Daddy/Daughter Date!

Shannon got to spend some special one-on-one time with her Daddy recently. Getting to drive in "daddy's car" is always a special treat and I think Shannon felt quite grown up, especially when she entered the house toting a slurpee from 7 Eleven almost as big as her body. All 3 boys took quite an interest in her special drink and were quick to offer their services if she found herself needing any help finishing. Am I raising some gentlemen or what?

I have realized that I am a complete novice at blogging with the picture/storytelling combo! So, here's to trial and error. . . enjoy.

Okay, so if you'll notice on the RIGHT, Shannon, looking like the big girl that she is.

Here are the babies in Joshua Tree. Note Adam's cheesy face. He's literally saying, "CHEESE!"

I'm trying for one more! We'll see how this turns out...

See, now my last picture is on top!? how is this happening. This is not as easy as I thought it was going to be and I am confused.

These pictures are from our vacation this month. We did a little J-Tree, Wild Animal Park and even got to see some Corona family.

Adam is pretty fearless when it comes to trying to say new words. He understands English as well as any kid his age I suppose, but it's been great! and pretty funny, to finally understand certain words he has been saying that I consistently do NOT understand! These words are in English, he just has a cute way of saying them, like any baby learning to talk. For the longest time he was saying, "kakuah", over and over again! In Uganda, on the plane (all the time), here at home--it was driving me nuts! Well, lo and behold, he was saying, "cracker".
I think Aaron finally figured it out, Lord bless him.

Here are some other fun ones,
"Bangkick" is "Blanket"
"Sannon" is "Shannon"
"Eeyo" which sometimes even sounds like "Eeyore" is "Eli"
There are so many more, but I"ll leave you with that!

Some of our life in pictures

Welcome to the United States

Hello Family and Friends,

WE ARE HOME!!!

For those of you who have been anxiously awaiting my next post, I apologize from the bottom of my heart! It's been a good 2 weeks and MUCH has happened, so let me get right to it and catch ya'll up. . .

We went to Kampala, package was there, we waited, and waited, and I got to hand in everything. The consular told me to come back the next day for Visa pick up at 9am--I was thrilled--and even though my flight was leaving at 9:15am the following day, I told him I thought I could reschedule, for the 4th time. Hey, I wasn't going to push it, the guy was basically telling me that Adam's visa was going to be approved and I could go home!! What's another couple days?

Friday I picked up that Visa--woohoo!! and got to show it off to all the sweet mamas at the babies home. They get so very excited at our progress, every step of the way they are our cheerleaders and encouragers--these ladies are awesome.

Saturday, Adam and I said our goodbyes. Aaron and I had decided to buy the mamas a kilo of rice and sugar each before I left, so I was able to hand all those out which was a lot of fun. I took pictures of Adam with each of the mamas (unfortunately most of them are of Adam, tears running down his face, mouth wide open and arms reaching towards me) I think he must have thought that I was leaving him. Sad.
Mama Susan, the head daytime mama, gathered all the women together for a time of singing, prayer, and blessing to send me off. I held Adam as the women stood in a large circle and sang "Amazing Grace". After this, they prayed all at once, their own unique prayers in their own unique dialects with arms outstretched to us. I was completely in awe of God's goodness and faithfulness-- to stand there and hear these heartfelt prayers for Adam and the rest of our family, even though I couldn't understand a word, none of that mattered. God was being praised I knew that much.
Mama Susan went on to explain how it is with broken hearts they give Adam to us. They have loved and cared for him and now they give him to our family, entrusting us to take care of him and love him with impartiality. She spoke of how we are to bring him up to know the Lord and be a man of God. There was much more, but I just have to say that the floodgates finally opened. There had been emotion in their built up that I didn't even know I had. Most likely all the subconscious stress from the past month with a mixture of pure relief is what poured forth in those moments. I know these feelings well. It is a very real sense of being carried, as though on a cloud, but by God's complete grace. You are almost surprised when the tears come because you were not really even aware that they were in there. THAT, is how you know you are being carried. God carried me through Aaron's deployment for one year, and He absolutely carried me through my 6 weeks of not knowing whether I would be saying goodbye to this baby boy who had been growing in our hearts for over 2.5 years, because of circumstances outside my control.

God's plan was for me to come home with our son, Tuesday, September 23rd.

I honestly didn't know what to do with myself after immigration "okayed" Adam's Visa packet. I said, "where do I go now? upstairs?" They man laughed and said, "if you go upstairs you'll be in LAX forever. You leave, go out the door". So weird, I almost couldn't believe it.
We were picked up by the rest of my family outside--Shannon and Adam in new carseats side by side. The boys were in the back, and my hubby and I up front. =) So good to be home.

It has arrived!

Ever since Aaron sent the papers via fedex on Friday, I have been "tracking" down that thing everyday. Okay, so maybe more like 3-4 times a day? It said it was in "POYLE GB" yesterday. This got me confused. Did GB stand for Guinea Bissau in Africa? It was a mystery, until I googled it and pretty much found out that GB stands for Great Britain. I was kind of disappointed because if it meant Guinea Bissau than at least it was in Africa, right?
Anyway, I looked one more time this evening and lo and behold. . . . the package, ARRIVED!!

So, tomorrow I head to Kampala to the Embassy once again and pray that the consular will begin processing Adam's Visa and maybe, just maybe, even get it into my hands tomorrow. I am very aware that the last part of that sentence is a long shot--I mean, I burst into tears before the nice man last time and he didn't even flinch (not his fault, I'm sure he must get a lot of people pleading their cases which probably takes on many forms)--I am just not expecting him to pull strings or anything. Processing a visa usually takes about 24 hours, my flight leaves Friday morning, so I am preparing for another weekend here in Uganda.
If I had to stay, it really wouldn't be the worst thing at all. I am definitely learning to have peace about whatever happens, not stress, and truly find joy in the process knowing full well that God knows EXACTLY when I'm leaving.
If I stay through Saturday, I would even be able to attend a traditional Ugandan wedding ceremony which would be neat. Our missionary friends, the Hurleys, are helping with this wedding and everyone is running around trying to get all the last minute details taken care of. One of the girls who lives here is the one getting married--everyone is very excited and it's been fun to watch and help in any way I can.

Adam has been doing really well staying with me here in Mukono. Ever since we began working on hugs, he runs to me arms spread out saying, "squeeze!" It's so cute. Even Katie the dog doesn't scare him anymore. She is harmless and easy going and will probably miss Adam very much when he leaves, seeing that he provides her with many snacks throughout the day falling from his lap.

I'm off to bed. Kampala tomorrow!

Many down, 1 more to go!!

Today has been bittersweet. I was at the US Embassy this afternoon when the speakers came on and announced a moment of silence at 3:46pm--the local time here in Uganda when the first plane crashed into the North tower in New York City just 7 years ago. Can you believe it's been 7 years? I can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing that day VIVIDLY, as I am sure so very many of us can. And I don't want to forget.

Today I also received my son's Ugandan passport. This is where the sweetness comes in. I am elated that the immigration process of this whole thing took a mere 26 hours--God does things with purpose and for our good and how thankful I am that He would choose this day as "passport day" for our family to remember. I guess that may sound kind of odd being that it is such a painful day, but I don't want to overlook the painful experiences when looking back on them can help me recall and re-solidify in my heart God's faithfulness. I get to tell Adam about God's sovereignty in the midst of 9/11 and his sovereignty the same day, 7 years later when his passport arrived.

Tomorrow I see Nathan Flook at the US Embassy for our Visa interview. Typically it can take 24 hours for the Visa to be processed. Wouldn't that be awesome? I could have Adam's Visa in my hands come Monday, on a plane Tuesday, and back in California Wednesday. Wow.

Tomorrow Tom and I also head back to Jinja after a 6 day and night resbit in Mukono with the Hurleys. I have had Adam with me for a few of the days too which has been nice. It makes economical sense to stay with friends who live closer to Kampala than Jinja, especially when I have had to be in Kampala virtually every day this week. Tomorrow is back to Jinja though and it will be nice to see the Mamas once again. These women who care for the babies at the home are so sweet. I love talking with them and learning about Uganda from them. They have such happy hearts despite many personal difficulties and truly love these kids.

Adam loved talking to his big brothers and sister on the phone recently. He said all of their names. He has been telling me "no Auntie" lately when he doesn't like what I've said to do. He gets reprimanded which he deals with like a champ. It's not very often that a child cries and cries over something and after a resonable time and being told to "dry it up", actually does. Amazing!

Jay, I have been working with Adam and he can now growl like a lion. I thought you would like to know. He's really very good at it! We go though the whole animal kingdom practically and he can do many of the noises they make--after I demonstrate first of course. =)

I miss you my family and am so happy to know that I only have to go to the US Embassy here on out!!! I don't know if you caught the significance of that statement. The Embassy has the best bathroom in Uganda, straight up. I feel pampered when I enter actually. There is a toilet with get this... toilet paper, soap, and even those dispensing paper towels to dry your hands, oh and a trash can. It's the little things.

I love you babe!

It's faith proving time!

Wow it's been a while. That's what no electricity will do to you.

Well, the long and the short of it is this-- I now have both the judge's ruling and order in my possession. Praise God. I am hopeful that tomorrow I will receive my recommendation letter that I need to proceed with getting Adam a passport. I do not know if everyone that I come in contact with during these new steps will be pleased with the paperwork I have--that is the risk that comes along with the territory here in Uganda. Despite this whole process taking a bit longer than I had hoped, I really have no business complaining. God is good whether I get my ruling and order fast or not. He's good whether the passport people like me and give me an expedited time frame, or not. He's even good when it looks like there might be a hang up at the US Embassy because the wording of my order isn't exactly right. I am choosing to trust that God has plans to grow my faith during these trials, and others I can face at home. James is a great and convicting book to read and hear a sermon on while here in this country, or any country for that matter.
Jesus is my sweet Savior who died on my behalf and loves me and adopted me even when I was still his enemy. How on earth could I think about complaining? But how quickly I do.

All that being said. . . I go forward tomorrow still praying that God would help things go quickly so that I can go home with Adam and settle our family into our new life together. But, if he chooses to slow things down a bit, I will pray for his grace to take it in stride. This testing is proving my faith, and how cool is that? I pray I can pass the test with joy.

Adam got to talk with the family tonight, saying everyones name loud an clear. He smiled so big and laughed and laughed. So great!
Love you family