Greetings!

We designed this site in order to keep in touch with friends and family who are far away and in order to communicate with other adoptive families from around the world.

When we first started researching this wonderful way to become a family we read everything we could get our hands on. Even though there are a lot of great books out there, nothing was as informative or touching as the blogs we found by adoptees, biological parents, and adoptive families. So we are writing this blog now in hopes of returning the favor. We hope that if you are dear to us you will enjoy keeping up with our adventures. If you are someone out there involved in a part of the adoption triad we hope you will find information and comfort here and provide us with some of your own!

If you would like to get in touch with us we can be reached at: becomingafamily@gmail.com
Feel free to stop by anytime. We're happy to share our family story.

Take care,
Brian and Rosemary

Friday, January 22, 2010

We Got Our T.A.!!!

It finally happened!! Thank God, we finally got our T.A.! For those of you not in the adoption world, that stands for Travel Approval and it is the paperwork we have been missing. Marissa, our adoption advocate at Holt International, emailed me saying she received word that we were invited to appear before the DSDW board on March 10th and petition to adopt our son. HALLELUJAH!

We are so excited and grateful to finally be given this chance to meet Button and his foster family, for whom we have such appreciation. Even though we knew that every day was bringing us closer and closer to getting this phone call - I am still in a state of shock. I can't believe we have actually been approved for travel and we know when we will get to meet our son. What kind of unbelievable, miracle-magic is that?

So for those of you who are not Holt adoptive families here is a basic synopsis of how this whole thing will actually work: we will meet Button for the first time a few days before the DSDW board meeting. Our first sight of him will be in a casual setting with social workers and, possibly other adoptive families, we will play for a little while and then all go to lunch. Over the course of three days before we actually greet the DSDW, we will have other casual meetings with Button, the social workers and then his foster family. Of course, at that point in time, every second with our son is going to feel like the most important moment of our lives but the point is to try not to stress him out.

Button will be 18 months old when we finally meet him on March 7.
--Rosemary

20 comments:

Wyndee said...

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It'll be no time now and you'll be holding Button in your arms.

Ally Brown said...

fab news..congratualtion...:-)

Wendy said...

Rosemary,
This is AWESOME news. I remember that call like it was yesterday and I totally remember Lily toddling into the Amari hotel all dolled up by her foster family (the photos are on the sidebar of my blog). You'll eat at the restaurant across the street from the hotel and probably meet the foster family that first day or the second. Ask lots of questions about Button's likes and dislikes, etc. Holt will give you a VERY extensive final report which will list his "schedule" and everything he enjoys doing and eating (Lily's "eating" list was miles long). You'll get photos of his birthparent(s) if there are any available. It's just SUCH an exciting time. When that white van pulls up with those kiddos on it...your heart will be pumping a mile a minute! Yeah, yeah, yeah for you!!!!! E-mail me personally if you want any Holt specific info. about the hotel or anything else!

Nichole and Craig said...

YIPPPEEE, that's great news.
I can't wait to hear all about your travels

Kerrie (and Jason) said...

wonderful news. I knew 2010 would be a good year!

a Tonggu Momma said...

I cannot tell you how excited I am for y'all.

blackbelt said...

SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

Yoli said...

Consider yourself CYBER HUGGED!!!! We both got TA!!! This is WONDERFUL!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Also what a nice way to ease a child into adoption. We are a Holt family like you but with the China program you do not get to ease into anything.

Rosemary you must be floating!!! Start packing!!!!

Mireille said...

YOOHOO!! I AM THRILLED FOR YOU GUYS!! SO HAPPY, IT TOTALLY MADE MY DAY, SO CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW YOUR DAYS WILL BE!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! Gemx

Marcia said...

Hi, I've been reading your blog for a while now, and just wanted to offer my congratulations and best wishes on this exciting news!
Marcia

Jessica said...

Congratulations!! Happy, happy, happy! March 10 is an important day for us around here and you can be sure that on that day, in every way, we'll be celebrating for you too.

Matt and Tiffany McClain said...

Praise God!!! That is amazing! I'm sooooo excited for you and Brian and button! Guess we'll have to make a trip down there soon and help you with any last minute preparations. Let me know what I can do to help! Love ya!

Chris and Terri said...

Congratulations! I'm SO excited for you guys to FINALLY be traveling! That is great news! I was just sitting here thinking about you, hoping you got it and decided to check the blog!

Jason Yutzie said...

Congratulations! I know the many emotions that we have felt each time that we have gotten a step closer. We'll be thinking about you guys!

Staci

Maci Miller said...

Oh my gosh!!!!!!!!! You are going!!!! Rosemary it is just the most wonderful news!! So excited!! I couldn't sleep so I got up to go look at blogs. Been so bad at keeping up with them. Anyway, so glad I am up and found out about your big news! HUGE congrats and hugs from us! You are going to meet your son!!!!!! Calling you soon for every detail!!!

Sarah said...

OH MY GOSH! I was checking in to see how your trip out west went but what fantastic news. Your head must be swimming. Congratulations! The Countdown to Button begins! xoxoxoxo

Melissa Ens said...

YAY!!!!! I'm so excited for you guys!!!!! :D Hip, hip HOORAY!!! Can't wait, can't wait!!! : ) Have fun packing and getting ready. Yippee!

Shea said...

Congratulations!! I've been following your blog for a few months and this news gives me hope. I can't wait to follow your trip to Thailand. You must be over the moon.

Baxter said...

Roses,

We are so excited that your family will soon be together! As far as moving to the PNW, we move to Oregon 5 yrs ago from the Mid-west.My husband is a physician too, and we have endured many moves. We miss our families, but this is home. Have a wonderful trip and keep us updated. Congrats! G