We Are Coming Baby Girl...

Every time I have gotten a call from our agency with good news about our process, there was always something going on. But of course, a family of 5, there is always something going on, adoption agency calling or not :-)

So, I wake up Tuesday morning, May 22, feeling really bad. Parker and I have been sick for over 3 days now with some sort of coughing, congested, sinus junk going on. The schools are out because of elections in the state...however, my son, Carter has a field trip for conduct reward at his school. So I get up earlier than normal to get ready to take him to school, because after I drop him off, I am suppose to come home, get Parker and Jacob ready to go to my mother-in-law's work where they are having me a shower (so sweet - thank you ladies!) Then I have to go the bank and run to Wal-Mart to pick up a few items. Oh, did I mention it was also Carter's birthday?!?

We finally get to Wal-Mart and get inside and I decide to go ahead and pick up a few of the OTC meds we were going to be taking with us to China. While we were in the pharmacy section of the store, Parker is just showing himself...screaming, getting items out of the back of the shopping cart and throwing them on the floor - a real terror, however, I attribute it to him not feeling well and being spoiled absolutely rotten! I am trying to compare prices, because I am cheap-o, and my cell phone rings. It is our agency...we got our TA!!! I was so excited, my heart was pounding, I started crying, Parker throws another bottle of something in the floor, and Jacob backs into a rack on the end of the isle and razors are strewn across the floor. We were attracting quite a bit of attention and anyone that knows me - I hate public attention - especially public negative attention! But honestly, I really didn't care too much...I was so excited.

Our agency is trying to get a CA for 6/13 which would put us leaving on 6/1 - 9 days from now! They got some confirmed appointments today for those needing appointments on 6/18, so hopefully she will hear about ours tomorrow so we can start booking our plane tickets and hotel accommodations. I really don't want to have to wait all weekend long and try to get tickets on Monday for Friday! But it will work out as it should. Everything else has worked out perfectly and I expect the same for this.

I cannot express in words the emotions that I am having. I know Anna is our daughter, I know she is in China, I know that we have been approved to adopt her, I know that God has been in this whole process and I know that we are leaving very very very soon...but the reality of me getting on a plane, flying half across the world, landing in China, and finally holding my daughter - I just can't imagine. Rodney and I are both elated and the boys are just tickled...pink!

This really is the best time for us to be traveling. The boys got out of school today and we have a whole week together before we leave for China. My parents will be back in town Saturday night, so they have a week to rest up before they will be needed for watching the boys. And then when we return, we will have the rest of the summer break to spend with our 4 beautiful children!!! I love saying "4" children.

I can never thank God enough for what He has done for us. He lead us to adoption, He prepared the path, He walked us through obstacles, He moved mountains, He comforted us when we were struggling, He provided when it was needed, He is protecting her as she waits...I have to give Him praise for all He has done. Even though I would have loved for Anna to have been home with us back in November, this process has taught me so much and I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to walk this road and to be able to love this little girl as my own.

Thrilled beyond words and sending love to my Anna.