Adoption Day!

I think I may have experienced a little slice of heaven today.  I imagine leaving the temporary and imperfect life that we have on this earth (but the only one we know to that point) creating just a tad of anxiety, but as soon as we leave it an have a glimpse of the alternative ... the place where you belong forever ...  we embrace it wholeheartedly.  That is pretty much the story of today.

Our guide had told us to meet her in the lobby at 8:30 this morning.  Being who I am, we were there by 8:20.  (And the perpetually late Fairy Godmother was gracious enough to be early right along with us).  Our guide walked in the door at 8:40 and had a momentary look of confusion and shock as she spotted us waiting.  As it turns out, she meant to tell us 9:30, and although I confirmed the time at least half a dozen times, we were an hour earlier than she had intended. We spent the time putting the finishing touches on some paperwork and then just hanging idly by.  Sticks and I both agree that just sitting and waiting while enduring the anxiety of the unkown is the worst part of the entire process.  I wasn't sure if I was going to cry or throw up, but either was a definite possiblity.

Anyway, 9:30 eventually rolled around and we headed over to the Civil Affairs Office.  The building was under renovation and looked like a bomb had gone off inside.  There was dust and concrete everywhere.  We rode the elevator up to the fourth floor and quickly entered the first door on the right.  And there he was.  Even though I'd been looking at his face for months, it was startling to see the real thing right in front of me. He had a momentary withdrawal response toward the orphanage worker who had brought him, and then the next instant, he was ready to take it all in.  As soon as I told him I was his mama, he quickly dug through his bag and pulled out the photo album we had sent him.  He pointed to each of us in turn and recognized everyone.  And that was it.  The next thing he asked (and repeated at least 20 times today) was, "When can we go home?"  He wasn't asking to go to the orphanage, as we initially thought.  He was asking to go to his new home in America.  He is ready to leave today.  It's going to be hard for him to wait another 10 days, but we'll do our best to make it a fun wait for him.



Within minutes of our initial meeting, I had to attend to a little paperwork and then Sticks, Little Weed #4 (who Sticks is trying to nickname "Rudolpho" complete with a rolling "r" - I'm resisting that one!) and me were whisked off to a photo studio to have photos taken for the passport and adoption certificate.  I wasn't sure how it would go to to be zipping around here and there for a six year old, but he handled it like a champ. He and Sweet One were already fast friends and bonding over the new cameras they had both received.

 Here he is getting his passport photo.

And here is the finished product family photo on his adoption certificate. 

After a completely unceremonial completion of his adoption, we got back in the van for a trip to the notary office to register the adoption with the state.  A couple of hours in a confernece room signing papers and then waiting for processing allowed for plenty of play time.  He was sooo good.  It was boring and sterile and horrible for a kid, but all the kids did so well and behaved beautifully.

During this time, the Fairy Godmother had left to make a run to the bank for us.  She compared the experience to the DMV and was gone for nearly two hours accompanied by a non-English speaking orphanage worker.  She is a saint.  When our guide finally went looking for them, she was hit by a bike (our guide, not the Fairy Godmother) and slightly injured her hip.  After working thourgh the tears, we ran over to KFC for some refreshment and a celebratory first ice cream as a Widenhofer.

Our last stop was the Security Bureau to apply for a passport.  Phew!  By this time, it was 5pm.  We were very thankful to return to the hotel and Little Weeds #4 LOVED our bed.  He quickly made himself right at home.  :)

Right now, we're working through our supply of bubbles, books, balloons, and snacks and discovering that our little man has a devious little sense of humor. 

Time to get this posted!  Praising God for an amazing first day.  Video to come later.  :)