|
Our Family
Since finalizing our referral, we—Rick and Kathy--have
been “spreading the word” about our new daughter. Our
family has been so supportive and excited about the happy
news. We have some good “stories” about that support.
|
RICK
AND KATHY
Us (Rick & Kathy) going out
to dinner
|
We’ve been busy with holiday preparations …. and
paperwork. It’s been so long since our application and
home study were submitted, we’ve had to adjust to the wave
of new adoption paperwork. But the completion of each
piece of paper and each step in the process gets us even
more excited about our new addition. |
|
~~~
MARISSA
In addition to being ready for a sister,
Marissa is ready to travel to China.
|
When Rick suggested that we tell “key adults” the news
before we tell our daughter, Marissa, Kathy was surprised.
She thought we should tell Marissa first. But after
deciding on Rick’s approach, it became obvious why that
was the correct thing to do. Once Marissa found out, she
began spreading the work—to anyone and everyone that, “She
is going to China to get a sister.” She told her
kindergarten class on Monday--the day after she found out.
Her piano teacher found out that same day. On Wednesday,
her music teacher and classmates found out when Marissa’s
response to, “Does anyone have any news?” was “I’m going
to get a sister.” She has told her friends outside of
school, Sunday school teachers, her previous Pre-K
teacher, parents of fellow music students, and visiting
parents in her classroom. As she did her advent calendar
this year, she daily asked: “How many days until
Christmas?” and, “How many days until we get a sister?”
When playing with her niece, Ava, she has made a point
that she will be doing the same with her sister, because
that is “what big sisters do.” She has informed everyone
that, “This will be exciting because we have never been to
China - not even me!” and, “We will be using a lot of
chopsticks.” The stories go on and on and on.
|
|
~~~
OUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY |
|
Everyone is helping us get ready and many will be
supporting us during our visit. From painting the nursery,
discussing diaper sizes, and agreeing to house sit (the
house and the cat), their support has been greatly
appreciated. |
|
Our family--Marissa, John (holding our
granddaughter Ava)
and Alaina, Angela, Kathy, Rick
|
|
~~~
OUR EXTENDED FAMILY |
|
The response is the same from everyone: What a wonderful
piece of news! How great to have another
cousin/granddaughter in the family! The cutest question
came from Sam when he found out that Uncle Rick, Aunt
Kathy, and Marissa would be going to China to get a
sister. His question: “Does this mean that we will have to
speak Spanish to her?” |
|
The cousins.
In front - Danny. In the back – Sean, Will, Sam, Kate,
Marissa
Kathy’s
family last Christmas.
In back, Al, Maureen, Leslie, Mike,
Grandpa & Grandma (Kathy’s parents), the cousins, Rick &
Kathy
Grandma (Rick’s
mom) visiting us this summer
|
|
|
|
A
Journey of the Heart
A half a world away
Sometimes we seem far apart;
But a half a world away
Is not too far for a journey of the heart
A half a world away
A child waits for a family of her own,
While a half a world away,
A family waits to bring her home
~Adapted from a poem by Jill Marshall-Work
Website by
myadoptionwebsite.com
|
