BUSY as little bees...and waiting for our honey.

BROTHERLY HUGS!!


Bailey liked his shark gift from pepaw!


Grandmother and I


Lexie's feet in the air!


Us and our neice Lexie


Adyn making Maiya's 7 month old pink cupcakes!!




Well another year is soon coming ...2010. The other night my husband and I just sat talking and thinking how time has flown by. It is so hard to grasp the Bailey is now nine and Adyn is now four and Maiya is on her way home.:)Here lately.. since things are moving along in the adoption world,I feel nesty. This Wendesday is our family cleaning day,this will be a good day to tie up some loose ends!!
Our case is now at CARA awaiting for them to issue NOC!! I think we are the only Dillon family there waiting for this step.? The boys have been enjoying their new things for Christmas. We all like the nintendo WII,it is good family fun. We finally got ALL of our adoption classes done,and I am relieved on this!! We are looking forward to our NEW YEAR service at church on Thursday. I got a excercise bike for Christmas and I am hoping that I get to put it to use soon. I need to get busy gettin in shape for our trip of a lifetime...INDIA. When Maiya gets her little sweet feet home,I just imagine those sweet feet running to and fro will keep all of our feet going. I have already started making a baby shower invite list,it would be so neat if some of you could come,but I will post some pics so you can join in on the fun! I have decided on Feb 13th Saturday from 1-3 our home. This day is special because in 2008 this is the day will filled our application #2 for our adoption thru Dillon for Maiya. We are so excited to be at the NOC step and hoping it comes quick,quick!! I hope that2010 will be a special and great year for us all. Have a wonderful new year's eve and enjoy these Christmas pictures.

Article five FINALLY on Christmas eve!!

Well after my email being messed up all day...I finally got to check it this afternoon after we got back from my dad's and there it was..our Christmas present,ARTICLE FIVE,it felt so good to read this letter that our adoption process may proceed. NOC is next! Hoping it is just as quick. Have a Merry Christmas.

A Special Fingerprint Day..

Well the morning started off right with a cup of Starbucks in our hand heading to Nashville as the boys slept tight in their beds. We made it there about a hour early and they took us right in and were super nice. Prints were good and they seen pictures of our Maiya and out the door we left with CONGRATS from the Department of security. We strolled around the Opry Mills Mall we seen a couple sweet outfits for Maiya but we decided to wait because we are not for sure on her size. We picked up a bible at a book store for Bailey and a outfit for a friend. We tried the Macaroni Grill for the first time and it was nice and good food. Well after that we headed back home and made a couple more stops. We had great day together and then here came MR. MEAN fever for Adyn. He was alseep when we arrived home and woke up with a fever. Glad his immune system is working and we are praying he don't get sick and I am taking him to the doctor today. Still got things left to do for Christmas,but whether they get done or not doesn't matter,all that matters is us being together and well and being grateful for the ultimate gift..JESUS.
Something special that happened yesterday...as we pulled into the driveway I told Shane to check the mail and we noticed a card in there with our names on it. Someone had just stuck it in the box,it hadn't been mailed. So we thought well maybe the neighbors sent us a card? So we decided to stop and open it... and as I read the beautiful card for my husband and I, tears of love,gratefulness,joy and happiness filled our souls along with being shocked at the same time. The card included this blessed verse from the Lord: Numbers 6:24-26. My dad has always said he wanted to help us bring her home from the beginning. The card was beautiful with a gift of Love to help us fly to India. But the most special thing about it all was what my dad wrote in the card...it read as follows:
This is for the road through the heavens to India and back. LOTS,LOTS,of Love Dad.

This will be a special part of Maiya's baby book. I never did think that we would be flying thru a road in the sky to India to get our baby girl. What a blessing that we will be flying thru God's beautiful creation to get Maiya. I have never flown but I will have no fear because our Lord thy God will never leave or forsake us. Hoping we hear Article five good news tonight. Have a blessed Christmas to you all and may your souls be filled with the Joy of the reason for the season.

Those sweet feet...

After a long day today...of running to and fro. Cleaning,this and that. I open my email that we will still be needing to sign her CSR's tonight then scan and email them to Tami tomorrow so she can send them to the embassy by Sunday night. So all is good,a little more signing then hopefully article five will be coming around the mountain. Then I get this in my inbox...look at these sweet little feet. A family that is a NRI that adopted a while back went to visit the orphanage and took these pictures and she even took some with her kids and Maiya Reela. I don't know if I should say their names for privacy reasons. So I won't. Oh and they have strapped on that sweet little book that the boys picked out onto her bed. So she has her toy. When I seen these..I was so happy I was just laughing and smiling. This sure has made up for my rough article five morning. So here she is playing with her feet.
And more great news...my son Bailey made the third grade math team. GO BAILEY BOY!!

Article 5 update

Well this morning at three a.m.,I couldn't sleep so I woke up and decided to check my email...not the email I wanted!
They said that I did not sign Maiya Reela's CSR papers and that they needed it scanned and emailed then they could proceed with article five. So then I realized that my scanner was messed up. So I was really stressing...then Dillon came to my rescue and they are sending it this morning. So we hope Monday morning they get to it and Article five comes for our Christmas.

Roll the Film,Maiya's 1st Video

Hello everyone,we received this sweet little video clip this morning of our precious daughter Maiya. We think she looks a little bit scared in this..she's probally thinking..."Why are all these strange people around my bed?" "Wow, I am so glad my parents are coming soon." I am so glad that she warmed up to Maggie. They said she had a sweet personality and Maggie said Maiya went right to her.
Today she is 7 months old and she is now in a bigger bed. She is crawling like a little monkey. Oh how I hope we get her home soon. We are still praying for all to go quick and smooth,the Lord knows best and we are trusting in him for the perfect time to travel and all. We made some hot pink and brown cupcakes today for her seven month birthday. Adyn and I had a fun time. Shane and Bailey will be ready to eat em up and I am gonna have my dad come get some. We are hoping we hear good news very soon with our article five and we hope to make it to the NOC office before they shut down for Christmas. Well I have got a busy week with things going on and our fingerprint update,I am looking forward to this date with my husband and to get these prints over with. Well have a great week and stay tuned for more updates,we hope soon.Be sure to stop the music on our blog so it will not affect the sound on the video.

HAPPY 7 to Maiya.

Well this morning I was waiting and hoping for Article5,well nothing yet. Maybe tomorrow,hopefully really soon. We are excited but also missing our little Maiya even more,today she is turning 7 months old. She is crawling and she gets up on her own and sits down on her own and she is now in a big girl bed. So glad of this so she can actually wobble and play around. We are gonna make some homemade pink sweet and cute cupcakes today in celebrating this special day for Maiya and us. I will take some pics later and show yah. We are loving life and thankful that every day and every step brings us closer to bringing our daughter home. I have got a busy week  with Bailey's Christmas play at church and we go get our fingerprints soon,Bailey's party at school and church on Thursday,not to mention other stuff. So off to get a little relaxation before Adyn wakes up. We might be getting something special soon for you to watch.:) So stay tuned.
This is something neat that I just heard, that one cup of coffee or two everyday helps to prevent Diabetes. It is a good thing that I like coffee,but mostly flavored ones and lattes from Starbucks.:)

Nine and Growing...

Well I must say that today has been a great day for Bailey as he turned Nine yrs old today. I can't believe how time has flown and he is growing up..but he will always be our boy and that is the beauty of it and so thankful that God blessed us with him 12 days before Christmas 9 years ago on a snowy winter afternoon. I still remember that morning very vividly as I woke up after Shane went to work with pains so bad that I couldn't even walk hardly to get the phone to call someone.
The night before I had him we  went to the Return to Bethleham event at a   local church. It was like you were really there walking in Bethleham going to see Jesus and it was acted so well with the people and smells and you could feel the atmosphere and it was special. While we were there my back was hurting the entire time..little did I know that I was in the beginning of back labor with my sweet Bailey. Our first son.

Today...Bailey woke up so anxious and excited and so did little brother Adyn. I had his Star Wars table prepared with ballons and gifts piled on the table. His mamie made a Star Wars cake and it was great. He had his best friend from Cambodia over and some neighbor friends and grandparents. It was a nice time of fellowship and fun. Then we headed to E-ville for some Gatti-town pizza and games. They had a blast on the bumper cars. Shane and I and Adyn were just sitting there watching them soak in the fun with laughter. Adyn had a time of fun too,he liked the bowling. I still think he likes Chucky Cheese better though.  Our highlight for the evening was a cup of Starbucks coffee on the way home as they watched movies and played games.:) With 3 boys in the back...a DS comes in handy.
Well off to bed ...church  and naps tomorrow.:) We are looking forward to getting article 5 next week hopefully and then hit the NOC office before the close for Christmas. Have a great Sunday.:)

Looking snuggly...

Just got this picture this morning...I wonder if it is getting chilly over there cause she looks warm and snuggly.:)

We also got our notice in the mail this afternoon saying our 800 approval has been sent to the embassy in Delhi. So article 5 should be around the corner.YAY. Then NOC time,my hope and faith will stay lifted up no matter what anyone says. God is gonna bring her home at the right time,whenever that will be.  Everything shuts down between Christmas and New Years for ten days. Then all offices open back up after the first of the year,and we hope things keep rolling along.

Maiya Update:
The clothes I think are bigger then she is...:),but she will catch up.
They say she is eating and growing well too,so we are so happy and grateful for this.
This is the last day to enter our drawing,then the boys will draw to see who gets the present. Oh and I am sure you noticed..but we have decided to keep our blog private,I hate that you all have to sign in everytime,but I do too. I know your understand. We are so excited that you are following us to India and praying with us. It means so much to us. Have a great week.
Stay tuned for the winner of the Christmas present.

                                                                    Sweet Maiya

Pinky Time AGAIN...

Well we received our good ole fingerprint appt today in the mail. YAY We go Dec. 21st! Now I hope that lady don't tell me that my pinky print won't be good enough...afterall my print is my print and it is not gonna change. Last time she told me this...she had my nerves in a fit!! HAHA,but seriously she did.
I found out this afternoon after calling the NVC that out provisional 800 approval was on the way to India as of yesterday. So Article 5 hopefully is coming around the corner soon,I hope next week. I will give updates as they come of course. Then we hit the good ole CARA office.
 My dad, Adyn and I had a fun day Christmas shopping for the grandkids including little Maiya. Can't tell what we got..the kids just might read the blog. We didn't go bazooka and buy the store..we used our sense and we got fifty one dollars off..WAHOO.
We got a birthday coming up....my big sweet boy will be nine. We are having a exclusive at home star wars party and he is inviting his best bud from Cambodia then we are heading to a fun place for boys...full of games and pizza. Man oh man, how can I loose weight with all this holiday eating. I have got to get determined here soon for Indi. So happy for all who are entering our Christmas drawing!
 Have a awesome weekend and I will leave you with this....Patience is trusting in God's timing.
 Every good gift and perfect gift is from above...James 1:17.

Scooting Along...and Christmas Giving Time

Good Afternoon to you all.:)
 Well our USCIS process is moving right along..I emailed the embassy in India yesterday and they got back with me this morning...I can't believe it. They have what they need from the orphanage and all they are waiting on is to get a form from NVC,then they said they would process our case for Article 5!!YAY then the wait for NOC. I feel the need to pray  for our NOC for some reason.  Let's see I feel kinda like this...All I want for Christmas is our NOC,NOC,all I want for Christmas is our NOC...pretty please. HAHA, but I mean it, I am sure you know.
We also got a update this morning that Maiya is rocking and crawling all over the place,and she gets herself up and sits down on her own,WOW. When I called my dad and friend this afternoon I was crying full of joy on how she's getting around. My big girl! She will be seven months old the 15th of this month.We are thankful for everything and hoping and praying we go get her soon. Again,I keep that possiblity of it being a while in the back of my mind,but my HOPE and FAITH is in the front of my mind and that it will not be long.:) Off to finish cleaning and bake for tonight. We are looking forward to Christmas and time together..still got a little shopping to do. Shopping is the least on my mind..in fact the shopping part gets smaller to us every year.  I wanna have Christmas all year, to give and help people. I just love listening to Christmas music and being thankful and grateful for what the Lord has done and is doing in our lives. We have so many things to be thankful for. How about you? What are you thankful for? Leave me a comment and I will have a drawing for a Christmas present.  The last day to tell me what you are thankful for will be on Monday Dec. 7th. I will announce the winner after the boys draw the name. So stay tuned. Then you will forward me your address and I will send the present your way.  Have a nice weekend and may your days be filled with the Love of God.

Family and adoption update.

Well it is a little bit that I have a break between cleaning and all so I thought I would post some sweet pics from the weekend and some of Maiya. I have decided to put our blog back to public for now and set comment moderation on..we'll see what happens. Anyway,waiting for Article 5 is now in process as of Friday I found out that our USCIS officer has done sent off our 800 approval notices to the designated places. After 800 approval it has been taking 1 1/2 - 2 weeks for Article 5...then we hit the CARA office. Oh what if our NOC gets pushed thru before Christmas. What a present that would be. I know u might be thinking...how? But I am having faith...Faith is when your heart is open..but your eyes are closed. It helps me and us to only be positive.
 I probally need to finish up our education courses,cause you just never know. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner with so much to be thankful for everyday of our lives. Shane and I went shopping a bit Friday morning while my dad watched the boys and my neice. Now pay attention closely..we have never went shopping on Black Friday before...so we decided to give it a shot.We were the first customers at Starbucks drive thru at 4:30 a.m.. then we headed to KOHL's. I know call us NUTS!! We weren't after anything particular just went for fun. We had some interesting things to happen. First we went to TOYS R US to try and find some "CRAYONS" for the boys. Ok, so crayons is our code word for the secret. We were price checking something and this so called nice man (sarcastic) came up to us and said Hey,you can get that at Walmart for ten bucks cheaper,oh and how much is that,and oh is that the one? So we were gulible and believed him...ALMOST,then another lady comes up and was honest and said "Hey if u don't want that,I do!" So I then realized I better hang on to what I had. So we went back to where these things were and we were looking and comparing...I didn't realize I had a popular toy in my hand. Then all of a sudden something tells me to look over my shoulder and there that man and his wife were with their son peaking around the corner waiting for us to lay it down,they were following us and they just told us that so they could get what they wanted. So hmmmm,teaching your kids to lie to get what they want? Is this the new Christmas? We thought it was just pitiful. We were smarter then the average bear and kept it in our hands. We didn't even plan on getting this ,I just seen it were someone left it in the middle of the aisle and I just picked it up.I didn't know 1 toy could cause us to be lied to and followed. Oh well,we got it and I guess they are still looking who knows. It just makes me sad that people seem to forget that Christmas is not about what you buy at the store! It is about Jesus who died on a rugged cross for our sins so that we might have everlasting life if we choose so. It is about Love and I am thankful that we know this. Then some socks I bought..I accidently left them at Macy's,and we go back  and well I guess someone needed them more then I. Then we tried to sleep in the car and rest till lunch,well Shane did sleep,I couldn't cause he was snoring. Oh, did we have a interesting day,but overall fun except for the two mishaps. No more early shopping for us..we will just sleep in and go later.
 We are still praying and believing for a quick and smooth paper process so Maiya can come home. Off to cleaning and decorating then gotta run errands. We are looking forward to our church Christmas banquet this week. I am happy to leave you with some cute pics.Enjoy.

                                                   

Maiya with her Book and Lamb

Maiya saying,"Cheese" Happy girl.

Maggie and Maiya,how cute!

Cousin Lex and my boys:0) Tent building.

Thanksgiving kids table

Kids little tree,notice the pics.

Uknown is Known...800 approved!!

Well I was just sitting around relaxing and I seen a unknown number calling my cell,I thought I am not answering no way,so I didn't. Then I checked cause I had a voicemail,which was odd. BEHOLD..it was our Deb from USCIS office telling us that out 800 is approved and that she wanted to tell us before Thanksgiving and telling us CONGRATS,WAHOO super fast. She was the one who got all of our mess straightened out earlier when we first applied with some issues. She is super nice and we are so thankful that she is our judification officer. Bring on the rest...Maiya we are hoping and praying to be there soon babygirl. A quick and smooth process!! Happy dance day for us and Maiya. HAPPY THANKSGIVING. We just got our notice in the mail MONDAY that it was in process,I am shocked. Wouldn't that be something if we got NOC by Christmas!!:) Stay Tuned for Thanksgiving pictures.:)

YAY to see NBC notice of ACTION !!

Well I walked out to the mail box just a while ago after talking to a adoption friend of mine and there it was...Our first piece of processing paperwork to bring Maiya home. We got this back within a week of sending it off. So now we wait for them to give us a 800 approval then they issue Article 5!! We are hoping they push all this thru before the closing at Christmas. What good news to get something the week of Thanksgiving,something along with many other things to be thankful for.:) Off to finish cleaning and prepare for this week. Until more great news.....have a great week and a HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you all.
I want to also share something that a friend of mine shared with me last night at church,who has adopted a son from Cambodia several years ago...I showed her a picture of Maiya that someone took and I told her that we got a good update on how she was doing and then she shared with me a special verse that was dear to her heart on everytime that she would get good news on how her son was doing while they were waiting to go get him,:
Proverbs 25:25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
WOW,how neat. Thanks Lord for inspiring me and encouraging us. I hope this inspires others who are patiently waiting for their child to come home,:)

Sweetness...of Adoption

National Adoption Day is today,and here is our favorite glimpse of our beautiful Gift from God...little miss Maiya Reela-Grace waiting for mama,daddy and big brothers! I like it cause I believe it shows some personality.
I was trying to think of something special,something from my heart for this wonderful day,but I couldn't. All I could find in my mind and heart was this picture. It says it all about the blessing of adoption. Our paperwork should have arrived in India by now I would think but we are waiting to hear that offically,I guess they let you know that kinda thing?  I also decided today to go back in our blog and read what I was feeling around the time Maiya was born... she was born on May 15th. I found a post on the day before which was the 14th of May of a vision that I had. I read it and I am still in awe of how the Lord then was preparing our hearts. I remember this and it wasn't like any other dream,it was a vision. So wonderful. I could actually see it all. You are welcome to go back and read if you'd like.
Well off to getting things decorated around here,we put our tree up last night and now I am heading out to start on the outside of the house while they boys play with their lego set. Don't know if I will get much done but it is a beautiful day that the Lord has made and I wanna be outside. Have a great weekend. Hoping for more referrals to come thru and hoping for some quick paper processing for families. Congrats April on your sweet Alesha,you are right with us!:)YAY!

Our little precious Maiya Reela-Grace waiting for us!

Ready for Take Off !

Well we received a great  email that our paperwork is headed to India as of today,so YAY! As soon as we get NBC approval, then next is article 5!  COME ON  5!! We hope to get our papers in India thru the door of CARA before they shut down for the holidays. This would be a miracle. Of course our email today mentioned the what the dredded wait on the India side could be, but it is not affecting me. I just keep it way back in the BACK of my mind, in case I need it. The Lord knows best and we are trusting he knows when she needs to come home. If I had my way,I would have already grabbed my husband and we would be on our way riding with that precious stack of my baby girl's paperwork. HAHA! With prayers and faith this mountain of a wait can be removed! We are sure cherishing these pictures cause I know you don't get them unless someone travels,so we send a BIG THANK U to all that are taking pictures or  all that have taken pictures of our princess. I have made copies already for the family,they are loving it. This weekend we are looking forward to putting up our big tree.The other night the kids and I put up the little kid tree,decked with all the ornaments they have made including their pictures and we even put lights on it. We got 3 little pictures on it, MR. B., Little A, and Miss Maiya's. We are gettin a new header for our blog,I changed the title and we are hoping to fit Maiya's picture in it too. Stay tuned for more news at our home! I guess Maggie is having so much fun..she forgot about us blog stalkers! HAHA. In a few hours  or days that is,she will be going to get Ms. PEA and loving on our sweetie and giving her the presents we sent,I just feel the excitement,don't you?  Well maybe I got the date wrong about her going to the orphanage,well anyway we know it will be this week and I hope all goes well for them and I know Maiya will love her little lambie and book and her new dresses!Ok,I am gone for real this time,mama duties call, have a blessed week.  Keep on praying and believing,Maiya is counting on us.
Be sure to check out www.originalgood.com,   I have got to order me a scarf,they are beautiful.

UPDATES on process and our sweet girl!!

Hello,We just received an update that Maiya is doing great and we even got more pictures. I hope I can get them to load,I have been having some issues with getting them to load.We are waiting on NBC approval so then article 5 can be issued.  We hope article 5 comes quick and hopefully ours gets to CARA before the holidays. I know your thinking that I am wishful thinking probally,but that is what I have to do for us. It helps keep my spirits up! Our paperwork goes to India this week. We are hoping to travel by March,but our caseworker told us today to atleast expect 6 months or more. So May. This I told her would be in the back of my mind just in case. We are still praying and hoping by March,that doesn't hurt right? And with all of your prayers we can make a difference:)
Off to get my pictures from Walgreens and to go to the big play at school!!! Go My BIG B!! Have a great afternoon:)

Beautiful girl!!

She is smiling,we love it!!

Six months Old Today and a new picture

Well this afternoon I decided to check my mail before we went to church and what I was hoping for,I seen. A new picture of our baby on today when she is turning sweet 6 months. Ok,so this is so funny...my husband does his eyebrows just like this,so cute..so she is also like her daddy. As I set down tonight to post this on the computer,I pulled the table out and found a peice of paper where Bailey has been practicing writing her  full name in cursive,this touched my heart how sweet. Tonights service at church tonight was about when we feel the spirit of heaviness that we need to praise the Lord. So I was thinking everytime I feel the spirit of heaviness in waiting for Maiya to come home,I will PRAISE the LORD. Our 800 got sent to NBC on Friday,so the process has begun and we are counting down,praying for a quick paperwork process and I know  and feel that the Lord's hand is upon Maiya and this paper process,please don't stop praying with us.
We went Christmas Tree shopping last night and the boys picked out their ornaments and we got Maiya Reela-Grace her first ornament. It is Mickey and Minny. Too cute. I picked out one and guess what it says,HOPE! I think I am gonna do a minature kids tree this year for the boys and Maiya. This week we got a Thanksgiving play to go to,Bailey has a part and he is the "Globe",now that just fits perfect doesn't it? :) Well have a great week to you all,Turkey day is around the corner. Here is Little Maiya Reela-Grace and she says Hi to you all.:)

4lb packet going EXPRESS and we say YAY!!

Well this morning was a busy and exciting morning. I was up at 5:30 a.m. finishing up Maiya's acceptance packet..when I noticed I forgot to have Shane sign one little measly paper. So the kids and I got ready and I dropped Bailey off at school then Adyn and I went out to my husband's work and there he stood oh so handsome in his rough looking work attire with a light on his head. Adyn said "Mamma is that daddy?" Adyn has never seen Shane decked out in his uniform . He climbed all the way to the front seat to see his daddy. So one paper signed then we went to cracker barrell to enjoy breakfast by the fire and so I could double check it all one more time. Off to the post office with a prayer before we mailed it, and it is in the mail officially and should reach Dillon tomorrow at 12 noon. Oh so glad to get that packet up and gone. We are now waiting for some reference letters to be updated and those will go to Dillon along with our background checks then they forward them on so we can get a updated home study. Hoping this is easy. Then we get refingerprinted sometime and after that we will just be preparing ,and being thankful, and loving life together as we wait for Maiya. I know they say atleast 6 months or longer,but if it is the Lord's will..we are hoping and praying for quite sooner. Have a great weekend..now I need to rest and look forward to church tonight. It is a beautiful day about 63 and it suppose to be 71 by Saturday,that just might be the day when we all do something as a family to celebrate the beginning of another wait. A short wait we hope,you can never go wrong hoping. Right?

The moment we have been waiting for...Our Brown eyed girl!!!

Thank you all for your CONGRATS to us as now a fantastic family of five..and who knows there could be more to come,whatever the Lord wills.:) I will try to tell  our special story as best as I can,you see it is so awesome and powerful because it is the Lord who brought us thus far and there are know words to describe how wonderful the Lord is and about his glory..so that is why this is our Miracle in the Moment along with many others he has given us. We are always looking for great things he hath done,Faith cometh by hearing and hearing cometh by the word. Testimonies build faith, it is just that simple. Enjoy.
Months go by and the clock is ticking, some days I cried, some days I was strong. While my husband just kept being strong and smiling, and every now and then he would say,"How is my Maiya,what is she doing". I would say.."Stop it that is not funny,and while some days I laughed just as he did". So time went on and so did life and we just kept praying for our daughter every day and being faithful in not giving up even though we couldn't see. We just kept believing and walking by faith. Often times..it was you who helped me,your encouraging and loving comments,so supportive you all were.So thank you.
Here goes the good part... A while back the Lord led me to a dear friend Maggie Alsworth, that is getting ready to go get her sweetie at ISRC here soon. The story goes way back several months ago on how the Lord mended our friendship together. We have supported each other this whole way, we are now BFF's in our book. There is not a week that goes by that we don't talk and we hope to meet one day and continue our life long connection of friendship. Her and I always talk about how amazing her story is and about how the Lord led her to her sweet daughter thru our friendship. And now the Lord used her family to confirm our daughter,and much more. Her husband Shad told her a few weeks ago that they would know our baby and get to love on Maiya. He just came in from work one day and told her this and for her not to worry. She said she was stunned because she wasn't even talking about me and it was not like him to say stuff like that.  Shad would tell Maggie that he felt connected for some reason.I told her to remember that and that it could mean something. So don't forget this part.
Last Tuesday Nov 3rd, as I was sitting in my living room in our recliner. I was just sitting..quietly. When all of  a sudden I felt a strong since of HOPE and  it entered my soul and surrounded me like a storm. There was JOY and oh I cannot describe it. I remember texting Maggie and I told her that I was feeling so strong and hopeful and that it was gonna be soon. She then texts me back and says"God answers prayer when you least expect it." I just kept reading what she wrote a few times. So on about our day. I also told Shane this day how I was feeling and that it wasn't gonna be long. At this time,I know another friend was praying for me this day,and she knows who she is,Thank you.  Then later on I go to a website to look at these BABY BE BLESSED Dolls,then I find one that I wanna get Maiya, and then I opened it up online to check the verse that went with it and I started crying..it was this verse who another dear friend gets  in her heart when she prays for me(Romans 15:13) She is also a Dillon family. I couldn't believe it. The evening went on and it was finally time to hit the hay.
Wed. morning Nov 4th, I woke up and it was I thought just another day. Little did I know. So I started looking and trying to shop around online for Christmas....when I look to my left and my phone was on vibrate and it started going off at 8:23 a.m., and behold when I seen that name Tami, my heart started pumping,I was not expecting this and when I answered I said' Oh I cannot believe this,I am so shocked now,I was at my computer just shopping."!!!!!!! Then here it comes,"Gidget, I wanna talk to  you about a little girl, right then my heart said this is her!! BEFORE she said anything about her. So as I am listening..tears streaming down my face as I am writing about this princess. After she was done,she asked me if I wanted to look it over,SO I said YES. Send it thru. WOW!, Ok so I hung up and I jumped up screaming and crying so hard I could barely breathe...keep in mind we haven't looked at anything yet and Shane was sleeping! Finally, I decided to get it together just a little bit and woke Shane up and I kept telling him..it is her. Shane had pretty much just worked a double shift and he just got asleep good.  So we waited and finally my slow poke computer brought it thru. Don't you just love it when computers go bonkers when you really need them?LOL
Shane and I felt so strong about it. We knew we needed to take it to our pediatrican and that it would confirm it even more.Our spirits were in agreement. This time was different. So Shane and I finally set down  and opened up her picture,WOW! HOW BEAUTIFUL,we just sat there shocked,smiling and laughing. So then we decide to run it to out local pediatrician, I told God I knew it was her,but you know how we like to get all the confirmations we need right? So I dropped it off for the doctor and we waited a few days.Then Shane and I went to my dad's to share the news with him and told him we were waiting to see what our doctor says. The day went on and then the boys and I went to pick her out  a toy and I gathered up a couple of dresses and a little lambie stuffed animal that Shane had gotten for her a while back. We took it to the post office and over-nighted it to our friends so they could take it to her. Totally acting on faith on this part! Oh we were on cloud nine,don't forget we still are! Adyn kept saying..MAMMA,I feel Maiya in my heart. Just another sweet confirmation. Then Thursday morning Nov 5th we are still waiting for that doctors opinion. I kept thinking, why was we doing this? We know it is her!
Friday morning Nov 6th 2009 came around my nerves were SHOT and so I went to starbucks cause I thought that was what I needed and to walk,OK so it was not what I needed HAHA. I decided to drive to my pediatricians office and guesswhat,I was the first person there! Then here he comes pulling up, the DOC. So I am setting there thinking I will atleast let him get in first,HAHA. Keep this also in mind that Thursday night...I prayed that God would show us that is was Maiya before noon, before Shane had to go to work. So I go into the docs office and they were so nice and told me he had just scanned them in last night...and if I could wait,he would look at them. So I said sure,take your time,no hurry. My nerves were so tore up that I went to the bathroom and dumped all that coffee down the drain. I was so thankful they were nice,I thought maybe that they might have had it with me!!! So a little later,here he comes with a GOOD REPORT and asking when do you go get her? I left that office laughing and sayingYESSSSSSSSSSSSSS.   Got home..and told Shane and Adyn she is ours. Bailey was at school. Tami called and we accepted together with the phone on speaker phone. And it was before twelve when we knew,Thanks be to the Lord. OH, the burden that rolled off my back!! We were  parents once again!
 So then I find out that our daughter's birthday is on the SAME DAY as Maggie's husband who is getting ready to travel to ISRC! And her birthday is on one of my best friends birthday ( Tami) who lives here. (The one who took me out for tea and gave me that blanket and tea set with her name on it) Then we find out that on Friday morning another friend who is a Dillon family and that has been praying...(the one who has been giving me that verse Romans 15:13) she said she was thinking of me all Friday morning and she had no idea about any of this. We plan to meet one day also. And I also received a shirt in the mail a few months back from Maggie and it said HOPE,of course it goes right with that verse that the other lady gets when she has prayed. It all falls into place perfect and it is all about HOPE and trusting in the LORD. There were times I didn't know what,when or how,but if you follow this God will always guide you, In all thy ways acknowledge him,and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6.
And another confirmation recently was that we had a family that was traveling over there and she said when she seen our girl...she thought to herself and said "I just bet that is Gidget's baby. How awesome.

We are so happy that we have been lead to our daughter and her led to us, and we are looking forward to more great things. So after all of this reading ...I know you are so ready to meet her ....and here she is our BEAUTIFUL...brown eyed girl...Maiya Reela-Grace Fenwick :).

                                                             

                                                     

And remember God does the amazing when you least expect it.

 Maiya, we love you so much and we hope you like the presents we sent you and we can't wait to bring you home. Until we meet hand in hand...we send our love with Maggie and Shad and other families traveling soon . We look to the day  when we walk in that orphanage and begin our lives together as a family of five.   LET THE PAPERWORK  and WAITING BEGIN!! We are praying for a smooth and quick court process..will you join us? Thanks and God Bless you all.

Celebration Time

Oh ,I cannot hardly type this...but we have a daughter and she is a perfect Gift from GOD. I cannot post a picture until we recieve the packet and sign. As soon as we sign I will post her beautiful picture and I will tell you the testimony of our referral including the day before and after. Thank you for all your prayers.:) and PRAISE BE TO GOD for this answered prayer!

NOVEMBER ,NOVEMBER

Well tis the month to be thankful, as always everyday.

November,November what will u bring? Maybe plenty of sunshine and less rain?
November,November what will u bring? No matter what November brings,we will be thankful for memories together and be thankful to remember sweet November:) Of course I will always take a picture of our sweet little fat butterball "Maiya". I am so glad the sun has been shining thru and that the Lord helped me to get rid of the flu!! Saturday we all went to take Walle on his first Quail hunt,that's right I said it,LIVE QUAIL!! We drove to this beautiful place with rolling hills and a couple lakes. We ate lunch on the hillside and then enjoyed a boy filled hunting adventure with a dog and 4 birds! Walle did great on his first point. The boys had a blast as they squished thru mud with their new boots!!
Then here came the fever,aches,and chills for me. Thankful by Sunday morning...no flu just a little sinus trouble. I am feeling like normal again,thank goodness. We had a great REVIVAL service at church and I am looking forward to going back this week.:) I am now in process of cleaning and this laundry looks really not GOOD!!:( ...............   Just maybe a cleaning fairy will come.
Now for some little exciting news...a little birdie told me that there should be some referrals coming soon.... in the next few weeks. OH ME,OH MY,could my baby girl be in this batch? Well we will see,Cheer us on and  stay tuned for our headline news and while your waiting enjoy these great pictures.

Where is that stinkin bird?

Say "Walle"

Like Dad,Like Son..running after that bird!

Walle striking a pose

Me and my BIG boys,Walle taking a break.

Lovin his new camo boots

Referral Poem

Morning to u all and I hope you are doing well. I am so happy to think of all these babies going home to be with forever families soon. A dear friend of mine shared with me this amazing poem. In fact I was calling her while she was reading this and she knew she just had to share it with us. In fact this is really me and u know if you have been following us...you know about the dreams and visions I have had of our future daughter. So here goes, and grab you a kleenx. I can't wait to read this to my Maiya.



I stepped into her room today,
Knowing she’s not there.
This waiting for referral
Is more than one can bear.

But taking in the moment
I sit down on the floor,
And dream of her here with me
When waiting is no more.

A little giggle fills the air
As I rub her feet,
I place my hand upon her heart
To feel its every beat.

A song is sung so very soft
Her eyes begin to close
She’s meeting me in dream land
A place where love still grows.

My vision now is very blurred
The tears stream down my cheeks
I’ve dreamed of her quite often
Throughout these past few weeks.

Suddenly a sound is heard
The phone rings in the hall
Waking up I quickly pray
Please let it be “The Call”.

Strengthing a Heart

Well first of all,I must say...I am brewing with some excitement. I know we have only been waiting a little longer then sixteen months and this is not much compared to waiting two-three years as some families do. So with that in mind,I try not to wine about it and there is no use in feeling sorry for us,because after all God is in control and when we get our call it will be all just right and well worth the wait. We hope Maiya is in the next batch and until things start happening,we just will wait and see.
A part of my heart says...Oh I just don't know if I can bare the wait of a few more weeks, or longer if she is not in this bunch.:
A friend told me this morning that we probally wouldn't hear anything until after these 8 families pick up their babies,so with that in my mind,I am thinking maybe around the end of November...oh the thought just gutwrenches me badly. She told me that it wasn't that long,I know she was trying to help...but a few weeks is a LOOOOONG time I thought. Especially when u count by months! So I am not even marking month by month anymore and maybe by Christmas!:)
I recieved some inspiration from the Lord this afternoon around 11 and 1:00,and I know that all will be ok and the wait will be worth it all. My heart is now stronger then it was earlier and I thank the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and thoughtfulness!
Psalm 31:24-"Be of good courage,and he shall strengthen your heart,all ye that hope in the Lord."
I am believing for great things to come and still praying for every step. After seeing pictures from Tisra's Gotcha Day,it would be so nice to bring a photographer don't yah think? Now that is wishful thinking. Don't get me wrong,not envying,just thinking that it would be nice to have some captured moments,and not have to worry with missing special moments. Oh well,this is the least of concern considering we gotta get her emailed picture first.HAHA.:)
We wish safe and happy travel for families preparing to travel,and we hope you have a GREAT GOTCHA DAY.:)

HAPPY ANNIVERSERY TO US!

Well today is October 17th,the day ELEVEN years ago that I became one with a man who is now my husband Shane. We have been dating since I was 14. We met at a local theater,actually my friend and I was going on a double date,I was suppose to go out with his friend,but all was a twist and we switched....and LOVE led us to here. So here we are, together we live for God and are married happily with two wonderful sons, and a daughter on the way from half way across the world. I am so thankful to have this special man in my life and to call him mine.Thank you Lord.
So glad that the sun is popping out today,it has been rainy,cold, and cloudy all week. When he gets out of job training,we are hitting the road for a evening together,I can't wait. The boys will be hanging out with Pepa.

Hope u all have a great day today and tomorrow...and I am so looking forward to things hopping on the adoption side soon,now I know u are all excited because those passports are coming and hopefully our referral is in this batch, we are glad and happy for all those being united soon. Now some of yall just need to hold off and wait till we get our referral before you hop on that plane,just kidding, but just maybe we will get to send our daughter something with one of you.

Happy anniversery to us,Happy anniversery to us,Happy anniversery to us...and we hope many more.:0)

God hears our supplications,Our testimony.

Good afternoon to all of our family and friends. I was sitting on the couch a few minutes ago reading my bible and drinking some nice warm coffee. When all of a sudden I started to read my bible and some verses started to remind me of how God heard my prayer,answered it, and then directed us to a path we never imagined. So I feel that now for some reason is the time to share this powerful exciting testimony of what the Lord did for us. Just maybe God knows someone who needs to hear this or someone that is gonna run across our blog. Who knows,but I feel it now to post this.
So here goes:
I will start from the beginning so the Lord can paint the picture of this whole amazing story. Shane, I and our son Bailey had been bouncing from church to church trying to find where the Lord wanted us. After a while,we found where the Lord wanted us to be. We had been going there for about a year. We had a revival at our church "Lonestar" during a week in the cold winter months. So on a Tuesday night,we decided to go and hear the Word of God. I still remember the evangelist and his name, Bro. Hernandez. This was a very prophetic and annointed service,the kind that your sitting there thinking "Oh no,what is the Lord gonna say to me,but in a exciting and serious way. Gutwrenching, but peacful if u can picture that. Sitting there listening beside my husband and family,I really was feeling the Lord. I will never forget what he said to my husband...the Lord wanted Shane to know that if he kept faithful,our families would be saved. I still believe this and it is happening. Finally there was a altar call, and I know the altar is really your heart. I decided to go somewhere to pray and I went to the back pew of the church. I remember just laying my head down on the pew and praying about things. I rememeber one specific thing that I asked God for some reason. When we had Bailey,we just decided to have Bailey and I know God gave us him and we are thankful. I never did once think to ask God for Bailey,I didn't know how,and we wasn't in church.
On this specific night I said "Lord I pray that Bailey would have a brother or sister,I ask you Lord if it is your will? I was sobbing and continued praying on. Then all of a sudden the music just stopped and the entire church got quiet and Bro. Hernandez said that he just received a message from the Holy Ghost, (he said this across the pull pit over the microphone) that "God says that someone in this church is praying for a child, and God told me to tell you that he is gonna put a child in your womb right now." I set there amazed,quiet not saying a word,shaking. Keep in mind that this person was from out of town,we didn't know him and he didn't know us,the first time we had ever been to a revival and the first time we heard him preach.
After the service I told Shane about it and that was it. In the back of my mind the devil was telling me that "It is not you ,there are other people in the church that want kids. Then in the front of my mind God was telling me "It was you that I was talking too." I was so hard headed. But God is teaching me.

So anyway time went on...one day I decided to take a pregnancy test and I wasn't even late yet,and sure enough a Positive sign. I thought well this might be wrong,so I took another and it was positive. Then I was reminded what God told me. I still just kept on being quiet waiting for someone else to come up pregnant. Well guesswhat..no one did. I was getting larger by the months and sick as a dog!

One morning,I was driving to town and I met my husband coming home...he pulled me over and we talked. He told me about how him and this guy at work had been talking about adoption...I was puzzled. No telling what my face looked like. He told me how he has thought about it before,but never said anything. By this time we knew our little Adyn was a boy.:0)Keep in mind that all was going good with the pregnancy. I felt healthy as a athlete,just sick. So after praying,thinking,talking...we decided that if we ever had anymore it would be thru adoption. To give a deserving child a home and a chance for a good life, and just maybe it could be a princess to go along with my princes. We knew thru God by then, that family was about LOVE,it didn't have to be blood.
So months went on and it was finally time to go in and have Adyn thru a planned C-section. Yikes,after being thru nursing school and knowing what goes on behind closed doors,I was nervous as a CAT on a HOT TINNED ROOF!! I almost thought about telling them I had changed my mind and I wanted to try to have him normal. Then Shane walks in and grabs my hand and I said Jesus be with us and I then had peace. I kinda fell asleep but awake,I knew what was going on and heard everything. So as the surgery proceeded...My doc MR. D. was operating and talking to a med student. Now before this sugery Shane and I decided to have my tubes tied,keep in mind...to us all about me was healthy. Little did we know. So then I hear the doc talking and then he said "Mrs. Fenwick,it is a good thing that u all previously decided to tie your tubes,he contined to say,"Your uterus is as thin as paper and u have about stage 3 endometrosis and I do not see how medically you carried this baby.?!" He continued to say" You do not need to have anymore children." When I heard this..this quiet voice from the Lord said "See, I told u it was you that night u prayed." Then I was so thankful and konked out for good. I was so happy and so thankful that God heard my supplication and gave me my confirmation.I knew then that at church on that cold night during that revival that the Lord HEARD me. We didn't know that medically I couldn't have Adyn. That is why I was praying that night at church asking God for my supplication,the Lord put it in my spirit.
When we didn't know,God was directing our path to Adoption. I know now why Adyn was a boy,God wanted us to bring home our daughter thru the blessing called ADOPTION. I wouldn't change anything for nothing.

So our journey contined...we had Adyn and all was a blessing. Life brought us some suprises we liked and some we didn't. Finally we decided to apply thru AIAA for the Korea program,well after App #1 it got shut down. So that door closed. In fact the thought of adoption went way to the back of our minds. Life went on and we lost some special people in our families. God knew at that time what the future held and that adoption needed to wait and that we were going in the wrong direction. That is why Korea didn't work.
So in Jan of 2008,God started stirring hearts again. We felt that the time was right. The Lord led us to India and after praying and thinking,we decided India..and the peace I felt was astounding. I remember sitting on my back porch full of joy and peace and I told Shane India it is. He felt peace too. Now that I think about it, a while back before any of this happened...I remember looking at a international book on adoption programs and I was so drawn to the pages of India,but this particular agency wasn't taking any NON- NRI applications at this time. I remember telling Shane "What about India,you never hear of people adopting from there". So time went on and God lead us there to India in Feb. of 2008. This same day,we lost Shane's youngest brother in a car accident and my sister and nephew just died 6 months earlier. Can u imagine joy and saddness in the same day? Maybe God knew we needed some Joy,something to keep going. We were on a emotional roller coaster. God turned our sorrow into JOY.

About a week later we filled out our first application,even after hearing about how hard it was to adopt from India,I just knew my God would see us thru. The Werre family gave us a positive outlook,and I knew after talking to Kristi that all was gonna be ok. They were already in process to adopt a second child. How we found Dillon?,well just searching the web and then we talked to Tami and we were blessed to get in contact with some familes.

So we filled out the second application and sent that in with all the other documents. As we were getting this ready...I felt so rushed. It was like hurry up and get it in,I remember telling Shane,we gotta hurry. So guesswhat we barely got our application in and approved and then Dillon temporary closed the program within a few days after we got approved for the India program. Now I know why God was putting it in my spirit to hurry.

So here we are..so grateful and thankful where God has lead us and we are now at the top of the list to bring home our daughter. We are now waiting for Maiya's picture and lovin our life together. We look forward to sharing this story with Maiya one day.....In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths,Proverbs 3:6. I will leave you with this today...Psalms 28:6,Blessed be the Lord,because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.

A blessing that words can't describe...

I am sure you are all wondering how our benefit went,right? Well I will try to put it into words the best that I can. It was such a blessing and all went perfect.
Friday- First off the article hit the papers,not the way I expected it too,but it did. The article was good,just not our full testimony and some things happened that I could not understand. The Lord helped me to get past this,but it took me a little while. Finally,by noon I was lifted and ok. Then later that afternoon when someone told me that when they read our story,that they felt this story was coming from the heart and from somewhere else( they meant from the Lord),this person is special to me and I have known them since they were five years old. So if it touched her,that was enough for me, and enough for me that someone pulled over to read it and set there in the car and cried,this was also enough for me, and it just let me know from God that all was gonna be ok.
Saturday- I woke up at 5:30 a.m.,got ready while Shane,the boys and Lexie were sleeping. I grabbed my rice krispie treats and headed out the door in the dark,slightly chilly day, as the sun was rising up. As I was headed down my narrow country road I thought for a moment about the Lord watching over me and so thankful that I was awake,alive and well. The Lord and I had a wonderful time together as I traveled to my dad's home for the big day. I did not know what the day would bring,I just was looking forward to a time of fellowship with family and friends. I pulled up at my dad's and he had everything already pulled out of the garage and in the driveway,my uncle helped him. This helped so much and I appreciated every bit of it. The sale wasn't suppose to start till 8 but about 6:30,people started to come. I was stressing,because all wasn't ready. Then here came my good friend Kathy and Tami and we worked it out quick. Then about 8 all my help was there and the booths were set up and we were all in our places and coffee was brewing and donuts were going left and right. Donations flopping in the jar, people wanting to meet us...kids laughing and playing, people hugging, people smiling from all walks of life. Adopted families came to offer their support,cameras flashing,praise and worship music playing and of course people shopping away. People putting their chances in on the baskets. The sun was bright and it was slightly windy but great. My nose looks a little like rudolf the reindeer. Shane and my dad were very good salesmen. The bake sale sold out of everything. This continued thru out the day. People were asking if we had a picture of her and when we were going to get her,it was awesome. This one lady said she would be checking back at my dads to see a picture of her,I thought that was sweet. My friend Tami at one time came over to me and said "Gidget,u missed it". I said "What?" She then told me that this lady whom I never did see walked up to our adoption booth,grabbed some brochures and had tears rolling down her face and then walked over and I said "All I wanna do is donate fifty dollars to this family". Then she walked away. Tami asked her if she wanted to meet us and she said "NO,just donate." WOW ,we thought that was amazing. This had others crying too. Then one boy walked up to me and shook my hand and told me what a great thing we were doing and that this shows character in people. His name was Dakota. I met my friends daughter from Korea and she was the sweetest thing,it was such a blessing that I got to see her and talk to her mom. I met this other lady who has two from Guatemala. It was one blessing after another,not just for us but for all kinds of people. Someone also made us a India poster with a Thank you Love Maiya sign to put by the donation jar. When she gave me this I cried,it was so awesome. We even started to cook hamburgers,hot dogs,and chicken BBQ sandwiches for people and they were selling like hotcakes. I got so many pictures and so did my friends. I can't count how many times that you could just feel the love at this benefit for our sweet daughter. So many people love her and have never seen her face. This can only be a God thing. I am sure I am probally forgetting some things,but like I said it was so awesome..there are just not any words to really capture this wonderful day. This day was something you had to be there and experience for yourself. We planned to end at one, but it went till 3:30 in the afternoon. I pictured this and had this in my heart for months before. This was all possible because of the Lord and all the great help from family and friends. The Lord made it all beautiful. As I was driving home after the benefit,all I could do was laugh and cry. We raised about 1,800-1,900 dollars! That was what we were short for our referral,now we got all of our referral money. I am going to the bank in the morning to put Maiya's money in her account. So Praise be to the Lord,he gave us exactly what we needed for our referral that is coming up. Thanks to all who helped and prayed for us,we are truly grateful and many thanks from the heart.
The Fenwick Family.

Counting down to Saturday!

To start,things have been quite busy around here..things like teacher conferences,lawn mower trouble, A's shots(YIKES) although he did very well. Our pediatrican is great. Dentist appointments,settlements,benefit planning, and I could go on and on. But hey,I am still smiling, a little tired, but excited about Saturday. Everything is falling into place and friends and family are pitching in with helping and baking. The latest development is that buisness's are donating for our raffle baskets,and last but not least our adoption story hits the local paper either tomorrow or Friday.
A little something great is that Maiya's middle name we felt in our hearts to change it from Azarelle to Grace...so far it will be Maiya Grace. It is by God's Grace that this wonderful journey is happening in our family. Well off to do about 4 loads of yucky laundry and wait for my sweetie to get home. The kids are konked out and now it is nice and quiet to fold my laundry! Cheer us on for the benefit and I look forward to sharing all about it when it is over,but it might take me a few days to recooperate and post it on my blog...and I should have plenty of pictures. Have a great weekend to u all. Hoping and praying for our call of Maiya Grace to be soon. Picture this for a laugh- Lucy on the snoopy show saying in her sweet blue dress and dark hair...."I can't take it anymore"! Now that is just a little of how I feel sometimes about this waiting buisness. I thought u could use a picture in your mind of how I feel.HAHA

Holiday World Fun....

Hello. First of all, congrats to you all that had some great movement in the courts!! I thought I would let you all know that I got a little,"HOPE" in the mail today from a dear friend. It is this awesome cute black t-shirt from American Eagle that has HOPE spelled out in cream colored letters. I am wearing it out this week as soon as I get the chance, and I will try to post a picture of it. Just not for sure if I really wanna super model wearing it,HAHA.
Here are some picture of our family Holiday World trip this past Saturday. Mr. B our oldest son rode the big roller coasters,Shane and I did too and it was a blast. Little "A" had some fun,and he got so tickled on the scrambler. The rest of the bunch had fun too.
The best part of it all is that it was all FREE even the FOOD!! Here are also some pics of A's 4 yr old birthday.So here yah go and have a great week.