Surreal

A little over three years ago I began this blog announcing our international adoption.  I just finished going through all the posts and I am bawling my eyes out.  Wow.  What a journey.  What lessons learned.  I have dreamt of writing this particular blog post since the beginning.  I imagined words of all caps "type screaming" our joyous news that our Haitian sensation is coming home!!  I imagined being jittery and giddy, not knowing what to do with myself because I would be so excited.  For some reason, that's not the case tonight.  This all feels surreal.  (I have to clarify that I wrote this first part the day we found out we could go get him……a few days later the jittery feelings did, in fact, set in. ;)  )

We are so overjoyed that the waiting is finally over, however there is a measure of healthy fear happening in our hearts as well.  Claudy is five, we have missed those important informative years when parents have the best opportunity to help a child build healthy habits.  I do have to say that everyone that has spent time with Claudy say that he has the best temperament.  He seems laid back and has a "go with the flow" mentality, but it's extremely hard to tell how he will be feeling after a couple of months home.  He will go through a grieving period…..after all he's already been through he has to lose everything he's ever known.  We grieve for him.  We pray we will have wisdom in knowing how to help him heal from all the losses in his short five years.  

We also would like to explain to everyone that we will need at the very least, a couple of weeks to lay low and just spend time as a family of six.  We will be doing fun family activities that include all of us so we can begin to bond with Claudy and most importantly, so he can bond with us.  Nate and I will be the only ones to care for him, getting him food, bathing him…..etc.  He needs to know that we are Dad and Mom and he can always count on us to provide for him.  

Our flight leaves tomorrow morning at 6am.  I'm in tears as I think about how this is finally happening and our son will be home with us after three years of this process.  We are so thankful to the Lord for this amazing blessing and giving us another son.  

We will keep everyone posted as best as we can through Facebook and email.  Our deepest gratitude goes out to all of our family and friends who have supported us through prayer, finances and encouraging us when the wait seemed unbearable.  Please remember us after he's home……it will be a huge adjustment and we have been warned that it could get pretty lonely at times.  So please continue praying and keep those encouragements coming our way!  

Until next time……..