Rewind - The Story of Matai

Well.....it's time for me to finally sit down and write out the rest of the 'story of Matai' and how he has come be a part of our family now. It's going to take me a little time to get it all written out because I want to make sure I get everything just right and don't forget anything important....not to mention that I have a lot less 'free' time these days. So please bare with me and keep checking back for the updates. :)

 

 

I just finished going back and reading what I've already written about the adoption story up to this point, and it's amazing to me how things have changed so much over the last 5 months.....in particular, the last 2.5 months.

 

 

The last time I wrote was on August 25 and I had no idea at that time that just 1.5 weeks later we would be hopping on the next flight out of Salt Lake City and heading to Arkansas to get our baby boy. And what a journey and adventure it was......

Saturday, August 27, 2011 was the Sprinkler World annual summer party for the employees and their families. Matt and I went and our friends, the Fordham Family, joined us as well since they live down that way close by and have season passes. I remember sitting by one of the kiddie pools, watching the kids play in the water, and chatting with Rich and Summer about all of the changes that we were about to embark on. I remember feeling really excited and anxious to just get to Arkansas and for everything to happen finally. I remember having several people ask me during that time period whether I was scared or nervous about what was about to happen, and I remember telling them that I wasn't. I was just really excited and couldn't wait to finally hold Matai in our arms. I kept waiting and hoping for the phone to ring and have it be Paul, the Attorney, calling to tell us that it was time and to get on a plane and go. In fact, while we were at Seven Peaks that day, Matt's phone rang and it was an Arizona phone #. I remember that he looked at me in excitement and that 'Could it be?' look when he realized it was an Arizona number. He mouthed to me that he thought it might be Paul as he walked away to answer it in a quieter place to hear better. I remember sitting there with my heart in my throat and my heart beating like mad, waiting for Matt to come back and tell me that it was time. And I remember the disappointment when he came back and told me that it was only a contractor down in Arizona who was calling him to order parts for work.

Matt's birthday was on Monday, August 29, 2011, and I planned a surprise birthday dinner at Olive Garden. Somehow, I managed to keep it a surprise and we had a great night with all of our closest friends. The next night, Tuesday, August 30, 2011, we went to dinner with Matt's Mom and Sister, Julie, for his birthday at Lone Star Steakhouse.

Matt had a boy's night that he enjoyed going to at the Keddington's house the night of Sunday, September 4.

And then came Monday, September 5, 2011. Labor Day. The day that everything began.

Here's where I'm going to have to stop for today and continue again tomorrow. But first, I wanted to share with you my thought that I wrote on Facebook at 10:11 p.m. on Sunday, September 4, 2011:

"So grateful for my life. I've been so abundantly blessed, in spite of the challenges and frustrations that may come up....or maybe the blessings come BECAUSE of those challenges. My heart hurts for loved ones who are struggling w/their own personal challenges....& I pray that they will remain strong to get through them. I love you!"

Keep following along....the best is yet to come! :)