Extensive Update on Jacob

We received an extensive update on Jacob today.  It was wonderful to receive this update.  We found out that at 14 months old he is already basically potty trained (Wow is all I can say since my 3 year old is just now completing this task), polite (bows to greet people), has quite a vocabulary, and cleans up after eating.  In other words, he is developing just fine.  This update has eased my fears and we can't wait to have him here in his forever family.  I pray he continues to develop on target and will stay healthy.  As we get updates, we will keep you posted (can't wait for our travel date).

Fundraising & New Pictures

As I write this - I am amazed and so thankful.  We have had a few things happen in just the last 2 days that have been so cool.  Yesterday, we were getting ready to turn our t-shirt orders in and found a last minute order for 9 shirts.  It was such a sweet surprise because it helped bring the grand total of shirts sold to 55.  So drum roll please - total made on shirts $400.  Our overall fundraising efforts has brought in right at $1,500 dollars (which believe it or not pays for almost all the things we didn't plan for when looking to adopt from South Korea).  Our God is so good - he knows exactly what we need when we need it (I'm continuing to be blown away by Him on a daily basis *it is so sweet*).

More good news.  We finally got new pictures of Jacob.  It was so nice to see his face again (1 of his new pictures is above).  Just eased my fears and made me feel good that we saw him in these pictures.  He looks great - apparently is developing right on target.  For now, these pictures is what we have until we can bring him home - but it was such a blessing to finally see something after a 3 month wait.  Thank you Lord so much for these sweet pictures.  Who couldn't love this little guy? 

For those following us, please pray we won't be anxious and that we understand Jacob will arrive home in God's perfect timing.  That Jacob will continue to grow and develop normally.  That we will be able to bring him home soon and that Jacob will bond quickly to our family (like he has always been with us).  That he is safe and well loved while not with us.  I won't lie - it is hard knowing you have a son somewhere else that you can't comfort him when he is sick or hurt or love on when he is getting ready for bed.  I know one day soon though he will be here with us - so we rejoice in the pictures and the updates we have for now.

The Waiting Game...

Today has been pretty disappointing for me.  Yesterday, Jacob turned 15 months old.  The disappointing part was that we haven't had an update on our little guy in 3 months.  I just worry about him and guess I got too use to getting regular updates.  I reminded myself that we have been very fortunate to have gotten the updates we have gotten.  Many adopting families don't have as much as we do - so on that note I am thankful.  Waiting is hard and in the mean time I have been busying myself with basic nesting activities for any Mom to be.  I have been fixing up his bedroom and preparing for his arrival.  His little bed is ready for him and I also have pictures all over the house of him (just like our other children).  He even has a 1 year photo setup in his room.  I even made his adoption story book.  Waiting is hard, but I know in the end it will be worth it.  I know Jacob will come home in God's timing and it will be the right time for him and our family.

Pumpkin Patch Time

We had so much fun this past weekend celebrating the arrival of Fall at Gentry Farm with good friends.  I believe next year though we are going to have to find a bigger area to take a picture of our kids at - as you can see our children fill the bed of that pickup truck.  

The weather was great too!  Perfect weather - not to hot or too cold, just right.  Sometimes it's hard to imagine that next year Jacob should be sitting in the middle of the gang.  It will be so sweet to have him here to hold and love on - we can't wait!  We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family surrounding us during this time (thanks so much - waiting is hard).  I know I didn't give birth to Jacob, but I already feel so much love for him - it's hard to explain (he is my son).

I-600 Approval!?!?

Well, it's just a little hiccup.  Good news we got approval on our I-600 documents, but bad news, they misspelled my name.  Yes, that is correct, all documents with this process were checked, double checked and still ended up being spelled incorrectly upon approval.  They are changing my name to the correct spelling and resending the documents as we speak.  Good thing I thought to check the spelling - not sure what kind of hold up that could have caused. 

T-shirts and Totes

T-shirts are ready to order!  Please let me know if you would like one and if so which style and size (and I will provide you with how to pay).  They should arrive by or on Nov. 3.  If I cannot personally deliver your product to you, please include $3 and be sure to give me your address so I can ship it directly to you.  

The fabric is amazing on these shirts - they are so soft and comfy.  The classic ladies and men's is only $20, and the Baseball Burnout is awesome and is $30.  We are praying we will sell bunches of these items.  They are amazing!  Thanks so much for considering helping us in this way.  Deadline on orders is Oct. 14.  This is such an awesome way to share with the world what we view adoption is all about (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).

Yard Sale was a Success

The yard sale was a success!  We had 12 families donate items to sale and everything we had .25 cent items, $1 items, and then a make us a deal pile filled with the bigger stuff (couch, entertainment systems, game systems, etc).  It was amazing to see our church body and family assist us with this sale.  Thank you so much.  The exciting thing is we sold enough stuff to pay for the USCIS charges plus all the shipping we have had to do to this point.  Yippy!  Thanks to all those who helped!