Leaving on a jet plane...very soon!

We received word today that his medical appointment went well. His visa appointment is scheduled for next Weds. So, this should have us on our way early March! I am so excited thinking about meeting our son for the first time. In the meantime, I am working diligently to finish my Activity Director certification course by next Friday and also our taxes. God's timing is awesome and we trust Him every step of the way. Things seem to be happening and falling into place for a reason.

Update

Thurdsay was a really good day. I had a really good day at work, band practice started back up after a month break's, and I received an email from our social worker. His passport is ready now. The next step is his visa appointment which should happen next week, then we should be ready to go! So, if everything falls into place we could be traveling the 3rd or 4th week of February! Keep praying!

Enjoy the warmer weather they say is coming!

February....

Today marks 5 months since referral date September 2nd. Feruary marks 2 years since we began this journey. It's an emotional roller coaster. Right now, we're in the valley as we wait for the phone call to travel. All three of us are feeling the emotionalness of waiting for this little boy. All day I've been feeling more introverted than usual and finding it hard to be around small children. It's hard to explain all the emotions tied to waiting unless you've experienced them. I know the phone call will come soon and all this will be behind us and there will be new challenges. But, for the moment, we're still playing the waiting game! Please continue to remember us and little Jay-R in your prayers. Thanks! We can't wait to bring him home!

Jay-R's Room and Update

Okay...so it's been a couple of weeks. Here are some pictures of Jay-R's bedroom. The latest update we have been given is that we are waiting for his pictures for the visa. February 2nd marks 5 months since referral date. February 2009 marks 2 years since we began the journey of adoption. It's been a long journey but we know that the phone will be ringing anyday with news that we can travel. Please keep us in your prayers. The wait is hard. I keep listening to the song "When Love Takes You In" by Stephen Curtis Chapman. If you've never heard the song before, go to youtube.com and listen to it. Between the words to the song and the video, you'll be crying. I have my moments every day but I have faith knowing that the time is coming. I hold to the words from Hebrews 11:1 :"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we can not see."

Ashleigh's "new" Room

Here are some pictures of Ashleigh's redecorated room. She went from purple to green. I need to upload the pictures I took of Jay-R's room so I will post those in the next few days. Right now, his bed is covered with clothes we are planning to pack!

No Signs of Christmas...

Except for a few traces of wrapping paper and one snowman candle, Christmas decorations have left the Allison household. Kory and Ashleigh took down both trees today while I was working. We are hoping to hear travel news very soon so are doing what we can to be ready. His room is done minus a lamp we need to return that doesn't work (grr...that equals a 30 minute trip one way to return it!). Our things we want to pack are laid across his bed. We are getting closer. We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas. We enjoyed time with family and friends including seeing my uncle, aunt, and cousins I haven't seen in a long time.

Happy New Year to you all and blessings for a wonderful 2009! Despite our economy, God is in control!

Showers

We've had two showers for Jay-R. The first was thrown by my ladies' Bible study group at church. It was so much fun and so emotional, too. My friend read some adoption poems and an email from Kory's brother and his wife who live 7 hours away. One of my friend's had a Filipino exchange student when she was younger. She gave Ashleigh and I the shirts their exchange student had given her and her mother. That was really special, too. Yesterday, my work threw a surprise shower for me. It was so much fun to share the excitement of Jay-R with friends, family, co-workers, church members, volunteers, and residents especially since I was at work when I received the phone call about Jay-R. Everyone is so excited for us! Jay-R received some nice outfits, books, toys, and the gift cards and cash have been helpful, too! We're hoping for early January to bring our little boy home! Just waiting on his visa...