Taiwan

So, back in April we felt led to do an international adoption. We really felt that God was calling us to China, and that week God did everything but write it in the sky that we were supposed to do China. We went out to eat to celebrate our decision and my fortune cookie read, "The one you love is closer than you think." I don't believe in all the horoscopes, lucky numbers, blah...blah..blah, but I do believe in God and how he does things in mysterious ways. I always felt that fortune was a little weird, and tonight as I sat in the same Chinese restaurant and opened a fortune cookie with some random saying, I laughed remembering that fortune I had cracked open 7 months ago. Tonight, I can say that Claire is much closer than we thought.

When we made the decision to switch to Taiwan this weekend, we had no idea what that wait would entail. Now we're being told, in the worst case scenario, we will have Claire home in 20 months. Most likely, it will be 12-18 months. She will probably already be about 10 months old when we bring her home. Greg and I realized tonight that Claire could actually be growing inside of someone right now....it gave me goosebumps!

When we were being called to China, we were intent on being faithful to whatever God called us to do, even when we thought it meant waiting three or four more years to expand our family. I have to say Saturday when God laid upon my heart that it was time to let go, I was relieved. At first I grieved because China was where all of my hopes and dreams were, it was "my plan". All day I have been thinking of Proverbs 16:9 - " A man makes a plan in his heart, but God directs the path." I am so thankful that God has decided to direct our path to Taiwan and is blessing us with a little girl so much sooner than we thought. I said in my blog a couple of weeks ago that I wasn't going to change programs because I didn't like God's timeline and that I wouldn't move unless He told us. Honestly, in all of my life, I've never been more faithful, trusting, or closer to God than I have in these seven months. It has truly been a growing experience. He has been so faithful in guiding us. I am so thankful that I've learned more about trust and faith, and I'm so thankful for His grace, for blessing us with all of this, even though I far from deserve it.

My "Type A" personality is rearing it's ugly head. I have a "to do" list and I want it gone! Greg actually said to me on the way home from dinner, "You need to take a big, fatty, adoption chill pill." Since I have seem to come down with bronchitis, I think I will take a "chill pill" and relax tonight. We got a lot accomplished today, and I am proud of us. Someone once said to Greg, "I don't know how you all are going to get all that paperwork done quickly since Jessica works. It is like a full-time job chasing down all those papers." Greg then responded, "Oh, you don't know my wife, then!" I am on a mission!

We will be starting our official adoption site soon. I have been looking at templates to see what would be good for us. Any name suggestions? I think we'll still keep this page to talk about non-adoption things, and of course, CONNOR!

Please pray for the three of us, and our birthmother, whoever she may be!

A Lot Can Change in a Few Days

I don't have time to say much right now since I am filling out adoption applications and looking over everything that I am going to have to write for my autobiography!

We decided on Saturday to close the door on China after learning that the wait is just out of control. They are saying at least four years right now, and that is probably a big underestimate! We have chosen to switch to Taiwan, a program that is MUCH faster! We are probably now looking at 18 months!

Needless to say, we've been up to our ears in paperwork all night. Tomorrow I will get our adoption contract notarized and Greg will call to schedule our home study! I can't believe all of this is finally rolling!

I will post more about everything when I have time. Right now I have a million math papers to grade and my mind is going a hundred miles an hour thinking about everything else I want to be doing!

Hope everyone ate lots of turkey!

Date night, migranes, and adoption

Pretty random little title for my blog, huh?

Last night, Greg and I had a date night. We couldn't even remember the last time we went out by ourselves. We think it might have been July when we were at the beach. We had a great time eating out without constantly entertaining a three year old, to avoid a meltdown. We went to the UT basketball game after dinner, and honestly I really enjoyed just sitting for two hours. It was a good night. Thanks to Connor's "G" for the free babysitting and basketball tickets!

If you know me well, you know that I have been having really bad migraines for a few months now. I finally saw a neurologist this week and found out they are caused by stress and tension. I already knew this, I guess I was just hoping it was something else that I could change a little easier. Not eating a certain food or foods would be so much easier than not being stressed. Anyways, she prescribed a medicine for me, so we could be "proactive" about getting rid of the migraines before they started. I cannot take it because it is against Chinese adoption policies. Despite my great efforts to get her to not write it, she did, and now it is in my file. I called back and had her document in my records that I would not be taking it. I talked to several people from our adoption agency and they think we should be fine, they just might have to do an inquiry into it when it comes up in my records. It was a big stressful mess, so it was no surprise that on Wednesday I had a terrible migraine. I have to track my headaches now on a calendar and it's funny how I'm already seeing a pattern. See if you can see the pattern.

Sunday- no headache
Monday- headache
Tuesday- headache
Wednesday- migraine
Thursday- headache
Friday - no headache
Saturday- no headache so far

Hmmmmmmm...........

This week has been really hard thinking about the adoption and Claire. Seeing pictures of Elly and meeting my nephew has given me "baby fever" as Greg calls it. I have cried everyday, knowing that it will be at least three years before we add to our family. I know we are supposed to adopt from China, but this week I have thought a lot about switching countries, or in the mean time getting pregnant again. I know it's not God's plan for our family, and like I told some of my friends, I refuse to change God's plan for us, just because I don't like His timeline. It was made so clear for us in the Spring what our future was supposed to be, and I have told Him this week, if we're supposed to change our course, you have to give me the same peace and sureness that you did back in April, otherwise, I refuse to move. I am so blessed to have such close friends around me who have given me encouragement this week. I told Greg, I just feel like the closer we get to February, Satan is really trying to mess with me, putting all kinds of things in my path that make me question God's will. I just keep hearing this voice saying, "Trust Me" when I start to doubt. Plus, with the way work is stressing me out this year, I don't think I could do two kids right now. I know God has a plan for us and knows what our family is supposed to look like. I just have to trust. Trust is kind of hard for me. Anyone ever heard my trust fall story? Well, it ended with a broken nose for my poor husband!

Today Greg is going to the football game, so I am going to spend some time with Connor and then this evening, I'm going to pick up my niece and take them to Chuck E. Cheese. Connor is super excited that they get to have a slumber party tonight! Next week is a short week, so I am already feeling a little more relaxed! I am very much looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with my family and friends. I hope everyone has a great holiday!

My New Favorite Elly Picture!

Elly and her parents are coming home on Wednesday! We can't wait to see her! We are so excited that Thanksgiving will be their first holiday together. They have so much to be thankful for!

We can't wait to meet you on Wednesday, Elly!

I'm an Aunt Again!

This morning my precious little nephew, Ashton made it into the world. He is so little, 7lbs 6 oz. Well, I guess he's average for a newborn, he just seems so tiny! He is healthy and super cute! I visited with him tonight and didn't want to put him down!

My niece is a very proud big sister and is already super protective of her little brother. Connor woke up at 6:30 this morning when everyone was leaving for the hospital and was ready to go too! He was so hurt that he had to go to school and didn't get to go the hospital too! He talked all day at school about meeting his new cousin tonight and even let the man on the elevator at the hospital know exactly what we were doing there. When Connor finally met Ashton, he was completely enamored and was the first of the Adkins clan to even hold him. He climbed up on my sister-in-law's bed and held him very carefully. It was just about the most precious thing ever. He was so sweet and I just know he'll make the best big brother ever, even if he'll never have a tiny little infant for a sibling. He couldn't believe how little he was and at one point said, "Oh Mom, look at his little baby legs!" He asked if we could take him home with us and we said he had to stay with his mom and dad. He said, "Well, Marion comes over." We explained to him that Ashton can come over and play when he is bigger! Then he said, "Well, he can go eat with us." We then had to explain to him that newborns don't eat Mellow Mushroom Pizza, and that led to him wanting to know what they did eat.....and well....you can see where this is going.

I love how you can always see Connor's little wheels turning in that brain!

Enjoy the pics of our newest family member!

The Bluebird

Greg played about an hour long show at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville last night. We left for Nashville about 2:30 in the afternoon and I got back around midnight. Greg made it home closer to 4 a.m. We were a little tired today! He did a great job! Everything sounded amazing and so many of our friends and family came all the way out to support him. We had a great time! Daniel, Mandy, Bill and I even managed to sneak in some "to go" cheesecake from the Cheescake Factory on the way home. Banana Cream Cheesecake....Yummmm! The only thing lacking was a little hot fudge to go on top, which didn't seem very sensible to eat in the Watson's new van.

I am very proud of my hubby (everyone say Awwwwwww)!

Why I Love Kids!

I have two "Kids Say the Funniest Things" stories from today.

The first is from one of my adorable little kids at school. A little background, first. Connor was restless all night and was up and down coughing, etc. So, my sleep was minimal last night. I completely overslept this morning and rushed out the door with only time to get a super quick shower and to pull my hair into a ponytail. Needless to say, I wasn't looking my prettiest, with no make-up and donning my only sweatshirt, jeans, and tennis shoes. Yes, I took "Casual Friday" to a whole new level today! Anyways, back to the story. I have this ADORABLE little boy in my reading class. He is so cute! He kept staring at me all through class. Finally, about halfway through class, I was walking around the room helping students and was at his group. He said, "Mrs. Adkins, you looks different. You looks like you change colors." (Yes, there are grammar errors on purpose, keep in mind this is an inner city kid talking here.) I said, "I changed colors?" "Yeah, you a different color." I said, "Well, sweetie I am not wearing any make-up today, so I guess my face isn't as fixed up as it normally is, but I'm still the same color." I then proceeded to make some joke about how scary I am without make-up and promised to never do it again. My sweet little friend said, "No, Mrs. Adkins you still pretty, you just look like you a different color, that's all." I couldn't stop laughing. He is so cute! And that will be the last time I don't wear make-up to work!

Okay, my next story comes from another adorable little boy. The one and only Connor. Greg had a show tonight and Connor and I spent the evening together. We went out to eat and then over to Target to get some stuff for my nephew who will be making his grand entrance on Monday (if not before). We were sitting at the stoplight getting ready to turn and I heard screaming coming from the street corner. I turned and saw a street preacher yelling at oncoming traffic. He had some sign that I can't remember, but I'm sure it was something like, "You are all going to Hell." Just a sidenote, do you think this guy was just sitting at home tonight and got bored and was like, hey, I think I'll go yell about some hell and damnation in front of Target? I mean does that sound like a fun Friday night? Okay, i digress. Anyways, we couldn't make out much of what he was saying, just basically, "(yelling)..(yelling)...(yellling)...JESUS...(yelling)...(yelling)...(yelling)...JESUS!" Connor finally said, "Mom, why is that guy so mad....and why is he yelling at my Jesus?" I thought I was going to wreck as I made the turn because I was laughing so hard. Connor went on to inform me that "My Jesus is nice and he shouldn't yell at him. He lives in my heart, you know and he's nice, he doesn't yell like that guy." So, that pretty much made my night.

I think that my three year old has better perspective on faith than the "angry" street preacher. I'd like to think my Jesus is more like my three year old.

My Weekend

We had a busy weekend in the Adkins house.

Friday was my first day without a headache in almost a week! After work, we went out to eat and then took Connor to the movies.

Saturday Connor and I spent the day with my mom shopping. We found a Captain Hook hat, hook hand, and sword at the Disney store on clearance and had to get it for our dress-up box. He wore it through the entire mall and got lots of looks and laughs! He was hilarious in that huge hat! We met up with Greg at Toys-R-Us after he got back from the game and started a little list for Santa. Yes, Connor once again insisted on wearing his Captain Hook outfit through the entire store.

Today Connor and I skipped church (don't judge me) and went out for breakfast together and played dress-up for two hours (I'm not even kidding). He tried on every single costume in his dress-up box and did a little play for me. It was so nice to spend the morning by ourselves hanging out. That is a very rare thing in our lives. I cherish those times with my little man, and moments like those make it hard to be a working mom. This afternoon, we attended our dear friends' ministry dedication. (Check out The Restoration House link on the side of the page to learn more about this awesome ministry.)

Our weekend ended with Connor's very first homework project (yes, he is in preschool). We had to disguise a paper turkey to keep him from being Thanksgiving dinner. Connor chose to disguise his turkey as a pirate. After digging around the house, we ended up with a pretty cool little turkey pirate, and I ended up with some wicked blisters from the hot glue gun.

I'm off to bed. We have a very long week this week! Tomorrow is Monday and I hate Mondays! It means the weekend is over.

Halloween Pics!

Elly!

Jeff and Nancy have Elly! We can't wait to see her in person. She is so adorable! She's Connor's future wife, just so you know. We love you guys and can't wait for you to come home!