Our Pre Update Update & While We Wait

Our Pre Update Update

As we wind up another month, our minds and hearts begin to long for our monthly update.  Being told what number we are on the wait list is really just a barometer; it doesn't really tell us anything about when we might get a referral but, for now, it is the most tangible thing that we have to show us that we are moving in the right direction.

Our agency's program director is on a well-deserved vacation this week and, bless her heart, when she emailed us all to tell us that she was leaving for vacation, she confirmed that even though she would be vacationing with her family, she would not stop giving referrals (if and when they became available).  I love her commitment to "our" kids.  In addition, she notified us that our new numbers would be available on June 4th or 5th, so I'll have that update then.

While We Wait


We did order furniture for "little girl's" room.....the bed itself is on backorder but should be in in the next two to three weeks.  We have asked them to deliver all pieces at once so once the bed is in, it will all be delivered and set up.  I would LOVE to have a referral BEFORE the furniture comes in and plan NOT to decorate until we see her sweet face.

I (Kelley) traveled to Chicago this Memorial Day weekend with my Mom, my two sisters and my two nieces.  We took the girls for an American Girl (doll / store) experience and it was great fun.  We took them to the store in Atlanta several years ago.  The Atlanta store is nice but nothing in comparison to Chicago's American Girl store.  It was a great time and we talked about and look forward to having a new cousin with us next time around.  I couldn't resist buying her her first doll and it will be here waiting for her when she's finally home.

Now that my boys are out of school and we're all together for the summer, we will soon be getting vaccinations (everyone but me....I'm all caught up) for our upcoming trip to Ethiopia.  Aside from that, there's not much that we can do but wait, hope and pray.

Mother's Day - This Time Next Year

I can recall being pregnant with my boys and often anticipating the "this time next year's".  You know, "this time next Christmas, we'll have a 4-month old", "this time next year, we'll be a family of 5", etc.  Adoption is no different (except for that fact that the "pregnancy" could last longer than 9 months) and Mother's Day (for me) was no different as, for the first time ever, I felt like a mother of THREE on Mother's Day, even though, physically, we remain a family of four, not five.

I am so very blessed with great boys and a husband who loves me and were diligent in making my Mother's Day special.  They even humored my request and bought me a sewing machine like I requested (even though my husband has serious doubts that I'll ever sew a thing) AND took me out for sushi (a newfound love).

In addition to that, I received a Mother's Day email from our agency that included the following poem which served to remind me of what my upcoming role will be in the life of our daughter.  Also, it reminded me that, on this Mother's Day, I'm not the only one who loves this little girl who I've never met.  She is loved by another mother; the one who has given her life, the one who, right this minute, could be making the ultimate sacrifice by placing her in the custody of an orphanage where, ultimately, she will become a part of our family.  I pray for that mother this Mother's Day...and all of the mothers like her. 

A Mother's Day Poem

Once there were two women who never knew each other

One you do not remember, the other you call Mother

Two different lives shaped to make you one

The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it

The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it

One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name

One gave you a talent, the other gave you aim

One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears

One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears

One made an adoption plan, that was all that she could do

The other prayed for a child, and God led her straight to you.

Now, which of these two women, are you the product of?

Both, my darling, both, just two different types of love.

~ Author Unknown

Our Daughter Is "One"

I heart Ordinary Hero!

Here's why.

(You're going to want to hear this so, before hitting play, scroll down to the bottom and pause my playlist.)

Wait List Update and More

Our agency has completely spoiled us by sending our wait list updates out on the first day of the month.  Can I just tell you that I checked my email yesterday (as someone on our agency's FB page said) like it was my job?  Late yesterday, we received word that we would get the update today.

Lord, give me patience and give it to me NOW.  : )

So, Lesley (our agency's Ethiopia program director) delivered as promised and, today, our number is.......

Yes, we moved up two spots (again).  Based upon my post from Monday, you may think that I'm a bit bummed by that.  But I'm so not.  You know why?  Because, not only did Lesley send us an updated wait list number but she also included a listing of the referrals that were given out in the month of April.  TEN children were matched with their forever families in April and, I don't care who you are, you can't not celebrate that.  To focus on anything other than the GLORY of that would be wrong.  ONE infant (age 0-2) has a new family (Praise Him!), TWO toddlers (ages 2-5) have a new family (Praise Him!), TWO older children (6+) have a new family (Praise Him!), TWO special needs children have a new family (Praise Him) and ONE sibling set of THREE has a new family (Praise Him!).

He is good...always!  His timing is perfect for my family, the exact same way that it was for the families who received referrals in April.  (Be sure and remind me I said this the next time I'm belly aching about being tired of waiting).

Edited (5/10/12) to add:  Our agency has a FB page and, following the monthly updates, several families posted their new wait numbers as well as what age/gender child they were approved for.  Not all families are on the page so this isn't completely accurate but, of the families who responded, there were seven families with numbers SMALLER than ours who are NOT in our same age/gender "category".....so, what this means is that 1.) I'm not very successful with my patient waiting; and 2.) taking this into consideration, we are AT LEAST #14.