2010 Year in Review

So, we are 10 days into the new year and I am finally getting around to sharing my thoughts about the past year.  January started with me being laid off from my job.  I tried to tell myself that it was all meant to be, knowing we should be getting a referral, but deep down I felt like if we got A child, I would still need to work.  So, looking back now, I realize that our lives are not always in our control but we need to let a higher power in to show us what is best.  Eventually, I got used to not going to work and as it turns out, my time off was a great time for me to spend time with my parents while Rhett was traveling and then get the house organized for a possible referral in 2010.

One of Rhett's work trips that he needed to go on in May was to Duke University.  It has been a dream of mine to visit Duke and low and behold I was able to go with him.  So, we scheduled it for Memorial Day weekend.  I have been a Duke basketball fan for many years and my niece Maddie has jumped on the bandwagon with me.  So, we took her with us and had a fabulous time. 

Between the time we decided to book the trip and the time we actually left, we got the call that we have received a referral of not one, not two, but THREE beautiful children.  I will never forget that day, Monday, May 10th, one day after Mother's Day.  We got the emails with the referral letters for all three kids and then PICTURES!  What we have been waiting 3 years for!  They were absolutely beautiful.  I still tried not to get too excited because we were going to send the referral to the U of M and didn't exactly know what they would come back with.  We were warned that they will not necessarily paint the best picture, they will be very conservative in their review.  I will say, I was scared to death when I got it back, but we could not pass on these 3 wonderful children.  THANK GOD!  The things they thought might be a concern have turned out to be nothing.  Again, THANK GOD!  With lots of prayers, we were finally at peace with everything and we accepted the referral.

Now, it was time to get things packed, bedrooms prepared and don't forget a quick trip to Duke!

Soon it was June 13th and we were on a plane to Bogota, Colombia.  Quite honestly, I was not super excited about being away from home for 6-8 weeks but the excitement to meet our 3 children definitely overpowered that!  We finally met Sebastian, John and Cate on June 16th.  We had many ups and downs during our time there.  We experienced vomiting, diarrhea, tantrums, diarrhea, finding out we were in Court 21 (historically a slow court), diarrhea, shopping, diarrhea, sightseeing, diarrhea and finally SENTENCIA.  Finally, we were on our way HOME!  What a feeling that was.

Once we were home, it felt like constant doctor appointments, boundary setting and just getting used to eachother and being a family of 5.

We have made it through a major skull surgery, teething, a few colds, but we are all doing so well.  The kids seem really happy to be part of a family.  It still amazes me each day how much they are growing physically, mentally and developmentally.  It is so fun to watch them and laugh at and with them each and every day.

So, going back to my concern of being laid off and getting a referral of A child.  Obviously, it should not have been a concern at all.  With 3 kids coming into our home, I am so thankful that I have been given the opportunity to stay home with them.

As we close the door on 2010, I KNOW there will never be another year like it.  There is nothing that will ever be able to top Sebastian, John and Cate becoming part of our family.