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

I received my i800 approval today (approved on 7/10!). This is an important document which states I am approved to specifically adopt Lyla! It won't be long now before Bonnie, Brennan and I travel to bring Lyla home!!! :)

I woke up this morning to pictures of Lyla looking at the family photo album and holding all the gifts I sent her! I wonder what she is thinking as she studies our faces! I know what I'm thinking! How blessed I am to be able to bring you home soon, to be able to watch you soar like a butterfly, safe in the arms of your forever loving family!!! <3

Today, I received a video of Lyla! I was told that she is very outgoing and active! I was amazed to see the spirit in Lyla's eyes, and how curious she seems to be, as she plays with the coordinator's I phone, and camera, asking questions in Chinese on how to use it, and saying over and over "I Like It!". I had prayed very hard today for a sign from my husband, I needed his ok and reassurance that "I can Do This!"  A few minutes later, my sign was right there in front of me! A car pulling an RV, and right on the back of the RV were the words "JAY FLIGHT" with an image of wings above it, and in the corner JayCo. Well, that was good enough for me, and I thanked God and Heaven for this sign. I am so ready to bring this precious orphan home and give her all the loving, attention and exploration that she so desperately needs.

Recent picture of Lyla....she apparently loves sweets!! 6/29/12

Through our constant faith and belief in Adoption...He has led our hearts to Lyla! Waiting for the final steps to be completed and hoping to travel by the end of summer!