My sad little girl

Thank you to Amy L. who found this newest picture of Gracie. I'm so grateful that she's passed on the two updated pictures that I have. They are all I have other than my imaginings of what life will be like the moment I meet her for the first time, the day we come home, the day she starts school and the many other achievements down the road.

This picture tears at my heart. The look of fear and sadness tells me she needs a mama more than ever.

It's been a sad week for me. In fact much of the week I've had a look on my face pretty similar to Gracie's poor little frown. In the midst of so much uncertainty, I received some good news today.

At my request, Anna (whom I am looking forward to meeting for several reasons) contacted Gracie's baby house to let them know that I AM STILL COMING TO GET HER, and to ask that she please NOT be transferred to the mental institution. The word that I received is that they are still aware that I'm coming for her and she is not scheduled to be transferred to the institution. Praise God. Now, if I can ask for your prayers that WACAP will get a reinstatement of their license and their adoptions will resume. I'm told that all of my paperwork is in Seattle and is waiting to be sent to Russia.

I can't wait to go about the business of turning that frown upside Down. :)

May, it's been a busy month

Still not working. My wrist is getting better though. Now if we could only get the Dr to allow me to lift more than 5 lbs......

May has been a great month for us here at the Clifton house. To start off, we got puppies. Three of them 2 females and 1 male. Born via c-section instead of the natural way, but they are all healthy including the puppies. At this writing, we're anxiously awaiting the opening of their eyes.

Graduations: we had 2 of them. One boy's and one girl's. So very proud of my kids. Both graduated with honors and both have big plans for after school.

First, on Friday, May 7, Tyler graduated from University of Nebraska at Kearney. He has done so well in college and I know that at more than one time in his life, I would have predicted that he wouldn't have done so well. God had different plans, and he has a beautiful girlfriend and a great job waiting for him. The not so good part is that he is moving away to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in a little over a month. That is hitting this mama hard.

Then on Sunday, May 9, Sydney graduated from Grand Island Senior High School. She also graduated with honors and as a member of the National Honor Society. She has plans to attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney and is majoring in vocal music performance and minoring in psychology. After her 4 years there, she plans to attend graduate school in Minneapolis, Minnesota for music therapy. I can't think about that move just yet, so I'll concentrate on her plans for the coming summer and next school year. She has a trip to Europe planned with the Midwest American Honor Choir. They will tour several different locations including France, Prague, Austria, Germany, Italy or England and some other places I don't remember. It's a chance of a lifetime and I'm so blessed she was nominated and has the opportunity to go. Also in the mail was a congratulations letter to Sydney, who as an incoming freshman will be a part of the UNK show choir team. We didn't expect to get that given there were only 14 positions being auditioned for and 11 returning singer/dancers. That was only 3 positions for about 20 other auditioners. WAHOO!

Fingerprints, we finally got them! After three months and one day since submitting our I600A, several phone calls, emails and prayers, we got our fingerprints done today! I know there are other things to wait for, but at least we got that accomplished while Sydney is still in town (or country for that matter). So, a small step forward goes a long way to encourage me. Also when I got the mail today, I found an envelope mailed to me with a donation in it. I think I know who it was from, and am so blessed that he believes in Gracie's adoption enough to give what he can. Thank God for those who believe.

Please pray that WACAP is given priveleges back by the end of this week. I'm told we should be able to expect some answers by then. It may make the difference between Gracie being transferred to an institution or staying there waiting for me to come get her.

ALL OF THAT AND IT'S ONLY THE 11TH!!!!

I'm tired now.