Our Adoption Journal: Our adoption: 35 weeks

How Far Along: 35

How I'm feeling: excited that it's JUNE! Almost there!!!

Gender: GIRL!

Total bills so far: $14610.09

Bills this week: $0

Ways God is working:

1. We are buying a 12 passenger van! You know what that means? That God has "plans"! Through some amazing provisions and arrangements arranged by the Lord, we are getting an arctic blue Nissan NV passenger van. We aren't sure when it'll arrive, but the plan is that Big Blue will be here sometime this month.

2. We are selling our Toyota Sienna and God already had a buyer lined up before we even decided to sell! My parents suggested that they drive the Sienna out West to my little sister and brother-in-law when they go out there for a visit later this year. I had the idea that it would be great for them to own a Toyota, but thought it impossible to get it out to them. But then my parents called with this suggestion. We had the van checked over and after some typical maintenance repairs, the van will be all set for its next family!

3. We got our 10 year visas to China in the mail today!!!

4. We'd been hunting and praying about a 2 week getaway for our family to just focus on bonding later this summer. We'd been searching for hours - days even. It was becoming our nightly date to try and find our wish list in a house. Phil and I had it narrowed down to 5 houses and were trying to decide but just could not settle with peace on a house. We decided to keep looking. Then Phil showed me this little house with EVERY part of our wish list that was available for the dates we wanted and even included things that we were willing to not have (towels, sheets, etc.). We emailed the rental company and asked if they'd give us a two week booking deal giving us an off-peak rate for both week because the second week would be off-peak. They emailed back and said, yes, absolutely they would do that. And everything is included in the price of the rental - no cleaning costs, linen fees, waiver fees, damage deposits... it's just the most amazing little house for our family to get away and just focus on each other and loving each other!!!

5. Our church has really gained steam in moving towards orphan ministry! This is hugely exciting for us! We are praying about going to the CAFO Summit next year to learn more about orphan ministry.

6. Last Saturday, it rained and poured so we didn't have our rummage sale. Instead I found more stuff around the house and in our school room that I can sell - HA! We are trying for a Friday/Saturday sale this week. I've had more time to organize things further which has been a lot of fun!

7. Phil gets 6 weeks paternity leave from his company for Jemma's adoption!!! We can hardly believe it! And he has a cool boss that is going to let him actually take it!!!

8. We had Baby A at our house a couple times this last week and LOVE LOVE LOVED having him! He is a very special boy and I feel like God's used him to continue to open our hearts even more! I'm excited that he's part of our family story. While he was here, we fed him bottles and it dawned on me that they were perfect to take to China with us because they have disposable inserts!

9. My dear friend Whitney posted the exact bottles and inserts I was wanting on Buy/Sell/Trade and I sent her a message right away. When we went over there to say good-bye (she and her family moved to NC) she not only gave me the bottles and inserts as a baby gift instead of us paying her for them, she gave us the most perfect outfit for Jemma - a hot air balloon with a bunny saying Up, Up, and Away...

10. Whitney and I were able to go get ice-cream cones from McD's late the night before she left and have one last time together. I already miss her like crazy and can't believe she's gone. SO grateful for technology.

Things learned: Jemma's measurements! That's right, we got our final update! We received 3 pictures and all her measurements. She's about 22 pounds and 30 inches. She has 16 teeth and little tiny feet - only 11cm!

Stuff we've done for the adoption this week: 10 year visas came; parent info sheet and medical sheets emailed to Lifeline, Phil finished the paperwork needed for his paternity leave!

What I am looking forward to: haha - still looking forward to the rummage and organizing the house; itching to start closing up the school room (I like to pack everything up and set it up fresh later in the summer) - which means I'm looking forward to being done with school... not sure when that's happening! I'm really looking forward to Travel Approval, but nervous that I'm not even close to being ready. I hope we get TA soon though so I don't have to wonder about the schedule and if our house parents will be able to make the trip work. :) I'm looking forward to knowing the Consulate Appointment and when our first moments with Jemma will be!

Pictures of the week: