It's afternoon and I wanted to get some stuff "down on paper" before he wakes up.
First - I want to tell you that I am married to an amazing man. I don't know too many hubby's that would send their wife half way around the world to bring a son home, all the while, keeping the homefront running as smoothly as he is. He is doing his best to be all things to these four precious children back home. He is exhausted as he falls into bed at night - but before he closes his eyes to sleep, he switches on the webcam and spends some time with Abraham; talking and watching him eat. It's a pretty cool thing to watch and if it is possible to build a bond so many miles apart - these two are doing it.
Second - I want to say that I am reading your emails (and Facebook messages!) and it is medicine to my soul. I wish I didn't "need" them so much, but I wake up every morning and rush to the computer to check. It is a connection that is hard to describe.
Third - I think now would be a great opportunity to share what's happening on YOUR side of the world. As you can imagine, me leaving my rooster and four peeps (my nicknames for Chris and the kids) is no small undertaking!
Not too many months ago, we found out that this trip might last 3 weeks (instead of 2). I remember walking into the nursery to drop off Anna that Sunday morning. I was just beside myself. Debbie asked how I was doing or if I knew when I might travel. I fell apart - right there at the check in counter. I cried and sobbed that I couldn't imagine leaving my family for three weeks. I was so concerned that they would eat McDonalds every night and on and on... She looked me straight in the face and blessed me. She said that she didn't know what her schedule would be, but that I could count on her help for meals or helping with the girls. I promise you - in that moment I felt God whisper to my heart that HE was going to watch over these precious people. He didn't ask me to go and bring this new child into our family just to abandon the rest of us.
And that is exactly what he has done.
My friend Pam is amazing. She took on the responsibility to bless my family with meals for our freezer for Chris to cook while I was gone. Every night he tells me what they are eating and I am jealous - and thankful. I don't even know who all made meals, but I thank you!
And in an attempt to provide my girls the best sense of normalcy we could in my absence, some of our friends have stepped forward to come to our home and care for the girls at home. I even have a very new friend that stepped up and offered her home to my girls EVERY day in my absence. Ashley - I am thankful for your generous heart. We did decide, though, that it would be best for the girls to be at home as much as we could manage and we managed very well to keep them there. Julie, Mom, Lindsay, Robyn, Pam... you rock!
A friend has emailed me several times and even sent me with notes of encouragement for the days I am here. She continues to remind me that I am loved.
All these things remind me that I am loved.
I have been trying to explain to our guide that it is because we are blessed that we must - in turn - be a blessing to others. How selfish for us to keep it all to ourselves... It's a hard concept.
The people mentioned above? Blessed. Blessing us.
Thank you - from Tami, Chris, Ashleigh, Austin, Amy-Hui, Anna and Abraham.
I also want to share with my church family back home that I am praying BIG time for your first night of JH tonight. I am still pretty bummed that I am missing it. But - if you know me - remember what I said for all those days leading up to knowing our travel dates? It's true! (If you don't know - ask someone!!!) Amazing...
Whew.
So - moving right along (drying tears).
I stayed in today. It was good and it was a little lonely. It so hard to not let doubt creep in when Abe was doing so well and then he has a setback that seems unexplainable. I thought about that a lot today. But I didn't dwell on it. I tried to focus instead on playing with my little man and getting to know him. He is wonderful and I am so thankful to be his momma.
If I have learned anything from the experiences we have had with Amy and Anna's adoptions - it's perspective. It's weird to me how I can be so positive and then a setback comes along and I struggle to remember the soooo many positives. I just spoke to Chris on the phone and he reminded me of that. Again - this man is amazing.
Connie arrived safely - although a little loopy :) And as I type this (8:30 pm) Gail is still out having fun.
I hope you enjoy the pics today. We didn't go anywhere - so this is it.
My little guy doesn't like to go to sleep. The pic of him sleeping is at nap time. After 30 minutes of screaming and fighting me. No nap for two days and he thinks he doesn't need one anymore? OH - I beg to differ! :) I also took a pic of me after the battle. It was pretty ugly, so I am not going to share it.
