7 days But Who's Counting!!!

I feel like a little kid counting down the days on the calendar until Christmas. I am so excited we are down to 7 days until our court date. I am giddy beyond words. It reminds me of the last few weeks of my pregnancies, less the stretch marks and weight gain. My emotions and mind are all over the place. I am not sleeping, my mind is like a tornado of thoughts, things to do, what to bring, visions of our first moments with the Sof and Helen and how to manage 5 kids.
It's funny we have been waiting what seems like forever and yet I am SO unprepared! I am scrambling each day trying to figure out what we need to do in order to get the house ready and yet spend some quality time with Reagan and Caitlin knowing I will be away from them for over a week. Blake is away at Boy scout camp this week. He called yesterday while we were out and left a message saying he was having a great time and not to worry. I miss him terribly. With my emotions being easily rattled these days, I find myself looking to Greg and the kids for my security right now. I believe I am officially in the "nesting phase". And having Blake out of my nest is unsettling to me!
We spent the weekend buying the last furniture items needed for complete both Sof's and Helen's room. I can't wait to fill them with the kids now. It is starting to feel like it's really going to happen. I am praying hard for all to go smoothly on the 2nd or else someone is going to have to pry me from a ledge!
It's funny, yet Greg and I have had 3 children already we feel like first timers. This is a whole new ball game. Our new additions are not babies so right off the bat we have children in motion, speaking a different language, with different habits, schedules, emotional issues we will be faced with. I just want it to go well. I am sure the first months will be survival, I am just hoping and praying Sof and Helen will find happiness, peace, security and love as members of our crazy Mott family.
Our agency's coordinator Grace, and fellow adoptive mother is over in ET right now picking up her son Ateneh, one of Sof's best friends, and spending some time at the orphanages checking on everyone's kids. What a saint she is!! Did I mention she brought her other two daughter's Miranda who is 19(?) and her Addis who is 1 year (she brought her home January from ET). So she is one busy mama. She passed on an update for us stating that Sof loves Helen and constantly runs up to her and hugs her, just as we had prayed! So good news! Thanks Grace for taking the time to share that with us. Not that I will sleep better knowing, but it warms my heart to hear about them.

So, God willing, if we pass court on the 2nd, we will be possibly leaving on July 25. Wow, just 1 month from today. So much to do and so little time!!

Father God, I thank you for this journey, even if it has stressed me out, rattled my nerves, questioned my faith at times, and scattered my brain (what's left of it), I would do it all over again! I am so grateful for all that has come from it as well, our children; new friendships; appreciation for this country that we have been blessed to be born in; for the awareness of this awesome world that you have created filled with different cultures, traditions and lifestyles and yet to know we were all woven from the same thread by you. That no matter where on earth we were born your blood runs through all of us giving us life and making us part of one family!

We have a court date!!!!!!

Tears of joy are streaming down my face as I process the thought that we finally have a court date for our sweet little Helen. It is set for July 2 and so hopefully if all goes well we will be able to travel to ET the first week of August to pick up both Sof and Helen and bring them home!!!!!! Our court date is just 3 weeks away meaning we could be traveling in just 7 weeks. WOW!! I am beyond words with excitement. I feel like singing from the mountain tops!! The last few years have seemed like an eternity, but with this court date brings me hope of our dream finally becoming reality!!
Today, the kids and I will put together packages for Sof and Helen, which a fellow Hope family will so kindly hand deliver to them for us in the next couple of weeks, thanks Lisa! This hopefully being the last of the packages to be sent, praying that the next time we will be the ones to play Santa's helpers delivering packages to kids when we go!
I have layed low posting lately feeling like a bit of a Grinch. Focusing all my efforts the here and now trying not to be so consumed with all that has been going on in ET and not having any control over any of it. Both my heart and mind have been torn between my children here and my children in ET. For those of you who have gone through this process you know what I mean. Just having this court date takes such a load off, knowing the end is in sight. Finally our family will be united together as one!!
So many prayers have been answered in the last few months. We finally received the referral for our little girl, we passed through court for Sof, my dad asked if he could to come to Texas and watch Caitlin and Reagan (THANKS POPS!!!) and now the court date for Helen so we will be able to bring both our son and daughter home this summer before they close the courts.
Father God I am so grateful and so humbled by your goodness. Thank for Father God for bringing this good news to us. I rejoice and give glory to your name!!! I pray you put a hedge of protection around both Sof and Helen, keeping them safe, healthy and happy and for all things to be in order and to go without a hitch on July 2 so we can finally bring the HOME! It's in your precious and holy name I pray, AMEN.

Psalm 145:21
My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord; and let all flesh bless (affectionately and gratefully praise) His holy name forever and ever.

A day in the life with the Motts

Well I had hoped to be able to post about a court date, but that is still not the case. I have completely let go and let God to handle that situation. As far as Sofonyas, we have received several pictures and comments from families and our director letting us know that he is happy and healthy. We recently received pictures of Sofonyas and Helen together. Sof looks so happy and they both look healthy. Praising God for that!!

We have been so incredibly busy these last few weeks with end of the year parties, field trips, violin concerts, ballet recitals, swim team practice, boy scouts, cub scouts.... need I say more. Here are a few pictures of all the wonderful activities that we have been so blessed to be a part of.

Blake's Violin Concert: Blake has become such a wonderful violinist!

Caitlin and I at the Zoo, what a fun day that was!!

Reagan's Cub Scout Cross Over Ceremony from Bear to Weblos: That's our boy! Reagan is so excited about being a Webloe.

Caitlin's Pre-school graduation: Yes, I cried!!!

Reagan Field Day Fun: Reagan really got into the running. Just like his mommy!

Swim team practice: Note this is Caitlin's first year and this is a picture of her first time down the entire pool by herself. We are so proud of them all!!

Caitlin's Dance recital called "Nutcracker Party Guests". Too cute!! Thank you Mamaw and Papaw for being such an active part of our lives. It brings all of us so much joy!!

Thank you Father God for giving us healthy bodies, freedom and the means to be able to enjoy all of these blessings. My cup runs over!