Leaving Tomorrow!!

Less than a day to go! I have been packing like a maniac, organizing paperwork, trying to clean the house, running to the store multiple times, and getting great tips from Nancy The Great.  She is a few days ahead of us and had her SDA appointment was today.  She gets to meet her beautiful little girl tomorrow!  This little girl is in for a huge suprise!  It has been awesome talking with her and sharing the excitement of her journey.  She has given us some great advice for what to bring and how things will go when we get there.  I owe her a nice big drink when we meet up with her in Zoya's country! 

On my last day of work, I found a wrapped present in my mailbox.  It didn't have a name on the outside, or the inside.  It was a book called,

"Why I Chose You: 100 Reasons Why Adopting You Made Us a Family,"

by Gregory E. Lang

I had never seen this book before but I opened it and it brought tears to my eyes.  I had to stop reading it because I didn't want to cry in front of my students and the tears were definitely coming! For my adoptive family friends...you need this book!  The book lists hundreds of reasons why adoptive families chose their children. Here are some of my favorites:

I chose you to fill my days with a more meaningful purpose.

I chose you to help me fulfill my potential, to help me experience all that life has to offer.

I chose you to help make the holidays more festive for all.

I chose you so that I could teach you all of life's little secrets.

I chose you to teach me how to play again.

I chose you because you are the child of my dreams.

I chose you because I was led to you.

Because you needed a loving family, and mine needed you,

because I wanted to be the one to set an example for you.

I chose you because I believe every child should have a loving family.

I chose you because you were and always will be the choice of my heart.

I chose you because you needed the love that I had to give,

because your heart called out to mine,

because I love giving my heart to someone special.

I chose you because I believe that my path always pointed toward you.

I chose you to help me not to overlook the simple but meaningful things,

to explore the wonders of the world with me,

to keep me on my toes.

I chose you because I wanted to be the one to put a smile on your face.

I chose you because I felt that we were meant to be together.

I chose you because I wanted to be the one you would reach for when you need a hug,

because I wanted to be the one to wipe away your tears.

I chose you to make me the best person I could become.

I chose you because you needed someone, as did I.

I chose you because you touched my heart.

I can't wait to read this book to Zoya to help her understand all the reasons we chose her.

Our flight leaves tomorrow at 11:40 out of Erie.  We connect in Philly (where we have a 5 hour layover).  We go from Philly to Germany, which is the longest leg of the flight, and then from Germany to our destination.  We will get in about 20 hours later at 1:15 local time (6:15 am our time) on Saturday. Please keep praying for us!