The Little Things......

Amy and I were so glad to get home and see Stephen and Coen as we missed them so much and they are our pride and joys and we LOVE them with our whole heart!  It was nice to walk in and get giant hugs from both of them!  Again, we thank our parents for watching them while we were gone.

It has now been a week since we last saw "Z" and it has been tough without her.    Since being home, we have shared additional stories with our family about our time in Bulgaria.  I can tell you...Amy and I keep remembering our time with "Z" and it is the little things that we miss.

We miss....................

• when she would reach out to hold our hands
• when she would roll her eyes, tilt her head and then shake her head with a sassy attitude
• when she would kiss our cheek
• soup......her favorite food was soup.  Now every time we see a bowl of soup or a can of soup, I can hear her say "soupa"
• Orange juice......she would drink a bottle of Cappy orange juice with every meal (Cappy, is Minute Maid).
• Her infectious smile!
• Her contagious laugh!
• Her hugs!
• Her never ending jabber box.......And remember, we were told she did not speak much at all, but when we showed up, she could not stop.  God Is Good!!
• going through the photo album multiple times
• "Ahhhhh Shest!"  Shest is Six in Bulgarian.  We would play Sorry and every time someone rolled a six, she would say "Ahhhh Shest!"  Half the time, she would cheat to get a six.
• Her politeness!!!!  No matter how small the help, she would say Merci, Daddy or Merci Mommo!
• Obicham Te, Daddy and Mommo!!!!!!
• of course, I miss so dearly every time she would ask me to pick her up and hold her!  I still wish I could squeeze on to her!  Why did I have to put her down? Why did we have to say good bye?

I guess what I am trying to say is, WE MISS "Z" SO MUCH!! 

Now that we are home, we have started the paperwork to complete the adoption.  We have only been approved to adopt internationally.  We must now get processed to adopt "Z."  I have spent the entire week getting the paperwork completed.  Because of the time difference between Bulgaria and Carlsbad, there are delays when additional information is needed or questions need answered.  The paperwork is complete now and as soon as we get two letters from the adoption agency, we will get it mailed off for processing.  I can tell you the devil has raised his head a couple times, but I can assure you God conquered and has reminded us that "Z" is our daughter and he will guide us through the process and bring us back together soon!!

Please continue to pray for us!  Please pray that "Z" knows and understands we will be back to get her and bring her home!  I gave her my promise that Mommo and Daddy will be back!

Obichan Te "Z"!!!!!

Time to come home.

We have had a wonderful trip! God truely blessed us with a beautiful daughter!  It is now time to head home. We miss Stephen and Coen so much and can't wait to see them!

On our trip we met and gained a daughter.  We also gained friends. Ivan (pronounced Eevon) was such a great guide and Bulgarian host! He was and is instrumental in our adoption process. Ivan has become family. Below is a picture of Ivan and his girl friend at dinner last night.

Please pray for smooth and safe travels. We have a very fast connection in London and we just found out one ticket is standby (girl at counter acted like it should be no big deal). We should be home Monday afternoon.

God Bless you all!

Day 5 with "Z"

I decided to post about our last visit with "Z."

We arrived at the orphanage around 10 am and we did our usual go through the photo album.  I love how she opens to the first page and gives the picture of Amy and I a kiss.  She says Mommo, and gives Amy's picture a kiss, then says Daddy, and then kisses my picture.  It is so cute!  We are also glad that each page is protected with a plastic sleeve as some of the pictures would have kiss marks all over them.  She also likes to pull out the origami heart Stephen made for her that says he loves her.  She holds it to her cheek and says "Aaahhh!"

We then played our usual games, Sorry and Memory.  

There were two different counselors at the orphanage today and they were very nice.  They gave us their blessings and one said they will pray that our process will be swift and that we will be re-united with Z fast.

Then 11:20am arrived and it was time to start saying goodbye.  You could tell "Z" was more somber, but as I mentioned yesterday, she has been in the orphanage all her life (9 years) and she knows the routine.  She grabbed our hands as we walked to the door.  I then picked her up and held her.  She gave Amy and I our kisses, we told each other we loved each other, and we gave her our promise we will return as soon as we could to take her home!  I held Z as long as I could.....until they said it was time to go!  We walked towards the car, turned back and gave our final waves goodbye.........and drove off towards Sofia.  Amy and I stayed strong, but I can tell you we were missing her before we got a block away!  Sure wish we could hold her for a little longer!!

The trek to Sofia is about 130 kilometers (about 81 miles for us silly Americans).  Amy and I dosed off for most of the trip.  We arrived in Sofia and made our way to the AMOR adoption agency.  Once there, we ate a snack and then gathered our contract to adopt "Z."  Then it was off to the notary to make it official.  A notary in Bulgaria is much more prestigious here and in fact, a notary is just shy of being a lawyer.  The notary read the six separate documents to make our adoption application for "Z" official.  Then he read the name we have given "Z."  Amy and I are keeping her first name, removing her middle name which was her biological mother's name.  Then we are keeping her original surname and moving it to the middle.  Her last name is no secret...Hollis.  The AMOR and the notary were so honored and gracious that we are keeping Z's heritage surname.  They said that was just so nice we are keeping her heritage.  It was so cool to here the notary read her name.  The six documents have been signed and now the process is back in our hands.  We now start the process again with the US Homeland Security/Immigration services to officially apply to adopt "Z."  We have already done this once, but it was only to get our aproval to adopt internationally, not adopt "Z" specifically.  According to AMOR, this could take until as late as June to complete.  But one thing we have learned is that Bulgarians tell you the worse case scenario and Americans tell you the best case scenario.  So this means, it could be anywhere between 4 and 6 months.  I sure pray it is closer to the 4 months.  Another reason, it would be nice to be completed in 4 months is because, if the process goes beyond March 6, "Z" will turn 10 then.  At age 10, adopted children are required to go to court and be interviewed and this could be difficult for her.  But it is all in God's hands and all will goes accordingly to his plan!

We have many pictures of "Z" and will look at them everyday until we are re-united!  We will also start preparing her room.  Painting it yellow, her favorite color.

We cannot wait until our second trip to this beautiful country, to bring home our most beautiful daughter........Obicham Te "Z"

Day 4 with "Z"

Today was our fourth with "Z" and as with our previous days, we are gaining more insight with her.  We went to another monastery today, the Klisurski Monastery of St. Cyril and St. Methodius.  On the way to the monastery we had to pass through Berkovitsa, the birthplace for "Z."  When asked if "Z" was ok with going through her birthplace, she was somewhat reluctant as she pretty much stated she does not care about Berkovitsa because that is where her biological mother lives.  But she agreed to go since Mommo and Daddy were with her.  "Z" asked if I could pick her up and hold her and I did so the entire time before leaving for the monastery.  I may have pinched a nerve in my neck sleeping last night, but there is no way I am going to deny my precious daughter!  I held her tight!.  We all jumped in the vehicle and headed towards Berkovitsa and the monastery.  The entire way, she held our hands.

At the monastery, we toured the courtyard and made our way to the temple.  As with all the monasteries we visited, they sell items to raise funds.  We asked Ivan what we should get "Z" as we felt like we should get her something from the monastery near her birthplace.  So Ivan asked the nun what she felt would be a nice gift.  She asked her name and we told her and she stated that her name means "To Live," in which she said...."like the resurrection."  That sent chills down my spine.  "Z" was not inclined to be near the place she was born as she was abandoned (death) but now God has brought her with Amy and I to give her a new life.  How cool is that!!  God Is Good!!

After leaving the monastery we went to a nearby restaraunt and enjoyed another great meal (I really like the Bulgarian cuisine)!  After eating we just sat and chatted. Amy found a pen and gave it to "Z" to write with on a tablet.  We wrote and drew different things.  It is so cool for her to draw a house, representing our house in Carlsbad, and she wants to draw the window where her room will be.  Every time she looks at the photo album she turns to the page with our house and points at the window of her bedroom.  She is very proud of it and shows it to everyone.  Amy took a picture of her hand writing with me (see below).

After lunch we headed back to the orphanage (about a 30 plus kilometer drive) so we had more time with "Z" holding our hands.  "Z" was fairly tired and leaned on me laid on my lap for most of the drive.  It was very precious!  On the drive, we were also reminded that tomorrow (Friday) will be our last day to see "Z" and it will only be a short, short visit.  I stated I did not want to talk about that as I almost break down each time I think of that.  We changed the conversation and Sonia started to discuss in Bulgarian to Ivan and Dimo about "Z" since we started seeing her this week  After getting it interpreted back, Dimo and Ivan were pleased to translate back that "Z" has surprised the orphanage staff immensely this week.  I guess, the staff would be so frustrated with her because she never speaks and only points at what she wants.  Since we have been here, she has not stopped talking and she is like a different person.  She has come to life and has made them all so happy with her progress in a short time.  What a blessing this was to hear!!

We made it back to the orphanage and we played games and had some fun!  Then it was time to leave and I must say, Amy and I are getting fairly sad to think about the time without her!  We will miss all the little things.  Like her holding our hand, her smiles, her silly faces, her contagious laugh, her most respectful demeanor (after you help her with anything, you get a "Merci Mommo" or "Merci Daddy!") and listening to her jabber!  She is so awesome and precious and it is really starting to break our heart that tomorrow will be our last day on this trip.  But it will be the start of the rest of our journey.  The journey to get "Z" home!!  To get "Z" in the home she is so happy to brag about and to let her sleep in the room she points at in the picture!!  It is the new chapter to our lives and most importantly the new chapter for "Z!"  

I do ask for prayer for Amy and I, but please pray hard for "Z" after we leave and start the process of bringing her home!  Pray that she understands we will be back soon to get her!  She has witnessed this before with other children being adopted, so she understands the process, but it must be hard waiting for her "going home" date.  One cool thing from the other children that are learning English in school told Amy and I they will help teach "Z" English while we are gone.  How awesome all these kids are!  It always makes me think of the song, "Jesus loves all the Children of the World!"

I may or may not post tomorrow.  Tomorrow after our short visit with "Z" we will head back to Sofia and start the paperwork to make "Z" our daughter.  We even must give "Z" her official name (tonight we have to provide it).

I so appreciate all the support and encouraging messages we have received while on this journey.  It is because of all the prayer and support, this trip has been such a blessing!  We appreciate all our family for all their help and support.  We also appreciate all our friends for all they have done to support us and we so appreciate our employers for allowing us the time to take off during this time!!  Thank you all!!  God Bless you all!!

Day 3 with "Z"

Today was our third day to spend with "Z."  Again, "Z" was very excited to see us when we arrived at the orphanage.  We looked into all our options on how to spend the day and decided not to do so much of the tourist stuff (though we have enjoyed doing that with "Z").  We started the day by just staying at the orphanage and played a game similar to the board game, Sorry.  During the game we are trying to work with her on her counting and we can see she does pretty good as long as she/we stay focused.  It is also helping Amy and I learn basic Bulgarian such as counting (though Amy is always correcting me).  After playing the game we broke out the friendship bracelet supplies to teach her how to make one.  Thank you Mamaw for buying these as they were a hit with "Z" and look like they will be for the rest of the children as well.  "Z" made multiple braclets and gave one to her caregiver, Sonia.  "Z" also wore about three or four of them throughout the day.  But I sure do love the one she made for me (see photo below).  Pretty sure I willl be wearing mine for a long time!

After making bracelets we planned out the rest of the day.  The orphanage care giver and head master told Ivan that we would be allowed to spend some time today with only her as they really trusted us, and "Z" was so comfortable with us (like we have known each other for so long).  We were so excited about this!!  So we headed to Montana and stopped by a photo place and got "Z's" photo taken for her Visa.  Then we went to lunch and enjoyed our time with "Z."  Along with us, was our interpreter, Ivan (pronounced Eevon) and Maya's son who is driving us around.  Near the end of our lunch, "Z" and Amy went to the restroom and while they were out, Maya's son who has been around adopting families many times, including having an adopted brother, told me he cannot believe how our bond with "Z" is so strong in such a short time.  He stated that he felt like we have been together for months!  I was very touched with all he had to say!  Even Ivan has told us that the bond between "Z" and us is beyond normal and a very positive thing!

We completed lunch and we brought "Z" to our hotel room and we played with modelling clay.  She really enjoyed it!!  I made a beautiful sun and turtle with my clay (well probably not as nice as I made it out to be).  The biggest thing was not making things with clay, it was the time we were able to spend just with "Z" (Ivan was also with us as we need help in communicating).  We had a lot of fun.  In addition, we are learning many things.  We are learning how we will need to better our Bulgarian and we are learning so much about "Z's" abilities.

One thing I have not mentioned in our previous blogs....."Z" has such a contagious laugh!  It is priceless!!

After our time with "Z," we headed back to the orphanage.  Once there, we played games until the other children arrived back at the orphanage from school.  Amy and I had small gifts for them all.  The children from young to pre-teen sat down and received their gifts (coloring books and colors, glow in the dark bracelets and were told about the friendship bracelets).  They were so grateful to receive the gifts regardless of how small they were.  Then they sang a song to us to reflect their appreciation!  Amy and I kept a smile going, but were so overwhelmed with emotion on the inside.  14 children needing a loving home.  The children sang so beautifully!!  Then they all individually came to hug us and talk to us with interest in hearing us speak as Americans.  Amy and I wish we could take them all home as they are all so wonderful!  Most importantly though, we continued to make "Z" number one during it all!  "Z" is the star in our lives right now, and though we will not be able to provide for all these children, we are going to give "Z" a loving and caring home!  My favorite moment during our time with the children was when "Z" asked if I could pick her up and hold her and she squeezed onto me and held on with a loving hug that lasted at least a minute long!  The hug was so loving and warm that I still feel it now!!  I gave her a kiss on the cheek and told her Obicham Te (I Love You)!  Immediately she replied with Obicham Te Daddy!  Sure love hearing those words!!

Then it was time to say Chao.  We got our good night hugs and kisses and headed to the car.  It was another great day!  It was even heartwarming to look back at the orphanage and see so many of the other children looking through their bedroom windows saying good bye and blowing us kisses!

On a side note from having such a wonderful and glorious time with our beautiful "Z," Amy and I have created a great bond with Ivan!  He is a young man with a great heart!  He is so good with the children and is so passionate about his job!  The kids call him chicho (uncle) Ivan.  I think that made Ivan tear up a little!!

Tomorrow will be our last full day with "Z" on this trip.  Friday, we will only be able to see her in the morning as Amy and I will have to head back to Sofia and complete paper work.  We are not looking forward to this time!  It will definately be bitter sweet.  We miss Stephen and Coen so much, but it will also he heartbreaking to leave "Z" here!  We have heard it could take up to 6 months to complete the process of finalizing the adoption (6 months is generally a worse case scenario, so we hope it is closer to under 4 months).  While I am proud to be an American, it is because of our government dragging their feet that will cause this delay!  It is so sad to hear from the international adoption agency that America is the hardest and longest place to complete an adoption because of all the red tape!!  The adoption agency we use (CAN) is fantastic and is quick, it is just the processes done via our slow moving government that drags the process.  So because of that we will be a world apart from our "Z" until it is all completed!  Sorry, did not mean to rant, just already heartbroken we could be without "Z" for so long!!  And as a Daddy....I am her protector and I will be on the other side of the planet and that is very hard for me to fathom!!

But for now....Amy and I are going to enjoy every minute we have with "Z" while here in Bulgaria!!  Again, please keep us and "Z" in your thoughts and prayers and pray for a speedy process!!

Day 2 with "Z"

For blogging purposes, I was thinking how can I top yesterday's blog.....Well here goes:

After such a glorious day yesterday, Amy and I were so excited to see "Z" again today!  And "Z" appeared to be just as excited!  "Z" changed clothes into something warmer and grabbed her jacket.  Today was a field trip to Chiprovtsi.  Today was also a cooler day and misted on us the whole time.  But that did not matter as we were going to have a great day no matter the weather!

We get into the car and started off to the village of Chiprovtsi where we would first stop at the Chiprovski Monastery "St Joan of Rila."  "Z" is sitting between Amy and I holding our hands.  Then "Z" leans over and gives me a hug and says "Обичам те Daddy" (Pronounced Obicham te Daddy).  I asked Ivan what she said, and he told me she said, "I love you, Daddy!"  Well, you guessed it...Daddy is melted and teary eyed!!  Amy too, was told Obicham te, Mommo (yesterday's blog said Momma, but really she pronounces it as Mommo).  I did not care what happened the rest of the day, as we were so happy to hear those words from our precious daughter!!

The day was awesome!  After a very pleasant tour of the monestary and gaining more knowledge of the rich history, we headed into the village and met the director of social services as she wanted to meet us.  We also got to meet the owners of "The Guest House," a hotel, restaurant and place where they make and trade carpets (rugs).  After touring a museum nearby, we went and were hosted in their restaurant.  To say the least, Amy and I have been treated with royalty the entire time here.  We had the most pleasant lunch.  The food was great and the company was awesome!  The director of social services said that "Z" is very fortunate!  Illia Dimitrov, the owner of the Guest House was an awesome host and fed us good.  But that is not all; it just kept getting better and better! Illia, then asked if Amy would like to see how the carpet's are made.  So we went into the next room and Amy received a quick lesson and was then asked to sit down and give it a try.  Amy learned that it is a tough job!!  But, wait there is more.......Illia then pulled out a very small rug (see photo) and started to explain the meaning of the design.  He said that it represents a Wing.  The wing is to provide protection (like a bird protects its young.  It also depicts a cross when looked at a different angle - I have picures on my phone that depict it better).  He then proceeded to hand it to Amy and said he would be honored for us to have this rug!  He too was blessing our adoption of "Z!"  Not sure if it is custom here in Bulgaria, but I gave him a big hug!!  We will cherish this rug forever!!

Our trip to Bulgaria has been such a blessing!!  "Z" is a true gift from God and we are so proud to be able to be her Mommo and Daddy!!  I cannot wait for the rest of our family and friends to see our little spark plug of a daughter!! She is amazing!  And by the way....She rules the moment and is very strong willed!  I have also figured out why I hear "daughters have their fathers wrapped around their fingers."  That is for sure! "Z" has me whipped already!!  Funny story about our drive back to the orphanage:  Her social worker, Sonia, was teasing her with the bear we bought her saying it was hers and not "Z's" and they were having fun with the gag.  "Z" then said, "that is ok, Daddy will get me another one."  Yep, I am pretty sure I would as she has already won my heart.  On that note, watch out boys, she is a Daddy's girl and I will protect her how ever I can!!!!  Don't get me wrong though, she is a Mommo's girl too!  I love to watch Amy and "Z" together!  It is so cool to watch Amy and her walk, holding hands.  Amy is so good with her!  There is already a special bond between them!!

Tomorrow will bring another day with "Z" but until then, Obicham te, "Z"!!!!!!

Our Meeting with "Z"

'Today, November 11 (Veterans Day), was a glorious day and will be remembered by Amy and I forever!!  Once again, thank you everyone that has prayed for our journey and for "Z."  Amy and I had nervous anxiety going into today.  Before leaving for Gavril Genova, the AMOR agents Moya and Ivan let us know that Z was excited about the meeting, but we still had some nervous feelings, but we also knew God was blessing this adoption (but we are human and let our own emotions get in the way).  We got to the orphanage and met the head master and "Z's" social worker.  After answering some questions, "Z" was brought to the room.

There are no words that can describe how awesome it was.  For me, it ranked up there with marrying Amy, and the birth of our two sons!  It was glorious!!

She came in the room with a beautiful smile and immediately gave Amy and I a hug!  We gave her a little stuffed bear which she named immediately after a life long friend of hers that is also in the process of being adopted.  Then she started to look at the scrap book we created (Amy did a great job putting this together).  The first page is a picture of Amy and I, and she quickly pointed at the picture and said Momma and Daddy!!  I think Amy and I nearly lost it, but stayed composed.  She was so excited to go through the scrap book from front to back.  I think she went through it thirty plus times throughout the day.

When it was time for "Z" to show us her room, she reached out and grabbed Amy's hand and said, "come Momma!"  Once again, I had to fight back tears (OK, I was losing the battle, but stayed composed).

We then went to the instruction room and got to chat with her and she was just so excited to be with us!  She was going 100 miles an hour!  I thank God for all the times she called us Momma and Daddy and gave us hugs.

For lunch, we went to a little restaurant in the village and as we walked to the car she held Amy's hand like she had been her momma forever!  It was so heart warming to see!!  Then as we get in the car, she sat between Amy and I and she reached out and took my hand and held it close to her!  What Daddy doesn't like that?!  I will cherish that moment forever!  At the restaurant, she just continued to be the star of the moment!!  By the way, for such a little girl, she sure has an appetite and is not a picky eater. Then she reached up and gave me a kiss on the cheek....Yep, you guessed it, I had to choke back the tears again!

After leaving the restaurant we went to a nearby monestary for St. John the Baptist.  We toured the monestary and after leaving the temple we see many priests and monks on the other end of the courtyard.  That is when all our guides' jaws dropped as the high patriarch of Bulgaria was among the group of men, Patriarch Simeon Nikolov Dimitrov.  Maya, wanted to get closer and was holding "Z's" hand and made it to the bottom of the steps he had just climbed up with all the other priests and monks.  He looked down and requested that she come up with "Z". So she did.  That is when Maya explained that she is being adopted and will be going to America soon.  He immediately blessed "Z" and then looked down at us and sent us his blessing as well!  I wish I had a camera to get the facial expressions from the agency as this happened.  Right after the blessing, "Z" walked to the edge of the balcony, looked down at Amy and I and blew us a big kiss!! (YES, Amy and I shed another tear!)  It was a glorious moment!  Amy and I may not be Catholic (actually Bulgarian Orthodox), but that was AMAZING!! And to receive a blessing from the highest priest of Bulgaria, was a nice feeling!!

We went back to the orphanage and spent more glorious time with "Z" and it was great!  Again, just hearing Momma and Daddy was amazing!!

Tomorrow we will spend another day with her and will focus more on our entire family!!  I cannot wait to continue to share!!  Thanks again for all the prayers!! Please, keep it up!!

God Bless

Sofia Site Seeing

Today was a great day! First off, our travels were as smooth as could be!  Thanks for all the prayers for safe and uneventful travels.  Every flight left on time and our luggage was some of the first on the carousel.  Then Bulgarian customs was non-existent as we only had to state why we were here, got our stamp, and on out the door we went.  Right outside the door was our interpreters Ivan and driver Martin were there to greet us.

Since we arrived in Sofia on Saturday and we cannot go meet "Z' until Monday, Ivan and Martin asked if they could take us to the Rila Monestary near Sofia.  We said yes and I am so glad we did!!  Both Ivan and Martin are super nice and are somewhat Bulgarian historians.  It was gorgeous!!  It is in the mountains so we got to see the fall colors and beautiful scenery.  The monestary was unbelievable!!  Bulgaria is so rich in history!  It was so hard to fathom some of the articles in the museum with dates in the first century (of course the history of Bulgaria, or the territory has BC history).  The monestary temple itself was just amazing.  Every square inch is painted, inside and out!  The details are beautiful!!

We then took a hike up the mountain to view other areas the Saints and monks have used.  The moutain air was nice and relaxing!!

It was so nice to get to know Ivan and Martin.  God has blessed us from the beginning of this process and providing two very nice guides/interpreters is all part of His plan!!!  Martin will not be able to continue his time with us throughout the week as he and his wife are expecting twins this week.  So we pray all goes well with him and his wife!

Early tomorrow, we will leave for Motana, Bulgaria.  This is the city/village where we will spend the next five days.  We will travel between Montana and the village, Gavril Genova.  This village is where the orphanage is located.  Therefore, tomorrow......we meet our beautiful daughter (just typing that sent a chill down my spine and a tear down my cheek)!  We are so excited!  So hard to believe the time is here!  Thank you GOD for all you have done for Amy, myself and our family!!

Well it is getting late here in Bulgaria and we will have a long day tomorrow!  Goodnight to you all and please keep us and "Z" in your thoughts and prayers!!

Love you all!!

Airport Hopping

Amy and I left Carlsbad at 5:30 pm MT, Thursday, November 7, and got into Dallas at 1:30 am CT.  The "Great Host," Steve Britton waited up on us and had a bed for us to use.  Of course Steve and I decided to play catch up until after 3am.  At 6am, we wake up and start to continue our travel, but not before chef Britton makes breakfast burritos, and of course COFFEE!  We flew out of DFW at 11:25 CT and we are now in Washington DC at Dules International Airport enjoying a meal.  

We fly out of DC at 6:15 pm and get to London at 6:20 am (London Time).  Then at 8:25am, we fly out to Sofia, Bulgaria.  We should arrive in Sofia at 1:30 pm (Bulgaria Time).

As we have started our airport hopping, I have reflected on how blessed Amy and I are to have so many friends and family praying for us through this journey!  Thank you so much to all of you that are keeping us in your thoughts and prayers!!  We are truely blessed to have you all as family and friends!!

God Bless!!

Packed...(I hope)

Amy and I stayed up past 1 am getting things packed.  Not only did we need to make sure we are all set to go and have all we need, we needed to ensure the boys are packed to stay with grandparents.  To add to the headache, Coen has a science project due before our return so we needed to help him finish his science board.

Today, I have been finishing up the packing and running errands.  I finally found some small gifts to give to the care givers at the orphanage.  That took the bulk of my morning as I drove from store to store to gift shop to gift shop and no luck.  Then right when I was about to give up, I thought "what about the Living Desert Zoo gift shop?!"  So I gave it a shot and found what I was looking for!

We already bought the other 14 children in the orphanage something small, like glow in the dark bracelets, coloring books and colors.  We also bought friendship bracelets for them to make.

As soon as Amy gets done teaching today, we will get the boys delivered to Mamaw and Papaw's house and we will start our long drive to Dallas.

Amy needs extra prayer as she is sick (sore throat, achy, headache.....).  She did make it to the doctor yesterday and was able to get antibiotics.  We have also loaded up with Emergen-C and Airbourne.

Not sure if I will get a chance to update until getting to Bulgaria Saturday afternoon.  The time difference is nine hours so timing will be off as well.

God Bless!!

The Journey Continues!!

First off, I would like to THANK everyone for all their thoughts and prayers through this wonderful journey!!  Amy and I started this process over 14 months ago and God has blessed us all the way through the journey!!

Here is a little history of our journey:  For many years Amy and I have wanted to adopt once our two boys, Stephen and Coen, were a little older.  We have heard the call that we are to provide a home for orphaned children.  We contemplated domestic and international adoption, and then after I went on two trips to India, I saw the need.  After prayer, God led us to adopt from Bulgaria.  Amy and I decided that we would like to adopt a child(ren) between the age of three years old and younger than Coen.  We would also consider adopting a sibling group.  In February, we received the “Waiting Child” list from our adoption agency (Children of All Nations – CAN).  The Waiting Child is a list of children that are either a sibling group, getting close to ageing out of adoption, and/or have special needs.  We reviewed the list and it only contained two Bulgarian profiles.  The first was for three great looking brothers, but two of them were older than our boys and we wanted Stephen and Coen to be the older siblings.  The second profile was for an almost 9 year old girl.  We read through her profile and as we read we started to feel that indescribable feeling like she is the one.  She had been in the orphanages since she was very young and is socially behind.  We continued to review all we could and that is when Amy said the words I will never forget….”Sounds like she needs a teacher for a Mommy!”  That is when it felt right!  Then we see the bottom of her profile and the phrase “File Pending.”  We were heartbroken.  The next morning, Amy and I decided we still needed to ask for more information, even if it was just to know more about this precious little girl.  So we did.  Within an hour, Amy received a phone call from the agency.  They were ecstatic!!  Apparently, the family looking into adopting her had to discontinue their adoption process for reasons not pertaining to this little girl.  The agency can only hold a child’s profile for so long and that period was only five days from expiring.  We went from heartbreak to warm hearted and requested the rest of her profile.  On Valentine’s Day, Amy and I signed an agreement to adopt this precious little girl.  From here on out, I will refer to our daughter as “Z” for privacy reasons.

From February to May we completed all our adoption processes and received our home study approval.  Then during the summer we received our approval from Homeland Security.  Our dossier was sent to Bulgaria and by mid August, we received our approval from the Ministry of Justice in Bulgaria. 

That brings us to today, November 6, 2013  Amy and I are now packing our bags to head to Bulgaria (well I guess I am typing a blog….but I have started to pack).  Tomorrow, after Amy completes her day of teaching, we will deliver the boys to Amy’s parents and we will drive to Dallas.  I want to THANK Johnny and Cindi Walker and my parents, Mark and Jan Hollis for watching the boys while we are in Bulgaria.  We fly to Bulgaria on Friday and will arrive in Sofia, Bulgaria by Sunday afternoon.   From then on, we will be taken care of by the AMOR (the adoption agency that partners with CAN).  They will pick us up from the airport in Sofia and help us get settled, and will even take us site seeing on Sunday.  On Monday, November 11, we will travel to Montana, Bulgaria.  This is where we will spend the week. 

November 11, will be a glorious day!!  We will travel to the small village where the orphanage is and we will get to meet “Z” for the first time!  We will actually get to see our daughter that we have been praying and dreaming about for almost 9 months!  WHAT AN AMAZING DAY THIS WILL BE!!!!!!

I will stop here (as I need to pack and make another dreaded trip to Wal-Mart).  I will do my best to keep everyone posted during our travels.  Please feel free to share this blog with others, but for those that do know our little “Z’s” name, please do not share it over the Internet for privacy reasons.

Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.  Please pray that we will be able to communicate and bond during this time.  Neither she, nor anyone at the orphanage speak or understand English, so we will have a translator from the adoption agency present during the whole trip.  We pray that our new daughter will be at peace and accepting of us.  She most likely did not know about us or the adoption until about a week or two ago, so this very well can be frightening for her. 

Thanks for all the support and prayers!! Tom and Amy