Nervous Anticipation

Hello friends,

It is hard to believe we leave for Guatemala tomorrow! We look forward to this trip with nervous anticipation . . . as it is a bit unsettling traveling out of the country - especially with our 3 boys. But I'm sure it will be a memorable trip and a great adventure for all of us.

We are all so excited about meeting Allie for the first time. I still can't believe it is really happening - that Allie is ours!! Already I have had trouble sleeping for the past several nights. I feel like I'm about 5 years old waiting for Christmas morning - anticipating one of the greatest gifts of all! I am so excited and it just doesn't seem real that we will finally get to bring her HOME. I am a bundle of nerves as I think about our first meeting . . . praying that Allie - in some small way - will know me as her mother - and all of us as her family. And not a moment goes by without me thanking God for allowing me to be the mother of this beautiful blessing. God is so faithful!

Tomorrow is a very long travel day for us . . . we fly out of Orlando in the morning to Miami - where we have an 8 hour layover. Then off to Guatemala City where our flight arrives at 6:50pm. My mom, George & Joshua are coming, too. We will get Allie Tuesday morning at 10am! I start crying just thinking about it.

Donnie spent all day yesterday putting together baby things - strollers, exersaucers, high chairs and installing the car seat while I did laundry and packed suitcases. I think we are finally ready and Donnie and I are thrilled to see all the baby stuff filling up every corner of our house. The boys helped put things together and had fun pushing the strollers all through the house - practicing for Allie. Of course we had to explain that strollers weren't race cars and they would have to be more careful when Allie was really in it! :)

We have also thought a lot about Jacob lately - wishing so badly that he were here to share our excitement with us. But no doubt he is jumping for joy in Heaven as he watches over all of us. It is amazing how Jacob is still so much a part of our daily lives - his spirit definitely lives on! And we can't wait to share the story of Jacob with Allie.

I have put the pictures of the nursery in the slideshow below. Of course it is PINK! After having had 4 boys - no other color would do! It had to be pink all the way. :) The room still isn't completely done - still waiting for the rug, curtains and a couple of pictures that we have ordered. The furniture is the same that we had for the boys . . . I like the thought of ALL of my children having slept in the same crib. And we were just so thankful that we still had all the pieces to put it together - which is pretty amazing after 7 years. We all had so much fun working on her room - it was definitely a family project. And we were so glad Donnie's parents were here - they were a huge help!

I am taking my laptop with us and I hope to update from Guatemala - especially since I know my dad and Donnie's parents will be waiting for news and pictures. But it all depends on the connection and if time permits - so we will have to see if it works out.

Thanks so much for sharing this journey with us. Your support, friendship and prayers have meant so much to us and we are so grateful to all who have stuck with us through the good times and the bad.

Ending with a scripture . . .

"My heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart jumps for joy. I will sing and give thanks to him."
Psalm 28:7

Next time you hear from us - we will have our daughter! :)

Jumping for JOY,