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The trip is coming to an end, and we’re looking ahead to the adventure that will unfold. We leave in less than 24 hours and embark on Kate’s first flight, and well, I hope she likes it because we’ll be up there a while. Yesterday our guide went to the Consulate on our behalf and finalized the paperwork. Today we’ll all go back to the Consulate for a ceremony to make it official, and then we’ll be ready to re-enter the U.S. It’s a huge praise that all the paperwork has gone smoothly and that it appears we’ll avoid any extended stays here or crazy swine flu quarantines. I’ve been wondering a lot about many unknowns. How will Sam react when we come up the escalator in the airport with his new big sister? Will she really learn English from him as quickly as I think she will? How long will it take Kate to adapt to a new home, new sights, sounds & smells, a new playmate, a new bed… the list goes on. What does Kate think about this whole adventure? I imagine that a lot of her thoughts are still about missing her buddies & caregivers at the orphanage – the people she trusted, and the routines she knew. When will she understand and accept that we are Mom and Dad? Most 3 year olds I know aren’t that great at articulating their deep thoughts, so we’ll probably never know what she’s going through. I read somewhere that it’s common for parents to also grieve the “loss” of their new child’s pre-adoption years – to not know when she walked, when she talked. And like most folks, our house is full of pictures of Sam from birth to now, but will Kate wonder where her 1 year pictures are? We obviously can’t answer many of these questions now, but we’ll walk together through the adventure, trusting that God has a plan for her and for us, to ‘give us hope and a future.’ If I sound nervous or pitiful, that’s not the sentiment or the intent; it’s more like the excited uncertainty that says “I can’t wait to see how this plays out.”
One thing we do know about Kate: she definitely has a fun, silly side. We saw it in her 3rd birthday pics that they sent from the orphanage, and we’ve seen it at least once a day for the past several days. Last night at dinner, she was eating great and having a grand time playing with mommy. Those of you who know Sam know that he also loves to be silly and loves to perform. I’m excited to see the “Sam and Kate show.” We’ll be sure to add a few updates when we get back to let you know how our two co-stars are doing as they share the stage. [We appreciate your prayers on that whole “sharing” part.]
The trip is coming to an end, and we’re looking ahead to the adventure that will unfold. We leave in less than 24 hours and embark on Kate’s first flight, and well, I hope she likes it because we’ll be up there a while. Yesterday our guide went to the Consulate on our behalf and finalized the paperwork. Today we’ll all go back to the Consulate for a ceremony to make it official, and then we’ll be ready to re-enter the U.S. It’s a huge praise that all the paperwork has gone smoothly and that it appears we’ll avoid any extended stays here or crazy swine flu quarantines. I’ve been wondering a lot about many unknowns. How will Sam react when we come up the escalator in the airport with his new big sister? Will she really learn English from him as quickly as I think she will? How long will it take Kate to adapt to a new home, new sights, sounds & smells, a new playmate, a new bed… the list goes on. What does Kate think about this whole adventure? I imagine that a lot of her thoughts are still about missing her buddies & caregivers at the orphanage – the people she trusted, and the routines she knew. When will she understand and accept that we are Mom and Dad? Most 3 year olds I know aren’t that great at articulating their deep thoughts, so we’ll probably never know what she’s going through. I read somewhere that it’s common for parents to also grieve the “loss” of their new child’s pre-adoption years – to not know when she walked, when she talked. And like most folks, our house is full of pictures of Sam from birth to now, but will Kate wonder where her 1 year pictures are? We obviously can’t answer many of these questions now, but we’ll walk together through the adventure, trusting that God has a plan for her and for us, to ‘give us hope and a future.’ If I sound nervous or pitiful, that’s not the sentiment or the intent; it’s more like the excited uncertainty that says “I can’t wait to see how this plays out.” 
One thing we do know about Kate: she definitely has a fun, silly side. We saw it in her 3rd birthday pics that they sent from the orphanage, and we’ve seen it at least once a day for the past several days. Last night at dinner, she was eating great and having a grand time playing with mommy. Those of you who know Sam know that he also loves to be silly and loves to perform. I’m excited to see the “Sam and Kate show.” We’ll be sure to add a few updates when we get back to let you know how our two co-stars are doing as they share the stage. [We appreciate your prayers on that whole “sharing” part.]
God does indeed have a plan for us all. You'll probably never fully know how this story of love, God's timing and protection has touched the lives of me and my friends. So many of us are at a cross-roads, just like you and Kate, and seeing your faith lived out before us via this blog has helped remind us who's in charge.
ReplyDeleteLove and prayers,
sharon
Kates' picture with the bows is just precious! She is a little camera bug! Come on home, everything is going to work out fine! Kate is a very blessed little girl to have the two of you & Sam to love her. Just think of all the wonderful times to come, all the friends & family & good experiences God has in store for all of you! You might have to get creative with the games & activities with that sweet toddler on that long flight home, maybe a stroll up & down the aisles?! And, I know with time, Sam & Kate will learn to share a be the best of buddies. 'Every little things gonna be alright...!' Have a GREAT flight! Sending well wishes, Lisa;-)
ReplyDeleteMy prayers that Kate will do well on the flight. The thought of Sam watching for you guys in the arrivals lobby at the airport was too much! He's going to be so excited...I hope Kate will warm to her new brother quickly.
ReplyDelete