The Right Mass

So this weekend we've been staying in a town about an hour from where we live.  We have an Adoption picnic close by today and we had two free hotel rooms to use by December.  So we made a weekend out of it!

We have enjoyed swimming in the pool, picnicking at Starved Rock, accidentally happening upon an eagle release at Starved Rock, and just bummin around the hotel room.  It has been extremly relaxing and even though Anna thinks that when we're away from home she need to get up at the crack of dawn, it's been fun to spend family time, even at 5 in the mornin :-).

Yesterday we decided to go to Mass so that this morning we could get all packed and ready and be out by check-out time without rushing too much.  We had four churches to choose from and a few different times.  Basically we decided based on when Anna wok upfrom her nap.  So we decided 4:30 at St. Patrick's.

When we drove up, we saw J, D, and K, the newborn foster family that took care of Anna for 5 days before they brought her to us!  They were walking in to church.  We parked and walked in and after seeing us, they motioned for us to sit with them (they were in the cry room, they had another baby this weekend whose adoptive parents will pick him up Monday or Tuesday after surrenders are signed!)  We knew we'd see them at the picnic but had no idea that they were even Catholic, let alone attended this Church and came to this Mass!  We really did pick the right Mass!  I thanked God over and over again for the wonderful people who cared for my daughter when I couldn't. 

They loved watching Anna be her crazy self during Mass, they rarely get to see the babies they've cared for after they've been adopted.  They love seeing her, they still claim she was thir favorite baby, and the best one they've had.  Even their 11 year old daughter said that!  They just couldn't get over how busy and chatty she was!  And how big she's gotten since they saw her last!  We email them updates, but it's not the same as seeing her in person!

They then invited us to pizza with them and we sat and chatted for a long time.  They're wonderful people and we're so glad we ran into them at Mass.  They enjoyed hearing her whole story as they aren't given much information when they get a baby.  Anna's story is much like the one of their daughter who they got on February 28 (Anna's birthday) 11 years ago.  They were so grateful for the opportunity to see Anna.  And the best part!  We get to see them again today!  Hopefully we'll remember to take a picture of all of us.