I can't believe it ...

At 6:29 this evening, I was sweating in the blazing sun as my friend, Shannon and I sat watching our 10 year old daughters and her 6 year old son at soccer camp. My phone rang and I saw it was my co-worker, Philip Aldridge. I didn't think much about the call because Philip recently took over some of the China clients and has come to me with several questions. I said hello and he said, "Hey, Dana, it's Philip, I'm sorry to bother you." I told him that it was no problem and asked what he needed. He told me the three words I have waited 2 months, 2 weeks and 2 days to hear - You are out!!! "You're serious?" I asked. He said, "Yes, ma'am, Cinthya just called to tell me that your file is out of PGN."


I had cold chill bumps all over my arms - chicken skin as I like to call it. Philip and I talked a few more minutes and I asked him questions and took notes, but to be honest, I barely can understand what I wrote and I cannot for the life of me remember all that he told me. I did recall him saying that Cinthya had called him earlier in the week and said she thought our case was coming out this week but didn't want him to say anything until she knew for sure.


Of course, when something big happens, my family is spread all over the state of Kentucky. My husband is testifying in a trial in Middlesboro (will not be home until Friday), my oldest daughter is down on Frog Branch spending time with a friend and my youngest daughter was out on the soccer field. Of course the first person who found out was my friend, Shannon, who was sitting next to me when I got the call.


First, I yelled out on the field to Kensley and said, "Hey, Kensley" and when she turned around, I said, "We're out of PGN!" She jumped up and threw her fist into the air and had a huge smile on her face. Next, I called Paul and boy did I want to wrap my arms around him, give him a big kiss and just scream - He's ours! The best I got was to tell him we were out and to tell him how I wish he was there so I could give him a big hug and a kiss and he said, "I would take it!" He asked if Emily knew and said I could call her while he called his mom.


Okay, remember, Emily is down on Frog Branch where the cell phone reception is not the best. I called but she did not answer. I called my mom who was very excited. I think she cried and she just kept saying, "Hallelujah! - I was praying I would get this call from you this week." Next, I called my sister who was also excited and said she had a good feeling about us getting word this week. She also reminded me that I had 6 weeks to get ready and that I had a lot to do. We also discussed a shower date. After talking to her, I left a message for my pastor, and messages for my friends, Tawnya, Stephanie & Melissa. Nobody was home! Isn't that the way it always is?


At 6:53, another co-worker, Maria, called me and said, "Do you know?" "Know that I'm out of PGN? YES!!" She was thrilled as well. She said that Cinthya had called her a few minutes before and said, "Maria, this has been the worst day - everything that can go wrong has - except for one thing." Maria asked her what that one thing was and Cinthya replied, "Underwood is out!" While talking to Maria, Emily returned my call. I told her we were out of PGN and she asked about 3 or 4 times, "are you serious" and I kept repeating that yes I was serious. She then said, "Oh, my gosh, let me go jump around for a few minutes and I'll call you back later!" I heard tears of happiness in her voice.


A few minutes ago, I was looking at my blog and noticed that we have been in this process for exactly 9 months TODAY! How strange is that? Edison will be a little overdue but what a relief to know that we made it through PGN without any previos and he will be forever ours in 6 to 8 weeks! I'll say it again - Thank you God for the many blessings in my life!