The Fed Ex delivery man had no clue that the package he casually delivered to our front door was our hope, our dream, our daughter, Tessa. Our LOA came from China via our agency, and it is titled "Letter of Seeking Confirmation from Adopter." It is a beautiful document with an ornate green border and a bold red seal. It states, "You are kindly requested to make your decision," and the wording strikes me as having the same tone I would use to offer a glass of sweet tea to a guest on the front porch swing. It's a striking contrast to my mood as I dance around clutching the letter to my chest until I realize I might crease or bend this precious document. Will the CCAA be able to sense the emphatic nature of the way I put a check mark by the "yes" box? Do they know my heart goes with this letter as we overnight it to our agency?

Tessa's room is nearly ready. The walls are painted a sunny yellow, and her furniture will be here in a couple of weeks. We have stuffed animals and books, but no toothbrush or pajamas! Tessa will need a winter coat; Kentucky winters are cold. She has probably never seen snow. Guangdong is in southern China with a Miami-like climate. Can you picture her face the first time she sees it? We need mittens, boots, and lots of hot chocolate!

The rest of our house is seeing a shift as well. Complete seasons of "Sex and the City" DVDs are moved to remote location and are replaced by "The Little Mermaid" and "Cinderella." Book cases are anchored to the wall (who knows .. she might be a climber). Yes, I have remembered to relocate the liquor and the knives. The dining room table is covered in documents we have to take to China, systematically arranged in the order as the items in our check list.

Tessa's appointment with the International Children's Clinic in Lexington has been arranged, and she will have a pediatrician who specializes in children of international adoption. We are fortunate to have such a resource less than an hour's drive from our home. Kindergarten has also been arranged at a church less than fifty yards from our back door. We will have to wait and see about when she might start attending.

There is really going to be a little girl at our house! Santa will come at Christmas time, and we will have slumber parties and go to Disneyworld. There will be tears and tantrums and the drama and angst that I have witnessed as a professional. Only this time I will experience these things as a mom, and I have the feeling that it will make all the difference in the world!