So. It has been almost two years since we started this adoption process. Yesterday, some friends of ours who started the process after us received their referral for a baby boy. Today, our agency alerted six families of their referrals. And here I sit in my bed with an awful cold feeling very sorry for myself.
And the worst part is - I know better! I know better than to sit here wallowing in self-pity as my husband brings me soup, stayed home from work so I could get better, and a daughter always delivering hugs and kisses and patting my arm telling me "you will feel better soon, Mama".
So, it is time to get over myself and choose to once again pray myself beyond this all-American thirty-something sense of entitlement. It is ugly and far more contagious than the cold I've got.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
So It Begins...Two years later
Adoption Update:
Well, our dossier officially arrived in Ethiopia on May 2, 2008. We have been told that it takes anywhere from 6 to 10 months before receiving a referral (a picture and medical report of a baby girl 0-12 months who has been chosen for us). Last week we received an update from our adoption agency stating that the longest wait (as of last week) by a family for their referral for a child in the same age bracket as we have requested was 5 1/2 months.
And that is exactly where we are right now...5 1/2 months. So, we are choosing to remain hopeful and get excited about the fact that our referral could come any day now.
In the meantime, our I-600A form (the document from the INS that grants us permission to adopt internationally) expires on Dec. 14th. So, we have asked for an extension and pray that is granted before our this original one expires! Honestly, the paperwork just is never-ending!
We are also applying for financial aid to various wonderful organizations designed for adoptive families such as ours. I am sure with the economic downturn, there will be even more competition for those funds, but we believe there is something out there earmarked just for us! :)
We are getting really excited. I am already starting to clean out the guest room a bit and try to visualize what I would like it to look like for our baby daughter. I got really lucky as I went to a model home blowout sale and got an entire, complete set of Pottery Barn crib bedding for $30! Yeah! It is a baby animal theme in soft beige, yellow and sage green. I am thrilled. It also is a great way to occupy my restless, impatient brain to find something tangible to do.
Another interesting thing. Bella has already begun talking about her baby sister - and has named her. She has chosen a name quite uniquely as we know NO ONE with this particular name! Last week in preschool, the class was asked to draw each member of his/her family. Bella drew Mama, Daddy, Bella, Dakota (dog), and baby sister _________. I could not believe it! She is getting very excited and has already made it clear what she wants her role to be as Mama's helper....some of which will need to be re-defined a bit.
So, this blog will be my cathartic place to muse about this adoptive journey we are on. And if no one reads it (besides those family members I bribe!), then so be it. I look forward to sharing this with my daughters in years to come. That is worth it.
Well, our dossier officially arrived in Ethiopia on May 2, 2008. We have been told that it takes anywhere from 6 to 10 months before receiving a referral (a picture and medical report of a baby girl 0-12 months who has been chosen for us). Last week we received an update from our adoption agency stating that the longest wait (as of last week) by a family for their referral for a child in the same age bracket as we have requested was 5 1/2 months.
And that is exactly where we are right now...5 1/2 months. So, we are choosing to remain hopeful and get excited about the fact that our referral could come any day now.
In the meantime, our I-600A form (the document from the INS that grants us permission to adopt internationally) expires on Dec. 14th. So, we have asked for an extension and pray that is granted before our this original one expires! Honestly, the paperwork just is never-ending!
We are also applying for financial aid to various wonderful organizations designed for adoptive families such as ours. I am sure with the economic downturn, there will be even more competition for those funds, but we believe there is something out there earmarked just for us! :)
We are getting really excited. I am already starting to clean out the guest room a bit and try to visualize what I would like it to look like for our baby daughter. I got really lucky as I went to a model home blowout sale and got an entire, complete set of Pottery Barn crib bedding for $30! Yeah! It is a baby animal theme in soft beige, yellow and sage green. I am thrilled. It also is a great way to occupy my restless, impatient brain to find something tangible to do.
Another interesting thing. Bella has already begun talking about her baby sister - and has named her. She has chosen a name quite uniquely as we know NO ONE with this particular name! Last week in preschool, the class was asked to draw each member of his/her family. Bella drew Mama, Daddy, Bella, Dakota (dog), and baby sister _________. I could not believe it! She is getting very excited and has already made it clear what she wants her role to be as Mama's helper....some of which will need to be re-defined a bit.
So, this blog will be my cathartic place to muse about this adoptive journey we are on. And if no one reads it (besides those family members I bribe!), then so be it. I look forward to sharing this with my daughters in years to come. That is worth it.
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