Only 3 more days before we drive up to Portland. As we were looking at her height and weight - we found out that her weight was converted wrong. She is only 13 1/2 pounds at 19 months old. She is what Makenna was when she was 4 months old. The poor thing. She is 26 1/2 inches in height - what Makenna was at 6 months old. Her head is also what Makenna was a 6 months old. So, I'm thinking the 12 month clothes we have packed pretty much needs to be "unpacked".... Her health is my biggest concern - I just want to get her back here to the states with out any problems. Please Lord!!!

We were thrown another curve ball today. My car broke down in the library parking lot. Had to walk with the kids over to the pool where Scott picked us up. AAA took care of towing our car to the GM dealer - hope it's nothing major - not fun having only one car! But, on the bright side - I'm grateful for our one car. Can't really complain. No matter how we look at - we Americans are SO blessed - we don't even realize.

David told me today that he is going to be brave when we go to India. It was really cute! :-) I know he's having a hard time with the fact that we are leaving him - he's always been the one that takes it the hardest when we leave, but then he's fine after we're gone. My mom is coming down Thursday afternoon. I am SO grateful for her willingness to take over the kids' crazy schedule while we're gone.

Left at 7:30 this morning to spend some good one on one time with Brendon. Went to Cozy Kitchen for breakfast and Kaffe 101 for a nice coffee for me and a caramel steamer for Brendon. We had a nice time playing the card game "war" and talking a little more about our upcoming changes in our family. I know he ate up this time, enjoyed it immensely, which is exactly what he needed with how his life will change in the next couple of weeks. I encouraged him by saying what a unique position he was in as her "big brother". I told him that because he is 8 years older then Kahlia, they will probably never really fight. She will always absolutely adore him, and what an amazing place for him to be in - a little sister that loves everything he does! He had this big smile on his face - with out even realizing that he did! I saw a little light in his eye when I was telling him this - I'm planting seeds of hope and fun - so he doesn't just see the "negatives" of how his little world will never be the same again. He's going to do great - it's all about learning life's lessons of 1)learning to adjust as the world changes around you 2) being flexible 3) realizing that there is ALWAYS enough love to go around 4) there are more people in this family then just him 5) that life is what you make it. Over all - I think I got my point across, and he IS going to be just fine. :-) He's definitely more high maintenance then the other kids, but recognizing that this is how God made him and capitalizing on his strengths - will do us all good! :-)

I am SO excited to go. Can't wait to get her in my arms. I hope this week goes by fast!!!!

Just found out today that Kahlia only weighs 16 1/2 pounds. Makenna was 17 lbs at 12 months and they were worried about her! According to her weight, she would only be wearing 9 month clothing, but I don't know how tall she is. I'm bringing mostly 12 month clothes - they are summer things so I think we will be fine (shorts and summer dresses are easier to "fudge" sizes then pants and long sleeves are!).

I'm feeling really good about being ready to go. Well - except the house organization part (sorry mom - I'll do my best!). It's hard keeping up with swim team for 2 kids, baseball for 2 kids, school, and getting ready for an international trip to bring back another member of our family!!! Lots to juggle, but feeling the Lord's peace. I want this whole experience to bring glory to God!

Tonight was supposed to be David's first Tball game. He was SO cute in his new little uniform. Had him all ready to go then found out last minute the game got cancelled due to rain/muddy fields. He was SO disappointed. We took a picture anyway. So cute!!! :-)

Makenna got a much needed new bike for her birthday yesterday - she was so excited! It was her third day of celebrating her birthday this week - gotta love that! Brendon, on Wednesday, was given the Citizen of the Month Award - he was SO proud of himself- believe me - that is quite the accomplishment. He worked VERY hard to get that - not easy for a squirrely, can't sit still or keep his mouth shut kind of a kid! :-) We were SO SO proud of him! :-)

What a weekend! Makenna's birthday party was Saturday - it was lots of fun, even though several kids who said they would be there didn't show up. We quickly learned on Sunday the reason why. I had written Sunday on at least half the invitations...so, with a little quick thinking - Makenna literally had 2 identical birthday parties - only with different kids each day!!! I don't know how that happened, I felt SO stupid, it's a sure sign that we have A LOT to think about right now!!! It turned out ok, Makenna was happy, and it makes for a great story in years to come... :-) My brain is going in 100 different directions with questions, reminders, things I need to buy, things I need to ask, things I need to do - AAAAHHHHH!!!!! I'm not going completely crazy though. I feel like everything is coming together - I know we have A LOT of people praying for us and I KNOW God is watching out for us. I am SO VERY excited - but even more excited to get back. The whole trip and the unknowns makes me feel a little anxious.

Didn't hear from OHSU today, so I will give them a call tomorrow. It's late and I want to get some good sleep tonight. Good night! :-)

GREAT NEWS TODAY! We found out that Kahlia has been approved on our insurance plan, and they will be sending us her card and ID number next week - we should get that before we leave on our trip. Also, I called OHSU today, and they are hoping to be able to get her in at 2:00 for an echocardiogram and meet with a doctor at 3:00 on the friday we return - May 14th. We will find out on Monday if that will work - hope so!!! I am SO relieved knowing that the insurance aspect is all taken care of. Now, I need to have my brain change gears a bit - Scott's dad flew in last night for a 5 day visit, and Makenna's birthday party is afternoon - should be lots of fun for her! :-) I love my kids, love my family, feel SO VERY BLESSED right now!!! :-)

Scott and I just booked our flights tonight...we leave early morning on Thursday, May 6, and arrive back in Portland midday on Friday, May 14. :-) Quick trip, almost 24 hours travel each direction plus our in country flight to her city of Pune. We get to see her the day after Mother's Day - Monday, May 10. Glad to get this taken care of, only we were HIGHLY disappointed - didn't get to use our air miles to get free tickets - instead our credit card is going to take a $3,500 hit - ouch with lots of bruises!!!!! :-(

So the court documents were insufficient for our medical insurance company - hopefully with us sending our NOC clearance docs it will clear it up - since that's all the paperwork we will get from the Indian gov't. They said the papers didn't clearly state that we were her legal guardians. We better get this taken care of QUICK - I don't want to hassle with insurance uppity ups - just want to have something easy for a change. Is that too much to ask?

YEA!!! Wednesday, April 21 - we passed our final hurdle. We got verbal confirmation that we passed ICPC, and we are FREE TO MAKE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS!!! :-) It is all so very exciting, but honestly, there are mixed emotions going on in our household right now. Brendon is having a really tough time with all this change happening at the same time. He's not used to Scott being gone so much with his campaign duties, he no longer has his own room as of Sunday night, and now his biggest fear is that we will no longer have ANY time to spend with him. He just wants everything to go back to the way it was. Real, valid feelings the poor guy. He actually cried in my arms today. :-( We had a good heart to heart, and I promised that when he needs some "talk" time, that I will make sure to give him the individual time that he needs - and that's a promise I intend to keep! His love language is "time" - as is mine - so I understand completely how he feels. After our really nice heart to heart talk - I asked him if he felt better about everything, and he said - yes - 75% better! I feel pretty good about that.
Hopefully tomorrow we will find out the actualy day we will be flying out, and then we see if we can actually get those tickets free! :-) In just over 2 weeks, she will be in our arms. SO MUCH TO DO BEFORE WE GO! Scott's dad flies in tomorrow from Arizona for 5 days, Makenna's birthday party is on Saturday, a few more documents to get notarized...oh my!
I had my first dream last night about going to her orphanage and seeing her for the first time. It was a really good dream, we'll see how the "real experience" goes! Ready, set, here we go for a wild ride! :-)
Good night all - I'm sleepy, but will close out my day with a happy heart. Thank you Lord!