Bittersweet

Today was a day full of emotional ups and downs, a very bittersweet day.

I had the privilege of spending last night and today with my faux mom, Betsy and her amazing family. Unfortunately, my visit was to offer comfort and attend the funeral of her wonderful mother.

"Tice" as Isabella Faye called her, prayed as though for her own child, when praying Isabella Faye home. She was a kind, fun woman who loved Cracker B. as much as Isabella Faye do, and we ate there tonight in her honor. Please pray for her family in the coming weeks and months as they learn there new life without her. I praise God that, because they have excepted Jesus as their Savior, this is not the end of their time with Tice. They will see her again in Heaven someday! But, for now, they will miss her, and I hope you will join me in praying for their comfort and peace.

Tonight when we got home, we found a card from Isabella Faye's precious foster family. Enclosed was a beautiful sewn cloth wishing Isabella Faye a Happy Birthday. As happy as I was to receive this gift, I cried tears deep longing to see this family again, to thank them again, to see Nana Janeth and Isabella Faye share a hug and a sweet smile. There is no end to my gratitude to this family for loving Isabella Faye like their very own and for doing all they could to make our 15 month wait more bearable. I tell Isabella Faye of them and their love, every day. Pray for Nana and their family as they miss Isabella Faye and pray that we will be able to see them again soon.

The Girls!

IF and cousin Jazlyn

IF's never ending bday continues!

We had a great birthday celebration at Grammie and Gramp's house. They got Isabella Faye an awesome slide and swing. She loves it and asks to pay on her side and wing every day!

Vany

Please take time today to click on the picture on my sidebar pray for vany. His Momma has posted some specific prayer requests for his case. Please join me in praying this precious boy home.

IF's ACTUAL birthday!

On IF's actual birthday the festivities continued with a trip to Chuck-!-Cheese with Mommy and Daddy. We had so much fun playing with IF and she had a wonderful time! By the time we got home, she was tired but content and curled up in my lap for some rocking and fell asleep.

Unfortunatly, my camera was on the wrong setting and the pictures didn't turn out well...here's the few that I salvaged!

Make a Smilebox postcard

Chosen

Two years ago today, we chose Isabella Faye, and began the process of adopting her. No longer was our process about a baby...it was about this baby...our baby.
Below is the picture received.

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.~Ephesians 1:5 NIV
We chose Isabella Faye, just like God chose us. And, her adoption, completed against many odds, is a miracle-a praise of God's glory!

IF's never ending birthday part #1

Isabella Faye is following right in my footsteps and spreading her birthday fun out as long as she can! Her birthday festivities started on August 2 and won't end until Thursday! The following are scenes from her official birthday party, the first of many celebrations that I will chronicle this week!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Happy Birthday!

Today we celebrate our precious Isabella Faye's birthday. I am in awe of a God who packages new life in such precious form! I feel so thankful for 3 visit trips so I was able to, at least somewhat, watch Isabella Faye grow up. Certainly in the last 9 months since she's been home we have watched her blossom from a baby to a funny, smart, energetic, outgoing toddler.
There are days that the pain of missing most of her first 15 months brings me to sickness and tears. I feel defeated as she turns 2, becomes a toddler when I missed so much of her being a baby.
But then she laughs, or hugs me close, or makes a silly face or toots and blames Daddy and my bitterness and sadness is replaced with joy.
Today, albeit a little sad, I celebrate and praise God for this precious girl...for her health and development, for her giggle, for her smile and her dimples...for her chubby little hands signing drink as she slurps loudly!
I thank God for when she covers her mouth and laughs...for when she throws her head back and laughs...for when she slaps her leg and laughs!
I celebrate her budding vocabulary and her ever developing mind.
I am in awe of her unconditional, totally trusting love for me.
I am in awe that God loves me this much.
Happy birthday my sweet, sweet baby girl!

A great visit

Make a Smilebox slideshow

One year ago today...

One year ago today,we got out of PGN. I'm copying my post of that news:

I was pretty sick. I had canceled a morning babysitting job but had kept my afternoon one, thinking I would feel better. I was rocking the little baby and trying to dose while he slept. Well, out of my half-asleep stooper I heard the phone ring. I picked it up to answer it and right as I pushed "talk" I saw the name on the caller ID "Celebrate Children." Oh my gosh! It was our adoption agency! I tried to make small talk with our director but my voice was unsteady and would hardly come out! My mind was reeling and I couldn't think! I look back and laugh because I must have sounded so crazy! But finally, the news I'd been waiting for-our case had been approved by the PGN! PGN is the government agency in Guat. in charge of approving adoptions. Praise the Lord! This is the news we've been waiting for! Now we just wait for the new birth certificate with us listed as her parents and our last name and the 2nd DNA test (her mouth will be swabbed, they don't have to draw blood.) Then we'll get an appointment at the US Embassy with about a week's notice-book our flight, pack our bags and off to get our sweet girl and BRING HER HOME! All told this could take from 5-12 weeks.

In the end, the process from PGN approval to coming home was about 14 weeks... However, it was all down-hill from that day!

Tonight we celebrated at our favorite local restaurant! Below is a picture of IF sporting her PGN out anniversary outfit (thanks Aunt Betsy!)



Isabella Faye is a precious gift from God. I love her more than I ever knew possible. She is the light of our lives and a dream come true. If only there were words to properly thank my Great Father God for my precious daughter, I would speak them everyday!

IF's 2 year pics

Make a Smilebox slideshow