Guess what I am doing on Mother's Day? Traveling to meet our sweet girl! Happy Mother's Day to me! It could only be a better day if we were bringing O home and I got to spend it with all 5 of our children! Obviously that can't happen yet, but we are so thankful things have moved quickly and we get to go for our first visit.
We actually received a note on Friday night that we would be traveling and that our appointment had been scheduled for May 21st. This is the one week had asked to not travel (of course!) because it is the last week of school and our children have promotions, awards ceremonies, parties, etc. However, it is urgent that we get there before the end of May to prevent O from being transferred, so we can't put our trip off until a week later.
After a small (or maybe not so small) breakdown about missing all of the activities that were scheduled for our kids here, I emailed our agency to see if there was any possibility that we might be able to go a week earlier. The agency director said that she would do some checking and get back to me. Last night we heard back from her and she said it was a go-we get to meet O the week of May 14th!! So exciting and such a blessing. But now we have to kick it into high gear to pull a trip like this together in 12 days! YIKES! People have done it in less and so we know it is possible, but it is going to be a busy two weeks. Right now our minds are just swimming with what to do first-so many details to cover for not only our travel, but all of the details for our four children while we are away. It is so hard to think about leaving them while we travel for several days, but we know that they will be here with their grandparents and that they are in great hands!
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
We Have A Crib Ready!!
Hello everyone! Can you believe it? The Barth Family has a crib up and ready again! We are so excited. When we put the crib away ten years ago (actually we sold the crib) we didn't dream we would know the joy of having a little one again. However, God's plan was bigger and better, so here we go again! Auntie Marit, Uncle Frank, and Mia shared Mia's crib with us since Mia now has a big girl bed. Thank you so much for this great gift! And Noni made a beautiful quilt for O's bed from fabric that Emily, Jess, and Abbie picked out that looks great in her bedroom.
Here is a picture of her crib.
O is going to share a room with Abbie when she comes home. This is the view that O will have from her crib-looking up at Abbie's bed.
Abbie is so excited to be a big sister! For almost 12 years, she has been the youngest in our family. Everyone has taken care of her. Well, now she gets a chance to be the "big kid." On the first night we had the crib set up, I went in to get Abbie all settled in bed for the night. As we were going through our nighttime routine, she kept staring down into O's crib. (Abbie is in a bunk bed, so she is up off the ground.) She told me that she was the luckiest one in the family because she gets to watch over O every night and be the one to help her if she needs anything at all. She also said that she gets to be the very first one to see her happy face every morning. And then she even followed up to say that she was so thankful that she was finally getting to be the big sister and that she promised to be the very best one ever. I have no doubts that she will because she has such a huge heart and she has had three wonderful older siblings that have been such a great example to her! Oh, how that made mommy’s heart melt (and yes, okay, my eyes filled with happy tears-not a surprise to any of you who know me, I know...) to hear her excitement and enthusiasm to be a big sister!
Here is a picture of her crib.
O is going to share a room with Abbie when she comes home. This is the view that O will have from her crib-looking up at Abbie's bed.
Abbie is so excited to be a big sister! For almost 12 years, she has been the youngest in our family. Everyone has taken care of her. Well, now she gets a chance to be the "big kid." On the first night we had the crib set up, I went in to get Abbie all settled in bed for the night. As we were going through our nighttime routine, she kept staring down into O's crib. (Abbie is in a bunk bed, so she is up off the ground.) She told me that she was the luckiest one in the family because she gets to watch over O every night and be the one to help her if she needs anything at all. She also said that she gets to be the very first one to see her happy face every morning. And then she even followed up to say that she was so thankful that she was finally getting to be the big sister and that she promised to be the very best one ever. I have no doubts that she will because she has such a huge heart and she has had three wonderful older siblings that have been such a great example to her! Oh, how that made mommy’s heart melt (and yes, okay, my eyes filled with happy tears-not a surprise to any of you who know me, I know...) to hear her excitement and enthusiasm to be a big sister!
Monday, April 23, 2012
Perseverance
Definition of perseverance-Continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.
When we began this adoption process 4 1/2 months ago, other adoptive families told us that it would be difficult and that it would test us at times, but that it would be so worth it and we would never regret it. Adoption is definitely not for the faint of heart. We have been on an emotional roller coaster that I can't even explain in words. It is such an exciting journey and there are days we are absolutely amazed at the blessings we are seeing unfold before our eyes. And then there are days of frustration and heartache because we have paperwork issues or it takes another 4-6 weeks to get something we should have had 6 weeks earlier. It simply can't happen quickly enough for us because all we want is to have O home with us and safe in our arms. But, aside from getting our paperwork in order, it is truly out of our hands. So, we must trust that it will all work out and continue to enjoy our lives while we wait.
It has been awhile since I have had any updates to post about our adoption process. We have just been waiting to hear something. Well, today, we finally have news to report. Our completed dossier paperwork arrived in O's country today!! So, now we wait (yes, more waiting...) for the paperwork to be translated and registered and then we get our first travel dates to go and meet our sweet girl. So excited for this news and we feel as though we have definitely persevered over the initial paperwork hurdles!
Meanwhile, while we have been waiting, we have been enjoying life with our four kiddos at home. They are truly such gifts to us and they bring us so much joy, even on the most difficult of days. Can't even imagine going through this process without their love and encouragement. They are so excited to add O to this crazy busy family. So today I wanted to share with you a little glimpse into what's been going on in their lives.
Emily turned 16!!
We had Junior/Senior Prom!!
Now, first I have to share a picture of Tyler and Emily together that was taken when they were little. It is one of my very favorites of them. When I saw them dressed up for prom last weekend, this picture was the first thing that came to my mind!
Here they are 13 years later...
With their dates...
Our girls...
All four of our kiddos...goodness they are growing up WAY too quickly!
Thanks for checking in with us-we will keep you posted as things progress!
The Barth Family
When we began this adoption process 4 1/2 months ago, other adoptive families told us that it would be difficult and that it would test us at times, but that it would be so worth it and we would never regret it. Adoption is definitely not for the faint of heart. We have been on an emotional roller coaster that I can't even explain in words. It is such an exciting journey and there are days we are absolutely amazed at the blessings we are seeing unfold before our eyes. And then there are days of frustration and heartache because we have paperwork issues or it takes another 4-6 weeks to get something we should have had 6 weeks earlier. It simply can't happen quickly enough for us because all we want is to have O home with us and safe in our arms. But, aside from getting our paperwork in order, it is truly out of our hands. So, we must trust that it will all work out and continue to enjoy our lives while we wait.
It has been awhile since I have had any updates to post about our adoption process. We have just been waiting to hear something. Well, today, we finally have news to report. Our completed dossier paperwork arrived in O's country today!! So, now we wait (yes, more waiting...) for the paperwork to be translated and registered and then we get our first travel dates to go and meet our sweet girl. So excited for this news and we feel as though we have definitely persevered over the initial paperwork hurdles!
Meanwhile, while we have been waiting, we have been enjoying life with our four kiddos at home. They are truly such gifts to us and they bring us so much joy, even on the most difficult of days. Can't even imagine going through this process without their love and encouragement. They are so excited to add O to this crazy busy family. So today I wanted to share with you a little glimpse into what's been going on in their lives.
Emily turned 16!!
With Mom and Dad
We had Junior/Senior Prom!!
Now, first I have to share a picture of Tyler and Emily together that was taken when they were little. It is one of my very favorites of them. When I saw them dressed up for prom last weekend, this picture was the first thing that came to my mind!
Our girls...
All four of our kiddos...goodness they are growing up WAY too quickly!
Thanks for checking in with us-we will keep you posted as things progress!
The Barth Family
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