The Red Thread Part Three

I had one day before I was to report for school because teachers report a whole week before kids.    August 16th, I woke up with the most horrendous sinus headache ever.  It was a record high for seasonal allergies, and while I've never been "diagnosed", I tend to have the sneezing, stuffiness associated with them.  This  headache/dizziness was something new.  I could barely lift my head up, but was determined to get things rolling in the next 24 hours.  After numerous emails to Andrea, we decided to proceed with the home study.  I emailed a quick question to Lisa about a home study referral.  She was shocked and surprised because we hadn't talked much since the initial time.  I wrote a quick note saying Andy was ready to commit and needed to get the home study begun.  I sent emails to the agency, ran some quick errands for medication, and then took a nap. 

A few events proceeded over the next few hours that sent us from a mountaintop high to low valley.  Both Andy and I talked long and hard about our commitment to a child, and we were going to focus on what areas we can control.  That's all we can do.  Live day to day.  It's a lesson we are going to use throughout this adoption process and the life with our new child. The next day at school, Lisa called me and I learned much on the adoption process and protocals, and she would help behind the scenes.  I felt so much at peace, but we still needed to find a child.  Who would our little girl be?  We hadn't told our children yet, because it would be hard for them to understand without a picture or a child to call our own.

Over the next week, Andy and I processed on our own.  Our home study agency returned our call and sent us all the paperwork information.  We began working and focusing on that part.  I spent numerous hours at night on that part of the process.  We kept looking at the listings for a child, but could not decide.  There are so many...  Lisa sent me emails filled with information, special blog postings, and a referral for Jessie (23). 

That following Monday, Andy and I talked about Jessie.  I sent emails asking about her, and he emailed Andrea to see if anyone was committing to her.  He called and emailed me at work to say no one had inquired.  I ran home from work and we went to get our commitment papers notarized and sent off.  We were going to be Jessie's forever family!!!  What is even more special is that she has the same birthday as Sara, the little 3rd grader who brought our families together.  Our red thread is closer than ever and will continue to stay close.

I could not have written a more powerful story.  This is a story of love, a story of making a difference, and a story of understanding that everything has a purpose.  It is a complete leap of faith, one we are jumping in fully knowing this is the journey we need to take.   Going through the disappointments last spring were heartbreaking, but I needed them to put me at that moment the last day of school.  A friend last spring told me, "God's got something bigger and better planned for you."  Was he ever right!!!

P.S
I am blessed that if  I do not have a meeting at school in the mornings, I rush downstairs at 8:45am to watch Bridget and Alina get off the bus and walk into school. Last Tuesday, Alina was waving at everyone as they came in.  What precious little girls!!!!