Saturday,
August 7, 2010
THE DAY OF REST - OR IS IT?
Today is our last day as a childless couple. Well feel like we
have been Harper's parents since the moment we saw her picture
on January 21st but now she will be with us every moment or
every day. The emotional high when we got her file was like I
had just given birth to her. It is an interesting way to come in
to parenthood. All we keep thinking is are we really prepared
enough to care for a child? Will we know what to do when she
really is having a crying fit? We have read every adoption book
out there about grieving, attachment, regression and "re
parenting techniques" but when it comes to caring for a
baby/toddler we feel a little lost in the dark. We decided to
spend our day in our hotel room relaxing..well that was the
plan. Instead, there was a lot to be done. We unpacked and tried
to figure out the next week's worth of clothes so that we
wouldn't have to repack our whole entire suitcase again Thurs.
night. when we move on to the next city. We then had to figure
out where to put Harper's toys, bottles, clothes, formula,
diapers, etc. There is only so much room so we had to be
creative. We also as you might recall me mentioning brought an
entire suitcase of meds and OTC drugs! I think Todd started to
have a mild panic attack about becoming a parent and decided he
needed to know some Mandarin so he went online and learned a few
phrases to help us along. We then read a book from our
pediatrician. Apparently there is no rest for the weary!
We can't believe we meet Harper now in less then 24 hrs. The
countdown has begun. Throughout the process there are many heart
wrenching stories you hear about people losing their referrals,
children getting sick, or having more complicated medical needs
then they were originally told. This fear of the worst happening
was always in the back of my head because I already felt like
she was ours the day we signed our Letter of Intent. A huge
weight has now been lifted off my shoulders and soon our baby
will be in our hands safe and sound. I strongly believe that God
and our family members that are in heaven have been her guardian
angels keeping watch over her and protecting her from any harm.
These thoughts have kept me pretty sane when we would go for
months not getting any updates on Harper. Everyone needs
something to believe in... something greater then ourselves
exists and it's different for everyone. Todd and I ventured out
of our hotel room for 5 mins. today (yes a little bit longer
then yesterday..oh we are so adventurous!) There are security
guards at the hotel that will keep an eye on you when you enter
and leave the property. We do feel very safe here. We were drawn
to move closer to the street to stare at the people and their
way of life as they were staring back at us. Now being in a far
away land not only can I see God present in all of us but no
matter how different we might look we are all the same..just
human beings tyring to make our way in a very chaotic world.
We strolled through the beautiful hotel we are staying at
tonight. This hotel is top notch and it seem so weird to be in
the middle of such a poor city. Again such a stark contrast to
life outside these doors. We went to dinner at the hotel's
"Western Restaurant" again and celebrated that this day was
finally here! It has been a long process for us in some ways and
in other ways this year has flown by. It was one year ago that
we did our first homestudy visit. I have had butterflies in my
stomach since that first day. I am relieved to be here, finally
the night before we get Harper. It is an unbelievable, surreal
feeling and we are just beyond excited to finally see what she
looks likes like and to wipe away any tears she may have. We
hope her journey to us is fast and we hope we have the strength
and stamina that it takes to keep her calm and comfortable these
first few days. The Orphanage Director and his driver will pick
her up at her foster mother's house then bring her to our hotel.
I am assuming she will be the only baby in the car and no they
don't use seat belts or car seats here:) Our guide will then
take her and bring her to our room at 3:30. I hope they are on
time you know Todd and I are very punctual people..ha! Wish us
luck:)
Tonight as I lay in bed all I can think about is the past 7
months and how every night before I would go to bed I would wish
Harper a good day and every morning I woke up I would think
about her going to bed. Tomorrow night I finally get to kiss her
goodnight and feel her sweet skin press against mine. Oh life is
so grand!!!!! |
In the hotel
lobby notice all my bottles of water!
Hotel Lobby-everything is marble. They have some great jewelery
and clothing stores here as well!
Hustle and bustle of Nanchang
View from our hotel room. Notice track, ping pong tables (to the
left) and soccer fields!
Harper's doll waiting for her in her crib! The hotel provided
the crib and the Hello Kitty bedding..too cute!
The last quiet supper for Todd and I! |
