4 Months, 3 Weeks, 1 Day

Our sweet day has finally come! We are no longer just a "waiting family" but a waiting family with a referral! God is so good! Although we cannot give too many details, I will say we have a referral for a beautiful 21 month old boy, and can't be more thrilled. So lets start at the beginning...if you've talked with me already today, you'll probably skip this over because you've already heard it...but I have to write my memories of this day somewhere, right?

Ok, so our day started off pretty much like most Tuesdays. Got up, got Elijah on the bus, went to the Y with Scott, came home and ate breakfast....and here is where I see God at work. Again, I won't get into details, but lets just say I spent a lot of time with God after breakfast and cried and just gave our adoption up to Him...again. Don't you love how we trust Him with things, and then so easily get back in the same 'ol ruts of worrying. I am so thankful He has so much patience with me!!
Anyway, I felt at peace after that and went about the morning. Had a nice chat with my mother-in-law, made lunch, and then about 1:20pm...as I got Elijah settled in my room, while I was getting ready for a piano lesson I was about to give...the phone rings. I noticed on the caller ID that it was from CHI and I started shaking. I tried to answer the phone as calmly as possible and Erin told me who she was and said she had a question for me. So at this point, I'm thinking, "Oh no, something is wrong". Then she proceeded to ask if there was a number where she could reach Scott so she could talk to both of us together. Then I started shaking a ton! (OK I'm crying again...wow my eyes are sore!!!) Anyway, he got on the line as well, and I remember her telling us she had a referral for us and at that point I completely lost it. I heard Scott sniffling on the other end as well. (which totally reminded me of when Elijah was born. I had an emergency c-section and was on lots of medication so was not all there...but I remember Scott holding my hand and sniffling...crazy) OK, so I'm a little ADD right now, sorry. OK, so the rest of the phone call was a blur, she mentioned that she was sending us an e-mail of the info, and that's about all I remember. Right after hanging up with her, my piano student pulled into the driveway, so I went outside (a complete wreck, mind you) and told her we had to reschedule, just got a referral...
So I rushed inside and went to tell Elijah that Africa finally called us. He kind of looked at me dumbfounded as I told him he was going to have a little brother (ok, crying again). He said "YES!" and then proceeded to watch his cartoon. At this point Scott came home and we opened the e-mail together and cried as we saw him for the first time, It was awesome!

After calling lots of family, we had a celebratory dinner with Barbie, Tj & family. After that some great friends brought us our first new "baby" gift. The picture above is of the flowers, balloon and the big brother and little brother bears they got Elijah and his new brother. Thanks you guys!!!

Anyway, we are so excited right now, and so thankful God has not forgotten us or this child, and that someday soon He will hopefully unite us as a family! Thanks so much for all the prayers you've offered up on our behalf and for the ones still to come!!

~Ciao!