READY-SET-GO!

Today was our first day of the "Paper Chase"! Everything seemed to go pretty well. I think if you expect the worst, it can only be better:)

Today we were fingerprinted for our FBI criminal reports. Evidently, I do not have very good fingerprints. The woman tried to take digital finger prints of me and my fingers just didn't work. So, I got the good old fashioned INK!!! She said I was doing too many dishes and too much cleaning!!! I am going to have to stop that all together or I will loose my fingerprints!!! GASP! LOL The real story is that it is probably genetic and they are not going to get any better. We are praying that the FBI accepts them anyway. Well, the INK was pretty messy stuff and the GOJO I had to use to get the ink off was so stinky! At least it took off the ink, right? Mike's fingerprints turned out really good, so he didn't have to be inked! Our next stop, get a certified copy of our marriage certificate. The gentleman we had was very pleasant and even asked us questions about the adoption. The last stop downtown was to get my certified birth certificate. We had to go to a different building, but it was still in walking distance. I did not need to do my 30 minute walk today, I got it with several flights of stairs and walking from place to place.

After that, we decided we were too hungry to go any further and needed to grab a sandwich. I remembered a place that Kas and I went to for lunch and I had really wanted to take Mike there. It was perfect for a quick, delicious sandwich. The place is called "Apple Spice Junction". It was FABULOUS, but since we were crunched on time we had to eat and run. However, Mike did enjoy his Turkey Avocado sandwich very much.

We then headed back to our little town to get those fingerprints mailed, but first we had to get the papers notarized. So, off to our bank, to meet with the Notary, who is getting to know us on a first name basis. That didn't take too long and I ran Mike back to work just in time for his 1:00 PM meeting. I then rushed to the UPS store to get copies of the paper work and mailed those prints to the FBI! I also made it to Missi's school and volunteered in her class until the end of the school day. We felt like we had a pretty successful day and can take a breather now. I hope I didn't tire you out too much:) Thank you for all of your continued prayers for our journey. God is GOOD!

Here are a few pictures of us getting our fingerprints.


The Court House:


The old INK process:



I have been INKED!



Mike had it EASY!

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We got that call yesterday!!! At 10:55 a.m. our local coordinator called us to let us know our application was approved and we can BEGIN!!!! Then at 2 p.m., GWCA Texas called and gave us our official green light!!! *SCREAMS* We are so EXCITED!!! I am so ready! I have already scheduled our Home Study and our Physicals:) LOL We will be getting a rather LARGE stack of papers in the mail for our Home Study and then the official paper chase begins. The blessings are just pouring in! God is so good!!!! I sold 2 pair of earrings and have had so many wonderful people donate to our Yard Sale that is coming up. Two wonderful people have donated money by our DONATE button!!! THANK YOU to all of you ! You are WONDERFUL and have BLESSED us so much already!!! Have a terrific day!

Hello

I wanted to post the layout that I made of the three pictures of our beginning. I will keep you up to date as soon as we know our application is accepted. Enjoy and have have a fabulous evening!
(image is linked for full credit)

It's official "WE'RE EXPECTING" !!!!!!!

That got your attention, Huh? Well, it is official though! We weren't supposed to start our paper work until March. However, this morning I was in the shower thinking (I have been doing this a lot lately) and Mike was shaving (this seems to be some of our only alone time! LOL) and I decided to ask, "Now, why again are we waiting until March to apply"? He said, "So, we have more money, but I guess we have enough for the beginning process, so go ahead! Lets start the adoption"! I was so excited, I got out of the shower and went for the computer (dressed of course) to begin the paperwork on-line. I told him, "Well, it is hard to step out in faith if we are just sitting on the fence"! and he agreed! So, here we go!!!!!

We filled out and sent in our adoption application to Great Wall China Adoption (GWCA) this morning! We are both so excited for this dream to begin to unfold. Here are a few pictures of Mike and I actually pushing the send button together this morning. We now wait about 3 days to find out if GWCA accepts our application and we can then begin our home study and gathering all of our other papers for our dossier.

This is just the first of many posts in our journey to our daughter. Thank you all for being with us and continuing to pray for us about this exciting journey to our Makayla.

Please keep us in your prayers, as we know this is all in Gods hands, but prayer is still a fabulous blessing.

All pictures were taken by Alex this morning.

A Poem

Our coordinator sent us this poem today, it made me cry and I wanted to share it with you. Have a blessed day.

Every call has a beginning
A quiet moment when God
whispers a promise to a mother’s heart
A holy place where a father bows and faithfully accepts
the journey set before him.
A miraculous morning that unexpectedly dawns…
Casting its first light on a chosen threshold.
A gentle knock..a closed door opens.
A sacred invitation sent by the Father..
Leads to the other side of the world.
Where lonely hearts stare out orphanage windows
Praying for someone to care..
And then one morning,
On an ordinary day
An orphan’s life changes...
God sends them a second chance...Through you..

--author unknown

~Our Family Picture~