Healing

Our last post was a surprise. We weren't expecting Wen to have his palate repair surgery so close to his travel home. We were  relieved to find this pic dated 11/23. We can see that he is back at his foster home and appears to be doing well. He is actually fighting over toys in some of the other pics(: He will fit it perfect!
Soooo this week we wait for our Article 5 to be picked up (hopefully Thursday) and delivered to the important peeps in Beijing. These important peeps hold our travel dates in their hands. LITERALLY!!! There is no rhyme or reason to travel approval. Some people get theirs in 3 days, some people wait 3 months. Since I function very well with a list and a calendar, THIS IS REALLY HARD FOR ME! Really hard! Just wanted you to really get that. We could get our travel approval next week or in January. THEN...we pack our bags...and go get our babies!

Any scriptures, travel tips, packing tips, enduring the wait tips, and/or just plain encouraging words you feel led to share. NOW would be great(: Here is my email if you want to share privately. Brianmelissasmith@yahoo.com
Someone emailed me last week...fyi tampons are hard to find in China. This is important info. Lolol...
I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with love and family. I cried and thanked God for my healthy family. I don't want to take a single moment for granted. We are blessed beyond comprehension. I thank God for every morning he allows me to wake up and praise him before my feet hit the floor.

Surgery in Shanghai

This is Mr. Wen being prepped for palate repair surgery. We weren't sure if he would have this done before we were able to bring him home. Definitely mixed emotions here...we wanted to hold and love him through this very tough surgery. As you can tell by the pictures he is very happy and loved without a doubt!!!

He has no idea what is about to happen. The blog that these pictures are posted on says "he is a little naughty". Great, he will fit in around here.

He woke, drank water, and went back to sleep.

He should be discharged next week to return to the baby home. Praying for little bleeding and little pain.

We were cabled on the 16th and got our pdf letters yesterday...onto our Article 5. Hopefully our wait for travel approval will begin Dec. 2nd!!!!

THE Man in My Life

November 10th we celebrated this handsome man's birthday. I have to say we didn't celebrate it quite like I selfishly wanted to. My (I know it wasn't about me) idea would have been with him in a tiny cabin in the mountains, or a romantic dinner at his favorite steak place. Since it was his day and someone else actually made plans for us. We celebrated at the Open House of the new clinic that he works in everyday that he isn't with us or in the woods. He did get up and say a few words about being thankful for the new building and the people that contributed to it. But, it wasn't really about the building or about the other people there. It was totally about MY sweet husband. I realized that his job is his ministry. I stood back and watched him for quite a bit of the evening. He has no desire to mingle with important people or blow smoke up...well you get it. He did shake hands and visit with lots of people rather than be rude. He was only there because truly loves taking care of people. That's what God called him to do and he does it well. He prays with patients and for patients. He brings his work home with him more nights than not. I use to really get upset to have to hear about his patients all the time. This is only out of my own pure jealousy. I want his time and I don't want to talk about other people. After much prayer and a few several heated discussions, I realized he loves his patients and they are a part of our lives. I pray that he never loses his love for helping people. May his compassion for hurting or sick people only grow.

 I love you more than B.J.s pizza and flip-flops!!! Happy Birthday!

We Must Trust His Timing..."but it's so hard"

Let's start with the good news. We got updates on both of our babies!!! Wen has gained 3 teeth, 7 cm in height, and a tiny bit of weight. He is all smiles in both of his pics. One he is swinging and the other he had a sticker on his forehead lol...Adaline has gained 4 teeth and that's all. I am not sharing our pictures of them today because hers breaks my heart. She looks so very sad, almost lifeless....scared and alone. I can't wait to hold her and show her love. To see a smile on her face.

Today we are waiting for their visa approval information to be cabled to the consulate in China. From what I understand (this may be kinda right) once this is done, we wait (hopefully  couple of days) for our Article 5 to be issued. THEN two weeks later the Article 5 is picked up and delivered to CCAA , this is when THE wait for TRAVEL APPROVAL begins. This can take a few days to a few weeks. We would love for Travel Approval to come quickly. If these last few steps take the normal amount of time we will travel in January. If these steps are QUICK, we will be in China for Christmas. No matter the timeframe, WE will trust him!!! I have to remind myself of this 1,897 times a day right now. Thank you Lord for trusting us with these babies and this process!!!

Onto the next step...

We have I-800 approval for both of these precious babies as of Nov. 4th!!! Thank you God(;

After I read and figure out the next steps, or just steal borrow them from someone else's blog...I'll post them here. Still praying to be in China for Christmas. Our paperwork would have to continue on at lightning speed to make it, but he did create these two precious babies, He can do anything!!! If he decides we should be home with William for Christmas, we will be ok with that too. I will have our suitcases packed and ready to get on a plane shortly thereafter...hehe

Monroe Zoo

Dad is going to get his education on for the next few days, so we had some family time today. Corbin was crazy running hollering excited. William was scared of all the sounds till almost the end. Towards the end he got down and talked to the ducks. Allison was more than happy to NOT be doing schoolwork. Lol...
Day 14 of our wait for I800 approval. Today is good for me (: