It's Official

We signed our adoption papers today.  Moses is officially our son!  Praise the Lord! 

 

After I email this to blogger, I will send pictures as well.  I know the information and pictures are not lined up as I had them last time we went to China, but this will have to do.  The gov't here has blocked blogger and I can no longer access it.  So I set up my account to email them directly to my blog.  My sweet friend, Karen, is checking it for me and moderating my comments.  She's one of my favorite people. 

 

The first picture looks strange, huh?  I bet you'll never guess what it is.  Unless maybe your Xinxin.  This is Moses' potty.  Mario was a little put out that it was pink.  But our guide was nice enough to go to the store on Gotcha day and bring it back for us so we could go directly to our room with our boy.  We are happy to say that Moses knew exactly what it was and has used it successfully since we received it.  (With the exception of a #2, but that might be TMI)  Just pray for us on that front please! 

 

The next picture probably requires no explanation.  Yes, Moses is in his family colors already.  Just like with Judah, we couldn't leave China with out getting him in his OSU clothes.  Gotta love the Buckeyes.....  

Our boy loves to eat and does very well with a spoon.  Tonight at dinner, he even held chopsticks and used them to pick up rice.  He does better than me!  Oh and he was also more selective tonight.  He gave me some green onions, snap peas and leafy greens while shaking his head no, meaning he didn't want them.  That was different from every other meal we've had.  Much like Mario, when we walk into the resteraunts for our meals, he gets very excited. 

 

We went to an acrobatic show tonight.  It was impressive how the were able to bend their bodies.  I posted a few of the pictures.  Moses was very entertained by it.  Especially the live birds that occasionally went flying overhead.

 

When we made it back to the hotel, I got the chance to spend a few minutes with another CWA family that is leaving for GZ tomorrow for their last week in China.  I got to watch our boys playing together while we chatted.  It was so nice to finally meet you in person Ally!  

 

I am hoping sleep pays us a visit tonight.  We really need it.  Love you all. 

 

Details

I think I'm awake enough to share yesterday's details.  Sleep hasn't come easy this time.  :)

 

When we arrived at the institution, we were struck by how cold it was as we walked to our meeting room.  Suddenly, the layers and bundling of the children made complete sense.  The meeting room was big, as you can see in the pictures we previously posted.  (the one where Mario is looking oh so nervous off to the side.....)  We started with the paperwork and soon...............

 

He was walking through the door.  I had just enough sense to grab my camera, tell Mario to grab the camcorder and snap the picture we posted of him walking in, all bundled up.  He came in smiling and happy to be there.  I only took the one one picture before I abandoned my camera and went over to him.  He smiled at me and quickly walked away, off to try to explore every inch of the room.  Until..........

 

He saw Daddy.  Mario was knelt on the floor, smiling at him and when Moses saw him, his entire countenance changed.  You can kind of see it in the pictures.  The expression on his face is, i don't know, almost like he was instantly connected to Daddy.  He walked right over to Mario, stared at him for a few seconds and then hugged him.  :)  It was the sweetest thing I think I have ever seen.  And Mario was clearly the favorite!  He didn't mind me, but preferred Daddy.  As I think about it, Mario had much the same reaction when he saw Moses for the first time.  He just knew this was our son.  Moses must have just known, this is my Daddy.  God is so good. 

 

He is a very happy little boy.  He eats EVERYTHING.  The only dislikes we have found so far is apple juice and his toothpaste.   When it comes to eating, I don't think he knows how to stop himself yet.  He eats until everything he has access to and is within his reach is gone.  He doesn't cry or beg for more, but he doesn't stop either.  Just a sad reflection of what our son has been through. 

 

Our only times of crying come at naptime and bedtime and when we tried to take off his shoes or pants.  He hates the playpen they have given us for him to sleep in.  He doesn't want to be in it and no matter how tired he is, he simply won't fall asleep in it.  Naptime turned into play time.  At bedtime I held him on my chest and he fell asleep there.  :)  That was some precious time.  We did that twice.  The first time, he woke up when I put him in his bed.  The second time (at 10pm) he woke up, but was too tired to stay awake.  He woke back up at 3am and played quietly for an hour or so and fell back asleep. 

 

It's time to go to breakfast, so I'm cutting off our update.  Things move quickly around here!  More info and pictures later. 

Pictures

We Have Him!!!

For the second time in less than 2 years, I get the blessing of posting that title on my blog.  :)

 

I don't even know where to start. First, thank you for those who have carried us in prayer.  God has heard and, again, answered our prayers!

 

Our boy is smiling, happy and talking.  What else can I write?  My mind is spinning and Moses is into everything.  :)  Judah, honey, you might just meet your match in a couple weeks. 

Almost

It is 6:25 a.m. here and we have slept very little.  In just a couple hours we will be leaving to meet Moses.  We are feeling a mix of emotions.  Excited, anxious, reflective....... 

 

The day we started this process our lives changed forever.  That day we started down a path that led us to today.  This 'big' day of meeting.  This life-altering day.  The word FOREVER is hanging in the air.  Take a minute and think about it.  Forever.  How many times do I move through the motions in a day, not realizing that what is done can not be changed.  It is a moment finished and the next comes.  I move on only to complete and do and be.  Not really thinking on what the impact is with regard to eternity.  I don't think about it, that is, until it might encroach upon my freedoms, my wants, my desires.  Suddenly I become protective and consider the impact on my future and my children's future.  The truth is, I'm selfish and I want what I want-- when I want it.  Adoption has a way of challenging this.  It has brought me to the core of who I am, what I want to do, who I want to glorify.  Is it me?  Is it God?  The last month has revealed my tendencies towards self preservation.  It has been a painful revelation.  I like to think of myself with nice adjectives to describe all my good qualities.  I'm not really that nice.  I'm not really all that good.  I don't want to give too much.  How sad.  I am grieved by my own selfishness. 

 

Yet, in God's goodness towards me, He doesn't leave me there.  I am not the same person who gave her life to God and asked Jesus Christ to come into her heart and life.  He has changed me.  He still changes me. 

 

Today, Mario and I will change.  Our family will change.  The Dominguez name will cover another child.  

 

Today, God's grace is bringing us to Moses.  Our son, FOREVER!

Praise the Lord God almighty , who moves men to fulfill His will . No one can close any door He opens or open any He shuts. He does not give us (His children ) what we deserve or earn ,but only the best for eternity.(preparation for Heaven) Blessed be the name of the Lord !!!

We Made It.

We are exhausted but are in Beijing.  Our flight was interesting. 

 

While we were waiting at JFK for our flight to Beijing, we saw a small child who was crying alot and whining and loud.  I took one look at her, turned to Mario and said, "I know that child is going to be by us."  When the time came to board the plane, yep, you guessed it---she was right in front of us.  :)  In all her glory.

 

We also had the world's stinkiest feet sitting next to us.  I know you see this coming, but she flew the whole way with her shoes off!

 

Just a few of our intersting happenings. 

 

Tomorrow at 8am we leave to go get Moses.  Please continue to pray.  Love you all........

Less than 24 hours!

Wow! It has taken too long to be able to say those words! We are in our final hours of preparation. This morning, my workout is being replaced by the dreaded 'To-Do' list. I will only be too happy when every item is crossed off and we can do no more.

In just a couple days the face of our family will change, dramatically. God will have filled the gap between Lillie and Judah and I will be the proud mommy of a 21 yr. old, 20 yr. old, 10 yr old., 8 yr. old, 6 yr. old, 4 yr. old and 2 yr. old. How is that for family planning and spacing your children? The best part is, I didn't plan it at all. God did!

Yes, our little Moses is 4 already, according to their records. We would love to post his picture and smile but our agency requests that we wait until the adoption is final. So, wait we will.

For those who may not know Moses has a special need: Cerebral Palsy. We have been duly lectured on the difficulties that can be associated with such a special need. We just happen to think he had a greater special need which we are only too willing to help with: No parents or family. The rest are details that God will equip us to deal with as we face them.

Hang on, Moses! Your life is about to change. What you knew to be true isn't the truth. Your circumstances have lied to you. You DO have a family! You have a Daddy and Mommy who love you. You have brothers and sisters who are excited to see you. You have an extended family that is waiting to get to know you. More importantly, you have a God, who we will teach you about, who has planned for us a day of meeting. He has a future and a hope for you. He is restoring to you all you lost. Son, your world is about to be rocked. But don't worry, we'll be with you every step of the way and you will never be alone again......