When you start the adoption process, the timeline starts off being measured in years. After the paperwork is complete, you count the waiting in months until you receive a referral, then in weeks until your court date, and there is always another countdown. Well here we are in the midst of our final countdown, only days away from holding these beautiful children in our arms! It is hard to believe it is really happening. I find myself looking at their bedrooms wondering what it will be like to finally fill our home and complete our family. I can not wait for our quiet home to be filled with the sounds of children.
We are going through a whole range of emotions. We are very excited to meet our children for the first time. We also have all the nerves of first time parents with the added anxiety of the potential communication problems and the emotions of the already complex lives that our children have endured. How will our children react as we swoop in and turn their lives upside down once again? In the end we try to remain confident in our preparations and the love we share for our children.
Through it all, our family and friends have been very supportive. The community that surrounds adoption continues to amaze me. Our lives have been enriched through this process in so many ways. Everything we have learned has lead to a deep love for Ethiopia and its people.
As we prepare to travel, it has been difficult to sleep as I have been going through checklists in my head of everything that needs to be finished in the house, the final pieces of paperwork to gather, the preparations for being off from work (Colleen for three months), talking to our school district, getting the last of our shots, making sure the children are added to our insurance, making doctor's appointment for the children, making travel arrangements..... and the packing. But when I do sleep, I often dream of our children. Soon I won't have to fall asleep to see their beautiful faces. Our life is about to change in ways we can only begin to imagine and we can't wait!!!
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5 comments:
I cannot believe it's almost here! I am truly looking forward to getting to know you two in person :-)
We'll see you in D.C. soon!
(the packing is about 2/3 done. Phew! Seems like we're bringing everything but the kitchen sink...between stuff for us, stuff for Lucia, and the gifts...wowzer. How about you?)
We hope you have a wonderful experience in Ethiopia, and we're excited to see pictures of you and your children together! Remember that all of us who've gone before you have gone through adjustment periods after we got home, so don't be afraid to seek us out when you're in the midst of it all. You're not alone!! :-)
So excited for the last phase of this journey to begin on Wednesday! Enjoy this last weekend as a family of two, because next weekend you will be a family of 4!!!
Jason and Colleen I was cleaning for a Christmas party (tomorrow) at my house and came across your blog info. I sat down and have read for about an hour. I'm hooked. I am so excited for you to get those kids and give them a hug! Good luck with the packing. Love and prayers for you as you travel.
Stacey
We hope you have a wonderful time in Ethiopia, and we can't wait to see your children in your arms!!
Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Steve and Cindy
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