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Monday, June 16, 2008

The BEST Father's Day EVER!!!


We have received a referral of a healthy 18 month old little boy on Friday. I was waiting to post until we told our families and our church family on Father's Day. I can't believe that this little guy's picture came so early. I would love to post a picture of him (I assure you he is a cutie) but our social worker stated that I need to wait until our official paperwork is signed. That should be sometime this week, I think. He is one month older than my niece Kyndall.

Dave had his last day of work on Friday as I posted earlier and then he went back in to work in the afternoon. I was trying to get ready for company (Emily came for a quick visit) and our packers that are coming on Monday. The phone rang and it was our social worker in Birmingham. She asked me again when I was moving and I told her this next week. She stated that she had some information for us. I was thinking this may be "the call." She told me about our little Nathan. He is 18 months, very healthy and living with a foster family in the southern part of Vietnam. It will be a long wait to go pick him up. He is from a province that takes longer (haven't we waited long enough already?) Whatever the case, we are elated! We are confident that he is exactly who God has for us. I tried to contain myself and not let on that I was receiving the best news of the year. The laptop has been at the HP shop and was waiting at the Fed Ex station and our desktop is on a ship somewhere between here and Guam. I didn't have access to look at photos. My mind was racing. I went by to pick up balloons to surprise Dave and I was going to print pictures, but the computer that I had access to was where he was. Did I really want to look at them before he did?. So I decided I would stop by his office and surprise him and we would look together. I walked in and was out of breath and could barely speak. I told him "Happy Father's Day" I was trying to print pictures, but couldn't do it to surprise him and that I was thinking he would want to see with me. He looked kind of strangely to let me know that I wasn't making sense. He then caught on and asked me if I was kidding him. I told him no and began to sob. We held each other for a moment and rushed to the computer. We skimmed through the documents and read his medical history and looked at his photos. I think I am still in shock. I am delighted that God has chosen this cute little guy for us. I can't wait to get to Guam and start preparing for him......good thing we bought the stages crib. Now I need to figure out what I am going to do with my monkey bedding. I may hold on to it and see if we can get another little guy for it in a few years :) Relieved doesn't seem to be a strong enough word. We are so delighted to have such wonderful news before we leave Maxwell. Our church family has been praying for us and feel that the timing of our little guy is a miracle. Now we need to continue to pray that the travel comes quickly and we will be able to get him at Christmas time of this year! Thank you for your prayers. God is bigger than a number on a list or a date on a calendar!

As family tradition has it, the littlest Leonard gets to tell the church. Miranda was able to tell both services about our newest Leonard. McKenzie and Miranda then shared bubble gum cigars with the children. It was a wonderful Father's Day....now we are on to cleaning the house and packing the last part of our suitcases for our cross country family vacation!

5 comments:

Lindsay said...

Val,
I am SO excited for you!! That is wonderful news and what a wonderful, memorable story. I can't wait to meet him, too (via cyberspace :)

Jessica Alvarez said...

We're thrilled for you! So, so happy that you have a new addition to your family. Congratulations!

Julianne said...

We are so excited for you! We have been praying...God works everything out!!! Congratulations!!! (We found renters for our house the same day as you got your referral!!!)

KK said...

Praising the Lord with you, Leonard Family! We continue to check in on you all & are SO happy to hear the excellent news today. God's Speed!!!

The Knox's

KK said...

Praising the Lord with you, Leonard Family! We continue to check in on you all & are SO happy to hear the excellent news today. God's Speed!!!

The Knox's