Prayers Please!

We found out on Thursday that there was a judge change in the Kolkata court. While we have already been granted guardianship, this new judge has to sign the legals. So... we can't actually have the papers in our hands until this happens. Please pray that he doesn't tarry in signing them. We still have a little more paperwork to do once we get them. Jynger, the Program Director, says that this usually happens at least once a year. He could take his time in looking over international adoption laws or maybe not. Who knows??? Just pray that this doesn't hold up our process. The good news is that Ms. Roy was already able to apply for Jadyn's passport. So hopefully we are still on track with the end of August. Please remember to pray!

Showers of Blessings and Love

We have been so blessed with an outpouring of love and support from our family and friends. Shane's mother had a shower for us first last Friday night (July 21) with family. We had such a good time opening all the sweet little baby clothes and things and laughing and crying. She had Jadyn's picture put on the cake and nobody wanted to cut it or eat it. We finally did (Sorry Baby Jadyn), but we have pictures to remember it with. I had to eat her nose!! Joyce decided that this was the last time she would have her picture put on something edible. Thanks so much Joyce, Sheryl, and Lynn. Loads of fun and laughs!

On Sunday, July 23 we had a baby shower at church. Again, we had so many special friends that showed their love to us. Several of them went in together to purchase a camcorder for us! We were so surprised and just felt so humbled by the thoughtfulness. Jadyn received several large toys (Radio Flyer Wagon, push along buggy, hippo walker, and a little trike). We received so much that I was literally tired by the time everything was opened and loaded in both vehicles. Sharon Kay made the yummiest white cake I've ever tasted! The ladies also brought lots of finger foods and goodies to snack on for lunch. The diaper cakes on the table were just too cute. Thanks Jeanette for all of your hard work! What a wonderful special time! Thanks everyone for making us feel so loved!

Jadyn's Room

Here is Jadyn's sweet little room! I hope she likes pink! Little girls are so much fun. Shane has worked so hard putting all of her furniture together. What a great daddy! We have also added a photo board with a pic of her and her crib buddy Jay, and one with her and one of her caregivers, and of course one of mama and daddy. I just love going in there and sitting a while and thinking of her. ; (

We have dedicated one wall in her room to a Children of the World theme. We put a children's map of the world there and strung some beautiful little glass beads across it to mark our route from the US to India. I also added some letter charms to it that spell out FAMILY. The picture hanging next to it is taken from an old children's book of prayers. It has a picture that represents children from all over the world and it reads "Bless other children far and near and keep them safe and free from fear." We are hoping to pick up some special items for her while we are in India to add to the wall.








There is just one very very important thing missing... JADYN!!!

What is the time and date in India?

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Legals!

We received word from Jynger yesterday that we have Jadyn's legals! Yipee! We are almost there sweet baby girl! It might be about a month before we recieve her passport and then we go. I put the first item in the suitcase tonight. I'm going to go ahead and start packing. I want to have as much done as possible before school starts because, it's possible that it could come sooner. We have two baby showers this weekend. Her room is all ready. I just can't wait to start filling it up with all sorts of wonderful baby stuff.

Busy! Busy! Busy!

We are still waiting for Jadyn's legals. Hopefully, we will get them by the end of the month. We got the video Jynger, the India Program Director at Dillon, made for us of Jadyn during her trip to India. It is just a short little clip but ...WOW!! Talk about heartache! It just makes us long for her even more. She is doing so well. It shows her trying to pull herself up and sitting up so well. Shane is going to make copies of it so that we can keep watching it over and over again, and not have to worry about damaging the original tape.

We have been very busy getting Jadyn's room ready and registering for baby showers. My good friend, Heather, spent an entire Saturday helping me with my baby registries. God sent her to me! She is a very detail oriented and organized person. I couldn't have done it without her. With clipboard in hand, she navigated the way through isles upon isles of baby stuff. I learned so much and now feel confident about what I need for our sweet baby girl. THANK YOU HEATHER!!!!

We have wonderful friends and family. They have four different baby showers planned for us over the next few weeks. Also, school is starting on August 9th and I'm moving to a newer and nicer classroom. It really is a busy and exciting time! I'm feeling the need to make lots of lists right now, and I' m not typically a list maker (just feeling the need, haven't actually done it yet!) I will most likely have to do this very soon.

I'm thankful for being able to stay busy. It really seems to be the best thing to do to help with the waiting. The days go quicker and I feel more prepared. It's also a great stress reliever.

Picture Perfect

So In Love!

Oh my how she has changed! Our hearts were pounding as we waited breathlessly for the pictures to download (we have dial-up) on Sunday afternoon. I have never seen such a beautiful face!! We just love her so much. It's strange how you can experience such joy and yet such sadness at the same time. We rejoice in the fact that she looks so beautiful and happy and healthy. It's obvious that she is being well cared for. However, at the same time, we feel sadness for missing out on some of her life and wanting so much to hold her in our arms today. We stand in awe of how blessed we are to be so privileged to have her in our lives. We know that God has a tremendous plan for her life. We can't wait to be a part of all He is going to do. We get to watch this beautiful child grow in God's image. How could we ever ask for more?

Important Announcement!

We have had so much fun telling everyone about Jadyn over the last week! We have so many friends and family members who love us. When we told all of Shane's family (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) at a family gathering recently, everyone was so surprised and excited for us. At church the next day, the Youth Pastor announced it and there were lots of ooohs, ahhhs, and ohhhs to be heard across the sanctuary. Afterwards, everyone surrounded us with hugs, kind words, and lots of questions. It's so wonderful to have so much love and support all around us. I know of at least three baby showers that are being planned now. Also, we are planning on putting a box or large suitcase in the foyer at church to help with the orphanage dontation that we plan to take with us. God is soooo good!