Hangin' in there....

Today is July 1st....I have no idea where June went.....holy cow. We have been so busy that we really haven't done much this summer but run kids to different activities. Baseball, swim team, birthday parties, etc. It's pretty much non stop. In the rush and craziness of running kids I am looking forward to adding another child into the mix. Really, what's one more??? I'm sure she will rock my world when we do get her....but she is going to be nothing but a blessing to my family. Everyone is anxiously waiting her arrival. Friends and family are asking "have you heard anything?" "when do you travel?". It used to be "will you have her this summer?" now it's turned into "will you have her by Christmas?" Well, I honestly don't know. We are still waiting on our referral. It's going a little slower than we had hoped but there have been alot of changes with the process. First the two trip rule, then the closings of different offices in ET that have to file paperwork for the orphans. Now we are moving into the rainy season in ET and that means the courts will most likely close for awhile.
We have been slowly moving up the waiting list for a little girl 0-3 years old. I'm glad to say we are now #1 on the list. So we could really have a referral any day. Then we will apply for a court date and pray we get in before the courts close because of the rain. If all that falls into place we could have our girl home by Christmas. I know God has all this planned out and in His perfect timing. It's just so hard not knowing and waiting. I really had no idea what a roller coaster this process was going to be. It has been much more emotional than I ever imagined. I am normally a pretty level headed person, but this waiting has turned me into a grumpy crazy lady. I check my email a zillion times a day. I check our agency website a zillion times a day. Not sure what I think is going to change in 20 minutes but I still check. I just can't help myself. One day I am so down and grumpy and I can't stand to be around anyone...the next day I will be excited and soooo looking forward to our baby. My poor family...having to put up with me. I just can't wait to smell her and hold her. I know that sounds weird. But Hannah smells like perfume and hand sanitizer...don't ask. Hannah is almost 15 and she is not into hugging anymore. The boys pretty much smell like dirt...seriously-they are so dirty by the end of the day. They play hard and sweat. Luke turns 11 in 14 days and is almost as tall as me now. Owen, who is 7, still likes to cuddle but he is growing like a weed and is long and leggy...kind of hard to cuddle. I want that clean baby smell.....powder, lotion, and yes-even diapers...if she is not potty trained yet. I can't wait. I want to kiss on her, I want her to fall asleep on my shoulder. Oh, it gives me the chills just thinking about it. I am in love with her already and I have no idea who she is.

Darren just got back from working at an orphanage in Haiti. Check it out at www.glahaiti.org. When he got home and told me the stories and showed me video and pictues....oh man, my heart ached. He said it was so hard to leave the kids. He is now worried about going over for our court date and meeting our girl....then having to come home without her and wait 6-8 before we can go back and bring her home. He is convinced I will be a wreck. That is really going to be hard, I already know it. I just can't imagine getting back on that plane without her.....
Well, I need to stop dreaming about my girl and focus on my stinky boys.... :) It is shower time, then bed time.
Please keep us in your prayers. That God makes His path clear to us and we get the news about our daughter soon.