Six Months Ago...

Hard to believe it was 6 months ago that we received PA for the boys.  Can't believe in less than a month we will be a family of 10 with 3 three year olds.

A year ago today we were in China adopting Alyssa.  It was our third day in Guangzhou.  We had Alyssa's TB test checked, did a little shopping with Elvin, and then headed to Shaiman Island.  The day before I remember showing the other families in our group the boys' photos on my phone and telling them if the boys were still available we would be back.

Praising God that he chose us to parent the boys as well as our other children.  We really did think we had lost them last summer.  We know our lives are about to change in a big way but we know God will be with us every step.

   This is one of the photos we received when we requested an update from a third party late June, 2013.

Article 5 Pick Up

Yes, it happened.  I was a little down yesterday about this two weeks taking so long and this morning I woke up to an email that it had already been picked up.  I have never heard of that happening before but I will take it.  Five days doesn't sound like many days but it is when you are talking about the TA wait.  That could mean the difference in traveling May 9 or May 16, the difference between traveling May 16 or May 23, or in the end it may make no difference at all.  We will have to see how it all plays out but I definitely feel better.

God has amazed us every step of the way during this adoption.  I think we have been on time or ahead in every step.  He must really want the boys to come home.  It really does confirm that the boys are meant to be part of our family.  Not that we need confirmation but it does affirm it.

Now if I would just stop stressing about the small things.  God has definitely got this.

The wait for TA has begun.

Gift Exchange

So excited to receive a gift in the mail today.  It was one of those days that it just seems like it will be forever before we get to the next step.  It is next Tuesday but it seems to be taking so long.

Love these shirts, hats and cars my Pal from the Gift Exchange sent me.  I will be packing them for Guangzhou.  My pal this month is hoping to travel in May too so maybe she will get to see the boys in them.

Tidbits

Lots of little things happening so I think I will just list them.

-My sister received her visa today.  We didn't need visas because for some reason last year we got 2 year visas.

-Found the boys' bunk beds off Craiglist today.  They are in their rooms. We just need to get bunkies, mattresses, and some screws.  We will be using them as single beds until the boys get older.

-Alyssa officially became a Braxton 1 year ago today.

-We are half way to Article 5 pickup.  It has been a long week.  I can't decide whether it is more difficult to know nothing will happen until a certain date(April 23) or to be anticipating and hoping everyday that the next step will happen.

-We finished all the rearranging of rooms last week.  All of them were also painted.  Slowly getting them all back in order.  I will post photos once we finish.

-We are still hoping to leave one month from today, May 16.

Alyssa Day

A year ago today we met Alyssa in person for the very first time.  I still remember opening our hotel room and this unhappy little girl walking into our room.  She did not cry or make any noise.  She just stood there.  We talked to the orphanage director and his wife for about 15 minutes.  Alyssa just stood still while we tried to engage her with toys.

To be honest my first impression was laced with fear.  Alyssa  couldn't stop scratching herself, she held one arm differently, and her head was very odd shaped.  I knew I would love her no matter what but I was concerned of what the future might hold for her.

Alyssa never cried that night, the next day or the next.  She did begin to smile that first evening she came to us.  The first time she cried was when we were leaving her foster family after visiting them a couple of hours.  After about 30 minutes she stopped.  Alyssa never looked back.

Alyssa is a happy child.  She still goes to bed with a smile and wakes up with a smile.  She can entertain herself for hours.  Alyssa loves life.  While in China the other families kept teasing us that we were going to have a loud house with Alyssa's arrival.  They were pretty much right.  Alyssa is loud but a happy loud.  She is always talking and singing.  From the time she wakes up until the time she goes to bed she is a busy little girl...our energizer bunny.

We go to church on Saturday nights and Alyssa refers to the nursery as school.  She loves school!  The teacher said just last week that she loves when Alyssa is there.  Alyssa truly is a fun child you can't but help to love her.

As for my initial fears, they were unfounded. I think Alyssa's behavior was due to living in a foster home where she wasn't able to play on the floor and she always wore 5 layers of clothes so she couldn't move around.  As for her head the doctor said he thought it was due to laying in her crib for too long.  Now that her hair is longer you can't even tell.

Alyssa's favorite toys are Little People, Mickey Mouse, Kai-Lan and Cars.  Her Little People are probably her absolute favorite.  Our family room has been invaded by them.  They are often having conversations with each other.  All voices done by Alyssa.

I thank God everyday for this child!  She brings so much joy to our family.  We had no idea what we were missing.  I am so glad we trusted God and followed his plan for our family and Alyssa.

Dallas wanted to write something to so here is Dad's perspective:

I can't imagine my life without God's precious Alyssa as part of it. As I can't imagine my life without any of the children God has blessed and entrusted us with. While I also can't imagine life with two more here in the next few months, in a couple more months I won't be able to imagine life without two more. God is truly good!

                                           Alyssa with her siblings her first morning with us

Alyssa the first time we saw her and after she had been home 6 months.

March 2013 Alyssa bowling for the first time

Alyssa today- 4/15/2013

Baby Hip Sling

When we adopted Grace in 2007 I had a hip sling that I loved.  A couple years after we came home we got rid of lots and lots of things.  Unfortunately that sling was amongst those items.  Last April when we traveled for Alyssa I bought a carrier from the thrift store and a hip sling online but didn't really like either of them.  I used the hip sling in China but it just wasn't very comfortable and it kept slipping.  

For the last few months I have been researching slings as well as carriers.  I prefer hip slings.  For me it is easier with a toddler.  The slings online were so expensive.  I didn't have the money to spend on one much less two.  So I decided I was going to make two slings.  I found a pattern I liked and got to work. 

Here is the finished product.  Alyssa and Julia both sat in it for me to see if it would work. I think it will be perfect.  It is light weight and easy to adjust.  Final cost for one was only $12.00.   I need to go buy the fabric so I can make a second one.  If I never use them again when I come home from China I have not wasted a ton of money.

Fashion Show

There are advantages to Alyssa being 4 months older than the boys.  She weighs a few pounds less than them but is a few inches taller.  Tonight she did a fashion show of their clothes for us.  She had so much fun we hope she is not going to be upset when she sees the boys wearing "her clothes."

Over the last few months I have been buying clothes as I saw good deals.  I had a tub full and thought I had enough.  After going through them tonight I realized that I don't because there are two of them.  Definitely enough for one child but not two.

The good news is Zachary and I have a list, we will be hitting the yard sales tomorrow.  One of the big items is a dresser for Julia.  We tried everything we could to get her wardrobe up into her new room.  It was not happening.  We also need beds for the boys.  Dallas really wants a bunk bed that converts to two twin beds.  Besides that we need various shorts, pajamas, and shoes for the boys.  It should be a fun day!  Hope it is productive.