Tomorrow marks the one month anniversary of our miracle money. Can we just say that it still seems really unbelievable that we get to bring home both of our sweet, sweet kiddos? It will probably seem that way until we are standing on American soil - kiddos in hand. We just needed to say thank you again. Thank you for believing in the beauty of adoption. Thank you for being the most amazing support that we could hope for. We will NEVER forget January 12, 2012. I (Kristle) will NEVER forget the goosebumps, the crying, the shock, the excitement, the feeling that my heart was LITERALLY going to pound out of my chest. I wish there were words to describe how it truly felt to watch that night unfold - but there just aren't. I wish even more that I could describe Chad's reaction - or that I had gotten it on video tape. :) We are humbled beyond words to be able to be a part of something so special. There is no doubt in our minds that God has something planned for these kids. We pray everyday that we will be a stepping stone for them - so that they will allow themselves to be used by our great big God. We also pray that God just piles HEAPS of bounty and blessings on each person who has been a part of this journey in any way. We hope that someday we are able to pay it forward.
Have you been wondering what two unsuspecting hopeful adoptive parents did after they found out that they get to bring not one but TWO kids home - two kiddos who will no longer be tiny babies, but babbling, energetic, toddlers? Weellll....We recovered from an amazing ridiculous night. We quickly finished any paperwork. We sent checks, care packages, and whatever else was asked of us by our agency. Now reality is beginning to set in. We are bringing home two kiddos. AHHH!!!! (in an amazingly excited/SUPER NERVOUS sort of way) We are bringing home a little girl who has spent her life - all three years (almost) - in a country where they speak a different language, eat different sorts of food, and handle life A LOT differently. We are bringing home a little boy who will be toddling around,and getting into anything he can. WE CAN'T WAIT!!! However, we know we have to carefully prepare. We have to consider what life has been like for our kids - Life on the other side of a world, in a country where nearly 200 different languages are spoken, an average of one meal a day is eaten, and civil war has been a part of their everyday life. Our sweet Etta - she has lived with her parents, her family, an orphanage, and finally a foster home - all within a span of 2 1/2 years. We have to think about how we can show her that we are permanent - that we love her and are here to stay. We also have to figure out how to communicate with her, provide for her, make her feel comfortable and safe, and love her in all the ways that she needs to be loved. We also have to figure out how to go from a carefree couple to an interracial family of four. Adoption provides such an opportunity to love a child in a way so that they are able to bond with you - even though you look completely different, you didn't carry them in your womb, change their diapers, feed them their first bottle, swaddle them to keep them warm, etc.... What an amazing opportunity that can't be entered into lightly! We are so blessed to be a part of an adoption agency that provides on going support as we prepare for our kiddos to come home. We also have an extensive library of carefully researched material to read in order to prepare for this special event in our lives. We have serious preparation ahead of us. Although we know that we need time to prepare - we ache to hold them EVERY day, EVERY hour, EVERY minute - and our wait has just begun. Our dossier is on its way to a Congolese court. We still have to get a court approval - another immigration approval - raise more money for travel - and get an appointment with the Congolese embassy. But God is so good. He gives us peace and comfort - and on the days when we are tired and just want our kids home - he sends one of you with a bit of encouragement. Thank you for letting him use you. We can't wait to see what the next months have in store!
Lots of love,
The Chalos Family of Four
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