A LONG overdue entry.............

I can't believe it has been over a month since my last blog. Over the last 4 weeks we have gone through a few fires, but with fire comes the refining process. And we all have been being refined. The first two weeks of October were rough and that is really putting it nicely. However, we made some adjusted based off of wonderful counsel and we have seen significant improvements. I really believe there are times when you make small adjustments and yield huge results.  Dave and I are so thankful for the huge support system we have and especially the guidance of the Holy Spirit, our Helper in life. 

I feel like the last eight weeks I have been a slave to my cell phone trying to get all of Aiden's appointments scheduled. At this point all the balls are rolling and I have EVERY appointment that I need right now scheduled.   Next week we have his cleft eval, and appointment for speech at a local school and our final post placement appointment with our social worker.  I have made a commitment that from the week of Thanksgiving to the New Year that we our going to take a breather from everything and enjoy the holidays.  I love this time of year!! 

Please pray for us that we would receive favorable reports from all the professionals dealing with our adoption and that we get a court date for December. Dave and I want to have our adoption finalized by the end of the year.  ~Thank You!

Breakthrough after breakthrough!

We had such a wonderful weekend and have been experience breakthroughs with Aiden nearly each day.  On Sunday he mentioned that his name was Aiden Jian (& former last name).  The first time I tried to tell him that he had a new name, which was during the first week he was home, he completely shut down on me for about 35/40 minutes.  Well, on Sunday I sensed the opportunity to say something again and he totally accepted his new name!!  He also seemed proud about it.  God is so good!  His play therapy is going well and we have our 1st post placement visit on Friday.  We started homeschooling on Monday and it was fairly successful.   We decided to home school his first year of school, because of all the changes he has recently gone through.  We are getting on a schedule this week, for me this is a very important factor in being productive.  Aiden even got up early with me this morning to meet our youth kids at See You At The Pole,( a student lead prayer event).  He did great!!   We are still working through some things, but as Dave and I continually yield to God, He will guide our every step!  

Overwhelmed by love from family and friends at Aiden's "welcome home" party

Yesterday afternoon Aiden and I headed to his "welcome home" party, which he was confusing for his birthday party.  I had to keep explaining that his birthday was after Christmas, but I eventually just allowed to him to think what he wanted to think.  I must admit, I was a bit concerned on how Aiden would respond to a large group of people and having all the attention on himself.  He had a very rough day on Saturday and it did trickle over to Sunday morning a bit, but, in the end, he did amazing!   He used manners, was interacting with people, and he even came to sit on MY lap (huge breakthrough).  He wanted me...ME!  That touched my heart in a way that I could never explain.   The entire afternoon touch my heart deeply.  I am constantly overwhelmed by the love of my family, friends, and God.   Aiden was blessed beyond measure!!   Thank you to everyone who shared the afternoon with us yesterday.  Thank you for taking time to rejoice with Dave and I and to celebrate and say...."Look what the Lord has done"!

Aiden with his loot!

Christian Life Center had a float in the Labor Day Parade this year and Aiden had a blast helping.  He was the cutest little guy waving in the entire parade!  ...Okay, so I am a little partial, but isn't that my job?  

Life is still in transition mode, which isn't a bad thing, it is just new and different.  We call it being "loosey-goosey" in our household or for all those that like the normal word.....flexible.   We learned being on the mission field that flexibility is the name of the game.  Easier said then done with a personality like mine.  I like order, schedules, knowing where I have to go and when I have to be there.  Well, I am still that way, but after living in China I understand the great importance of being flexible and not getting all flustered when life throws you a curve ball or it could be a person throwing that curve ball.  So, with our new little man in the house I had about a week where I found my identity tied up at work and felt loss instead of looking at the beautiful treasure we have been blessed with from the Father. Please don't misunderstand, I adore my son and I look at him and I am in awe of how great God is.  He is always faithful! I was looking at Aiden yesterday while we were at the beach and could see the hand of God all over his life.  Even though Aiden has experience a tremendous amount of loss and rejection over his little life, God has never left him.  When we pray, we pray that all that loss would be covered with love, security, trust, peace, and joy.  And I am not believing for 6 months to a year for this.  I am believing that this healing and restoration happens to my son suddenly....today, tomorrow....quickly.  The Father wants Aiden whole today!  So, I stand on that promise.

And to end.......... I love being a mommy!