Gotcha Day

Today is the day we've been waiting for.  This morning we arrived to BSSK to the warmest possible welcome from Vishakha.  As soon as she saw us enter the gate, she came racing towards us.  With a huge smile, she wrapped her arms around my leg and said "Mommy!", then she hugged Phillip, then "Daddy!"  We spent the day there observing her routine, playing with the children, and eating lunch with the staff.  It was a truly amazing day.....then we left BSSK. 

Since our hotel is only a few blocks away, and their driver was on holiday today, we decided to walk to the hotel from BSSK.  Vishakha happily held our hands and walked for about 1/2 block, then I think she realized that she was not going back to the place she knew as home, and the people she knew.  She just stopped in the middle of the road.  Then she started sobbing uncontrollably. 

This lasted all the way back to the hotel, and for several more hours, with a few small breaks to catch some air.  She would not take off her backpack, and kept trying to escape, screaming the Marathi word for "no" over and over.  It was heart wrenching.  The hotel staff came and talked to her for a little while in Marathi, and that calmed her down, but only for a few minutes.  Ken finally decided to take her for a walk, and I think that did the trick.  When they came back she was much calmer, but still anxious to go out.

We decided that we'd all go out, as it was getting close to dinner time, and we needed a few things from the store. (such as a hairdryer, because of course mine broke this morning)  The more we walked, the more comfortable she became.  I think buying her chocolate and a Dora the Explorer watch while we were out might have helped too.  She quickly picked up on that and started pointing at every toy we walked by, like she wanted us to buy it for her.  Oh boy! 

After shopping, we had a nice dinner, then came back to the hotel.  She wasn't here 5 minutes, when she pointed toward the bedroom.  I tucked her in, and sang her a song, and she was asleep in about 2 minutes.  I breathe a sigh of relief as I head off to bed.  It's been an exhausting day, but a good one.

Destination INDIA

Tomorrow afternoon Ken and I along with Phillip will begin our voyage to India to finally meet our precious daughter.   It has been such a long year, and there have been so many delays.  I can hardly believe we will be meeting her in just a few days.  It will take us over 27 hours (20 hrs of actual flight time) to get from Kansas City to Pune, India.  We will be in Pune for 5 days, then we will journey to New Delhi for 4  days, and finally return home on Friday, September 9th.  I am relieved, excited and nervous all at the same time. 

If you're a praying person, you can pray for our safe journey, for our meeting with Vishakha Faith, for our 4 youngest children who will be staying at home with grandparents - especially Eliza, who is really gonna miss mommy (and vise-vera), for the sanity of their grandparents, and that this trip will be an excellent experience for Phillip.

Now for some last minute packing, then off to bed.  My next post will be from India!

An orphan no more

I'm taking a break from all the travel posting to share some totally unrelated, but very awesome news with you.  The little boy in Korea I posted about a few weeks ago has a family! His new family inquired about him after reading his story on this blog, and they found their son.  I can hardly believe it.  You mean people actually read this thing?  Today they were officially matched, and they will hopefully bring him home this year.  Thanks God, for prompting me to write a short blog post about him.  At the time I had no idea why I was doing it (other than the fact that I love kids and want them all to have loving families), but God knew.  To Him be the Glory.

6 Days & Counting

This Sunday afternoon our adventure begins.  We will board an airplane, spend a day and a half in the air and in airports, then finally arrive Tuesday morning in Pune, India.  We are super busy packing, making travel arrangements, and trying to take care of all the last minute things here before we leave.  Today I did a TON of laundry, sorted through luggage, sprayed our clothing with permethrin (an insect repellent treatment for clothing), booked our hotels, emailed the US embassy, emailed teachers, and made lists of all the important stuff for the grandparents who will be staying here with our 4 youngest.  Am I ready yet???  Not even close, but making progress.

Darling little boy needs a home

This sweet boy from Korea is 5 years old and needs a family to love him.  He had some medical issues when he was an infant, but they have now resolved.  I believe he is only waiting now because he is an older child, and most people prefer to adopt infants.  Speaking from LOTS of experience, I think 5 year old boys are about the sweetest thing ever.  Won't you pray with me that this precious child gets a family of his own very soon. 

India Update

We have received Vishakha's passport, but there was a slight delay in getting the final document we need, the ICPC.  This is basically an agreement between our state and the state our agency is in to place the child with us.  It normally takes less time than the passport, so it doesn't cause any delays, but not true for us.  In any case, I think all the snags are taken care of now, and we should be getting the ICPC very soon.  Then we can finally book our flights and hotels and make appointments at the embassy in Delhi.  We are now hoping to leave a week later, on the 28th of August and meet our daughter on Sept 2nd.  Actually pushing our dates back a week seems to work better for childcare arrangements etc. anyway, so it is a good thing.  Please pray that we are able to book our trip soon, and that there be no further delays.  Vishakha now knows she has a family, so this wait is effecting her too.  Hold on sweet daughter, your family is coming soon, and we can't wait to finally meet you.

Birthday Party

Today we had a birthday party at the local bowling alley for Nathan and Ian.  Nathan turned 10 last week, and Ian will be 9 on the 14th.  They had a blast hurling (I think this word most acurately discribes the universal technique used by the boys and their friends) the bowling ball, eating pizza, and having cupcakes.