CA Recieved

Well here we go. I am adding this blog as my wife has her hands full with everyday life because her job never gets to completion. The women in our life never get the credit they deserve but i do THANK her and GOD for taking care of me and our family.

We received our CA (consulate appointment) from Karla on tuesday. We will be leaving for China on the 3rd of Sept to return home on the 17th. Airline tickets have been purchased and final preparations are under way. I will try to help her post as this will be a very busy time for us. Keep us in your prayers and PLEASE post comments so our little girl will have something someday to reflect back on. When we get to see her she will be met by her mom, brother, and dad. Pray this transistion will go GREAT.

Until next time

TA received

Well, it looks like we are finally, God willing, on the last leg of our adventure to be united with Alyssa Briley. This is the hardest part for me (Terri). Now I start trying to figure out what to pack and what we can do without...at least until we get there. I also have trouble remembering that God has everything under control and that I don't need to be anxious or fearful. But....I'm human and I worry and fret sometimes. Pray for me that I will seek God...possibly on a hourly basis...for peace in this area.

Now we are waiting for our CA which Karla thinks that we should know for sure sometime the first of next week

Alyssa Briley's Room

Today I put the finishing touches on Alyssa Briley's room. I think it's fit for a princess! I would have never thought I would paint my daughter's room green, but it works well with the pinks, purples, yellows, and blues. I'm glad I settled on the green color.

LID finally

We received out log in date 04-09-2010. YEAH!!! Now we are waiting on our LOA. Karla thinks it should take about 2 1/2 months. Well, some changes in the decorating department. Decided to paint her room a pale green (McKenzie's Kiss), and went with Tinkerbell as the main theme. She will still have Barbie as a sub-theme, but the new Tinkerbell has more for her to identify with. Can't wait to finish, so I can post pictures.

The "nesting" kicked in today. I think with our first travel meeting scheduled for April 23, made the reality of a new baby sank in. I started work on her room today. Got all of the junk cleared out. Why do we make any room we're not currently using our junk room? Human nature I guess. Oh well, our junk room is gone. I don't know where our "junk" room is going to re-locate because we have no more empty space.

Assembled Alyssa's bed and started setting out her baby dolls. My how much fun it is going to be to be able to play dolls again. Thank You, Lord, for this awesome blessing.

Starting painting next week. I think we'll go with a soft lavender. Thanks to my mother the main theme will be Barbie. I know mom is smiling in heaven, knowing that my little girl will be playing with the dolls she loved. I have missed my mom so much during this adoption. She was so much a part of Jayden's adoption, it has been sad; but I know that she would have been the first one to tell me...Go for it! Let God lead and you follow. She would have loved Alyssa every bit as much as she LOVED Jayden. She thought he hung the moon. And Jayden LOVED to go visit her in the nursing home. He brought a smile to so many there.

A poem from daddy

January 26, 2010

A dream for mom and me
You were from the start,
We never knew how much
That you would fill our hearts.
A special little angel
Born so far away
An answer to many prayers
That we prayed everyday.
Conceived a world away
Hand picked by God above
To come home to America
So we could share your love.
Sister and Brother's waiting
Maw maw & Pawpaw's too
And lots more friends and family
Just waiting to meet you.
The day is near, baby girl
When we will come and get-cha
Our daughter to always be,
Our sweet little Alyssa.
Your daddy.