travel within 1-4 weeks after that time. So, all in all, about another 2 1/2 - 3 months until we bring our little ladybug HOME!!

Please continue to pray with us for the rest of our paperwork to go smoothly! Thankfully we know it's all in God's timing!!