Still Sinking In

We leave in FOUR days.

Our flight departs this Wednesday, May 14. Yes, we had to pay for the whole seat, even though we'll only need the edge!

We are flying KLM/Northwest from Charleston to Memphis to Amsterdam to Almaty. We will buy our tickets to Aqtobe after we land in Almaty. It will be about 35-40 total hours of travel time!

We have a long layover in Amsterdam, so we might take the train into the city for a few hours. Lots of people do this because the train leaves right from the airport and takes you to city center in 15 minutes, and there are lockers at the airport to store your carry-ons. Cool!

The LOI call came at 10:06 am Thursday (my morning theory was correct!) I was on the phone with a friend, and running late for a 10:00 meeting. When I answered all I heard was Andrea’s familiar voice streaming “It’s here it’s here it’s here it’s here it’s here it’s here!!!!” What a rush.

After many happy tears and a brief conversation with her, I started to call Frank. I remembered that I had our small digital camera with me, which has a video function. I grabbed it out of my purse and sat it down on the desk, pressed "record" and dialed. Frank had no idea I was recording. He was actually at home from work, not feeling well. I wasn't really planning on sharing this intimate moment with the world, but then I reconsidered because, as they say, a joy shared is only multiplied. I'm glad I did. :-)

I couldn’t update the blog until 8:30 pm. I had a crazy day with many calls, preparations and happy dances with my co-workers, who have been so supportive (especially you Marlene... mwah!) I also had to run some errands after work, and once I got home it took a little time to edit the video (I cut out about half of our conversation.)

So here we are… in our last weekend at home as a family of two. I feel like we should be having a wild and crazy weekend...dancing, drinking, and getting frisky in every room of the house! We considered it last night, but took a nap instead. Hey, it was an exhausting day!!! ;-) I think we’re ready for the parental lifestyle.

Thank you everyone for all the loving support and well wishes in your comments, calls and e-mails. You are so uplifting! You have enriched this experience for us more than you will ever know.

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Dear Habibi,

I've been wondering a lot about our first meeting. Will we just know that you are our child? Will we fall in love with you at first sight, or will it take a little while longer? That is how it was when your papa and I first met. Sure, we each thought the other was cute, but only after a few weeks of really knowing each other did the love bug hit us like a ton of heart-shaped bricks. And that was the best thing that has ever happened to us.

How will it all go down? Will you take one look at us and burst into tears? Or will we be the ones who burst into tears? Will you be frozen with fear? Maybe we will be the ones who freeze up. Will you be curious and interested, or suspicious and wary?

I wonder what your laugh sounds like. I wonder if you like music ... bananas ... bubbles … books ... Are you laid back and cuddly, or boisterous and inquisitive? Maybe a little of both. What tickles your funny bone? How did you get to where you are? Are you ready to be loved? Will it take a little convincing, or a lot?

The answers to these questions and thousands more will be answered soon. We will try not to put too much pressure on you. After all, you're only a little munchkin who is doing the best you can to cope with the strange emptiness you feel inside, despite a comfortable routine and having people around you who sincerely care about you. To you, we will just be two wide-eyed giants who talk funny. But we are prepared to do what it takes to earn your trust, little by little, and teach you how to love and be loved in a whole new kind of way.