Here we go!

China Bound!

 Yes we are!   Flights are booked, hotels are booked, and we are beyond excited (and incredibly nervous).  We are leaving on October 10, flying our to Chicago.  Flying in to HongKong, where we will stay over night, and take the train the next day to Guangzhou.  We will meet our boys on October 13!  All the paperwork takes place the next day, the consulate appointment is the 20th, and we will be back home on the 22nd.

My mind is racing.....so many things to do, to get ready.  So many arrangements to make for the kids who will be staying home with big sister, Brogan, and my grandson Landon.  Everyday I think of something else I need to do or prepare.  But I am blessed that so many of my family and friends are pitching in to help out.  My biggest concern is leaving Daley for so long.  But, she is stable right now, and outside of having too many seizures, she is pretty predictable.

Lord, thank you!  Thank you that after praying for these boys for almost TWO YEARS, that we are so close to making them ours!  Thank you for providing the finances necessary, and the helpers who are pitching in as needed.  Please calm our nerves, help us think clearly, and bless and protect our flight, our trip, and our children, who will be waiting at home.  And please prepare our hearts to be parents again, and Wen and Wu's hearts, to become a permanent part of our family!  You are an awesome God!   Amen!  

Waiting (not so patiently) for TRAVEL APPROVAL!

China is getting closer and closer!   Yesterday we got notice that our Article 5 was picked up, and delivered to CCCWA.  Now we wait on Travel Approval, which generally takes 1-3 weeks.  Although 2 families have gotten theirs in less than a week recently!  The timing is bad, unfortunately.  All of China is closed for a holiday Oct 1-8.  And beginning Oct 15, there is a trade show in the province we are going, which will drive all of the hotel and restaurant prices UP.  But we don't even care at this point!  We will go to get the boys the minute we are able to!  Hoping to leave for China Oct 11, Gotcha day on Oct 13.  Prayers please!  

For anyone wanting to follow our journey to bring home Wen and Wu, we will probably be posting most information and photos on the boys FB page.  Just search for "Always Room for More".  I am trying my best to keep that site updated.

Everything else is good here!  Six Flags roast has finally died down somewhat.  Kids are doing well in school.  Dale is loving his new job.  Brian is doing well at Hoyleton.

Here are some new pics to enjoy!

The gang, visiting Brian!

Daley Faith, enjoying her new bed!

Keagan, Bailey (his honey-pie) and Timothy

Happy 14th Bday Bronwyn~

Britt and Brianna's volleyball team!

UGH...

Well, my blog is now private.  We have officially filed an American with Disabilities Act lawsuit against Six Flags, on behalf of Rory.  Flip back to the 2012 Momma Bear post, if you don't know what this is all about.  We are the 4th suit to be filed against Six Flags for the same reason....discrimination against children and adults with hand/leg differences.  Well, our attorney warned us about the press, and boy was he right.  We have been completely roasted in the press.  People automatically assume the worst.  That I am a terrible mother, with too many kids, who is looking for free money.  This could not be further from the truth.  And to make matters worse, in the first Chicago Sun Times article, the reporter printed my private blog info as well as Rory's FB page info.  So....to keep from being ripped up on my very own private media spots, I have closed them.

Anyone who takes 5 minutes to research, with find out that ADA suits can ask for legal and filing fees only.  We can only ask for damages (which we would not) in a private suit.  An ADA suit is basically for policy change, and for equal treatment for people with disabilities.

I cannot even go online, to read the posts from readers.  They are SO mean.  SO hurtful.  I guess I am pretty naive, because I sure didn't expect so much hate.  I have to keep reminding myself that this is SO small compared to what Jesus endured.  But it is still pretty hard.

So....in the meantime, I am keeping very busy.  Putting the kids in school has been good, but OMGOSH, so much time is gone!  School til 3:30, then sports til 6, then homework til bedtime.  I miss them!  We literally went from spending ALL day together, to barely having any fun time together!  Hoping we get used to it, and that their days begin to run more smooth, so we have more time together.  They are really liking it, though!     And it is such a weird feeling only homeschooling 3!  Wow, it has been a while!

News on Wen and Wu.....our DS-260 has been filed, and we are waiting on Article 5 pick up.  And then Travel Approval.  We are being told we should travel by October 1, but most timelines I am looking at seem to be a little longer.  Regardless, we are READY!  I cannot wait to love on those boys!

Enjoy some new pics!

A GREAT new photo of my honeys!

Arent't these Ts adorable?  For Daley and the twins

Keagan's first football game.  He is number 10

Me and my dear friend Darcy, in a 5K we ran to benefit my nephew David, who is battling cancer

Shunnichi's last evening with us.  He made us a great Japanese dinner