We're officially "Mommy & Daddy!"

I sat at my desk and looked up. There it read "Congrats Mommy and Daddy - you passed court!" Ahhh!!! I wanted to jump up and down. I wanted to scream. I wanted to cheer. But instead, I picked up the phone and dialed. He picked up and I said "Hon, we PASSED! We PASSED COURT!" I smiled, got a lump in my throat, and the tears started falling. I'm a mommy! Adam excitedly said "This is an awesome Anniversary present!" We waited 12 weeks for this outcome. All in His timing and I couldn't have more joy. I cried those tears of joy all day long. We're so excited. Cannot be more happy to meet our children and hear their voices! Mommy and Daddy are almost coming ... so close little ones, so close.
As I watched "Idol gives back" tonight, I couldn't help but cry. Those stories will do that to you. And I saw my children in those faces, in those videos. I saw the life they could be living. And I simply thought, if everyone who "thought" or "wanted" to adopt, actually did it ... what lives we could change! Not only would we change the lives of children but we would change our own lives. We would be different because of it. Adam and I are changed. We hope to give a gift to Max and Anita they would not otherwise have. We get to raise two of God's children, if that's not special, I'm not sure what is! I encourage anyone thinking of adopting to pursue it!

Court Held

We had our court date, 04/16/10. I didn't announce it or make it a big deal in fear of getting my heart crushed if the date didn't hold. So, to get an email late in the day ... was a quick heart flutter and smile. But not so fast! As I started reading my heart sank a little. Our court date did take place. We didn't pass but we didn't fail. Apparently we had one of the toughest judges known at high court. He asked many of questions to the social welfare officer. Due to the "changes" taking place within the Ghana adoption processes, they are scrutinizing the social paperwork and asking many more questions than normal all to ensure the authenticity of the paperwork. I guess we can call this a blessing and a protection to all children and adoptive families. The judge asked for time to "study the docket" and asked for our facilitator to return on Wednesday. So, we are praying for a WOW Wonderful Wednesday!
Although my mind says "Ugh!" My heart knows this is all His timing and without Him, none of it would be possible. Our roller coaster continues. 11 weeks and waiting ...

Court Date...

Our Court Date was to be today. 04/09/10. BUT, we didn't hear a thing. No email. No news. It's safe to assume our court date didn't hold and a sitting didn't take place. Am I sad? YES!!! But I hold tightly in knowing it's all in His timing. Nothing can explain it. Sometimes even when it is explained it still doesn't make sense but such is the difference of cultures. We continue to wait ... ever so paitently.

Ugh ... aching heart.

I pray and ask others to pray for smoothness in regard to our paperwork for the adoption. Snags are appearing b/c some extra precautions are suddenly being implemented by Ghana. Extra time constraints but we all know it's for the benefit of all adopted children.
Our facilitator is not sure court will take place tomorrow b/c the judges are returning from recess and there may not be many "sittings" tomorrow. Either way, he is going to court and will be trying on our behalf. I truly believe God has his timing - I simply pray our court will take place should it be His will.
For one of the few times in this process ... I can honestly say my stomach is in knots but there is not much I can do. I have a tear welling and my heart is starting to break. I have to know God is shadowing us closely. I pray for His calmness and my heart to be content. I always tend to hear "trust me my child" ... "I am God, I know that's why my heart is calm so many of the times."
Although some things can never be expected and although I "knew" the road would be rough ... it doesn't change the feelings that arise. I thank God and so many family and friends for helping us get through this.

Birthday Present!

It read "Passports - finally - YES!" I quickly opened the email and there it was, the words we have been waiting for, well, at least some of the words ... "BOTH MAXWELL AND ANITA PASSPORTS ARE READY." My kids have their passports - we have a court date and it's my Birthday! I love our God - he has amazing timing and I could not have asked for a better present. All in due time ... all in His time. Happy Birthday to me (singing loud,) Happy Birthday to me (singing and dancing,) Happy Birthday dear Anna (jumping up and down and singing my heart out,) ... Happy Birthday to me! Thank you God for blessing me on this day and giving me a smile for my Birthday.

It's a Date!

It didn't come across in any special fashion, just a simple email. Court was scheduled for this Friday, April 2nd but since it's Good Friday, the courts are closed. So, court is schedule for April 9th ... it's a date! April 9th!!!! Can I have a megaphone please? I would like to announce w/ the biggest smile possible "WE HAVE A COURT DATE! APRIL 9TH ... pray we are approved!" LOL. We pray the date sticks. It is progress for us. We are moving forward. Could we really be traveling by the end of the month? Could we!! Could we? If we pass court, we'll be the legal parents of Maxwell and Anita, so AWESOME! One step further in our crazy process. Yahoo! Such a great early Birthday present to Maxwell and I!

Time to prepare.

Although we have NO idea when we'll be traveling, we are starting to realize it might be best to start packing for the kiddos. Since I have nothing! And I mean NOTHING, for them ... it might be wise to start thinking like a mom! We need to pack everything down to socks, underwear, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, lotion, vitamins ... we need everything for those two adorable faces.
Their room will be red/pink and true blue/light blue - very original, right? I couldn't help it. I found matching comforters and the colors worked. We haven't decided what decor we'll add in, we may just improvise until they get here and then they can decide. I doubt my sis will let that happen - I'm sure it will be all decked out by the time they sleep in it! We're thinking planes and flowers - bright and fun.
No word on a court date ... no word on Max's passport. Uncle P has it under control. I have faith in that! I simply have learned God has His timing and His hand in it, it's best if I let Him do His work. Although I can't help but think about our little ones day in and day out. How our lives are going to change!!!!