Jack's 1st Christmas & New Year

In the days since Jack has first arrived home, he has been adapting to his new life like a champ.  Only four days after coming home, Jack got to experience Junk Food Night with Brandy's family.  It didn't take long for us to feel the shift of favoritism immediately transfer to the grandson/nephew.  We also got to go to the land in Star and Uncle Mark's house on Christmas Day.  Over the past few days, Jack has been getting more presents than I think Brandy and I ever got combined.  He hasn't been corrupted yet, so he loves everything from pajamas to his electric car.

I mentioned earlier about Jack adjusting so well. He's already started to push the limits with Mama and Daddy.  In this picture, Brandy told him he couldn't eat in the living room, and had to eat in the dining room.  He's already living on the edge.

Just a few days before New Year's, Jack got his first haircut from Bizzy in Star.  As with everything else, he did awesome.  He has been such a big boy handling everything from his physical in China to his haircut in Star.

Jack got to spend some time with his cousin, Emma, at the Mississippi Children's Museum.

New Year's was very different for the Paul family this year.  We decided not to interrupt his sleep schedule, so the three of us opted to stay home on New Year's Eve.  Jack went to bed around his regular time, so Brandy and I could stay up and celebrate the New Year with just the two of us.  We put on a movie, and I passed out around 9:30.  Brandy stayed up a little later, but we were both out early enough to be wakened by fireworks around 11:45.  I asked Brandy if she wanted to stay up for fifteen minutes to bring in the New Year.  She responded with a grunt, so we both went back to bed.

This is how we spent New Year's

Two of the sweetest moments for me came through two FaceTime phone calls we made with Jack.  The first call was the Sunday after Christmas.  A friend of Jack who is now named William has been telling his parents that the thing he misses most about China is Jack.  William got to see and talk to his friend for the first time since he was adopted a year ago.  William's family, who lives in Tennessee has been praying for Jack.  William even got to pray for Jack just before we said goodbye. 

Another good friend of Jack's is Mr. Dave Woodhouse.  He is a man from Canada, who makes yearly mission trips to Maria's Big House of Hope, where he first met Jack.  We all got to talk to Mr. Dave on New Year's Day.  Dave is a very special man, and Jack means more to him than we may ever know.  He seemed very happy that Jack was a part of our family. 

We are up to the challenge of loving Jack in a way that gives his friends happiness and peace.  Both of Jack's FaceTime phone calls were very special to the people who got to see him, but it was very special for me as well.  It toasts my heart to know that Jack has had people that have loved him even before he entered our lives.

Jack's Gotcha Trip

I decided to share all of our photos and videos with captions to tell the story of our journey.  I felt like all of these photos were too precious not to share them all, so I didn't want to limit this post to three or four pictures.  I am also doing this for Jack, so he can always come back and remember this.  I must warn you, there are over 700 photos and videos.  You will have to click on each one to get the whole story. And some of the stories are real gems.  Or you can just sit back and enjoy the pictures.  Without any further apologies, I present to you, Jack's Gotcha Trip.  

Click below  

Jackson Paul's Adoption

So What's Next?

On monday we received our Article 5 notice!!!!!!!!

Timeline straight from CCAI:

1.5-3 Weeks - CCCWA will issue Travel Approval (TA)

1-5 Business Days After TA - Once CCAI receives confirmation, we will have set travel dates.  Travel plans will be finalized with CCAI staff and local Chinese government offices.

10-21 Days After TA - Travel to China!  We will receive our day-to-day travel itinerary 5-7 days prior to actual departure.

Brandy - Best case: we leave around December 10 and get back around Christmas Eve. Worst case: we leave at the end of December and come back after the New Year. Still praying hard for an early travel date! Our nerves are seriously on edge now! So much to do to get ready to go. We got our travel agent on go for when we get our dates, so that is a start! My heart is pounding so fast right now just thinking about meeting Jack! It's happening people! 

To tide you over, here are some pictures of Jack's room!

Article 5 Countdown

Right now, we are anxiously awaiting our Article 5.  We even decided last night to get the suitcases down from the attic.  What is an article 5?  We're not really sure either, but when we get it, we should get a travel approval (TA) within 1.5 to 3 weeks.  We were told to expect the Article 5 in two weeks, and we are on day 12.  Jack coming home is truly reality now. We're getting his room finished up, got his clothes hanging in his closet ready to be worn and toys ready to be played with.  Last night, I assembled his stroller, car seat, and Ninja Turtles Big Wheel.  I was most nervous installing the decals on the Big Wheel.  I meticulously placed every one on there trying my best not to get any wrinkles in the stickers.  Jack's dad makes a living making decals.  If his Big Wheel isn't the coolest on the block, we have a problem.  I wanted so bad to "test drive" it for him, but it said on the bottom, "Kids Only".  How bad would it be if I broke one of his toys before he got to come home and see them?


We are pleading with everyone to please pray for a few specific things:

Please pray for Jack at this time. Pray that he is being prepared by his caregiver to meet his forever family. This is going to be hard on him. We are already so in love with him however he doesn't know us. How scary for a child. Pray for us to have patience with him. Because Lord knows all we want to do is hug and kiss him, however they may not be what he needs at first from us. Hopefully we can bond while we are in China and gain his trust. God is so good and He receives ALL the glory! No matter what! 

We checked pricing to travel at the beginning of December and the middle of December, the price difference is about $2500.00 to fly later in the month! God can make anything happen so send up a prayer that the paperwork goes through and the travel dates come back to where we leave at the beginning of the month! I truly believe that if we pray loud enough, often enough and all in one voice, God can make this happen! As a family in Christ and in His name we pray!!! 

While going through our own adoption we have met so many sweet families.  This past Saturday, Brandy got to help Jason and Haley Bush with their yard sale to help bring home their son, Max.  It's so awesome to be a part of this adoption community.  All of the adoptive parents we have met have been super awesome.

Below, is a video Brandy shared about the orphanages run by our adoption agency, CCAI.  These are the people helping us bring Jack home, and these orphanages look very similar to the ones he has been in.

Post by Paul Adoption.

October Update Roundup 2014

October Update Roundup

All posts by Brandy Paul

October 1

We are so excited! We just sent off our I-800 (Jack's immigration) to be approved! The excitement and nervousness of getting our son home is setting in quickly! It is now reality that we will be able to touch our sweet Jack SOON! Two years is a very long time to wait for a child however I know God is perfect in His timing. So I trust Him fully! THANK YOU all for your encouragement and prayers! I don't think that I will ever really be able to express to each one of you how much it has meant to us! 

October 3

Things are happening fast. Got an email telling us what to expect during the "travel part" of the wait. We are actually talking and preparing to travel! Can't believe we are so close to getting our son! Hopefully Jack's immigration (I-800) will go smoothly so it won't hold the timeline up any. If things go as they should we will be in China mid-late December. How about that for a Christmas gift!  

October 7

Post by Paul Adoption.

Perry's Results:
It was close! Rite under 33 min! The spaghetti and meatballs at Scotty's Pizza in St. Francisville last night had me in a bind through the whole race. I stayed in the woods for a combined time of at least 5min -cleansing my body- of what I thought was some awesome sketti sauce! Either way I ain't "got" to wash anyone's ride! "But who knows what's liable to happen!"I wanna Thank everyone for helping me raise a little money for my friends! Y'all are AWSOME!

October 10

Update on what has been going on since we receive our LOA. TONS of emails with paper work that needs to be sent off and check writing! Getting visas in order, Jack immigration done, travel info started and paying those who get all of this going! THIS IS STRESSFUL! Prolly the most stress from the start of this journey. For me. personally, not only the stress of getting all of this done in a timely manner but also becoming a Mother. Knowing that my life will change and I will be raising a little boy to become (hopefully) a God fearing man. Emotions are running high over here! LOL

On a side note; I need to brag on my husband for a moment because he has truly been wonderful. He is the one handling mailing and getting everything notarize. AND he has been beyond patient with my mood swings! T.J., if you don't him personally, is one of a kind and is such a Godly man. I am blessed beyond words. Jack is so lucky to have such a Daddy!

Thank you all, again and again, for everything! For the support, encouragement and prayers! There is no way of expressing what it all means to us! Hopefully when you see Jack in our arms finally you know what it truly meant. And how big our God really is! Love you all! 

October 23
We received an update on sweet Jack! Here are some fun facts about him: He likes to eat. A LOT! Jack is talkative. I told TJ that he will fit right in with this family for sure! He did receive our care packages! Yay!!  He is in good health, development is normal and can walk, run and jump! His height is right under 40", weight 39.6 lbs and shoe size 8.5/9 toddler! The perfect size for a 4 year old! This update has made this Mommy very happy! 

Oh and one little minor thing I forgot to mention in Jack's update: WE RECEIVED HIS IMMIGRATION APPROVAL TODAY TOO!!!!!

So many blessing! And this morning I thought today was going to be an EH day! 
Brandy

October 28

We are still just filling out paper work and paying the fees as they come at us. This weeks big project is to get Jack's paper work in order. It's about 30+ pages of reading, filing in the blanks and signing. At this point we are robots doing as we are told just to get him home! LOL

Going through this journey we have met several people on the same path. Just listening to them go through the same emotions and joys as we did reminds me just how amazing this has all been. It's funny to think about how a little over 2 years ago T.J and I sat down (after 2 years of praying) to fill out the very first form. I still remember T.J turning to me after church and saying "We have a child out there waiting on us. Let's get them home." So thankful everyday for God's grace and a husband who is my partner throughout it all!

Happy Birthday, Jack! and September Roundup

These are mostly Facebook updates from Brandy for the month of September, 2014.

September 1

We got new photos of Jack from a camp he went to!

See more photos here. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.757447694312975.1073741833.516369861754094&type=1&l=f1454d490c

September 10

Sending Jack his birthday package tomorrow! He will be 4 years on September 25! It's a bitter-sweet time for sure, glad that he is another year older however wishing he was home to celebrate with his family! Believe me , next year for his 5th birthday this Mommy is going to make sure little Jack has a wonderful party! LOL In the meantime I can only pray that he will receive this package and love all the goodies that his parents have sent him. Taking it one day at a time until we can give our son a hug! 

September 17

GREAT NEWS from our agency!!! Getting closer!! Below is the email telling us the update on our LOA! 

Great news – the CCCWA is now showing your dossier as “reviewed,” yay! Hopefully we’ll see some LOA news in the next few weeks here!

September 23

Here is an email I received just two days before his birthday.

Dear T.J.,

Thank you so much for the information. I have added it to your son's file on our end and will look forward to supplying all his early photos and files once he is finally at home with you. 

Your son has won the hearts of so many who have visited our care centers but maybe the person most taken by him is a policeman from Canada who has served the men's construction team for the last two years. I know he has been faithfully praying for the past three years that your son would come into a family of his own as have many others. Your little guy is a sweetie!

As you near travel, keep me updated. I will be happy to make sure one of our English speaking staff is in place to give you a tour of MBHOH during your visit.

Thanks again!  

The timing of this email was so awesome.  We were probably going to be very sad we couldn't celebrate Jack's birthday with him.  This email calmed my worries.  I now know that their are people who love and care for him.  I'm also very proud of our boy for being such a sweetie!

September 25

Happy birthday to Jack!! We cannot wait to get you home so we can just celebrate you! Bitter-sweet day for us. Wishing we could just hug him on his birthday.  However loving the fact that once he is home we will be able to kiss him whenever we want!! 

September 26

HUGE NEWS everyone! We received our soft LOA today!!!!!! What does this mean you ask? This means we should be going to get our sweet Jack in about 10 to 14 weeks if not sooner (hopefully not later)!!!! We have so much to do to get ready to leave and the paper work starts again!! Such a blessing and for it to come the day after his birthday! GOD IS GOOD! Please pray that we handle all the preparations in a timely manner and everything continue to go smoothly! Thanks!

Waiting On You

Some thoughts from Brandy

Still no update on when we can get our sweet little Jack. What they said about the waiting part being hard is true! We don't know exactly WHEN we can go get him. The only thing we can go by is the time line from former adopters. And this Momma does not do too well with things that are not in her control! Ask anybody that knows me! It can be scary at times! However everything has a teaching moment and God is def teaching me that I am NOT in control of anything that happens, HE IS!! However for a planner like me I spend a lot of time relying on God which, I think, is His plan anyway. God is probably preparing me for when Jack gets home and then everything will completely different!  Even tho I cannot truly compare my journey with ones that have children the way that does not need a blog, it's own Facebook page or fundraisers however I will tell you after 2 years of paper work, visits from social workers etc. I feel like I am ready to pop to meet my little guy! Let's put it this way for those of you that have had babies, what if I told you that you are going to have a little boy and give you pictures and videos of him. Tell you all his dislikes, likes, and all about his personality. But you can't touch him, can't feel him move inside you ,don't know that he is really safe, cared for and you don't know when you will meet him! Now that is true suffering right there! HA Don't worry I have heard labor is awful so the pain may even out. One is just a lot shorter than the other. To help this Mom and Dad get through this waiting time we are going on a "babymoon" this coming Saturday for 7 days! Last trip that will just be the two of us in the family! Weird thinking that there will soon be three in our little family (four if you count our fur baby, Butters) I will say that the nervousness kicks in at times. Which I think (hope) is normal for first time Mothers. If it's not, don't tell me. That will be just another thing to think about! HA Thank you all for praying for us, hanging there until we have a date to go to China and listening to me as I get this all out! We love you all!!

Brandy