Going to Meet Our "A"

CLOUD 9!

We are in total shock once again!! We got our travel call today!! We were seriously not expecting to get a call until June and maybe travel in mid-late June. We are beyond thrilled of course! We feel like we're on Cloud 9 and can't even begin to describe how we feel about getting to meet our precious "A." We've dreamt about, prayed for and loved vicariously through pictures this boy and now we KNOW we will get to meet him! It's simply indescribable!

Here's how it all went down...

My mom (who is visiting for the shower we had for A, and my birthday) and I were out shopping at this awesome sale today where everything at a Carter's store was $2.99. As we were shopping around I got a call from out of town. I didn't even know it was AGCI (I thought maybe it was a wrong #). I picked it up and it was Julie. She said, "How are you? Well, I have some exciting news for you. I have a travel date for you guys."

I could barely breathe and I started crying because my first thought was that I was going to get to meet, hold, love and hug my son! I was completely OVERWHELMED with emotion. I was in shock that we really would be going. It all seems like it's been a dream since we got the call. We know "A" is out there; living, breathing, growing - but because we don't know him it doesn't seem real at times. Yet at other times, it's so real we can visualize holding him, smelling him, kissing him.

After I heard that we were going to travel, I kind of lost track of the rest of what she said. I remember her saying I would be meeting him on Mother's Day! I couldn't believe it - Mother's Day. Can there be a better gift? So, we know that we need to be in Ethiopia on May 11th - a little less than 3 weeks away!

After I got off the phone, of course I told my mom (as if she didn't already know by my facial expression, body language, crying, etc.). She was so peaceful. The night before we'd had an amazing conversation about not worrying. There's a devotional that she has in her Bible that reads, "Look and Live. Look at Jesus and at what He has done, not at yourself and what you have done or can do. The answer to your problem, whatever it may be, is not worry, but trusting God and praying. Pray and worship God because He is good, and His goodness will be released in your life." I had been having a hard time with worrying about when we would travel, if we would make it before the courts closed. I had been really focused on myself and all that I could do to try and make this go faster (when in all reality - that was NOTHING). My mom showed me this yesterday and I had such a peace after that. God is amazing - he has continually done this (given me a peace right before He blows me away with the next phase of our adoption) with me throughout this adoption. Anyway, after telling my mom she had such a peace because she told me... "I knew you would get that call today. I've known it for a few days but didn't say anything. I'm not shocked Kristin, I'm so excited for you." Pretty amazing!!!

We are thrilled, excited, hopeful, nervous, ready, not ready, and so many other emotions that I can't put them into words. We will keep you updated on all of the goings-on around here.

If we can ask for prayers - here's what if would be... Tom is really sick right now and we are praying that he is totally healed and better by the time we travel. My ears are very plugged and we're praying they "pop" by the time we travel so that going up and down in the airplane isn't a killer. We're praying for peace for Lowa and Whittaker and the transition that will be coming for them. We're praying for "A" and his bonding, attachment and safety. We're praying for safe travels and hearts/ears/minds to truly absorb the beautiful Ethiopian culture we will get to experience.

Thank you again for everyone who has loved and supported us through this incredible adventure. It's coming to an end for this phase of adoption, but the true adventure is just beginning - Life as a Family of 5!!