Overwhelmed

In preparation for tomorrow I thought I would post a blog update about our current status, and our current to do list. Today is a rather emotional day for me, so I may have B take over for the typing.

Over the past month (roughly), I have been struggling to find words to express the exact feelings I
have. The best word for it is overwhelmed. I don't mean that in all the negative connotations that usually come with the word, I mean it in the sense that the emotions, and daily experiences I have had since this journey started are overwhelming.

We are overwhelmed by the kindness of you, and strangers have shown us, by providing us words of support and donations. People that I haven't spoken to ever in my life are reading and sharing our story, asking what they can do and supporting us financially. That is unfathomable, and it restores my faith in humanity. Never in my life did I think that I would be the recipient of so many random acts of kindness. I wanted to take a minute to let you know how truly and deeply I appreciate it. To all of those who have listened to me rattle of the to-do lists, the set backs, and successes so far thank you. Your listening has helped more than you know. All of you who have prayed for us, helped us, and congratulated us, thank you. Your words give me strength and courage when I'm not sure what to do next. Thank you for caring, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Tomorrow we will take some enormous steps in our journey, as both us, and our surrogate have our evaluation meetings at Northwestern. Once these appointments are completed, doctors will judge if we are accepted into the program and can continue. If we don't, our journey will have to take a new direction. I am confident that we will be fine, but the unknown and I don't get along. Tomorrow will be the day where we really begin our journey of becoming a family. Please pray that all goes well, and we survive the snow!

Thanks isn't enough for you are changing our lives and the happiness we feel, the joy we feel, it's overwhelming. There is fear too, because with the unknown there is always fear, but your strength and support helps us conquer that. We are forever indebted to all of you.

I would like to take this time especially to thank our families. Both of them have shown us so much love and support during this time. It is because of the amazing example my mother is showing me that I know I will also be a great mom. B's mom's determination, and helpful nature let's him know he will be a great Dad. It's B's sister and brother sharing our story and being so selfless with their time shows me that our children will have amazing and FUN aunts and uncles. Whenever our dads crack jokes I feel confident this baby will always be surrounded by laughter. At the beginning of this blog, I threw the title on thinking it would change, but I can't change it now, because family really does start with friends. B and I are lucky enough to have both amazing friends to help us grow our already amazing family.