A great gift

Last month we met with a group of our friends we call "the pac group", but they are so much more. When we started this journey 3+ years ago we were required to take "adoption classes" called PAC classes through our adoption agency. It was an all-weekend event where we were joined by 4 other couples.

We feel very fortunate to have been in THAT class at THAT time, because we met some of the most wonderful and supportive people. We have all been there for each other, each step of the way...from adoption to loss of hope, to intimate struggles and joys of the adoption experience.

We had a great time at our get together last month! Jean posted pictures of all of us on her blog that I would like to share with all of you, so you know who I am talking about when I say "the PAC group this or the PAC group that!"

Jean and Jim and their family Billy, Matt, Katie, Mark, Johnny, Sarah (China), Anna (China). Jean and Jim hosted this night for us!

Scott and Gail and their children Drew and Olivia (Korea).

Shane and Kathy and their little boy Joshua (Ethiopia).

Scott and Lani and their children Ila, Cash and Ruby (Taiwan).

Since the day we started this journey together, our group has added a daughter from Taiwan (Ruby), a daughter from China (Anna), a birth son (Cash), a daughter from China (Sarah), a daughter from Korea (Olivia) and a son from Ethiopia (Joshua)! Jean and Jim are now waiting for their daughters from China (Emma and Ellie) and we are waiting for an infant son from Korea (it could be a girl - will see what our referral brings!)

The cutie patooties

When we started this process, the adoption timing was not right for us due to certain adoption requirements, but there must have been a bigger plan for us. Had we not started this process when we did, we never would have met this group! In talking to the social workers, I guess it is rare for a group to be so connected, much less 3+ years later!!

I believe the same to be true of our future child. The day we bring him or her home, we will know that had we not waited 4 years, we never would have met HIM/HER.