Santa Photos and a Non-Update from India Again

The kiddos and I went to Elevate Coffee on Friday with our friends for free pictures with Santa.  It was so fun!  They LOVED meeting santa and Madi insisted on sitting on his lap twice ;).  She told him she'd like a green puppy with green spots.  Conner told Santa he wants any toy, but that he really likes Starwars Legos.  Here are a few photos from our day:

 

 

I wish I had some news about India to share.  Unfortunately, I just heard back that the paperwork STILL has not made it from the courts to the orphanage.  It's already been a month and a half, and they still don't have it.  That means they STILL haven't applied for her passport.  My heart is so heavy about all of this.  I was, quite literally, expecting her to be home by now.  We rushed and rushed to get the girl's room ready (it's still not, but it's close), to get her clothes washed and hung up, and to get all the Christmas gifts for the kids (in case I was gone or just getting home around Christmas), and still no word!  I know that God's timing is perfect and that this delay is happening for a reason.  I know that I will look back one day, and this will all make sense.  I know that we will have her home soon, and that this will soon be a distant memory.  Even knowing all of this, though, waiting is HARD!  I wish I could run to India, sweep her up, and bring her home.  I seriously have thought about it many times ;).  So, while we wait, please be praying for her, our hearts, our adoption, travel, and our family once we bring her home.  Thank you!

Orphanage Gifts and India News

We finally heard back from the orphange and basically they are STILL waiting on the courts to send them the paperwork saying the adoption is official.  That means the orphanage is still waiting to apply for Ramya's passport.  Sigh.  Please be praying this will be done quickly!

In other news, my friend Amanda (who is most likely joining me in India... WOOO HOOOO!!) has very generously decided to try and purchase gifts and supplies for the kids in the orphanage (about 100 kids).   She is raising money to be able to purchase gifts for the kids and has two different ways you can help:

1. You can donate directly to her and she will be purchasing the items.  Her paypal is amanda.mcmahon@gmail.com
2. Amanda will be donating 15% of all of her thirty-one orders purchased between now and November 15th.  You can purchase great items and help bring toys and supplies to the orphanage by following this link:  http://www.mythirtyone.com/shop/eventhome.aspx?eventId=E2465535&from=DIRECTLINK

Oh, and we are home from the hospital!!  I'm VERY excited about that one :).  Thanks for checking in on us!

I'm Hyperventilating Right Now!!!

I just heard back on our adoption (I had e-mailed and asked if we needed one more court date and then the passport, so I could estimate a time frame) and was told...

From Sherly’s email, it sounded like your court hearings are all done. She also stated that you should be granted full and final adoption which is great!  We would still need to wait and see the actual court decree to confirm everything.

 

Do you know what that means??  That means we could have Ramya home SOON!  SOON!!  AHHHHHH!  I am so excited, but freaking out because we have so much to be done still.  I'm glad it takes a village to raise a child, because I'm going to need that entire village here helping out to get ready!  I am so thankful right now for answered prayers!  God is SO good!

TUESDAY TUESDAY TUESDAY!

Can you tell I'm excited about TUESDAY?  Tuesday, the 25th, is our next court date!!  Please pray that the judge is at court on our date and that everything gets processed quickly. Better yet, pray everything gets done and we don't need a third date ;).  We can't wait to be one step closer!!

Whew, I'm Beat, but I've Got an Update!

I know I have sort of fallen off the face of the earth, but soon, we will be back in full-swing!  Today was the last day for us to babysit Baby K, the little girl we were watching 4 days a week, other than occasionally as back-ups.  Even though I know that this is what we needed to do for our family, we will really miss her!  She is a sweet little girl and the kids saw her like a sister.  Conner has decided we need to see her for lots of play dates both before and after Ramya comes home.

Now begins our journey in to homeschooling and, hopefully, getting Ramya here with us so we can start our journey as a family of five.  I am so crazy far behind on things and I am hoping to use this time before Ramya comes home to catch up on life a bit.  I know you never really catch up, but I am hoping to go from 10 steps behind to only 1 or 2. 

Conner will start Kindergarten at home in a few weeks.  We will be using My Father's World for our curriculum (though, knowing me, I will change it around a lot ;)) and we also have an awesome art curriculum we will be working through.  I have my Master's degree in education and four years teaching under my belt, but I am still nervous!  Madi will do activities here at home, but will also go to Preschool two days a week.  She is SO excited!  On a lighter note, today Conner spelled "bat" by himself and informed me he was done homeschooling because God already gave him a really smart brain.  I told him nice try!

Today while Kaylynn and Madi were napping, I was feeling sad about saying goodbye to Kaylynn.  To distract myself, I opened my computer and checked my e-mail, only to see that we have our first court date!  YEAH!  God knew exactly what I needed to hear today!  It was a good reminder of why we needed to stop babysitting and focus on getting things in order... we have a daughter coming home to us soon!  August 23rd is the first date for court.  I can't remember how many days we will need total, so I e-mailed our adoption coordinator and will update when I know.  Please keep our first court date in your prayers.  Pray that the courts move quickly and efficiently so we can get our little girl home.  We will not be traveling to India for our first date, as that is not protocol for this part of India.  Instead, someone from the orphanage will go and represent our family.  Please keep that person in your prayers as well.  Of course, we always hope you will pray for our sweet Ramya ;).

Oh, I almost forgot!  We got photos of Ramya opening her first gifts from us.  We were SO excited!  Ramya seemed to love them all and is getting lots of use out of her babylegs and knee pads according to the orphanage.  She really seemed to enjoy her photo album.  There was also a picture of her standing with nice straight ankles!   We were totally blown away.  The only photos we have seen of Ramya standing show her on her ankle bones.  It looks like she is making great progress!  Once she gets here, I am thinking she will need good AFOs and either a walker or walking sticks, then she will be good to go!  The orphanage also says she tires easily, so she made need a wheelchair for long distances, we shall see.
Thank you again for following our journey and for praying with us as we walk it.  We really appreciate each and every one of you!  Here are a few photos of our family taken recently: