Thursday, February 25, 2010

A Match Made In Heaven



Our newest family member!

As we shared our good news with Oma, last night, she looked toward heaven and stated the obvious, "I believe you had a little help with this one, kids." And here is what that help has brought to us! She will become the newest and youngest member of the Ross family. Born half way around the world in Pune, India, she is the perfect fit for Patrick, Devi and I...our match made in heaven!

Limbo...neither here or there; suspended; waiting. To those who have been following our story, this fully describes what we have been doing behind the scenes for the last one year, six months, two weeks and few days, while in the forefront, we have continued to experience the awe of watching our princess grow and develop.


What you don't know is the extremely bumpy road that we have been on in search of fulfilling a dream, the specific details of which we have chosen to keep private. I will tell you that we have endured an emotional roller coaster and both of us have cried more tears than we care to recount. Checking in with JOH, our adoption agency, every so often had become a way of coming to terms with our fading hope, rather than anticipating the adrenaline rush of good news we originally had sought. We had become numb to the idea that our family would ever grow again, but unwilling to stop the search.


We were reminded of how wonderful our first experience with International Adoption was by many who felt that we should be grateful for the experience we had had and realize that this beautiful and seamless union with Devi could never be replicated. Although these opinions were meant to spare our feelings, it wasn't a replica of that first journey we hoped to find, but rather a different journey that would continue to enhance our family of three in ways that would help us to love more, feel more and grow more.

Living through the adoption process even once, has taken away some of the whimsical ideals of joyous thoughts that consume expectant parents. With education and knowledge of the process comes a sense of strategy, if you will, about time lines, locations, paperwork and ways to force this crazy system to work faster or more efficiently. Rather than spending my waiting days dreaming and trusting that a beautiful child was waiting for us in a crib, I found myself analyzing the information about orphanages, judges and the like. With blinders, I had been taking that heavily booted march down my man-made path toward a specific orphanage that I was sure held the best chance for us, nearly missing the delicate and quiet path that God had created and presented at my feet that lead to our newest family member.

I received an email about a little one year old girl from a completely different orphanage than the one I had been pursuing. I inquired on a whim. Our representative said that when she found out about this little girl, she immediately thought of our family and she was so excited to share her information.
That tingling feeling of adrenaline driven hope, a familiar feeling felt once before, began to rise in my confused body. As swift as a head turns, I realized we'd been looking in all the wrong directions. Ping! Just then, up popped her medical information and her pictures into my incoming mailbox.

Pat and I poured over the little information we had about Sonalika. Coming alive with the idea that we were really going to adopt again AND that we had found our girl were almost more than we could process at one time. Together, we grew in our resolve of heart and minds, that our search was over. Our hearts could safely open again and begin to love this child as our own forever.

Those eyes! They sucked me right in. If only I could reach into the photograph and pluck her out into my longing arms! What we know about her is that she is a happy and smiley baby who was given the name Sonalika which means golden. She was born on January 21st, 2009 and weighed 2.52 kg or 5.5 pounds, which is more than what I weighed at birth! She was born with club feet that have been corrected and she has a few other slight needs that will be resolved through surgery. She is living at one of the best orphanages in India with excellent medial care. In fact, when we consulted with an adoption specialist here in the states, he was amazed at how thorough her procedures, testing and records have been. All things that bring comfort to the hearts and minds of these parents that now must be separated from their child until the legal part of the process can catch up with the bonding that has all ready begun.

Our next steps involve getting our dossier from Hyderabad to Pune lickitty-split. Then sign all the paperwork and hope that the court process goes smoothly and in record time. We have a special day planned for Devi to tell her the wonderful news and agree on her full name. We hope that Devi will understand the concept that although she is becoming a big sister, there is still more waiting to do, to which I know she will respond, "Oh man!".

Because I will never tire of saying it, this is our daughter...our match made in heaven!

27 comments:

Julie & Patrick said...

testing

The Pfeiffer Family said...

YAY!!!!! I am SO happy for your family! You have another beautiful girl! I love this little frilly orange dress, precious. I love to read how God moves and brings full circle the desires of His children's hearts. Praise God for answered prayer. I can't wait to follow your journey to India.

Congratulations!!!!

April :-)

SarahinOK said...

Woo hoo!!! God always amazes! She's beautiful and it's so exciting to see her smiling face! I'll be praying for all the court dates/papers/next steps!
-Sarah

Anonymous said...

Julie:
I am SO happy for you.She is so cute! Can't wait to hear about her homecoming!
Leveta

Eric and Cheryl said...

Julie!!!! Crying tears of joy and excitement for your family. I have been praying for this day along with you. We are so excited for your sweet family and can't wait for you to snuggle that beautiful baby girl.

Blessings on your family as you endure the next wait.

Love, Cheryl

Anonymous said...

I know it is not about me - in any way shape or form. The kind of people you are - I can't even begin. To hear you phrase that you want a different adventure and replicating your experience w/ Devi is not even a goal.

I am so happy for you - (and happy for myself to know people like you)
I don't think there is an actual to describe your awsomeness...

Today is the 27th anniv. of our first kiss - I said "was it in Highland - or Gamma?" We agreed that it was probably in Pat & Dougs room...a long time ago. Congratulations on your future!

Love,Dick & Monica

jasonliberty said...

Oh my goodness she is just precious!! I'm so excited for you!!! I love the tingly feeling you get when God is telling you "This is it, this is your baby" How amazing, another precious daughter. Woo Hoo! Come on courts!!!

Liberty

ColleenC said...

Beautiful little girl! Congratulations on this most wonderful addition to your family! May the process go speedy so you can hug her to bits soon!

Lynda said...

Julie!!!!

What wonderful news! I'm crying reaading about her, I'm so happy for you all!
The best things come when you least expect them.
I'm so jealous, in a good way. :)
Congrats to you all!!!

Lynda

Emily said...

Yay Julie!!! It's finally happening! All of your patience, and tears, and waiting have paid off and you will have her in your arms soon. Now you are a mother of two! I am so thrilled for your family! You are inspiration to following your dreams. Emily

Amanda said...

Congratulations. She is so gorgeous. What a princess.

The Labontes said...

Oh, my gorgeous goodness! We are so thrilled for you guys!! She is beautiful, and I cannot wait to hear about Devi's reaction to the news. Congratulations! Our prayers will switch from "please let this happen for them" to "please let this go quickly for them" :)
YAY
Kristy

Rosell Crockett said...

Pat and Julie, Congratulations! What great news for such loving and devoted parents you two are. Following your blog has been a treat and adding another precious child to your family is so special. I am glad your prayers have been answered and look forward to posts of your family's adventures. The world is just a little brighter. I'll bet Devi will be a terrific big sister.
Congratulations again!
Rosell and Jim Crockett

Cindy said...

She is absolutely gorgeous Julie!! Another answered prayer. Congratulations!

Kristi W. said...

Yay your comments work again!!! Just wanted to chime in here too, I can't be satisfied with just an FB comment. :) I had to come back and re-read everything in your last post b/c I can't get it out of my head. I am so excited for you all and can't wait to follow along on your journey to India for the second time. And of course I am anxiously awaiting the name reveal and to hear all about Devi's reaction to the amazing news. YAY!!!!

:)Kristi W.

Heart and Hands said...

We're so thrilled for you all! I think that saying it "out loud" and posting pictures makes it even more real. Yes. Your passion and endurance and persistence is paying off. Praying with you for smooth paperwork and court hearings. Cheering in Indiana!

Amy said...

So happy for you Julie! She is a beautiful princess! I can't wait to hear about Devi's response too. You will soon have 2 gorgeous girls to blog about. I can't wait! Praying for speedy processes :)

Nadra said...

Oh Julie...I'm just over the moon happy for your family. It's bumpy road and it's never easy...but as you know, it's worth it. She is gorgeous. Can't wait to hear Devi's reaction. Congrautulations!!

Todd and Michele said...

Congratulations to you guys! I am SOOOO excited to follow the rest of your journey. Can't wait to hear how big sister takes the news.

Peter and Nancy said...

WOW!!!!!!

I just read the comment you left on our blog and had to hurry over to yours to get the details!

I am all teary for you and your family -- this little darling doesn't even know yet how blessed she is going to be to have you as parents (and big sister). I love that her dress matches her name, too. :o)

We are thanking God along with you for this miracle girl -- you will have such a unique, wonderful story to share with her about how you came together!
With love,
Nancy

Not By Chance said...

JULIE!!!!!!!!!!!! I just read your post! I am practically in tears..... I am SOOOOOO very excited for you FOUR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am praying for a SPEEDY FAST process!

Love,
Susie

Fenwick 5 said...

WOW ,how in the world did I miss this post?:)!! So happy for you and your family,a big CONGRATS from the Fenwick Family!! She is precious and so glad that you finally can share pictures of what your heart has been desiring for so long!! Now get to signing away!! Gidget:)

Jeff and Leslie said...

Congratulations! She is adorable. Hope time passes quickly and you're together soon. What an amazing feeling you must have right now.

The Harmons said...

Congrats!
We adopted our daughter from India at 18 months old and she had corrected club feet as well! Now almost a year later people comment on how "coordinated" and "athletic" she is!
What a blessing!
The Harmons
Hampden, Maine

Cliff and Tami said...

So so SO happy for the Ross family!!!

Tami

Anonymous said...

OOh. Such delicious news. I am so, so happy for the four of you (yes, four...including the newest addition).

Beth

Sandy & Butch said...

Ok, I need to check your sight more frequently! WOW! I have such a huge smile on my face right now...so happy for you. Another beautiful princess daughter. Congratulations!