Introducing....

Munni Grae !

I LOVE THIS LITTLE PEANUT!!!  And she's missing her front tooth :) !

I was cleaning my house and had my playlist up REAL LOUD because how else is cleaning fun?  Well, the hummingbird feeder was on my countertop because I had washed it yesterday so I decided to make more food.  I put 1/4 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water in the pan and turned it to boil.  While I was doing this, a Soundgarden song was playing and I thought to myself, "that doesn't sound like part of the song?"  so I went and checked my phone and sure enough, there was a missed call from my caseworker.  I listened to her voicemail and she told me that she had some very important information that she needed to tell me.  Remember, JUST YESTERDAY she told me to expect to wait several months for the NOC so I was thinking that they needed more information from me or something like that.  I went out to my front porch and called her.  She answered and said, "Are you sitting down?"  And just like in the movies, I sat down and she proceeded to tell me that I got my NOC today!!!!!   I was FLOORED!!!  I started bawling and couldn't stop!!  We talked about a bunch of details and then I heard this "WOOOOOO, WOOOOOO, WOOOOOOO," from inside my house.  I opened the front door and my house was full of smoke and the smoke alarm was going off!  I totally forgot about the boiling sugar water on the stove!  I told my caseworker, "I promise I'm really responsible!  This never happens!!"  She assured me that for a week after she got her NOC that she was a complete flake!  Thank goodness she understood!  My pan on the other hand is best friends with the garbage can!

I immediately went to the post office to overnight Munni's family book to my agency so they can send it to India.  I tried to call everyone I know and NO ONE WAS ANSWERING!!  UGH!!  I wanted to share this moment!!  I then went to the mall to pick up my ring from the jeweler and as I was standing there, I could feel myself getting emotional.  The lady asked me how my day was going and I told her, "REALLY, REALLY great!!"  I also had tears in my eyes but who cares.  As I was walking to my car, my friend Jen called me back and I told her.  She told me to come over to celebrate.  When I got to her house and walked in, as soon as I saw her we hugged and I was SOBBING. The kind that comes from deep within.  And then Jen starts sobbing.  Then Murphy the dog comes in to make sure everything was O.K.  I think that to know that Munni is really going to be my daughter after all the ups and downs, well, I was completely overwhelmed.  I had spent many nights at Jen's crying and praying and hoping so to break down in her arms it just seemed natural.

My agency got the notice today so that means her orphanage got it at least yesterday.  I don't know for sure yet if they have told Munni but I do know that FOR SURE by the end of the week Munni will know SHE HAS A FAMILY!!!!!!!!!

Jen and I had two glasses of wine at 4 in the afternoon....can you think of a better reason to celebrate??!!!

So rewind to June 16, 2011.  This is the face I fell in love with:

THOSE EYES.  They get me EVERY. TIME.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE sweet Munni and I can't wait to have her in my arms!!!

Now for some even better news!!  My caseworker told me to file for my visa right away!  She fully expects me to make the first trip by the end of September/ early October!!  I will be in Hyderabad for about 3 days and then I have to leave.  Since I will be on a travel visa, I am not allowed to re-enter India until 60 days after my first departure.  Here's where a snag could occur.  Once I go on the first trip, I will have the adoption decree.  Then, I will be waiting for India to issue her passport.  I am PRAYING that it won't take longer than the 60 days.

Remember the Christmas Miracle?  Well here is the picture my caseworker emailed me.  Her daughter is in front with the heart over her face.  Munni had only been in the orphanage 4 months when this picture was taken.  And do you know what's crazy?  It just might work out that my caseworker and I are in Hyderabad at the SAME TIME for our court hearings!!!

I am so completely OVERJOYED!!!!!  And when I was driving in my car, crying tears of joy, I heard the Lord whisper to me yet again, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"
Can I get a witness??!!  AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!