Yes, we're still here!

We are still here, and we are still waiting. A series of unfortunate events have kept us from travelling, but I'm trying not to focus on what I don't have. I'm really trying to remember that all of this is God's timing and that if I tried to go on ahead in my own power and strength, it'd all turn out wrong anyway.

Where we stand at the moment is that we are waiting on fingerprint clearance from US Citizenship Immigration Services to reach Delhi. Once the embassy in Delhi has our new fingerprint clearance, we can go ahead and buy our tickets, make reservations, etc.

The other two families that were in the same place as our family have gone to get their kids. One, Max, is already home and seems to be doing very well. The other, Anya, will be with her parents soon. They left today! I'm so happy for them! I can't imagine what they are feeling right now, but I hope to join the travelling ranks in a matter of a few days!

Speaking of Max's family, they sent us new pics of Elizabeth Tanuja in a crib with 2 other kids. One is Jansen (Rupankar). (His parents are about 6 weeks away from travel.)

Here are a few of the new images:

Doesn't that one just look like she's pleading with us to hurry????

It's been a long time since I have written anything, so things are coming to mind that I thought at the time, "I should blog that!"

1. At the shower that the neighborhood ladies had for us, the hostess presented me with a bunch of cute things with Elizabeth's name on them: confetti, pencils, stickers, and a purple (in honor of adoption) bracelet like the LiveStrong ones with her name etched into it. I'm wearing it until we can hold the real thing!

2. David is being so cute about the adoption! He wrote in his schoolwork about having a sister soon and explained that adoption is when a judge decides that people can have children. Pretty good description, if you ask me!

3. We have loaded up all of the donations to the orphanage that the church has given us, and it FILLS 2 of those huge suitcases on rollers. I'm very pleased to be a part of a church that is so giving. They even want to continue to give to the orphanage and maybe even begin mission trips to India.

4. William is really stepping up with the responsibility of being the oldest child in the family. He's helping around the house much more (washing dishes by hand "because the dishwasher takes too long"?) and trying to help us with David when we both need to be otherwise occupied. This week Byron is in OK with his dad who's having heart surgery, so I've been a single parent. I don't know how they do it! I've only done it for a few days and I'm exhausted! Anyway, William has been such a big help filling in for Byron or myself when we have needed him to.

5. It's really starting to sink in that this just might be real! I've had several days of the "Oh my goodness! What have we done?" feelings. Thankfully, I had the same reaction right before each of the boys were born, so I know it's normal for me and will pass. That even makes me feel even more like she is my child!

That's all for now. I just wanted to let you know that we are still alive and kicking! :)

G'night!