After weeks of waiting, we finally got an update on our sweet little man.  We were happy to see the fullness return to his face and learn a few more things about him to prepare for him to come home.  We are mostly ready – crib, clothes, diapers, bottles, formula.  We received our Chinese Visas, and our Article 5 has been picked up from the US consulate in China. We are now waiting on our travel approval.

I have so many thoughts, feelings, emotions swirling around in my head, it’s hard to put them into words.  The day we hold him in our arms will be a moment we’ve dreamed of for over 4 years, though at that time we didn’t know what it would look like.  Now that that reality is becoming clearer, it’s…. surreal.

The unknown is the hardest – what will he be like?  How hard will it be?  What will life look like after we get home?  Will we have a life anymore?

We are ready to go get him, but the past few weeks have been filled with so much busyness.  It’s been a nice distraction from the waiting.  Our fundraiser was a huge success.  Thank you to everyone who came.  We felt so loved and supported.  I also completed my REFIT® instructor certification a few weeks ago.  REFIT® has been such a gift to me over the past year, and I can’t wait for the time when I can share that gift with other women.  (I could go on and on, but I won’t right now.)  We’ve also decided this is the perfect time (sarcasm) to start about 12 different home projects.  Our house is in complete disarray, and we’re working like crazy to get everything finished before we leave.

While it is frustrating that we haven’t received our travel approval yet, I have peace in God’s perfect timing.  Even if it’s later than we like, he will be home soon.  We started this process in July, and in the world of adoptions, our process is still crazy fast.  A year ago, we had no idea we’d be traveling to bring our child home so soon.

We are so thankful for everyone who has supported us.  Know that words will never be able to express our appreciation.  Please, bear with us when we get home.  I hate living in survival mode, but know a calm, quiet life will be best for him at first.  Know that I want to get back to “normal” as soon as possible, but it may take us a while to figure out what that is.

You all mean so much to me – those that joined us this weekend and those that were unable to.  From the bottom of our hearts – thank you.

“God sets the lonely in families” ~Psalm 68:6