Back on Track - Hopefully

As today winds to a close I'm feeling a bit less overwhelmed. There is still much to do (nothing has been packed), but I'm going out into the field to work tomorrow, finalize getting money situated, will go to church tomorrow night, get haircuts Thursday morning, go get visa pix made, pack, go to Josh's double header, get the house in order and try to sleep.

Somewhere in there I need to clean house a little and do a little more laundry. That will happen I'm sure.

Joshua had graduation today. I have not downloaded photos yet, so I'll add those later. He's officially on "Summer Break" now so what a way to begin it!! I had broken his camera that he bought with his allowance quite a while back so today I replaced that for him so he'll be able to take photos on our trip. He's quite excited about it!

I picked up mine and Kevin's medical forms today and Kevin dropped off Josh's at his doctor's office. We have to provide updated forms since it's been three months since we first submitted them. Our police clearance letters are awaiting us to pick them up.

We had quite a bit of drama about the money needed for the trip today. As you all know, international adoption requires some "clean" money. The bank indicated it would be no problem (in the three weeks I've been asking) until today. THANK GOODNESS for my friend Iris who called ALL the banks in our area and found one that could help us out. A HUGE thank you to Farmers Bank where no one I even know has an account but who helped us out tremendously!!! We were so blessed to get that taken care of. Because MY bank is WORTHLESS, (I'd love to call their name, but best not to), I will be changing banks when I return from this trip. They have been as unhelpful as a bank can be. To be a national bank, they are not what I would expect. I was treated better at banks where no one knew me than I was at my bank that I frequently several times a week. Unreal.

I was able to run to Wally-World today and get prints of the new photos of Ellie. I made the cutest little collage of her. Can't wait to show you all, but it will be end of July/first of August before she will be "officially" ours so I can't. BELIEVE me when I say she has the cutest lips I've ever seen on a baby. :-) (Yes, I'm prejudiced!!)

We are excited to get to see the country where our daughter is from and to learn about her culture. I understand the mountains are absolutely beautiful and I can't wait to see and photograph them. I can't wait to meet the people who are caring for little Ellie. But, most of all, I can't wait to hold her, to smell her baby smell, to touch her hair and her fingers and her ears and toes. I can't wait to watch her sleep like I used to watch Joshua. I remember catching "glimpses" of him as a young man while he lay sleeping. I want to see if she will smile. I want to see her with her daddy and her brother.

We are just about to embark on what Kevin calls our "Amazing Race". It is a journey orchestrated by the God of the Universe who had this planned for our lives from the beginning of time. He has made this child for our family. She is the child for whom we have prayed for four years. She is a blessing created for this world and God has chosen us to be the ones who love her, who parent her and who guide her through this world with anticipation of leading her to God and His work. What a wonderful, awesome responsibility and privilege. I can't wait!!