10 Years Ago Today

Ten years ago today, Lance got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. He says I didn't say "yes" but obviously I indicated that in some way since we are indeed married. Y'all, my boy did well! Not many can top his proposal!

We had taken a trip with our church college group to Alcala de Henares, Espana (AKA Alcala, Spain) to visit our friends Brent and Jade Collins who had been living there for about a year. I loved Spain! It was my first taste of Europe and I can't wait to one day go back. I love history and architecture and culture so of course I LOVED Spain!

Our first day in Alcala!

The city of Alcala is old and awesome! Cobblestone streets, little cafes and shops, siestas, roses the size of your head... I can still remember what the air smells like. I often miss the cafe con leche we drank every morning that tasted like dirt. Totally random info, but Bath and Body Works Coconut Lime Verbena is one of my favorites because that's what we used in our hotel room in Alcala so it always takes me back to Spain when I smell it.

Well, it just so happened while we were in Spain, the Spanish Price was getting married. It was a big deal! Similar to the British Royal weddings. They were selling china with their pictures on it... we passed on that.

The day the prince was getting hitched, we hopped on a bus and went to the beautiful city of Segovia. This city is breathtaking. It felt like going back in time. More cobblestone streets, narrow ally ways, ancient Roman aqueducts... and a castle.

This is the castle Alcazar. Alcazar was a fortress built in sometime in the 11th or 12th century that later housed royalty. It's shaped like the bow of a ship and was the refuge of Queen Isabella. Christopher Columbus may have walked these halls. But more importantly to me than all of that, this is the place where Lance asked me to marry him. I told you he did well!

Alcazar of Segovia

We actually could have gotten married in Spain that day. They were PAYING people like ∉500 to get married the same day as the royal wedding. After dating for four years, we briefly thought about it, but we figured that wouldn't sit well with our parents. Regardless, it was a really special day!

Before we went into the castle.

He was so nervous!

It's hard to believe that a decade has passed since we climbed the narrow spiral stairs to that tower and looked over those stone walls. Life goes by so fast and so much changes! I'm so very thankful for the husband God gave me and the life he has blessed us with.

I believe this was our day in Madrid.

Happy "Proposal Day" Lance! I love you more! -K

Unlocked

For a few days now, I’ve battled internally about when I should open up our blog again. I was torn because a lot of me wants it to be open so people can freely follow our journey of adoption and keep up with our family, but another part of me is a protective momma bear who doesn’t want to risk any chance of facing another devastating loss. I asked other adoptive Indi-mommas and I got mixed opinions, so I decided to pray to the ultimate authority and ask the Lord to lead me. Why this wasn’t my go-to option I don’t know.

After some conviction in my heart, I came to the conclusion that I needed to open it back up again. Here are the things that I led me to this conclusion:

• We have NOC and that is one of the most crucial milestones in an Indian adoption.
• I was reminded that I am still not in control of this journey. The reality is that locking my blog down really doesn’t give me any control. God’s will ultimately will come to fruition, and that’s been proven many times in this process.
• By trying to be in control and protect things, I’m not able to be an encouragement to those who might be in the process of adoption or considering it or even just people who are struggling knowing if God cares or provides or works miracles. 
• I want my blog to proclaim the greatness of our God! He has been moving mountains and parting seas for our girls to come home, and I want to shout about it from the rooftops!
• My blog is set to be unsearchable. You can’t google our names and find our blog. You can find a lot of other things but not this blog. I will change this once we get our verbal court orders. 

So there you have it! Welcome to the unlocked Spin Cycle Diaries! :)

Today is an AMAZING day!!!!

Today is an amazing day! I am excited! I am thrilled! I am in shock! God has done it again! He has moved mountains and answered another of our BIG prayers! All glory goes to Him!

Today we found out that we have ARC and NOC approvals!!!!! 

Sometimes I miss The Wiggles. Maybe R will like them.

This is HUGE!!!!

ARC is the state approval and NOC is the national approval. ARC comes first since it’s required for NOC.

On average is seems to take about 5-6 months for families to get both ARC and NOC (sometimes it takes much longer). Below are real timelines of other families adopting from India.

Referral papers in June and NOC in November = 5 months

Referral papers in January and NOC in July = 6 months

Referral papers in August and NOC in January = 5 months

Referral papers in August and NOC in December = 6 months

Referral papers in January and NOC in June = 4 months

Referral papers in July and NOC in January = 6 months

Referral papers in January and NOC in October = 9 months

Referral papers in January and NOC in August = 7 months

We signed our referral papers on February 8th and got NOC May 16. THREE MONTHS!!! Praise the Lord!!

We are now waiting on a court date! The courts will be closed the whole month of June so we are praying for a early July court date. Once again this is another BIG prayer to pray!  

Once you have a court date it generally takes 1-3 months to pass court. After court we will travel about 6 weeks later after the girls passports are ready! Keep praying with us that God would continue to move mountains to bring our girls home quickly! I am still praying for travel at the end of August or early September!

I had to celebrate the special day with a little gift for our soon to be new United States Citizens! I got them matching red, white and blue tees to wear home on the plane!!! :)

Praying we hear great court news soon! After we pass court and the girls are officially ours, I will unlock the blog!

Time to Celebrate!!!!

I don't even know how write this post! Words fail me. Those of you who know me well know there are not many times when I am left speechless, but last night was one of those times. Lance and I woke up this morning wondering if it had all been a crazy dream, but nope... it's real! Let me tell you what God has done!

We began our adoption process in January 2013. Funding the adoption was our biggest concern. We would need approximately $50,000 to adopt two girls. When we bumped that number to THREE girls that amount went to $60,000. Want to know how much of that we had sitting in a rainy day fund? ZERO! We couldn't wrap our brain around being able to pay $10,000 much less $60,000! We were scared to death of this huge financial mountain! I would almost have panic attacks when I looked at the fee schedule! BUT God continued to assure us that HE would provide our every need. Doubt often trumped our faith, but we just continued to put one step in front of the other and follow wherever he led us. Every step of the way God did indeed provide! Sometimes it was subtle and sometimes it was mind blowing. He was faithful as always!

Last night at 10:30 we got a very unexpected call. During this call, we learned that we officially crossed the finish line regarding our funding goal. By the grace of God and another generous organization, we are now FULLY FUNDED!!!!

Our fees are paid! Our travel is covered! Aside from a few little expenses like visas, we are DONE!

One more time because it feels so good...

WE ARE FULLY FUNDED!!!!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!

Thank you for praying! Thank you for supporting! Thank you for sharing! Thank you for giving! THANK YOU!!!

Praise the Lord with us as we celebrate all that God has done!!!! Do you remember my recent post about praying for two specific things? I have been praying BIG prayers. One of those prayers was that we would be fully funded by the end of May! That prayer has been more than answered!!! 

Now we continue to pray that we can travel by August! Girls, we are coming for you!!!