Roll With the Changes



Isn't that picture hilarious??  Oh, the 70's...but I digress...

Sooooo...things haven't gone quite as planned with our hosting of "Ricky".  He was supposed to be here on June 25th, then we were told June 24th.  Cool!  One day sooner!  Well, only about half of the orphans actually came on the 24th (including my friend Ann's little one- read about her here.)
There were issues with some of the chaperones getting their travel documents, and it was really gumming up the works. 

Next, we were told that the visa appointments would be set for July 5th, and they would arrive the following weekend.  Ok, we can handle July 9th.   Aaaaaaand, that didn't happen, either.  Ugh!!!!

Well,  I am happy and quite relieved to announce that they have their flights and are officially landing at Reagan airport at 10:33pm on Friday, July 29th.  Because of the completely new dates for half of the host families, the kids are only able to come for 3 weeks, rather than the usual 4 or more. I'm disappointed, as that gives us one week less to advocate for him while he's here, and coordinate visits with potential adoptive families.  But, roll with the changes, we shall!  Looking on the bright side, by the time he arrives, my 6 week preschool camp gig will be over, and so will swim team.  We'll have a lot more free time to just focus on Ricky and show him a good time!  I picture these kids coming with love tanks that are on E, and need some serious filling.  What an absolute joy and privilege to be the host family that gets to fill his tank.  American mama and baba.  Wow.

Am I expecting it to be easy?  If history repeats itself, then no.   In fact, my daily (and often hilarious) texts from host mama Ann remind me that hosting an orphan is one huge opportunity to daily (hourly) "die to self." 

To get the "die to self" ball rolling, I was planning a trip up to Lancaster, PA for a reunion with some of my best buds from college.  Haven't seen them in YEARS, and 2 of them were coming from Washington state.  I was so excited that I couldn't even stand it.  Three guesses who can't go now, because of the hosting date change. 

When the hosting coordinator called with the new dates, he was so apologetic and said,  "I'm so sorry about this.  Would you like me to refund your money?"  After a 1.4 second pity party, I told him, "OF COURSE NOT!!!"  We aren't giving up on this boy because plans have changed and I'm having to give something up that's dear to me.  He has our introduction letter and photos.  He KNOWS he's been chosen to come.  Not to be overly dramatic, but being adopted could be a matter of life and death for these kids.  Yes, I'm sad that I'm not going to reunite with my college friends like I had planned, but choosing to love this boy who we haven't even met yet- getting to sacrifice something for him...it's brought me a joy that doesn't really make sense.  I'm so thankful for that.

In other news..."Weston" lost his host family.  They are unable to do the drastically new hosting dates, and he needs a new host family ASAP.  Ann and her family stepped in at the 11th hour to host Alexis after her host family bailed, and that's what we need for Weston.  It will take some doing to get the required paperwork done in time, but it can be done!!  The hosting fee is down to $1000 from $3000.  Chris and I will help you with the fees, and we'll fundraise for the rest.  Don't worry about the money.  He is flying into DC, so keep that in mind.  There are 3 other RVA families hosting during that time, and we'll party like it's 1999- we'll swim, and eat egg rolls and wontons, and laugh at all of our google translate fails.  It will be epic!  Anyone?  Please? 

I've become quite obsessed with this little munchkin.  I have watched his video several times because his voice literally makes me LOL. 

 Weston is 6.5 years old.  If he doesn't melt you into a puddle, I'm at a loss. 

 Come on...roll with the changes with us!!!