And things are finalized

With lots of tears shed and prayers said, I have accepted my Consulate Appointment of 12/29/11. This appointment is the very last "official" appointment that I need to have in order to bring Madi to America. All of the other appointments and adoption related paperwork will already have been completed by the time we get to this appointment.

What does that mean? The absolutely WONDERFUL thing that it means is that I will have Madison in my arms forever on 12/19. She will be with me for the two weeks that it takes to complete the adoption. By the time we come home, her adoption will be finalized and she will be an American Citizen. The bittersweet part is that I won't have my other girls with me and I won't be home for Christmas. Thus the reason for the tears and prayers.

Of course, my choice all along was to be home for Christmas with the second (less preferred) option of traveling just after Christmas. There was no way that my agency was able to coordinate that to happen. I was also told that there was no way of knowing when I would get another appointment if I turned the 29th down. I need to bring this sweet girl home, sooner rather than later. So after a lot of prayer and tears, I accepted the appointment.

My girls at home will be fine. I have an incredible family and I am already getting calls, texts, and emails saying...."we will make it extra special for them, don't worry." I know they will be fine. My heart is just heavy being away from them to begin with...and on Christmas??? I feel a little guilty about feeling upset. It has NOTHING to do with how elated and excited and thrilled I am to be bringing my 3rd (and final) child into our family.

We are all blessed beyond measure and she is just one more blessing in our lives!! The next two weeks will be a whirlwind of last minute preparations. I want to be "present" for my girls while I am home and I am going to try to focus on making the next two weeks full of fun Holiday and Family activities.

Here I come, Madison Grace....we are so close to being together. I don't think I will ever stop holding and kissing her sweet face once I get my hands on her. I hope she tolerates me LOL.

Thanks for all of your love and support. I couldn't ask for a better "village" of people helping me raise my girls. One of my sweet girls is having some trouble with the idea of my leaving for 2 weeks, especially at Christmas. Please pray that her tender little heart will be okay. I know she/they will be in good hands with their awesome Nana and the rest of my family!!

I plan to blog while I am in China. And of course I will be skyping with the girls...even on Christmas morning.


Weeee....the best part of this rollercoaster is about to begin........