The holidays just got a bit sweeter!!!!

BECAUSE........

Today we got our LOA!!!!!!

So what does this mean?!?!? 

Well it means he is ours.  We are approved and they accepted us and did an "official" match with him. 

It means we get to show you this..............The 1st picture of him we saw that we fell in love with

This is our Caleb Aaron Hao

What happens next????  We file our I800 with the US gov't.  We first will receive a receipt in 1-3 wks, then the I800 provisional approval notice in another 1-3 wks after that.  Finally the letter from the National Visa Center 1-2 wks after that.  This gives us approval for Caleb's visa.  Once we get this letter our agency's representative in Guangzhou will take this along with other papers for us to the US Consulate where they will process the Article 5.  The article takes 10 business days to process.  On the 10th business day, the rep. will express mail the Article 5 to the CCCWA and then we will receive the Travel Notice usually in 2--5 wks......WOW.....did you get all that?!?!?

So what is means is we should expect to travel in about 3 months!

Ok now it seems real......

So here is what all you have been waiting for....some updated pictures.....

Man do I love that smile.  I can not wait to hold him and see that smile every day. 

Hold on Caleb!!!  We are coming!!!!!

Is it finally acceptable.....

What a fun time we had this past weekend.  I love having everyone together.  The kids loved playing with their cousins and I loved seeing my family. 

We started the day with the girls getting the turkey ready and Ben and Brett running in the Turkey Trot race.

We had a great turkey dinner as we watch the Packers win!!  Can you get much better then that....good food, family and football ;)

Then the next morning we had an awesome breakfast of omlets with the left overs.....yummy!  Thanks mom and dad for cooking

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I love Thanksgiving but I LOVE the days after....

I love when it is acceptable to turn on the lights outside.  Play Christmas music so loud that we need to scream across the room to hear eachother (Go Fish's Christmas CD is our fav.) and decorate tho house to the max.

This Thanksgiving my sister and her husband came in town and since they are unable to come back for Christmas we celebrated while they were here.  I took one room and set up a tree and some lights.  I thought hey this is great.  An early start and maybe the family will be ok with the fake tree this year and we won't need to trudge through the snow and cut one down.   NOPE!!  No go ;)  Ben has enlisted Nathan in their little sceam to make sure that will not happen.  They have made it known that we will be going to cut down our tree.  Nathan stated that the tree we have up now just won't do....ok....ok...I get it!  He also let me know that I can still keep up this tree so we will have 2....ha...ha.  We'll see about that one.

So today the girls and I are finishing up the decorating.  Making sure we get everything out so we can enjoy them! 

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I can't leave though without showing you this video and pictures. This is what happens when you leave a 1 yr old for 5 min with paint and a brush..

Oh the fun of little ones exploring!

Ok need to run Katie won't stop asking to start decorating the kitchen :)  Pictures to follow!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's me again (Ben) ........

When I reflect on Thanksgiving it means much more now than it has in the past.   I’m sure becoming a father, becoming a believer, adopting a child from China, & the realization that the moments we have here are precious but so very short.

This year as in year’s past our families will gather at our house to celebrate Thanksgiving.   There will be some family missing this year, namely my Mom & Earl, Dun & Brian, and Caleb.   Dun is on call this year for work so she will be celebrating with my Mom and Earl as Brian tries to tackle the ever elusive tirdy point buck!   Caleb is still in his current home in China.   It seems like it been taking forever for us to get him home and the wait get’s tougher with each passing day.  Even though we’ve never seen or talked to this boy, he is part of our family and we will feel the void of him not being with us over Thanksgiving.   We just pray that he is comforted, cared for, and somehow realizes that soon there will be a family coming to get him that already loves him as their own.  We also reflect on the bigger plan He has in store for us and that this wait is happening for a reason.   I’m sure the reason will be very apparent to us when we depart for China in His perfect timing.

So as you celebrate Thanksgiving this year with your families, I would encourage you to stop and really reflect on what you have to be thankful for.   Is it “stuff” or is it what really matters and that’s the people around you, people you interact with everyday, people you should interact with more, people that know you and are willing to correct your direction.

As Psalm 100:4 states, enter his gates with thanksgiving!!

Psalm 100

A Psalm for giving thanks.

¹ Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
² Serve the LORD with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

³Know that the LORD, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;^[a]
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

⁵ For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

Wishing everyone a very bountiful and abundant Thanksgiving.

The A, B, C's of my life

I saw this on another blog and thought it would be fun to learn more about each other.  So when you are done reading mine, fill one out for you!!!

A. Age: 33

B. Bed size: queen but so so need a king....seems I'm forever squished between ben and one of the kids
C. Chore that you hate: is cooking considered a chore...if so that's it if not ummmmm....doing dishes really anything in the kitchen :)
D. Dogs: use to have mimi schnauzer - Captain
E. Essential start to your day: Coffee PLEASE.
F. Favorite color: kelly green.
G. Gold or Silver: I'm a silver girl
H. Height: 5' 1 and 3/4" (hey when your this short you count EVERYTHING)
I. Instruments you play: none...
J. Job title: wife, momma, referee, x-ray tech.
K. Kids: Nathan James, Katelyn Ann, Analeigh Rose and soon Caleb Aaron Hao
L. Live: Wisconsin.
M. Mother’s name: sue .
N. Nicknames: jules, roo, I don't know all I hear lately is moommmmyyyy

O. Overnight hospital stays: 4.
P. Pet peeves: chewing with your mouth open
Q. Quote from a movie: i am the world's worst at remembering movie lines or movies for that matter. i got nothing.
R. Right or left handed: right
S. Siblings: sister - Joni, brother-in-law, Brett >> Brother - Jeff, Sister-in-law, Ronda>> Sister-in-law, Danielle, Brother-in-law, Brian
T. Truth or Dare: truth
U. Ultimate Vacation:  China so I can go get our boy :)
V. Vegetable you hate: love love veggies
W. What makes you run late: who knows I claim it is the kids but then again I have always run late.....lets blame it on an inheriting trait from my mom (love you mom)
X. X-Rays you’ve had: elbow.
Y. Yummy food that you make: eau claire tort
Z. Zoo animal: elephant

This is a hard place.....

Ben told me today I needed to post.....you know what though it's hard to come here and do it.  It reminds me that not much is happening with the adoption.  We are still waiting.  Waiting for that silly little piece of paper.  Just a stinkin' paper.  A paper that says yep you check out.  Everything you said on your pre-approval is right.  You are healthy, you have a job, you can love and support this child.  I just want to scream.  What is taking so long.  Why are others getting their ok before us.  We are on day 76 but honestly it didn't get real hard until this last week.  I can't really tell you why.  It might be that friends of ours that started their adoption at the same time is already home holding their boy (please don't read into that....I am sooo happy for them.  More happy then any of you know.  So please don't think I'm not) or if it is just the holiday season.

I always knew that it would be tough.  Not impossible but very very unlikely that we would be holding him before Christmas but there was still hope.  Today I was decorating a fake tree (my sister can't make it to Christmas so we are celebrating with her on thanksgiving) and an email came through.  Ashley sent me a link to youtube and it said don't watch at work.  I thought it was about an orphanage but instead it was a song from Third Day.  I think the combination of decorating at that moment and of listening to this song just put me over the edge.  I need him.  I want him home now.  I don't want to wait another sec. and yet I know at this point we won't be traveling until Feb if we are lucky. 

I feel like this holiday season a huge part of the family is missing.  I know to some this sounds crazy.  I have yet to meet this boy.  I don't think I can explain it to you unless you have felt it.  He is part of me.  He is loved.  He is wanted and most of all He is our boy already and forever. 

Caleb I pray  that you know us in your heart.....somehow....someway...you know that you are loved by parents you have never met.  I would do anything to hold you and have you home surrounded by your family for Christmas.  Be ready buddy because next year we will CELEBRATE!!!

The Gibson's are HOME!!!!

Today I made my way to the airport completely shaking.....I know I'm nuts but I was so excited to see Jake, Ash and Carter. 

I knew when I got there I would be a complete mess because, well that is just me.  I am the one that when you walk into the room and there is a lifetime movie on I am on the couch curled up hyperventalating.  So, I thought if I video tape them I will be focusing on that and not everyone getting emotional.  Well, jackpot, it worked.  I didn't lose it until Ashley turned to me when I put the camera down and we hugged.....yep a heaping mess....oh well.  Carter did look at me like.....jeez lady what in the world is wrong with you and nope mom I'm not going to hold her hand....crazy lady :)

I just have to say that boy is ADORABLE!!  Sweet, beautiful.....just simply precious.  A perfect little boy!

So here is the video from today.....

Welcome home Gibson Family (it sounds like you should be getting a new house....lol)


(UGGHHHH....can't get it to load because it is too big of a file.  I will try again later today :(  )

Ruffles and paint.....

This past weekend we visited my sister in St. Louis and did we have a blast.  If you are ever around that area you need to take advantage of all the free things the city has to offer.  Every time we go we have to hit the zoo.  I love it because there is no expectations going in.  When things are free well if the kids are cranky we leave.  It isn't like we just paid $40 to get in and darn it we are getting our money worth even if we are totally miserable...lol.

Well the day was awesome.  Everyone was happy and we had a blast.  We also let the kids do some face painting (thanks Papa!).  Ana didn't get her face painted but she was too cute to not put in!

Then we headed back to to my sister, Joni, and brother-in-law, Brett's, house.  The kids spent the next 2 days raking leaves and either jumping in them or if you are talking about Nathan then it would be riding his bike down the hill into the leaves ;-).  They just LOVE spending time in St. Louis and so do we!!  I keep asking Ben if we can buy the house across the street that is for sale but he has yet to agree...lol.

While the boys and the kids had fun outside, the girls were inside sewing!  My mom has been amazing at helping teach us all the ins and outs of sewing.  I love sharing this with her.  Not only is something we all love but mom is an awesome teacher and can make anything you ask for!

Both Joni and I made table runners for Christmas and I made a quilt for Ana's toddler bed to match the girl's room and I also made Joni's birthday gift.  It turned out awesome.  Tedious but so worth it.  I found the tutorial here.  I'm sure more are in my future..... there are pleats or ruffles all the way around.

I can't say enough how much we love spending time with Joni, Brett and my parents.  It is such a blessing that we all enjoy getting together and have no problem traveling to see each other. 

Hope everyone is enjoying family and friends.  There will be a day when you only have memories left so hold on and cherish every moment you have together!!!

 





They have Carter.....

So as I type this sweet Carter Gibson is sleeping safe and sound at an apartment in EE, well hopefully sleeping :-).  Today was his "Gotcha Day" and Jake and Ashley busted him out of that orphanage forever!!!  I am just overwhelmed with emotions.  So excited for them, for Carter and so much anticipation of the day that Caleb will forever be with us. 

Go on over to their blog and enjoy watching the freedom Carter is already experiencing!!

Day 57........

Our wait continues.  I never realized how difficult the wait would be.  Especially when others with a LID after ours already have their LOA.  I am not the best with waiting....at all!!!  During my pregnancies I tried EVERYTHING to get those little ones out of me.....including castor oil and begging them with Ana to try inducing me early(only a week but hey anything was better than nothing).  Nothing worked.  Our kids came at their own timing and with each one it was perfect timing.  I have to just remember that nothing I can do right now will speed this along.  But when I think about everyone being here at Thanksgiving and going to visit family and friends at Christmas I want him here to enjoy and celebrate with us.  The good thing with the holiday season is that it will fly by and before we know it Jan will be here and hopefully we will be traveling to get him!!!

I am trying to stay busy, which isn't hard with the kids.  I've also been crazy about sewing lately.  Loving it and I found a new blog that has tutorials on how to make things......soooooo easy.  She takes you step by step.  I have never really made anything other then sewing key fobs and other items that have just straight line sewing.  This past Sunday I saw a portable DVD case on the site and thought.....that is exactly what I need.  Our's was just in a box.  I had some material left over from the coffee cozies that was quilted and thought, Perfect!!  Now Ben is soooo supportive of me in every one of my silly ideas I come up with but I knew he would think I was crazy.  He just smiles and says yeah that would be great if you could do that....how sweet is he.  I would have been like.....are you crazy how do you think you can sew something like that. 

Anyway.  Like I said her tutorials make things soooo easy.  If I can do it anyone can. She goes step by step.  Here is my finished project and it only took me one day!!!  I didn't have enough material for a strap(I can add that later) and I also had to change the style a bit because of lack of material but it worked out great for what I needed to put in there......

Go check her site out http://www.makeit-loveit.com/.  She has ALL different items and she is big in repurposing items.  My next 2 projects.....make Katie a belt out of all my scrap material and make a hat for Ana and Caleb out of old scarves that I have.  How fun when I can just search my house and find a project.  I LOVE it!!!!

Hope you enjoy or site and it inspires you to bring out some of your creativity.