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.