Will's Big Purchase

Will came home from school the other day with a ....... doll! Not the norm for our 1st grader. His class is studying economics and they have a store in the class. They earn pennies and can spend them on Friday when the store opens. Will saved his pennies for two weeks to buy the doll for Victoria! He's even a savvy shopper! He said, "Mom, I had my eye on it and it went from 30 cents to 20 cents!" He took a risk of being teased as well. What a man! I'm so proud of him.

When all of me is overwhelmed, I will cling to the Rock!

Yep, that's what I'm doing. As our travel date becomes closer and closer, there is simply more and more to do and think about! We are taking one day at a time in preparing for Victoria and our trip to India. As I plan, I am surprised at how truly multifaceted this trip is. I'm thankful we have experience traveling with small children before, but never a girl, whom we don't know, who speaks little English, who likely will be grieving, whose paperwork cannot be lost, in India of all places!

Preparations still include, but are not limited to, finishing her room (wall paper is down, have yet to sand and paint), gathering together all the needed paperwork (still waiting for some), reading over the highlighted parts of "The Connected Child", getting shots, doing two rummage sales to help on the financial end and general packing. Which brings us to an exciting milestone. I officially began packing tonight! So, since I've seen blue for the past 7, almost 8, years, do I pack all pink just to get it out of my system???

I'm thankful for my God who has continually given us peace over every step of this process and even though at times I am overwhelmed with all of it, I know He will continue to wrap up the loose ends before we travel and won't let me forget a single document. He's just good like that!

We are truly praying we can travel in mid-July. It simply works really good with our schedule here. Please believe with us that we can go then. We do know God's timing is perfect and He will send us when He's ready.

Pray as well that I can be focused and organized as we make travel plans and for favor in getting great deals at hotels and on our airline tickets. We are using a travel agent Holt recommends.

As much as we love to travel and are looking forward to the trip itself, we can't wait to simply get Victoria home and begin our lives together. Those cheeks need some kisses from her mama, those toes some tickles from her dada and that head rubbed by her big brothers. We were all standing in the kitchen one evening and we showed the boys how tall Victoria was and where the top of her head would be. So they pretended to rub and pat the top of her head. They do it when they watch her video, too. What a gift she will be to them and they to her!

Victoria's Update

We got Victoria's update, but I had to wait until after school on Friday to get it. Oh, the wait! She continues to be healthy. She is 24# and 32" - about a size 2T. Her growth seems to have plateaued. She gained only 1 1/2 pounds between Jan. 19 and March 25. I wish I had more information to pass along. There's just no additional news. No news is good news with her progress reports. We are now applying for her immigrant visa. We received our I-800 provisional approval - simply another paperwork hurdle crossed. God gave us favor once again.

Today in Sunday School Will and Logan each made Victoria a necklace. They are so excited for their little sister to come home. Logan also had kindergarten round-up this week and his first T-ball game. He played 1st base and was very determined to catch any ball coming his way. Unfortunately, the throws weren't so good, and well, he's still learning to catch. Very fun to watch.