IMM-(ugh)-NI-ZA-TIONS

Immunizations....immunizations.....immunizations. 

Last week was all about immunizations. 

Required immunizations....
Optional immunizations...
And a couple "just for safe keeping" immunizations. 

I am thinking that my husband is going to feel like a pin cushion before this is all said and done....but on the bright side, he is almost done.  Two more left and he can put a big check beside the to-do list for immunizations (not that is a checker-offer on the to-do list kinda guy).  But I am...so I'll do it for him - and oh will I do it for him gladly.  Seriously, is there anything better than checking things off the infamous "to-do list"? As each item is checked, I can almost hear a choir singing "Hallelujah...hallelujah....hallelujah!"....but I digress.  Where was I?  Oh yes, immunizations. 

So the immunizations step means we are one step closer to the day when we can leave for Africa. 

And yes, I said we. 

For we have decided that we are both going to go...because it's not every day that you meet your son for the first time.  Of course, you know what this means....it is going to be my turn for immunizations.  I secretly wonder if just some tiny part of my husband doesn't think that this is only fair given he has had most of his to date (and I suppose it didn't help that I was quite gleeful that he was getting shots and not me).  And yes, I said gleeful. 

For you see, I am not a shot kind of girl.  I know...I know...it's not like it's a terrible thing or painful thing...but I still don't like 'em.  Not one little bit.  But that's okay...I'll gladly roll up my sleeve and let them poke me if it means I can go to Africa to meet my son.

SO....this week will be my IMM(ugh)nization week. 

Already dreading it just a little...

I'll write more after my arm is no longer sore from all the pokes.  :)

Lauren

Mr. Postman

Oh yes....it's a good post.....and a praise post!!!

So...for some time, I've been singing a little song as I go out to the mail each day.....do you remember Mr. Postman (by the Carpenters)?  (And, yes, the only reason I even know the song is because of the music my parents listened to in the car...so don't get any ideas about my age - he he!!).   :)

In case you can't remember....here is the first part of the song....

( Stop )
Oh yes, wait a minute
Mister Postman
( Wait )
Wait Mister Postman
Please Mister Postman look and see
( Oh yeah )
If there's a letter in your bag for me
( Please, Please, Mister Postman )
Why's it takin' such a long time
( Oh yeah )

And so....that's how I've felt.....just a waiting, waiting, waiting.

Well, today, our Postman may have earned himself a big fat bonus around Christmas time....because we received the letter we have been waiting for.  WHOO-HOO!!!!

The United States Immigration office gave us our approval for our I-600A!!!!!  For those not familiar, this is the form that says we are approved to adopt a child from another country...and the reason for all the paperwork I mentioned a couple of weeks ago...but the end result will be SO worth it.

So thank you for all of the prayers.....and praise to God that we are one step closer.  Now we are just waiting for news on our court case in Africa!  (Hint...hint....another opportunity for prayer!)

Of course, this good news also means that the husband gets to go in for his yellow fever and typhoid shots - I'm so bringing the camera so I can share the experience with all of you!

Blessings!
Lauren

The Waiting Game

Whistle while we work wait is the new norm around our house.

We are at the point in the process where we are waiting....waiting on the U.S. side for our application (I-600a) to be approved and waiting on the African side for the court to hear and decide our case. 

And, I must confess, waiting is not much fun....in fact, I'd go so far as to say it is no fun at all.  And I'm sure this will come as a shock to many, but patience is not my middle name...in fact, I'm not sure it is even in my vocabulary.  Still, given all this, I wait patiently.

While we wait, we have been busy. 

• The girls now share a closet....talk about rocket science trying to fit two girls closets into one!
• Lil brother's bedroom is now painted (I think he'll appreciate someday the fact he no longer has a lavender room).
• Lil brother's bedroom is almost ready for him....it looks very cute (I'll share pictures when we have it "ready to go."
• Plans for the trip have begun...and we even purchased a new backpack specific for the trip.
• "Things to Do" have been discussed as my husband will care for our son for 3-4 days in Africa and need to entertain him in the hotel.

We know His timing is perfect....and until then, we'll just "whistle while we wait."

The Not So Environmentally Friendly Process

SO....talk to anyone who has begun, finished or even briefly thought about adopting, and one thing quickly comes to mind....PAPERWORK.  And I'm not talking three or four pages.....or even a short story here.....I'm talking about mind-numbing, arm-cramping paperwork that develops some good looking biceps from carrying it around.  Paperwork that the USPS loves to see you bring in because it's going to be KA-CHING to send it. 

And just when you think there is a light at the end of the tunnel, you receive a request for MORE paperwork.  That is where we are this week.....I had thought we were almost through (at least on the U.S. side of things) until I received a lovely pink letter in the mail this week requesting additional information...so back on the paperwork chase I go.  But on the bright side, at least they sent the letter in my favorite color - pink (I'll take whatever glimmer of happiness I can here).  The adoption process is clearly not concerned about trees...or saving paper...or my right arm and hand.

But, I have decided that there is a light at the end of the tunnel (it may be a small candle flame that I have to squint to see....but still a light).  Why? you ask....well, I'll tell you - I think they have asked for every minute of every day of our life....I'm not sure there is much else they can ask for (and you can just let me keep thinking this until the next pink letter comes).  :)

Blessings of no more paperwork...

Lauren

From the Mouths of Babes

This past week, our children became aware of a disease that I wished I did not have to tell them about....malaria.

You see, late last week, we received an e-mail that the little boy we are in the process of adopting had malaria...
And
Time
Stopped.

Waiting for news was excruciating...and knowing we could not be with him while he was sick made it hard to breath.  So we did the only thing we could, we prayed...and we asked others to pray. 

Of course, our girls wanted to know what was going on...and what malaria was...how did he get it...why did he get it...and the list goes ON and ON.  While talking about it and researching it, I found some disturbing facts.

• Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
• In 2008, malaria caused nearly one million deaths, mostly among African children. 
• In Africa a child dies every 45 seconds of Malaria, the disease accounts for 20% of all childhood deaths.
• Malaria is preventable and curable.

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs094/en/ 

Talk about staggering...unbelievable...unthinkable...and sad.

Both girls prayed for their little brother...and our youngest went to daycare the next day and announced at daycare that they all needed to pray for her little brother because "he got stung by a bug that is sick."  Amen, baby girl, amen!

We found out yesterday that our little guy is doing much better...and we thank everyone for their prayers.

Lauren