Around here. . .

Ever since we moved, I have been having trouble downloading/uploading photos, so sadly this will have to be a text only post.

So. . . around here -

~Dr. Phil had to go in today for eye surgery. We found out last week that he has glaucoma. Poor puppy. He is having his right eye removed in a process called enucleation. They will remove the entire globe and conjunctiva, and then put in a prosthetic space holder, and then sew the eye lid shut. When his fur grows back, he will look like he is permanently winking at us. Or as Matthew says, "He will look like a pirate." The kids want to get him an eye patch, but I doubt he will leave it on. We appreciate all of you who have been praying for this little doggie. We feel so sad about it. The kids have been especially worried. It is for the best though, as that eye is unrecoverably blind already, and looks horrificly painful. I took a photo this morning. Maybe I can try to post it later.

~Lily's adoption: I mailed off last Friday our I800 petition, with an I800a supplement 3 (which is our homestudy update because of our move) and supporting documents. Those things go to USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). Another packet with other important documents including our original signed LOA, went to Xiaoqing who will be forwarding it to China. When I write it down like this it seems so easy. But I worked many hours on the paperwork and drove to BAAS twice to have it checked, and stayed up until 2am Thursday night/Fri morning to have it ready to go by FedEx that afternoon. They estimate 3 weeks for the homestudy amendment to be approved and our I800 approved, Lord willing. Hurry, hurry!

~My men: school is out! Yahoo! I think I am the most relieved. I need a break, seriously! The older two boys are at soccer camp this week in Sunnyvale. They are loving it. It is their first time ever playing the game, and they are having fun! We are doing the camp through Griffin Soccer and we highly recommend it. Coach Andrew is not only an awesome coach for the kids, he also is the coach for De Anza College's women's soccer team, and more than that - a homeschooling dad himself :-).

~We are enjoying the relatively slower pace of life right now. Phew - it has been a rough few weeks for us (even for our dog!). Hoping to have more rest and relaxation - and more adoption news SOON, SOON, SOON!!! My baby girl is getting bigger every day and we are not there with her! I have been buying second hand clothes from Goodwill for my girl, and doing research online about specialized bottles they have for cleft babies. I am wondering about her every day. Is her hair getting longer? Is she learning to walk? Is she safe and happy? What makes her smile? I am thankful that the LORD knows all of these things and she is in Good Hands. But I can't wait to get my hands on her, too :-). We are all anxiously wanting to love on her.

Ok - I think my time is up. The kids are microwaving their own pasta right now - yikes - better go make sure there isn't marinara everywhere!