Keeping things straight!

I had a funny moment the other day. We had received our favorable paperwork in the mail after being re-fingerprinted in Sept. I was filing it away and making sure we had all the documents we needed and suddenly panicked that I didn't have one document in place. As I frantically was looking through them all I realized we have this new vocabulary that we're trying to keep straight. We filed our I-600 form, only to get this ACS notice of Action which is a I-797, but then when you actually get your favorable determination it's a I-171. And these are all from the USCIS, and we also had to do this I-600 Adjudicate Orphan first and this G-28 form and blah, blah, blah.....I was so confused once I was finished looking through this all!!!!! But needless to say, what I was looking for was right in front of my eyes.

Anyways....life is going smooth. We received our Oct. update on Aidan. While we were visiting at the first of the month we actually saw them taking these pictures, so they were no surprise........but still adorable--although we may be bias. Chicken pox is going around the orphanage, can you imagine that???? I'm sure life is hard for all the nannies and volunteers, and for the kids. So far we haven't gotten news if Aidan has them or not. No news is good news with
this I figure.

Well, off I go to get ready for trick or treating!! I'm sure you'll see pictures of it in a couple days:) I'm a mom of a witch and darth vadar for tonight!!!

Whoa-Hooo!!!!

Our paperwork has moved on to another step!! It is no longer in IBESR, but is now on to Parquet. It was good to hear.....typically IBESR can also be called 'the Black hole' because it takes so long to get through. I can't complain about our timing----God is good. I know this doesn't mean much to most of you not in the process.......but each step is one more thing checked off our list. If all goes well, we're thinking around April we'll get to take Aidan home.

I have to admit since our trip a couple weeks ago I was sorting out a bunch of emotions. It was such an exciting trip and yet harder than expected in some ways. I was feeling a little frustated and down and last week Wednesday I came across Habakkuk 2:3----"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, be patient! For it will surely take place. It will not be late by a single day."

It was such a great reminder that God is in control and I just need to leave it all to Him. I was feelling His peace again, and then it was a wonderful surprise to get this news on Thursday!!! So God knows just what we need and He's guiding us along the way.

Aidan and his dog!

Tickeling Aidan!

Eating cheerios with mom

Dad hanging out with Aidan!

Video of Aidan

We spent time going through our pictures with Alyssa and Austin. Our favorite was to watch a little video clip of Aidan playing with some blocks. We had taught him to say "ah--oh" when the blocks tumbled, so we captured him doing that!! Enjoy :)

Kudos to Dad!!

We're back!! It was alot harder leaving Aidan than I thought it would be--even knowing this was just a quick trip---it's still hard to leave.

As we go through our pictures, we'll keep posting them for you. I just had to write a quick update about our last day there.

After breakfast we went to get Aidan to spent our last hour with him. I walked into his room and as soon as he saw me he came running for me and wanted to come. So of course we're all smiling.

After I had finished hugging on him and having Paul take our picture, I went to get him out of my arms and realized he had a dirty diaper---in fact it was all over.

Being out of the dirty diaper stage, my thoughts we "I'll have the nanny change him" but of course since he's by me....and is my son......I thought we better change him. So i got a diaper and wipes---and a new t-shirt and was going to start changing him. I didn't last too long. In fact I barely even started, I just smelled and started gagging. I about lost it so Paul had to change him. He cleaned Aidan all up and got him all dressed again. What a good dad!!!!!! Of course Paul is walking around saying...."who's your daddy???.......I'm sure I won't live this down.

Day with Aidan (Manuel)

I was up with the roasters this morning, so thought I'd try updating. This picture was when we first met and he had just woke up from his nap.

Yesterday was a big day. Once breakfast was done we thought we'd spend a little time with Aidan before our appointment at the embassy. I started the day thinking we'd probably spend an hour with him, then go to our appointment but then he would be napping, so we probably wouldn't see too much of each other during the day. All of a sudden Stephanie told us he was coming with us!!!!! He had to make an appearance to complete his end so we were going to try and accomplish it all today. So we spent most of the day together. :)

The embassy is in PAP, so Aidan sat on my lap in the car. At first he just looked out the window but eventually fell fast asleep. We had our appointment which went very good. It was a great experience and nice help. Then we headed back to GLA--it was about an hour trip each way. When we were back, Aidan did go to nap time so we hung out for a while. I thought it would be nice to walk around with him once he was awake, but since it was rainy we played. He was cute playing--he'd empty all the toys out of a bin and then fill it back up. Or he'd put his dog on top of his head and make it fall off---then start giggling. It's so great to see him come alive instead of just having the pictures of him!!! At supper--he went back to eat with his room of kids to keep him on his schedule. When Paul left him he was crying---that was a little harder. But we were able to see him after supper too. In fact he was cleaned up and in pj's---I always love that stage. We looked at some books and snuggled--but eventually it was his bedtime.

It was a great day with him and such a wonderful surprise to spend most of it with him. What a blessing!!! I am thankful for this opportunity to meet him---it's been a special time---I love hearing his little voice and seeing his hands. As hard as it will be to leave today, we had the chance to have him enter in our hearts a little deeper. We just have to take one step at a time. I know God has a plan and in his timing we'll be together as a family. I can't wait for Alyssa and Austin to meet him:)

We'll post more pictures at home!