Day 8......Reality...Learning each other

Today is our last day in the PI....at least this time around. We started the morning with breakfast from 7-Eleven.....yes you read that right...lol! To pass time, we went for a swim in the hotel's infinity pool.

Then it was time to prepare to leave for our outing today......hit a minor snag but we all got back on track! I know God is up to something good in our lives and also JE.

Went back to Greenhills to try to find a specific item we were looking for. Then finally got to have lunch at Shakey's.....LET ME tell you....I love that place!! Ty wanted to buy the hot sauce that WASN'T for sale....why oh why did the manager give him a bottle! I think he has at least 5 new sauces to add to his collection!!

Next it was off to Rizal Park and then Intramuros! We finished the day off with bowling at Mega Mall before we went back to the hotel to prepare for the airport!

Last stop....airport to check in for midnight flight!! Going home to all my babies!!

Day 7.....Officially official....Let's celebrate

Today is visit ICAB day. We started our morning stopping by Jollibee to get some breakfast on our way to ICAB. When we got there, we saw 2 American couples and one Spanish couple with their children. Our SW assigned to us was with an American couple that we actually knew through our online group.

Once with our SW, she presented Joseph and us with gifts on behalf of ICAB. We received a jeepney, PI flag, adoption book with PI recipes and an ICAB tote bag! We were then asked to write a letter to Joseph in his file for him to read one day if/when he comes back and wants to see his entire file. 

Next was the passing off of various items. First...the beloved and longed for passport with visa attached. Then some other items to include the paperwork need to show the airport in order for us to leave the PI with our son.

Our agency director, Jan Druckenmiller of SPCO, is in country and she met us at ICAB so we can finally meet in person. Next we headed on to do a little shopping before heading to Ocean Park Manila. There aquarium is different from one you would see in the states but it was a nice experience and their exhibits were well put together and thought of..we finished this trip with the Sea Lion showing which was awesome. Our driver then took us on the Manila City tour and ended it with a trip to the American Military Cemetery! During our tour we saw were they did the taping in various scenes for Bourne Legacy.

Next was our hour I repeat hour drive to MegaMall to meet some friends for dinner at Viking. This is a drive that would take 20 minutes in the states but because of Manilas traffic...times can be very uncertain!! It was great see Dr Wen and ate Cristy again and meeting my new ate Camello who spoiled JE. Never a dull moment when I get with my Filipino family. They even had the restaurant sing Happy Birthday to JE and one of his ninang gave him 1000Peso for his advance Christmas gift!! They are so excited for him and our family!! Now let me talk about Viking.....amazing....it's about the size of Captain George's....probably bigger! There was an array of things to choose from...fresh sushi, monogolian, seafood, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, carving station with lamb, Filipino food, a huge drink station with at least 20 choices and just as much or more at the dessert station. I mean I was in food heaven!! My only regret was not taking pictures. They food was fresh and simply amazing!!

Ended the night organizing and packing!!

DAY 1.......Operation BRING HIM HOME...Forever a Family

Is this REALLY happening...

Back story, when I woke up Wednesday morning to no news, we just settled in our hearts..or at least in my head, that we wouldn't leave this week. Then as I am going on with my morning routine a ding comes to my phone but I don't check until an hour later....Notice of Travel for Petway....and the waterworks began...I couldn't dial Tyvon's phone number fast enough.

It actually is happening! Travel went well except our luggage didn't get on the international flight with us so it should be arriving to us shortly.

Every feeling and emotion a person can feel, I think I felt each one in the last 48 hour world wind. I'm typing this early morning on Day 2 because I can't sleep due to excitement and the fact that my body is still on US time!

Well today we are off to buy clothes to wear until luggage come, items for the orphanage and things to take back to the US for souvenirs. Hoping to see some of our friends who live here in Manila this weekend too!

Two wakes ups and we will be heading to our precious son and he will be in our arms forever!!

Day 6.......Slow and Easy

Today was a very simple day for us. We started out with breakfast and made the trek back to Manila. Check into our fabulous hotel Marco Polo. This hotel is beautiful...Period...Just BEAUTIFUL. Its one of the tallest buildings in this area of Manila with that being said...we are on the 30th floor...smh!

Upon checking in, we were hungry and wanted to be the world travelers that we are and adventure out on our feet to get lunch. We walked a few blocks to Robinson Mall to see what was all this fuss about Jollibee!! Have to say Jollibee is some DELICIOUS chicken. We wanted to head back to the hotel to rest before we went shopping in Greenhills so tried to leave the mall but there was a downpour of rain outside. So we stop by a cinnabon booth and introduce JE to some of our favorite sweet treats! The rain subsided in about 10 minutes and we were able to go back to the hotel but didn't make it without our feet and shoes being drenched by the big poodles of water.

Got in a great nap for all of us while waiting on our driver who is always on time that we schedule.....however today, the rain wasn't on his side when you already add the beautiful Manila traffic. It took him 2 hours to get to us when it should have been 30 minutes max. It reminded me of our outing on Saturday. It was a nice time of shopping and picked up a quick dinner.

JE and I spent time cuddling after our bedtime routine while Ty took advantage of the hotel gym.

Tomorrow we head to ICAB where everything becomes "officially official"!!!

Day 5....Bonding and Relaxing....Adventure

I started this post mid morning and at the end of the day, I describe today as adventurous..... 

Why or why did Tyvon and I wake up at 1am...it felt like we slept for hours..thankfully we were able to go back to sleep. Then we woke back up and 5ish and that was another story...lol!! Joseph woke up shortly after all smiles!!

Went down for breakfast a few hours later and then some swimming fun! 

Nikki and Anthony were in the area so they stopped by with the SW Love and we all met up with Claire to have lunch at the Extreme Expresso restaurant. Nikki and Anthony wanted to meet JE and give us another hug before we left the PI. Highlight...Zeek, their son, is now our best friend!! 

After lunch, Alan, a friend of Claire and Mark came and took us out for the afternoon. We had 2 amazing places to try and we picked the Zoobic Safari and WOW!! SN....the meeting of Alan and his wife Rachel is a whole complete story and set up by God! The Safari (zoo) was quite the adventure. One major highlight was getting in a jeepney and going into the tiger territory. They came up to the vehicle to eat and then the feeder threw a chicken on the roof of the truck and he jump right on top and went along on our ride for a few...WOW!!

Stop by where the Atea people lived but it already close because of rain so we couldn't do the tour. Next stop....grocery store....a girl has to take home a few Filipino items....lol!!

Before dinner we went back to hotel for more relaxing, unwinding and bonding. Oh an massage....can I just say....WOW!! I forgot how much I love my massages from here...1)Their skill level is AMAZING!! 2)I got an hour and half massage for 500 pesos....you do the math!!! For dinner we had Indian and then headed back to get a sleepy boy to bed. 

Ty and I packed up our things as we are headed back to Manila in the morning. Just a few more days before we are back in one place with our entire family united!!

Day 2......jet lag....forgot about the time difference

Jet lag is in full effect. All I can think about is meeting JE and my kiddos at home! Woke up around 5am and couldn't go back to sleep. Talk to family and friends for a while on Messenger, Skype or Facetime.

After our wonderful Filipino breakfast that consisted of...rice...yeah you got it....we headed out to purchase a few things!! Main item was a printer combo for the orphanage; my neighbor and a friend wanted to give in some way so they ask to purchase items needed by what was our child's home for a long time. What an experience purchasing any electronic or gadget from the PI: they actually open it up, put it together in front of you and show you that it works before you leave the store. A transaction that would normally take 20 minutes max in the U.S. took about an hour, however I'm grateful that they endured their items worked properly. Next it was to purchase a few things since we still didn't have our luggage.

Now lunch......I'll just leave this picture right here since a picture is worth a thousand words.

We really had a full day which was a blessing in keeping me occupied and not focusing on the fact that it wasn't Monday ye. Our next stop was the Mercy House to meet Nikki, Anthony and all the children. Please check out there page and consider supporting them in whatever way you can. They have a ministry for street kids...totally awesome!! From the moment we walk on the property, we were met with so much love. It was if I was exactly where I belong...with those precious children. Nikki and Anthony blessed us so much with their time, generosity and food! You would have thought we were old friends catching up instead of 2 couples, with so much in common, meeting for the first time.

Unfortunately our time had to come to an end and we headed back to Manila. Can I just say...."PI traffic makes DMV traffic look like a well flowing highway!" Man I don't think I would ever muster enough courage to drive in Manila.

The night ended with us going back to the airport at midnight to recover our Bags that finally MADE it!!

Time to close my eyes so I can be one day closer to having our boy in our arms....

Day 4: Entrustment Day...forever in our arms!!

It's 3:44am.....hmm I've woken up about every 2 hours. Don't have to actually be up until 5am!! Can you say with me...adrenaline rush!! Tyvon is up too....LOL

We left the hotel at 6am with our driver and headed to where our SW's would be waiting for us and kept moving towards Pampanga and the best thing was that we got there in 2 hours (that is HUGE). I couldn't believe it....I probably sounded and looked like a child at a candy store. Since we were there early, we had to hide from JE...LOL!! It was a very emotional time. We took a tour of there facilities...I will have to say they have the best gardens I've seen in a long time; so many beautiful flowers. They were very loving and excited for Joseph. 

The entrustment ceremony was amazing!! JE is amazing and took to us RIGHT away!! They had appetizers for us when we got there and prepared lunch which consist of lumpia. They had a few dances prepared for us, various greetings and speeches! 

Upon leaving RSCC, we headed to the World War II memorial! We had to drive up a large mountain about the same size as the one to get to Kwahu in Ghana, Africa. At the top is the monument which is at the foot of a 48 story cross....simply amazing!! I opted to stay at the foot of the cross, while Tyvon, Allan, our driver, and JE went on the elevator to the top of the monument to see the amazing views. There was also a museum there to tour and back down the mountain we went. Instead of heading back to Manila today, we decided to stay in the Subic Bay area to enjoy areas outside of Manila.

Claire, the director of Helping Hands Healing Hearts Ministry, met us at the hotel. We went a tour one of her 3 facilities and met some of the awesome kids there. Check out what they are doing...its truly awesome and powerful ministry. Next was off to the mall for for dinner and then to take JE to have his haircut....what an experience...I have a lot to learn about Asian hair...totally different than mine :)! We came back to our hotel, got prepared for bed and watch a little TV together.

My heart skipped a beat when I tucked him in to bed, kiss him goodnight and said I love you face to face!! No more waiting to talk one day a week on Skype!

Day 3.....will THE DAY ever get here.....

As the day is drawing to an end....I have so much excitement stirring inside of me. Tomorrow is the DAY we work so hard to get to. My close friends know that the PI, Cambodia and Japan were the countries that Tyvon and I wanted to adopt from since the beginning of the tug. When we started our adoption of EJ 3 years ago, we thought it was a very distant reality. A little after we were in the process, another military family we knew will began there process to but to the PI. This is when we first learned of the SHF (special home finding) list. Just a little over a year ago we began this process to become that forever family for JE.  

Today one of our Filipino friends took us out to help us pass the time. It was great seeing her as it's been a year since we've spent time with her. She took us to the Tagaytay Scenic Sightseeing in Cavite. I can now say I've stood a volcano. We were able to also she the views at this awesome restaurant named Bag of Beans. Followed by a trip to Mall of Asia which was extremely crowded!!

We got back to our hotel and organized the gifts and donations for JE's orphanage and some special people.

For dinner Ty talked me into us walking to Kenny Rogers to grab something to eat!!

Excited to get to our entrustment day tomorrow.....

God's Paintbrush

"Pick me up like a paintbrush, God. Dip it in the colors of my life. Paint Your picture, Father. And fashion a heart that is wholly Yours".......

We started our 2nd adoption journey just a little over a year ago. Even though this is our second adoption, I feel more nervous this time around. The lyrics above is from a song our girls dance to at the end of the year at FAA Dance Academy. I can barely get through the first few words before I'm on my knees or crying.  This song makes me also think of JE!! One question that many have asked or are thinking is about JE and his special need and why would we want to take on a child with known and unknown needs. And I can only answer that this way… “We were yet again awakened to the reality of our own spiritual condition before our adoption and His extravagant, sacrificial Love that adopted and redeemed us.” Every child deserves a family and the opportunity to become an eagle and soar.

I know its been awhile since our last blog entry. So the update is on last Friday, he complete the last step of the adoption process; the visa interview which was approved. So now we wait on invitation to travel.

I have to admit, I have so many emotions going on inside of me....scared is one...unsure/uncertain is another…..every time I want to say...let's run while we can, I hear..."Paint Your picture, Father. And fashion a heart that is wholly Yours". This morning, I asked the kids 2 questions: 1)What are you most excited about with Joseph coming and 2)What are you most concern with? Wow...the answers range from various things and blew my mind. Right before my eyes, I see the hearts of my entire family becoming more than Tyvon and I have ever prayed for. While living in Japan…we frequently told God to break our hearts for what breaks His. We wanted to have passion and desire for the things that excited the heart of God. "Take Your fingers, God Master Potter Come mold the clay. Tell Your story, As You mold me, Fashion a heart that is wholly Yours......!" I wonder how he will respond to us in country and the first weeks and months of being home. Did I read enough, watch enough, and study enough to be the parent to walk him through the bittersweet time of Loss and Gain? What grade do I put him in? Which team of doctors should we use? Did I pack everything? How will the kids do while we are gone; especially EJ? Lord continue to mold each of us individually as you shape this family that you are building in a way that blows our mind so frequently. Then I hear a small voice say “I’ve wrecked your heart to care about the least of these; I can’t promise you it will be easy but I will be with you ALWAYS.”

"Take Your fingers, God Master Potter Come mold the clay, Tell Your story As You mold me. Fashion a heart that is wholly Yours"..........

I started this post yesterday (Friday the 5th), and this morning I'm still emotional after our Skype date with JE. It was so sweet. I read him “Love you Forever.” JE just got a new hair cut that Tyvon and I just love....he is PERFECT. "And sign Your name, sign Your name, On the picture..." WOW….the love and feelings I have for this boy that I have never actually met in person can’t even be explain.  I can see now how God has been preparing Tyvon and I for years for this life He has called us to live out for His kingdom cause.

"And write your name, write Your name, In the clay. And sign Your name, sign Your name, On the picture...."

This picture that Abba Father is painting is amazing!! Every day He does a new thing in our hearts. Even though I'm nervous and have questions, I'm at peace because I know Daddy God is orchestrating this entire painting. Soon we will meet our boy face to face…I can’t promise what my reaction will be since I can’t seem to stop crying already.  Baby boy we are coming for you and we are honored and humble to get to be your forever family!! We promise to fight every day to be the Father and Mother you need!!

"Take all I am, Take all I have, I am Yours forever, forever........."