No more visiting the D.R.C.

Many parents have been taking trips over to the D.R.C. to visit their kiddos while they wait.

This is not something we have chosen to do for many reasons.

Our agency also makes their way over to the D.R.C. on a regular basis to bring paperwork, investigate cases, and check on our kids.

 

The D.R.C. has officially announced that they will no longer approve travel visas for adoption relation purposes.

This mean parents can not visit their children, and agencies can not do their work to the best of their abilities.

 

We are saddened by this new rule put in place.

Up to this point, we have felt a certain amount of peace knowing that our agency sees our children every few months.

Its comforting knowing that the agency is over their advocating on our children's behalf.

 

It can be scary and overwhelming wondering where this suspension might be headed.

Pray Pray Pray

That's the best thing we can do at this point.

A Very Special Meeting

A few days ago we were blessed to have a meeting with "K", the woman carrying our soon to be baby.

I woke up Monday morning a little nervous, so far she had not shown up to any of our planned meetings so I was trying not to get my hopes up.

We drove out to Phoenix and arrived at Chilis. 

Shortly after arriving, we got a phone call that "K" was not answering her door or her phone.

Our case worker said she was on her way to the resturant so we waited.

When our case worker got there, "K" was still not answering.

They wanted to keep trying a little longer before they gave up.

 

After waiting about an hour, she answered her door but was not in a great mood.

Her case worker than worked with her for another two hours before they were on their way to the resturant.

We honestly did not mind the waiting at all and were just really happy she still wanted to meet us.

At this point, I was really nervous.

"K" had a rough day and we had no idea what kind of mood she would be in.

 

I saw her through the window as they were making there way into the resturant and noticed that her belly is pretty huge.

Since we did not know the due date yet, I was encouraged by the fact that she looked so far along.

When they got to the table, she politely shook our hands and then immediately started talking.

She was such a chatterbox which was great because there were never any awkward silences.

 

The first thing we learned is that she has very little interest is communicating with the agency.

She started right in showing us ultrasound pictures and telling us about the baby.

She has been to the doctor twice...we had no idea!

She told us the gender which we are not disclosing just yet, the due date, and how her pregnancy is going.

 

The due date is June 23rd.

Due to some health concerns, we are expecting the baby closer to early June, maybe late May.

"K" was very pleasant and sweet.  She was so open with us about her reasons for choosing adoption for her child and I think we both grew to respect her in our short conversation.

She is a tiny little thing and very beautiful!

She has a great sense of humor and is funny.

 

All of my concerns about an open adoption have vanished.

I think she is going to be a wonderful person to have this very special lasting relationship with.

There is our baby!!!!

 

 

 



Praying them home....

My heart aches a little tonight as I watch my kids grow up through pictures.

I am heart broken for them...wishing they could know the love of a mother and father.

What a hard thing waiting on Gods timing can be....

Someday, these beautiful blessings will be ours!

 

My oldest child is looking so grown up in this picture.  She always wears a smile and always looks full of energy. What fun her and Irelyn will have together...sisters.

Boaz, always so serious.  This little guy looks like he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders.  I can't wait to get him home so that he can start just being a kid.  His daddy can not wait to have a little boy in the house!  I see a warrior for Jesus Christ in this little boy...



D.R.C. "timing" Update

Its been a while since I wrote a blog post!

I had my wisdom teeth taken out and it took longer than I anticipated to recover.

Just as I was starting to feel better, I logged onto my facebook and got a little nugget of information.

The D.G.M has officially informed all of us adoptive parents that the earliest they will be lifting the suspension in September.

 

This does not really mean that our kids will come home in September as there will be a lot of kinks to work out once they start issuing exit letters.

Not to  mention, there are a LOT of parents waiting to pick up their kids right now so the system is going to be a bit clogged.

They have also not promised that they will issue exit letters in September.

Its honestly really hard to say what will happen next.

 

We are hoping that we will have them home early 2015 but are trying not to plan on anything at this point.

Please keep praying for our kiddos!

This is a long wait for them!

First Outfits

Irelyn was born at home so I did not really think much about a first outfit for her.

My grandma had made something special that I was going to put her in first but she came out such a chunk, it would not fit!

So I just grabbed whatever was on top out of her dresser drawer and put it on her.

 

Baby Pehl #4 will actually be coming home from the hospital and meeting everyone in his/her first outfit.

I did not want to buy anything knew for a girl since I already have all of Irelyn's baby clothes.  I picked my favorite thing, and packed it.

I have no baby boy clothes so I did end up going out and buying a few things.

I found this little sweat suit at Kohl's and then my grandma personalized it for us. 

So cute!

I will let you know in a month or two which outfit we end up using:)

By the way, the babies hospital bag is packed and ready to go!

We are getting excited!

Were Selling our House....Hopefully!

Well things have been a little quite lately.

First we decided to adopt from Ethiopia.

Then after a bunch of drama, we switch to the D.R.C. and get an immediate referral.

Shortly after that, the D.R.C. issues a suspension.

Next we decide to be really crazy and adopt a third child.

So what next?

There must be something else crazy we are planning on doing.

Oh there is!!!!

 

We are preparing to put our house on the market!

Gavin built this house about five years ago.

The market ended up crashing halfway into building and material prices went up.

Gavin never had a chance to finish it.

 

Now that the market is turning around, we are preparing the house to sell.

It is turning out to be a TON of work.  There is so much that needs to be done before we can list it!

Of course, its all happening right as we are preparing for the baby.

The Lords timing is perfect.

This nesting momma is going a little bit nuts trying to organize and prepare everything.

 

(Gavin bought this tub when he decided to build.  He was going to put it in as my wedding present.  Over four years later, here it is!  Master Bathroom - Check!)

 

Thankfully, moving means less clutter.

Getting rid of clutter is helping me feel more prepared for the baby.

The busyness is also making time fly!

I cant believe how fast February went by.

 

One by one we are checking things off our list. 

We hope list the house in May.

We will be building our next house on some acreage(Lord willing) and will be living in a travel trailer while we build.

Yes...Isryelle and Boaz will most likely come home to a travel trailer but I feel that it will be cozy and give us lots of time to bond.

It may be a little rough for a short season but it will also put us in a much better financial situation.

You can be praying for us as we prepare for a new baby and for selling the house at the same time!

A Very Special Donation

I just wanted to share a very special donation we recently received.

As you all know, I am trying to re-lactate.

It is going well but I am not thinking I will be able to make a full supply of breast milk for our baby.

I have a sweet friend who heard about our need for donated breast milk.

 

She left me a message letting me know that she would like to pump milk for our baby as long as possible!

What a blessing and answer to prayer!

I love the way God uses His people to care for His children.

 

Praise the Lord, she makes a good supply of milk and should have no problem providing at least half of our babies needs.

Lord willing, I will be able to provide the other half.

 

In my next breastfeeding post, I will explain how I will use donor milk while still breast feeding!

I am excited for this babies bright future with nutritious food!