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

We arrived safely and got a big surprise!

After a really long long plane ride, we finally arrived in India. We were picked up at the airport by a driver from the hotel and made the 40 min drive through a crazy busy city. We got settled in and took a nap. We were awoken by my social worker asking if I wanted to go and get Meena today! Of course I said yes and within an hour and a half I was at the orphanage meeting my new daughter!!! What an exciting and pleasant surprise. It took some assuring on my social workers part assuring them that I did not need someone from the orphanage to come with me. After an hour and a half we were on the road with Meena. Her eyes were wide open and she didn't even want to hug her caretakers good bye! She clung to me with all her might! We came back to the hotel, played with some books and sign cards. she has already signed 8 words independently! It has been amazing to see how smart she is! What she doesn't know how to tell you, she gestures. Her caretakers seemed to really care about the children and the children that I met were very social. I am very happy with how the bonding process is going! I am trying to get her to sleep now. She just keeps looking around and loves her new soft blankie. Please continue to pray for the next few days to be a great experience for both Meena and myself. Also, please pray that Connor continues to be strong with me gone. He has had some rough nights and it breaks my heart to see him cry at night. My parents seem to be hanging in there, but I am sure my dad could use some extra prayer for patience with Connor. He has been going to day camp during the day so that keeps him busy and makes him tired at the end of the day! I will blog more tomorrow and send some pics. It is rough getting your body used to all the time changes and the long plane rides. I am tired and need to shut off the light so Meena will go to sleep. Lots to be thankful for and feeling very blessed.........Colleen

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!!!!!

Late last night I got the call that my court date is set again! Court date is scheduled for July 3. We need to be there by July 30 in the AM to go see Meena. We are leaving Charlotte on Wed afternoon in order to arrive on time. It has been a crazy long day and I am starting to let the excitement of meeting Meena set in!!! Lots more to do but at least the travel arrangements have been made. I will update if I can while we are there. I am so grateful to God for allowing me to become this sweet little girl's mommy! Thanking you in advance for your prayers for safety in travel.

Travel Update

The court date has been changed! Now it will hopefully be the first week in July. It's so confusing dealing with a foreign government:( I cannot and will not understand how they make decisions, so maybe, and then no- it may be one week later! On a positive note, I have more time to get all the last minute things completed at my house and pack in a more organized manner. I am disappointed and still pretty numb. The agency is being supportive and they know that I just want my little girl in my arms!!!! I appreciate your continued prayers for peace of mind and patience........Colleen

WE ARE GOING TO INDIA!!!!!

I got a phone call from the agency director late this afternoon. She asked me if I was ready to go to India? I said "YES!!!!" and when? She said my court date is the 27th of this month! I said like in less than 2 weeks? YUP!!! Lots of last minute things to do to get ready....... They want me there on the evening of the 25th so I can meet Meena on the 26th and 27th will be spent in court. Then we leave on the 28th to come home. Quick trip, but just like they said. She also confirmed that I cannot re-enter India for 2 months on the visa. So, I pray Meena will come home in Sept. I will update when I know more details. Thank you for all your support and prayers on this journey........Colleen

Fantastic Friday!!!!

Well, Fridays seem to be a good day in my world of adoption. The agency called and said my paperwork had arrived from the Indian lawyer. They sent it overnight and should arrive tomorrow by 10:30 AM. I need to get 4 more copies of my passport photo, sign the papers, get them notarized and back in the mail. All this needs to be done before the banks and FedEx close tomorrow! Please pray that I receive the package early enough to be able to get it all done! The agency wants to be able to check everything and get it sent right back to India on Monday. After this paperwork is received, the court date will be assigned. It may be in June but most likely in July or August-since the courts close down for several weeks in June(go figure!!!). This trip will be a quick one, only 3 days in country. I will get to be with Meena for about 2 days. One day at the orphanage and the second at court. Sounds like it will be a long day! She said to bring lots of snacks for Meena:) I will fly back home on the third day. Due to Indian Visa laws, you are not allowed back into the country for 2 months!!!!! Yes, I looked it up and saw it in black and white. So, it will definitely be the fall before I can go back to bring her home:( This trip will be longer-about 7 days-and mostly spent in Delhi. Even though I am sad that it is taking so long, it is nice to have the end in sight. I can't wait to hold my little girl........