More New Photos

Holly is my new best friend!!! Today when I opened my email there were some more new photos of The Princess lying in her crib. They are below. For my feelings and thoughts for today's photos, visit my other blog. Holly's son is in this room as well. If I understand correctly, they are "next door crib neighbors".

Soon, little Ms. Ellie. I'll be there, soon -- 50 days.

New Photo!!

With much appreciation and thanks to Holly who is currently in Kyrgyzstan meeting her son, I have a new photo of "The Princess". In all her glory, here she is:

I think she might have been moved to the "bigger" baby room because this is most definitely not the configuration of the room that she was in when she was in the tiny baby room. Another mom said this looks like the bigger baby room. I think they get moved there when they are 10 pounds, so that would be a blessing to know that she has grown more. She looks bigger to me. Every time I see a new photo of her I have to stare and compare with other photos of her to make sure it is her. She changes so much, but her sweet little lips always are a give away.

My heart longs to be there to get her. I visualize going back to the orphanage and getting her and never having to let her go again. I can imagine the car ride back to the hotel where I hold her and just stare at her, trying to memorize all her features and every sight, smell and sound of this event so I can tell her about it in years to come. I visualize getting off the plane in Nashville to family and friends who have waited so long with us for this day and the celebration we will have knowing that Ellie is finally home. Thank goodness my friend Jennifer is going so that I will have someone to capture the photos and videos for me and help me remember it all because I will be absolutely worthless. Kevin was the one who did that for us last time.

I can't wait to show Joshua when I get him from school today.

Soon, baby girl -- 53 days.

It's Official - she is our daughter!!!

After three long (repeat LONG) years of waiting for the child that God called us to adopt, we are so happy to report that Ellie Aimana Lois Elisabeth Latham cleared the court system in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan and has become our daughter. So very, very exciting for us!!!

We are told to expect to return for pick up of our daughter on 10/12 (pick up on 10/14). I continue to visualize leaving the orphanage with her. It's so overwhelming for me to think of!!! It just seems like it's not real. My mom and I have both agreed that it just doesn't seem real yet. I get moments of unbelievable giddiness followed by amazing wonder and fear of it all!!!

Thank you to SO MANY who have supported us/carried us through this journey: family, old friends, new friends, friends we've never met in person, but know so well online. We would not have wanted to make this journey without you. I'm so glad that God put us together as a family: Kevin, me, Josh and Ellie. What a grand adventure we are all going to have!!

Blessings and many, many thanks to God -- the giver of all things.

Video of Ellie

During my trip to Macon, I heard the Aerosmith song, "Don't Want to Miss a Thing" and thought how perfect it described how I felt while we were in Kyrgyzstan visiting Ellie. So, I came, put together a video, added the song and Voila!! I hope you enjoy it. When court is finished, I want to post it on my regular blog to introduce our daughter to those who have not been able to see her yet.

I've Decided ...

.... that in order to give myself SOME sort of anticipation that I am setting the date that we will pick up Ellie to be September 9. This is not a date I have been told or that anyone has indicated will happen, BUT, if the judge returns from vacation on July 26 (as we are told he will) and hears our case that week (we are hopeful), then 30 days past that, plus 10 more for paperwork processing and a Tuesday pick up (as they seem to be for AO), puts me at September 9.

The last time I decided when I wanted to travel, it worked out, so that's what I'm doing this time.

It is 56 days away -- exactly eight weeks from today.

So, I have things to do and I'm trying to get them done. Today I picked up a couple of bottles. We are going to use disposable liners while we are there to save in trying to sterilize bottles and all, so I got that taken care of. I want to use the Born Free bottles when we get home, but I don't want to deal with that there. I've gotten a pack of diapers. Even though we will primarily use cloth, we will use some disposables as well.

Kevin has done a LOT to the office; we are trying to organize like crazy.

I am leaving for yet one more project next week.

We are about to begin buying school supplies as school starts back full time August 11.

I've also been encouraged by God who has laid the following on my heart. Ellie is His child. He formed and created her and her life belongs to Him. He is allowing me to be a part of it for whatever period He allows. He will take very good care of her while I am not there. And because of this, I am ok with whenever He wants us to get her. I know that He takes much better care of my life than I do and He will take good care of her and I don't need to worry. It is a hard decision to make, but it's what faith is all about. The Bible tells us faith is the SUBSTANCE of things HOPED FOR, the EVIDENCE of things NOT SEEN. And I have a choice to trust the One who made her and who chose me to be one of her moms. I am choosing to trust Him.

I will go when He is ready for me to -- but in the meantime, I'm just setting my goal date. *smile* Will I be disappointed if that's not the date -- yes, I'm sure I will. But, would I be surprised if it came earlier -- sure! So, it will be a target and we'll see how close we get!

Has Everyone Lost Their Minds?

I think I'm going to have to go on adoption "hiatus". I truly do. The last few days have just wrecked heck on my nerves. We were supposed to find out this week if Ellie's case would be heard in court. If so, our 30 day wait would start and then, when complete, a final decree would be issued and ten days later we could pick her up. On Tuesday I was on pins and needles because court was likely to be Tuesday or Wednesday and they are a half a day ahead of us.

THEN we got an email stating the judge that would hear the case was ill and that the families slated to travel to pick up their kiddos would not be going as he had not signed some documents they needed to pick them up. The coordinator had asked if she could bring them by his house and was told no. No cases went to court and it would likely be next week.

THEN the next day (Wednesday), I heard from another source that he was not sick but on vacation and had not returned and would not return until the end of July and so there was no way we would return prior to early/middle September.

TODAY I have heard that the judge is "missing" and no one seems to know where he is and his wife won't tell either.

When I talked with Joyce at our agency today I was told that our file was with the coordinator who was taking it with the other files to be heard next week -- assuming the judge returns to work. She did not comment on whether he was sick, on vacation or missing. She could not confirm that we will or will not have court next week.

OK... so, I know this is a different culture and that people take vacations. I'm fine with that, but WHERE is the breakdown in information coming from? We are all adults -- can someone not just say, "Hey, he's ______ (fill in what ever is appropriate) and won't be back until ______. Your case is scheduled to be heard on ______." Seems simple, doesn't it? Oh well. There is absolutely nothing I can do about it except wait and pray really hard. I'd ask you to pray really hard as well. This judge's action is affecting the lives of 10 children who are stuck in an orphanage because he isn't back at work where folks thought he would be. And, while I hope he is ok and nothing has happened to him, I am a bit frustrated that no one can say what he's doing and when he will return to work. With this type of work policy, I think maybe I should go to work there.

So, yes, I'm whining, complaining and griping. I'm tired and probably should go to bed and let it all go. It's just hard knowing that she is there and we are here and that she needs to be here with us.

Maybe tomorrow will allow me to resume my positive thinking methods.

New Photos

My "online friend" Suzanne was just in Tokmok visiting her sweet little pumpkin and was able to get a couple of new photos of The Princess. Many people have asked why I haven't posted them. Read on the next post and you'll understand why. I've been busy with many things, including Josh's surgery to remove his tonsils and adenoids, along with working on adoption related things and trying to keep up with my regular work. So.... without delay, here is The Princess, now fondly known at our house as "Chipmunk Jaws". Isn't she the most beautiful baby girl you've ever seen?? Suzanne's notes say that she is growing and that she is eating well. Well, we can see that in these photos, can't we?

Happy 3 Month Birthday to The Princess

Even though it is 10:00 p.m., here in the states, it is tomorrow in Kyrgyzstan and our Ellie has just turned three months old -- legally able to go to court now. I spend a lot of time wondering about her and today is no different. At her two month birthday, Kevin took video of Josh and I singing Happy Birthday to her. Today, there will be no one to sing to her. We will also miss the four month birthday singing as well. Our comfort is in knowing that hopefully we will not miss anymore of them.

So, as I sit here, I sing a quiet version of Happy Birthday to Ellie-belly, The Princess and hope that today there is a breeze to cool her sweat, a warm bottle to fill her tummy, someone to hold her and possibly take her for a walk outside, someone to sing to her, someone to change her when she is wet or dirty, a pacifier to soothe her and a moment in her heart where God reminds her that the wait time is drawing shorter and soon -- very, very soon == her mommy and daddy will be back to get her.

How Did I Get it All Wrong?

It's interesting that after we found out Ellie was sick (which she isn't), and had to turn down the referral, I spent a long time wondering how in the world I got God's messages so wrong. I said that to my Sunday school teachers this week when we were talking about our newest development in finding out she does not have a disease and will be able to come home with us. I said, "I was struggling with God because I felt so certain that His messages to me were so clear and that, without a doubt, this was our daughter." My soul's biggest problem was, "How did I get it all wrong?"

I wonder, in life, if sometimes we miss the signs God is sending our way or if we mis-interpret them into what we want them to be? I have continued to struggle with that portion of what happened with Ellie's situation. I don't struggle in knowing that she IS our daughter. I think we are SO VERY clear on that. Her story is one that is nothing short of miraculous. I've just been reading back through this blog and I see references to occurrences where I note that this is definitely a sign from God that He has fulfilled a promise to us (our rainbow), or the dream I had the night she was born. I had absolutely no doubt at that time that it was a clear communication to me. I still don't have doubt about those things, but I wonder how many things we miss that He sends our way -- or worse, how many things we get wrong. It has just disturbed me and was something I wanted to share in case others have input they would like to share.

But, to clear up any doubts you might have after reading this, we KNOW this little Princess is OUR daughter - hand picked from God for our family.

"The Princess" is NOT sick and is coming HOME!

This is a cross post from my other blog:

Do you know how WONDERFUL it feels to write that title???


O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His loving kindness is everlasting.
I Chronicles 16:34 and Psalms 118:1 and Psalms 118:29 and Jeremiah 33:11

As I was researching to find the verse that fit how GOOD our God is, I found it interesting that in three places in the Bible the SAME words are used to convey the goodness of God. I think it should be no surprise that this statement should be written by people through the ages and I am so glad to be able to share that information with you all today. For those of you who have shared with me (and there have been many) that your faith is not my faith, I do not make light of your faith and your belief, but let me share that the God that I serve, love and worship is ONE MIGHTY BIG GOD who loves me a whole lot. My wish is that everyone could experience the magnitude, the love and the grace of my God.

As you all know and have followed along, we were given a referral of a BEAUTIFUL little one and travelled to Tokmok to visit with her and came to find out that she allegedly had a medical condition that we felt was way beyond our ability to handle. Through prayer and soul searching and with great heartbreak, we decided to turn down our referral and wait for another one. We came home and began moving on with our lives. And, actually, I had a conversation with my preacher that I was a bit disturbed that I wasn't more upset about this than I was.

On Wednesday this week, I was out with my son, my two nieces and my mother-in-law after we had taken the kids to see the free movies in Nashville. We had stopped at McDonalds and gone to the park. I noticed I had a voicemail on my phone and checked to see who it was. It was our agency calling and asking me to call back. I was a bit taken aback as I was not expecting to hear from them until after July 7. I called back and talked with Brent who told me that they had had the records reviewed by a very well-known, well-respected doctor who specializes in that medical condition and who is an international adoption doctor and that she said our little one did not have this issue. I stood, silenced for a bit. I asked if we could have an international adoption doctor from our area review the files and conference with the agency and orphanage doctor (who is in town, luckily) and he said he would facilitate making that happen if I could get it together by Thursday or Friday (no pressure -- one day!). The conversation with the agency was a long one and I walked away with wounds ripped back open and the pain all fresh and new. I called Kevin, who was out in the field behind a drill rig and unreachable -- JUST MY LUCK.


After I got home, I managed to make contact with Vanderbilt's International Adoption Clinic, told my story, explained our situation and the urgency of quickness. Josh asked if we could go to the golf course for him to hit balls and I agreed so I could have some quiet time to ponder this information. I will not say that I was able to accept, agree or process this information right away. It was just too -- odd. I called and left a message with the doctor that our agency had talked with and asked if she would call me back as well.


I got NO calls back on Wednesday. Probably best as I was still just in a state of shock and confusion (as can be evidenced by the post that night). I didn't believe it and thought there must be some mistake. The waiting and soul and mind searching were so incredibly hard. To be back in this place I thought I was past and had left was really hard.


On Thursday, Josh had a doctor's appointment and we were getting our hair cut. I got calls back from the Vanderbilt doctor and got the conference call set up. She spent about 30 minutes going over the information I had sent her and about the condition and possibilities. After that, she was scheduled to make the conference call. While I was getting my hair cut (great timing, eh?) I got calls back from both the Vanderbilt doctor and the specialist. I spent at least an hour on the phone with the specialist and about 30-45 minutes on the phone with Vanderbilt with them both explaining everything in her file and how they both came to the same conclusions -- independently -- that she did not have the medical condition we were concerned about. They were, in fact, both more concerned with her prematurity and small size and growth than anything else. That is something that just doesn't concern me at all -- when she is home, she will be "fluffy" like the rest of us, I'm certain. However, we were asked to get new measurements to see if the little peanut was growing.


I didn't expect to get the new measurements until next week, but on Friday, I got a call from the agency with new measurements. I immediately called Vanderbilt to share them as I was expecting an additional call back from them between 1-2 after they had reviewed her photos. After that phone call with her and the information she shared, both Kevin and I agreed that we had no reservations accepting her referral.


SO..... long story short -- we are back in the adoption process!! We don't know exactly when we will return to pick her up. I know there are those who are returning mid-August and I am hopeful to be able to return with them. I am still waiting to see if they will be able to get the paperwork done in time for her to go to court the week the staff returns to Kyrgyzstan.


So much to do now -- arghhh!! :-) But, we are SO excited. God has returned our joy to us; He has given us back our daughter. What an incredible blessing -- what a miracle.

"The Princess" is coming home. Thank you, God!

Still not sure

I'm still not sure what to do with this blog right now. My heart says, "Keep it and wait" and so I do. This is my first visit back to the site since we had to make "The Decision." For those of you who continue to stop by -- hoping for news. I suspect there might not be any here for a little bit. Thank you for continuing to care. We love you all!

Prayers Needed

This is the hardest post I may have to write.

Our family has been dealt a devastating blow today and we request your prayers. We received test results today indicating the baby we had planned to adopt, our Ellie, has a medical issue that as a family we do not feel prepared to handle. We do not feel it is appropriate to expound more on that as it is her personal story and truly not ours to share. However, what is ours to share is the pain and loss we are feeling as we have decided that we are unable to accept the referral of this beautiful baby. We ask that you are supportive should you choose to leave a comment as we are not emotionally up to defending our decision at this point. We are emotionally not up to much. All three of us have sobbed and held one another through this grief that has felt immensely like a death. It is a death -- the death of the dream of our life with this precious child.

We did not make this decision lightly. We have considered our lives as a family and her life and how the two would inter-relate and have determined that we are just not able to parent her in the way she will require. We are broken.

In this brokenness, however, we are held up and together by the God who met us in that room with the test results. He was with me in the car on the way there as I prayed to be able to accept anything they might find. He has held us when we cried. I spent the afternoon reading the Bring the Rain blog and sobbing with her loss and her worship of God through it all. God reminded me through the one hour drive back from the orphanage of the verse He shared with the me other day today: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. I have searched for His purpose in this and have found that the "missionary work" our family might have been called to do during this two week period was to love on a sick little girl. I read, again on the Bring the Rain blog of her realization that Either You Do or You Don't (trust in God). God talked to me about this on our trip back today and through tears I admitted I do. I will trust Him. It is my choice. Does it make our pain less -- no, not really, but it does help me accept something I can't understand at all. It doesn't mean I don't question, "Why?". I surely do. It means that no matter what the answer to that question, I have to believe in His authority and superiority in making decisions for our lives.

We are in constant prayer for this little one -- that she gets the medical treatment she needs and hopefully finds a family who is more equipped to handle her needs.

Our agency is in the process of searching for another referral for us. We are unsure when this will happen. We do know that we will travel home as scheduled on Sunday. This has been especially hard on Josh. How do you explain this to a ten-year-old who was in love with a baby that should have been his sister? Life lessons like this one shouldn't have to be learned so early.

We appreciate your support of us at this time. We covet your prayers and understanding if we are a bit withdrawn for a while. We need just a little time to grieve.

Slow Day ...

It was a slow picture day for Ellie-belly and the Lathams. She didn't do much other than sleep and eat and, as Kevin says, "How many pictures can you take of a sleeping baby?" So, here's a few, just so you all get your daily "fix". We only have a few that are really worth looking at today as they were blurry too.

Tomorrow, I'm going to try to walk around and get pictures of the orphanage and some video of it as well.

We did have to take a photo of our entire family to include to send to the judge so we got that today. There is a DIET in my future as soon as I come home -- right after my visit to the Cracker Barrel! :-)

We took some clothes for her today. The outfit she is wearing is a newborn size. It was too big. *sigh*

Josh is beginning to "tire" of her and doesn't hardly want to hold her at all. As we were getting ready to leave, he did hold her for about 30 seconds. I sense there might be some jealousy cropping up. I think it might be something that only time and some extra hugs will handle.

My Future's So Bright, I Gotta' Wear Shades

When we arrived today, one of the mom's that is here visiting her son gave Ellie a gift -- the above baby sunshades. What a funny sight she was and we all laughed. Funny thing is, she apparently liked them. The sun is bright and she'll close her eyes if we walk in the sun. We looked and she had her eyes open behind the shades.


Josh thought she was funny looking too, with her big glasses and pacifier. Sharon, those glasses remind me of the ones you used to wear! ;-) (sorry, couldn't resist!!)

Then Josh, ever the clown, tried them on for some poses.

Ellie's belly was feeling much better today. They've reduced the formula a bit and at the end of the day, she ate like her normal champion self. I've been noticing that her cheeks are getting big. Allison, I think you might have a run for your money on the baby with the biggest chipmunk cheeks pretty soon. :-)

This is her smiling for the camera and starting her "pageant" wave.

Then, we were told we could come back and watch her get her massage. Apparently, for the next 30 days, she will get baby massage. Now, I'll be real honest, I was a bit jealous - a massage every day for 30 days. What woman wouldn't want that. I wish you could have heard this baby moaning and squeaking as the was getting her massage. :-) It was SO FUNNY. We videoed a bit of it so the grandparents will be able to see when we get home. Of COURSE, if anyone else wants to see when we get home, we COULD host a viewing (ha ha!).

Isn't this precious?
First the feet and legs.
I LOVE this picture!!
Lift the "tooshie" -- building some ab muscles.
Over for the back side.

Shoulder rubs
This is the one I call the "AHHHHH" pose. She has her hands out to the side and looks to be so relaxed.

Working on her leg muscles to help her stand.

Helping her work on sitting up.
And, after it was all over, a nice warm bottle. Note the slits, she was just near toast at this point.

I swear I left her sighing in her crib. :-)

So, we had a great visit today. I saw several more babies that will be going home before Ellie does. They were all doing well. The caregivers really love the babies here.

"It's probably her new formula"

This morning we received a call from Aliya, our interpreter, who told us that Ludmilla, our coordinator, had talked with the orphanage director about our concerns about Ellie from Sunday. Tatiana indicated that they had indeed changed Ellie's formula to the kind we brought and that because of it, she didn't need to take as much. She was at 90 ml (about 3 oz) every three hours. We were told that with this formula, initially, she won't need as much. I'm wondering exactly what she was on before.

Based on some reading that indicates a good rule of thumb is 2.5 ounces per baby's weight, E. would need about 16 ounces a day. So, she probably was getting about 24 ounces a day, but likely not full strength formula. Based on her age, though, this was about right.

I was told not to worry that she would be fine. I hope when we visit tomorrow we will find that her upset tummy is soothing and she is adjusting better to her new formula.

The Princess doesn't seem to feel well

I can't put my finger on it, but I don't think "The Princess" felt well today. She had her eyes open a large part of the time we were with her, but she was fussy, had the hiccups, burped (yes, she can!!), didn't want a pacifier and didn't seem to want to eat.

Today we didn't have our interpreter or coordinator with us. We had the routine down so when we got there, I went to her room. The caregiver made a motion for me to wait a bit. When she came out with her, she was awake and she had the hiccups.

We went out to the covered shelter area and visited with her a while and took some photos. She did a good job of looking at us and seemed fascinated with Kevin. She wouldn't take her eyes of him when he held her. She wasn't quite so into Josh or I today, for some reason. During one period she was quite fussy and then let out a burp leading me to believe that maybe her tummy isn't feeling so well. Ironically, I awoke with an upset stomach. I took some Pepto this morning and it's better but still doesn't feel just "right". We've thought about what I might have eaten, but I haven't eaten anything different from Kevin or Josh. It's much better, but at one point this morning, I was concerned about getting to go to visit.

We did notice that she had exceptional head strength today holding her head up and looking around by herself. She was griping our fingers so hard at one point that the tips of her fingers were white. She also has seemed to have some difficulty getting her left eye (right if you are facing her) open as wide as the other. Not sure about that. It might be normal, but we'll want to check on it for sure.

And so, while in all these photos she seems "fine" and "happy", there were so many more that she didn't, including the one where, after she ate just a bit she spit it all back out. I tried to get her to eat (and she is a champion eater), and she just wouldn't. I finally gave up and took it to the caregiver to tell her she wouldn't eat. The caregiver only speaks Russian, I think, but she took her and was talking to her calling her, get this, "Princess". :-) Her bottle wasn't as hot as normal, and I'm not sure, if with our recent formula purchase if she has a different kind or more or something. I just got the feeling she didn't feel well.

So... now I'm a bit anxious about not visiting tomorrow. It might be best, though, to not get her up and stirring about. I'll be sure to talk with Aliya tomorrow when E. and B. go over and see if she can check on her and report back.

After the orphanage, we went "sight-seeing" but I'll cover that on my other blog.

Interestingly enough, while we were there today, the U.S. Airforce servicemen and women were there bringing donations. Kevin spent a while talking to some of them. It was SO COOL to be able to talk English with them. :-) They brought a great deal of things for the orphanage. It's so cool to see another side of the military that doesn't often get portrayed back home.

We also got to me K's hubby and daughter and spend more time with K, K and I and their babies. I know that I will be forever connected with these moms that I met in an orphanage on the other side of the world and will want to continue to follow the blossoming of their children once we all get home!

Another Trip to Tokmok

Today we had another visit with Ellie. Our driver, Victor, must have thought our pick up time was 9:30 as he was late. Aliya, Elizabeth and Bill went on ahead, which we were fine with. It sprinkled on the way there and we were concerned it might rain.

We took her some formula, a couple of pacifiers and a photo book of us for her crib. She was asleep during our entire visit today. She did take to her new pacifier. When I went in to meet with Tatiana to see if we had any questions (we don't right now), she said yesterday (when we weren't allowed to visit), she went in around our visitation time, and Ellie was crying. She picked her up and took her outside to walk around and she stopped. When she put her back down, she cried again. I think that's a good sign she either likes us or likes the attention.

Apparently, the little peanut is already getting spoiled. When she comes home, I'm going to get a sling to wear her for a long time. Of course, if Josh is home, I'll have to fight for her. If Kevin is there, I suppose it will be a three way fight. We might have to resort to rock-paper-scissors to see who gets to hold her. Do you think she'll be spoiled????

Speaking of spoiled, I got an email from my friend Carla who indicates she has gotten her a BOX of clothes ranging in size from 3-18 months. I suspect you may never see the girl in the same outfit either. Since she wears the same one for several days in a row here, that will be a change for her, I suppose. She is always clean, however, and the clothing is not stained. I truly feel they take very good care of the children here.

We also got to give her her bottle today. She slurped it down quickly but this girl DOES NOT burp. Other adoptive parents who are there say that their babies don't either. I think they are getting the food so quickly, there just aren't any air bubbles. Josh, ever the good brother, even tried showing her how it was done. :-)

Speaking of other adoptive parents, it has been so nice spending time with I, K and now K (from Nashville, too). I can't post names right now as there is some sort of "thing" going on (that we all think is crazy). I can't elaborate any more than that, even on a private blog, at this time. BUT... we really are enjoying putting faces to the names of people we've emailed with for so long. I've LOVED getting to love on their babies as well.

Anyway... enough of all that, here's what you really came for -- your Ellie photo fix. Please note, if you will, that her outfit today (picked out by and belonging to the orphanage is an ELLIE-Phant!! Do we need any more confirmation that this peanut belongs in our family??).

(yes, she is peeking out at me as I rub her head!)

She almost had her eyes open here, but I guess it was too much to do.

Love the bunny ears on the elephant outfit. She looked like a little pink bear in it. When she gets frustrated from us trying to switch "holders" or from us really trying to wake us up, she arches her back, makes these funny faces and makes a grunting noise.

We were also told today that we should do everything we can to make sure Kevin is the person who returns with me. One parent will need to stay with the baby when official government appointments are held. Aliya indicated that while they would stay with the baby it would be better if Kevin could come. We also realized that our I171H is in HIS name and so in order to get her paperwork done, HE has to be the one who appears. So.... it looks like we are going to have Kevin come back. We have a few options in mind for Joshua, but nothing worked out as we have to ask around. He's not upset as we have talked to him about it. He's hoping that sometime while we are gone, he'll get to go fishing with his DeeDee. Somehow, that makes everything ok. We are not sure about Kevin's vacation yet and will have to check on that and/or sick leave to make sure he has enough time, but apparently, it is a have-to situation. I did have an offer from my friend Jennifer to travel with me and we were working on the details when this came about.

We are hoping to go back to the Metro this afternoon for dinner. We are needing our American fix. While we love our visitation time with Ellie, this is a LONG time to be in a hotel room and in a different country. We hope, when we leave, we will be back in about 8 weeks (56 days, but who's counting??). We should get Ellie the day after we arrive and she will be with us from then on. We anticipate she will go before the court system here the week of June 30. After court, it is a 30 day waiting period, followed by 1-2 weeks to get her passport, and then we will return.

So tomorrow after our visit, our drivers are taking us (along with Elizabeth and Bill) up to Barann Tower(spelling???) in the mountains. This is where we had planned to go earlier with others until we were told we couldn't. That's another story too. *sigh* There have been some challenging moments here.

Oh, and we were told that starting Monday, Ellie will have massage time every day. We are to buy her some baby oil (I'd really rather not use baby oil as it's made from petroleum, but what's the other options here??) for her daily massage. This will hopefully help her build muscle tone and work her muscles as well. NOW.. they are going to do this 8-9, she gets a bottle at 9 and then we arrive at 10. Do you think after a massage and warm bottle she's going to wake up for us? I wouldn't!! :-)

That's all for today folks. Continue to remember us in prayers. We need them daily.