We are finally able to share the wonderful news that we have accepted a referral!! For those unfamiliar with the adoption world, a referral is when our adoption agency calls to say that they have found a child who matches our file. Since we are in the China special needs program, our adoption agency will review the list of needs we are willing to accept and try to match us with a child who has one or more of those needs.
I have to say that reviewing a referral was one of the hardest things we have ever had to go through. It is such a hard thing to look at a child's picture and then pick apart their medical history to see how it will affect your family life. There were so many emotions that I wasn't expecting and sure wasn't prepared for. The ups of excitement over seeing that sweet, sweet face! Rejoicing over the special need being very minor. Fearing the unknown. Asking hard questions and hoping for easy answers. Taking that leap of faith, jumping into a larger than life, unknown box. And then the wave of joy comes! Jump up and down, fall to your knees, get back up and dance kind of joy!
Our little girl is 13 months old and was born premature. She seems to be growing and developing slower than a "healthy" child, but just right for her small little body! We can't wait to get her home and shower her with love and affection! The kids are over the moon excited and so eager to welcome her into our family! Our best guess is that we will travel sometime at the beginning to middle of the summer which is a huge blessing from our Daddy since Robbie's work is more flexible then and the girls won't miss school! Thank you so much for those that have prayed with us through this journey! Your prayers and encouraging words have blessed us beyond words! We know we will need many more prayers over the months and years to come as the real journey has just begun!
Take a look at Audio Adrenaline's newest song and be encouraged to take your own leap of faith and make a difference in the life of an orphan today!
Dabney, Just leaving an official blog congrats!!! :) BTW, I think you'll travel in May. Of course you can postpone if needed, but I just don't think it'll be more than 4 months unless your LOA takes longer than 2 months which it shouldn't. Once you have that, you should travel in about 10 weeks (8-12 being the window). Of course this is just my 2 cents, but we've been twice on the I800 track and this is how it usually goes barring any unforeseen issues. No matter, you'll go at just the right time!
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