One Week...

Today! It's exactly one week today that our Princess has been home.  

It's been a pretty good week too. So let me tell you about it.

So, we came home last Saturday afternoon with our Princess.  Everyone was so excited.  Nana and Papa were here at home with the boys waiting for us.  On the front door was a sign that read "Welcome Home Princess. March 9th 2013" It was simple and on blue construction paper, but it meant the world to us.  Thanks to Nana and the boys. 

So we made it home just in time for dinner.  None of the three of us were very hungry but we nibbled. Then Daddy had to fight with the lift gate of our vehicle.  The one that was fixed just this past October? Yeah not so much.  When my brother gets back to work I'll have to let him know. We bought the vehicle (and warranty and insurance) from his dealership. If you want to deal with some really great professionals send me a message and I'll tell you where he is.  They're awesome!  Anyway, sorry about the sidetrack. After a bit Daddy got the back of the vehicle open and we started bringing Princess's belongings in. We got her set up and got everyone ready for bed.  It had been a long, emotional day for everyone. 

When everyone was in bed Daddy and I sat back and started to relax. All the going back and forth was over. We had our 2 beautiful boys and finally our wonderful, long prayed for and wished for Princess. Within a few minutes we got called upstairs.  Princess was in bed and crying. She finally had everything sink in. The former 6 weeks finally hit her. She realized that she was home. She was worried that we wouldn't let her see her foster family ever again. So Daddy and I spent a little while comforting her and reassuring her that she would see her foster family again because we weren't taking anyone away from her.  We were adding to her family and that her foster family would be up to see her in a few short weeks. After that she slept quickly and soundly for the rest of the night.

The rest of the week went by very smoothly with only one or two minor issues about family. Each time we reassured her that nobody was gone and that she would get to see them again and that they would all be part of her life forever.

Openness agreements are a great thing. When you can keep as many parts of a biological or foster family involved in your child's life it's good. It gives your child the ability to know their whole story.  Good and bad.  It's up to you to make sure that things happen when they should and that your child is informed at age appropriate times and ways.

So, now we're starting week 2 and things look good.  The children are bonding and attaching at a good, steady pace and it looks like they've been together forever. The attachment and bonding between Daddy, Princess and myself is going well too.  We don't look like we've been together forever, but it's not too bad.  We're all learning each others ways as we go. It's a good thing.  

Stay tuned for future updates.

God bless.

Our Forever Day....

Is here!  March 9th, 2013 we brought our daughter home!

We are so tired and so happy I can't even describe what's going on in my mind. This little one had her going home party today.  We met so many of her lifetime friends and they were all so happy for her.  There were tears everywhere!  Including with me.  The hardest part for me today was watching her beautiful foster mum say her good byes.  Well it's not good bye, it's see you soon.  Her foster parents and my hubby and I have developed a beautiful friendship and we have all agreed that we are one, big, happy family now.  Our girl won't get to see them for a few weeks in order to help her bond and attach to us, but they will be a part of her (and our) life forever.

Today was extremely emotional.  For all of us.  There were 5 or 6 social workers at the party today.  All of whom (except our adoption worker) have known our Princess most, if not all, of her life.  They all love her and are so happy for her having found her forever family.  They all made sure we knew exactly how precious she is and we assured them that we know and won't be taking a single moment with her for granted.  We assured them all that we know and appreciate that she is God's gift to us.

Around 2:00 PM today we had her foster parents take her to our vehicle and wave us off. It was bittersweet.  These wonderful people have raised her for the last 4 years (she's 6 years old) and love her like a daughter.  It was hard for me too to hug my new friend good bye for a while.  But like I said, it's not good bye, it's see you soon.

So for now I'm going to sign off and know that I'll keep you posted as we progress.

For those of you still waiting, hang in there.  It's always, and I do mean always, worth the wait.  The child or children you're waiting for will come at the exact right moment.

Good night, and God bless you all.