first post ....

A writer I am NOT, but here goes!  As most of you know, Jon and I have been in the adoption process for almost a year now....  seems like forever!  Well, yesterday we were "submitted", that's a fancy way of saying that all of our adoption documents were taken to the government in our children's country and now we will wait for them to issue us a travel date.  Typically we should hear something in about two weeks, and then travel two to three weeks after that, but with this country nothing is set in stone, so we are prepared for anything.  Well...... I'm prepared for anything, Jon is still in shock that we are at this stage!  He was almost speechless last night when I told him we had been submitted, all he could say was "wow" !  We've been at this for SO long and have had a few curve balls, there were times when both of  us thought we would never get to this place.  Trust me when I say that international adoption is NOT for the faint of heart!!!  This has truly been a rollercoaster of stress and emotions and, oh yeah  ......  we're not done yet!  But we only have a few more upside down loopty loops to go through and then our family will be complete and it will be SO worth it.  Today was our little girls 3rd birthday ....... I was told from another mom adopting from her orphanage that she was playing outside today and had her little purse on, so sweet!!  HAPPY  HAPPY  BIRTHDAY  to my girl,  we love you so much already!  This is the LAST birthday you will spend without a home, a mommy, a daddy, a brother, grandmas and grandpas and a whole bunch of aunts, uncles, and cousins.