Three Months Waiting...Bittersweet

No news...none.  At least for the adoption.  Yesterday marked three months of waiting for us and we did not move a single spot on the waiting list.  There were no referrals of families ahead of us.  Although, I believe a precious little girl from the waiting children list was placed with a brand new adoptive family.  I know it's rainy season in Ethiopia and the courts have shut down for two months but referrals are still supposed to come in...so why aren't they??  Well, someone inquired about this on our CHI listserv yesterday and was told that the medical clinic (where the children are brought initially, before they go to an orphanage to be referred to families) was out of HIV test kits and were waiting on more but should receive more this week.  It sounded like there were children waiting to be tested and then sent on to orphanages or transition homes so maybe this rainy season will produce a 'flood' of referrals for so many anxious families.  Please keep this situation in your prayers!

It was so hard to go an entire month without moving up on the list when we had started out our wait moving very quickly.  

You said bittersweet...where's the 'sweetness'? 

Although yesterday was a difficult day in the adoption part of my life, it was also a very joyous day...I have my Master's Degree!!!  Should have happened last December but whatever...at least it's over now.  I haven't even taken a class since the Spring semester and have worked all summer trying to get the correct graduation requirements fulfilled.  SO FRUSTRATING!!  It's over and I just can't believe it!  I wasn't expecting this level of relief-incredible.  I just don't know what I'm going to do with my time.  Wait....yes I do.  I have to get Cooper into a big boy room and move all of his furniture to Baby Coco's room, paint his/her room, start planning bedding, work on major fundraisers such as Piece By Piece, a HUGE garage sale, photography, maybe a benefit dinner, plan Cooper's 3rd birthday party, make a Halloween costume, watch Toy Story for the millionth time........  Oh, and school (work) starts next week too.  I'm thankful that God has lifted this burden and helped me complete this accomplishment of grad school at the perfect time.

I have to continually remind myself that it is difficult to understand God's perfect timing when looking forward to the future.  He is in control and will provide.  When reflecting on the past, it is very clear to see his plan and how he works everything more amazingly than I could ever imagine.

Blog ADD

Ok, so I've had a little blog ADD lately.  I'm having a hard time getting a good format that I like and I keep changing my mind on what I want.  Someday, maybe I'll get comfortable with this space.  Bear with me until then!

Summer Vacation

I'm not one to enjoy being away from my child.  Most places we go, we take him with us.

Justin and I haven't had a vacation since our honeymoon 5 years ago.  Sure, we've taken a weekend to Dallas or Branson every once in a while but I would hardly consider those outings "vacations" and most of the time we have had Cooper with us.

A few weeks ago, we were able to spend an entire week in Destin, FL with some wonderful friends and it was amazing!  The cost was split among all 6 couples who went so it made it very economical...good thing, because I would have felt guilty otherwise since we're trying to save every penny possible for the adoption.  I did feel guilty about a few things though...while we were there I kept thinking about how much fun Cooper would have making a sand castle or digging up sea shells.  I could just see him making funny faces when the yucky salt water got in his mouth.  I'd never been away from him for a week but I think I only cried once for a short moment.  Not bad, huh?

What I didn't feel guilty about was having fun with friends, my honey, reading, knitting, cooking, shopping...just relaxing for the first time in a few years.  I didn't realize how much a career change, new baby/toddler and grad school had brought me down the past 3 years.  Wow.  Three years.

I know we won't ever have a vacation like that again.  It's okay with me.  This will hold me over for a long time.  It's exactly what we needed.  With the change about to occur with our family I know vacation may not even be possible for another five years...who knows.  

Oh, and I don't think Cooper didn't miss us near as much as we missed him!

The sandcastle we made in Cooper's honor...it kinda turned out to be an entire village!

My honey and me on the beach

Cooper...see the smiley face?

 

My Lindsey D and me

Just watch and think

(Scroll to the bottom of the page to pause the music before playing this.)