2 months down!!

Well it's been over a month, and I have posted absolutely NOTHING on my blog. (Shawn you are a BAD girl). It hasn't been intentional, but I guess life sometimes gets in the way. I've been so busy doing other things that I haven't had too much time to post anything that would be interesting to read. The one advantage is that it has definitely taken my mind off the wait! We are now 2 months down as of 3/12!  Hoot Hoot!!

I have been keeping up with fellow bloggers, especially those from my agency, who have been waiting about 8 months or so for a referral. (Times quoted to them were between 4-6 months; clearly this means absolutely nothing in international adoption. All it does is gives you a rough estimate, but don't bet your last dollar on receiving a referral by the end of the time frame.) I feel anxious for them, but I know their referrals are on the way! 

This adoption waiting game is kinda like watching paint dry. The more you pay attention to the wait, the longer it seems to become. So I'm trying so desperately not to fall into that trap, but it's so hard. I want to start preparing the baby's room, and buying everything in sight, but I'm really not one to count my eggs before they hatch. I'm trying to remain realistic, and to understand that I may not (or should I say will not) get a referral in the 4-6 month window quoted. I really don't expect a referral until 9-11 months out given the extension on the current wait times. Who knows, it may even extend out 12 months. (That would equal referral anywhere between Oct and Jan, and travel sometimes next year.)  Only God knows at this point, but at least I won't get my hopes up too high, and end up disappointed in the long run.

As for those at the end of the road waiting for their referrals, I'll be praying for you. I have a gut feeling they will be coming very soon!! I'll also be thinking and praying for those of you waiting for court dates, waiting for court judgements, and those preparing to travel. 

I promise to keep this thing updated more frequently, I just don't want to bore you all with my relatively uneventful life. (I need to change this Valentine theme!! But not tonight, I'm headed to bed!) Until the next time...

1 Month Down, Who Knows How Many More to Go!

Well, It's been 1 month on waitlist! Time seems to pass by much faster when I'm not totally obsessed with following adoption blogs, and Gladney's FBI list. This stuff can really suck you in!

Unfortunately, I've seemed to replace 1 addiction with another...facebook. Why did I do it to myself? I've actually had a facebook account about 2 years, but I never used it. I guess a nudge from a friend to put a photo on my profile page, and all these friend request, made me fully emerge myself. BIG MISTAKE. In a matter of a long weekend I've managed to reunite with friends from college, high school, junior high school and grade school. I had 111 friends in a matter of days (OMG!!) What's that all about? I even located my best friend from Junior High school who I haven't seen in over 20 years!! Now, I can't seem to peel myself away from it. With every click of the mouse you learn so much about folks you haven't seen in years, then you find a link to another buddy you haven't seen, and on and on. HELP!!! Anybody out there with the facebook cure? I really need help!!

Dossier In Ethiopia

I haven't posted in a few days, but just to give you an update, our dossier has landed in Ethiopia! Not a big announcement, but every little bit counts!

Waitlist!!

Whoo Hoo!! Our Dossier is officially complete and off to the Ethiopian Embassy in DC. We are officially on the waitlist as of 1/12/09!! I am so glad to be done with paperwork for the moment. We had our fingerprints for our CIS approval updated yesterday because they were set to expire in February. We got to the fingerprinting center about 9am, 1 hour after they opened, and we were done in 15 minutes. That has to be the fastest that we have had anything done related to this process. I guess the early bird does catch the worm.

I'm not sure if I'm going to be counting down weekly, but I'll likely mention where we are in this waiting phase periodically. Given how slow things have been moving lately, I won't allow myself to become too antsy until we are waiting at least 7-8 months. I know that is outside of the 4-6 months quoted by my agency, but it seems most folks are waiting at least 6 months these days, many a bit longer. Hopefully I won't become totally loony during the wait, but I guess we will have to wait and see. Nothing happens before it's proper time. I truly believe that. It's when we force things that the natural order is disrupted. So I will try to to be patient while waiting, knowing that God knows the perfect timing. Now, I need you all to pray that my actions will be as patient as my words are.

In the meantime, I have so many other task to complete, I'm sure I'll keep myself busy. For starters, I must continue our declutter. We started a month or two ago, but it sure seems that the more you clean, the more STUFF you realize that you have. I am so attached to STUFF, but I can give it away. Unlike my husband and son; 2 pack rats. B has a toy room that is big enough for another bedroom, but there is so much stuff in there, that I just close the door when I pass it. There are baby toys, tons of books, toddler toys, little kids toys, and older kids toys since he will be 9 this year. There is so much stuff in that room that you can hardly walk. I'm actually kinda scared to clean it. It is so intimidating. If I get up the courage, I'll post a before and after picture. (That if it's not too embarrassing). We also want to get our basement finished. It's currently partially finished, but now is the time to finish it completely. That's if I don't have the urge to move first (Ha!). I don't know why, but I seem to want a new car every 3-4 years, and a new house every 5-6 years. It's crazy I know, but there is something exciting about a new house and a new car. I'll have to quench this craving until our adoption is complete, because I have no plans on updating our homestudy before we need to.

During the wait I also hope to post more to our blog, and follow up the progress of all my blog buddies since I'll have nothing but free time on my hands (wink!) So to all of you who think the paperwork is impossible to complete or it's taking you forever; have some hope. If we finished, anyone can (LOL)! 1 year later, but hey it's done.

Inauguration 09'

I was there!!!!! And boy what a day it was. This was just about the only event I'd ever do, what I did,  to attend. Let's see we woke up around 4am. Well, actually I was awake off and on throughout the night with an awful gastroenteritis. (Nausea, vomiting, the works). Nevertheless, I just couldn't miss being a part of history. So I pulled my dehydrated, aching body up, and headed to the National Mall. 

Once we arrived, I had the work-out of my life; and I'm a person who is pretty active. I walked so much (at least 20 miles), that I felt like I should have given an organization $1000 for research on some worthy cause after the walking was done. Trainer, Jillian Michaels of Biggest Loser fame,  would have been proud if I were on her team. 

Once we arrived on the grounds, we survived hypothermia and frost bite to see something truly awesome. It was totally worth it!!! People were so excited, and there were folks of every race, creed and color there. Spontaneous shouts of joy, Yes We Can, and O-BA-MA could be heard from far and wide. Tears of joy streamed from faces, and people were genuinely happy, and hopeful. I've lived in DC for awhile, and I'd never experienced inauguration quite like this. It was truly a sight to see. 

Now, I'm sure you may ask, did you go to any of the balls? And all I can say is, I crashed. As soon as I walked in the door, I went straight to bed.  Shoes, jacket, scarf all on. The only thing I took off was my hat. (Well I guess I'm not 21 anymore. Boy, those were the days. Stay up all day, and all night. Sleep 2 hours, then get up and do it again). Well, there's always 2013..gotta plan ahead.

Time Away

I know what you're saying...Where the heck have you been? Well, I'm back from the dead, but not totally. To be quite honest, I haven't really felt much like blogging, or following blogs for the past 2 months (WOW..it's been that long). I check in here or there just to see if any of my blog buddies have received referrals, or moved along further in their processes. Unfortunately, things seem to be moving slower than molasses these days. When we first started out in this process over 1 year ago, I honestly didn't think it would still be going on.... Things were moving so quickly, but I guess there were fewer people interested in Ethiopia at that time. It somehow felt a bit more intimate, but I guess you can't keep such a wonderful place with such wonderful people a secret for long. I suppose that's why there is such increased interest.

The uncertainty of this whole international adoption thing is not for the faint at heart. I have a totally new respect for adoption, and it feels like everyone should have to be tortured the way adoptive parents are in the quest to bring home their kids. (LOL)  With all the fingerprints and clearances, I keep asking myself "hey did I commit a crime I don't remember, or am I joining the CIA". 

At any rate, over the past 2 months, we had to have several of our dossier documents redone (time lapsed, shady notaries).  Each time I got an email to do something over I felt like crying, and just calling it quits. But something just kept tugging at me and telling me to carry on, no matter how discouraged I became. 

It seems as if everything is finally correct, and soon we will get to begin the next step in this oh so tedious process.  We have to update our CIS fingerprints this week, but after this is done, I hope to be DONE with all this paper crap. (Excuse my French).

On another note, our holidays were wonderful. I actually took myself away from the computer, and adoption world,  and had a wonderful time. I'll have to post some pictures if I can pretty soon, but I must admit I am not always great at taking photos. 

Well, I'm back, and ready to begin the long waiting process with my compadres. Let's see some referrals and kids coming home soon. Maybe that will inspire me again. I promise to be a little better with keeping our blog up to date.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!!! I hope you and your families have a great holiday. I am so thankful for family, friends, job security in this economy (lol) and good health. I send up a special prayer for all the victims of the hotel bombings in India and their families.

We just finished our first course. I had to have dessert early. Course 2 in a couple of hours after course 1 digests.

Tagged

 I've been tagged by cocoprincess.  Now I'm not quite sure I'll be that good at this, but here it goes:

Seven Random/Weird Facts abut Myself:

1.  I went to high school with Tyra Banks in Southern California.  Tyra was great then, and she hasn't changed a bit.  What you see on TV is her actual personality.  She is really doing her thing,  and it makes me so proud to see  (Go Pandas!!!  Corny I know,  but hey that was our high school mascot.)

2.  I had the pleasure of residing in Ethiopia for several months about 11 years ago.  Ethiopia was so wonderful,  I can't wait to get back there.  I must admit that at the time,  I was so homesick.  I had no TV, no American radio.  Portable DVD players weren't that popular (actually we were still using VHS),  cell phones weren't standard accessories,  and there were no Ipods.  I had a tape my boyfriend at the time (now my husband) made for me before I left the states.  I listened to it 24/7.   The internet was new, not widely used, and dial up when you could find it.  I communicated with friends and family back home the good old fashion way,  by letter and an occasional phone call (prices were outrageous).  The best parts were the weddings,  graduation parties,  and beautiful people of Ethiopia (both on the inside and out).  Man, this was just 1997.  It's amazing how time has progressed in such a short time. 

3.  I love outdoor and adventure sports. White Water rafting,  boating (I'd love to have one some day),  biking,  swimming.  You name it.

4.  I was a Senior Girl Scout.  Most folks remember being Brownies, or Juniors.  But not many stayed in Scouts until they were Cadettes and Seniors.  Well I did; I know that sounds corny too.  I guess Im just a cornball.  I even received my Gold Award.  It was such a great program, and I had so many opportunities through Girl Scouting.  I just can't say enough good things about it.

5.  In high school,  two of my best girlfriends and I snuck out of the house to attend a pajama party.  Yup, you guessed it.  We were roaming the streets of L.A. in pajamas.  When we finally got to the party,  it had ended because of a fight  (aww man!!).  Worst of all,  we thought we got away with it,  until a parking ticket was sent to my girlfriends mom!! Time on ticket 1am. oops!! (We were busted, and we didn't even get to go to the party.  I still have those pajamas (LOL))

6.  I met President Bush and Laura Bush after the 911 attacks.  I was a resident at the local hospital where the Pentagon burn victims were treated.  It was cool even though I'm not a big Bush fan.  His policies are the worst,  but he was actually a cool dude. 

7.  Frank Sinatra is one of my favorite singers.  (There is even a station on XM/Sirius satellite radio dedicated to his music, and hosted by his daughter, Nancy Sinatra of "These Boots are Made for Walking" fame.  My favorite performer is Prince. (What a contrast right).  My love affair with Prince started with Purple Rain.. I had posters all over my bedroom walls.  But my favorite album would have to be 1999.

So in the words of Pooh's friend Tigger "TTFN... Ta Ta for now).  I know I didn't follow all the directions,  but I promise to do better next time.

Prayers for Our Single PAP's

I'm so sad to find out that things have changed for my single buddies adopting from Ethiopia.  It seems that singles will still be able to adopt from Ethiopia, but the wait times will be much, much longer for them. It appears the changes will also affect many who are already in process.  I'm sure the exact details will be on most group pages shortly.  Please pray for all of them.  Pray that they stay strong and encouraged during this trying time. 

30 years since Jonestown

Do you remember Jim Jones and Jonestown? November 18, 1978.. I was young at the time, but I remember learning about the tragedy, and watching the movie "The Jim Jones Story". Even as a young child, I remember how sad I felt about what had happened there, and realized how easliy folks could be brainwashed by sociopaths. Well, it has been 30 years since that horrible tragedy occurred in the jungles of Guyana, and there are many documentaries remembering the event. Most document the stories of Jonestown survivors. Over 900 of Jones' followers, and US Congressman Ryan of California, were victims that day. Soledad's report is quite interesting, and gives more insight into what happened. MSNBC also aired a piece entitled "Witness to Jonestown". Very sad. I pray for all those who were victims as well as the survivors of that tragic November day.