Things are starting to move!

Each time I go to Kroger I feel like I always get in the slowest moving line.  This past year that is how things have seemed.  I have felt like we were trying to get to China in a very small boat across the ocean.

Nothing really moves fast in the adoption world.

However, the past few weeks things have started to move.  I guess we have traded in the kayak and got a faster moving model.

There is light at the end of this long tunnel.

This week we received word that our last immigration paperwork had been approved.  For those of you who have lost count, yes that is about step number 4856 million....however, we are only about 3 more steps away.  This paperwork we just received was our petition to classify her as an immediate relative and get this little Chinese wonton into the USA.  Our steps left are for our paperwork to go to the National Visa Center, then onto the US Embassy in China so the adoption can be completed, schedule a few appointment there in China, then wait for the long awaited news that we can come get her. So, yes things are starting to pick up. 

On another note.....as things get closer I realize that Cambree Jade is for real.  Don't get me wrong...yes I know she has been "for real" a long time, but when you have a picture to match your dream and it almost time to go meet your daughter a whole new level of fear begins.....and a prescription of zantac is needed.  Since we received her file I knew that she was from Kunming China and the Kunming City Children's Welfare Institution. 

Doesn't it look beautiful!!!!!!  Well, guess what she isn't there.

So, over the past few months I have been on every website, blog, and adoption group forum that you could imagine.  I ran across a wonderful lady named Julie who was traveling with her family to Kunming to adopt their daughter this week.  And the best part was their daughter was from the exact same orphanage as Cambree.  Of course I emailed her to say "please see if you can see/get a picture/get any information you can on my baby!  I gave her Cambree's Chinese name, birthday and the only photo I had which was taken at 9 months old.  As if Julie didn't have enough going on she was happy to see what she could find out.  Today she and her family was able to tour the orphanage.  She was able to see the infant room and meet a few of the ladies who worked with the babies.  She ask about Cambree and although they knew exactly who she was, we learned that she was not living there at the orphanage.  Cambree is currently living with a foster family away from the center.  She will remain with them until a week before our arrival.  At that time they will bring her back to the center for one week to wait for us to arrive - can you say "rip my heart out".  That is the worst plan I've ever heard of.  She will be an emotional hot mess!  My heart hurts for her just thinking about that process.

As I called my friend tonight to share a few......tears....she reminded me of something special.  Our baby is getting some individual love, and care, hugs and kisses and will know what love is all about.  So, tonight I pray for this very special foster family that is taking care of my child. This Chinese nanny who is the only Mama that Cambree Jade has ever had.  I pray that she is giving her all the love and nurture that she can until our arrival.
Isn't that amazing that God placed Julie in my path to get updated information on Cambree.  How cool is that!

More December Birthdays!

Happy birthday to my baby girl.
December 18th
Today on the other side of the world, in Kunming China, my youngest daughter turns one year old!  I'm not there to throw her an over the top birthday party, watch her get icing all over her face from her first birthday cake, take a million pictures or sing happy birthday to her.  Other than missing her acutal birth, this is truly the hardest milestone to miss.  Although right now we are seperated by an ocean, I know that God has her in His hands. 
When we received her file there were many reasons I knew that she was mine.  We had to laugh because she had a December birthday.  Out of 6 little kids in our family, 4 of them have December birthdays.  So, of course she belongs to my family......she has a December birthday.
So, today we celebrate without her.  However, you better believe that next year we will have one big party!

Happy birthday to my Cambree Jade!  Your family loves you already and cannot wait for you to arrive.

Our second celebration is the birth of my first nephew. 

Yesterday on December 17th we welcomed the arrival of Cooper James Williams three weeks early.  He weighed 8 lbs 3 oz and was 19.5 inches long.  Oh....my....he is so adorable!  I am over the moon thrilled for Jennifer and Jamie.  This precious son came just at the right time.  Not only is he just beautiful, he is also sweet as can be.  We are already in LOVE!  I cannot believe these two babies will have birthdays one day apart.  Best friends these two will be.   So, today we also celebrate Cooper!

Happy birthday Caden!

Eight years ago on December 1, 2004 at 2:43am God allowed me to become a mom to my little athletic, energetic, fireball from heaven.  Caden amazes me with his talents.  Although he hates school, I'm pretty sure he can do anything you can imagine outside with his hands.  I cannot believe how athletic such a tiny little guy can be.  I cannot walk and chew gum at the same time, but he can play any sport that has a ball.  He says he can hear me over everyone else at the ballpark as I cheer for him.  Maybe he will play for the Braves one day.  You could offer Caden a trip anywhere and he would choose to play outside.  He lives outside regardless of the weather from sun up to sun down.  Seriously!  Nothing makes him happier than to be in the dirt.  I never knew that one little guy could make me cry harder than I've ever cried, laughed harder than I have ever laughed, worry myself sick over everything, and want to pull my hair out on any given day.  I realize each day how inadequate my mom skills are and how many mistakes I make each day. However, despite it all, he loves me anyway. 
After 6 1/2 years of being an old child I had no idea how he would react when Callie was born.  He took pride when she was little feeding her a morning bottle, and rocking her to sleep.  Now at 8 years old and 16 months old it is hilarious to watch them play together.  She is tough as nails thanks to her big brother.  He is so good to her and she just giggles when he comes home from school each day.  I think he will always be her protective big brother.  Pretty soon he will have 2 little girls that will be wrapped around his finger.  How fun it will be to watch the little girls try and keep up with him.
Caden Lee I love you!  Happy birthday!

We Have a Baby!!!!

God Can Move the Mountains!

Our adoption paperwork arrived in China back in September.  Each month as China sends out the list of available orphans, we were told they were unable to find a match for us.  Each month has been filled with heartache as no match was found.  Our agency is working on agreements with two orphanages however those children's files will not be ready until February.  So, I decided that between Thanksgiving, Christmas, multiple birthdays, New Years and the birth of my first nephew that I would stay busy until it was my turn to receive a match.

Monday night, November 26th a list came out from China.  We were not expecting to hear anything however, we had a specific prayer.  After three months of waiting we prayed for God to move mountains if our little girl was on the November list.  We ask for Him to take away all obstacles in the way of us being matched with her.

He has moved the mountains and we have a match!!  As I sat at work Tuesday morning scanning through my list of emails, one came in from our agency that said "possible referral". My hands were shaking so hard that I could not even type.  As I opened the email I saw 22 attachments.  The first 18 that I opened were all in Chinese!  Seriously?!?  I can hardly speak English so how in the world can I read these files.  Then I came across the most precious, bright eyed, round chubby cheeks baby girl and I knew that our search was over!

She is 11 months old living in Kunming City, China.  She was found abandoned on the streets and at the time she was found the doctors "guessed" she was about 5 months old.  As many of you know we went through the special needs program of China, so many of you have ask what her special needs might be.  Well, her paperwork reads that she has a mild heart murmur, and she is small for her age.  Are you for real?!?!?!  Several members of my family have a heart murmur and she is small for her age because you don't really know her age!  Needless to say we are blessed beyond measures.

God can move the mountains!

Waiting.......

I realized it’s been a while since I have posted about the adoption so I wanted to let you know what has been going on……..Oh ya, NOTHING! That is what's happening. We have hit a brick wall and we are at a complete stand still. All of our paperwork is complete and we are just wanting on a referral. China sends out a list of available children about every 5 weeks and we have not been matched in the past two lists.
Uhhh…is there all of a sudden a shortage of orphan girls in China?!?!?! This has probably been the hardest week so far in this 9 month process. I cannot explain how broken hearted, frustrated, confused, and upset I was when I found out for the second month in a row our agency was unable to find us a match. Our agency told us we might be waiting much longer than I had ever expected. Possibly 5 months for a referral.
So, after a day filled with lots of tears (and eating lots of chocolate)…..I now have a peace……A peace that God is in control, and I have to trust in His perfect timing. I Peter 5:7 says to “Cast all your care on Him, because He cares for you”.
God knows exactly who our little baby girl is, where she is at, and He has already chosen her to be mine. So, until I am matched with her, I will wait. Knowing He is in control.

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

China finally knows my name!

On Friday August 24^th our paperwork arrived in China.  Since then we have been waiting for them to process our paperwork and log us into their system.  We were told this would take about 2 weeks and of course we heard nothing for a month.  We received word this morning that we have a LID (Log in Date) of September 10^th.  I guess they forgot to let this waiting mom know of this very important information that I have been every so patiently waiting on. So what now??  Well, we are almost to the most important step.  In the next 1- 2 week another list of available children will come out.  From that list my agency will try and match us with our child.  I will not lie I am completely freaked out!  I can fill out paperwork from now until Jesus comes, but now the reality of being matched has set in and I’m scared to death.  I have no fingernails because I have chewed them off, I am stress eating, my face is broken out and I could not find my way out of a box right now.  I’m a complete wreck!!  Praying for peace and assurance over the next few weeks!  It is not my agency choosing our child, it is not me picking our child but this is a God thing.  Before she was ever born God knew that one day she would be mine. 

Psalms 139:16

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.

Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

Our Dossier is off to China!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So after 7 months worth of paperwork I receive notice today that it has finally left the United States of America via Fed Ex and headed to the People's Republic of China!  It is so hard to imagine that we have worked so hard on this paperwork and China has never heard of the Condra family from Douglasville Georgia.  In just a few days the China Center of Child Welfare and Adoption will receive our letter pleading with them to allow us to adopt one of their precious little girls. 
As I received the tracking information today I had to laugh because my whole life is in one little package flying across the world this week.
Today I am filled with many emotions.  Excited that we are getting closer to seeing a picture of the little girl we will call our daughter.  Feeling anxiety over the trip as a whole.  Scared of the unknown and all there is to come with this new journey.  Thankful that our God is still holding our hands each step of the way. 

So, tonight I sit back and wait.......I have done my part.......and there is nothing left for me to do.......
Except Pray.