Two Days left :O))

Just two days and we will be in Bulgaria and only one day we will be boarding our plane. This journey started 19 months ago and finally we will begin a new chapter in our journey. Friday will be a day filled of tears and happiness. With all the blessings during our adoption I can not again say THANK YOU enough to each and every person who has helped. Not a day I do not say a prayer in thanks and a prayer to people I have not yet met who have prayed and supported our adoption. Honestly I have never been so blessed in love and support during any of our adoptions.  I know in my heart I will continue to pay forward in advocating for orphanages and the orphans that remain.  Last night as difficult as it was to go to sleep I laid there thinking of when I first thought of adopting. Knowing that part of my heart was being led to each of these children.  As I told my husband during this adoption these two children would be our last children my heart still I feel has much more to give to other children.  But at this moment bringing these two home and getting them healthy and show them they are loved is one of my main concerns.

Last night my oldest and #1son Daniel Paul I have not seen in years came home for a visit.  Daniel we call Danny has 5 sons and lived in PA. With such a distance between us and our work schedules time had slipped by the both of us. As he hugged me I realize just how much I miss my older children.  It has been years since I finally had all my children in the same State and City. Shortly Danny's family will be moving to Louisiana and we will finally once again our family will be together. I remember when my labor had began it was on April Fools Day with many false labors prior going into labor on this one day I could not believe. Even our Lord sometimes has to play a joke on a momma. Silly me I finally had to give in and go to the hospital only to find out yes the time was finally here. Shortly I had a red face screaming son and my life had chance for I was a mother.  One of the greatest gifts my Lord has allow me to have was to become a mother. And also a mother to 13 children.  2 children in Heaven, 4 driving me crazy on earth, 2 step adopted children and our 5 adopted children.  Hard to believe some days. One day during an interview at school I was ask if I ever wanted children and I said yes a dozen but as you know it is a Bakers Dozen (13).  Not yet knowing what the years ahead may bring of other children only our Lord knows.  My heart tells me maybe our days are not yet over in parenting other children. Still again I just do not know at this moment.  Hard to say for my heart says more but my body and mind say OH MY :O0000

As I was purchasing some items for my trip my oldest daughter Samantha was with me. It is hard not to go in the stores without someone stopping her and asking when she is due. She has probably the biggest belly I have ever seen on a pregnant woman.  And then people ask if this is my first grandchild and then I tell them Kayden is number 15 of the bunch.  13 Boys & 1 Girl and another little boy Kayden our #15. With eyes open wide I then am ask how many kids we have and I say 13 and one is a 3 year old and many times they look  at my husband and smile. If they only knew :O))))) Adoption is a word each of our children know and even our youngest of grandchildren know about adoption.  They know just what adoption means and why people adopt. People have many reasons but it all boils down to the one big word "LOVE".  What a wonderful thing to loved but also when your children tell you they love you this is my reward and happiness.
Last night as my oldest son hugged and kiss me I remember him as a child of 5 years. It felt as if I blink my eyes and my son now a man. I pray when the time comes for me to leave our earth I have given it my all. So daily I do what I can and ask our Lord to guide me in accomplishing as much as I can.

Packing**Now getting on to packing our bags.
I probably one again over packed and again probably forgot something we need.  I had made lists for months and put each child's clothing in separate bags as in prior adoptions. I learn while on the plane to have all meds available when needed and once our carry on is in the over head do not plan on getting any of it out for use. Praying for a good seat near a restroom and praying also the flight is not a full one so we an rest with out a big crowd fighting for a restroom. Using a restroom is like a big game on an airplane.  I waited a good 15 minutes only for a pregnant girl to wait behind me and yes I had to step back to let her in first. I remember those days in trying to hold it in and weighing a good 40 pounds or more bearing down on my bladder-just no fun. :o0000 I packed jackets for the kids and ourselves and only praying we do not need them while there. If it is nice I am leaving my jacket behind. Prior to this trip I purchase a new one for only $8.00.  I got one of those bags you can suck the air out so everything I could remove air I did. Making our bags with a lot more room. Only praying the airline do not ask us to open these up. So much  I have learn about airlines and just being one pound over and cost you. So I weigh the heavier ones first and then move items if I have to. I refuse to pay over bag fees. So I weigh at home again and again and again.  we used to get 2 bags but now only the one to check in another to carry on and a purse or diaper bag. We will see and praying no headaches while there checking these bags in. So we decided to check bags in several hours early just in case we have to move things around. Again I had learned the hard way in the pass with luggage.
Each and every time my luggage is lost especially heading to BG.  Why there I do not know :O(( Probably because it is searched and screened because I pack it tightly.  I have allow myself extra days in arriving for lost bags so we will see :O))

Today I am bringing Samantha for her OB check up and praying things look as they should. No major changes that may bring an early birth. Praying the schedule C-section is still as planned and praying she does not go in labor while I am away. Knowing both of us are now new mommas April will be a big adjustment for us both.  New kids and no rest :o000 In both our homes we are both ready. Samantha's nursery is finally complete just adding up the new window blinds and everything is done.  In our home the little beds are ready clothing in the dressers just a few dresses to rehang we are ready.  I have purchase some toddler foods for the house and still not sure what these little ones can eat. I will learn this as we prepare to come back home.
Oh how I wish I could rest today but many last minute things to do. So I must close and tommorrow my last post before we travel. :O)) May our Lord watch over our babies till we are there.  And may he also watch over my children and family here.