One Step Forward, One Step Back

We found out that we were not submitted afterall.  I have been soooooo eager to get the girls' info :(.  It seems they wanted some more paperwork from our agency.  So now we are supposed to be submitted on April 25th. 

The Bunny Came!

Ever wonder what Easter morning looks like when the bunny brings gifts for 10 kids?  Well, now you know :).

Our theme this year was the beach.  Our kiddos all got personalized robes, slippers, beach buckets, water bottles, beach bags, goggles and of course there was lots and lots of candy!

We also attended an Easter Egg Hunt with the Make A Wish Foundation held at the dinosaur park.  We LOVE Make A Wish!!  They are WONDERFUL!!

For us, the Easter Bunny comes on Saturday so that Sunday we can focus on Jesus Christ and his ultimate sacrifice and gift for all of us.  We like splitting it up because it allows us to have a very spiritual and meaningful Sunday.

AND THE WINNER IS . . .

The winner to our giveway is KelliD!!  Congratulations!  Thank you to everyone who helped spread the word about our bracelet fundraiser.  We cannot do this adoption without the support of our "village" which is a very humbling experience to say the least.  Thank you for supporting us!  Our bracelet fundraiser will continue until we are sold out.

Great Blog Post

I loved this blog post by a dad adopting from Ukraine.  It is so inspiring to read about people stepping out into the impossible and God making up the difference in the end. 

http://www.twomore.blogspot.com/2012/03/god-could-open-heavens.html

Kelly

Waiting, Waiting, Waiting

Our girls' country has 10 days to review our paperwork and ask for any additional information.  Then, if we are approved we get our REFERRALS.  This means a lot more info on the girls.  It also means that we are officially, according to their country, adopting them!!  I HATE waiting ;).  This part of the wait is sooooooooo suspensful because I cannot wait to get more pics and info on our girls.  What we have now is so limited.

How long has the wait been so far?  We basically started Dec 26th.  Why has it taken so long?  Because international adoption is full of a million steps that must be done in order, and we have run into hiccups. 

But as I have learned with our other kiddos, THEY ARE ALWAYS WORTH THE WAIT.

Big Update!!!!!!!!!!!

Big Update!!!!!!!!!!!  All of our intial paperwork is FINALLY done and is being hand carried to our girls' country this weekend!!  Another family who is making their first trip is leaving tomorrow and they are taking our precious documents with them.  I am jumping for JOY!  Our agency has already scanned and emailed all the docs to their in country staff so they could start the translations early.  We should be officially submitted to adopt the girls this week.  YEAH!!!!!!! 

The next step is that we will get the referral from their country which will include more pictures (can't wait!), medicals and descriptions of the girls.  I want to cry just thinking about it. 

We are coming sweeties!  We are one big step closer!

Color Coding

So I have started to freak out a little bit about the organizational challenge that 10 kids will be.  So taking the advice of other large adoptive families, we have decided to color code the children's things.  Each kid was able to pick their color.  So far, every kid now has a tooth brush, towel, backpack, robe, slippers, beach bag, water bottle, drinking cup, bathroom bin, hair brush, flip flops, etc either in their color or personalized with their name in their color.  I am really hoping that as we do this, it will help us know who's is who's and stay more organized.  Especially since so many of my kiddos are the same size!!  My 4 bigs are exactly the same size, then my next 2 are the same size, then the next 2 are the same size.  Only little Jonathan and Mary (Mara) will be different.

I found this great website that has LOTS of stuff to personalize.  The cost is very reasonable (especially if you buy in the quantities I do) and I just got my order and the items I ordered are very high quality.  I don't make any money or kick back from them, I just thought that they were worth recommending!

www.cottonage.com

It is unrealistic to buy EVERYTHING in their color.  Afterall, who would want to wear the same color shirt every day??  But I have visions of getting scripture bags, 3 ring binders, notebooks, etc in their colors.  I am so sick of the "Who left their . . . . . in the living room?" Only to be met with a hundred "Not me!"  Now hopefully I will pick up the backpack, see that it is Orange and yell, "Elena!  You need to put your backpack away!" 

We'll see if it works!

Love This Shirt!

Another adoptive mommy is doing a T-shirt fundraiser to bring their daughter home.  I LOVE THIS SHIRT!  I soooooooooo want one!  I hope they are still selling them once I get this adoption paid for and I can buy clothes again ;).  If you like them too, here is the link to purchase:

http://findingrdaughter.blogspot.com/p/serial-adopters.html

Question 16: After the girls come home are you done adopting? Will your family be complete?

Ha, ha!  This question cracks me up only because I have lost all creditability when it comes "being done".  I honestly believed that I was done at three kids, then at five, then six, and so on.  I did not "plan" any of this.  I have, announced several times over the years, "We are done!  This is our last child!  I mean it this time!"  only to have God laugh and ask us to bring home another.  So why does everyone still ask me this question?  Don't they realize I don't have a clue ;)?

What I can say is that I don't for a second regret any of our children.  I cannot imagine my life without each and every one of them.  Every one of my children make my life and my family so much better, funner and more loving.  So even though several times over the years I have said "No more!"  I have always been grateful after each adoption that we said yes when the Lord called.  That does not mean that I am always thrilled when He calls ;).  Sometimes it takes a lot of courage and faith to say yes.  But then that sweet child enters your family and you realize what a massive blessing they are and you feel so grateful that the Lord chose you to be their mother.

So when the girls get home are we done?  Yes.  For how long?  I am not sure.

Mary Kay Fundraiser Extended

My dear friend Melinda Munson has decided to extend the Mary Kay fundraiser she is doing for the girls until they get home!!  Their adoption fund is getting 100% of her comission!  And she is doing free shipping!!  I am so amazed at the generosity we have witnessed with this adoption. 

To order products visit:: http://www.marykay.com/melindamunson

And if you live in the Vegas area, she will even come do a make-over if you want to have some girl friends over.