Family Time

We had such a fun Thanksgiving week together. Alex loved playing with his sisters! I loved having my family in one place.

Here are a few pictures from our week...

Colonial Zone

This little boy is non-stop! I can never get a picture of him being still and smiling at the same time.

Tie-Dye Day

Juan Dolio Beach

Catch of the day.

Sisters

A boat named after Olivia's best buddy~!

Fun with Daddy

Our little guy.

Thomas - Party of 5

JT, Bailey and Olivia arrived in the Dominican Republic yesterday!! I was so incredibly happy to have my family reunited. July was the last time we were all together...and that is way too long for this Momma.




We are going to spend our week being "Thankful" for all God has done for us. Especially - for our new son and brother.




Please say a prayer for our little guy. These transitions are getting harder and harder for him.

I was so happy to hug on my girls. They look so big to me!

Happy to hug on my guy too.

Almost there...

2 days until our 30 appeal process is OVER! Please pray that the remainder of the process will move lightning quick! My prayer is that my family will be home together by the end of November. I believe God can make it happen!

Good news is that JT and girls are coming for a visit over Thanksgiving break. I am beyond excited. We have not been together as a family of 5 since July! Bailey and Olivia are so excited to see Alex. I just can't wait and will be sure to post pictures of our reunion.

Pals

Lately....

Jt and I traveled back and forth from the DR to CLT this past month. I was needing some serious time with my girls as it had been 45 days since I was last home.

I enjoyed every single minute of my 2 weeks back in Charlotte. Bailey and Olivia both had lots of activities going on. Bailey was an Oompa Loompa in her Middle School production of Willy Wonka Jr., Olivia had a solo violin concert and her last tennis match! I loved being back in my element! :-)

Opening night!

The undefeated Weddington Swim and Racquet "Super Stars"

Good news... We have finally started our 30 day appeal process which will end on November 17th. Woo hoo! That took F.O.R.E.V.E.R.

Other good news... The Tucker family has completed their adoption! They left for Denver, CO today. Many tears were shed and I will miss my friend. However, I rejoice with them that their process is done and they are reunited as a family!

One last big hug from Tia Mercy

I am again reminded that God has been in every single detail of this journey. He has blessed our two families beyond what we could even ask for.

This is truly the home stretch right now. I continue to dig deep and rely on God for my every day provision. I know it will be harder without Mercy here to do the day to day life with me. I will miss her. However, I know God had this planned. He knew. He knows. I am holding on to the promise that He does not change. My circumstances may change, my life may look different... but He is the same. Right here with me.

PRAY ME HOME FRIENDS!

Waiting....

We are still waiting for our 30 day appeal to start. I think this part of the process has been the most difficult for me. The end is in sight... but we can't quite get there yet. Our process has been held up by the court district we are in and the judge overseeing our case. I wake up every single day and lay my request before God. It's more like a plea! I remind myself that HE is in control. He knows the time and date when we will be done and my family can be reunited. I can not wait for that day!!

So in the meantime....

Mercy and I loaded up her car and headed to a resort in La Romana. We did not travel light with a 4 month old, 1 year old and 2 year old! I truly enjoyed my time with Alex there playing in the sand, ocean and pool. It was a "rest" of the spirit - not so much a physical rest. I mean the boy is busy. We had a great time and we made the very best of our time there!

Love how Alex is cooperating....big smiles. :-)

We also made a trip to La Victoria where the Tucker family lived for 4 years as missionaries. I was able to see where they lived and the community center they started in the area. Biemba, the lady who has been cooking for us, lives there as well. Alex and I enjoyed being in her home and having lunch with her family and friends.

We traveled out to the Campo to visit some of the ladies Mercy knew. I am still trying to get my mind and heart around that. Especially one sweet girl named, Francie. She is in an abusive marriage and has a young son. She is probably only 18 or 19. When we arrived I thought she looked blank, no expression on her face. We were told that she got very sick and has lost her hearing. Please pray for her.

Francie's sweet little boy.

Having fun in the Campo. This is a swing made out of a rice sack! Pretty smart!

Alex also got his first haircut with me. I took him to a Barber shop in Villa Mella. He screamed his head off! Guess they don't provide suckers here in the DR to keep the kids quite. Fun times.

In front of the Barber shop with his friend Abner. Clearly Abner did not think it was so bad having his hair cut.

one small step

The Ministry is done with our file! It should be delivered to the Court tomorrow! Pray for a speedy process in paperwork and sentencing. The judge did say that he would make it a priority!
Pray - Pray - Pray

Pray for this week!

For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever. So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Thank you all for your prayers as we head into the home stretch of our adoption. I am humbled by the emails I receive of encouragement, scripture and love from you. God is working in all of this for His Glory - His Purpose. I don't understand why this has to take so long... but I do understand that I serve a God who's plan is not to harm us, but to give us HOPE and a FUTURE. Oh - I am believing it!

So - join me (again) in praying that this week is THE week we start our 30 day appeal.

and this is a beautiful thing...especially after the day the two of us had! Whew. My 2 year old cutie wore me out.