1st days of travel

All flights went well. We didn't sleep on any of them though so we got very tired by the end of the trip. I read a book on the 1st plane ride and so did Erick. I watched 3 movies on the 2nd plane- Erick watched 2. One of the movies we watched simultaneously together. The seats were very crowded; closer together than we were expecting. Erick tried to work but it was too hard due to lack of space so after a while he put his computer away. I tried sleeping a little but never did. On the last plane we both tried sleeping because we were extremely tired but it didn't really work out.

In our DC layover there was a Fuddruckers in the airport, so we ate that b4 getting on the plane. Glad we did cuz the in flight meal was not all that.

We had long layover in Munich, that took forever! Our gate changed two times in those 4 hrs and we were confused on how to get to our gate because their signs were not really directing you right. We were soooo tired at that point but didn't want to fall asleep. One thing we noticed here was that there were Camel ads everywhere. The ads would say smoking can kill you and then you would turn around and see smoking areas and smoking booths. I took pics of them. We went to exchange some money to get a mocha style coffee but it was like $10 each. So we found a little shop and Erick got a coke and I got a little bottled iced coffee mochiatto, which turned out pretty good- those cost us like $10 all together!!! We were bored for our 4 hr layover, and the wifi wasn't free, so we could not get online. Erick played angry birds for a bit, I tried but I was too tired to play. Finally I tried to read my Kindle, but when I got it out is was dead! I hadn't even used it yet! When we were about to board the plane a group of kids in some special group got lined up to board. They were so cute in their matching shirts (which we later found out said HOPE). Not sure where they were coming from or what they were all doing, but it was neat to see a bunch of kids from Peyton's country; made us think of Peyton.

We landed in our destination and walked out of the plane then onto a bus that drove us to the terminal. We went through passport check and then got our bags. As soon as we stepped out into the waiting area we saw our driver, Eugene, with our "Wilsons" sign and he whisked us away to the car. On the way to the apt he would point out different things in the city. We almost got in a accident at one point cuz some car ran a red light.

We got to the apt which is cute. It has a washer, toilet, tub, little kitchen, living area and bedroom. As soon as we got in we turned around and went right back out so Eugene could show us how to walk to the food, grocery, money exchange, etc. Rush rush rush! That was a long walk downhill (and we were so tired). The walk back was a workout. We returned and he left and we searched how to turn on the AC, we were sweaty. We got settled a little and were really ready to go to bed. We set up computers and such so we could charge all our stuff that died. Then we realized we had nothing to drink and you are not supposed to drink the water. So we contemplated going back out to buy some but it looked like it might rain and it was getting dark and we were not sure how late things were open. Finally we ended up going out but as soon as we did it started raining. We went down a ways and then decided just to go home and boil some water and stick it in the fridge if we need it. Erick signed on SKYPE when we got back and posted on FB. My computer wouldn't connect wirelessly to his and I was tired so I just went to bed, it was I think 8pm. Like an hour later he came to bed and I was still awake. He was out in 2 min and I was still awake. I was definitely being attacked in my mind. I just was worried about everything and got scared. I kept praying and letting it all go but I just couldn't sleep. After 4 hrs of laying there I took some melatonin and I think I was asleep within 45-60 min!

We woke up today around 8:30am. Checked email, I made an AdvoCare coffecino and Erick had a SPARK. I surfed FB while Erick showered. Then we switched. We got ready for the day and Eugene picked us up for some sight-seeing at 11:30am or so. We drove more into downtown and stopped where the adoption center is and did some souvenir shopping. Then we walked to a little cafe for lunch. It was really good! It was such a nice day out, the breeze sitting outside was wonderful. Then we walked around the city, getting a tour. We now know a lot of the country history. We saw lots of statues, churches, and tourist shops on the sidewalk. We also saw a playground. The tour was very interesting and we took lots of photos. We got back to our Apt by 3:15pm and are chilling now.

Will update again later. Tomorrow is our appt and then hopefully we get the referral the next day, then take a night train to his region and hopefully meet him the next day, Fri!

Last bit!

So we are leaving the country to meet our son in under a week and we are so excited yet VERY busy. We have had a few bumps come out of nowhere recently, things that are big issues and others that are not so big. These have added more stress but we are trying to focus on one thing at a time and just pray pray pray! It is nice to see when an issue gets resolved, Praise Jesus! There is still one major stress hanging in the air we are waiting to be resolved and look fwd to being on the other side of that.

Anyway, we still need just about $2000 more to make our needed funds to finish up the adoption process and get Peyton home!!! If you can put a dent in this, we would be sooooo thankful!!! You can give a donation to us through the chip in on the side of the blog or you can give a tax deductible donation to the Reece's Rainbow Fund link on the side of the blog and they will get that to us. Or you can mail us a check, let us know if you would like to do this and we will get you our info. Another way you can help is buy purchasing AdvoCare products through us. There is a link on the side of the blog as well for info on that. The best way to help in this way is for you to purchase by Tues the 16th. You can also buy a shirt, we still have many left, they are $15. But if you purchase one while we are gone you will not get it till we have a chance to mail it.

We hope to have Peyton home by the end of September (if all goes well) so we will need the funds by then.

Thank you so much for all your love and support.

The Wilsons

We have TICKETS!!!

First off, wow a $500 increase in our Fund! Awesome! PTL! Thank you whoever you are! And many thanks to the other checks that have been coming in the mail! We are so grateful for all the support we are seeing through people, even people we do not know! We are so close to having all the funds needed for the trip. I still need to total it all up (I have been crazy busy this week, and tired) but I will post it soon.

Well, we did it... we booked our flights to go meet our boy! It is sort of surreal. We are extremely excited yet nervous and mind-boggled at the same time. WOOOOHOOOO and AHHHHHHH! We will be getting on a plane and leaving the country to go across the ocean in 2.5 wks!!! The trip will consist of 3 legs, about 18 hrs of travel time. We have never been on the other side of the world! We have never had jet lag. We have never been to an orphanage. We have never had to go to court to prove our ability to parent and be questioned. This will be such a journey. I keep trying to find as many details out as I can about what this experience will be like. I read other blogs and friend others on the same journey. It is so neat to read about what God is doing through adoption in so many people's lives! I have met some great people I hope to stay in touch with. I look fwd to meeting the families we will be in country with and get to hang out a little with too. I know learning from others will help, but I also know every journey is different and we could run into many different things than others did. I hope that our journey is a light to others in many ways. For this is ultimately God's journey that we get to tag along on, and we are sooo blessed to get to be a part! We have seen him moving through this whole process and look fwd to the completion.

We have family watching our other 3 kids while we travel. Please pray for them now and especially during that time. It is a lot for them to take on and our kids have never been away from us for more than a couple days! We have no set idea how long this first trip will be. (In the program details it says like 3 wks. As I have followed others that have just finished the process it seems they have all taken 2-2.5 wks. Then, in our "get ready to go letter", they tell us prepare for 4 wks to have wiggle room just in case. So that is a huge variation in how long this process can take. We have also heard that Peyton's area can be difficult in the adoption process. We have been told to prepare for the long haul in which we would need to recover physically, emotionally, and spiritually between trips. However, we have also talked to someone who was recently there and knows of an adoption from the same orphanage that just took place and it went well; nice and smooth. So again, variation in stories. So we really have no idea what to expect!

I think God is doing this on purpose, so that I just sit back and trust him. Like he is saying it is ok not to know. I am trying too hard to know and prepare for what is coming and he just wants me to just sit back and enjoy the ride whatever it may be and trust that he is in control. At the beginning of the adoption process he told me the same message. I might have written about it in a prior post, can't remember. He spoke to me about just being still and knowing he is God. To relax, have peace, trust, be content with joy, and know his power and love and mission. It was so comforting that day for it came at a time where it was exactly what I needed. Similarly now, the day after we got our travel date (this past Tues), I picked up a devo I had not read in a while and it said similar things; to relax and let God lead me and to know he has everything under control...(ok GOd I get it!) so this I seek to do over these next weeks.

After the first trip we come home and have a 10 day wait. The 10 days is a last option for birth family to come and claim him. Once the 10 days is over, we will be back in country to finish paperwork and pick him up and take him home! That trip has been seen to be 10 days-2 wks. But again, we never know.

Please pray for us!!! Adoption is spiritual warfare and a number of things could happen. We need prayer covering us, Peyton, the orphanage workers, and the courts/govt. Really the whole world and all the orphans in it and any adoptive families to be need to be covered in prayer. Please make them a regular in your prayer times always!

No matter what is in store for us, it is worth it for God's glory! He is the reason we GO, and may our light shine bright every step of the way! May his name be made known in that place!

With love and thanks
The Wilsons

DATE!!!!!

Woot! Got a call at 3:55pm from our stateside helper that our appt is set for Aug 17th!!! We are so excited! Being this late in the day we thought we would not get any news today. Now comes the crazy get ready to travel phase!

Also, our 2.5 yr old went poop on the potty for the first time today!

It is a memorable day for the Wilson household!

Pray with us as we continue this journey! Man, we will be hugging our boy in 3.5 weeks!!!

Love
The Wilsons

Pictures and drums!

Hello everyone... we are still in the waiting to get a date process, but it is right around the corner! We are so excited. Yesterday we actually heard from someone who just got to take a trip to Peyton's orphanage and happened to get a pic of him. This was from June and the most recent pic we have. Getting it was such a blessing and filled me with such life and passion and excitement. I couldn't stop thinking about him, I couldn't focus on other stuff. I just wanted to look at him and be with him. It made my heart smile! Thank you Traci!

Also, my husband has listed his really nice professional drumset on craigslist to help us get the last of our funds to get Peyton! Drums Check it out and pass it around to who you think may want/need to get one. Thanks!

Love
The Wilsons

Open Doors!!!

Praise God for miracles... we just found out yesterday from RR that Peyton's country has decided to continue special needs adoption throughout the time of the closure!!! Can you believe that? We are so excited that the country sees the need for these children and are making a way for them to come home sooner! God is so so good! This means that we should find out our travel date in the coming weeks. Could be this month but most likely will be next month. Please keep praying over this... we know God's timing will be perfect! This news is so surprising and such a blessing! We are giddy!

We still need around $5k to complete the adoption though, so keep praying for that as well and help us get the word out and give if you feel led! Thank you so much for all your love and support!

Love
The Wilsons

Submitted!!!

Sorry forgot to post last week when we found out we were submitted! There was a little miscommunication at first, we did not hear form anyone and we all thought we were not submitted. Then the next day (Friday) we were emailed the correction that we were infact submitted on the 30th!!! So now we just wait on the country to change over and open back up!