Thursday, July 30, 2009

July Update!

I'm so excited that I can actually share our updated pictures! We just received our July update, and our precious Mia is now a whopping 12 pounds! She has also started rolling over, can bear weight on her legs, and is holding her head up while she's on her tummy. I can not wait to get to her! If all goes as planned, we'll be leaving Indy on Sunday, August 16th and arrive back home the following Sunday, August 23rd.

For now, enjoy the new pics!






Wednesday, July 29, 2009

She is Ours!

Introducing for the first time, our daughter, Emilia Jane Taylor.

April Update, 2 months

June Update, 4 months

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Internet Fast

I just wanted to drop a line to let you know I'm beginning a fast from the internet tonight until we find out the outcome of our court date on Wednesday (so if I don't respond to email/comments/facebook, don't worry...we're okay). I just feel that I really need some focused time with God, and the internet, combined with email, our adoption chat group, the many blogs I stalk, and facebook are too much of a distraction. Check back on Wednesday; I'll definitely be posting one way or the other, but I'm praying that we'll be rejoicing and celebrating come mid-morning.

Love to you all,
Sarah

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Just Kidding...

The court registrar made a mistake in our court date. It's actually one week from today, Wednesday, July 29th. I know it's just 2 more days, but I feel like screaming in frustration. Ah well, I guess there is a reason for everything.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?


Not specifically adoption-related, but nevertheless, how I kept myself distracted on Friday evening.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

New TTDs!

We received our new tentative travel dates (TTDs) last night from our agency for August 15-22! It really made me realize how real this is: there is an end in sight and in less than one month, we could be holding our baby! Travis spent last night volunteering at the Jackson Center for Conductive Education, so I had plenty of time while making a cake for my friend Jana's 2 year old to think about how radically different life could be in just a few short weeks. (BTW, the cake is turning out totally cute...I'll post pics later.)
I'm also thrilled that my BFF and (for intents and purposes) sister Anne will get to meet our daughter before she and her husband head back to Oman. They'll be in town for the month of August, and we originally thought she'd be here way after we brought Mia home. Little did we know. We were both starting to become really worried that she'd miss meeting Mia altogether (at least until Christmas), but it seems now she'll be able to spend a few days with us.
For now, we just need to keep praying that our court date is successful. At this point in the game, I feel that God has taught me that nothing is definite. In fact, I've realized that nothing in this life is steady or reliable except for Him. When all our circumstances are turned upside down, I believe He brings us to a point where the only thing we have is Him. Is He enough? Painfully and tearfully, I will say yes.
My heart and my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

Monday, July 13, 2009

Just Because...


Apparently when you might be carrying the Swine Flu, you get to dress up like you're an extra for the movie Outbreak.

New Court Date!

July 27th, two weeks from today!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

What a Week

This has been the most eventful two weeks of our married life so far and has made for a lengthy post. We spent the last week in Savannah, GA with our youth for a week long mission trip. I've had no internet access and today's the first day I feel good enough to sit upstairs at the computer. Let me just give you a quick recap of the life of the Taylor's.
1. On Saturday, June 27th, on the way to our day of weddings (we each were shooting our own), Travis' Jeep broke down on I-465. Yes, it really happened. Thankfully, he was following me and I promptly turned around to collect him and our camera equipment, packed it all in the Mini, and jetted off to the northside. His wonderful parents called AAA, who had it towed back to Greenwood for us. Bad news: it's dead.
2. On the same Saturday, June 27th, we return home from our 13 hour day of photographing weddings to find our A/C running full blast but unfortunately blowing out hot air. Bad news: it's also dead.
3. We now have exactly 4 days before our departure to figure our the A/C and vehicle situation.
4. Travis takes most the day Wednesday, July 1st (our 9th anniversary!) to scope out about 20 car lots. We finally concede that the Mini probably won't be the best family car, especially after I tried to install the rear-facing car seat in the back.
5. It's now Thursday. The new A/C unit is installed in our house (not exactly in the budget, but not exactly something we can go without for long. It was a blessing to have such a cool week in July.) I meet Travis at a car lot where's he's scoped out 2 (new to us) vehicles. I test drive a red Jeep Liberty, and he's got his heart set on a silver Jeep Commander. We leave the car lot with the new rides.
6. We go back Friday to sign all the paperwork for our vehicles, and I sadly tell the Mini goodbye. We took a few pics, and I was a little bummed, but I kept thinking about the new pictures of Mia I just received the day before. She's up to 10 pounds and is turning into quite the little chunk! Such a cutie.
7. We leave Saturday morning for Savannah. What an incredible week. Many of you might remember that we took our kids last year to the Navajo Nation in Arizona. I was a little worried I might be let down this year, but as always, God showed up in a mighty way. I was floored and humbled by our kids. They truly demonstrated Christ's love to everyone we met. The most amazing part of this trip was the people we met. This trip was a little different as we did a lot more inner-city ministry, but the guys (and gals) we met were incredible. They were not ashamed of telling everyone what Christ had done for them, and it really ministered and show me the transforming power of Christ's blood. He is awesome.
8. We returned home late Friday night from Savannah, and a couple of us (including me) were not feeling so hot. I figured it was just a mixture of sinuses, exhaustion, and travel. However, Travis received a phone call Saturday night from YouthWorks to tell him that 3 of the kids at our site (from other youth groups) have been confirmed with the H1N1 (swine) flu virus. We immediately start calling all the parents and then decide I need to be tested. Thankfully, I'm negative and don't have to be quarantined for a week. The others in our group that were ill are also negative.
9. Now for the part I'm sure you're all wondering about. Yes, we did receive another adoption update while we were gone. It's a mixture of good and not-so-good news. The good news is that our new court date is tomorrow, July 13th. The not-so-good news is that MOWA (the Ministry of Women's Affairs), a government agency that must write a recommendation letter for us to pass court, is closed for 2 weeks for training, meetings, and process improvement. So from what I understand, it is probable that the judge will just reassign us a new court date tomorrow, hopefully after MOWA reopens on July 27th.
So here's what we need prayers for. One, that our case will be rescheduled quickly. Two, that MOWA will be able to write our recommendation letter in time for our new court date. I fear they might be behind due to being closed for 2 weeks. And three, that we won't run into court closures. There are rumors that the courts may not be closing this year, but nothing's been confirmed. I just pray to bring her home soon.