Love Crosses Oceans--Gotcha Day

Gotcha Day started when our guide, Jane, came to our room at 10:00 a.m. to present us with a special book containing updates and recent photos of Xiao Xiao (Joseph).

As we learned more about him and how he's been lately, she mentioned that when she'd called the orphanage to check in with them this week, they'd thought we were coming in August.

You heard me. He thought we were coming in August.

Our hearts were instantly stabbed with daggers at this notion. That extended month and-a-half was a long time for us, but can you imagine how he must've felt?

Jimmy and I were both sick to our stomachs. We don't know how this happened, or why they weren't notified--or maybe they were and there was confusion. In any case, it happened.

I do believe I was more nervous going into this than any of our adoptions, and then this.

We headed over, at 2:30 p.m., to our meeting place, which was an apartment-type building they use for adoptions. There were two different rooms with about four families total and some children still waiting to meet their parents. Xiao Xiao was nowhere in sight. We found out that he was en route and would be there soon.

 

Then I looked over and spotted Max...the son of our new friends Tricia and Dave! I knew they would arrive soon, so I kept an eye out for them and armed myself with camera and video recorder. This is their first adoption, and I knew it would mean so much to preserve one the most meaningful moments. And we did! We captured so many photos for them, and it filled the anxious space as we waited for our son to arrive.

About ten minutes later--too quick to blink--I saw him coming through the door. It happened so fast that Jimmy missed it! I squatted down as I heard someone point to me and say "Mama" and before I knew it, he came flying across the room and wrapped his arms around me in a hug!

Oh my heart.

All that nervousness went right out the window. Of course (you know me) I was in tears, and I could only look up and thank God for this precious gift. It was all good.

He is precious! One of the total mysteries to us was his size. We just couldn't grasp it from the photos. Was he big? Was he little?

He's perfect in every way.

He met both of us, and we could instantly see hope and peace in his facial expressions. The interpreter asked him if he was happy, and he replied, "I am so happy to finally have a mama and a baba and a family." It still chokes me up to hear that. There are so many children who wish the same wish. Why can't they all have a family? They are so deserving.

We handed Xiao Xiao a few toys we'd brought, and we proceeded to complete some of our necessary paperwork. He continued to do well in our presence. So well--tear free and somewhat smiling--that they decided to take our official family photos a day early!

We completed everything in about half an hour and then it was time to head back to the hotel. The four orphanage workers said farewell to him and told him they would see him tomorrow. He never looked back.

 

As we headed to the hotel, I'm sure his little mind was reeling, and his body was exhausted. We're guessing he didn't nap, because he fell asleep in the van, and I took him on my lap to hold him.

He woke up when we arrived back at the hotel, and we went upstairs for some bonding and play time.

We grabbed a bite to eat at a nearby restaurant--we found it quite divine that they were playing Christmas carols for our first meal together. We gave our little boy his first bath, and then the three of us crawled into bed. Do you think he likes cuddling with Daddy? And as he was sandwiched there between us with the covers pulled to his chin and a slight smile, his head turned left and his head turned right as if in disbelief that everything was real...hoping we're here to stay. Yes, Xiao Xiao, we are here to stay.

 

I will save all the details about him for another post, but you guys...pictures don't even do him justice. He is such a cutie pie! Thank you for your continued prayers on this journey. We are so grateful for your love and support.