Travel plans

Our travel plans are complete! We, along with Nancy's sister Alicia, will travel December 6-16.

Months ago (maybe even years ago!), we asked Alicia if she'd consider coming along. She was in the delivery room with us when our boys were born -- and we wanted her to be with us when our daughter came into our family. She didn't even hesitate! She said yes right away, and can now add India to her list of international travels.

Her list, by the way, is pretty amazing: she climbed Kilimanjaro last year, and climbed to base camp of Mt. Everest two years before that. Between those two treks, Alicia traveled to Taiwan with the U.S. women's amateur boxers as the team's doctor. (She will not be happy that I'm bragging her up, but I'm very proud of her, if you couldn't tell!)

So, in less than two weeks, we will all be India-bound!

Giving thanks . . .

We are especially grateful this Thanksgiving, because we just found out Anya Rashi's passport is ready!

We were up late last night (and I mean really late) when we heard the news, and then we couldn't sleep until 3:00 a.m. because we were too excited! We hope to leave in about two weeks, pending flight availability and lots of other details.

Right now, we're in a state of joy and disbelief that this long journey has almost reached completion. We told Aaron and Nathan about the passport right away this morning, and they are so excited to meet you!

We can't wait until the moment we hold you for the first time. Our hearts are full to the brim at the thought of your birthparents. Thanks to them, we will have the privilege of raising and loving you. Hold on, Anya Rashi -- your mama and daddy are coming soon!

Just a little longer . . .

Today we heard that Anya Rashi's passport may be ready during the last week of November. Last Friday was Diwala, and earlier in the week there was a strike in Kolkata (a fairly common occurrence), so many offices were closed -- so no passport action.

Meahwhile, we are also waiting for a form from Citizenship and Immigration, and for something called ICPC, which is an inter-state adoption permission (our adoption agency is located in Oklahoma). So, the wait goes on . . . but we still have high hopes to travel in early December. Our dream and prayer is to have Anya Rashi in our arms for her birthday on December 16.

Waiting for her passport . . .

So many people are asking "When will you leave?!" Answer: as soon as Anya Rashi's passport is finished . . . perhaps in 4-6 weeks. We are grateful for everyone's interest, and can't believe that so many people are as excited as we are.

We feel so humbled by the many ways friends are helping. We have received clothing, offers of airline miles, a baby gate and carrier, and contributions from several church friends, as well as the choir and drama team. We have also received some financial help from our parents and our brothers and sisters. Thank you all so much. We are so moved by your care for us, and we know that God smiles on the way you're welcoming this child of His.

As these last weeks go by, we're trying to do a few special things with the boys. We spent a weekend at a nearby water park with Nancy's sister -- what a blast! We're also spending a weekend in Chicago to visit the Shedd Aquarium and some other fun places that will be harder to enjoy with a napping, diaper-wearing baby sister along.

Meanwhile, I'm getting some practice having a baby in the house again. For five weeks this fall (pretty much right up to the time we leave for India), I'm watching a friend's 7-month-old daughter during the weekdays. It's good to practice getting the boys off to school with a little one along . . . before I have to do it with jet lag!

The judge has signed!

Good news -- the judge signed off on Anya Rashi's paperwork, so the last steps of our adoption process are in motion! While the orphanage director, Ms. Roy, starts our daughter's passport, we are checking out hotel information and flights. As soon as her passport is completed, we can make plans to fly. We hope we will take our trip in mid- to late November, but it all depends on when that passport is finished.

Peter is visibly ecstatic and happy, while I am in mama mode: making mental lists of what needs to be done before we fly. He is the computer guru, checking out travel information, while I am concerned with the home front: making arrangements for Aaron and Nathan while we're gone, doing clothing inventory to be sure we have things that will fit Anya Rashi, getting the suitcase of orphanage donations ready, searching for bottle nipples to fit the glass bottles my mom saved from when I was a baby, etc. etc.!

Actually, I'm in a bit of a daze . . . I can't believe it's finally happening! Yesterday, I had a few moments to think, and for the first time was just purely excited about going to India. As a child and a teenager, I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd travel there. God has strange and wonderful ways of surprising me with his plans for my life . . . I love dreaming about his plans for Anya Rashi. Wonder what surprises he has in store for her?

Another photo

This photo was taken in September by another Dillon family. We think she looks like a little doll! We wish we could post some larger images, but many of those include other children, and we don't want to put them on the web without their families' permission. Soon, we will be able to post as many as we wish, straight from our own camera! We can't wait for that day.

Hurrah! One step closer

We received fantastic news today! The judge in the Kolkata high court heard and approved our case! This means we have been granted legal guardianship of Anya Rashi, and we are one step closer to planning our trip to India. I celebrated by taking the boys out for ice cream after school. (Poor Peter was at work and missed the fun . . .)

This week has been filled with highs and lows as we waited to see if our case would be heard before the holidays in India. Durga Puja and Diwali will be celebrated during the next 6 weeks, and the courts will be closed for much of the time. We have been waiting anxiously to see if our case would be heard before October 10, when the first holiday begins. What a relief to hear this great news!

We owe countless thanks to all of you who prayed for us and listened so lovingly. Next steps for us include: waiting for the judge to sign our official paperwork, getting Anya Rashi's passport process started, and applying for travel visas, among other things. Oh, and I still need to make the curtains for her bedroom!

Two other families are in the same part of the adoption process, and we are glad to have company! It would be so amazing to travel at the same time, so the babies can see each other for a few days after leaving the orphanage. What a comfort that could be for them, as they get used to being with the funny-looking strangers who love them so much.

When I saw Peter after work, I said "Hello, father of three!" It felt great.