An interesting post

I follow a blog from an adoptive mom called "No Greater Joy Mom!" Her post today really hits home to me. Many people have asked me the same questions and I love the way she answers it. Take a look: www.nogreaterjoymom.com.

Pictures of Meena

Here are some Pictures:

Home Sweet Home!!

We arrived home in Charlotte at 2AM Friday morning. The flight was long but uneventful! I am so thankful to be home. Connor was sleeping on the couch waiting for me. He only woke up briefly to say hi to me then went right back to sleep. He looks like he grew several inches!!!!! We had a rather quiet laid back day today but I need to get back into a routine quickly. Will try to get pics posted soon...........Colleen

It's official!!

I just got back from court. What an experience! I will share more about the process at a later time. I didn't get much sleep last night, so I want to catch a quick nap before we have to head to the airport tonight. The social worker took Meena back to the orphanage after court. That was such a hard thing to do! If all goes well, I will be back mid Sept. to pick her up. I am anxious to get home and get this long flight over with. I miss my boy so much! I am thankful to God for allowing the hearing to take place today and for allowing me to be Meena's mommy! I will update when I get home and settled. Thanks for your prayers for a safe trip home! Colleen

Court did not happen today!

Today was the day scheduled for my court hearing. The social worker, Meena and myself were ready to go by 9 30. We arrived at the court house and waited and waited...... To only be told that the judge called in sick. I am supposed to come back tomorrow. Thank God we had an extra day before our scheduled flight. I pray the judge decides to come to work tomorrow so we don't have to change our flight. After that big disappointment, we decided to go and visit the local zoo. I was allowed to keep Meena till tomorrow. Our driver picked Linda up at the hotel and we were off again! The zoo was so much fun. Meena learned the sign for lion,giraffe, elephant, bird, tiger and used them independently! She loved the animals and cried when we left. She fell asleep in the car and stayed asleep while I carried her up to the room. I was exhausted too, so I napped too! We have not eaten since breakfast, so I guess we should go get something to eat. I will keep you updated.

Having fun!

Sorry it has been so long since I have written. Things are going incredibly well! Meena has settled into a "routine" and is one adaptable little girl. She does not want to go to sleep for her nap or at night, but does not fuss for more than a few minutes. She sleeps all night and wakes up ready to go! We have been enjoying a rather leisure pace mostly hanging out at the hotel. She is suffering from a cold, cough, and double ear infection, so it is amazing that she is so happy! We get a big breakfast at the hotel, which lasts us through the morning and into the afternoon. There is s small lounge that we can go to and get something pto drink and warm "snacky" foods like chicken bites, onion rings, and fish bites. Dinner begins at 7 30, so depending on what we had for out appetizers, we may or may not have dinner. We brought lots of healthy snacks and some nights just eat those. Meena is just like her brother, loves fresh fruit. She also eats rice and some other Indian foods. The restaurant also makes a delicious garlic bread. I have really enjoyed tasting some new to me foods. Not always Indian food, but very different than what I am used to in US. Deserts are out of this world too! Yesterday we ventured out to a mall to do some shopping. It was very westernized shopping experience. I was able to buy Meena some traditional Indian outfits and a shirt and scarf for me. She will wear one of the outfits when we go to court on Tuesday. The shopping center was within walking distance of the hotel. It was not too far of a walk but very difficult, uneven sidewalks, with busy streets very close to you. We laughed and said if you fell off the sidewalk, you would get run over by 2 buses, 5 cars, and 8 motorbikes all at the same time!!! Meena just takes everything in....... While we are in the hotel, we have been reading books, playing with finger puppets, drawing and coloring, and being silly! She is fascinated with TV and loves Animal Planet! Sound like another child of mine? Her first independent signs were:light, flowers, and fish. There is a small pool of coi fish in the hotel and she loves sitting and watching them. She loves seeing people on FaceTime. She waves and laughs. I show her her family book and point to who we are talking to and then to the picture. She has also signed Connor after seeing him! It is so exciting to see her language just explode! Developmentally she is right on track and I can tell that they work with her on a variety of tasks. She is also right in track for throwing a temper tantrum and knowing who she can get her way with! So far, if I walk away, she gets over it really quick. We will see......hahahah! She is also a man magnet! All the men that work in the hotel come up to her and she smiles and gets them to pick her up! They want to help her with what ever she is doing and she just eats up the attention! Can you say "spoiled rotten"? Sorry I have not posted pictures. We are having some difficulty with this but will keep working on it. Not sure what we will do today, but know she will be a busy busy girl! Will post again soon.....thanking Him for this wonderful time with my new daughter and you all for your continued prayers! Colleen