19th-20th August - The 'handover' is complete!

19th - Completeness is an accomplishment, we've all done it. You've no doubt had a daunting project, a looming deadline or a seemingly unclimbable mountain to ascend. That's a bit of what the adoption journey has felt like for with the last couple of weeks being the penultimate push to the summit. There is one more action to take to reach the pinnacle (a court celebration where they become Robinson's legally) but that is down the road a few months. For now we'll enjoy this view. This evening it is one from our home, while Rebecca and I sit downstairs on our computers for the first time in our house our girls sleep peacefully upstairs.

x2 in our case:)

That is weird to say as we've never said it before, never before have we been downstairs while precious ones sleep upstairs. The introductions have gone well and the last step of the introductions is the handover. This is essentially when the foster carers say goodbye, we all bundle in the car and drive home for good. That all happened this morning, today was not easy as you can imagine. There is much emotion tied up within everyone involved. There has been some crying, wimpering and general frustration. Is this unexpected? Not at all. This is not just a slight change, this is life change, change for good and for the good. The girls (we are withholding names and pics until court celebration) have had an amazing experience at their carers house and we have learned many valuable lessons from them over the last couple of weeks. It's now up to us, whether that be day to day actions like feeding, changing, bathing or long-term things like healthcare and going to school.

20th - Folgers coffee used to have the tagline 'the best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup', I don't agree with that. As much as I might enjoy a cup of joe, the best of waking up today was not coffee in my cup but two little ones coming into our room. The youngest one who was crying when she awoke was brought in by Rebecca and then a minute later the older  crawled into our bed as well. What a way to wake up! This after a great night of rest, that's right they both slept all night in their new beds and new home on the first night ever sleeping here. I know I've said it before but it's the little things that are the most entertaining, whether it be sharing breakfast together, reading books or seeing the excitement on their little faces when we do something fun.

Because so much of what we have around here is new to them it is great finding creative activities and unread books which quickly become favourites in our library. We already have two book baskets going, we're both ex elementary teachers what can we say:) Today was also our first trip out, all the way to the park which is about a 1 minute walk as the crow flies just up the road from our house. We've wondered what will the new normal look and feel like, we're not sure and believe me we aren't there yet, and probably won't be for quite sometime. There is way too much new and exciting to find a definite pattern to each day, every one full of unique adventures and discoveries.