Long day at work today for both of us but thoughts of bringing our daughter home makes us smile:) Jay is filling in for the yard manager in Elk City district while he is on vacation. I had 5 nursing visits that turned into 6. And two visits were >3 hours. Nice long soak in the tub. A cup of hot chocolate to warm my insides. Then off to bed for a good nights rest so we can get up in the morning and thank God for another day of service for His glory.

1 year old!

Our little one turns one.  Happy Birthday, baby!!!  So wish we could be there.  It breaks our hearts.  Wow!  Look at the cake! 

Received a grant for $9,000!  Thank you, Lord!  He is our provider.  We would not be able to move forward without the guidance and provision of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas to all!

PA!!!

Well, it's been awhile...So much to say to bring all up to date.  Michelle is working full-time for homecare as of October.  Jay is busy is ever selling for Stinger.  Meghan is doing well at UCO.  She is considering moving into a different house.  She also has been transferred to a branch of the bank she currently works for that is closer to her house.  And she is talking about changing her major for the 3RD time. Still very proud of her.  Hunter just finished football and had his first basketball tournament already.  Glad to watch him playing inside a building instead of out in the cold.  Ha!  Hayden is doing well as a fifth grader.  He is singing as one of Washington's Cyclone Singers and loving it.  He stays after school every Tuesday and Thursday for practice.  He decided that pad football was not for him.  But he can't wait til basketball season starts.  J.J. is reading up a storm.  4th graders are practicing timed math facts and have to pass a great number of them before the end of the year.  He is doing great.  He too is excited about basketball season but could hardly stand to sit on the sidelines of big brother, Hunter's, football games and not be able to HIT somebody!!!

We have PA!!!  That is the abbreviation for pre-approval.  This means that China has pre-approved our family to adopt the little girl God put in our hearts.  She is lovely.  Her hair is dark.  She has large chocolate brown eyes.  Her "special need" is a unilateral cleft lip and palate.  Her smile is perfect.  Oh, how we long to hold her and tell her how happy we are to be her forever family.

April, Jolanda, and Julie came over one Saturday afternoon and painted our Jacii's bedroom.  Thanks so much for your help ladies.  We could not have done it without you.  When Jacii gets home, she will see and feel just how much love went into preparing a safe and comfortable place for her to rest and play.

Please continue to pray for patience and provision.  We have applied for various grants and are waiting for an answer.   With Christmas around the corner, we will try selling jewelry again. Thanks so much to all who are praying and encouraging us.  It means so much when someone is truly interested in where we are in this long process of adopting a child.  Keep praying and soon we will bring Jacii home!                     

Approval is here!!!

Our USCIS approval is here.  It states that we meet the eligibility requirements as the adoptive parents of a child who will be adopted under the Hague  Convention.  We have been approved to adopt one child from the country of China.  This approval includes the following characteristics of a child:  female, 0-36 months, medical special needs.

Wow!  It feels so amazing when paperwork is complete and processes are complete.  You feel like we become just one step closer to holding our daughter.  It seems so far out of our grasp, but yet so close that you can almost touch it. 

Please continue to pray...financial support is so important for us right now.  We are still selling t-shirts.  Please copy and paste the white box underneath the t-shirts picture above and put on your blog.  Pass the word on to all you see.  It's so awesome to see people wearing Jacii's shirt and to feel the love and support of others as we trudge on in this sweet journey.

News...

Just got the news today that Homeland Security has approved us!!!  Next step...we need to raise a little more money to finish our next payment to the adoption agency.  This payment will allow our paperwork that contains our families information to go to China.  Then our adoption agency will begin matching us with a daughter.  So exciting!  God is awesome!

Waiting...

It's been 23 days since our biometric fingerprints were taken.  Feel like we are stuck!!!  Am working on grant applications til I can't see straight.  Waiting on supporting documents for the grant applications.  It is soooo hot.  Over 100 degrees for a looonnnggg time.  I (Michelle) started working some 12 hour shifts at our local hospital in the Jim Thorpe Rehab department.  Jay is working his regular job at Stinger and is also volunteering for extra hours with Sinor Ambulance plus volunteers for the Clinton Fire Department.  I've also volunteered for an extra weekend working for homecare and hospice.  School starts August 18th.  Where has the summer gone?  It has been too hot to enjoy even going swimming.  That is HOT!!! Hunter starts two a days August 9th.  He will really enjoy that. I know he's excited about starting football season.

We need rain so badly!  Praying often for rain.  We can only wait on God's timing.  Just like we are waiting on His timing and direction through our journey.  Gas is $3.63/gallon.  Milk is $4.87/gallon.  Groceries are getting higher and higher.

We have some wonderful news!  I had received an email last month about an orphanage opening their doors to allow our adoption agency to adopt their children out.  Pictures of the available children were posted.  One of the little girls was layed on our hearts.  Our family has been praying for her ever since.  One day last week I received another email.  She has a family!  A family has chosen to be hers!  FOREVER!!!  Isn't that great?    

I am wanting to start painting Jacii's room.  Is it ok?  Should I wait longer?  Do I need to wait til after China has approved our referral that we have accepted?  I need advice.  I know we still have awhile, but I'm such a perfectionist that I like for things to be in order and ready.

I pray for patience and endurance daily. I know that these trials of life is making me more Christ like. I pray for God to bind our family together with unconditional love and kindness. This is so much easier said than done.  And as soon as my marriage and family is in God's perfect will, Satan will be waiting to jump on us and attack.  The devil would like nothing more that for us to fail.  Colossians 1: 11-14 says, "May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.  He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in who we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."  Whew!!!   I don't mind asking people to pray for me. If you are a prayer warrior, GO TO BATTLE!!!

Love each of our followers. Hoping for more. Until next time.
Much love,
Jay & Michelle


 

Mueller and Johnsons visit!!!

We have our appointment from Homeland Security to be fingerprinted. We go July 7th. Then we will wait again. Emily came to stay with us on Sunday while April and David are at Falls Creek. Kayden, Kambrey, Kaleb, & Kinley came to stay with us Monday. Their mom went to Falls Creek and their dad is working. It's been really exciting here. We've made necklaces, played spies, nerf guns, cars, and much more. All of them have been so good. Jay and I love having them!

Our biometric fingerprinting is scheduled for 7/7/11!!! We are so excited. We are collecting all documents needed for dossier. Should be sending them to adoption agency this week. Also, Michelle started orientation with Jim Thorpe Rehab in the hospital today. She will work from 7am to 7pm. Jay is still selling for Stinger Wellhead Protection. Meghan is doing well. Should be transferring to new job with bank soon. Of course, the boys (Hunter, Hayden, JJ) would live at the swimming pool all summer.All three boys are growing like crazy!!! The garage sale was very good. Thanks so much to all who donated stuff for the garage sale. Many thanks to April, David, Ashley, and Kaylee who helped organize and price items sold in the garage sale. We could not have done it without you all. Love ya!We are currently in the process of getting a button to sell our Jacii t-shirts. Until that time, if you would like to order t-shirts, please email us your shirt size and quantity to michelleaddington@hotmail.com

"Bring Jacii Home T-shirts"!!!

Help us get you the greatest T-shirt you will ever wear!!!  "Bring Jacii Home" T-shirts come in sizes adult small to 3XL.  They are $20.  FREE shipping on all orders!!!

Falls Creek Preteen Camp

Woo hoo! Jay and I are at 5th & 6th grade Preteen Camp at Falls Creek. So much fun! Soooo tired already. But is well worth it. Many salvations in just our cabin alone last night, the first night. Led a young lady from another church in recommitting her life to Christ during invitation last night. Jay has been washing lots of dishes and assisting with the cooking. The cooking is sooooo yummy. I will need to go on a diet when I get home.

Will be starting physical therapy a few times a week for my neck. Been having headaches, muscles spasms, and pain. Don't know what is causing it but praying therapy can fix it.

Waiting for our home study to be ok'ed by our adoption agents supervisor so that we might apply for grants. Just waiting to hear. Then will get busy applying.

Adoption fundraiser garage sale scheduled for June 17th & 18th. April and girls will be coming that week to help price and organize all the stuff. We have invited our church family to donate any items they wish to sell to help with the cost of bringing our daughter home.

We also have a tshirt designed and ordered. Should be getting them in hopefully by Friday. Then we will go around and check with all who would like to purchase a tshirt to help us out. We appreciate everyone's prayers, thoughts, and help in our journey.

Busy Summer To Come!!!

Well, this was the kids' first day out of school and J.J. already says, "I'm bored!"  Hayden and J.J. are both enrolled in summer playground.  They will be doing organized outside activities, including swimming, Monday thru Friday from 8-1130am.  And Jay is coaching their summer baseball team for the local Lion's Club league.  They will have four games this next month.  Hunter is wanting to learn to dunk and basketball this summer.  Wow!  He had a doctor's appointment today and is already 5' 8 1/2".  Hunter will also be playing summer baseball with a traveling team as soon as he gets ungrounded :)  I think he has learned his lesson from his punishment.  I guess we soon shall see, as Wednesday is his last day.  Meghan is working this summer at the bank, so will only be home occasionally.  It's hard to believe she will be a Junior in college when classes start in August.

Home study...complete!!!  We received our four copies of the home study in the mail Saturday.  Now what?  We are supposed to have $890 to send to Homeland Security now.  We don't have it...but will be patient for God's provision.  He has not let us down yet.  He is mighty and all powerful!!!  Keep praying...

I worked all weekend for home care.  Was really busy!  That's money that helps us pay doctor and pharmacy bills:)  I have had the opportunity to be at home the past few weeks.  It is great being at home with the kids!  I feel that I am doing what God has called me to do.  Thank you, Lord for the many blessings you have given to me and my family. 

Having a very nice time with Meghan, who came home to visit Saturday after she finished working. She is staying through Tuesday. We've spent some good times together and had some great conversations. Will miss her giggle and red hair in the shower drain. Lol! School is almost over for the boys. Wednesday is park day. JJ's class is playing in the park and having a picnic that day. Hayden will get to swim at the pool and have hot dogs that day. This is his last year at his school. He will go to Washington Elementary next year. Hunter is ready for school to be out so there's no more homework and tests. He is really excited about summer baseball.

We are currently waiting to hear from our adoption agency of our home study approval. Collected all documents requested last week and was told that we should be approved by the first of this week. Waiting. Waiting. Sigh...

Romans 15:13 "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Home study!!!

Hunter just played his last baseball game this last Thursday. He was really beginning to bat well. Plus he was starting to pitch a little. He signed up for summer league baseball and will be traveling on Mondays and Thursdays throughout the summer. He says that baseball is his favorite sport and he wants to get really good at it. Hayden has glasses now. Took him to the eye doctor because he was complaining of headaches and he couldn't read things far away. He is wanting to grow his hair longer. He is growing like crazy. He will be playing machine pitch baseball this summer. Jay and I are going to coach his team! JJ is growing like crazy as well. He went from size 8 to 12 in jeans this past winter. And now those jeans are hitting the top of his feet. Thank goodness warm weather is coming and he wil be wearing shorts soon. Who knows what size he will wear this coming fall. Lol! JJ also has glasses. He is just the opposite of Hayden. He can't read close up. JJ was complaining of a headache everyday after school. He is excited about summer baseball! JJ will e on our team also. You should see his hair. It's shaggy long and wavy. Meghan is working at the bank, studying, and involved in many activities at her church. We get to see her about every three weeks for a day and then she leaves to live life in the big city:) Very proud of the young women she has become!

Home study was completed on April 16th. Waiting on Earlene to finish typing our report. Jay is currently working on our Hague training that is about 10 hours on the computer. I finished last night. Learned alot of how much time is of the upmost importance. Praying that God will move and monies will become available and referral will be made and our child will be matched and will be traveling as soon as possible to bring our Jacii home.

"Shaken"

"I've stood alone a million times
That's not the same as being alone
I've felt ignored, and left behind before
But that's not the same as being disowned
Open my eyes, and help me see that there's a world outside of me
I'm no different, I want to make a difference tonight
The words don't always come out right
And I don't normally cry
But you didn't see the look in her eyes
I've been shaken
From my head, on down to my toes
Lord use me, take me where you want me to go
I can't help it, my heart has been replaced with a face
I'm ready, these hands are dedicated to change
I've hurt before, but held inside
I've seen their tears, 'cause pain is something they can't hide
What makes us different?
We have a chance to listen tonight"~Hawk Nelson

Exciting things are happening.  We have raised enough money to pay our home study fee now.  Thank you all so very much for jewelry purchases, prayer, support, and donations.  This adoption process would not be complete without your support.  Please keep praying.  There is still much of our journey left.  Much more fundraising in our future, too.  Jay received his bonus from his place of employment.  Thank you, Lord, for this unexpected blessing.  The amount was more than expected, and we hope we have been good stewards of it.  And because of this blessing we are working on writing that check for our first adoption fee. YAY!!! Still filling out paperwork for Lifeline and going to get our medical exam scheduled.  We would like to be as far down the road on our journey as we can.

There just doesn't seem to be enough minutes and hours in a day.  We get up about the same time every morning.  Once the kids are off to school and Jay goes to work the washer and dryer are started up and don't quit until long after we have went to bed.  I'm (Michelle) trying not to work so much so that our lifestyle doesn't become adjusted to the income.  We feel that it is God's plan for Michelle to be a stay-at-home-mom once JayCee comes home.

The kids have all been sick with respiratory and stomach bug.  The school police are gonna come and put us in jail if they miss too awfully much.  But we can't send them to school if they are coughing continuously or have diarrhea?

Gas is $3.29 and a gallon of milk is $5.59. WOW!!!

All we can do is pray and have faith in God.  He is our Jehovah Jirah, our provider. 

2 Chronicles 7:14 

¹⁴ if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

 Today is the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it.  Praying for rejoicing in our home.  Satan is attacking.  But that is how the devil works...when you are in God's will Satan will do whatever it takes to lead you astray.Yesterday was a tough day.  We feel that adopting a child is God's plan for our lives, but right now not receiving many approvals from friends and family..............................So please pray for God to change hearts of those who aren't in favor of supporting and being a part of our adoption process. 

Starting Weight Watchers today!!!  Since I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, I have been lazy and not excercising or controlling my diet the way the I should.  We (Jay & I) are going to do this together, along with the Lord's help.  We can't do it alone.  Weight control has been a struggle for us for many years.  We all are getting older and need to take care of the temple that God has given us to care for on this earth.  One of these days we won't have to worry about fibromylagia pain, cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and obesity.  We will have new "bodies" in heaven when we meet our heavenly Father.  Can't wait for that day, "when the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more...when the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there." 

Working on finishing up paperwork and making copies of the documents needed for our home study.  It's exciting to know that the time is near for us to schedule our home study meeting.  Please continue to pray for provision of much money needed to pay adoption fees, patience, and for a hedge of protection around our family to keep Satan from attacking.  Love you all, Jay & Michelle:)

A quiet evening at home...just reading a book and relaxing. Much needed for us. We've had much illness (Strep throat, Influenza, vomiting) in our home. The Dr. and pharmacy have received much business from our family these past few weeks. Last weekend April hosted a jewelry fundraiser in her home. We were very blessed with the love and support we received from our friends and family there in Ringwood. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We love each and every one.

Still needing a few hundred dollars in order to send our home study application in. Gathering and making copies of all documents needed for the worker who is over our case. Anxiety is high in our home. Have been putting together jewelry to fill orders from this past weekend. Fingers, elbows, forearms, and neck angry at me because of the time and precise care I'm putting in to complete each necklace and ear ring set. But God is my comforter, healer, and the great physician. I know He will carry us through this part of our journey. This is such a great experience and time of awakening for me (Michelle). I am truly enjoy putting together the jewelry and then seeing my friends actually wear the sets they have purchased. It's such a great feeling to know I made the jewelry everyone is wearing. I am looking at possibly making some more different new styles of jewelry. But right now our main focus is completing the home study. Pray for provision of the rest of the money needed to pay the $1,750 home study application fee.

There is a feeling that only those who have adopted before can understand...how it is that you can love someone you haven't even met...this child may not even be born or conceved yet. Our hearts are aching and yearning to hold our child that God is calling us to raise and love as our own. We love you, JayCee!!! Soon we will hold you in our arms.