It's just about "game time". And by "game time" I'm talking about our whirlwind adoption process approaching it's frantic finale. But "game time" sounds a little more mysterious and exotic, so Henry and I decided that's what we're calling it.

Let's say I asked you to run a half marathon in two years. You just might say yes. Rationally you realize that the half marathon will not be a pleasurable experience, but it's something that you know you can accomplish with enough preparation, and you'll feel great once you've accomplished it. Plus, it's hard work that you won't have to do until later. In my mind, it's a form of "reverse hyperbolic discounting". Now, I'm not comparing getting Priscilla to running a half marathon, but the same sort of thought process takes place (for me at least).

I know it will be exciting and terrifying at the same time, and really, taking a new child into the family and being accountable for another life is one of the ultimate responsibilities. But up until now I've had the opportunity to postpone thinking about the nitty gritty details of the travel, the tears, the diapers, saying goodbye to our other three kids for three weeks, and the mass confusion of building a relationship with a new child who will find the entire process traumatizing.

But then I think about the Priscilla as an adult, hanging out with Henry, Adeline, and Truman at our kitchen table, making fun of Jess and I for being lame and out of touch with what's "cool". I think about her having a normal (whatever that truly means) life in our family. She'll be one of our four children; unique in her own way and special like all our children. I think about the hugs (I'm a sucker for little kid hugs). I think about bedtime stories. I think about how she'll hold onto my fingers with her hands as she wobbles and I help her learn to walk. I think about high school graduation. I think about her smiles.

And that is our gift to her. And her gift to us. And God's gift to us all.

And now it's here, and I'm super excited. It's sort of like when you study for an exam for an entire year and then when the exam date approaches, you just want to take it and finish (whether you're ready or not), and be done with the process so you can get back to whatever it was that was so interesting about your life before the process started. Yes, you could study more but by that time, you're as ready as you're going to be. And so are we.

It's "game time".