Impulse Buy #1?

In November 2005, we attended the Art with Heart non-profit event. One of the silent auction items was the most darling pillow case dress with an embroidered front and a matching coral chenille jacket that I just fell in love with. Patrick and I had decided not to purchase anything until we were positive that this adoption was going to happen. It was a protective measure to help spare our emotions if, for some reason, we could not adopt. Well, Patrick saw the little dress and threw our level headed idea out the window. As the auction was ready to close, we hovered over the bidding sheet. That dress would be ours! It is...and it hangs in your closet waiting for you to come home!

It was at this time that we realized we were falling in love with you, even though we had no idea who you were or if you were even born. (Keep in mind that we still have no idea if you are one or two!) Up to this point I was afraid to imagine your little face or tiny hands or cute little chubby body, but it just happened and now I can't stop thinking about you!

We began to wonder all about you. What will you look like? Will your hair be curly or straight? What will your voice sound like? I hope you won't be painfully shy like I was :), but we will happily work through whatever comes.

We also began to envision our lives together. Pat and I like to take long walks on the weekends with the poochies and we always end up talking about the day we have you with us in the baby jogger. Or, the wonderfully comforting feeling of having you FINALLY falling asleep upstairs in your room as we watch the movies we've rented downstairs –with the sound kept low, of course :) We discuss what the long plane ride will be like, bringing you to your new home from India. Yikes!! Pat says we will just apologize to everyone around us before taking off. That way we've got it covered. (I secretly know you'll be an angel!)

We talk about your room and how we will paint and decorate. We've been saving our favorite clothes for years...since we got married. My hope was that we could use them to make an heirloom quilt for you. Guess I better get sewing!

All of this...because of a cute little pillowcase dress!

FAQ

Now that pretty much everyone knew about our adoption plans the flood of questions started coming in.

Q Why International Adoption?
A Well, when I had my first professional graphic art/design job, I used to typeset a magazine called Adoption Today. I think it is still published. Anyway, it was then that I read wonderful adoption stories and thought what a wonderful experience International Adoption could be for me.

Q Why India?
A Patrick had an Aunt...Aunt Mary, who he was extremely fond of. She introduced us to the wonders of the Indian culture. She wasn't of Indian descent, but she and her husband lived in Pakistan for a few years. I believe she was involved in International studies and she loved the diversity of other cultures. I will never forget my first visit to her home in Georgetown. You entered the living room and stepped onto a dense tapestry rug that carpeted the floor. The room was flanked by two lamps with camel skin lamp shades that gave off a golden light and a live bamboo plant grew in a pot in the corner (This was long before bamboo was popular). It was at this first meeting that I was introduced to Indian food. We had a delicious chicken, apple and raisin dish that instantly left perspiration on your brow with the first bite. The intoxicating spices took you thousands of miles away...we were in India! The last time we saw Aunt Mary was at Pat's sister, Lisa's wedding. She came dressed in a brilliant sari, complete with a bindi!

Q Why a girl?
A Pat says it would be perfect...his princess and soccer player, all in one (or two)!

Q Why does it take so long to adopt?
A The timeline is effected by so many things. The most important reason is that the Indian government is trying to do the best thing for all of it's children. Patrick and I are content to wait, knowing that God will bring our family together one way or the other. All good things are worth waiting for :)