Today we received our official referral from the Latvian ministry, meaning our paperwork was finally approved and we were matched with D. To us this email felt like just another step in the very long process, but apparently it's a big deal to finally get this referral. We received quite a few "yahoo's" and "woo woo's" via email from our social worker and people that have gone through this process before us, so we quickly realized that this is a momentous step. It's getting so close we can taste it. The next step is for the Latvian ministry to assign us court dates, after which we can finally make our travel plans. With the Christmas holiday thrown in there, it's tough to say when we will find out, but it's really exciting knowing that the next time we hear from the Latvian ministry we will know an exact date of travel. It's been seven months of guessing when it may happen. Seven months of "um, maybe this year?" "maybe next year?" "maybe...someday...hopefully...before I'm 50?" Being able to actually count down the days will be a dream come true.
As far as how we're doing, we are now in our third trimester and feeling good. I've started wearing maternity pants just to get in the mood. Kidding. I did almost take an "expectant mother" parking spot at the mall but then thought against it. I can't afford getting arrested by a mall cop this close to our delivery date.
We started this adoption process on June 1st, and the entire summer was spent doing paperwork, then doing some paperwork, then after that doing some paperwork. It was all business. But these days are full of fun anticipation...getting his room ready, stocking up on sports equipment and all things Nerf, shopping for clothes in the boys section and asking random kids "Hey, are you 11? Does this shirt fit you?" As it gets closer we live in a state of nervous excitement. Friends and family ask for updates daily which makes it that much more exciting. I transition easily from thoughts of "This is the most amazing, wonderful, magical thing ever" to "Sweet sassy molasses, I can't believe we are doing this and how will it ever work? What if he doesn't bond well? What if the language barrier is just too hard? What if he thinks we're crazy and politely declines our offer to adopt him?" There are so many 'what if's' I can't even keep count. But it's in those moments of doubt and fear that God reminds me that He's brought us this far and He will be with us every step of the way. He is knitting together our family just the way He planned it. I never could have dreamed we'd be adopting an 11 year old Latvian (confession: I didn't know Latvia was a country), but I rest in the fact that God knows what He is doing.
It's a weird feeling, adoption. Or I guess becoming a parent for the first time no matter which way you get there. It's like you're standing on the edge of a brand new life, one that will be completely different than the one you're currently living. Life is about to change in every way. We are embarking on what is sure to be the most exciting but most challenging ride of our lives.
Bring it on.
