We have only been waiting a couple weeks since we submitted our dossier. Paperwork is done and all we can do is wait... and fund raise of course :) Our wait will be short especially in comparison to families waiting for a healthy infant, they can wait 6 years or more. I didn't go into this process looking for a perfect infant, I went into it looking for my daughter, and finding her was easy. Anyway, I am already struggling with the wait, it was easier when we were consumed with paperwork and things to do. So pray we get our final approval quickly, so she doesn't have to wait any longer for her forever family, or wait to be spoken to for the first time. I am beyond excited to teach her language and give her the tools she needs to succeed in life.
I haven't said much about my oldest two kids on here. I wanted to take a minute to say how blessed I am. My daughter Ashlyn is an amazing young lady, she has overcome so many things and has grown into a young woman who takes on struggles with grace and beauty. She is also deaf and I wondered going into this how she would feel about us bringing another little girl into the family. When we told them we were thinking about it, she kinda laughed (probably from shock lol), but she jumped on board very quickly. She started pointing out things in stores that we could buy for our new addition. She has been my partner in dreaming of her room, and planning how to teach her language. Just last night she pointed out a little girl who was running all over playing and talking to people, she informed me that she was going to teach her baby sister to be like that, that she wasn't going to let her be all shy and timid :). She is going to be such a wonderful sister, and a great person for Ariana to look up to. My son Destin is one of the best young men I know, he was quieter when we told him but never once did he act like he was opposed. As a matter of fact he made the transition easily, he has never worried he would be replaced, or acted jealous about us having a new "baby" of the family. He is so kind and loving, and I know his baby sister is going to love him! It amazes me how God so perfectly wove this family to be the perfect place for this little girl. She has a big sister to teach her to be strong and to laugh at life, to not be afraid of anything, and a brother who will shower her with so much love, and teach her not to take things so seriously. They will both love her immensely, be fiercely protective, and our family will be very interesting. I won't mention (to much) the trouble the will teach her to get into, or how they will both enjoy tormenting me through her but I will love every minute, and try to remember that they are all blessings.
Life lesson today... you have no idea where God wants to take you, but the journey is beautiful, and looking back and being able to see this was the plan he had woven for years before it ever crossed your mind is amazing.
