Days 8 and 9

We are almost there. Saturday still seems like a lifetime from now, hopefully it goes quickly. We're trying to relax as much as possible during these last few days, because once he's with us everything will change.

I wrote something to Maddux back in July, the day we met him. I don't even think Jenny knows about it. I saved it on our netbook so when the time came, I could share it with both of them.

7/22/2010

Maddux,

Today is the first day that I met you. You were just about a week away from your first birthday. I'm kind of lucky, not many fathers get to meet their son on such an adventure. The country in which you were born is very nice. There are many things similar to the United States here, and likewise many differences. As I sit here this morning and wonder how today will go, I can only hope that you and I are starting a wonderful journey together as father and son!

What's strange is you are there at the orphanage now, probably eating breakfast or playing, and you have no idea we are coming. However, your mother and I have dreamed about this moment for a long time now. In about three hours, both of our lives will change forever. I like to think I'm a strong person, but knowing that I get to see you finally has be excited and terrified at the same time. What if you don't like us? What if you want to stay in Russia with your friends at the orphanage. What if you resent us for bringing to you our country. I pray none of these things are true. You are what we have waited for, you are our son.

Your mother is almost out of the shower, and she'll be ready to go eat breakfast soon. I thought it would be nice for you to someday read my thoughts before the day we met. Someday we'll share with you the wonderful journey that brought us together. I love you already Maddux, and always will!

Dad