We got the Golden Ticket

I came home Thursday after running some errands and there it was sitting in my email.  I know what Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka felt like when he got the golden ticket - we finally got our LOA (letter of approval) to adopt Matthew after an 80 day wait.   This doesn't end the paperwork yet, but it's a HUGE step and it also gives us a better idea of when we will get to go to Ch!na. Looks like 10-12 weeks from now, but I am sure we will need to figure in some holidays (both American and Chinese). End of January or February is looking like our time to travel.

 

Jeff celebrated a birthday this week, too.  Since we are in penny pinching mode (nothing like Christmas and finalizing an international adoption all at the same time - yikes!!), he got to have "practical stuff for our trip" birthday this week.  He was so excited that I gave him travel toilet paper (public bathrooms in Ch!na don't usually have any), new socks & underwear, Pepto Bismol, and a new shaver.  Lots of anticipation for Christmas - maybe Santa will bring us some hand sanitizer and a travel power adaptor???   

 

 

We are so thrilled, humbled and nervous to be going ahead. It's so crazy going into this next part of our lives with so many unknowns.  I feel like we have won the lottery and are getting to jump off the side of a cliff x 1000000 all  at the same time.   Soli Deo Gloria

Impromptu picture in Jeff's office to sign the "golden ticket".

 

Never say never

This has been the year for "never thought I'd be doing that...". Almost 17 years ago, we put together our first baby items. Who would think we would be doing it all again?

Last week, my dear sweet buddies Diane and Rhonda gave me baby shower (again never say you're never be having one of those again). It was a china and tea room theme - two of my favorite things. We received many nice things and what a blessing when you are starting from scratch. People also brought baby items to be donated to the orphanage when we go to China.

With the money and gift cards we received, we were able to buy a car seat, monitor and stroller. Jeff and I had a rare night of shopping, and we went through the baby department at Target. It almost felt like we were going to get caught and we really weren't supposed to be there. Having been a younger parents the first time around, I forget that plenty of people in their 40s have small children and really not so uncommon.

I even got to do a test run of some of the new items this week. I watched my godson yesterday who is the same age as Matthew. The new grocery cart was a hit (as was the box it came in). I have also determined, we will need baby latches on the cabinet that houses the DVD player and Robbie's room will need a latch or gate (too many exciting things within reach). I was also amazed how little 19 months really is, but reaffirmed what a fun age this also can be. Boy is our life gonna be a changing!

Discounts

Shelby came home with an interesting story yesterday. As they were discussing Ch!na in one of her classes, a person spoke up and said "I have this friend on facebook and her family is adopting a little boy from Ch!na with a facial disfigurement. Since he has that problem that get a discount on him."

Huh? Funny enough the person didn't even realize that Shelby was in her class at the time when she said it. And what about this discount?? Not sure where that came from, but I would like to reassure everyone there wasn't any discount. I am thrifty though and I don't mind admitting that. Our Matthew is worth a billion catrillion zillion dollars just for the record - no discounts though.

I was split on whether I should even bring that person's comment up. It's hurtful, but and I know Matthew will one day read this blog. By that time I am sure he probably had heard it all before. There is a lot of ignorance in this world and I too have been a big offender. A lot of grace and a little re-education can go a long way to change how a person perceives someone.  Hopefully that's enough to open their heart a little wider, too. 

So Matthew when you read this please just roll your eyes, shake your head and be armed with a lot of grace.  We dreamed of you, excitedly hoped for you, prayed for you, and checked our emails every 15 minutes for 9 months to hear even the slightest bit if information about you - you were created at the exact time for big reasons just the way you are. Did I mention handsome too? And no we didn't have a coupon.