Happy Mother's Day

today is Mother's Day, and my last one as a Mommy to 1.  By this time tomorrow I will be the Mother of 2 very special little boys.  This morning we walked a few blocks to a local park.  We didn't stay because it was starting to rain, but Richard (our totally awesome guide) showed us around so that we could come back and enjoy another day.  Then it was Pizza Hut for lunch, which was awesome, and a long nap for everyone.  We had dinner (and ate some questionable fish) with another family from our area who will have Gotcha Day tomorrow as well.  Then we hit up the local store for some baby essentials and snacks.  WOW!  That store was so loud, crowded and overwhelming that even I was uncomfortable.  I totally forgot that here it is socially acceptable to just stare at people.  I mean I know it is hard not to stare at a blonde bombshell with a handsome guy and worlds cutest kid, but sometimes it's just creepy.  For the most part everyone here has been incredibly nice, and we have had a great experience.

Tonight is Owen's last night in the orphanage.  His last night in clothes that feel comforting, food that tastes familiar and smells that he knows.  He already went through this recently with the removal from his Foster family and my heart aches that he will experience this yet again.  Our excitement must be tempered with the knowledge that for him this is not exciting or fun.  For Owen the next few days will be scary, confusing and uncomfortable.  Everything that is familiar and comforting in his life is being ripped from him in one fell swoop.  We can only pray that his Foster family prepared him as best as possible for his age.

For us it is different.  There is excitement, worry, joy and fear.  There will be a new normal for our little family, and being a planner, I want to already be at the "new normal."  I know that tonight, this day, this moment is all part of God's plan for us.  It will be beautiful and perfect, but not easy.  However, if the last 5years have taught me anything it is that sometimes the most precious gifts are wrapped up in struggle.  To quote Shrek, "onions have layers," and while hopefully we aren't stinky, we will continue to peel back each layer until we find our own beautiful new normal.  Please keep all of us in your prayers in the coming days as we all start to adjust to life as a family of 4.

Guess what...........one more sleep and Gotcha Day is here!!!!!!!!!!