Good news for all of you guys...Lori has given me permission to post pictures of her!!
Isn't she precious!That also means that as the child grows up Blake and I can use this website to give her some insight into our lives and she will be able to see all of the progress he makes and our happy lives together as a family.
One thing I may have overlooked is that this website could provide great insight for potential adoptive parents or even waiting families. I think I will pass the web address along to our ANLC adoption consultant so she can share it with other that it may help. Please feel free to do te same.
So, back to Thanksgiving! Lori arrived on Wednesday afternoon. We took her to see the Center and then went to eat lunch. That evening we were able to get together with some of the friends that are important to Blake and I and who will be involved with our lives and the baby on a daily basis. We took her to eat mexican food...Texas-style of course!
We went to a place in downtown Fort Worth that shall remain unnamed as I would have preferred to go to Mercado Juarez. It wasn't awful, this Fort Worth place but I maintain my position.
A lady I know that recently had a baby was about to get rid of all her maternity clothes and she very nicely offered them to Lori to go through. She is set for maternity wear!
Thursday we got up, I made my obligatory squash casserole and we were off to Highland Village to Thanksgiving with Blake's family at his sister's home.
It is scary wondering how the people you love may react to this situation. It is not enough that we have to muddle through exactly how we are to behave, and feel, etc. Bringing her to meet our family puts them (and Lori) in the same predicament.
She is so wonderful...handled all of it with such grace. I cannot imagine whave it must have felt like for her.
I am happy to say all of both of our families behaved themselves. I know how hard it was. Afterward I spoke to my oldest sister Angelia. She told me how nervous she had been bringing my nieces. You just never know what kids will say or do. My sister prepped them. "Now, I know it is hard but we can't act too excited, or ask too many questions." They were perfect young ladies when we celebrated with my family on Friday.
I do wish they had been more themselves so Lori could have seen how excited they are for the baby to come!
Turns out, one of the daughter's of my other sister Karla's long time boyfriend made the faux pas. "...so now you are donating your baby" she said. I know it offended Lori. Of course it did. Which upsets me with the child. I have to be judicious with my reactions. It must be so terribly difficult for kids to understand adoption and all of what goes into it. The emotions felt and choices made by the people involved must be very hard for them to comprehend. It is hard enough for us...the people involved. Then we throw our friends and families into the middle of our whirlwind.
All of the girls were so excited to meet her. They made up skits and cheers to perform for us.
Blake and I forget (mostly me I'm sure) how we reconciled all of these concepts and facts involved with adoption. If I ever take for granted that any of you should just know what is going on and how it all works, I apologize. Any questions any of you have please always feel free to ask.
On Friday while I prepared everything for the Thanksgiving celebration Blake took Lori shopping. Yes, shopping. On black Friday. He is the best. They went to the Galleria and Lori got to see the lighting of the Christmas Tree. Then they went to Fry's. It took quite a while for them to get back, so of course I was irritated with Blake, having to get everything done by myself. It all worked out perfectly because, of course, my family was late.
Saturday we got all of Lori's "new" maternity clothes packed and went to the Gaylord Texas to see the "ICE" exhibit. IT was soooooo cool. While it is a bit pricey it is totally worth it. 100%. If you are even considering going, do it!Afterwards we went to eat with Blake's Dad and stepmom, his sister and her famliy and a couple of very good friends and then we were off to the airport.
All in all a very successful visit! Much like when you leave summer camp as a child, it made me sad when it was time for her to leave. I miss her and wish the visit could have lasted longer. Since then it has been back to business as usual. I know Lori has her own life to be part of that has absolutely nothing to do with us. As it should be. And that makes me sad and happy all at the same time. This adoption business is so bittersweet.
