When Great News happens !

I was expecting last week to be excruciating. The weeks leading up to Christmas were painful. I thought last year was hard, we had just submitted our application to the agency right before Thanksgiving and had been approved to adopt him a little before Christmas. Last year we felt like we were missing somebody, Last year we knew there was an extra plate we weren't making, another stocking we weren't filling, another child missing out on the family traditions we do each year. Last year I was so so sure that our family would be different. Our family would be one of the fast ones, the ones our agency said not to base your timeline on. I just knew he would be home for Christmas. But I was wrong. This year I knew he wouldn't be here for Christmas.  This year was different though, we knew him. We spent a week with him. We have held him and snuggled him. He was missing. And I literally felt like my heart was in two places, breaking from the pain of not having all of my little ones with us. I thought for sure Christmas Day would be unbearable.

But Then !

On Dec. 22 we received a video update of Owen. It was the sweetest gift we could have asked for, really. Or so we thought. Because on Dec.23 we received our article 16! This is a HUGE step in the process. It basically means both governments agree that we can adopt OWEN. We got the OK from our government that we could adopt "a child", we got the okay from his government that we could adopt "a child" but now we have the okay to adopt not just "a child" but OUR CHILD. I am so so so happy ! We quickly filled out our portion and sent it to our agency. But in true adoption fashion, every single time we have needed something to hurry along or get seen there's a delay or holiday. Hello, Christmas. LOL.

Other families have traveled anywhere from 7 weeks to 5 months after receiving their article 16. We know based on our in country teams estimate that we should travel around March. So we have about 10-12 weeks to come up with the remaining adoption fees. We have a few pending donations that haven't been added to our FSP yet so there is a small update but I don't know the specifics yet.

Until those are accounted for I am just going to say this is where we are:
International fee $2000
Hosting fee (apartment, transportation,translator) $4600
Post placement fees $1400
Airfare/ In Country Expenses $4500 (We really hope this is a HIGH estimate!)

We are so so so close to bringing home the newest little McBride! I can hardly wait. I know we still have a ton of money to raise but right now I am soaking in the excitement of the finish line ! That sweet smart little guy we met in November gets to finally come home in 2016! The little 3 year old that we saw on Reece's Rainbow in 2014, finally gets to have his very own family in 2016 ! The sweet little guy who has spent 4 years waiting for a mom and dad and believing with everything in him that they weren't coming , finally gets his very own right before his 5th birthday ! And what a celebration that will be !

So maybe we did miss this Christmas with him, but it will certainly be the last one without him!

We ask that you please keep us in your thoughts and prayers in the next several weeks. We have one final adoption grant application that we are waiting to hear from. We need this grant. I know every person that applies needs it too. But I really really hope we are chosen for it. We have tried so many fundraisers, we have worked over time, side jobs and random things (remember my plasma post? ) We have applied to so many grant organizations. We just need help getting to the finish line. He isn't a cute little squishy baby, He isn't aging out, he isn't in a horrible orphanage being abused, neglected or starved, but he is still worthy of having a family. He deserves it just as much as every other child waiting for a family. So, please help us get there. Pray for our family. Share our posts. Ask your friends if they want to buy a shirt or a puzzle piece or a number on our VISA gift card board.

Every single thing that you do is a blessing to us. Every single prayer is heard and God is faithful. He will get us through this journey and he will provide the funds we need to bring this sweet amazing little boy home.

I saw this verse the other day and it really resonated with me. The power in prayer is a beautiful thing. I know that if we could have everyone flood heavens gate with prayers for our family God will provide the funds to bring our sweet guy home.

Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV) 

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

 Thank you so very much.

Here is a photo of Ethan & Ashlyn on Christmas ! And here is our "Christmas photo" we took at my husbands job a few weeks ago ! They had a "family day" with crafts and Elsa and games. The kids really enjoyed seeing where daddy spends all his time ;)