It's Go Time!

Tomorrow is the day!!

Tomorrow we go and get our girls to bring them home!  Just over 4 years ago, we started off on this journey.  So many ups and downs, however, one thing has been consistent and that's the God we serve!  He has had His hand in this adoption from the very beginning, even before we applied to adopt.  We feel honored that He chose us to be D and W's forever parents.

Our U.S. kids have lots of emotions going on - we've been talking through what everyone is feeling since booking our tickets on Monday.  I've heard everything from butterflies, anxious, scared, excited, nervous, happy it's almost over, etc.  We have a few kids that are a little unsettled, mainly with the travel.  For the most part, it is excitement about meeting the girls.  We were able to send another video through our friend to D and W.  We told them we would be coming tomorrow and that this was the trip in which we would be bringing them home.... on the big airplane.  We've been talking about the big airplane with them since April 2016.  It's go time girlies!

If you would remember us in prayer with a few specific things:
*For our girls hearts - so many new experiences that we wish we could just gloss over, but they are leaving everything they know, love, smell, friends, people constantly around them that look like them, food, environment, Nannies, beds, everything.  This part of international adoption makes me sad.  I have wrestled and wrestled with what they might experience and I can't even come close to imaging!  Please pray for their hearts and big-time trust that we will get them home.

*We still need some documents to come through while we are there.  Please pray for speediness so that Ryan and I can rest a little easier knowing all of that is taken care of.  We also have some friends that you could lift up.  God knew I would need these two ladies walking the road with me, and He gave me some great ones!  Please pray for their adoption paperwork as well!

*For our U.S. kids - they have heard the lovely stories of the Haitian airport.  That's where most of the anxiety comes from.  We had a long talk with the kids here about this being just a small part of what D and W will go through when they come back with us.

*Bonding to continue to happen, walls to start coming down brick by brick, and trust to continue to develop.  All of these things will take time, we realize that, but every time we go, we remove bricks and barriers.

*Health - for all of us.  Yeah, just health!!

We will do our best to keep updates coming, but we also aren't going to be connected to the internet constantly because we are soaking up our new family.  We have waited so long to have everyone in ONE country!!

We thank you all so much for praying for us, supporting us during the hard times, giving financially to assist us, talking me off the ledge when I would go to the dark side!

It's Go Time!

Home stretch

Today is a special day.  4 years ago today we sent in our application to adopt.  We didn't know whom God was going to complete our family with, but we were assured He already knew them by name and how many hairs were on their heads.

Looking back in the rear view mirror, we were at times naïve, at times scared, at times frustrated with the whole process, at times scared, and at times so excited we didn't think we could keep waiting!  God matched our girls perfectly to our family.  Ryan and I still vividly remember meeting our 2 beauties for the first time.  So much emotion, so much nerves, and so much joy.  From the beginning, I was introduced as Mama and Ryan introduced as Papa.  I was torn - that was a title I felt I needed to earn.  But, WOW!  It felt so good for them to call me Mama!  While I still am not sure I've earned that title properly - I am a lot closer.  I am fortunate that I have gotten to be with my babies on 4 different occasions.  They open up more and more every time I am with them.  We are slowly peeling away the layers of learning everything about each other.

Fast forward 4 years, and last night Ryan and I were able to apply for Visa's for our girls!  VISA'S!!!  This is HUGE!!  While we still can't be cleared to travel yet, we are inching closer and closer to the finish line.  Those same emotions I had earlier - the feelings of naivety, anxiousness, frustration, fear and excitement - are all still very real and alive today in the present with our impending homecoming!  Actually, I feel all those emotions and so many more times about 1,000.  Not to mention, those emotions change about 1,000 times a day.  Yes, I've been "fun" to live with!!  So many what-if's, grieving for my girls, anxious about all the children jiving together, etc, etc.  So much going on in the Batch house!!

I am thankful that God took care of us 4 years ago, just like He is today.  I have come to learn to stop and pray immediately when the fears, doubts, and frustrations start to creep in.  He's got all that under control and I am so thankful for that!!

We are hoping for a 2 to 3 week homecoming, but obviously, that could all change - longer or shorter - depending on a few things!  We would love some prayers in the mean time!!

• D and W leaving behind everything they know and everyone they love.  
• Safe travels and all on one flight.  Since the 7 kids here are traveling with us this time - we have a, ahem.... larger party to book last minute!  
• Final paperwork to come through timely, but completely.  
• Health for everyone, but mainly our W as she has some strikes already against her!  
• Going through customs can be tricky and it seems to never be the same for one family to the next.  
• Finally, pray peace and endurance over us - we have a long road ahead of us, we realized that, but Mama is beyond ready to have her babies together in one country!!!

As always, thanks for all the love, prayers and support we have been given over the last 4 years!  This is definitely a team game and we can't wait for you to meet our newest members!