Rain Rain go away!!!

Well  we finally got a smile so I am so excited to share it!  Pedro is feeling much better but now the rain has started and doesn't want to go away. So anyway we will make the best of it surely we can find something to do.

Not too bad the Things God has allowed our family to do!!!!

We are seriously visiting Pedro I promise not just on a amazing tropical vacation! Seriously Pedro is still recovering and having to stay in bed but I believe maybe today he will be able to get up and around more. He has had to get shots for the past 3 days and take lots of meds but thankfully is feeling and looking lots better.

Today as I was walking and talking to the Lord I had to thank him so much for how amazing he is and just realize that although Pedro hasn't got to come home with us yet He did allow us to be here when he needed us. And so for that I am so grateful and just realize that we are Pedro's family how ever that means even if it has to be long distance. we are thankful he is part of our family and for the first time in a long time Pedro does have a family to call his own.

We are in Mexico!

Well what a relief... we are together as a family at least for a week so for atleast a week I don't feel like something is missing. We got here yesterday Monday the 26th for a family visit since the kids haven't seen each other in a year and since the us goverment hasn't allowed Pedro to come home yet we felt it was necessary to come to be with him. well I was right about one thing we definatly needed to make the trip this week. I know God ordained it becuase my trip started with my alarm going off at 3:30 am Monday morning becuase we had a 6;00am flight out Carrol's alarm was set for 3:40 and at 3:37 in the morning Carrol was woke up not by his alarm but by a text message from US immigration stating that our case was infact in process again. So at that time of a morning there is no way that wasn't God reminding us he was  infact still at work in our behalf. So we will have to continue to trust in that. then when we got here Pedro was very sick so sick we had to take him to the Dr. as soon as we got here. the Dr. said that 15 more minutes and Pedro would have been in convulsions. He has a severe sinus/bacteria infection. So thank you Lord for your provision for this trip.
so as far as the trip and how it has been, well so far Pedro has been in bed the whole time but it has been nice to be the ones taking care of him and nothing against the ranch because it has been such a blessing but lets just say i know we needed to be here to handle this.
So I am dying to post pictures of us together as a family but I don't have any yet so they will have to wait. And yes there is a possibilty if the right people get a holdof our case we could bring him home but as we know so well it will only be if it is God's perfect will and we are praying for that.

I think I haven't posted pictures in so long on here because my computer wouldn't read my memory card that I forgot how to post pics and write a post at the same time. We've just been been having busy summer fun around here. This pictures are from my dad's wedding celebration that we had on the river. WE had a great time but it was soooo stinkin hot! I have to laugh when I think of how many times in the freezing cold I will say I don't care how hot it gets it soo much better than the cold, well NOT. I am over it.
 Christian made it home from his trip and of course had a awesome life changing time again I will post pictures from that soon.
 Pedro is doing well but ready to see his family so guess what? we  are going to visit next week. We will be celebrating his and Corie's birthdays while we are there at his special request and after all the poor child deserves a few priviledges. So No we still don't know when he is coming home, yes it could be possible with us but after all we have been through we are just going to focus on this being a family visit and if it works out we will be overwelmed and Thrilled! but we will just be happy to spend one wonderful week together as a family. I would ask that if you read this to please continue to pray for us and specifically that he could come home with us this trip, but we know the Lord has a perfect plan and we will as hard as it is sometimes continue to put our trust in that!

Now to finish the post I started before..

Fun on the River

Christian is in the Dominican Republic

Christian is on his mission trip with YWAM in the dominican republic. He is lovin it and I am lovin it through him. He definatly has the heart of a missionary and at age 15 knows that is what the Lords desires of him and to me that is awesome!! I am 3?? and am still wondering just what the Lord wants of me?? Anyway they are safe and now just getting busy being the Lord's hands and feet. I am so proud of him and today YWAM epic quest posted pictures on there blog and I love, love, love when they post pictures of my baby and the work they are doing. I would so highly encourage any momma that has a child with the desire to go on a mission trip of there own Youth with a Mission is the absolute best with the most amazing true and faithful hearts of God!http://www.ywamorlando.com/blog.asp?blog=100

And as far as Pedro.... progress is finally being made. We are appling for a waiver 1-601 that could possibly allow him to come home ASAP while we wait for a decision from USCIS to approve our new 1800 application.  So please continue to lift us up in your prayers I do feel the time is near so we will see.

Our life lately

Not sure if today is a good day to post after I haven't posted in a long time but my heart is so heavy today that i think i need to just to get it off my chest.
First Pedro's case.... nothing has been happening since my last post we have been working on how to respond to USCIS to please them to LET MY SON come HOME! We have made a decision on that but now seems that everyone working for us is dragging there feet!! Its like they forget we have been waiting since Febuary to bring my son home, so to them days, or weeks, or months don't seem to matter. I was told by next week we will be ready to send in our reply though and then we will just be waiting for it to get into the hands of our officer in the Hague Unit and pray for divine intervention in the hands of who recieves it so that they will approve this time and let this nightmare come to a end and we will be on the first flight out to bring my son home!
Second, my sweet little love that I have been fostering for the past four months, which I believe the Lord sent specifically to me so that I wouldn't go completely nuts, someone to keep me busy, and someone to spread this extra love I have in me on...Will be leaving me in the next couple days. She has not for one minute been a job of the foster mom but a sheer extra special pleasure!!! She should have been returned to her grandmother about 2 weeks into when I got her but I believe the Lord knew I needed her while my heart broke for my husband and my son. I know that if I hadn't said yes to fostering even when I was already of single mom to 3 while my husband was away, I would have missed the comfort the Lord was trying to give me. This precious little jewel will ALWAYS have the most special place in my heart and although I believe my home would be the best place for her I know the Lord definatly knows whats best for her. I love her so much!
 Thirdly, my Christian will be leaving Sunday for his mission trip with YWAM to the Dominican Republic. He is such a awesome kid and I love his willingness and Love for being in the presence of the Lord. I  love being the momma to a boy that has a heart like that. It is very humbling and sometimes my cup runneth over when I think do I deserve kids with hearts like that! Have a been that kindof momma! I could never count my blessings enough. So he will be gone for 3 weeks and I can't stand it when he is gone 24 hrs but Ipray that he will just be open to whatever the Lord wants him to specifically see and that others will see Jesus in him!
 Now, my Josie.... "Mom, when I grow up can I be a foster mom to E____?" That just melted my heart. I worry so much for her afraid sometimes she won't understand when a child has to leave and people ask me all the time "How do your kids feel about you fostering?" Well that's how they feel, they all get it and i don't believe God would have put that calling on our lives if they didn't.
 Corie, my sweet beautiful daughter. God has blessed her with the most amazing gift of singing. She sang in a talent show at her school and Blew everyone away. The thing about Corie singing is it is obvious it is a reflection of her heart. She is a amazing young girl and she will make an amazing adult and momma. She has a heart for special needs child and will always defend one being outcast. We are so proud of her.
 Also both Christian and Corie received Student of the Year at there schools and I may add we don't go to a small school. So although things are so tough and we don't understand why God hasn't allowed Pedro to come home yet He has blessed us beyond words on the homefront!
Pedro is doing well though. we do communicate with him through facebook and e-mails. He understands things and is mature enough to deal with it but we are just so ready to be done with it!
 Thanks for all  the prayers and those who have helped us financially it will never be forgotten and we are forever grateful.

update

Saturday night my husband returned home to us Praise the Lord but it was very bittersweet becuase our son has not been allowed to come home. For those in the Mexico process I will share the details so that NO ONE ever has to go through this.
 Our 1800 didn't get approved before the judge in  Mexico signed our final sentencia finalizing our adoption so although all the process was done and complete one peice of paper was filed before the other causing the US to hold up and try to deny our innocent child's visa! Honestly I have been so bitter this is why I haven't posted this. For 2 months almost 3 the US has sat on our documents with me having to call and chase someone everyday! the are holding my adoption up due to bad advice and error of my adoption agency which is WHY the Hague was supposed to be set up anyway what they forgot to put in the rule was someone that could speak and give advice to adoptive parents. It is instead still allowing 100% authority and responsiblity to a agency that could possibly be corrupt or just make a honest mistake. and becuase of that the agency nor the US has to take any resposibility just my family and my innocent chid are having to pay. THESE RULES HAVE TO BE CHANGED!  I have done a Guatemala adoption and I know what terrible things can come from bad and corrupt lawyers and facilitaters and believe me when I say these Hague Laws are no better. I understand there thoughts but I think  a few Real adoptive families should have been involved in making the rules!
So with no other choice and no idea what is our next step forsure my husband could no longer stay there for the sake of us at home and financally it was no longer a option. so we took Pedro back to the orphange for now. He seems to be doing o.k. with it I believe he knows we did all we could and I kindof  feel he probably just needed to get back to some sort of normalacy too.
This whole deal is like being in jail for a crime you didn't commit! It is a disgrace of our US goverment offices, what do they think?? my child is a real serious threat!?! people come in everyday to the us and there is no visa's my 13 year old son of US citizens can come in. as I Write this the madder I get so I am going to quit but those with Hague Adoption  DO NOT LET THE JUDGE OF YOUR COUNTRY SIGN THE FINAL APPROVAL WITHOUT THEM HAVING THE 1800 APPROVAL IN HAND! THE ORIGINAL COPY.

Hopefully we are  now making progress in our case. I know that atleast our case is moving now after 5 weeks or maybe 6 of my husband and son being stuck in Juarez, Mexico. Our case has been done in Mexico, adoption is final, we have just been stuck on the US side!!!!! Our case setting still!!!! All I can say is from this experience hopefully no one else will ever have to go through this. So no Carrol and Pedro are not home, still don't have any idea, and still just having to go day to day!

Update

I so hate when I don't blog for so long expecially when so much is going on but my brain has just been on overload lately and I just couldn't get myself to do it. So here is alittle catch up. Carrol and Pedro are still in Mexico! yes six weeks later they are still there and better than that they are now in Juarez. They were in flight out when I heard all the exciting news of all the trash going on there. And yes there business is to take place at the consulate right in the middle of all the action. So Monday I panicked! but after my freak out I was thankful to God that I didn't get my  wish for them to be in Juarez then because HE knew what was coming and protected my boys. So but know we are still waiting, still gettin run-a-round but we have contacted our senator and are very hopeful that there is no other thing now but to give us a appt. and get them home. The process that remains is they have to have a appt. at the consulate to apply for Pedro's visa to travel home. He has to have a TB test and has to be seen by a Embassy doctor. so once we are issued a appt. then he should be home 3 or 4 days later.

We celebrated Josie's 4th birthday yesterday, St. Patricks day, She had such a fun day it seems she is growing so fast these days. I tell Carrol everytime I talk to him I think he will be surprised at the change in her in such a short time. It just reminds me that time does fly and we so need to slow down and enjoy each day. She is such a joy in our life. We can't imagine one day without her.
p.s. until Carrol gets home with my laptop I can't post pictures but I will.
We will also be celebrating her big day at playworld this weekend so although we are so sad and I can't believe I am having to do one of my childrens birthday parties without my husband, we will have a great time and are really looking forward to it.

Also during this time period the Lord has entrusted me with another one of his precious jewels that was placed in DHS custody. She is a precious little 6 month old little angel whom I have fell in love with from day one. I was told that she would be returned to family members and was expecting that to happen this week but Praise God I pretty sure he new that this week I just couldn't make it through that. She has been with us now just shy of a month. She is the light of every room such a sweet demeaner who wouln't fall in love with her. I do know though that this is most likely temporary and I just have to be willing and greatful to have had her safe in our home for whatever amount of time the Lord needs from us. I will never regret even when I do have to endure the pain of losing her one day that I had with her. I love her dearly, I Lord knows that and he has special plans for her just wish somedays he would go ahead and tell me what they are.

So like I said I kindof have brain overload, life is very full but wouldn't change it for anything.

We have a Passport!!!!!!!!!!!111

Finally after 5 longgggg weeks we have a passport in hand. Carrol text me a picture with he and Pedro holding it in their hands. It was a great moment! So now we just wait for a appointment at the Consulate in the Ciudad of Juarez and then they are headed home. So thankful but as with Josie when they get on the plane or in the car to come home, then I will have a sigh of true relief. I am just feeling so guilty lately though because in my heart I haven't turned it over to God I have just carried or the worry and stress and have been consumed in how to get all this taken care of and get my boys home that I truely would have to say I have had to ask for some big forgiveness. I wish so badly I wasn't a control freak! but today I really want to trade in my bad attitude for a attitude of greatfullness. I read a little line in a book today that I know was speaking to me. and in it the people around this man, the ones that new him were trying to give him a reward for the Godly things he had done, and he said to them "I would rather be known for my scars that I have taken for the Lord and than the great things I have done for him"  So today I am just going to be thankful for the trials that I have had to endure to bring both of my precious children home! they are worth everyminute! and the story's the Lord has given us through them are worth it.
So please pray for my family that in all our trials we will have happy hearts!

One step Closer!

Woo Hoo we got our immigration approval! now hopefully today ,praying today, Carrol will get Pedro's passport. I have just felt God's blessings surround me this whole day and I am just overwelming grateful for his goodness.
I miss my boys so much, I am thankful for the opportunity Carrol is having to spend time with Pedro at the ranch but my house is just not the same without them so I am praying Lord will you please allow me one Valentine wish and that would be to bring my sweethearts home ASAP!

I believe this to be my first Valentines without Carrol in about 20 years!! WOW that makes me fill old.

Specific Prayer Request

Well I arrived safely at home and so ready to see my kids. I think they were happy to see me to but I will say it was very weird leaving without Carrol. That was a weird feeling and made it hard to leave. He text me a picture of the veiw there though to rub it in.
 So for my prayer request... Carrol is staying waiting on the passport to be released which should take 7-10 days and we weren't able to apply for that until last Friday which I thought we would have had that done on Tuesday of last week and that it would have been ready to be picked up early this coming week. So would you please pray for God speed on this passport and that we want have any issues come up with that preventing that from being done quick.
Also I am still waiting on our 1800 immigration to be approved, so would you please pray this will be approved in the next few days.
Once these 2 things are in Carrol's hands will should know a definate of when they will get to come home.
Also please pray for Carrol and his time spent down there, we know God's directs everything and that it is no mistake that Carrol has to spend this extra time there we just pray for him to be open for what ever God brings his way that he will be available.

The kids of Rancho de los ninos

Anyone interested in older child or special needs adoption Mexico check out http://www.ranchdelosninos.com/or contact All Gods Children International adoption agency.
p.s. Heidi I will just have to call you when I get home to fill you in. Hope these pictures bless you!
also anyone interested could feel free to contact me. I can share alittle of my personal insight on the children that are waiting.
It has been a wonderful trip.

We have Pedro's birth certificate!

This has been such a awesome trip of course! We did have to spend everyday doing business though which I didn't think we would. I tought one full day would be it and we would have the rest to play but o well.. tommorrow we have a free day finally. The celebration last night for pedro's adoption was amazing. It is so awesome to see the missionary Rick at work in what he has such a special gift. We have enjoyed him and sister Janet so much and are forever thankful for all that they have meant to pedro and instilled in him. that were such a amazing influence and have shown him so much love that of course Pedro has had some sad moments knowing that this part of his life is about to come to an end. he is very content thought and is definatly happy to be part of our family and is ready to come home to his brother and sisters and to meet all of his other relatives and friends back waiting for him. Adopting a older child is a little more difficult and it makes a momma's heart hurt knowing that he is gonna hurt but to see the delight in his eyes that he now does have a family of his own is overwelming. i love him with all my heart and believe me you can love a older child just as much. When God ordains it you can tell it! I could just eat his face off and I know all momma's that love there babies as I do know what I mean.

Now on a sad note... my Corie lost her dog zippy today. my heart is broke not to be with her today while she is so sad. so would you please say a little pray for her.

and Corie momma loves you so much and am so sorry for your loss.

A wonderful trip!

We are here with our Son! We are having a wonderful trip. We have our visa's renewed. We are working on getting Pedro's birthcertificate and passport Tomorrow. We are also planning to have a ceremony for Pedro Tomorrow from the Ranch, kindof a going away ceremony so that will be really special. I just am in awe that it is finally over and Pedro is about coming home.

Pedro got to meet his papaw that is here with us on this trip Which has been so special. He is so at ease this trip. We are truly Smittin!

Count Down!

Yep we are on the count down 6 more days till were with our boy! I just wish it wasn't so stressful trying to get everything done before heading out. My I800 should be mailed off tomorrow then I can breathe alittle until it gets time that we really need it approved and done then I will start freaking out again.
I have all the plans worked out for my kids here now, got a pedicure, paperwork done, house pretty clean, so now I would like to switch my focus to the beautiful beach I will be on next week and being with my son that will no longer be a orphan and will forever have a family.

Thank you Jesus!

WE have a Travel Date!!!

Finally we got word yesterday that It Is TIME to come and pick our son up! I am just so thankful. Febuary 1 Mexico here we come. We are uncertain exactly how long we will have to be there it takes them 7-10 days to release his passport then Carrol will have to travel to Juarez with him for 4 days where he will have to have a TB test when that is cleared and Carrol is freed by immigration to GO HOME! So I will be spending the week with them then heading home to take care of my other children. My dad and his lady are heading down with us which is very special to me. I just can't wait. As always though when I have to leave my other children at home it makes me nervous but I know it will all work out.

One prayer request though that has got me alittle uneasy until it is finished is my I800 approval now that I already have a travel date I need it to come quickly. This is the one thing that could possibly hold us up that and the passport so we nned prayer that they both come quickly.

A little bit of Drama

Well that's what I make it. I wish I wasn't that way. Just this last Sunday my friends were commenting how much better I have handled this adoption compared to that of Josie's and that is true. Not sure why, maybe because I have done it before, maybe because he is older, I don't know but that all changed in a matter of a day and yesterday I officially lost my mind. At the end when you know the time is very near it seems that everyminute that you wait is the longest!
So good news and bad news. Good news. We now have the Sentencia the final paperwork I have been waiting on in order to travel and it should all be ready to be picked up by this coming Friday and we should have the o.k. to travel. TO BRING HIM HOME!
 Bad News is on the home front. Immigration says it could take around 3 weeks for them to have there paperwork done! URGGGGGGG
 But I did find  a contact  so I am just praying my break down was all for nothing and that we will find a way to speed it up afterall, Mexico paperwork  is done minus picking up Birth certificates and passports. But as all international adoptions go will only be homefree when we touch that US soil with Pedro.
 So all this seems so small when you compare to Haiti and to waiting Haiti parents but I am still praying for God speed. I want my son home with me.
LOVE HIM!