Our home study was approved....finally....on August 8th!!! We picked it up at the agency at 5:25pm (5 minutes before they closed for the day) and made it to the FedEx store at 8:45pm (just 15 minutes before they closed!) for overnight shipment of our I-800A...an application to the U.S. government to be approved to bring home a child adopted from China.
We are officially expecting...we have reached the point in our adoption journey that is referred to as the "paper pregnancy". Up until this point we have only been discussing and preparing for our adoption locally. It's been between us, family, friends and our adoption agency. But that has all changed now that we have filed the I-800A form. We have officially requested from the Department of Homeland Security that US Citizenship and Immigration approve us to adopt a child from China. From submission of this form until we meet and hold in our arms our newest child is approximately eight to nine months.
We're expecting!!
While this "pregnancy" will be easier in many ways (no morning sickness, no swelling or physical discomfort, no raging hormones to deal with) it will also be similar in many ways.
We anticipate an emotional roller coaster as we navigate through the many steps that will lead up to the moment we are matched and see the face of our child. That moment...the referral...will be quite similar to having a 20 week ultrasound during pregnancy. The difference is that I remember going into each of my pregnancy ultrasounds praying for a healthy, perfect child. This time we are expecting a child with needs, but who will be no less perfect than our children at home. Exactly what that need is, we do not know, but we trust in the Lord that he will lead us to our destined child, and we feel peace knowing that He knows what is best for our family...even more so than we do! At that point we will see and know exactly who our child is, and we will be about half way through our nine month "paper pregnancy".
We are anxious and nervous but also extremely excited about the long trip from home to China. 3 planes and 20 some hours of travel that will lead us half way around the world with a 12 hour time change!! This part of the journey is similar to labor...not something you look forward to but a necessary step in the process of holding your child in your arms forever.
During all the time in between we will be nesting...gathering all the documents, getting the bedroom ready, preparing our three kids at home, shopping for our new child, and packing for our BIG trip.
We feel so blessed to be given this opportunity to grow our family. Our hearts are full of love for this child who we do not yet know but is destined to be a part of our family. We love unconditionally and pray every day for this child. We are coming for you little one. We'll be there....
