Wednesday, June 22, 2011

a big sister

baby piglet

We've been talking to Lilah for a while now about how much fun being a big sister would be. She certainly seems to agree with us now. She is ready. And we know she will make an amazing big sister.

Last week I pulled this little pig out from the bottom of her stuffed toy basket, because I thought it would look cute as part of the decor in her new bedroom. Well, Lilah has taken a special interest in it, she tells me she's the big sister to baby piglet, and that we are "The Pig Family".

She has also told me that he's adoped from the same orphanage as her in China and she's repeating everything we've ever told her about the beginnings of her adoption story - how she didn't know us at the start, that she was scared and that we rocked her to sleep in our arms. She's pretty much playing out her own adoption story with this new little adopted piglet. It's so innocent and sweet. I even overheard her telling piglet yesterday that "You're ALWAYS going to be a part of our family."

All that to say, yes, we have started the paperwork again to adopt through China's Waiting Children Program! The bulk of the paperwork and the social worker visits should be finished in another month or so. After that we need to be approved by the (Canadian) Ontario Ministry, which can take up to 8 weeks, then our file is sent to CCCWA (China's adoption authority). At that stage our agency will be able to match our family to a child. However, it could take longer or shorter depending on many things. Our agency coordinator may be a little optimistic, but she thinks we could have a referral as early as the Fall and be in China next Spring!

We are so so SO thrilled!

Especially thrilled because God made Himself very clear to us, that this is His will. To be honest, even though my husband has been pushing me to get this started for a while now, I was dragging my heels a bit. I was a little scared about the change of dynamics in our family and was hesitant on that first step of faith. And the truth is, I wanted more than one confirmation from God that this was His plan. I'm so thankful I have a God I can depend on, to love me, strengthen me and guide me, even when I doubt Him. I'm thankful that He is persistent and has spoken to me in so many ways.

With every passing day I am filled with more and more excitment. I can already feel my heart growing to love this child, a child that I don't even know yet. To think that this child, our child, is very likely already born and has already been chosen for our family by our Heavenly Father. Truly, it's a moment of realization like this, that takes my breath away.

baby piglet
[ baby piglet comes grocery shopping, in a makeshift sling ]

baby piglet

26 comments:

  1. HOORAY!! Congratulations Jill! That is wonderful news.......and Miss Lilah is going to make a WONDERFUL BIG SISTER!

    I adore the photos of her and her baby piglet.

    Have a wonderful week~

    xoxo,

    Lisa

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  2. Congratulations! This is great news. I'm so happy for you and your family. Lilah will certainly make a fun loving big sister.

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  3. I am so happy for you! This is very exciting news, to say the least. I would believe that timeline, Cathy (I am assuming that she is the coordinator still) is usually very conservative on her timelines.
    So exciting.

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  4. Yes, it is still Cathy. :) You just made my night Dayna!

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  5. YEAH!!!! I'm SOOOOO excited for you and your family!! We've just begun the adoption process ourselves and are over the moon!! Lilah is going to be THE MOST ADORABLE big sister EVER!!! :) {Sigh... is our God not the coolest??!!}

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  6. Oh this is SO very exciting. When I read the title...I was so excited and then as I read about the piglet...I though oh that is the baby sister...then I read on and my heart was racing with joy for y'all!!!!!!!! Congrats. I will be here praying for you all every single step of the way. God always leads us down the right paths when we listen to Him.

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  7. Yay, yay, yay!! Congratulations and big hugs! I had a feeling. I am so, so excited for all of you. And, yes, I agree that Lilah will be a fantastic big sister. I love these photos of your beautiful girl...and that dress is adorable. Oh I can not wait to see what these next few months hold for you.

    Gin =)

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  8. This next little while is going to be very exciting! Lilah will be a big help with a little sibling, she has such a sweet personality. I can hardly wait to see who God has planned for your family...

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  9. Yay!!! I'm so excited for you! Congratulations. How absolutely wonderful. I am sure Lilah will be a wonderfully kind and loving big sis!

    Mary Karen

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  10. Congratulations! This is great news !!!
    Lelih will be a lovely big sister

    Friendly
    Françoise

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  11. Wowza. that takes my breath away too.

    I love the photo of Lilah with the sling.

    YAY. I am so so happy and excited for you - and Lilah will be an awesome big sister.

    xo ellie

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  12. Anonymous23 June, 2011

    I am excited for you guys! I've been following you journey for a while, found you through Kim at 3 Peanuts. My husband and I just started the adoption process and actually have an appointment on July 8 to discuss the waiting child program. Do you have any wisdom/advice to share with a newbie who knows NO one who adopted internationally? Thanks! -Mandy (mandy5382@yahoo-com)

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  13. Congrats Jill and family!!!! How exciting. Your little miss will be an amazing big sister!!!

    Our Will also came to us through the Waiting Children/SN program, he's been with us almost 3 years.

    hugs...

    The pics with L with the piglet are adorable!!!

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  14. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Ms L will be a wonderful big sis :)

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  15. So sweet! Congratulations! I read your blog because we have a little Lila Grace too, just spelled slightly different. She is going to become a big sister soon through the waiting child program as well! She is so excited!

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  16. We are so happy for the three of you! Lilah will make a fabulous big sis.

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  17. SOOO exciting! I've read your blog for a while and think Lilah is just as cute as can be and all of your pictures are just beautiful! Lilah will be one beautiful and wonderful big sister!!

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  18. I am so happy for you .... no words, just so happy!
    Hey!
    Do you want to call the new baby Zoe as our next be named Lilah?? HAHAHA!
    God bless your project and bring you up to this child ....

    PS my teenage daughter Elie is also passionate about photo ans now she look at your blog and really like it. I lost my place as a model for her ( in photo!!) since she sees your pictures of Lilah!!!!

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  19. FANTASTIC news!!!! So happy for all of you!!! Lilah is going to be an amazing big sister!!!!!!

    Congratulations on following this call! I know God is going to bless you abundantly!

    ~Diana

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  20. I am glad you have God to depend on too! You know I am thrilled for you!

    lea
    xo

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  21. Oh Jill, I am so so thrilled to hear that your family will welcome another little one. I just know Lilah will be an amazing big sister and I am so thankful to be able to follow your journey. Hugs my friend and I pray things go quickly for your family.
    Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!

    Love, Janice

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  22. I am thrilled for you all Jill, How wonderful!!! I will be following along with a huge amount of interest and a big lump in my throat!!!

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  23. Jill - I am so thrilled to hear that you have started the process again! I read your comment on Joyanne's blog and had to pop over. I sure understand the trepidation, but absolutely without a doubt had the same turning point each time in our adoptions. It was the point when I God placed that surety that our child was even then already chosen and out there somewhere waiting for us. Suddenly then, I was waiting for him/her too! So excited to see God already knitting your precious Lilah's heart to her new sibling. God is so good!
    Shelley

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  24. Anonymous03 July, 2011

    so thrilled to hear this, lilah will be a great big sister, it is a worry when you go from 1 child to two, will you love them both as much, but no need to worry, the love you have for each child is everlasting, and you have plenty of love for 2 daughters, love always, sharon

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  25. She will be the most amazing sister. You are an amazing mum :) Jill , and your family is absolutely precious! Praying for your family as God prepares you all for the upcoming journey. Mary

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