Sunday, July 17, 2011

Utterly, Totally, Completely IN LOVE!

WOW!  How do I find words to express the emotions of having our son laid in our arms today?!?!?  The chills return now,  just thinking of that moment!...............

Today is Sunday, July 17th in Ethiopia.  THE DAY WE MET OUR SON!!!  We awakened to a fabulous breakfast at the Guest House, then went to church at the International Evangelical Church this morning.  Great service with peeps from so many different countries!  LOVED IT!!!  The sermon was a great reminder of how closely God walks through every trial with us, and has been by our side every step of this  journey to our sweet baby boy.  It was about Psalm 23 and how God wants to bring good out of every situation ~ if we seek Him and allow Him control over our life!

WOW.  SO GLAD we give God control over our lives........and gave Him control over our journey to parenthood too!  THANK YOU, GOD, for your faithfulness!!!!

To say that my "wait-meter" was running on empty does not even come close to describing how READY I was to get. to. that. Transition. House. to meet our son!  {smile}  We all were scheduled to go to lunch after church (at Island Breeze), and then it was finally time to go see baby "K"!  

Driving down the alleyway that I had seen before in video and pictures, knowing that it was REAL ~ this was OUR trip ~ WE were the ones traveling down this alley ~ to hold OUR son in our arms!!!!!  {someone pinch me, please!}  Oh MY......to watch the nannies bring the children to their parents/families really choked my up and filled my heart.  

BUT.....when they called our name, and we climbed up the stairs to take our waiting spot.........I began to TOTALLY LOOSE IT!!!!  I mean, I tried to keep it together, but the excitement, joy, love, and anticipation of this long-awaited moment of finally holding our son, simply overcame me.  In a good way.  Tears of JOY.  Tears of THANKFULNESS!  Tears of LOVE.
After "letting it out" a bit, I was able to collect myself before they brought out "K."  {whew!  thought I was going to scare the poor boy!}  The nanny came walking out of the doors to the orphanage, carrying with her the most precious baby boy EVER.  Our son!  This photo was captured when we first saw him come through the door in the nannie's arms.  He was dressed in a cute tan/blue elephant outfit we sent to him and was wrapped in a blanket we also sent to him.  Precious. 

There was a lot going on with all of the families meeting their children and the other families sharing in our moments, but in time, we found our way to a small grassy area where we cuddled and cooed and loved on a blanket.  As a family.

It was so natural!  It felt like "K" had been a part of our lives from the beginning!  Okay, trying to figure out the bottle with a HUGE hole in the nipple and formula running all over our sweet babe's face would prove that it wasn't totally natural.  Ha!  But, after figuring out how to help the formula not pour down his throat, we were in business!  {grin}

The time flew by and we managed to take 300 pictures, believe it or not!  Guess we think our baby is pretty handsome, huh!?!?  Oh yeah, wait till you see him for yourself!  {giggle}  Our time together was precious.  The interaction between him and us was surreal.  His utter joy and contentment a blessing.  We learned he LOVES to be kissed.  Anywhere!  His cheeks, his forehead, his neck, his toes.....doesn't matter.....kisses bring a huge smile to his adorable little face!!!

Daddy got "K" to giggle when he gave him a "mini ski lesson."  As Jeff swayed "K" left, then right and then straight up in the air {jumping off a snow jump}we got to hear our son's voice and laughter for the first time.  Go figure.  Skiing brought on the giggles.  Right after his Daddy's heart.  

The play, the cuddles, the love......all so amazing.  When they told us it was time to go, my heart sank.  Knowing that we would be back tomorrow lightened it.  Some.  Baby "K" cried when I handed him over to the nanny.  The nanny chuckled at how he didn't want to leave my arms.  Leave his mommy and daddy.  Broke my heart to hear him cry, but blessed me all the same.

Overall, we feel our first day of meeting and playing with and loving on our son was a HUGE SUCCESS!!!!

Be. Still. My. Heart.

21 comments:

Christy. said...

I am so happy for you!! Happiness for you!!! Praying for a court day miracle and that letter is there!!

Elle J said...

Chills!! What a beautiful blessing - praying for all paperwork to be in order for a court date pass. Thinking of you with smiles.

Annie B said...

After all you've been through, I'm so happy you have now experienced the amazing feeling of holding your son for the first time. You will never forget the moment nor the emotions that went with it. Cherish every minute....oh yeah, you don't need anyone to tell you that! I'm deeply grateful that your time has come.

Karen said...

Sigh, tears in my eyes right along with you! Beautiful! We are so unbelievably happy for you. I pray the rest of your days in Ethiopia are full of bonding and precious moments like this that can sustain you during the wait for embassy! So happy that your son is FINALLY in your arms!!! love, Karen Wistrom

Anonymous said...

I am so glad you had such a great Meetcha Day! Can't wait to see your precious K in pictures! Have a great day tomorrow!

Carmen

Alison said...

Oh, Debb, I have tears in my eyes!!! Tears of JOY!!! So happy for ya'll and your precious K!!! So excited that you are there with him!!! Praise God!!!

the_blissful_mommy said...

Debbie, Debbie. It's happening, my friend. Who is like our God? Who can bring the mountians low, make crooked places straight and work heartbreak out for good? He is the King, I sing it with you from the top of my lungs, sister. You are Mary, singing a song of praise. You are Hannah, singing a song of amazed gratitude. You are blessed, my friend and I am so very glad for you. Xoxo

connie said...

Today couldn't have been more divine! Sounds like it was just a perfect day all the way around. Thank you Lord for knitting this family together. Thank you for their son who already knows the love and security of his mommy and daddy. Can't wait to hear more as your story unfolds. Blessings and love to all THREE of you!!

erica said...

Congrats!!!!!!!! :)

Anonymous said...

Praising God for your precious son! Joe and I are loving this! What a priceless photo of you two! Lots of love to you as you savor this time with sweet Baby "K."

Candace

Natalia K said...

I was so excited to see this post and get to share in your joy! Thank you for posting the beautiful photo. I thought about you throughout today, trying to calculate the time difference and when you would have finally met your son :). I hope the rest of your trip is absolutely amazing. Blessings to your family of three :).

Michelle said...

Okay....BEAUTIFUL post! Felt like I was right there...tears and all. So excited for you guys.

Courtney said...

Wow! God is sooo great;) May the road ahead go smoothly as you prepare to take your son HOME!!

candice said...

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Praise the LORD! I am so happy for you! Tears here as well!

Sarah said...

Oh Debbie and Jeff.. this is so wonderful, perfect, and completely amazing. Your picture brings tears to my eyes and fills me with so much joy and happiness for you. Baby "K" will have such a treasure in this picture as he looks back at it throughout his life. He will know for sure how deeply and how completely his mama and daddy love him. I know you will enjoy every moment there. Soon, so very soon, he will be home! Praise GOD!

April D said...

Infinitely happy with. Seeing the picture of you bursting into tears brought them for me - remembering that moment for us and elated that your time is finally HERE! :)

Lari said...

So excited for you. Can't wait to see his sweet little face. Will be praying for you on Thursday

Unknown said...

PRAISE JESUS!!! ....OOoooh Debb, I certainly couldn't get through this post without tears running down my face with PURE JOY for you guys and your AMAZING family!!! SO SO SO HAPPY for you!!! LOVE that you are there, with your sweet son!

Angi: Tim Cooper said...

Tears of JOY for you all!

Unknown said...

Oh my beautiful friend...I sit here in tears...the time is finally here...I am so excited for you guys...oh how I can't wait to see pics. of his sweet face!!

Unknown said...

...it's a downpour over here in Seattle... right at my desk, from MY eyeballs!!! :) WOW!!! SOOOOOOOOOOOOO SO SO SO Happy for you guys!!! LOVE LOVE to hear that your sweet SON is in your ARMS! WOW! Can you believe it!? It's AMAZING! PRAISING GOD and Celebrating with you!!!! Thinking about you guys TONS and praying for the rest of your time in ET to be as completely AWESOME as this day!!! XOXOXOOX
Love ya!

Post a Comment

We Love Your Kind Thoughts!