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2.19.2010

Less than 12 hours to go!

We will meet her at 9:30 am local time which is 8:30 pm Friday night EST.  Thanks for praying for my little girl as her world completely changes in a matter of minutes. 

Emotions are running high as we make the final preparations ~ packing a few small toys and a new "lovey," getting orphanage staff  and notary/official gifts together (in Zhejiang Province, the adoption takes place on the same day you meet your child), compiling a list of questions to ask the orphanage staff...

Now that we are just a few hours away from Darcy, I wanted to put some thoughts out there.  I'm excited, but if I'm going to be perfectly transparent here, I'm also really nervous. 

I suppose the excited part is pretty obvious.  After all, in just a bit, I will finally have all three of my children in one room.  Exactly eleven months after I first read Darcy's file (I requested and received her information on March 20) I will be holding her.  I knew what was going to be the end result that evening when I sent her referral information on to Ian along with the simple sentence, "I think we've found her, please pray..."  For eleven months I've looked at her pictures and waited for this moment to come.  It feels so good to know that it is almost here!

And for eleven months, as joyful as I've felt, I've been nervous about it happening.  First of all there is the fact that tomorrow I will have three children.  THREE CHILDREN!  And while many of my friends have four, five, and six ~  to me, three is a WHOLE LOT more than two.  As in Ian and I will be outnumbered kind of "whole lot more."  Worries over "crowd control," in general bring about a slight sense of apprehension over the fact that our newest child will not speak our language, so how can I expect her to follow simple requests?  (Or for that matter know what she is saying to perfect strangers in the market or restaurants)  And then there's the realization that being "a bit easy" on Darcy until she learns how our family works may cause some issues with the two that know our guidelines.  Which reminds me that with any addition to a family, there is a change in the family dynamic.  And that reminds me of how rough it was for a while when Caleb became the newest M family member.

So that may make some wonder why in the world I'd leave my blog out there in the open public. 

It's because I want for people to know that it is okay to have doubts when adopting.  Even us "seasoned adopters" do.  There will likely be some rough days ahead.  But in the end, when the dust settles on my new family, I know that I'll wonder how I ever lived without Darcy playing tag with Caleb or playing My Little Ponies with Ky.  So bear with me as I "keep it real" here at Fireworks and Fireflies during the transition.  What I pray ~ and fully believe ~ is that after some time, you will see our family and wonder to yourself if there ever was a time that Darcy wasn't with us. 

God is THAT big! 

Now to try and get some sleep.  Tonight it won't be fireworks that keep me awake...

14 comments:

a Tonggu Momma said...

We shall be praying for y'all. Just a few more hours to go...

Cindy M said...

We'll be waiting tonight for pictures...no pressure...yeah, right! I can only imagine the emotions you're experiencing right now. But you're so clearly as prepared as any momma can be. I do remember the moment we put Mick in the car, and the girls threw their first full-on tantrum over who was going to sit by him. But, trust me, now they're arguing about who's NOT going to sit by him. :-) You and Ian are fantastic parents, and I don't have any doubt that, if anyone can handle it, it's you! Your heart is SO big.

You have no idea how much I wish I were there, even just to soak in the excitement of this thrilling moment in your lives! Of course, have no doubt that I'd be looking around for a little bitty to stuff under my coat at the same time.

And, by the way, transition for us to three was FAR easier than two. Zone defense has its advantages!

Ann Marie said...

Praying for a smooth and tender transition. Know that she was chosen for your family before time began. In these upcoming days of joy and some struggle know that HE will sustain you.

Hugs.

Gavin's Family said...

I have to agree with Cindy. With our bio kids three went much better then two. We seemed to brace ourselves mentaly for three where with two we kind of had the attitude of been-there-done-that and we ended up caught off gaurd.
Thank you so much for being REAL for us newbie's at this whole adoption thing. I have had moments already of thinking "What are we doing" but then I remember it's not about us. It's about our son having a forever family. And any way who am I to question God.

Lilly said...

amen! God gave you wings to fly to your children , half a world apart. BUT that's what he does and as simple as that!

Julie said...

So thankful for you keeping it real. As a waiting family the keeping it real moments are better than anything I could read in a book.
Praying for all of you tonight, especially Darcy!

Anonymous said...

WOWZERS!!!!!!!!!!!! We will be praying at 8:30 for an ease in transition... I konw if won't be easy on anyone... but wonderful none-the-less!!! I am glad you are going through the transition to having a speaking-child-who-doesnt-speak-English first!!! :) Hopefully it will help us.? :)
PRAYING!!!! Love you bunches!!!
Traci

Leslie said...

I can't believe I'm just now reading these posts. I can't wait to see the entire family together at last. It feels like you've been "missing one" for at least 6 months now. It's such a blessing to see God bring your family together.

We will be praying for you... only a few more hours!!!

Nancy said...

I can't believe you'll have Darcy in less than 7 hours! Three kids is no small feat, or even 2 for that matter so don't compare yourself to peeps with 4+ kids! :) You are an awesome mom and I just can't wait to see Darcy. We are praying for you, friend!!!!!

Tricia said...

2 against 3 should be no problem for you and Ian. If I can do 1 against 3.... Wish I could give you some pointers on the non-English speaking, but I'm no help there. Now if she spoke Whinese, I may be able to interpret. Andrew seems to have entered that phase at age 6. Ugh! :) Praying for sleep and a WONDERFUL transition for all of you.

Angela said...

Remember...His grace is perfected in our weakness. THANK YOU for "keeping it real" b/c it allows us to see the realness of Him! Oooooh, I can't wait!

Di said...

Lovely post. I hope that the meeting goes well and that live adjusts quite quickly! Enjoy every moment of Darcy, Kiley and Caleb!!

Lindsay said...

I remember when we started lifegroup and, as an outsider who only saw your family 2 times a week I was surprised to hear that Caleb had only been with you a few months! He was so much a part of your family and your two kids seemed like they had been brother and sister forever...I know in my heart that it will be that way with Darcey...It is so cool to think that as I write this you have been a complete family for 2 hours!

Lisa said...

I'm forever thankful that you always keep things real. May God show Himself in a Big way, very soon!