Pumpkin Patch and Carving

Saturday we went to the pumpkin patch with our best friends and neighbors to pick the perfect pumpkin. In Washington we get TONS of rain. We managed to miss the down pour out there. Tonight we carved them.

 Fall City Farms with Dave, Nancy, Gavin and Paige (Neighbors)

 Mason (he is in love with his Seahawks hat) Shawn and Landon

 Family Photo

 Mason, Landon and BFF Gavin

 Nancy and Paige

 Landon picking his favorite pumpkin

 We told the boys that they needed to be able to carry it back to the car so Landon is testing his strength

 Landon and his pumpkin

 Mason on his "cinderella" pumpkin

 Landon

 Landon and Mommy

 Mason and Mommy

 Paige (she is one month younger then our Lily) found her pumpkin that she could carry

 Daddy and Mason

 After the patch it rained and we got a beautiful rainbow across the freeway

 The boys carving their pumpkins tonight

 Landon sorting out seeds

 Mason digging away. He can't stand the feeling of the "guts" of the pumpkin

 Daddy helping them out

 Mommy and Mason

Mason digging away

I 800 and NVC approval arrived

Super excited today as we have the I 800 and NVC letter in hand! We are ready for the TA call any day now!

No new house for us

Well, I am writing this a little sad but also hopeful that God has a better plan of "attack" for our family. We had an offer in on a much larger house down the hill from us but last week our renters that we had all lined up to rent our "old" house backed out. We were still waiting on a final response from the bank on our offer. Tuesday of last week Shawn and I cried, made a list of Pro's and Con's of renting and still buying the new house and staying in our current location, and prayed asking God for his guidance. On Thursday the bank came back accepting our offer but not going to pay our closing costs. Well, with or travel to China on the horizon and not having concrete renters we both felt this was God's answer to us. We needed to stay put until we get Lily home and establish a good routine. We may have tons of doctors visits and many other things come up with her that we have not anticipated. So, Friday morning we tearfully pulled our offer....... I know I am bummed but we know for sure this is God's plan and not ours. We have decided to put new carpet in the whole house and when Lily comes home we will add a full bath downstairs instead of having only a half bath. This way the boys have their space and mommy, daddy and Lily have ours upstairs. Tough call but we feel a good fit for our family now. We will eventually need to move up.

Still waiting on our TA but China just finished celebrating the moon for the last 12 days so we are praying that we get that call shortly. We did get our I-800 receipt which means our approval is right around the corner.

LOA HAS ARRIVED!!!!!!!

Our LOA is dated 9/27/12!!!!! Finally we are here. Now waiting on TA..... our agency has said that they hope we have this in a month. WHOOOHOOO!!! Thanks for all of the prayers.

Mason turned 8!!!

Oh my goodness, where did time go??? Our baby turned 8 on September 21st. 8 years ago we were sitting at Madigan Army Medical Center awaiting our first born child to arrive. I would have to say that was the worst 9 months of my life but in the end became one of the best 9 months of my life. The day before my husband left for a year tour in Iraq we had a positive pregnancy test. Shawn boarded a plane to Iraq for a full year and I began throwing up. Non-stop throwing up 24-7, in and out of the hospital, multiple drugs to combat my symptoms, and endless IV treatments. Needless to say it was not how I had pictured pregnancy in my head. This began Jan 2004 and September 21, 2004 Mason Arthur Martinell joined us. He was 8 pounds 12 oz and 22 inches long. He literally sucked the life out of me and used it for his own good. My precious baby is now off the charts in height, 50 percent for weight and thriving in 2nd grade. We can't be more proud to be parents to this precious boy.

Mason, mommy and daddy love you so much and can't wait to watch you grow up to a young man. Love always, Mommy

                                      Landon and Mason wanted a picture of them "fighting"

                                            Mason and Landon actually loving each other

                                  25 kids in the pool! Thank goodness it was not at my house!!!

We also got an e-amil from our agency today stating that if we did not have our LOA from China by Friday then we would be waiting until at least October 12 to hear anything. China is going to celebrate the moon and shut down all government businesses. *sad face* I guess a few families got TA's on Monday that had LOA's of July 9th. Let's go China!!! We want Lily!

Update with no real update

We are at the 53 day mark waiting on our LOA!!! Urrrggg, I am getting so frustrated with this process sometimes. My baby is being taken care of by a complete stranger and I can't help but be upset. I just want her to be in my arms right now. Plus, she needs to start learning sign language as soon as possible.  I know everyone means well when they ask "Have you gone to China yet?" or "Do you know when you are leaving yet," but it is crushing when I have to respond with "No word yet." *sad face* It is like being pregnant and everyone calling or texting "Have you had the baby yet?" I get it everyone is super excited for you but I am super sad that we are still on American soil waiting!

On a side note, both boys have started school. Mason is almost 8 and in 2nd grade and Landon is 5 and started full day kindergarten. They both are loving every minute of it. Here in Washington we have a choice to put our kiddo in full day kinder or the half day option. There is a catch to the FDK (full day) you have to pay tuition. Oh well, he gets great education and it would be the same for childcare if we had to do that.

                                        Mason making a goofy face for his 1st day of 2nd grade.

                                                   Landon on his 1st day of kindergarten.

Some of you also know that we are totally crazy and decided to buy a new house during this whole process. It happens to be a short sale so yet again God is testing my patience. We bought our house 6 years ago at the height of the market. It is 1300 square feet, 3 bed and 1.5 baths and with the addition of Lily soon we decided to upgrade. We are, fingers crossed, moving into a 3000 sq foot house just down the hill from us with 4 beds, office, 2.5 bath and on half an acre. It even has a master bath and a 3 car garage!!!! (I don't have a master bath. I share with 3 boys) Yeah mommy!!!! 3 car garage equals TONS of space for all the Army and Police gear that my husband has. AMEN!!!

One last thought...... Shawn and I have prayed really hard about this adoption and God has provided us with all the amazing funds we need. We have had a small amount donated to us but the majority of the funds have come from ourselves. (Police, Army reserve, and Medical Assistant pay is not great) so I have been pondering the idea of the coffee fundraiser that I see on a lot of adoption blogs. My only goal to to raise enough money for me to stay home the full 12 weeks of my FMLA. My job does not have maternity/ adoption leave. Since I only work part time I don't accrue much personal time off. So, if you feel it in your heart to give it would be much appreciated.

Our coffee store front is up and running now...... www.justlovecoffee.com/lilymei

For now, Stephanie

Older Lily Photos

I have had a few people ask for me to post a picture of Lily with her foster mom...... this is dated 12/27/11.