It seems that we are doing this whole adoption thing backwards, but well, I guess that is nothing new for those of you who know us. We met overseas, we move every three years, we were the first people to buy a house in this construction zone that is home (and I think the realtor thought we were stalkers for a good while), we (mostly Handsome) went to medical school after having kids (do not try this at home!), and well, here we are with our kids all picked out and no place to go!
So in between signing on the lines and filling out fire safety plans for our homestudy, I thought I would share what’s been happening up until now:
Summer 2006: We moved. We thought we would start this adoption thing RIGHT after the move; we didn’t. Sister got married, and I took months to recover! Really, it just simply took a while to settle in.
November 2006: Thought we were ready but realized we were crazy to think that when we looked at the calendar and realized we didn’t have time to breathe until at least January.
January 2007: Very ready. Learn that picking an adoption agency is no fun. Procrastinate. Prayerfully consider all options.
February 1: There are new children posted on one of our “favorite” waiting children list. See several that I would like to bring home. I manage to not fall on my knees begging and pleading for us to bring one/some/all of them home. Sincerely pray for wisdom and that God would give Handsome and I unity in our decision.
February 2, early am: Check kids again. One of my favorites, a beautiful five year old girl, is already referred. Yay for her! Nobody else new up today.
February 2, a bit later: There are a few new children up on pages six and seven. And there are two of the most beautiful little faces I have ever seen. I call Handsome all crazed and such, asking if we can bring them home – all of them. He says yes, sight unseen, surprising for such a reserved, calculating soul. I send an e-mail requesting information on Y & M.
February 2, 3, & 4: Spend entire weekend compulsively checking e-mail. COMPULSIVELY. I think the kids thought I was chained to the computer. To make matters worse my cousin sent me an e-mail about a great deal at Winkflash that meant I had to edit and upload an entire year’s worth of pictures immediately. Didn’t get much done that weekend.
February 5: Wake up deciding that won’t be adopting the darlings I had requested information about but meekly send an e-mail, you know, just in case the first one didn’t go through. Receive an almost immediate response that causes me to sit and stare at the computer in disbelief for a LONG time. I call Handsome to say that they are ours, if we want them. Are you kidding me?!? Uh, yes, we want them. What follows is a flurry of e-mails detailing information about them, information about us, and everything in between.
February 6-8: Looking to find a local agency to do our homestudy. This is much easier than I anticipated and doesn’t throw me into the deepest pits of despair! (Read: God is gracious to us and allows us to find a great place near home who is willing to do a homestudy fast for not as much money as they could charge!) Much signing of paper and checks ensues in order to get our stuff to the International Agency ASAP.
February 9: Covert operations are under way to tell the soon to be (again) Grandparents about their soon to be Grandchildren. Tell Bubba and Little Man about their new siblings (more on that in another post).
February 10: Share the news with jen’s parents over burritos; much surprise and rejoicing. Surprise due to the fact that they thought this wouldn’t be coming for months – us too!
February 12-14: Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork.
February 15: Find out that we won’t get all of the information we need to actually accept our referral for a while, but the children will remain “on hold” for us until we get said information. Wasn’t expecting that, concerned but not alarmed. Sad but understanding that this is probably just the first of delays. Hopeful that we will get the information sooner rather than later, yet reserved. Wondering how this process is going to warp me, and curious how God would like to use this process to change me.
How very thrilling!!!!!!!
Mary