I just got back from the fed ex box, dropping off the very last of our dossier paperwork! From here, Carolina Hope sends each piece off to be authenticated at the state level and then, when coupled with our completed home study, it’s translated into Amharic and sent to the Ethiopian government. I realize this really means nothing to most of you who are reading this so I’ll translate: we’re moving along!
Years ago a dear friend showed me pictures she had her husband take of her when she was pregnant with each of her girls. If I remember correctly, she was wearing a modest bikini that didn’t look all that modest in comparison to the growth bursting out of her mid-section. She included these pictures in each of her children’s baby books.
Now, other than a slight growth in my girth I anticipate as a result of all the buckeyes I will eat while in Ohio (I am a sucker for those chocolate covered peanut butter balls), I’m not so sure I have enough of a story happening in my body to warrant a photo in the girls’ baby books. I have, however, been trying to think of cool ways to illustrate this process …as I know the baby book is a prize possession for most toddlers and up.
Here’s the first of my efforts:
Side Profile Of Our Adoption Noteboook
See, I used the coffee cup to illustrate just how many papers are in this thing.
OK, so the thought did cross my mind yesterday as I was standing on a chair in my dining room to take this next picture below: this is really strange... (Those of you who know me well will celebrate that there was no injury involved in this high-risk photo shoot).
But, I guess here is the point of my not-so-artistic adventure: We had no idea how much paperwork was involved in this process, and we’re not even through. Drawing our fire escape plan, writing a letter of intent to adopt, detailing our financial status, etc etc will have faded from our minds in months when we have our hands full of burp cloths and diapers.
Although these girls, as toddlers, likely won’t appreciate these pictures …one day, I pray, this will communicate to them: these are the lengths we went to for you, and you were worth it.
This voice is strangely familiar to Another I’ve been hearing saying much of the same thing to me this week. I think I need more than just one mention of this phrase to get this, though. I hope these baby books I’m starting serve as a reinforcements to our girls.
Now, can you help but marvel at the aerial view of this mama notebook:
View From The Top. Breathtaking, I Know.
