On Tuesday we received a message that we had indeed been able to get the earlier Consulate Appointment. This means dh leaves in just a few days and will meet our little Peter in less than two weeks.
We are in the midst of packing, preparing, cleaning, finishing up paper work, etc.
I was reminded last night of some advice given to us as we were preparing for marriage. The priest encouraged us to cling to the underlying peace we felt about our upcoming marriage when our wedding preparations seemed chaotic. While that time of our life was in some ways chaotic, we had no idea what was in store for us.
Right now the house seems constantly abuzz. Six children make quite a bit of noise. Six children excited about the arrival of a new brother, feeding off the intensity of parents stressing about getting everything together, and loving the unseasonably warm weather, make even more commotion. There seem to be a million things to pull together. Adding to this I am still tired, not just regular tired but pregnant tired. However, underneath the surrounding chaos, there is a peace knowing we are doing the will of God and bringing home another one of his children. In a few relatively quiet moments I strive to cling to that peace.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
The Modest Princess
Recently Juju and Joseph started speech therapy with a new therapist who comes to our home. It is wonderful not to have to load everyone up in the car and wait for the sessions to be over. The girls are able to continue with their school day uninterrupted, and the only worry I have is that my house is presentable. Under most circumstances I find that easier than making sure they are presentable and in the car with all the necessities (shoes, coats, sippy cups, etc). Plus, I get a clean house rather than fidgety kids in a car waiting for the session to finish.
On a recent visit, the speech therapist presented a picture of Disney princesses and asked my Juliana who her favorite princess was. Juju is mostly unfamiliar with this genre of princess having only seen Beauty and the Beast. Most mentions of princesses in our home have to do with being a daughter of Christ, or talk of some saints who were queens. At first she was just silent, but when asked again who her favorite princess was-- she responded, "ME!" I was in another room, but still chuckled. What an apropos answer for my sweet four year old.
She continued with her session, I continued the lesson I was working on in the kitchen with Sophia and thought little of the exchange, except that it would make a good blog post. Sophia, however, had also heard this conversation and she had seen the paper in question and it was clear she was mulling it over. I had not actually seen the princess paper. Sophia quietly whispered to me, "Mom, some of those princesses aren't wearing enough clothes and it sort of makes me not like them."
When Juju came running in the room a few minutes later so proud of earning stamps on this paper I have to admit I was a little stunned too. There, front and center, were scantily clad princesses on display. We so closely monitor what our girls watch that when those things make their way into our home they are quite shocking to all of us.
I have to admit it's hard sometimes to feel so counter-cultural, but Juliana's response and Sophia's observation remind me that the job I have of raising these girls to be Godly women is a monumental task and it is my job to ensure that our home is a refuge from the rest of the world. Here they are princesses, not in the worldly sense of being catered to and physically attractive, but rather in the Godly sense of serving those around them and striving to be the best Daughter of the King. I'm glad they realize at such a young age what true beauty is all about.
On a recent visit, the speech therapist presented a picture of Disney princesses and asked my Juliana who her favorite princess was. Juju is mostly unfamiliar with this genre of princess having only seen Beauty and the Beast. Most mentions of princesses in our home have to do with being a daughter of Christ, or talk of some saints who were queens. At first she was just silent, but when asked again who her favorite princess was-- she responded, "ME!" I was in another room, but still chuckled. What an apropos answer for my sweet four year old.
She continued with her session, I continued the lesson I was working on in the kitchen with Sophia and thought little of the exchange, except that it would make a good blog post. Sophia, however, had also heard this conversation and she had seen the paper in question and it was clear she was mulling it over. I had not actually seen the princess paper. Sophia quietly whispered to me, "Mom, some of those princesses aren't wearing enough clothes and it sort of makes me not like them."
When Juju came running in the room a few minutes later so proud of earning stamps on this paper I have to admit I was a little stunned too. There, front and center, were scantily clad princesses on display. We so closely monitor what our girls watch that when those things make their way into our home they are quite shocking to all of us.
I have to admit it's hard sometimes to feel so counter-cultural, but Juliana's response and Sophia's observation remind me that the job I have of raising these girls to be Godly women is a monumental task and it is my job to ensure that our home is a refuge from the rest of the world. Here they are princesses, not in the worldly sense of being catered to and physically attractive, but rather in the Godly sense of serving those around them and striving to be the best Daughter of the King. I'm glad they realize at such a young age what true beauty is all about.
Friday, February 24, 2012
We have our TA!!!
Finally, we are nearing the end of our paperchase alphabet soup. We just received notice that we have received our Travel Approval, meaning we are welcome to travel anytime to pick up our dear little Peter. We have one more step before booking our tickets, we have to make a Consulate Appointment which will finalize Peter's American citizenship.
Right now we are being given two travel options and really hoping for the first. The first option means dh will leave in about 10 days. It will put them home around one month from now. In one short month that precious boy could be home with his family. The second option means waiting a few more weeks and puts them home right around Easter, with a strong possibility of being a day or so after Easter. For so many reasons we are praying for that first option.
We should have definite travel dates in a few days. Please continue to pray for Peter and our family. For those IRL friends and family, please understand if I seem a little overwhelmed, frazzled, and such the next few weeks. The long wait finally ends with absolute chaos as we prepare for this trip and the arrival of the newest family member. Why, oh why did I leave so much to the last minute? Suitcases to pack, locate clothes for the new boy, find a dresser, move bedrooms, prepare travelers, prepare for weeks without dh... the list goes on and on.
In the end, God willing, this little boy will be home with a family that loves him dearly-- and that is worth much more than the waiting, the endless paperwork, and the ensuing chaos.
Right now we are being given two travel options and really hoping for the first. The first option means dh will leave in about 10 days. It will put them home around one month from now. In one short month that precious boy could be home with his family. The second option means waiting a few more weeks and puts them home right around Easter, with a strong possibility of being a day or so after Easter. For so many reasons we are praying for that first option.
We should have definite travel dates in a few days. Please continue to pray for Peter and our family. For those IRL friends and family, please understand if I seem a little overwhelmed, frazzled, and such the next few weeks. The long wait finally ends with absolute chaos as we prepare for this trip and the arrival of the newest family member. Why, oh why did I leave so much to the last minute? Suitcases to pack, locate clothes for the new boy, find a dresser, move bedrooms, prepare travelers, prepare for weeks without dh... the list goes on and on.
In the end, God willing, this little boy will be home with a family that loves him dearly-- and that is worth much more than the waiting, the endless paperwork, and the ensuing chaos.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Juju's Fourth Birthday
Last year on Juju's birthday I blogged about how hard it had been to celebrate her birthday because it seems every year we are battling some bug. This year we were fortunate enough that everyone in our immediate family was for the most part healthy-- extended family, well not so much.
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Grandpa was healthy and he stopped over for yet another yellow cake. This girl really has a thing for yellow, although purple is quickly gaining ground. Dh was kind enough to make meatloaf instead of the planned ham and asparagus dinner. Most four year olds I know would prefer meatloaf and Juliana certainly did, although if really given her choice I think we all would have had cereal (yo-yo-yo in Juju speak) for Sunday dinner.
She enjoyed the day and all the attention lavished on her especially by her older sisters. They each wanted to pick something out for her birthday. She got a new t-shirt, a new box of crayons, and a pair of pink sunglasses. All of which were a big hit with her.
On her birthday, I pray for those girls in her native country still waiting for families, for those who care for them, for those working to bring home a new child, for those involved in the endless paperwork, for those who shared our journey, and especially those who gave Juliana the gift of life. She is such a blessing to our family.
This sweet girl has grown so much this year. We call her our noisy cricket because despite her small size (Gabriel weighs more than she does), she makes quite the racket. She talks, and sings, and chatters, and makes noise. She lights up a room with her smile, especially when she sweetly says, "I love you very much!"
Grandpa was healthy and he stopped over for yet another yellow cake. This girl really has a thing for yellow, although purple is quickly gaining ground. Dh was kind enough to make meatloaf instead of the planned ham and asparagus dinner. Most four year olds I know would prefer meatloaf and Juliana certainly did, although if really given her choice I think we all would have had cereal (yo-yo-yo in Juju speak) for Sunday dinner.
I know this is a horribly out of focus picture, but I didn't get a good one of Grandpa. Although the picture quality leaves something to be desired there is a cute baby belly to make up for it. Plus you get a glimpse of Banana's new bangs...
She enjoyed the day and all the attention lavished on her especially by her older sisters. They each wanted to pick something out for her birthday. She got a new t-shirt, a new box of crayons, and a pair of pink sunglasses. All of which were a big hit with her.
On her birthday, I pray for those girls in her native country still waiting for families, for those who care for them, for those working to bring home a new child, for those involved in the endless paperwork, for those who shared our journey, and especially those who gave Juliana the gift of life. She is such a blessing to our family.
This sweet girl has grown so much this year. We call her our noisy cricket because despite her small size (Gabriel weighs more than she does), she makes quite the racket. She talks, and sings, and chatters, and makes noise. She lights up a room with her smile, especially when she sweetly says, "I love you very much!"
Monday, February 20, 2012
Five
Five stitches for our sweetest five year old and it only took five hours to get them...
I knew with six (going on eight) children, sooner or later we were bound to have someone need stitches. If asked a week ago, I would have put my sweet five-year old Sophia at the bottom of the list of the child who would be the first to need them.
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What started as an evening of fun, a house full of good friends, an ice cream bar full of fancy toppings, and favorite board games, and a movie to keep all those girls somewhat quiet, ended in a trip to the emergency room. Apparently even a Shirley Temple movie requires ambiance and the girls had dimmed the lights, when the movie was over, poor Sophia tripped and hit her head on a bookcase.
The girls tell me she was upset she hit her head, but didn't really cry. Then they all noticed the blood. There was lots of blood. Preteen girls and blood don't mix and all I heard was the clamor all the way up the stairs and lots of high pitched chatter as it seemed all of them were trying to tell me what happened. Once I had something to stop the bleeding and had cleaned her up a little, I sent a few girls upstairs for Dad. I gave them strict instructions to be very calm and tell him that I need him to take a look at Sophia.
He came down and said he'd see me in a few hours. Of course since it was 9 PM on a Friday night, all the Urgent Care facilities had closed for the night. His only option was the ER. Apparently the ER on a Friday night is a very happening place and a five year old with a small head wound isn't a high priority. It was after 2 AM when sweet Sophia came jumping into my bed to tell me all about her adventure. Time is relative to her because she said they waited so so so long, like an hour and a half. She jumped at the first stitch, but never cried. She was a real trooper according to Dad.
She seems to be healing well now. The girls remarked the doctor could have at least used pink thread for our very girly Sophia. Mom and Dad are not recovering as well from the lack of sleep...
I knew with six (going on eight) children, sooner or later we were bound to have someone need stitches. If asked a week ago, I would have put my sweet five-year old Sophia at the bottom of the list of the child who would be the first to need them.
Before
The girls tell me she was upset she hit her head, but didn't really cry. Then they all noticed the blood. There was lots of blood. Preteen girls and blood don't mix and all I heard was the clamor all the way up the stairs and lots of high pitched chatter as it seemed all of them were trying to tell me what happened. Once I had something to stop the bleeding and had cleaned her up a little, I sent a few girls upstairs for Dad. I gave them strict instructions to be very calm and tell him that I need him to take a look at Sophia.
He came down and said he'd see me in a few hours. Of course since it was 9 PM on a Friday night, all the Urgent Care facilities had closed for the night. His only option was the ER. Apparently the ER on a Friday night is a very happening place and a five year old with a small head wound isn't a high priority. It was after 2 AM when sweet Sophia came jumping into my bed to tell me all about her adventure. Time is relative to her because she said they waited so so so long, like an hour and a half. She jumped at the first stitch, but never cried. She was a real trooper according to Dad.
After
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Article 5
After some delays for New Year celebrations, today we received notice that our Article 5 is ready. This leaves just two more steps before we move forward with travel plans. We wait now for our Travel Approval, then our agency can make a Consulate Appointment, and then we book plane tickets. If all goes well, dh and Bear will leave sometime in early March.
Now reality sets in for me. In the next few weeks I begin the monumental task of packing for this trip. Airlines within China only allow one suitcase per traveler (they will have two in-China flights) that can only weigh 40 pounds each. In those two suitcases I have to pack everything needed for almost three weeks, along with all the clothing and essentials for a one year old little boy I've never met. I will have to guess at his size and send a few things a little bigger and a little smaller. I will also pack a small pharmacy trying to anticipate any maladies my travelers might encounter, not to mention medications for the little one. We also have to pack 7-8 gifts to be given to officials. I, thankfully, found some great boxes of chocolates on sale after Christmas.
Packing is further complicated by the fact that in their three week stay they will travel to three different climates. They will need winter clothing for their first stop, spring/fall clothing for their second city, and summer clothes for the final stop. Then there is also dh's lack of packing organization. I pack and put everything in a certain spot. I fold things tightly, organize them by type, put things you need first on top, etc. He sort of throws it all together. Trying to explain my packing methods to him is like a Frenchman giving instructions to a Russian. He nods and agrees, but I know he isn't getting it. There is no better proof of this than the Gotcha Day photos of Banana during Joseph's adoption trip. When I asked what was going on with her hair he responded they hadn't been able to find the hair brush for two or three days.
Despite the multitude of tasks, and more paperwork, and the craziness of trying to get Bear ahead in school so that her three week absence won't throw off our summer, I am thankful things finally seem to be coming together. We are another step closer to our dear Peter.
Now reality sets in for me. In the next few weeks I begin the monumental task of packing for this trip. Airlines within China only allow one suitcase per traveler (they will have two in-China flights) that can only weigh 40 pounds each. In those two suitcases I have to pack everything needed for almost three weeks, along with all the clothing and essentials for a one year old little boy I've never met. I will have to guess at his size and send a few things a little bigger and a little smaller. I will also pack a small pharmacy trying to anticipate any maladies my travelers might encounter, not to mention medications for the little one. We also have to pack 7-8 gifts to be given to officials. I, thankfully, found some great boxes of chocolates on sale after Christmas.
Despite the multitude of tasks, and more paperwork, and the craziness of trying to get Bear ahead in school so that her three week absence won't throw off our summer, I am thankful things finally seem to be coming together. We are another step closer to our dear Peter.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
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