We got on the plane last night in panic because were decided at the very last minute to fly out to Houston last night instead of today. Rush home from work, call Nana to pick up the dog, Jeff and Danielle to feed the cats, throw who knows what into our suitcases, pray I didn't forget my contacts (and underwear), get on the road, pray we locked the house, pray for no traffic.....TRY to relax once we get on the plane......Craziest 6 hours of my life LOL. We had the BEST flight crew!! We carried on Kristi's fantastic puzzle piece tradition and decided to bring some along to have people HERE sign them. Our gate agent in PHX signed one, the lady at the hotel desk last night signed one....our crew signed our tickets. It is going to be SUCH an awesome addition to his shadow box. But as we landed in Houston, our flight attendant made an announcement about a "special couple in row 12 that are coming to Houston to meet their adoptive son for the first time" and then the entire plane applauded and congratulated us. It was TRULY such a blessing, we were so touched!!
And then....this morning. Slept in, thankfully, went back to the airport to get our rental car, checked into our new hotel....and got a call from Raiden's foster mom. They would like to meet at 4, not 7. HOLY CRAP that was only 4 hours away!!!!! Now, as I'm typing this, it's 1 hour, 18 minutes. What goes through your mind when you're a little over one hour away from meeting your child? Let's be real guys: this is a moment that, if you read even 2 or 3 entries back, we never thought would get here. We've had faith this whole time, don't get me wrong, but there have been times when we said "maybe God's plan is for us to NOT have kids." Those moments didn't last long, but they were there. This is the moment, the day, that I have been praying for, wishing for, flat out demanding...for at LEAST 25 years. From the time I was little, people would ask what I wanted to be when I grew up....and while my "profession" dreams changed, I ALWAYS said "I want to be a mom!". There were SO many days, especially going through fertility, that I seriously questioned if that would ever happen for me...for us. I've tried so very hard to make sure that through the last few weeks that I've felt every emotion that has come my way.....this is what I wanted and I don't want to forget a moment of it. Now, going into the next few hours, I have to admit, I'm a little overwhelmed by the amount of emotions going through me. It is NOT lost on me that this was God's promise....and it has been fulfilled.
Join with me in the next few hours, and pray for Raiden, that he feels the excitement that this moment deserves, but MOST of all, that he feels God's arms of peace, knowing that this wasn't just the plan for US, but for HIM. My personal prayer is that he's feeling peace, and that he isn't concerned about the feelings of loving us, or loving his mom, or where his sense of loyalty should be. My prayer is that he can come to a place in his sweet 7 year old heart, where he knows that it is truly ok to still love his mom but to love and trust his NEW dad and mom as well. This entire group of people that are waiting for him.....it is so truly amazing how many this journey has affected, how much HE has affected people and he may not ever have any idea. I know I will try, as my mom tried with me for my entire life, to show him just how much of a miracle I think he is.
And now....off to go get ready....we leave in 20 minutes LOL.
Thanks for coming w/ us on this ride, friends. Our love and prayers for all are unceasing, as yours have been for us. Hold on to those promises, whatever they are....this day is amazing proof of God's amazing grace!!
Blessings!!
~J
