So anyway, this has been kind of a crazy week. Hurrican Irene came and went leaving us without power for almost four days. Normally this would not be too big of a deal since we have a small generator for the sump pumps, refrigerator, and water, but since our escort has been in the DRC and we did not have internet or phone access, it was a bit stressful. Luckliy I was able to receive emails and text messages on my phone but cell towers were down so I could not talk on it or send repliews to the email/texts.
On Tuesday we received Merveille's VISA. This was a big deal because we had been waiting for 3 weeks. Thursday afternoon we got a text message from our case worker that she had the exit letter. This was huge news because it was the last thing needed for Merveille to be able to leave the DRC and be able to enter the USA. The biggest news of all is that Merveille and four other children will be home tomorrow (Saturday)! As I type this he is (hopefully sleeping!) on a plane to Brussels. They land there tomorrow morning. Around noon they get on a plane to Washington D.C. While there they will go through customs and our wonderful caseworker will get on yet another plane with Merveille and one other child to bring them to New York. We will meet them there and less than 24 hours from now my son will be with me.
Eli and Nevaeh are so excited to meet their little brother. They have been helping around the house to get ready for a toddler. They have gone on countless errands (which Eli hates to do) without a single complaint. They have moved all of their small, chokable toys to a place where Merveille cannot get to them easily. Yesterday they cleaned out the car of all the junk that seems to build up in there.
Damen and I are beyond excited. Today was his last day of work for the next two weeks. He worked a couple of hours later than he thought he would but when he came home we ran the last of our errands to get ready for Merveille. I didn't want to "jinx" anything so we waited until we knew when Merveille would be home for sure to get most of the things done that we needed to.
This last year has been so full of ups and downs in the adoption process. It really felt like we would take one step forward and then two steps back. It doesn't quite feel real yet that he will be in my arms tomorrow. I'm sure tonight will be a sleepness night. But tomorrow...tomorrow will be the day I have been dreaming about for the last year. Tomorrow will be the day that I meet my son.
Here are the two most recent pictures that we have gotten of our beautiful little boy:
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