Officially on the List!!

Last Thursday, March 4th, we received the email from Children's Hope International stating that our dossier made through the U.S. Secretary of State and the Ethiopian Embassy and now has returned to St. Louis (C.H.I.) and we are officially on the list. Yay! This was very exciting news. We really didn't expect the call until the next week, possibly another full week. What a blessing! So what does it mean to be 'officially on the list"? It means that instead of running around gathering documents, you get to wait..officially. Hmm. Not a very patient person by nature, but this is a process I'm trying to embrace. My friend Angie has already pronounced me prego and has encouraged me to 1. no heavy lifting 2. eat like a maniac and 3. indulge, indulge, indulge! Definitely sounds appealing! But I'm hoping with this 'pregnancy' I don't lose my mind and my waist as I did with the last 2!
Back to 'the list'. My first response after reading the email was to pick up the phone and call the agency for more details. She informed me that we were #60. What??!! (elated!) I thought we would be around #100, that is what we have heard is pretty typical. But #60!! We're 40 spots ahead of the game!! Another blessing..absolutely! And then on Friday three more families rec'd referrals that week, so now we're #57! On each Friday our agency sends out this wonderful email updating everyone on new referrals and all sorts of great information relating to the process. We love these emails! Now, because I know my #, I can use that information and move myself on down the list. Fridays just got a little better. There is a trick though, and it's complicated..the easiest way to explain it is that if 10 referrals are handed out, it doesn't mean those who hold spots #1-#10 get the referrals. The children get matched up to the families based on their needs and that which the family has been approved to provide for. So for now we'll use the Friday emails to keep check of our progress and when we get down to what we believe to be #30 we'll call our agency, get our accurate # on the list and from then on we'll probably call every 10 referrals or so. Our agency said they would give us our number any time we wanted..just needed to email or call. That was NOT a door they need to open for me...I'm going to show considerable restraint to NOT call weekly!
Right now the average wait for a baby boy (we are requesting 18 mos or younger, we hope for under 12 months old)is approx 11 months. After the referral is given, then we wait 3 months for travel. But WE are #60..oops #57!! Praying for less than a year for the entire process. Here's something to consider..in Feb 2010 they had a large number of families matched..16 familes (19 children total) were matched. Do the math..if we can average 15 families a month (a pure guess based on one month I know, but go with me here) then we could potentially get a referral sometime this summer. I KNOW, I know. Keep my head right? Stick with the average, 11 mos referral. But I can't help it. I'm pregnant remember..I'm indulging!

Off and Running

Our paperwork did arrive as the FedEx guy promised before 10:30 yesterday. Nicky (our adoption coordinator) emailed me to let me know. After she combed through it she found one issue that was easily remedied with a notarized letter from Brian and I clearing up the confusion. So it's off and running..literally! They sent it by courier to D.C. to the Secretary of State for certification yesterday. After that it goes to the Ethiopian Embassy and once they review and certify then back to our agency and we'll be notified that we're officially on the list! YAY!! Very exciting times here!

$35 gets it going...

 

We finally finished all of our paperwork! YAY!! So yesterday I spoke with my agency, we went through all of my paperwork and she declared me officially ready to send! YIPPEE! So she says..."If you send it to me and it gets here by tomorrow before 3:00 then I'll be able to review it and send it on to the courier service who will take it to Washington and then to the Ethiopian Embassy, after which it will return to me and you'll be officially on the waiting list." I said..no problem! Headed to FedEx where I spent $10 coping everything and felt terrible each time I messed up thinking about all of those trees I was wasting. My guilt is due to my oldest's declaration to not use so much paper during Lent, which seems innocent enough except I think she may have a ulterior motive that has something to do with homework. Anyhow... Then my friendly customer service FedEx guy helped me package it. At first he suggested an envelope, my furrowed brow must have clued him in that I needed something more sturdy...and since his armored car was not an option he proceeded to bubble wrap it and box it up with additional wrapping tucked in for good measure. For $35.00 he has promised me it will arrive in St. Louis by 10:30 a.m. today (Thursday), giving my girl plenty of time to look it over and get it on to the courier. So now...I just wait. All this time I've been saying how doing the paperwork chase has been the most difficult, the wait should be no problem since I have 2 little ones to keep me busy. But the truth of the matter is I'm already wondering if she'll email me as soon as she gets it!!?? Or should I call her to confirm..at 10:30? Oh the waiting!!!

New Year's Resolution

So midnight came and went and so did my 'Declaration for the New Year'. My hubby and I had discussed that we were definitely ready for a kitchen clean out and diet reorganization. New Year's Day was on Friday. Not a good day to jump start such a venture, atleast that's what we thought. So Sunday was the day to clean out and Monday was the launching day. We enjoyed our last days of snacking and gluttonous behavior and then Sunday arrived. Lots of stuff found the trash can and I could actually see the shelves of my fridge! Monday (4th) started great for both of us...Tuesday equally good... Wednesday not so good (church group meeting, b'day celebration)..Thursday started over...Friday morning good, lunch good, dinner blow out! Then it's Saturday. Our diet makeover was intended to work Mon-Fri, but Sat and Sunday we figured we'd lighten up a little, enjoy our weekends with the kids meaning eat freely. The thought was that we would get ourselves under control Mon-Fri and by Saturday making good choices would be easier for us. Saturday- bacon, eggs for b'fast, lunch at Abay (lots of injera and beef tibs), dinner at Wasabi (excessive amt. of yummy rice, shrimp, veggies). Sprinkled in between were cookies, candy and even topped of with volcano cake (in my defense it was a low calorie cake!). Sunday I went to 2 baby showers honoring 3 different ladies...ate cake at both, enjoyed sugary punch and dipped anything I could find in the rich Ranch! Oh...and I finished off the Wasabi meal from the night before. Dinner was broccoli and Crab legs...and LOTS of water!
So here it is Monday and I KNOW I have to get my head on straight. So I started out thinking "Gym Today". Ended up going upstairs and pounding the treadmill. 2 miles on that machine is torture! I can't stand it! But I did it...2.25 to be exact. Ran half walked half. Felt so motivated that I then came downstairs (after a 20 minute panting cool down, standing still) and registered myself for the Moosic Dash (Purity Dairy, downtown). The choices were 5k or 10k. Must have jostled my brain in my 2.25 mile punishment because before I knew it I had hit 10k, paid the fee and committed. What?!? OMG!! My friends Jen and Jo are doing it...must have been peer pressure? Wish me luck! Better yet..go sign up and join me! www.puritydairies.com/dairydash

First Snowfall of 2010

Though we were hoping for 3 inches of snow, we received barely a "dusting" of snow. But these girls weren't at all disappointed! From making snow angels to making a snowman, catching snow on the tips of their tongues and just plain scooping up a handful to have a frozen treat (yikes!), frozen toes, fingers and frozen noses! They both came in shivering with chill in their bones and excitement in their eyes. It may be just a dustin' of snow, but to these snow angels it was a Winter Wonderland!

Christmas Spirit

I was talking to my friend Courtney and the conversation quickly turned to our kids and the Christmas season already upon us. We were sharing our family's traditions and swapping ideas when we both concluded that we should blog our ideas to share with others in hope that we could hear what others do to keep Christmas Spirit going through December. I hope that if you read this entry you feel led to comment and share either an idea or just a great story to bring some Christmas Cheer!

In our home we have an Advent Calendar. Really it's an Advent Box. Our oldest had dubbed it the 'Magic Box' and both of my kids delight in it every day in December until Christmas Day. Our first Magic Box literally fell apart last year. I forgot to get a new one until Dec 3. I told the girls I found a package on the front porch, couldn't believe what it was..a New Magic Box!! K was over the top with excitement! Made me feel guilty I didn't send it before then. But her excitement was contagious and before I knew it I was giddy thinking about the treats that wait inside. Our Magic Box magically produces treats daily, at random times. The girls may check that little house (looks like a house) 10 times before the treat arrives. I try to sneak it in sometime around dinnertime, before bedtime at least. The cubby holes for each day are pretty small but I can usually squeeze in 2 small items like small chocolates, stickers, mini fingernail polish, bell necklace, tatoos (nothing says Christmas like a Poinsettia on your kids face!), a special note(could be on the day Rudolph is playing and the note read "ask Mom to pop popcorn and watch my Favorite Movie, love Santa), and even those little snowmen you place in water and watch grow. I also include some items that are too big for the cubbies and those may have a string running from that date around the side of the box to reveal the treat. This year there will be a Grinch Christmas DVD, Christmas Coloring Book, lollipops, Christmas socks, hairbows and a new Christmas book. This simple little 'magic' box has the ability to light up my children's face each and every time they discover their treat. They believe Santa has some sort of direct line to their Magic Box. In a way I guess that's not a lie now is it? Santa's real helper is Target as they have Magic Boxes on sale right now...HO, HO, HO!!

One more...this is not from my family but one that was shared by an acquaintance...

One Christmas Santa left her nephew a bell and a letter. The letter read something like "Please listen to the bell for when it rings I will know if you are being naughty or nice, and so will you. If you hear the bell and you've been nice then there will be a treat for you. If you're being naughty there will be no treat and Santa will know." This lady lives with her sister, nephew and their mother. Lots of Santa's helpers around strategically locating that bell throughout the year to remind the little boy that Santa is always watching. Apparently it works pretty well too!

Giving Thanks

To recap our Thanksgiving holiday: We spent the day with my family and over eating (as is custom), followed by several nodding off on the couch while others perused the sale ads making plans of early morning shopping sprees. My girls went to my parents for the night so that me and hubby could conquer the crowds. At 6 a.m. our neighbor called, she was only hoping we were up..we were, even dressed to head out! She offered a bit of Target shopping advice and off we went. At the end of the day we had purchased more for ourselves than anyone else. "Isn't that against the rules?" I asked. Hubby assured me his purchase of 2 coats (1 for work 1 for play of course), jeans, slacks, shirt, 15 inch t.v. and dual d.v.d. players were too good of a deal to pass up thus allowing us to save more money allowing us more funds for Christmas gifts. I love him. Those same kind 'Target Advising' neighbors came to our rescue half way through our morning. Dear hubby dropped me off at the entrance of Target and went in search of the best parking spot. Apparently it was during this time that he realized his wallet was missing. In his search for the wallet he stepped out of the van, to look under the seat, and laid his keys on the seat. For whatever reason he decided to give up the search, hit the locks and close the door. Keys still on the seat. We were 30 miles from home. I did not have my keys (lesson learned). Kind Target Advising neighbor picked us up, took us home, returned us to the scene all without once saying anything slanderous. Good neighbor. Wait...he did point out that HE had NEVER locked HIS keys in HIS car. Karma is a bitch, hopefully his good deeds will deflect her!
All in all our weekend was fabulous. We went in search of the perfect Christmas Tree and found her. I'm quite sure it is a "her", she's very pretty and truly appreciates all of the bling. We snuggled on the couch and enjoyed a 2 hour movie...with both kids! Enjoyed left over turkey and ham all weekend and loved it!
What a perfect weekend to kick off a Thanks Giving attitude for sure! I am always excited to enter the Christmas giving season, especially now with my girls at ages 6 & 3. What a blast this will be! But before I move to that mind set I just want to remember my blessed life, my truly wonderful husband, these 2 little angels in my home, friends who light my path daily (especially those that drive 60 miles to get my keys), my family who make holidays the best!, the food that nourishes our bellies, the word that nourishes our soul, the farm that took the time to grow and trim our tree, the teachers that assist us with imparting more knowledge in our angels, the clerks who woke early and still offered a smile (wow!), and as always I am in thought of the woman whose son she will soon share with me...the blessings keep pouring down and my grateful heart continues to overflow!
Although Thanksgiving is gone I am still in a 'Thanks Giving' mood. I believe there is no coincidence that such a lovely holiday precede such a giving holiday!