POEM FOR CAROLINE

kisses in the wind

I hold you in my heart, and touch you in my dreams.

You are here each day with me, at least that's how it seems.

I know you wonder where I am, what's taking me so long.

Remember child, I love you so - and God will keep you strong.

Very soon you'll have a family for real and not just pretend.

But for tonight, always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight...and

let the angels bring the kisses that I send you every night.

Author Unknown

AIRLINE TICKETS PURCHASED

Amy and I purchased our airline tickets yesterday. We are leaving Friday, September 28th and will return to Phoenix Wednesday, October 10th with my beautiful Caroline. Lots to do in the coming weeks. Thank God I'm such an organized freak........sometimes it pays to be this way. I already have all her clothes washed and her crib is loaded with the stuff that will be packed for her. Mommy on the other hand has not thought about what to take though I will be pretty simple while I am there - no need for a fashion statement. Don't really want to draw any attention to myself.

I did find out that there are two other families that will be traveling with us which will be very nice. That makes me and Amy feel a little safer though I have been told by another family that has already been there that there is no reason not to feel safe. Mom has an old coworker from Topeka that has been doing trips to Kyrgyzstan over the last several years with his church - she spoke to him last night and told him about my adoption. He was so very excited. I will call him before we leave to talk to him and get some input on the trip. He actually knows 2 American restaurants that he highly recommends - I'm sure we will want the names of those.

I'd love for everyone to post comments on the blog - I'm not sure how you do it but I'm sure that it will walk you through. This way while Amy and I are gone you can correspond with us.

30 days and counting until we leave.........

The True Count Down Begins

Okay, count down begins - 33 days until Amy and I leave to bring Caroline home. I just got our travel dates the other day - September 28th - October 10th. I can think of nothing other than this. I am so excited. I got new pictures and measurements of Caroline - 10 lbs / 9 oz, 23.6 inches long. She will be 5 months old on Sept 17th so just slightly over that when she offically becomes my daughter.

I will go ahead and post pictures of her now - Two that I received in June when she was less than 2 months old and one of the new ones from last week. She has really changed in those 2 months - hope she doesn't change much more before I get there. I don't want her growing up too fast.

This has been an amazing experience for me and God has been by my side the whole time. Things have gone so smoothly - I know that this was part of the plan for my life.

Love to all.

UPDATE: COURT HEARING COMPLETE 8/15/07

Just got word that my court hearing was yesterday and all is good. I have to wait 30 days to travel while everything gets finalized - should get the exact travel dates next week.

I will be with Caroline before I know it. Finally.........

Baby Shower Photos

Here are some photos from the awesome shower that Amy, Darlene, and Janet threw for me. My dear friend Kyndra and her daughter Cassidy flew in from Denver for the shower and that meant so much. These photos show the amazing love and support that Caroline is coming in to.

I'll post again as soon as I get my travel dates.

COURT HEARING SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEK

Great news. I received word today that my court hearing is scheduled for this week. I will not have to make 2 trips - God is good! After the court hearing has taken place this week then I will be given my travel dates which will be about 5 weeks from now. Holy Cow - 5 weeks - I know that will go so fast. I will have my beautiful daughter finally in my arms in 5 weeks. I will let everyone know as soon as I have the travel dates.

Amy and a few friends threw a beautiful baby shower for me this past weekend. It was amazing - Caroline is going to be so lucky to be surrounded by so many people who love her. I need to download pictures from the shower and will get some of those posted in the next couple of days.