We have tried to keep busy, and the boys are growing fast. They are keeping us going between church, school, and soccer, but we don't let this distract our thoughts from the our future with Rayne! (Rebecca is looking forward to dance/gymnastics and whatever other girlie things she can be involved in!) We know that it will all work out in God's time, but it is also hard to not be selfish and want her home now...
The past year we have celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary, took the boys to Universal Studios, everyone turned a year older, gained some weight (Danny), lost some weight (Rebecca), and Danny started a new job. Triston is now 14 and has surpassed Rebecca in height. The twins, Colin and Caleb, are now 10 and Eli is 7. The age gap has widened farther than we had expected but the boys are all still excited and continue to ask for updates on our status.
We "celebrated" tonight with a nice big chocolate cake, with a candle for each family member including Rayne. We lit the candles, spent a few moments praying and thinking of Rayne, and blew out the candles...each making a secret wish for Rayne! I can't wait for them to come true! It was really special and significant for all of us!!
We have had some positive information coming from the adoption agency. They have said that the State Department is working on expediting the Visa processing. This would result in only having to travel to Ethiopia once and would not require leaving Rayne behind while waiting for her Visa to be approved...we are cautiously optimistic and hope this is the case.
We are getting anxious to be in the TOP 10!! Hopefully it will be soon. In the meantime will will be busy updating more paperwork that will be expiring AGAIN! We are praying that 2013 will be the year but are reserved because the unknown can always happen.
Today was bitter sweet and has been really hard for us. Our hearts are so heavy. But we are faithful that the Lord will show us his will for us as a family. Please continue to pray with us as Rayne finds her way to her FOREVER Family!!
