October has just started and it has already brought big things in to the Woolard family. Last week we hit 17 weeks of waiting for CARA to approve us to adopt from India. This process normally task 4-6 weeks, but with Woolard luck, we applied right as CARA had a massive exodus of employees. This caused wait times to skyrocket. I would love to say I was so patient and calm during this but that would be a lie. I emailed my amazing caseworker about every week, or more, begging for progress. She would shoot back an email each time sharing how sorry she was, and that our little man was still on the wait list. Needless to say it was a long 17 weeks.
Then on 10/9 Brandon joined several men in a mission trip to Mexico. The first full day he was gone we got the approval!! The we got matched with our little man!!! Glory to God!! The words still seem so foreign. We have a son. This little guy even though he doesn't know it yet is not an orphan any longer, he is a Woolard. He has a Daddy who cannot wait to teach him about Jesus, fishing, and how to throw a baseball. A Mommy who cannot wait to tuck him in at night, to read him bed time stories, and to snuggle him. He has three sister who pray for him everyday and adore him already. He has family and friends that cannot wait to spoil him. He has a church family who has been praying for him since before we knew his face or even what country he was in. He has a community that has rallied behind us and will welcome him in with open arms. He is loved beyond measure and we all cannot wait to show him just how much.
We are so proud to introduce our little man, Isaiah S*** Allen Woolard. (India does not allow for children's full photographs or Indian names to be shared online to protect their privacy.) He is 3 years old and just one month younger than our Charlotte. (So any of my friends with twin want to shoot me some pointers I would owe you one for sure!)
With all the excitement we still have a ways before we are able to travel and nothing in India happens overnight. :( We have written to our agency and confirming that we accept our little Isaiah as our child we wish to adopt. Now we are awaiting information from the orphanage that he is in to send over his original documents in his file. This is always a scary task, because in this step you find out how prompt the orphanage is in returning information and completing things on their end. He is located in India. In an orphanage that we have heard nothing but wonderful things about. There are so many wonderful adoptive momma who have reached out to me and shared what a positive experience they have had with this orphanage. This soothes my mom heart that my little man is being well cared for while he is waiting for us.
Now, in a little while we will be able to send a photo book for him to have explaining who we are, and where he will be moving. I have to say I am beyond excited for this step. Lori my amazing bonus momma makes each one of her grand kids a photo book every year for their birthday. These books are treasured so highly in mine and my siblings families. Each year the are completely unique for each kid detailing their adventures throughout the past year. To get to complete Isaiah's first book with Lori will be such a special memory to have in this process. I cannot wait for him to be home and get to read it together with Nana and Papa Allen.
Here is Maddison with her collection of books this past year on her birthday. Each year we read all of them together as we get the new book. She is holding her first book and her newest.
