four pieces of mail that have encouraged me this week
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a letter from one sister to another
Jocelyn asked to make a card for Zoe Amanda. Here's the cover and the back, with labels she dictated to me.
(In case you're wondering, the pictures are modeled after this baby toy.)
a letter from the feds
This letter included the instructions and appointment details for us to get fingerprinted for the US Citizenship & Immigration Services office of the Department of National Security to make sure we're good folk. That's the next step in the federal approval process. This also means our prints will be in the system, you know, if Abby ever needs to run a check on us. (What? You say NCIS isn't real? Blasphemer.)
a letter from a friend who has been in our shoes
Such encouragement and wisdom! This friend has a newborn baby boy and an adolescent boy, both who joined their family in the past year or so. She and I haven't seen each other since my freshman year of college. And yet she was willing to encourage me with this note, from one adoptive mama to another.
Well, if you don't count the checks for paperwork stuff to bring her home!
I'm a sucker for baby shoes. More often than not, baby shoes are the gift I get for friends who are expecting. They're just so cute, and when an online store had my favorite brand - smaller by See Kai Run - clearanced last week, I jumped at the opportunity to get a pair for our little girl, given that these are usually out of our price range.
And I think that last picture sums up our current circumstances well -
Jocelyn asked to make a card for Zoe Amanda. Here's the cover and the back, with labels she dictated to me.
(In case you're wondering, the pictures are modeled after this baby toy.)
Then the letter. Oh, what a letter! Jocelyn also dictated this to me, and I got all teary-eyed as I wrote her words.
Dear Zoe Amanda,
I love you. I'm Jocelyn, and I'm your big sister. And I have a little brother Robbie who is going to be your big brother. Our mommy and daddy are very nice. We have a dog named Napoleon, and he is a very nice dog. The whole family loves you, and we can't wait to meet you.
And then you can see her signature below.
a letter from the feds
This letter included the instructions and appointment details for us to get fingerprinted for the US Citizenship & Immigration Services office of the Department of National Security to make sure we're good folk. That's the next step in the federal approval process. This also means our prints will be in the system, you know, if Abby ever needs to run a check on us. (What? You say NCIS isn't real? Blasphemer.)
a letter from a friend who has been in our shoes
Such encouragement and wisdom! This friend has a newborn baby boy and an adolescent boy, both who joined their family in the past year or so. She and I haven't seen each other since my freshman year of college. And yet she was willing to encourage me with this note, from one adoptive mama to another.
Shannon,I just want you to know that I well remember the feeling of not having your child with you. It seems unnatural for him/her to be somewhere else, being taken care of by someone else. It is tempting (and futile) to try to control the situation. Know that you (and Zoe, and Lee, and Jocelyn, and Robbie!) are being bathed in prayer. The day will come when you get to hold your baby girl.our first purchase for Zoe Amanda
Well, if you don't count the checks for paperwork stuff to bring her home!
I'm a sucker for baby shoes. More often than not, baby shoes are the gift I get for friends who are expecting. They're just so cute, and when an online store had my favorite brand - smaller by See Kai Run - clearanced last week, I jumped at the opportunity to get a pair for our little girl, given that these are usually out of our price range.
And I think that last picture sums up our current circumstances well -
precious but with a long to-do list written on my hand.