Thursday, January 9, 2014

Part 2: When in India, be advised to kindly remain flexible

Today was Kavya Day!  We went in a little "blind", since our adoption agency had never worked with the Society of Sisters of Charity before, or known anyone else who had completed an adoption with them.  They had provided no details about how this day was going to work, so we went in with an open-ended attitude.

We've followed other families who adopted from India, and heard a range of stories about having scheduled visits with the child for two days, then bringing them home on the third day.  Or, as with Anya, we've known many families who meet their child and bring them home right away on that day.  We didn't know what to expect, and found out quickly that we would need to be flexible.

The nuns who greeted us seemed surprised to discover that we had come from a hotel.  They explained that families in the past have come to them right from the airport, stayed there for a few nights, then leave with their child to drive right to the airport to fly to Delhi.  Up until then, we hadn't heard any details from them about how the transition for Kavya was going to happen.  The nuns told us that, because she is older, they want her to spend a few days getting to know us before we leave with her.  We can see the wisdom in that plan, and decided to talk to our hotel staff about an earlier check out than we first thought.  It looks like we will be checking out of our hotel tomorrow, and spending Friday night and part of Saturday there . . . until it's time to go to the airport at 2:00 a.m.

So that was our first surprise.  With that straightened out, we headed in to meet our daughter!  They took us to a room, where we waited for a few minutes.  At last, we saw a nun coming down the hallway carrying our precious girl!



She had just woken from her nap, and was pretty quiet and groggy. The sisters brought us a tube of English biscuits (cookies) to help break the ice, then they left us alone with her.  We talked with a very quiet little Kavya at first.  Then we got out the Color Wonder supplies, which were a big hit!  She loved playing with them, and also with the Color Wonder markers and paper we brought along.




She is bright, spunky, funny, and AMAZING.  We had such a great time with her, and saw smiles and laughter from her.  The nuns described her as "very smart" and sometimes "naughty."  They also said she loves to eat.  She is petite, and seems small compared to my boys at her age.

She wanted to go to Peter at first, then came to Nancy.  We could hardly believe this experience was real.  We took turns giving her pieces of biscuit, and she ate almost an entire tube by herself.  She has a great sense of humor, too.  Anya had picked out a stuffed duckie for her, and we had a lot of fun sitting the duck on a shelf and knocking him off.  Anya was so sweet with her, laughing and giggling, and talking in a high voice to her.  It was just unbelievable to finally be in the same room together!




We did have one last surprise . . .we asked about her medical conditions.  Her Child Study Report said she was born with a cleft palate, and the nuns noted that she had some degree of "hearing defect."  Over the past year, we've educated ourselves about cleft lip and palate, and started to learn American Sign Language to prepare for whatever she needed.

Turns out there's not much need for that!  The sisters said she had a repair surgery done when she was 6 months old (though it's nowhere in her child study report).  And the sisters said her hearing is just fine!  Talk about an answered prayer!  We will still have her examined by an ENT specialist, just to make sure everything is okay with her ears, and that her surgery healed well.



So things are a little up in the air . . . tomorrow, we eat breakfast, then pack up and head to the orphanage to stay for a few days.  Then we will wake up at 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning,  and head out for our 7:00 flight!

We just want to take a moment to thank each of you who are reading.  All of you helped us fundraise, prayed for us, kept on asking how the adoption was going even when months went by with no news.  And I'm thinking especially of Rick, Jeanne, and Jon -- whose commitment to children, and to our child, set them apart.  How I wish they could be here for the final chapter of this particular story . . . and the first chapter of a whole new one.

And we also thank my sister Alicia, who has been present as each of our four children entered our family.  She took all of the photos in this post (and many more), and has been a huge encourager during this nearly-five-year process.  I can't believe she willingly signs on for long flights, unpredictable travel plans, and hanging out with us for 2 weeks.

We are so incredibly blessed, and look forward to seeing Kavya again tomorrow.


23 comments:

Julie & Patrick said...

Oh my Gosh! The photos we've all patiently waited for for five years! She is perfect in every way!! You all look so wonderful together. I am so relieved and excited that this first meeting went so incredibly well. You are so blessed!! Can't wait to hear more about her personality as it unfolds. I am smiling from ear to ear for all of you!
xoxo
Julie

No Greater Love said...

Love. :)

Sarah said...

Oh my goodness!!! She is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! So happy for you!

Karen said...

Oh! It's just breathtaking!

xxoo

SLP said...

I've followed along through the years! WONDERFUL news and precious post! Takes my breath away and takes me immediately back to the moment we met our daughter. I think it is amazing that you will get to spend time at her orphanage. What a wonderful way to take in more of her life to share with her later! I pray for all the transitions ahead... Sally

Unknown said...

Love it, she is gorgeous. Anya looks like she is enjoying being a big sister already. Prayers and hugs,
Love,
Cindy

jasonliberty said...

Oh my goodness! What a sweet post! All the waiting and Its finally here! Praise God!! I am so happy for you!

jasonliberty said...

Oh my goodness! What a sweet post! All the waiting and Its finally here! Praise God!! I am so happy for you!

Unknown said...

I am so overwhelmed with joy for you all!!!! Thanking God for His wonderful gifts and blessings of"surprises". Love and miss you guys -kris

india to wisconsin said...

Congratulations Peter and Nancy. Kavya looks absolutely adorable. When you get home we will have to try to get our kids together. Enjoy the rest of your stay and have a safe trip.

Miche said...

AHHHH!! I am SO excited to see these photos!!! CONGRATS!! Your family is finally all together; I'm so glad to see it!! YAYAYAY!

Unknown said...

This is so awesome! Congrats to you all!

Unknown said...

Love hearing all this!

Lenz Studio said...

So incredibly happy for you all. What great news of her health as well. Prayers continue. Consume the happiness.

Lenz Studio said...

So incredibly happy for you all. What great news of her health as well. Prayers continue. Consume the happiness.

Auburn said...

NANCY!!!! Brett and I are sitting here full of tears and JOY!!! God is good. So thankful and so HAPPY for you. For ALL of you!!!

Unknown said...

It was a little hard to see the blog through my tears but I enjoyed every word. I realized after the first picture of her came up in the post that I had been holding my breath in anticipation. Oh my, what a beautiful little girl! My heart is filled with joy, and now I am once again having visual difficulty as I try to see my keyboard as I become leaky once again. (:

PaulzineN said...

Ahhhh! She's amazing! Congrats!

Heather said...

Congratulations! What a sweet little smile she has.

Sangitha said...

Lovely! Congratulations! She is gorgeous! Have a wonderful trip back home and through life! It is a pretty wonderful journey, isn't it?

Hugs!

natalie said...

I can't believe I've missed so much! This week has been full of crazy and has flown by and I came to check on you--and come to find you in India--and already met your sweet, gorgeous daughter! Oh my goodness I'm so excited for you guys! Thank you for keeping us updated on your trip. Praying for the next few days--that they will be filled with lots of happy learning each other and smooth transitions. So happy you guys are together!

Lucy said...

Hooray!!! So exciting.

Kristen said...

I'm drinking coffee with tears running down my face as I read this- I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!! She is precious and I can't wait to hear and see more! I will continue to pray for the transition and also for swift movement at the embassy! xoxo