Meeting Ken

Have you ever met someone and instantly felt like you've known them forever? Perhaps it is because I have seen videos of Ken speaking. Perhaps it is because I have been getting reports through our social worker about what Ken has done on behalf of the orphanage...or maybe it's just a God thing, but meeting Ken last night felt like welcoming home an old friend.

The family that was hosting Ken has 4 boys (2 from our orphanage) and another family from the waiting list was meeting Ken for the first time too. With all those kids around, a park seemed like the perfect place to gather. It was a gorgeous night to eat outside and listen to story after story about what God is doing through Ken & Cathy at Tenderheart babies home.

It was fun watching Cara come out of her shell and play with Aaron, Enoch and the other children. Play is a universal language. It warmed my heart for Cara to make her first Ugandan friends.

We learned that Isaac is an active little boy that loves to climb and play with other kids. Ken confirmed that he is speaking, not much, but Ken wasn't concerned at all about his speaking skills. We learned that he sleeps in toddler size bunk beds (so anyone that needs a crib is welcome to ours). Isaac is very shy around adults, which explains why he sits still and quietly stares in the video we were sent (we can't publish it until he is ours, but it's on my phone if you ever see me in person).

We also learned that the new location of the orphanage is about an hour and a half away from Kampala so we may be looking to update our travel arrangements to stay closer to the home. Hearing Ken talk about the babies home, the food, the landscape and the people made me want to get on a plane that very moment.

We mentioned to Ken that we would like to spend Christmas at the orphanage and he was very excited about this. He is going to continue to think about ways that we can be a blessing to the children and staff over the holiday. I am pretty sure no matter what happens that this is going to go down as the best Christmas ever!

It is getting harder and harder to keep my heart here as we prepare for Uganda. I am busy around the house now that Cara is back to school. We are trying to accomplish all the little things like recaulking gaps around the windows and fixing peeling paint on the deck. We have to think ahead about auto paying bills, updating our cell phone plan, filling prescriptions and any other detail that expires while we are away. It's like trying to live two timelines at once. It can make your head spin but I'll do whatever it takes to get my family on that plane and bring Issac home :)

What a Difference a Year Can Make

Two weeks ago Bill and I took an opportunity to sneak away for a romantic weekend in Philadelphia. One of the things they prepare you for in pre-adoptive counseling is that it's going to be a while before you will be able to leave your adoptive child with a babysitter (even family). The bonding process is long and it needs to be clear that we are the primary caregivers for Isaac. He has had nannies, he is used to people coming and going. He needs us to prove to him that we are here to stay and that takes time...a lot of time. All this to say that Bill and I knew if we wanted a weekend away it needed to happen now.

Thanks to a well timed gift card from my brother and his wife, Bill and I were able to enjoy a night at one of my favorite restaurants, The Melting Pot. (Cheese...Chocolate...it has my name written all over it!) You might remember my post from this time last year: What Are The Odds?  Last August I spent Labor Day weekend crying over dinner in The Melting Pot because my heart already knew what we would find out days later...we were loosing Simon. I think the waitress thought we were getting a divorce. She was very professional but it was clear I was barely holding it together over my cheese and chocolate.

 

This year I got to sit down to fondue as a very special date night celebrating the purchase of our airline tickets! We are finally going to Uganda! 

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I was reminded again yesterday about what a difference a year can make. Yesterday was Cara's first day of school and I took her to the open house in her classroom.

 She instantly felt at home and remembered exactly where everything was stored. When Miss Vaughn announced it was time to clean up Cara led the new students in putting everything away exactly in it's proper place (if only she would do this at home!).  Last year I left the open house and drove with Cara to a good friends house to drop off a few things. It was there we got the official call that an Uncle had come forward for Simon and there was nothing we could do. I remember all to well sitting on the front steps of my friends house as the tears came. I remember having to compose myself and continue the day with my daughter feeling like I had lost them both on the same day.

This year we left school laughing and continued laughing as we ran errands and ate Chick-fila. I cherished every second knowing how special it is that Cara and I have had so much time all to ourselves. We know each other well. Sometimes Bill laughs at how alike we are. However, there are things that are uniquely Caraline. She has a beautiful and nurturing heart. Cara loves to help others and teach them new things. There are so many things about her that make me smile because I know how essential they will be to her life as a big sister. Bill and I knew very clearly that God had called us to be adoptive parents, but I always grieved the fact that this will greatly change Cara's life too. I wondered if she would grow up to resent our choice. She still might, but God has shown me over this past year all the ways that he has uniquely prepared her to love her brother. Cara has a greater compassion for people than I have ever known. She sympathizes with others pain and immediately steps into action to sooth someone that is crying, even if she doesn't know them. When Cara walks through a store she comments on how "Miss Janice would love those shoes," or "Grandma would think that was beautiful." Don't get me wrong, she picks out things for herself too, but I am always amazed at how often she thinks of others before herself. She certainly didn't get that from me. Cara also sees value in each and every person regardless of color, age, dress or status. When we walk through the neighborhood she wants to know what everyone's name is and she will make me stop and find it out if I don't already know. It doesn't matter what we are on our way to do, Cara stops and interacts with everyone, she sees them. I often pass by lost in my own world. I learn so much from her daily. I am sure that will continue to be true in this new phase of life. It will be a challenge learning how to be a family of four but we are excited for this next step. 

Sometimes I have to pinch myself to believe it is finally happening. This week we cleaned out Cara's old wardrobe, set aside summer clothes to pack for Uganda and then hung up clothes for Isaac. 

On Monday, Sept 8th, we have the privilege of meeting with Ken, the gentlemen that runs Tenderheart Babies Home where Isaac (and Simon) is living. We have a long list of questions but mostly I am excited to hug this man and thank him for loving these children until they come home. I cannot imagine how hard it must be to save these little lives and then watch them leave you. He is a hero and I cannot wait to meet him. We plan to send a stuffed lion back with him so Isaac will have something of his own to bring home with him. 

We have reserved our housing in Uganda. We are staying in a guest house which is similar to a bed & breakfast in that it is a private home with a family that lives on the property that cooks for us. This particular guest house is known for hosting families going through the adoption process and is very accommodating. 

We also took Cara for her passport photo. She is getting more excited about traveling as she talks with her friends. We spend many nights over dinner talking about the different foods we will eat there. "Will there be pears?" Cara laughed in wonder when we told her Isaac had probably never had pizza. She can't wait to introduce him to it!

Next on the list is vaccinations. Not the best part of preparing but necessary. We are also anxiously awaiting an update on Isaac so we can determine clothing sizes and begin packing for our journey. There has been a delay in communication because the staff of Tenderheart spent the second half of August moving all the children into the new babies home. They have been building an updated facility to host more children as well as provide schooling and medical care on site.

With so much happening all I can do is stop and be thankful. A lot can change from September to September. We are thankful for every step along the way that has brought us to this point. December can't come fast enough!