A few "firsts"....

It has been a while since I've updated... Maddie Jane has bonded and attached to our family unbelievably!  Maddie has had lots of "firsts"... First time to be barefoot in the grass, first Popsicles, first piggy tails, first ball games, first Easter with a family, first time to attend a church service, and the list goes on and on. I am amazed how brave she is!  She got on a plane with people who didn't look like her or talk like her... Came to a " foreign" place, and been thrown into a family that has some "pretty big people"!  She is truly my hero!  Maddie always has a smile on her face, and she truly seems happy!  I have learned that God surpasses all expectations when it truly is His will that is being carried out. Maddie Jane has gotten so comfortable with her surroundings and siblings. Mother's Day was full of emotions for me. I thought about her birth mother a lot. I know what it is like to not have one of your children with you on such a special day. My heart aches for her. I do not know the circumstances behind Maddie being left, but I can only imagine she wonders if Maddie is healthy, taken care of, and loved. I pray that God will grant her a sense of peace in knowing that she is the most wonderful little girl who is loved so much!  I was recently asked at a doctor's visit about my love for her. They asked me to compare my love for her to her siblings. My response was that there is not one ounce of difference. She is my child. I have no idea to the how's or why's but God meant for her to be my baby!  Maddie Jane has made such progress since we have been home. She is quickly picking up on her language and communication skills. Maddie loves to "practice her dancing and cheer skills" with her big sister, and she loves to play with Dixon. She loves for Will to go outside and pull her in her wagon. Maddie Jane has gained some weight, and we are pushing 19 pounds. I never imagined that she'd ever be in a 6-9 months. However, we have finally hit that mark!  Miss Maddie loves to snuggle, and she falls asleep pretty quickly at night. Maddie is scheduled to have her palate repair surgery in July, and I am ready for her to have that behind her!  We still have have a long journey ahead of us, but I am  truly blessed with a wonderful family!  My cup overflows!  Thanks to everyone that has been a prayer warrior for her!  Maddie is truly a child that was prayed for!!

Finally home...

The past 2 days have been wonderful but tiring!  Maddie adores her new brothers and sister. Dixon is truly the overprotective brother!  Becky and Vance came over on Thursday!  She took up with Gigi and was fascinated by her Granddaddy's beard. Maddie has learned a couple of new words, and she is starting to play with toys. It is sad, but she didn't know what to do with the toys. She's slowly becoming an expert!  I want to thank Donny and Violette Defoor for the delicious meal. I have been surviving on Mrs. Violette's pound cake. Maddie loves it too!  I am going to attempt to try to reclaim my house from where we returned. I appreciate the calls, texts, and visits!  I miss getting to see everyone. We are slowly adjusting to the new time schedule, and I am processing what my "new normal" looks like!  Love to each of you.

On American soil...

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick,

but when dreams come true,

there is life and joy."

Proverbs 13:12

Today has been tiring but wonderful!  Maddie was a trooper on the plane...however, she only wanted her mommy!  Our flight from Dallas to Birmingham ham was supposed to be at 8:30...now changed to 9:17. So, who knows when we will arrive.  Thank you for all of the prayers, texts, and messages! Stay tuned for the meeting of the siblings. Should be interesting.


***Many of you have already seen the posts on Heather's FB of the pictures of them at the airport. She sent me this sweet picture of Maddie last night. It is just too precious not to include it here on the blog.

My bunch can't wait to get our hands on this new addition to our family. She will definitely be loved!

Brooke

The last leg of the journey....

Today has been a whirlwind of emotions. We received a call from our guide early this morning that the consulate computer system was going!  We rushed around and got ready...still not knowing if we would actually receive Maddie's visa. We went to the consulate, and we were escorted ahead of others in a long line. The consulate processed all of the paperwork, we took the oath, and off we were!  The lady (at the consulate) was so sweet and reassuring!  She told us to wait for a phone call around 3:00. After (what seemed like forever) the phone rang, our guide assured us that she had the visa in her hand.  Todd and I began double checking that we had not left anything in our room. We had the luggage brought down, and off we went to Hong Kong. We had to change vans at the Hong Kong border.  Then, we started the process at the border. After many review stations (of all of our passports), they threw open the van door and "shot a thermometer" radar at each of our heads. It nearly scared Maddie to death. They waved us through, and we arrived safely at the hotel airport. Maddie had a bath, and we snuggled. She is lying down beside me snoring!  She is such a funny girl. I hadn't really had time to process the whirlwind day that we have had.

 

This experience has truly been life altering. God has really shown out during this whole process. My mind races with thoughts, worries, and fears.  Yet every time, God will send a peace that just fills my inner soul. I do hope that my blogging has blessed someone who might be contemplating adoption...Before I call it a night, I'd Ike to leave you with the starfish story. 

A little boy stood at the edge of the ocean edge, tons of starfish had washed ashore. A lady happened upon him...she asked why he was wasting his efforts. He would never be able to throw enough back to make a difference. He picked up one, and he thought about what he had just heard. He threw that starfish back!  He replied, "I made a difference in that one little life!"  You can too!!!

Please pray for safe travels home!  Please ask for Maddie to not be scared of flying and for a safe return to our home... Maddie's new home with her 2 brothers and sister. I have missed those kiddos tons! Love to all!

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow!

There is so much truth in these words:

"thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not,

Great is Thy faithfulness...Lord unto me!"

We were early risers this morning! We were dressed and out the door by 7:30. We ate breakfast in the hotel (which is fabulous), and then we explored around our hotel! Maddie loved the goldfish pond.

***SEE UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS BLOG!***

We were down in the lobby at 8:39 (waiting to go to our consulate appointment). The driver's phone rang...our guide (waiting on us at the consulate) had bad news. The consulate's computer systems were down, and no visas would be issued today. Maddie can't come home without her visa!  :(   The driver took Maddie's paperwork to the consulate, and Aaron got them to process some of her paperwork.


So, Todd and I headed out to Shaiman Island. It reminds me of Charleston or Savannah. It is breathtaking. It is like one big park with lots of little shops. We ate lunch at the famous "Lucy's Diner"!  It is like a 1950's hamburger place. So fun!
Then, we met up with other families (in our lifeline group). We shopped and enjoyed letting our children spend time together. Maddie crashed around 3:00, and we went back to our room.

The lifeline families enjoyed a dinner cruise down the Pearl River. The sights were spectacular! 

Our guide (who is so wonderful) told us to stay close to the phone. We hope that we can go to a consulate appointment at 3:00. They are hoping to expedite them, but there is no guarantee. So, we are here until the consulate opens. Please pray that we get them tomorrow afternoon. If not, we will miss our flight. We will be in limbo because we won't know when to schedule a flight. I know that God already knew that this would happen. It is all in His plan and on His timing!  So, fingers crossed!  Love to all!

****Update: The consulate is open! They have an appointment at 11:00! Fingers Crossed and send lots of prayers to them***