Bonding--Day 7

Bonding is now half over and Noah is way over halfway out of his shell. His personality is in full swing and he’s going to give Elijah a run for his money. Our mini-mom (Emma) will have a blast and we can’t wait for the day when we actually get to bring him home. Until that day, we are enjoying the moment of each day and each hour we get to spend with our new son while longing to be home with our other children. God has already given us such a deep love for, and a close bond with Noah that it sometimes feels silly that we are facing another week of “bonding.” Although there is a big part of us that would love to simply pick him up and head for home, we have grown in our appreciation for the “process”- the mandatory bonding, the paperwork, the local notary public documents, the pictures with the orphanage psychologist, doctor, coordinator, etc. along with the towering stack of paperwork that has grown over the last year (sometimes referred to as the paper pregnancy). You hear horror stories about baby trafficking and adoption abuse and yet everything that we are going through is a way for the government, the orphanage and adoption agencies to ensure that these precious little ones are found safe, loving and caring homes where they will can grow and blossom and flourish.

Of course bonding is only a couple hours each day. That leaves time for creative meals in our room, writing on the blog and catching up on e-mail at the internet cafe, going out to supper, spending time with the other 3 couples adopting, walking to the grocery store, working on reading and speaking Russian, watching movies and reading. A book that we are reading together since we arrived is Adopted For Life by Russell D. Moore. I would highly recommend it for anyone who has adopted, is thinking about adoption, or simply wants to understand more about a Godly understanding of adoption.

We are so blessed by Joe and Amy Paglia who are caring for our 3 children at home until tomorrow, which is when my parents are traveling from Holland to stay with them for the remainder of the time. This will be a good change of pace for the kids and will give Delilah (Joe and Amy’s dog) a break from being chased around the house by Elijah.

Thank you so much for all your thoughts, prayers, comments, e-mails, etc. while we are away. It’s comforting to know our family is being bathed in prayer and that our kids and our church are well cared for in our absence, although it doesn’t make being away any easier. It’s a little warmer than the sub-zero temps from last night so we are headed out for a walk to the store to get some fresh air after being in dry radiant heat all day…

Well, that’s all for today -- Dasveedanya! Shane