(continued from the previous post)

As soon as I saw that padded envelope from Adoption Advocates in the mail box, I knew it was the camera from our welcome bag to Belane! I ripped the package open and held the camera…it was unreal to think that this camera which I had bought in our small town had traveled all the way to Ethiopia, spent a day with our daughter, and was now back in my mail box. Amazing.

A mad dash to the pharmacy and a very long hour waiting for the “one-hour photo”, and we had pictures!!! Unfortunately someone forgot to use the flash, so the inside shots did not come out, but there are about 10 outside pictures that are wonderful.

All of the pictures have Belane in her little red t-shirt with the name of where we live on it, and the little elephant blanket/stuffed animal combo we sent wrapped around her shoulders. There are pictures of her with her friends (which brought back these feelings) and pictures of her with the wonderful nannies at AHOPE. In two of the pictures that did not come out, you can just see enough to tell that she is looking at the photo album that we sent. I can’t help but wonder what she thought as she looked at our pictures. We pray every night that she knows she has a family that loves her and can feel our love from far away.

Every time I look at her face, my heart swells and I re-feel those feelings I felt that day that I met her, and I long to finally hold my daughter again.

She looks healthy and wonderful and darling as ever. Thanks Denise, for taking these.

So it was an emotional day all around…started off stressful and ended up joyful. We’re still waiting for news from our USCIS office so Belane can have her embassy appointment and the dang waiver can be submitted. Hopefully soon… If you are stuck in a process like we are, here is a post I wrote awhile back on the dreaded waiting involved with adoption.