Life With Janaa

Wow! Today marks the first week that Janaa and I have spent the entire week at home since April...Or, at least that's the best I can figure. We have not stopped the past few months.  Janaa's best friend Emma was able to get her visa and was here with us for a week with her mom and my friend.  What a blessing. Thanks for praying with us about her visa. 

Last week "Mommy" Rachel married the man of her dreams and Janaa attended her first wedding  (Rachel took her to one when she was a few months old, but she was too little to remember.), and was in her first wedding.  The ladies in white were so beautiful.  I have never been to a wedding where there was true worship in the way that we did that day.  There were so many answered prays represented there, from each of Rachel's children being in homes to Rachel being with an awesome man.  When I would mention it being Rachel's day she would quickly remind me that it was "Marc" and Rachel's day.  We all really like Marc. He and Brent hit if off from the start, and has continued to become a dear friend along side his bride.

Janaa did so well!  She was absolutely adorable.  The only part she didn't like was the heat and the uncomfortable dress in the heat.  We convinced her to make it to the reception.  We knew once she started dancing she'd forget all about being tired, sweaty and itchy in her dress.  Sure enough, she danced from start to finish and loved every moment.  Hopefully, she'll learn to dance like her daddy and not like her mommie. 

I'll post some photos from the time Emma was here and from the wedding.

It was just in the past couple of days that I realized that there are only 6 more weeks before my little girl starts school.  As I was looking at photos and I realized again that the last year has past so quickly.  I feel as if she came home just in time to head off to school.  It's a harsh reminder of what we missed.  Brent and I sat and looked through her baby photos a few days ago with an unspoken sense of loss between us.  It seems as if she grows 6 months each night.  In contrast, as we look through the photos it's still hard to believe that it's real.  That she is really ours and that she's really home.  It's still a new thing to us in many ways. Often I'm overwhelmed that God would allow us as broken as we are to raise such an amazing little girl.

As the days of summer draw to a close and the first day of school sprints ahead, my heart is filled with excitement and sadness equally balanced.  Janaa will do well, but I'm going to make the most of the days that I can sit in the pool reading her "big girl" chapter books...This week Cori ten Boom. 

Well, we're home from the beach. It was a beach trip, but vacation I'm not sure about. We did have a blast with the girls hanging out at the beach, playing putt-putt, shopping and everything else.  They were so good. They shared well and fought like sisters.  I just love that they have each other!

J and I are headed up to see my brother and his wife for the rest of the week.  Next week is the wedding of Janaa's foster mom, our dear friend so we'll be gone most of next week as well. Sorry, I haven't been great with updating, but we really haven't been here.

The best news....Emma got her visa!!! Janaa's best friend is coming with her parents to the wedding, but we were sure if she could get a visa to travel. Last night, at the very last minute she was granted her visa!!!! I screamed and cried.  It was really an impossible thing, but that's what our God specializes in. So, Sunday night...4 days...we'll be picking her up at the airport!!!!  Praise God from whom all blessings flow...Now I've got to get my house clean!

Although it doesn't really apply to me for the first time in my life and the only time for at least 13 more years.  But! It does mean that Grandma is out!  It also means pool, beach and permission to relax.  If you've read the Daddy Page you know that Janaa finally has a play set and pool set up. The yard is now mud and hay from all the rain we've gotten, now if we could just get some grass! 

Here's the coolest thing about our week! We actually have plants growing that we can eat. Yep! Peppers and garlic are poking out. I'm so excited. I've never grown anything successfully that I could or would, for that matter, consume.  We'll keep you posted on the out come. Maybe we'll have an abundance and can share it with you all.

Janaa and I got to spend a few more days with Drew (and his parents) this week.  Janaa loves her Drew.  Then we get to spend next week with the other Aunt and cousin.  What a great 2 weeks!

If you will please pray with us for a visa. Not for us, but for Janaa best friend. She is in the process of being adopted as well while living in Thailand so it is all a bit different for her.  She and her family are good friends and should be flying to the US in a couple of weeks for Mommy Rachel's wedding. However, without a US visa Emma can't come.  My heart breaks at the mere thought that she will not get it. She and Janaa are uniquely close. Though they haven't been together much in the past 18 months they remain very close. They long to see each other in a way I've never seen.  I know God has a plan, but I have to say, I'm praying it's something other than way.  They have both been so excited about seeing each other.  So...We wait and trust.  Please pray with us for a miracle visa.  She needs it in the next 10 days or so.

 We have a new nephew,  Jonathan Andrew Hightower.  We call him Drew.  Is  he cute or what?  He was born Sunday morning weighing 8lb 14oz and 21" long. 

He is a  healthy little guy, and has the sweetest nature about him.  He cries when he's hungry or dirty, but other than that he enjoys sleeping. 

Drew came home with his mommy and daddy yesterday and wasn't sure of his new environment at first, but he quickly snuggled in. 

I'm sure there will be more photos to come.  We haven't had internet access so it's difficult to post.

What a special day Mother's Day was.  Janaa is so aware of being kind and thinking of sweet ways to celebrate on her own. Saturday night she insisted that she and daddy fix super while I relaxed.  She had several flowers for me on Sunday and was so kind all weekend.

I am often taken back by how sweet Janaa is.  Today we were checking out at a store and Janaa told me that she loved me. She does this often and for no reason.  The lady checking us out said, "Oh she must be buttering you up for something she wants."  Now, don't get me wrong. She does know how to use this powerful technique and she does it quite well.  But, most of the time she is just honestly being a sweet kiddo.  Man, I love her!

We have ballet rehearsals this week. Janaa is so excited about her ballet recital this weekend. It will be interesting to see if she actually panics or enjoys herself.  She goes both ways.  Don't worry we'll post photos ;).