Heaven on Earth

I made it back from our workshop in the Keys! All I can say is "when are we going back?" This was by far the most enjoyable workshop I have attended. The staff at Pigeon Key was amazing! They scheduled snorkeling trips for us, tide pooling for invertebrates (for the landlubbers), and cooked some memorable meals. They should be commended for putting up with some really difficult teachers who made some ridiculous requests! Not me of course... I would've been happy sleeping in a hammock under the palm trees.

Sunset from the front porch

Kudos to Captain Larry for getting our little group back to the bus in one piece after our snorkeling trip. Fifteen teachers huddled with the captain, in what turned out to be a storm much greater than he (or we) bargained for, was quite the sight! We stayed dry the entire trip, only to get soaked when we walked from the dock to the bus! While we could've raised the water table a few inches with what we wrung out of our clothes, I wouldn't have missed it for anything! It was an exciting way to end our Keys adventure.

Captain Larry (right) on the dock of Pigeon Key...with much calmer seas and sunnier skies!

Kudos to my "partners in crime," Monica and Stephanie, for stepping out of their element and back into the 1900's with me. They will not be happy with me for saying this, but it was like watching your kids take their first step. It just wouldn't have been the same without them there! It would've been a lot less enjoyable.

They really are as crazy as they look! (Love ya, ladies!)

Enjoy the rest of my pictures of this little piece of heaven on earth!!!

Our "home away from home" during our stay

Sunset over Old Seven Mile Bridge

Early morning at the "famed" dock of Pigeon Key...

Sunrise from the Old Seven Mile Bridge

We're Getting Closer!!! (No FedEx stork though.)

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (Mark 11:24)

I finally broke down and called our agency today. I just needed to talk to a real person and get a little reassurance. I was told to expect our confirmation letter within the next few weeks. I called my husband to tell him. Apparently, he'd talked to an acquaintance of his and she informed him that she's been praying a lot for us. She went on to tell him not to worry... we'll be getting that confirmation letter very soon!

After our evening walk, I checked my email and found one from our agency sitting in the inbox. It was a list all waiting children from our agency letting us know exactly where we are in the process. I took a deep breath as I opened the attachment to look for Spunky. And, there it was...

"Pending LSC"

What does that officially mean? It means that our dossier has been reviewed by CCAA and approved for the adoption of our son. CCAA will be sending our LSC soon. What a relief to know that China has given us their blessing!!!

Wow! When God sends me encouragement, I get it from all angles! Our God is most definitely an AWESOME God!!!

So...it looks like we may be there right in time for the Olympics rush! YIKES!!!

Friday the 13th...

I wrote in an earlier blog that "13" was my new lucky number. Well... I'm praying that today will be a lucky day! We are on day 58 of our wait for our confirmation letter and my nerves are getting frayed. Whenever the phone rings, I get butterflies for a split second...until I realize that it's not the call I am longing to receive. Sometimes I feel like a dog chasing after the mailman when I see a FedEx truck drive through our neighborhood. (Apparently we have a neighbor that uses FedEx a LOT!!!)

With my luck, we'll get the call while I'm out of town next week. For the FIRST time since I had kids... I am going on an overnight trip by MYSELF! Well... sort of... our teachers have a workshop in the Florida Keys, complete with snorkeling on one of the coral reefs. Isn't that terrible? We're really looking forward to it. I should have LOTS of pictures to share of that when I get back. (I will be behind the camera...NOT in front of it!)

We're steadily keeping busy. I've slowed down buying clothes for Spunky (unless, of course, it has a monkey on it!) Now that summer is officially here, I have some time to work on the nursery. And, yes... you guessed it! It's a jungle theme... complete with his own giraffes and monkeys. I've always wanted a jungle nursery. I think it has something to do with my difficulty giving up my zookeeper days. Hopefully I'll be able to share pictures soon! My husband wants to mow the yard; but, Mama wants to bring the crib out of storage. Hmmm... who shall "win" this one?

The Best Birthday Ever...

This birthday ranks right up there as one of my best... next to my early birthday present in 2005 (my birthday "Bug".) First, it was the last day of school!!! I never thought that would get here! Then, of course, I share my birthday with a very dear friend... who is really more like a sister. Monica is my co-worker, prayer warrior, partner in crime and accountability. She is the first one I go to with good news, bad news, and even no news! I have absolutely enjoyed this crazy year because I've had one of my "bestest" friends by my side. So, don't you know that when this next gift arrived... I went to her classroom!

I've been blessed with an amazing group of families from XuZhou SWI. One such family is Sue and Arlie. They are currently traveling in China to bring home their beautiful daughter Jia. I am so grateful to watch Jia blossom with each update from her family. She is just radiant!

Half way around the world and celebrating their first few days as a family, Sue still finds time to send messages and photos to the rest of the waiting mommies and daddies. She is definitely an angel amongst us; and, her thoughtfulness and generosity are SO appreciated!

I received this message about our little "peanut"...

"Robyn, All we can say is get ready! Your Adam is a "Spunky Monkey" as my grandson nick-named him! He has so much personality it bubbles out of every pore. If you even look his way he kicks and grins...if you talk to him, he goes wild with excitement. I think he is a bit of a favorite with his nannie, she just love to show him off. We had a great visit at Xuzhou, Jia did great, she loved the babies, seemed comfortable with the visit and left happily with us. She was just a bubble at dinner later, she is just a delight. One of the hardest things I have ever done, is to leave the orphanage without your baby! I would have loved to snatch him and bring him to you today! But you have your own destiny and journey to get him...but get ready for a real wild child! Love to you and your family, sue "

This makes the wait so much more bearable...not easier... but bearable...because we know that he is well taken care of and loved by his nannies. I had such a peaceful feeling all day long just knowing that Sue and her family were there... half a world away... with OUR son. And, then... to see the photos!!! I cried for the longest time. Some of my most favorite pictures are of Jia patting Adam on the head and holding him with the orphanage director. Our children will always have a bond because they spent the first years of their lives together. I can see why Sue's grandson nicknamed him "Spunky Monkey." He's grinning and smiling in every picture and can barely sit still! Oh... are we in for another Firecracker baby or what?!

Here are some photos that were sent of a cute little boy that they saw on their orphanage trip. ;-) Hope he gets to come home to his family soon! I'm sure they can't wait to hear him laugh and play with those adorable little piggies!

Look at the teeth this little guy has... and that grin!

In the arms of Jia and the Director.
This little guy is going to be a ladies' man!

Well... what are you waiting for?

It's so obvious that his ayi loves this little guy!

Mr. Personality with an adoring fan... the director.

Happy Birthday Angel Bug!!!

Dear Adam,

Today is a very special day for our family. It is your big sister's birthday. She is celebrating her third birthday with her grandparents, great grandparents, her very special aunt, and many angel friends in heaven.

Planning for you has helped me get through a lot of difficult days, but this day is proving to be one of the hardest. I'm sad because Katy's not here with us and sad because you will never get to know her in the same way that your oldest sisters did. I wish that you would've been able to meet her. She just lit up the room and made hearts melt wherever she went.

Each night, when I go to sleep, I ask her to watch over you for us. My heart tells me that she is with you, just as she is with us. And, I know that when we are finally joined as one family...she will be right there with us too... as we celebrate becoming a family of six!

I love you Peanut! Hopefully you'll be getting a special visitor on my birthday. Jia's mommy and daddy are visiting you and your friends. I pray more than anything that they will be able to see you and get a picture for us! What a birthday present that would be! We missed you when Lily Mei's mommy and daddy visited your friends last month.

Can't wait to hold you in my arms and look into those beautiful brown eyes of yours. I keep praying that we'll get word soon about when we can make our travel arrangements. Even Nana is getting antsy! We all want you home...and all of our family together. Next year, we will be together... looking for those shooting stars as your JieJie blows out her birthday candles across the heavens.

Lots of BugHugs and misses...

Mommy