This morning the kids and I were out running errands, one of which was to turn in our home study application with Hope Cottage.  As we pulled up to the office building I explained to the kids that we needed to drop off some paper work for the adoption. 

I think I actually said something along the lines of, "we need to drop off these papers for the adoption so we can get baby Abigail." 

I obviously did not think through what that would sound like to the kids!!! 

Within seconds Daniel's eyes got really big and he said, "IS THIS CHINA???" 

When I said no, he said, "but aren't we going to go get baby Abigail right now!?!" 

Poor little guy.  I hated to tell him that it would still be quite a bit longer before we'd get to go to China to pick up Abigail.  He so looks forward to her being here with us. 

As we walked into the building he tried to explain to me that "she's really going to like being in our family" and "I can't wait to love on her and play with her and kiss her...she'll really like that," as if to try to convince me that we were ready to have her home with us. 

There's no convincing needed here...I know we are ready for her, but China is not ready for us, and so we wait!

As for Caroline, I think she understands much more than we give her credit for.  As we were leaving Hope Cottage she stood in the doorway, reluctant to go out, and kind of whined a sad little whine. 

I said, “come on sweet pea, it’s time to go.” 

She obviously did not want to go.  She dropped her head down and started to sulk. 

I said, “What is it Caroline? Why are you so sad?” 

She said, “Where baby?  Where baby go?” 

Of course my heart was so sad at this sweet, sweet response.  How in the world do you explain to a 21 month old that this baby she keeps hearing about will not be here for at least another 9 months and possibly longer…maybe even much longer?