funny, freaky, ferocious Friday!

So, I spent a lot of my day mulling over conversations I have had with people since we started the adoption process. I found some of the conversations helpful and relatable, some of them were a little freaky and some a little strange.

I remember one conversation I was having with my cousin's wife which I found kind of FREAKY and a little FUNNY. I was telling her about our China adoption. We had just gotten our paperwork over to China and we had our LID (log in date). The conversation went a little like this:

Me: we finally have our paperwork over to China.

her: that's great

Me: Yes, now we just sit back and wait

Her: So, they just start sending you children's files to look at?

Me: Umm......no, we wait for a referral

Her: I know that but they send you files and you just pick one

Me: Um.....no, we have to wait for them to match us with a baby

Her: Ok, what does that mean?

Me: when they get to our file, they will look at it and match us as best they can with a baby

Her: So, you don't just get files to pick from?

Me: No, they match us

Her: I am confused

I still don't think she fully gets it. I thought the conversation was freaky because I was picturing what she was saying and then I found a little humor in it because she had no clue. Then, I thought of it as being a little sad, not only because I found humor in her not understanding "the Process" but because what if the really did do what she suggested in some countries? I don't think I could just pick a child and leave the rest behind.

Other conversations I have had brought a lot of understanding on why people who can have biological children adopt and it has also allowed me to see that the struggles we have had are not unique to others.

So, this brings me to why I am doing the project I am. I am doing it to educate others on adoption, I am doing it to bring people together that have a common bond that may not of otherwise been brought together and I am doing it for my son so that there is public awareness about adoption and my son will be comfortable talking about adoption with others.

Adoption news: I got an update from my agency today, there were 4 referrals in Dec. and 4 in Jan. They expect to start getting travel notices again soon, wait times are 6-10 months for referral and about 4 months to travel. Praying for an April referral over here!! I want to have my son in my arms this year! Happy Friday!!

The world of coffee and a good cause!!!

So, I am still getting the website together for the project. If you want a little taste of what I am doing and are in the mood to order some coffee, check out my store front. A portion of the proceeds come back to my organization to support my cause. Come support me and the cause, trust me, it is worth it!!! TALC coffee shop.

Adoption news, there isn't any!!!

Sappy Sunday

So, I was looking for some Korean music, I found Brown eyed girls an Big Bang. Then I found this video. It is sweet and sad and full of sacrifice, no matter what the Language. Enjoy!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rexUdNhPFVI

Friday!!

Well, today is Fri. and I am glad the work week is done. Work can get stressful for me as I work for a utility and it seems like people like to yell at us. I always wonder why, I could make your life miserable within the realm of reason so why yell at me? Anyway, it is what it s.

My Cousin's wife had the baby. She was born on Thurs. at 2:26, I think. She weighed 5 lbs, 2 oz. Little pea, they are naming her Mia Amore. Don't ask.

Still working away at my project.

Adoption news, there is none, just getting closer to referral and that is always a good thing!!

Today?

So, my cousin's wife is still in the hospital and they are inducing labor. It may turn into an emergency c-section depending on the situation. I will be happy for them when the baby comes and everyone is ok and can go home. I know it has been wearing on them, especially with a 2 1/2 yr. old.

Well, I am getting ready to launch my project. I am need of adoptive family's photos or pictures of adopted children for the website. I am putting together a not-for-profit which will help raise awareness of adoption in my community and hopefully it will grow like a beautiful flower into other people's lives. I am also going to help pull resources together to educate others on adoption. I am currently working on my website and hope to have it live shortly. If you are interested in sharing pictures, please let me know.

Adoption front, still in a holding pattern. This pattern is making me dizzy!! LOL

Cruise, booking it tonight!! We are going on a 3 night bahama cruise in March!! Yippee!!!!

Closer

I am getting one step closer to getting my "project" up and running. I had fun today with my hubby looking at different options and meeting with people. It is going along great!! I am very excited about what I have seen so far. can't wait to see where this journey takes me!!

In other news, my cousin's wife is still in the hospital and they are still trying to figure out when this child will be born. The tentative time is Thurs. but who knows, they could change theirs minds like they have 5 times now, I think?? I quit counting!! LOL

No new adoption news, just wondering who will do our post placement visits. I guess it won't matter too much since we will have our child when they are done!

I have been staying away from soda, 4 days now, that is good for me. Might explain some of these headaches I have been having??

Still planning on going on a short cruise, Captain, Take me away!!!

New Beginnings

First in adoption news, the agency we used for our homestudy is closing it's FL office. At this time, we are not quite sure what that will mean for post placement visits. I guess time will tell.

In other news, I have decided it is time to make a commitment to myself. I have been talking about losing weight, eating right and exercising, so far, I have failed at all of these items. I am not grossly overweight or anything, I just feel like I need to do this for me and our future child. I am going to have to teach this child the proper way to nourish his little body and keep it fueled, he is not going to learn that unless I do this for myself. It's not that I don't know these things, I just don't do them, my excuses..........laziness and stress. Are those valid, yeah sure, if I don't want to get anywhere with my health. Again, it is not that I am unhealthy, I just know I could eat healthier and take better care of myself. I deserve it and my child deserves it too. So, I am going to start putting some new, healthy food choices into my diet. Thank you Kara, you are an inspiration. I am vegetarian so, you would think I would be skinny as a rail, well, I love chocolate and soda, that definitely hinders my diet!!

I want to run a 5k within the next year and I want to eat healthy and be at a weight I am comfortable at. So, that is my new beginning, I will have one last pow wow this weekend and then on to a new way of fueling my body, less junk in, less junk out!!! I want to have my engine revved and my body raring to go when this child comes!!! I will need all the energy I can get to keep up and I am looking forward to that!!

Kind of Bummed

So, I emailed the agency today wondering how things were coming along. I was wondering if they were getting a lot of referrals, when we could expect ours. All the things you wonder about while you wait.

The response was, they got 4 referrals in Dec. and because of the end-of-the-year slowdown, the wait has gotten a little longer than when we first started. So, we most likely won't see a referral until somewhere between April and August. UGH.................

On the flip side, I did get a Macbook today, I am trying to navigate my way through. We are also thinking about doing a 3 night cruise here in the next few months. I figure why not? I need a break from work and we have not been on one in a few years. Might be the nice little break we need to getaway and relax.

Happy Thursday, can't wait for the weekend!!!

Family

I think family is important but sometimes, you have to know when to step away and look at the big picture. There has been a lot of "drama" type events going on in my extended family and I just have to step away. I hate when they try to get me in the middle of things, I have enough to deal with without the extra "drama". Granted my cousin's wife is in the hospital because she is having to be monitored, she is 34 weeks pregnant and they are concerned about her and the baby. I just want to stay out of the way, call me if you need something or if the baby comes. Don't call me to give insight on why so and so did such and such.

Ok, enough rambling about that. I am getting closer to launching the project I have been working on and lately and I have been pleasantly surprised on that front. I have put my heart into this so, I will continue to do so as I want to see it succeed and see my mission/goals achieved. It is something that I can be proud of and hope that my son will want to be a part of when he gets older. I have had all kinds of support from friends and strangers that it just warms my heart to know that people care. My family as you can tell has had their hands full with other things.

Anyway, if all goes well, I should have a new baby girl cousin in the next week or so. I do hope that my cousin's wife continues to remain ok and that the baby comes through to this life healthy. Ahhhh........the never ending lessons to be learned!! Hope everyone is having a great week. I am looking up, staying positive and know that WE are not in control, we are merely passengers in this adventure called life!!!

3 Months

So, today marks three months since we have been waiting. I know many people are saying, "Big Deal" well, it is a big deal because we could get a referral anytime between now and July. Hopefully, the time frame does not get longer. I am excited that we are now in the "referral could come at anytime"zone!! I hope it comes sooner than later.

In other news.....I woke up this morning and I knew I was going to get some news, good news. I just had that feeling, I was not sure what it would be or where it would come from but I just knew. So, I am sitting at work getting some things done for my project and I have been checking my email frequently. Well, I saw an email from another adoptive parent, he has been a wonderful email friend. I got to finally meet him last month and he has been there this whole time cheering me on and sharing his experience with his China adoption. He had helped me with my decision of which agency to use for our China adoption. I have known this man for years now. Anyway, I saw an email from him and I knew they were in the process again. I just knew this was an email I could not wait to open until later. I was right, I opened it and it was the good news I knew would come today. He got his referral and I was just ecstatic for him and his family. What a wonderful way to start the new year. The funny part was they had requested a girl but was also open to a boy, this whole time, they just naturally expected a referral for a girl but God stepped in and had another plan for them. Isn't it just awesome that God decided that this little boy needed a family and it was his family that the little boy needed. I just love stories like that!! I knew this was going to be a year of unexpected surprises!!! To my wonderful friend and his family congrats, your boy is just gorgeous and you are all truly blessed to be brought together!!

What a beautiful day for wonderful news, can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!!

Asian Baby Laughs

New year's eve, my nephew who is seven, was at my office for a few hours. I have tried talking to him about our adoption and he gets it a little but I am not sure exactly how much. I have some photos of random cute Asian babies up in my office, it just makes me happy. Well, this picture was hanging up, I love this picture because it is just cute. I love the wrinkled nose, the hair standing up, the squinted eyes. My nephew looks at the pictures and asks who the babies are and I say,"they are just some Asian babies." He stopped at this picture and says, Asian babies can't laugh that much. I looked at him, kind of surprised and said, "really, why not?" I am expecting some off the wall answer. He proceeds to tell me that he can't laugh that much so there is no way an Asian baby can laugh that much. I said, "Well, how do you know?" and he continues to tell me, "they are no different than me and aunt Heather, if I can't do it, they can't." I said, "ok, you may be right." I was relieved to hear this coming from him because I was wondering how much was getting through to him. My nephew is such a good kid and I am just happy to see that when we get our child, he will have a wonderful cousin to learn from.

The Decision was made

I decided to take my blog off private. I figure I can always switch back if I want. Right now there is a lot going on and I want my blog to be available in case others want to follow along.

I have had a great New Year so far, minus the starting the year off with getting rid of a cold. I figure, at least I was getting rid of it, right??

Anyway, the project I have been working on is really coming together and I am getting a lot of response, I am grateful for that as I was starting to doubt a few things. I know this is a test and I have to remember that. I am so excited about life right now, I feel like I have found my passion and it will quickly become a reality. I am working on getting a website together and I hope to be able to get it all out there within the next few weeks.

As far as the adoption front, there is nothing new to report yet. I know this will be the year of many great memories to be made.

So..........fasten your seat belts, this here is the wildest ride in the wilderness!!!

New year

I am so glad it is the New Year! I am hoping for many exciting things this year. We are expecting our referral and to travel to get our son this year, I am working on launching something this year and I plan to blog more. I haven't blogged lately because between being sick and feeling down, I haven't felt the urge. I try to keep my blogging positive so, when I feel down, I just rather not blog about it.

I am thinking about making my blog public again. I was never asked by my agency to make my blog private, I thought it may be a good thing to do but I am having second thoughts about it.

So, here is a great new year with many exciting things!! What are you doing this year?