What To Expect

What to expect the day before you leave to fly clear across the world to Africa to pick up your son:

• A child's room filled with all of their luggage. 3 suitcases for 3 different houses they will be staying at with detailed instructions, itineraries, schedules, medical release forms, insurance cards, sweet notes and gifts to Big K for each night he goes to bed, etc.

• Your room filled with 3 very large, definitely over 50 lbs., suitcases filled with donations for the orphanages (Thanks everyone who gave. These precious kids will be blown away). A very large suitcase filled with baby Khristian's clothes and blankie, all of our food and necessary items and medicines to survive for 4 days and toys for baby boy to play with. 2 carry-on suitcases packed with our clothes. And 2 backpacks to hold ipad that has shows on it that we haven't seen in a year. 48 hours in an airplane...Bring it on!

 

•  Expect to have it "altogether" until the day before you're suppose to leave. On that day, expect your emotions to be like a roller coaster ride. Crying one minute, smiling over the amazing things your child is doing/saying, feeling sick to your stomach because of your nerves, feeling overly drained, both emotionally and physically, and crying once again.

• Expect to really cry when you put your babies to bed and know that's the last time you will pray with them, kiss them and sing with them for 9 whole days.

• Take lots of pictures to add to the ones you already have on your new phone so baby brother can get to "know" his siblings. And for momma to have more pictures to drool over!

 

 

 

 

•  Expect to say to yourself, "Oh my God what am I doing? I don't even feel equipped and capable enough to raise 2 kids, and now God has trusted me to train and love and care for this precious baby in Africa?!?! What is HE thinking?!?!"

• And say things like, "Babe this is what He has called us to do right?" and "Um, do we know what we're getting ourselves into?" But then be sweetly reminded by Him that yes He has indeed called us, and as long as we trust and rely on Him, HE will get us through with such love, peace and joy!

• Eat Daylight Donuts for breakfast, Mazzios pizza for lunch and The Grill for dinner because A. You don't have time to cook B. You don't want to fill up the dishwasher so that way you can start it just before you walk out the door and have clean dishes when you return and C. You know you're not going to be getting that kind of food for 9 days so load up while you can!
 
• Expect to be overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support you've received from friends and family throughout the day. This will add to your crying and roller coaster of emotions! 
• Have feelings of joy, anticipation, nervousness, excitement, fear all at the same time. Once again, crazy roller coaster ride.
 
• Expect to stay up very late because you're trying to think if you remembered your underwear and toothbrush and clothes for the kid, and sleep animal for Big K. You'll continue to stay up because you're thinking about the first time you meet your son. Will he smile? Will he know who I am? Will he be scared? Will it be as sweet as the Lucy Lane Gotcha Day Video? 
 
• Continue to have faith that He has ordained every bit of this. He wrote Khristian's story a long, long time ago with us in it. He knows the beginning from the end. He will provide and take care. And just like my friend said, "Soon it will be over and your +1 will just be part of the 5!"

 

Follow us to Congo as we pick up our baby boy, Khristian. We begin the journey at 6:00 am Friday, October 12!