Garden Update

The black thumb has proven itself outdoors as well.

I killed the cucumbers. Yes, already. They've actually been dead since Friday. It took me less than a week.

In talking to my mother, who successfully grows cucumbers, I learned that I probably didn't water them enough.

I will try again.

My tomato and pepper plants are doing alright. I give God the glory on that one.

Lots of Movement

Tristan is moving around A LOT lately. I seriously think he is doing back flips in there. I read somewhere that babies are able to move around the most between weeks 24-28 because they are still small enough to get around well. None of his movements seem to "hurt." He's not kicking my ribs or anything like that. He does sometimes seem to jump on my bladder. I'll think to myself, "I will need to use the restroom in a little while" and then he'll jump on my bladder and I'll need to go NOW.I'm excited that tomorrow we reach the 25 week mark. Since we've miscarried in the past, I have reasonable fears about losing our baby. Life outside the womb is viable at 25 weeks (with tons of support from a NICU), so I'm not quite as freaked about losing this little guy. Of course, he does belong to God and I realize that God can take him home whenever He wants. We definitely learned that lesson with the miscarriage. Children belong to God, He just lends them to us.Our next appointment is Friday. I'll only post if I have news to share.

April Photos

Samuel is on the left and Noah is on the right. They are getting so big. They were so tiny when we first committed to them, and when we met them at 8 months old they were so small. Now look at them. I suppose they will be taller than me in just a few years...

If you'd like to pray for our adoption process, please join me in praying that our file moves quickly through MOI. There's something like 4 steps within MOI that the files have to go through. Please pray that there are no errors in our files, as they can create serious delays.

Also, in case you don't pay attention to world news, there were riots in Haiti last week over rising food (and gasoline) costs. Things were quite dangerous right around the orphanage, which is in the Delmas section of Port au Prince. The Prime Minister of Haiti was fired over the weekend, and that has calmed the people as they see his removal as forward movement toward getting food prices down. The truth is, food prices are rising considerably all over the world. I'm not sure how much can be done in Haiti to bring prices down. I'm just praying that God would keep things calm and that the people would somehow be able to get enough to eat. I think of our boys' birth father and his children. I pray that their needs are being met.

Odds and Ends

When I start getting emails asking if I'm okay, I know it's been too long since I last blogged.

Sorry about that, I've just been super busy. We have a lot going on, so I'll share some of it.

I got home from Florida Tuesday afternoon of last week. I left nice sunny weather in Florida and came home to yucky, misty, weather here in Virginia. Things finally cleared up on Friday and we had a nice weekend.

Chuck's parents came out just before I went to Florida and...BOUGHT A HOUSE! They currently live in California, but have decided to move out here. So, in less than a month they will be living 15 minutes away. We are excited to have some family nearby and especially excited that our boys will have grandparents close by. If you think to, please keep them, Ron and Suzy, in your prayers. Relocating is a big deal (in case you've never done that) and so is buying a house.

We planted a garden! On Friday Chuck rented a tiller and he tilled an area of our back yard. Saturday morning I raked all the grass out of the area. On Sunday after church we added some fertilizer to our soil and I planted tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers. I tend to have a black thumb with indoor plants, so we will see what happens with the garden. I have a really funny story already. On Sunday after everything was planted, I went to spray some Miracle Grow garden stuff. I bought the sprayer, which had a container attached that already had one refill of the stuff in it. So, I hooked it up to the hose and started spraying. After spraying the garden, there was a lot of the stuff left so we sprayed some trees and flowering bushes. Yet still, there was a lot of stuff left. Finally I decided I would just save it (even though you're not supposed to). Well, when I went to remove the container from the sprayer I found that it had a plastic seal on it still. So none of the plants got any garden food! Yesterday I actually fed them the stuff. If that's any indication of the kind of gardener I am, those poor plants won't last long!

We got update photos of the boys yesterday, so I'll post those separately. I also have a post brewing in my head that has a lot to do with what the sermon was about in church on Sunday. It was titled "I Don't Like (Most) Christians." Once I can get those thoughts together I will post.

And He Shall Be Called...

Tristan Elliott

We finally have come to a decision! Mad props to Dad for recommending Elliott! Thanks, Dad!

A Little Vaca...

A couple of weeks ago I realized that I needed to use up a flight voucher or I'd lose it. I decided to come down to central Florida to visit my Dad. I haven't been here in a number of years, so it's good to be here. I got here Wednesday and I will be returning on Tuesday.

I'm having a great time hanging out with my Dad and relaxing. I'm the kind of person that can't relax at home - there is always something that needs to be done.

So, if you email me and I don't reply quick, just know that I'm having myself I nice little vaca!

We! Are! In!

That's right folks, we are finally, finally, finally in MOI. We got the email last night.

We got out of IBESR over 14 months ago. At that time, I expected my kids would surely be home in 14 weeks. What a long, long, year this has been.

MOI is currently taking about 4 months, according to our orphanage. God is mighty, though, and He can do amazing things. We are praying that our stay there will be short. Please join us in praying that our file is completely error free. Any errors in our file will cause delays.

Thank you, Jesus, for this awesome news!!

Please Pray Tonight!

There's a family I've been praying for for a couple of months now, and I'd like to ask you to join me in praying for them tonight.

Nathan and Tricia are a great young couple who are full of life and love. Tricia has cystic fibrosis and has been awaiting a double lung transplant. They also have an amazing miracle baby that was born nearly 3 months ago named Gwenyth.

I've been a silent reader of their blog since January and I check it frequently to see if they have gotten "the call." Well, tonight they got the call and Tricia may be getting new lungs. I was filled with emotion as I read the post. Please join me in praying for them as they wait to learn if the lungs are right for Tricia. I also ask for prayers for the family of the donor.

Here's the link to the blog: http://cfhusband.blogspot.com/.

Let's lift this family up in prayer!

A Few Prayers Please...

I need to ask for a few prayers:

• That the National Visa Center will email our update fingerprint clearance to the USCIS in Haiti. They have emailed it to the Embassy in Haiti, but I'm waiting to hear back to see if they will email them to the USCIS office instead.
• Chuck and I have been sick with either the stomach flu or a nasty virus since Tuesday night. We are tired and we have things to do. Please pray that we are on the mend SOON.
• And can you please keep the prayers going that our files are submitted to MOI soon, if not already? We are desperate to hear that we have been submitted to MOI.

Thanks!

Another Peek

I had my monthly doctor's visit today. It was the most entertaining visit so far. First of all, the nurse gave me a hard time for NOT gaining weight. Apparently I've only gained 8 pounds. I reminded her that I don't need to gain a bunch of weight since I started off with more than I need. I also let her know that I've had the stomach flu since Tuesday night, so perhaps that has something to do with it. The nurse did tell me that I can expect to "blow up" in the last trimester. Oh yeah.I was seen by the nurse practitioner and she didn't mention my weight, so I'm assuming it's fine. I told her about my flu and that I've not been drinking enough water the last few days. They checked me for dehydration and I'm okay.Next the nurse practitioner tried to listen to the baby's heartbeat with the Doppler. I say tried because she couldn't find it. Talk about freaking out! She didn't seem concerned. She just said the baby was running around too fast in there to find it. So, she went and got an ultrasound machine and looked at the baby. We were very relieved to see the baby moving around. She took a number of pictures for us and showed us various parts...some of which were boy parts. She told us not to go buying all blue, but that she thinks it's a boy. So, that's two ultrasounds where they think it's a boy.All in all it was a good visit, even if I'm not feeling very good. I was told to keep drinking water and to follow the BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) diet until I'm feeling back to normal.That's all for now. :)
Posted by Mama Bear at 1:16 PM 3 comments
Wednesday, March 12, 2008

It's a...
Okay, so we went for the ultrasound and of course, our little one was not positioned well to determine the sex.However, based on what she could see (and we have a picture of it), she thinks it's a...BOY!!
Posted by Mama Bear at 11:43 AM 1 comments
Sunday, March 2, 2008

Update
All went well at our doctor's appointment on Friday. We saw the PA on staff and she was nice. We were able to hear the baby's heartbeat again, which is always reassuring. They did my glucose test (yes, way early) because in the last year I've tested high in the blood sugar area. If there is a problem, I'll likely hear about it Monday or Tuesday. And the big news is that we are scheduled for an ultrasound on March 12th. Yes, this is the ultrasound, the one where they tell you what kind of baby you are having if the baby cooperates. I will be exactly 19 weeks that day.I haven't really "popped" yet, so to speak. Yes, I have a bit of a belly going on, but not the kind that makes you think, "Oh, she's pregnant." More than likely people see it and think, "Slow down on the cheeseburgers, girl!" Oh well, in time it will be the real deal pregnant belly. For now I just look more fat than usual. The most annoying thing is that I have a fat roll above my belly button and the baby bulge is below the belly button. I'm looking forward to when the two merge and become one.Oh, and in case you're wondering, I've been feeling fantastic lately. So fantastic that before we heard the heartbeat I honestly wondered if I was still pregnant at times. I have brushed my teeth numerous times without gagging. About the only thing I could complain about is that I'm more tired than usual, but really - I love sleep so I'm not complaining. If I have a good excuse to nap I'm going to take it. Pregnant dreams are proving to be real interesting. Just last night I was screaming at a friend in my dream. That's not something I generally practice, so I thought it was hilarious. So did my friend.Okay, that's all for now. Bye!

March Photos

Samuel

Noah

Gosh, I just love them so much!

More Good News

Wow, what a week! We got more good news - the birth parent interview did indeed take place today and it did go well!! Yeah God!!

Something that could have happened is that DNA testing could have been requested by USCIS. If that was the case, it would have cost us a small fortune.

So, this week was an all around good week for adoption news. Thanks for praying for us!! If you'd like to keep praying, please pray that we are submitted to MOI very soon.

Thanks!

It's a...

Okay, so we went for the ultrasound and of course, our little one was not positioned well to determine the sex.However, based on what she could see (and we have a picture of it), she thinks it's a...













BOY!!

Wooooohooooo!

I interrupt this fast to tell you...

We got great news today - we are finally done with Archives. Yeah!! We were told that we can go ahead and schedule our birth parent interview, so I will be making that call in the morning. Yeah!

We were not told that we have entered MOI yet, so please keep praying that we are submitted to MOI (the step where you are approved for passports). Also, please pray that we zip through that step in record time. We've heard that if there are no errors or typos in the file that we could clear this step in a matter of weeks. However, most people are taking about 4 months. God, please have mercy on our file!!

Okay, back to my fast now...

Update: The interview is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Thursday (which I think is central time). Please join us in praying that the interview takes place and goes well. Thanks!

10 Years Ago

Ten years ago today I met the man of my dreams...

In a bar...

In Chicago, of all places...

Boy oh boy, God sure can work good in all situations!

Yes, it was love at first sight. We were married 13 months later.

A lot has changed since then and I wouldn't change a thing.

Chuck Cason, I love you!!

Internet Fast

Well, it's long overdue. Sometimes I find it necessary to step away from the internet for a while. It's been too long since I've done this. It will not be easy, but I think it's what God is asking me to do.

The hardest part of the fast will be thinking that I'm missing out on big news. I follow a lot of blogs and groups, and it will be hard to not know what is going on from day to day. However, my experience with internet fasting is that God gets things done when I'm not looking.

During this time I will have some focused prayer for our adoption as well as the adoptions and other pressing matters of others. Each time my thoughts go to checking the computer, I will turn it into prayer.

My plan is to check email once a day (you know, instead of like 100 times a day), so if you email and I don't respond for a while, that's why. Chuck and I will be away for a few days during this time, so I probably won't be checking email on those days.

My fast will begin tomorrow morning and extend through next Tuesday, so you won't be hearing from me for a while. Have a great week!

Update

All went well at our doctor's appointment on Friday. We saw the PA on staff and she was nice. We were able to hear the baby's heartbeat again, which is always reassuring. They did my glucose test (yes, way early) because in the last year I've tested high in the blood sugar area. If there is a problem, I'll likely hear about it Monday or Tuesday. And the big news is that we are scheduled for an ultrasound on March 12th. Yes, this is the ultrasound, the one where they tell you what kind of baby you are having if the baby cooperates. I will be exactly 19 weeks that day.I haven't really "popped" yet, so to speak. Yes, I have a bit of a belly going on, but not the kind that makes you think, "Oh, she's pregnant." More than likely people see it and think, "Slow down on the cheeseburgers, girl!" Oh well, in time it will be the real deal pregnant belly. For now I just look more fat than usual. The most annoying thing is that I have a fat roll above my belly button and the baby bulge is below the belly button. I'm looking forward to when the two merge and become one.Oh, and in case you're wondering, I've been feeling fantastic lately. So fantastic that before we heard the heartbeat I honestly wondered if I was still pregnant at times. I have brushed my teeth numerous times without gagging. About the only thing I could complain about is that I'm more tired than usual, but really - I love sleep so I'm not complaining. If I have a good excuse to nap I'm going to take it. Pregnant dreams are proving to be real interesting. Just last night I was screaming at a friend in my dream. That's not something I generally practice, so I thought it was hilarious. So did my friend.Okay, that's all for now. Bye!

Do You Ever?

Do you ever beg your email account for a specific email? Does that even make sense to you?

Let me explain.

When it comes to our adoption I get updates from a great gal named Cate. She's also an adoptive mom and I've met her on numerous mission trips to Haiti.

I find myself begging my email account for an email from Cate. Sometimes I beg God, too. I haven't actually begged Cate yet, but I might. On second thought, I think I did back when we were stuck in Parquet. I dream of seeing an email from her waiting in my inbox. It would say something like, "Great news, Chuck and Juli. Kiki finally got the document he needs from Archives and your files have been submitted to MOI. Your file numbers are #### and ####. You can go ahead and schedule your birth parent interview with USCIS."

Yeah, that would be great. It would be so great. What's not great is that our boys sit in an orphanage waiting. Their empty bedroom waits for them to fill it with noise and my empty arms wait, yearning to hold them.

Pregnant Hair, Maternity Clothes, and Sleep

I've read in some of my pregnancy books that your hair can take a beating while pregnant. That has not been the case for me. Yeah!! In fact, my hair is growing faster than ever (thank you expensive prenatal pills!), it has wonderful body, and get this - it no longer requires daily washing. Yes, you read that right. In my non-pregnant life I totally have to wash my hair every single day because of how oily it gets. I can go two full days now - yes, 48 OR MORE hours. I can't tell you how exciting that is after having washed it daily for nearly all my life.In other news... I've finally moved into maternity clothing. Shirts have become necessary, and it's not because of my belly. It is straight up scary to think that my chest will grow even more. God, help me! I can still wear some of my pants, but maternity pants are much more comfortable. I spent a small fortune at Motherhood Maternity on pants and a new bra. Finding petite pants in thrift shops is a challenge. Last week I hit the jackpot at Target and got three shirts on clearance. I guess they are trying to get rid of the long sleeved stuff since all the summer clothing is coming in. Unfortunately, Target doesn't sell petite length pants so I can really only buy tops and dresses there. I think after a few more trips to the thrift store and I'll be feeling like I have enough clothes to wear. At home sweatpants are my favorite thing to wear!Finally I'll mention sleep. If you know me, you know that I am a champion sleeper. I can sleep anywhere, anytime. Well, lately I've been having rough nights. There have been a few times where I've woken up and just could not fall back asleep. My mind wasn't racing or anything. I just couldn't sleep. That makes me angry! I've also been struggling to get and stay comfortable. I'm usually a stomach and side sleeper. I move around a lot, so I need a few positions to juggle throughout the night. Well, with tummy sleeping out I now can only sleep on my side. It is recommended that pregnant women sleep on their left side. That doesn't leave me much choice when I'm ready to move in the night. So, I've shifting from my left side to my right side and back again, and back again... You get the picture. This usually wakes me up and also wakes up Daddy Bear. Daddy Bear has always suffered with light sleeping and a hard time getting to sleep. So, when I wake him up in the middle of the night because I'm moving, I'm really hurting his sleep. Now add in at least two or three bathroom trips in the middle of the night and you'll see that the champion sleeper is not doing so well. And she's waking up her husband! Not good! And I'm told that this will only get worse, not better. And here's my favorite line, "It's preparing you for when the baby comes." Yeah, isn't that sweet. I'm about to become sleep deprived and rather than get plenty of rest before that happens I'm going to go into it sleep deprived. Whatever. If I was in charge it's not how I'd do it!Okay, that's a lot of random pregnant stuff. My next doctor's appointment is Friday, so I'll post again after that appointment.

February Pictures

Noah is on the left and Samuel is on the right. It's good to see them looking so happy.

Continued prayers for Samuel's birth certificate to be released from Archives would be appreciated. We've made absolutely no progress in over 2 months now and it is killing me.