Sweet Sixteen

Sweet Sixteen

Thursday, February 18, 2010

It Ain't Over Til... Well, Will It Ever Be Over???

I woke up this morning with the excitement and anticipation of heading to downtown Raleigh to turn in my LAST 4 adoption forms to be apostilled. The pure joy of being able to cross those final four forms off of my "to-do" list gave me a lift in my step and a song in my heart. I even found a parking spot after only having to circle the block 3 times! Life was peachy!!!



I proudly passed my forms through the too high window slot (their counter was not made for those of us under 5'4"), and smiled as I counted out my cash (you need exact change remember) and handed it to the teller. Life was chocolately!!! (better than peachy any day).



Well, that peachy/chocolately disposition quickly turned sour (think rotten asparagus here) when I was told that 3 of the 4 documents were being rejected and needed to be re-done.



No! It couldn't be! Today was my goal date to get this accomplished!! Don't mess with us list-makers!!! We can turn ugly really fast when our lists NOT ONLY can't be checked-off but have stuff ADDED TO THEM??? Are you kidding me???



I'M READY TO MOVE ON TO THE FUN STUFF like planning the new look for Josi and Nadia's shared room, shopping for toddler toys and clothes, making a family photo album to take with us to Ukraine...NOT RE-DO MORE FORMS!!!



But, then I remembered (again) WHO is really in control of this process (forms and all) and I was able to stop and remember my "Thankful List" I've been compiling through the paperwork chase. So, here are some of the things on my list:



I'm thankful that we start every day in PRAYER for Nadia and for the peace that comes with knowing that God is taking care of His girl while she's waiting for her family to come and get her. We also make sure to pray for the other orphans who are still waiting for their families to come get them. (Is one of them for your family?) Just had to ask. :)









I'm so thankful for my neighbor KAREN who is not only extremely generous with her time and resources but is also a NOTARY!!! She's allowed me to come over at 10:00 at night or at 8:00 in the morning to have forms notarized and re-notarized until we get them right. She even runs forms downtown for me when I'm busy with homeschooling. Thank you Karen! Isn't it so cool of God to put a notary RIGHT NEXT DOOR to me???






I'm also thankful that the baristas at my neighborhood STARBUCKS see me walk in and have my drink going before I even get up to the counter. It's great having an acceptable addiction and being able to go somewhere where "everybody knows your name" (insert Cheers music here).





And last but certainly not least, I'm ever thankful for the MAN God chose for me in His infinite wisdom. Jim supports me in my weaknesses, praises me in my strengths, loves me even through adoption paperwork setbacks(insert tantrums here), and even brings me flowers "just because"--which is my favorite reason to receive flowers!!!



Yes, I'll be driving all over town tomorrow picking up "re-done" forms to try to submit them before offices close downtown tomorrow...but for tonight, I'm remembering all I have to be thankful for and giving praise to the ONE who provides it all!!! "It is well, it is well with my soul."




10 comments:

  1. Don't forget the friend who can totally empathize and sympathize with you because she has walked where you are walking and fully understands the disappointment and frustration. This friend is so proud to know you and watch your perseverence in difficult circumstances. If I had a dime to my name and lived near you and knew where a florist was and had any free moments of time today, I would have gotten you flowers too...
    Lisa

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  2. Oh girl...that is just so frustrating to have to re-do three forms!! That is why doing adoption paperwork is a full-time job. You have a great attitude and I'm impressed that you remembered to be thankful in spite of the circumstances. Here's to those forms being crossed off your to-do list tomorrow!!

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  3. Oh dear friend---you are sooooooo not alone! My word. This adoption stuff is NOT for the faint of heart. It takes tenacity and whole bunch of grace to get through it. But, you're doing WELL. The finish line is coming up quickly.

    Did your angel girl cut her hair? Or am I seeing things (which is VERY possible).

    Love you

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  4. Kristin- what a great reminder to stop and be thankful for our blessings in life. The Lord has a plan for bringing Nadia home and he maybe trying to show you patience in the whole process. I know there will be frustrating times but keep your focus on HIM and what you are doing for this precious little girl. I LOVE the picture of Josi praying...PRICELESS!!! They are going to share a room?!? How sweet!

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  5. Ha ha that really stinks 4 u mom :P that pic is funny of josi. umm what else... lets see: Hi how's life?

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  6. Seems like you should start a book on the lessons taught thru this journey. Thanks for sharing and always pointing us to the One who is in charge---great lessons for us all :) If anyone has patience for this, it is you girlfriend! Did you find out if the Ukraine has a Starbucks?? You may have to smuggle some in--:)Love you!

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  7. Ugh. That's tough to do-over that paperwork again! Well, I have no idea what a notary is, but that's very good that she lives right next to you! :) Well, it's getting closer and closer till you get your little girl!

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  8. Amazing the blessings that we would miss were it not for the bumps in the road! So glad that you were able to see them! But having a like temperment, it's so darn frustrating when that To Do list keeps getting reworked!

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  9. Oh, my! I so feel your pain. If it helps any, and I'm sure it doesn't, but anyway... we've all been there. It is so frustrating. It's like two steps forward, one step back. But,you know, when you can hold that little one, it's all worth it!

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  10. Look like you are surrounded by great people!

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