While We Waited

We have done so much in the last 3 years. We have traveled to the east and west coast for vacation, and north to Minnesota. Aaron cannot wait to take Lillianne to teach her how to fish! Julie completed another Master’s degree—and, yes, is hopefully done now. Aaron is feverously working to complete his National Board’s before we have to travel. During the summer of 2008, we finally sold our townhouse during the terrible housing market and moved, not once, but twice! We searched for a house that we could grow into since we really do not want to move again. When we lost the first house that we had an offer we were devastated. However, when we found our current home and discovered that the next-door neighbor had a 3 ½ year old from China, we realized that things happen for a reason—this was the house we were supposed to have. We also had a lot of stress in 2008 in updating our paperwork. Yes, things such as fingerprints, U.S. immigration clearances and the homestudy all had to be redone. Many of you know that this was not an easy process as it took 8 months to complete. However, it is done now and ready for us to travel. We also had to get approval through DCFS to adopt a child with a special need. To do so we had to do thorough research on the condition, talk with doctors and line up specialists for when we return. It was a pretty involved process, but we are very glad we had to go through all the steps, because when we return, we know whom we will take Lillianne to. Over the last three years, we worked hard, cut corners and made sacrifices to save the necessary funds to make this adoption happen. And we prayed. Our faith has given us much patience over the last three years to remain happy and not frustrated. We pray everyday for Lillianne to be loved and nurtured by her foster family. We will be forever grateful to them for the care they have provided to our daughter. Remember the spiritual journey we said this adoption turned into? Listen to this amazing turn of events…our agency called to tell us that Lillianne had been matched with us on February 26th, 2009—the same day my father was admitted into the hospital one year ago. Our “Preapproval Letter” from the CCAA (China Center for Adoption Affairs) was received by our agency on March 12th, 2009—being that they are a day ahead of us, this means that this was done on March 11th, the anniversary of my dad passing away. We strongly believe that Dad had his hand in bringing Lillianne to us. Even with her heart condition, we have had an incredible calming feeling about it. It’s like he is telling us to have faith and that everything will be ok. And to Lillianne’s birthparents—we pray that their pain is somehow eased in knowing that she will be forever loved. We are so grateful to them for choosing life and allowing our family to have the opportunity to become her mother and father, for their pain is our immense joy. On April 19th, 2009, we had a wonderful baby shower for Lillianne. We received lots of wonderful gifts that have filled up our home. Katie decorated her house so nice with paper lanterns and a table in tribute to Lilli and the Chinese culture. Thank you to Katie, Jenn, Christina, and Suzette for making it such a special event.

We received the official referral packet! Aaron signing acceptance of Tong Min Yan Julie signing acceptance of Tong Min Yan Lillianne's nursery

LEGACY OF AN ADOPTED CHILD
Once there were two women who never knew each other
One you do not remember, the other you call Mother

Two different lives shaped to make you one
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun

The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it
The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it

One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name
One gave you a talent, the other gave you aim

One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears
One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried you tears

One made an adoption plan, that was all that she could do
The other prayed for a child, and God led her straight to you.

Now, which of these two women, Are you the product of?
Both, my darling, Both, Just two different types of love.
~Unknown

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