Out of control

Have I mentioned the uncertainty and lack of control? 

I pray for someone to hold and talk to and comfort and play with Baby Girl.  I have to trust God to take care of her during the waiting.  There's that word again:  TRUST.  I have to trust Him for this whole process.

And the waiting...I told myself I wouldn't do this again, but I am already compulsively checking email for any news.  Honestly, because Baby Girl is halfway around the world and my dossier is there too, if I don't hear anything in the morning (usually relatively early) there will be no news that day, BUT right now I am waiting for a physical package of her medical records to arrive at my agency from her country, and that could come at any time during the day so I check, check, check email.  And eat chocolate (not as much as I check email, though.)

Nothing this week, hopefully next week.  I'll save bemoaning weekends for another post.  Also hopefully next week will bring either a fun post or a meaningful one.  Must get my act together!

And the waiting begins...

Yesterday I signed the official referral paperwork for Baby Girl!  It was very exciting!

I'd have to say that I love living within 15 minutes of my placing agency!  It means all those days wasted mailing things back and forth don't exist.  I can just run up to the agency to sign important papers, pick up documents, and drop off documents and checks; not to mention the joy of actually getting to see and hug my worker instead of just talking via email or phone.  By the end of this adoption I imagine this proximity will have saved a couple of weeks of "mail time" and lots of money in FedEx fees.  Saving time and money is always good, especially in the adoption world!

I also found out that yesterday my dossier was sent to the government department in charge of adoption in Baby Girl's country.  I was very surprised!  I hoped it would be to them by the end of this week at the earliest and it is already there!

Now the long wait starts.  But we are moving forward, and quickly so far!

Thank you all for your encouragement and support! 

More than coincidence (and the bathroom)

Thank you so much for all the comments on that last post, and especially for your thoughts and prayers.  They truly mean a lot to me!  For any of you who are interested in knowing a bit more of my story, some parts of it are posted on the "My story" tab at the top of this blog. Or you can just ask me questions.  I don't mind.  :)

I made a little phone call today to the Hague adoption unit USCIS to inquire on the status of my I-800A (immigration preapproval.)  The very nice lady told me that my application was approved on April 10!  (See my last post for the significance of the date.)  Do you think that is more than coincidence?


In other happy news:  the bathroom remodel is FINISHED!!!

I still need to hang the shower curtain and put out towels and a few other things, but otherwise it is done and I am THRILLED!  My favorite part is the tile.  I especially love how the octagons and squares tessellate on the floor (can we say "math nerd"?) and the subway tile is pretty great, too. 

 

I also am really happy with the colors: white, light aqua, chrome, and grey (grout)...so bright, cheery, and peaceful.  I don't know how I would have chosen this if it wasn't for Pinterest and the good advice I got.  Decorating is so not my thing, but I am very happy with the outcome.   Many thanks to the friends and family who weighed in on the tile and color choices! 

Remember before?

Yippee for after!

AND we got a free pizza today, AND I found out that one of our little Reece's Rainbow Christmas Angels has a family coming for him.  Talk about a great day!   I am so thankful!

A joyous blessing instead of mourning

Isaiah 61:3 (New Living Translation)

 

To all who mourn in Israel,

he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,

a joyous blessing instead of mourning,

festive praise instead of despair.

In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks

that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

I had a lengthy blog post planned for today, but my usual verbosity will have to wait.   I have heard that a picture is worth a thousand words, but I've never quite believed it.  Today, pictures plus a few words will have to do.

To give a bit of context (and because happy pictures are better than the kind that follow):

Wedding day July 4, 1998

Yes, we jumped into the pool in our wedding clothes.

Our last Christmas together.  I was pregnant with Little Pud.

Today is the ninth anniversary of the worst day of my life.
 

Graveside service April 14, 2003

Today is also the second birthday of a sweet Baby Girl.

Truly a joyous blessing instead of mourning.  

I am thankful.

It gets worse before it gets better...

Almost 2 weeks without a bathroom in our house.  

Should get finished on Monday, though!  I seriously have no idea what people do when their parents don't live next door.  Good thing mom and dad have two bathrooms!  I feel like we have an indoor outhouse.

 P.S.  Stelcon: Infinity success!  Stay tuned for a story as promised here.  Also the Mulligan Stew fundraiser was a great success!  Check it out.  Thank you to all who backed Stelcon: Infinity and Mulligan Stew!