Organizing, Fundraising and Bears -- Oh, My!

Here are more recent pictures of Addixian (pronounced Addison) and Axi (pronounced Ax-ee). Addixian is on the left side of the teeter totter, Axi on the right. Axi has spastic cerebral palsy and her legs are very scissored. BUT look at her go on those stairs! Go, Axi baby!!

It's Sunday morning, and I did my devotions on my own and sent the rest of the family off to church so I could get some work done (such is the life of a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom who also works. Working at home is a joke unless everyone else is gone!).

On my list today: to get books ordered for my two college students, help my stepdaughter get the grandkids to JCPenney for a professional photo, take the Christmas decorations down (may not get to this until later in the week), make a packing list, work on an overdue work project, and try not to daydream about China! (I can do that on the 18-hour flight to Shanghai next week.)

I had a dream the night before last that we were in China meeting the twins at an orphanage, When the girls came out, to my surprise, they were 10 years old, not 4! And while Axi was quite disabled and not speaking, Addixian was Russian, spoke English, had short spiky hair and told us her name was Skyler! Very odd, but surprises are the norm in international adoption. Especially with China, because you have never met your children before adopting them, in most cases. You aren't sure until you get there what they will look like, what size they will be, and how serious any medical conditions are. I don't think the twins will be 10 years old, or Russian, but there are many unknowns. I have a great deal of excitement mixed with a healthy dose of fear, I think!

Please pray for us this week every time you think of us -- for our health, safety, and that the rest of the finances will come in for the trip (see yesterday's post for our awesome matching grant opportunity this week!). Lots of organizing, fundraising, and -- oh yeah, bears. I bought three incredibly soft little teddy bears that match for my three China girls to have in China (under $1 each. Go Target Christmas clearance!)

We love you all.

Natalie Gillespie