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