Wednesday, January 19, 2011

in process part 3

i've been in a crazy space trying to get our dossier ready to be sent to ethiopia.  for those of you that don't know what a dossier is, its a big packet of paperwork with stuff like referral letters, medical statements, bank statements, immigration forms, and police clearances.  none of this would be hard to compile since we've done most of it already when we did our homestudy, but this packet is crazy difficult cuz everything needs to be notarized.  big thanks to jessica miller and marc amesse our good friends, that are also notaries that have saved us mucho dinero by helping us out.  in fact there have been so many people along way that have helped us... our close friends, b's parents who have in a big part made this next step financially possible, the staff (sherry) in particular at dr. bravo's office, as well as dr. b himself.  the list goes on, but its crazy to think how supported we've felt.  it far outweighs the douchey sherriff who told me he couldn't help us with our police clearances and that i should really re-think this whole 'adoption' cuz its likely a scam, especially since its from africa.  i've had some downs, but also some big ups.  getting this paperwork and actually doing it right has been strangely empowering for me, and of course also very exciting cuz after our dossier is sent to ethiopia (DTE) we are officially 'queuing'-- as in waiting for our baby boy.  but as i was going through my adoption journal this morning, i found this entry from august.  it was an interesting time to say the least....

8/30/10
we got our homestudy packet the other day. it's kind of massive, but we've been making our way through it. been feeling a little overwhelmed looking at all the 'stuff' we have to do. i know its so worth it, but can feel doubtful when i feel like i don't have enough time. thankfully, we aren't in a great hurry.


yesterday was hard for some reason... prolly cuz the night before i saw on intervention a story about an adopted boy who was crazy addicted to heroin.  i love the show, but it's so hard to watch. thinking about any of my babies (bio or not) being where these kids on the show are at just breaks my heart.
its silly, but i can't help but having those 'what-if?' thoughts. i do it with my bio kids sure, but there seems to be another level of responsibility or something with adoption. like we have to be perfect, never complain about our kids, or never make mistakes to be worthy of being adopted parents. i know its not true, but its hard not to let those thoughts sneak in.  
been super blessed by my yahoo group lately... these words in particular:

'...and the times when he's said he wishes he were in heaven with his Ethiopian mom. You know you truly love your child when you genuinely wish he could have remained with the family he so dearly misses, regardless of the advantages to him, and to you, of his new life in America. It's that stuff we've been talking about recently in this forum, the realization that adoption has its roots in tragedy and loss, not rainbows and butterflies.'

that one line in particular-- the realization that adoption has its roots in tragedy and loss, not rainbows and butterflies.  i think its easy to have these preconceived notions about adoption-- like we're doing them a favor.  but the reality is adoption is not a perfect or right solution.  this mom nailed it as well....

'again, said before, but it irks me when people tell me how lucky my kids are to have found their way to my family, which I know is meant only as compliment. Usually I just say "we're the lucky ones, they are a great blessing" but once in a while I point out to them-- "Would you feel your 3 and 5 yr old children were really lucky if you-- and your husband-- died and you had no relatives to care for them and they had to go live on another continent with a bunch of black people and learn a new language, even if these were wonderful people and had enough money?" (these are white people I'm talking to, as I am) Then they sort of get it, that my kids are not lucky. This is not what any parent wants for their children.'

and that's the cold, hard truth.  we live in a fallen world, a place where some countries have everything at their fingertips, and others where mom's can't even feed their babies, or their bodies are so filled with AIDS that they are literally on their death bed and not able to care for their children.  i know its not fun to think about this, but i honestly think its necessary for me to get through this process.

i feel like the journey thus far has been such a whirlwind of thoughts, emotions, feelings and up's and downs--- and i'm barely in. feeling the pull to understand the harder, darker side of all this... i think i've been in a bit of a unicorn fairy land myself thus far. its not easy for me to access these feelings... i know i have so much more, and its a constant reminder of how much the journey becomes the destination itself.

praying for my baby boy today... he's likely just a newborn.

7 comments:

Two Cent Sparrow said...

Thanks for this Holly. My mind has been in the same space lately. I've been praying for our babies and struggling with just what to pray for. The best answered prayer would be that they never have to be orphaned in the first place. That is my hearts desire for this child. But, we are adopting orphans so obviously that prayer isn't one God said 'yes" too. Or maybe He did and a child I would have adopted never had to go through the loss b/c of those prayers. Am I explaining myself. Probably not.

All that to say I too am processing through much of the same stuff and I so appreciate you putting your heart on the line and blogging about it. You are a blessing! And I'm lifting up your baby boy. How exciting that your dossier is almost done!

Trisha and Paul said...

I LOVE that you are sharing this whole process with us...

Anonymous said...

Such hard emotions to face, but as you pointed out, very necessary.

Praying for your family.

Drea

Anonymous said...

Love your blog, love your honesty in your writing. Praying for your baby boy and all the emotions that come with adoption.
Court

Jen Bryce said...

we love you and are praying for the adoption, for your new son, and that you would continue to sense the peace, favor and joy of Jesus. I love you and I am so excited for the R Clan!

nicole aka gidget said...

I really resonate with this post. Sometimes I wonder if our son even has much of a "better" or "easier" life being with us, seeing as how he was born in Fullerton, not Africa.
But the main thing is that, his life may not really be any better or easier, nor is is so "lucky" but rather, this is simply the family the Lord wanted Him to grow up in, hopefully to be a catalyst for a life of devotion to Him.
For us, since we have an open adoption, I also consider that maybe much of the reason behind our family being chosen for him, is also for the sake of our ministry with his birthparents. That's what I hope anyway.
Wishing you a speedy and smooth dossier-building time!!

Cheer up, Old Bean! said...

Holly, I love that you are sharing your journey with everyone! This is an exciting time for you and your family- since the journey is beginning and you have so many great things to look forward to!!!
I can't wait to keep hearing about it each step of the way!!