2009

As Christmas came and went, we were reminded--yet again--of Grace's absence. Every year, we assume "this will be our last Christmas without her," but every year, we have to eat those words.

And, I'd like to say that we've learned our lesson. I'd like to report that this year we have no plans of making such declarations. But, then, I'd be lying. It has to be our year.

There are now just 14 "numbers" in front of us. (For those familiar, we have a LID date of March 15, 2006 and LIDs have been matched through Feb 28, 2006). Again, just imagine being at the DMV (BMV in Hoosier speak), and you are waiting for that little dotted number machine to get to your number. When you walked in and took one of those pronged tickets, there were hundreds and hundreds of numbers ahead of you. Now, as you sit in that uncomfortable chair, there are only 14 numbers in front of you. Now, just imagine--that instead of being called up to "renew your license"--you are being called up to pick up your baby girl, a baby you have dreamed about, prayed over, and have waited anxiously for--for what seems like forever.

It would seem, with 14 numbers to go, that 2009 would be our year. Each month, the Chinese agency in charge calls a set of numbers; sometimes, two numbers are called; sometimes, seven. So, if we do the math, it just has to be our year, right? There is a website, with lots of mathy stuff on it, and it predicts our referral will come in March or April. That would be wonderful. I, personally, think we're going to have to wait until June or July, but I'd gladly be wrong (well, wrong in favor of sooner... not later).

Here's what we can expect as we get closer to the date:

1. There will come a point where we "might" be next. We will wait for a whole month, right on the edge of our seats, hoping the Chinese peeps in charge of this process call a few extra numbers.

2. There will come a point where we get THE phone call from our agency telling us that we have been matched; at that time, we'll get some quick information about Grace: age, height, weight, Chinese name, etc. We'll also find out whether Grace has been raised in an orphanage or in foster care. We hope and pray she's been raised in foster care, but we're prepped for the potential issues that come when a child is raised in an institutional environment.

3. We'll accept the match (duh!), and our agency will overnight a package complete with a full medical history, information about her eating and sleeping habits, information about likes and dislikes, and best of all, her pictures.

4. We'll have 6-8 weeks to prep for travel. Since we are not first time parents and because Bret travels to China frequently, we are not remotely stressed about what to pack or what we'll need. The biggest decision we'll have to make at this point is whether or not we will be taking Grant. We are still unsure.

5. Then, we'll travel to China, have a few days to acclimate, and then, on about day 3 of our 14 day trip, we'll get Grace. She'll be legally ours from that moment on...

6. When we touch down in the United States, most likely in Detroit or Atlanta, and her little foot touches U.S. soil, she'll be an official U.S. citizen.

We can hardly wait to see what 2009 will bring. Grant talks about Grace all the time, as he often wants to play in "Gracie's room." I guess I can't blame him. The poor kid has been sleeping in the orange (yes, I said, orange) remains of Bret's former office and media room. The little guy has had an REM poster hanging over his bed for a few months. Today, as I paint (well, prime and paint--it was orange after all) Grant's room, it becomes even clearer that the crib in the other room is for Grace. The bows that are stacking up are for Grace. The few Christmas presents she received were most obviously for her (pink and polka dot). There's always been a space in our hearts for Grace, but today, there's a space in our home too.

Come on home, Grace. We're waiting for you baby girl.