He's REAL!!

Kurt and I have been checking the computer NON-STOP for a couple of weeks, hoping to receive pictures of Jackson with his birthday cake! 5 pictures arrived today of a very HAPPY boy and 1 BIG, BIG birthday cake! My favorite picture is of Jackson sitting at the table with the cake in front of him and he is leaning on his elbows on the table (sorry Christi, he'll fit right in here at the Swartzlander household!) with his yellow birthday crown on. The expression on his face says, "This party is for ME! It is finally my turn for a mommy and daddy to send me a birthday cake!" After looking at the pictures, Jackson became more REAL to me! Although our journey has not been as long as most who travel this long, long adoption road, the feelings must be the same. To see his response to something that we, his mommy and daddy, sent to him!

I know you must be wondering why we aren't posting the pictures, but Kurt and I have agreed to follow our agency's instructions to wait until he is legally ours in China. After we have signed our papers in China, which I believe is the day after we get him, we will be posting pictures...from the first one that captured our hearts to the moment he was in our arms! I promise you, you won't be disappointed!

He is as REAL as CHRIST is in our lives! Our LOVE for Jackson is as REAL as it is for CHRIST!

Surreal!

We received a picture today from Ann at Red Thread China of our care package to Jackson. He should be receiving it sometime next week, along with his birthday cake. Hopefully we will receive pictures back of him enjoying the cake rather than getting the camera back when we travel to China. We are told that it just depends on the orphanage.

We will not be able to post any pictures of Jackson until we have LOA, although I know most people post them as soon as they have them. Kurt and I really just want to do what our agency has asked of us. Words can not describe what it feels like to have pictures of him and not to be able to share them with our family and friends afar! He is beautiful! My husband would correct me and say that he is "handsome", just as he corrected me in the delivery room the moment I saw Jadon, once someone finally gave me my glasses back! My arms ache to hold him and rock him and to snuggle up with him. He has the most adorable cheeks!!!! Bright eyes and a sweet smile!

We are now Day 24 in our wait for LOA and we are resting in God's perfect plan!

LID!! LID!!! LID!!! LID!!! LID!!!

We just got the call that we have a Log In Date of August 17th!!!!! Kurt and Jadon are at their second night of Karate, my sister-in-law Angela isn't home, my sister-in-law Christi isn't home and my parents aren't home and working on calling my in-laws! Where are you, people????? We've got a LID!!!!

Our countdown has officially begun. We are 16 days into our wait for LOA. We have been told previously to expect a 3 month wait. Although I get pulled in different directions, hoping that it comes sooner and knowing that it could be longer...I still rest in God's timing and find peace with this journey to our son.

We are able to send a care package to Jackson. We have also been collecting things to send to him. So far we have a Fisher Price camera that shows pictures of animals when you look through it and click to take a picture (it reminds me of a view master without the cards to put in), Sydney's and Jadon's favorite board book..."Goodnight Gorilla", 2 sign language board books, a disposable camera and a Sassy child's photo album that will have pictures of us. I will also be making a "night-night" blanket that is blue with monkey heads on it. I plan on spraying it with my perfume so that it can become a familiar smell to him. I also plan to put candies for his foster family. Can anyone think of anything else?

Thank you for your prayers and your support.

So glad I didn't have to make this a "Wordless Wednesday" !

Praising our Savior!
Stacy