We are HOME and finally ALL TOGETHER!

Life is pretty crazy busy right now, but OH SO GOOD.  My heart is so happy and my cup is overflowing.  Zoe is adjusting wonderfully into our family and things have been very seamless.  She is such a joy and it makes my heart so happy to see her thriving in her new family.  Thank you soo much for all the prayers and encouragement.  Her homecoming and birthday celebration at the airport on her birthday was something I will NEVER forget.  We are so blessed to be surrounded by so many family and friends who have LOVED us and our baby girl so well through this process.  We came home to a clean house stocked FULL of food and frozen meals thanks to many of our closest friends. It's been wonderful not having to worry about making meals the past few days and just focusing on attachment, bonding, laundry, and unpacking.  I don't have time to post many pics now, but wanted to post just this one for those of you who read my blog and may not have seen this.  A friend took this picture right after we arrived in the airport.  I LOVE the look on little Evan's face- he is so happy to have his little sister home FINALLY.  GOD IS SO GOOD.  Will post more soon!! 

She's coming home!

Ok- wanted to send out a quick update....  We got our official US Embassy interview appointment date and time.  We leave in just a couple days!!  AAAHHHHHH!  Words can't express how anxious I am to have sweet Zoe in my arms again....  Ever since we got our referral and were matched with Zoe on April 1st, I have prayed and prayed that we would have her home by her 1st birthday.  In the last couple of months, it's seemed very doubtful that this would happen.  But.. after getting our interview appointment today, we now know for sure that we will be arriving home ON HER BIRTHDAY!  Isn't that just like God??  His timing IS perfect and He IS in the details! 

For those of you who live in our area, we would love nothing more than a big homecoming/birthday celebration for baby Zoe at the airport.  I'm not going to post all the details on my public blog, but if you live close and would like to come to the airport, email me at ashleybethbaker@gmail.com and I will get the details to you!! 

WE CLEARED!!

OH HAPPY DAY!!  We finally received the LONG-awaited clearance email from the US Embassy this morning! We get to bring baby Zoe home!!  We still don't know for sure when we will get to leave, but we know it will probably be within a week and it's looking like we may arrive home on her 1st birthday!  Praise the Lord!

Happy Fall!!

Well, I wish I had WONDERFUL news to post, but unfortunately I don't.   
And yet, while we've waited the past 4 months since we first traveled and met our Zoe, we have seen God countless times.  On Thursday, we took Evan over to my parent's house for a couple of hours so we could pray and talk together.  After spending some time in prayer, I had to go get my hair cut real quick.  As I was driving there, I saw a BEAUTIFUL rainbow in the sky.  And I started sobbing.  I KNOW He is in this.  And I KNOW His plans and timing are perfect.  And oh how I'm trying to trust and remain hopeful.  We have been stretched and have grown in so many ways since we started this journey last July.  And I know that someday we will look back on this as a distant memory.  But oh how we miss our baby and want her home. 

 On a happier note, this past weekend was the Apple Festival in our town and Evan also had another soccer game.  I so enjoy watching him and the other kids on the team.  Drew has done such a great job with all the kids and it's been so fun to see them improve and have fun while they are learning.  Evan's cousin Hailey and aunt Laura came home from Chicago for the Apple Festival and got to watch Evan's game.  He was oh so happy to have more fans! 

Trying to kick that ball!

Just a little distracted by all his fans :)

E and Hailey :)

One of the kids on our team....  I'm telling you- it's SOO entertaining to watch at this age :)

Making goofy faces at his fans when he should be paying attention to the game.  Not sure what he was trying to do with his hands... Maybe a thumbs up??

Evan, Daddy, and Uncle Cal

We also spent some time helping make the caramel apples for the Baker's booth at the festival.  E helped Cal put the sticks in the apples before they were rolled in the caramel and nuts.

Pure delicious-ness...  I LOVE this time of year- it's so much fun spending time with the Baker family and making caramel apples all weekend.  I'm so very blessed to have married into such a wonderful family.

E talking to Grandpa while he was working at the festival... 

Hanging out with friends Jack and Macy at the festival...  Great weekend...  Can't help thinking that next year we WILL have another little person at the festival with us...  We love you sweet Zoe and will be there AS SOON as we can!!