Thursday, January 29, 2009

here i am.

almost 58 hours ago, at 11:01 am on tuesday, january 27th, we received our referral.

i think my dear friend becca summed it up best when she wrote, in response to our news, "whoa! hooray! holy crap! (<---- my edited version. she's working on her swearing, as her 20 month old repeats everything...) holy smokes! ay carumba! PRAISE THE LORD!!"

i have never felt the way that i am feeling right now. i've spent some time here (on this blogspot) comparing this process, our adoption journey, to our path to parenthood through pregnancy. these two things, at this moment in time, could not feel more differently. more foreign to one another. more polar to me. and, at the same time, i recognize where i am right now, in the depths of my heart, as the same place i was the first time that i laid my eyes on theodore. the first time i nestled my nose into emmett's neck, and breathed him in.

i can't stop. thinking, crying, wondering, hoping... i'm a train wreck (a really, really wonderful one, if that's possible.)

i have so much that i want to tell you.
and i hope that i'm stable enough to do so sometime soon.


15 comments:

janiece said...

Everything you are saying you are feeling is sooooo familiar to me. I remember that with Julia so clearly (plus I drove through a blizzard to get her referral video!) And when you pick him up there will be feelings that you can't even describe. Doesn't matter how stable you are--I'm always here!

Anonymous said...

YEAH!!!! Congratulations!! I am so extatic for you! What an amazing feeling isn't it!
I will be sending on travel tips to you too :)

Norbyah said...

i'm so glad to be on this journey with you. though our paths to arrive there are slightly different, i'm with you all the way. who knew we'd learn about our third babies so close to each other. i'm so glad i was able to share in your excitement. i am so eager to hear all the next steps.

Christine @ 12,450miles said...

OMG OMG OMG!!! YAY!!! I'm so excited and happy for you...

Selfishly, I hope you are stable soon... since I am obviously dying to hear the details!!

Gosh, what a wonderful way to start a Friday!!

Angie K. said...

i am so happy for you and your family, and look forward to reading more when you are ready to share. :)

Rach@In His Hands said...

Oh my goodness!!!!!!!! Congratulations! I'm thrilled for you. Can't wait to hear more!

Shelley said...

Wowzer! That was soooo fast! How did you swing that? Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't wait to hear more, more, more!

dana said...

emily - so very happy for you and cannot wait to hear all about it!!!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Emily! What wonderful news! I can't even begin to imagine how you must be feeling....but aren't these moments of instability the best part of life? Love it! Can't wait to hear more!! xn

Anonymous said...

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shan said...

Congratulations! I look forward to seeing many pictures of your third-born. I'm glad I've been able to be a part of your journey via your blog. xo

Becca said...

Hi Emily! Thank you for adding in the family appropriate language. I REALLY am trying ;) I am just over the moon for you...you know that. Can't wait to hear all of the details.
Love you lots.

Angie said...

Emily, Wow! I am just catching up after caring for our sick family! I'm thrilled for you and can't wait to hear more! Enjoy the journey...it's amazing!

Michelle said...

Oh I am so excited for you! We will be here for you....waiting....impatiently at the edge of our seats.

JoJo said...

Congratulaions!!! What a wonderful moment.

Our Adoption Timeline

  • December 23, 2009- Adoption Finalized.
  • May 7th, 2009- Family circle complete in Madison.
  • May 6th, 2009- Mama's got Rubin in Seoul.
  • May 4th, 2009- meet Rubin
  • April 23rd, 2009- Visa Interview
  • April 22nd, 2009- TRAVEL CALL!!
  • April 14th, 2009- Packet 3
  • April 7th, 2009- NVC out
  • April 1st 2009 (no foolin')- I171 received
  • March 9th, 2009- I171H received
  • February 27th, 2009- progress report from SWS
  • February 24th, 2009- Fingerprinted at USIS
  • February 19, 2009-Rubin's legals arrive in state.
  • February 16, 2009- mailed referral acceptance.
  • February 12, 2009- received referral paperwork.
  • January 29, 2009- verbally accepted referral
  • January 27, 2009- received unofficial referral.
  • January 20, 2009- I600A received and filed with the Dept. of Homeland Security
  • January 16, 2009- submitted I600A
  • January 12, 2009- homestudy document complete.
  • January 12, 2009-received Foster Home Licensing
  • December 22, 2008- A.I.A.A. director approves application, establishes our file, and requests our homestudy documents from J.D.
  • December 5, 2008- submitted Foster Licensing application.
  • November 25, 2008- A.I.A.A. accepted official application.
  • November 15, 2008- submitted formal application to A.I.A.A.
  • November 13, 2008- final homestudy meeting.
  • November 12, 2008- autobiographies completed.
  • October 30, 2008- second homestudy meeting.
  • October 22, 2008- received formal application from A.I.A.A.
  • October 14, 2008- first homestudy meeting.
  • October 1, 2008- submitted pre-application to Americans for International Adoption and Aid
  • September 25, 2008- submitted application packet to Adoption Advocates, Inc.
  • September 18, 2008- first meeting with social worker (J.D.)
  • August 2008- decided to adopt

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