Walking down this path again!! Adding a little brother to our family.....Landon!

Wow, it's been sooo long since I've updated my blog. Lyla WenJing has been home now almost 16 months. She has grown so much, it's hard to even recognize her as being the same child we met August 30, 2012! 

I can't imagine life without my daughter. I never would have imagined that my life would change in so many ways. I was a happily married woman of what would have been fifteen years. But, life would completely turn upside down when my husband died in June of 2011. 

Continuing with the adoption was completely God driven. I wondered some days where I found the strength or courage to continue, and then I just knew how I was being guided to keep going, not to give up...

I never imagined that I would be venturing on this journey one more time. In fact, so many obstacles were thrown at me already when I submitted my letter of intent to adopt a beautiful little boy. But I am here again, and I received my pre approval December 3rd! 

I will need your support and prayers one more time, to find the strength and courage to bring home Landon.

I will try and do better and keep up with posts along the way...

Leaving on a Jet Plane!!!

Bags packed, adoption paperwork ready, passports, and lots and lots of snacks!!! We are ready to go! 

First destination Beijing!! We will meet my little girl on August 30th!! Then a whirlwind of sightseeing....and finally we head off to Guangzhou where we have our consulate appointment and Lyla will officially become part of our family forever!!! 

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we embark on this amazing journey to Lyla. We know that it won't be easy, and she will need lots of time and love to understand that she is not alone anymore, that she has a family that will always be there for her. But, we are so ready to do this!!!!!

I hope to update with pictures while we are there....God Bless everyone who has helped me get here, through your prayers, love and support in so many ways.

Destination CHINA!!!! 

Final Destination!

Final Destination to Lyla! 

Tickets confirmed! Consulate Appointment Set. 

 It would be impossible to express my emotions at this time. I think about one less orphan, one little girl, who will finally feel safe, she will  know that she has enough food to eat, that there will always be a hug and a kiss for her *just because*, a safe home and bed to sleep in, toys to play with and a whole new world to explore!

A big sister and big brother can't wait to play with you, teach you, help you to grow! 

Watch out Lyla, are you ready for us? We sure are ready for you sweet angel of mine!!! <3 Love Momma 

The End....And the Beginning!

It's hard to believe as I type these words, I'll be leaving in just over two weeks for China. I received my travel approval on August 9th, and my Consulate appointment has been confirmed for September 11th!  After almost two years of being on this adoption journey, with the loss of my husband, and then the daughter we were planning on bringing home together passing away almost a year after Jay. There's a light that shines through all this, and that is Lyla. She was abandoned at four months old. She's never had a foster family. For over six years, she has spent her life in an orphanage. To think that in one month, she will be my child, and I will be her Mother. Lyla will finally know what it feels like to have unconditional love, someone who will always be there for her, a Mother who can't wait to hold her soft little hand, and wipe away her tears. To finally understand what family is, what it means, to feel special, to feel safe. I will give you all these things and more, sweet little girl. An orphan no more.

Article 5 will be picked up on Thursday, August 2!!!! Travel Approval should come in another two weeks.....there are no words to express how grateful and excited I am to be so close now to meeting our Lyla!!! 

It was a little confusing this time, sending out an email to NVC, and then an answer coming back, with a GUZ # but no attachment, and my sending out another email with the GUZ #, and yet another message without my adoption letter attachment. Finally today, I did receive it and forwarded it right to my Agency! They told me my Article 5 should be done the first week of August, then wait for Travel Approval! I am hoping for end of August travel that way Bonnie and Brennan can start school and not miss any days. It seems surreal at times to think that almost two years later since Jay and I started our adoption, I will be going to China without my husband and to pick up a different child then we started out falling in love with. It's not for me to ask why, but rather to continue on in Faith and do what I feel I am here to do, my life's purpose...so I wait a few more weeks to Bring Home My Daughter, My Lyla WenJing!

Lyla

In the mysteries of the universe, formed you were.
Caregivers came into your path.

Growing you were, waiting -
For a family, a mama.

Friends came and went.
Still you waited.

Shielded so others could not see,
Destined a particular family.

- Tim, 15 Jul 2012