Ruby's Library

Honestly. It's getting a bit crowded on that little shelf! Not to mention the one downstairs! I love to read, love books, and am longing to share this love with our little Ruby Kate. I can hardly wait to read her Llama, Llama Red Pajama, or the Boyton books or Because You Are My Baby. I have a bunch of other cute bedtime stories, too, that I think Jeff and I will be fighting over to read to her! :-)

I have books for her explaining adoption, baby yoga, introduction to baby meditation, a baby Bible, baby Buddha bedtimes stories, baby signing, ABC's, numbers, fairies, animals, colors, educational books, books on children of the world, on different races and cultures, Thai children's stories, Thai/English bilingual books,  and a whole collection of Dr. Seuss. I even bought my 2 childhood favorites for her to read when she is older. A Little Princess and The Secret Garden. What can I say? I like to plan ahead! :-)

Now I gotta get serious here for a minute. I started researching another subject and thought I could use a couple books to help explain it someday. The subject is racism. I was glad to find books for children on this subject as a way of introducing it to them and to help them cope when faced with it. I mean, it's gonna happen. We can't protect them from every ignorant person, hard as we may try. I found so many books on this subject that my excitement to find good material was quickly dashed by the sobering thought that we NEED so many books on this subject in this day and age! How is it we still live in a world where people judge someone by the color of their skin? By what they look like or where they come from or how they dress or what they believe? Have we not evolved at all in all these years? It makes me sad to think about and yet I still believe there is much hope for a better future. I believe there has been change and maybe we aren't there yet...but it's getting better. All we can do is live our lives as best we can and try to teach our children the same. To love one another. Quite simply. Love and accept all others. 

Okay, serious mushy part over. On to shopping...

 Here are some great books I picked up:

The Colors of Us by Karen Katz - A sweet book celebrating the many colors we come in & the beauty of all of them. Karen Katz writes a lot of sweet children's book. My brother and Melissa got us 2 cute bedtime books by her, too - Counting Kisses and Daddy Hugs.

The Skin I'm In: A first look at racism by Pat Thomas. -  A more serious book and guide to teaching children how to deal with bullies and ignorance. It's really well written and depicts children from different races, cultures, and religions and teaches tolerance and love.

People - a lovely book about people and their different looks from all over the globe. Really a great classic book by Peter Spier. The illustrations show people from every walk of life...from farmers in the US... to tribes in Africa... and everyone in between. There are pages talking about jobs that people do all over the world, celebrations they have, games they play, what they eat, their languages, and even the way they write. (Thai script included!) Heck, there is even a page dedicated to just noses! Every different size, shape, and color imaginable! A GREAT book. Can't say enough about it.

All available on Amazon.com. Yes, you are welcome for my passing on more great things to shop for! But hey, these are actually necessary!

Knitting And Other Strange New Habits

No one is as surprised as me that I like knitting. I laughed at the friend that suggested we try it. I was like I'M 40, NOT 90! I was highly impatient and annoyed the first time I tried it. I decided immediately it was NOT for me. Now here I am hooked. (No pun intended). I am almost done with my 3rd project and LOVING it! I do it before bed, I take it on the plane with me, I pull it out when I'm waiting at the airport...it's strange! Here is a peak at my work. Those pretty roses...they are, uh, just an expression of my creativity. Yea, that's it. They had nothing at all to do with holes that needed covering up or anything. :-)

So here it is...a baby blanket for my baby's dolls.

A closer look.

My second project. A pretty aqua blue scarf that actually had no holes!

Here it is all wrapped up and ready to go! Gave it to my sweet neighbor, Sylvette, who always watches our animals when we are away.

This is my newest creation in the works. Now before you think I am just way advanced, I must confess and say that the yarn comes this way. No fancy switching colors by me! This will be for our little Mod girl Ruby next winter. It will eventually have fringe or pom-poms or something on it. Jeff was all excited when I started it. He was like AW, that will look so cute on her! You'll have to make her a matching hat, too! Yea. Um, sure honey. God bless him for having such confidence in me! Anyone, know how to make a hat????

Other strange new habits include walking around with a baby sling full of weights, talking to myself in Thai, learning more things on the computer than I have time for and I've become quite the little scrapbooker. Nesting? Or adoption process madness? You decide.

Mod Worthy

Now I ask you...is there any possible way I could have resisted this outfit? I tried. I really did. I saw it a couple times and then the 3rd time...well, I just looked at Jeff. He was like - Jen, do we need this? I was like - WE NEED THIS. Picked it up at Baby Gap a couple months ago. It's 3 T so won't fit her for awhile, but I just HAD to get it. Was thinking about her nickname this morning and remembered this dress. Oh, so MOD and Jackie O looking! All she needs now are some white boots or patent leather t-straps and she is ready for any modern affair! Gee, now what will I wear???

A Beautiful Day!

I woke up to a GORGEOUS, Spring-like day! 70 degrees today and I am more than thrilled! But that's not why I am smiling...

I had the BEST dream about our girl last night. I almost didn't want to wake up. I just laid there and held on to the feeling as long as I could. I touched her face! She looked at me and I looked at her and we just sat there staring for a minute. Then we got up and played as if we had always known each other. It was just about the sweetest dream I have ever had! I woke up all smiles, knowing that someday soon, we can have that special moment...and many more like it!

My whole day today was really nice. Took a great yoga class this morning with a friend, went to the Philadelphia Flower show, and then went to see a movie with 2 of my girlfriends. We saw "He's Just Not Into You" and it was really cute and quite funny in parts. It's a must-see chicklet!

It was so nice and warm out and we had a nice chat as we walked back through the city. Really a nice night and the warm weather reminded me that Spring really isn't that far away! Here are a few shots from the flower show. The theme was "Italia" this year. A lot of beautiful displays!

Love this one with just that splash of bold color.

And I'm a total sucker for a romantic garden like this!

Cute little herb garden I'm going to try to copy

.

This was a very cool outdoor dining space. I love the bold colors and modern style of it.

And here from a different angle...

Love the way they did these roses!

Hoping you get to smell some flowers wherever you are today! And if your in the US, don't forget to Spring ahead tonight!

Good News!

Wacap is going to Thailand again! They will be there March 23rd-April 3rd. The best part is they are going to southern Thailand and will visit the orphanage where our daughter is! I KNOW we are going to get some information this time! We just HAVE to! They will also be visiting another orphanage where a couple friends children are. This is so great! We are so happy our friends will also get info! Maybe they will come home with referrals! Maybe they will at least know where our case stands and how much longer! We know we will get more pics, maybe a video, some questions answered. But really, the only question we really want to ask is WHERE THE HECK IS OUR REFERRAL???

Okay, positive thinking here. I wasn't going to dare to hope for March, but maybe April???? It could happen! :-)

My Little Girl Mod

Oh, how beautiful she is. Her sweet smile that we finally see. The soft expression in her eyes. Her curious nature and how very lovely everyone that has met her says she is. This is what makes the wait so much easier to take and warms my heart! I can't wait till we are allowed to show you all these pictures. For now, it's just a little glimpse. Our local contact in Thailand got to visit her on Wed. They let her see our sweet daughter and take pictures and talk with her! These pictures show her personality so much and she is darling! How lucky we are! And how incredible how happy she looks.

I know that orphanage life is not ideal. I know that we want her home NOW. But the truth is, she is being VERY well cared for. The orphanage is SPOTLESS clean in every picture we have seen of the place and the mom that was just there said they take great pride in that. Our daughter has a beautiful little dress on in every pic, her hair combed nice, all the kids looking well kept and clean and happy. Most of all, the nannies look kind and loving and we know they are doing their absolute best for those children. I can't wait to hug each and every one of them and thank them for their hard work and dedication. I wrote a letter for them which I am going to have my friend translate to Thai and take along. But, gosh, how do you even thank someone enough for doing that kind of work day in and day out and then have to say goodbye to those you cared for? I can't imagine. If anyone has thought of some good ideas of gifts to get them, please share. One fellow mom and good friend, Mireille, came up with a great idea for the birthmother...a silver locket with her picture in it. I LOVE this idea and am planning to get one soon. I wrote her a thank you note too and it was not easy. Still, I think it turned out okay and hope she will get it.

We got it confirmed from our contact that the orphanage said we could get her any day as far as they were concerned. This tugs at my heart since I am DYING to go get her, but at least we know the file has made it to Bangkok and is probably with the SW now. This is good news. We found out she has a hearing aid in one ear, the poor thing, but we are not too worried. We know she is totally healthy and normal otherwise and we will get her the best care available for her ear. She can hear fine out of one so that is good. 

We also found out she got all the things we sent and has seen our pictures. This is so amazing to think about! She knows we are out here! She knows someone loves her and that we are coming for her! At least as far as the 2 year old mind can comprehend, I guess. But for today, it is enough to put a smile on my face. 

The Thai all have nick-names and hers is Mod. It means ant in Thai so perhaps she was quite the crawler and got into everything?? :-) Who knows. We think she looks like a little model and hey, she will be quite the modern dressed little thing if I have anything to do with it! So yea...my little girl, Mod. She has my whole heart and soul. It is a long wait for her, but oh so worth it.

Feeling Lucky

Wow, what a little information can do for the spirit! Today I am feeling good with the realization (again) of just how lucky we really are. We have these beautiful up to date photos to look at every day and so much information gathered from the kind mom's that have been there over the last year. I have been piecing together the details lately and going over old emails to make sure there is nothing I missed. I realized we really know quite a bit about her life and the orphanage. Had I not "met" so many great people, we would have been completely in the dark.

 There have been so many that have come into our lives just when we needed it most. The people on the yahoo group that have answered the hundreds of questions that have popped into my head since we started this. Everything from paperwork, to what size the kids usually wear, to details about CP and other delays...I have asked and I have gotten answers and advice. The internet really is so amazing, but more-over, so are all the mom's that have reached out to help others still in the process! One in particular is Sharon. What an incredible person you are! Someone from the yahoo group saw my request for any info on the orphanages in the south and told her friend Sharon who wrote me right away. That was in March when we first heard about our daughter. Since then, she has been a friend, a support, and the reason I have any photos and up dates past the first set we got from the agency. She is always on the look-out for others and found other mom's traveling to NST that she has "introduced" to us. I thank you so much, Sharon. Just for being wonderful you!

Because of Jeff encouraging me to sign up for the yahoo group I met Sharon. Because of Sharon, I met Rachel, Rachel, and Liz. One, a lovely woman that answered my MANY questions, told me about the orphanage in detail and looked through all her pictures from her trip to find 2 for me of our daughter. The other 2 incredible mom's took time out of their first meeting with their child to look in on our daughter and take photos. And they, too, answered so many questions and filled in the blanks for us. And Liz - wonderful Liz - made a connection with someone local that actually called the orphanage for us yesterday! So yea, I am still waiting, but I also see just how fortunate I am have this information.  This is what we found out recently...

She has seen our photo! She looked at the pics with some interest, but was probably still not so sure who this "Mommy and Daddy" really are. Still it warms my heart to know that on some level she knows there is someone coming who loves her!

She is walking well! When we first got her report in May of last year she was delayed. They had to massage her legs every day and they had been very concerned that it took her so long to walk.

She is healthy except for one ear. The orphanage said she has something wrong with her ear and there is a "machine" in it. We are waiting for clarification as to whether it's a hearing aid or a tube/gromit thing for an infection. We know another child there has a middle ear infection so we think she may as well. Either way, we feel this is minor and she will be alright. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is one of the best in the world so even if it a hearing thing, we know we can get her the best care and she will be alright. 

We found out the orphanage said she is "totally normal" otherwise. Since she was considered slightly delayed, we have never really been sure how she would be. Mentally or physically. Now we are feeling rather confident that she has caught up already and will do so even more when she is home. How incredible is that to know??? I will answer that and say VERY incredible (Mak-Mak!)

And lastly, we heard that as far as the orphanage is concerned, we can come get her. I am still seeking confirmation on this, as I want to know for sure that the medical and background has been sent to the DSDW already. But it is sounding very good. We were afraid this is what the hold up has been. Knowing it may be ready and sitting on our social workers desk is a good thing. Now, it's just a matter of time for the SW to get to it and then we are soooo there!

So little tid-bits are coming in here and there as a sign that we are not alone in this and are supported every step of the way. Equally amazing are the wonderful blogging friends that have been the biggest support I could have asked for. Nancy, Sharon, Mireille, Ellie, Rosemary, Jessica, Emily, Julie, Dawn, Terri, Carey, Julia and gosh, so many others that have been kind and helpful along the way. (Sorry if I have forgotten a name! I appreciate you ALL!) Together, we have laughed, cried, stressed, and shared. Thank you!

Yea, I am feeling lucky today. (And LOL, did you notice how long I managed to stay off the blog?)

Goose Bumps!

Our group prayer the other day worked! I went into the back room just after noon on Saturday. I closed my eyes and as I began I got goose-bumps all up and down my arms! Maybe that sounds weird, but it was really a good feeling. I felt so connected. To God and to all of my friends also sharing the love. Felt like our positive energies were all going out there and hitting the stars and beyond! I somehow felt lighter that whole day and felt like everything is going to be okay now, even if it takes me awhile to get used to the new time frame (or lack of one). 

Well, if you read Saturday's post, one of the first things I asked for in my prayer was simple. Just someone to hug my daughter and let her know she is loved. We got that answered today. We just connected with someone local and she is going to get that hug and be told (in Thai) how much we love her. Is that amazing, or what?

Thanks for all your kind emails, calls, and comments. Being overworked, exhausted, tired of traveling from city to city, and being away from Jeff and home all contributed to my mood this past week. The news was hard enough, but with all the other added factors I was a bit of a mess! Today, I have gotten another sign that it is okay. So I am getting my butt to the gym, studying some Thai, and getting my head out of the adoption for awhile. Wishing you all a happy day!

The Bubble Is Burst

I guess it happened for a reason. My bubble is now burst. The delusional state I have been in is gone. We aren't going this month or next. Reality: this could take awhile and I need to accept it.  I'm the kind of person that has always moved and taken control of my life. To have my hands tied and not be in control is a foreign concept to me! We couldn't move to FL as planned. I told my auto show agent I couldn't take any jobs past March because I would be in Thailand so now I am not booked. I really thought I would be there by then. I can't take overseas gigs. Got offered another jazz gig (this time in Hanoi) that I turned down today. Just like I turned down the opportunity to go to Bangkok again (2 years ago), and Macau, China, and India, and Kuala Lampur, Malaysia. I was so sure I was going to be pregnant at that time that I turned them all down. It feels as if I have been living in stall mode for soooo long! Every single minute of the last few years are MORE than worth it to have our daughter. I know this will just be a hiccup when we look back on it. It's just getting through the wait and trying not to plan too far ahead. Because, really we can't right now. It's a challenge since I am a major planner. 

But this I do know. There are plenty of things I CAN do that I haven't. Like go back to the gym, get in the studio and work some magic on some lullabies, finish my children's book and do some local gigs to keep my chops up and get involved with a local charity. And instead of expecting things to happen every month I need to let it go and just do what I can every single day. This is the way I have always tried to live -in the moment - but I haven't been doing that. I have been waiting for Ruby for my life to begin again. And as hard as it may be, I have to enjoy every minute of it right now.  The last 6 months in particular I have been constantly up and down and it's time for me to whole-heartedly LET GO and just live my daily life. With appreciation for all we have now and all that is coming...whenever that may be.

So you may not see me post as often (okay, well I am going to TRY not to) and I may not be up on all of your blogs all the time. I am going to be too busy living instead of dreaming and shopping till 1am and driving myself crazy! :-) And of course, you KNOW that as soon as I plan a trip, book myself like crazy, and it would be highly inconvenient to cancel and rearrange everything...THAT will be when I get my referral! But that's okay. Bring it on! I work well under pressure.  :-)

Need A Little Sunshine

This morning I sit here wondering exactly how to start. Imagine, me, temporarily at a loss for words? I began the previous post to boost the spirits of my friends out there that are also waiting and to spread the love. Today, I find myself needing a huge dose of it myself. So this will be a rather sappy post in contrast to yesterdays...

We spoke with Wacap yesterday. She talked to the social worker. We are somehow not up yet and will not be presented at the next board meeting. I can't believe it. There are still 5 cases ahead of us - as they also said last month. Yet in November we were "next". Thailand seems to be in complete stall mode right now and no one seems to know why. Instead of saying we really should be getting our referral since our dossier has been in for 8 months, Wacap is now saying they have no idea. The wait time from Wacap (after dossier to getting referral) was 2-10 months and now it is 4-12. We are confused and frustrated. We know everything happens for a reason, but to still not know anything is really hard. To realize now that not only are we not getting the referral again this month but it may not be next month either....it's tough to swallow. We thought we were so close....So yesterday was a very difficult day. I couldn't even find the words to post.

But today is another day. I need me some good group vibes so let's start sending out the love, okay? 12 noon today (whatever that time is where you live) let's say a special prayer...

For all of the many orphans worldwide to find their forever families.

For paperwork in Thailand to start moving.

For all the wonderful friends in our circle that are waiting right now to finally get their good news to have strength and patience while waiting. And for their good news to come soon!

For everyone waiting for their children that we don't know.

For our beautiful children to find their way home as soon as humanly possibly.

For those that have their new children home to have a smooth transition and a wonderful bonding experience with them.

And a huge thank you for all of those that already have their beautiful children home.

And today my own personal prayer to add to that will start something like this...

God watch over our beautiful little Ruby!

Keep her safe from harm and let her be loved by someone there. A hug, a kiss, some extra attention of any kind. We are so grateful that there is a kind student that she feels close to!

Thank you for her beautiful life. That we should be so lucky to be her parents.

I know you will send her into our arms at the right time. Please keep me strong and 

let me be an inspiration to others during the wait. As all of my dear friends have been to me.

Let me grow and learn more so that I can be everything my daughter needs and please let us get over their soon. Her precious heart needs mom and dad. And we need her.

Thank you everyone for your continued kindness, friendship, and for joining our prayer!

Peace & Love,

Jen

Weekly Inspiration

"Faith goes up the stairs love has built and looks out the window which hope has opened"

Charles Spurgeon

I like this one. I have a renewed hope because we got those recent pictures of our daughter. It wasn't some random background shot from months ago (although we SO appreciated those) where we still had to fill in the blanks and wonder what she was like now. No, it is NOW! We know how she looks just this past WEEKEND and it has filled our hearts with a happiness and a peace and a little more patience. She looks great! Healthy and beautiful and even smiling! We know she is okay. The main reason she was considered "slight delayed development" was because she wasn't standing or walking for a long time. The caregivers had to massage her little legs daily. And now she is walking and talking and seems to be on target! Words can not express how grateful we are for this. We also feel she is being very well cared for. I can hardly ask for more in this moment. 

It is easier for us to look out that window and have hope today, but just days ago, that wasn't the case. That also isn't the case for a lot of families that are still waiting for word, for pictures, for any update at all. It's so difficult to understand unless you are going through the ups and downs of the adoption process. Some days are just agony. Many filled with frustration. One minute up, one minute down. So I propose a grand gesture...possibly over the top to some or an every day thing to others. I suggest a serious, group effort prayer to get our children home quickly. Those that know me well, know that I am not traditionally religious. I am, however, deeply spiritual and pray often. It doesn't matter what faith you ascribe to or where you are in the process or if you adopting at all. Love is universal and it is powerful. Let's put our hearts and minds together and move some mountains! Let's put out some positive energy!

I propose that we set an exact time for us all to pray. For ourselves and every other family waiting right now - by name, if possible - and get our kids home quickly. Are you in? How about 10 am East Coast time on Sat? Leave me a comment or email me if your in. If you are out of country you'll have to just make your best guess at time or do it some time during the day. I leave you with one more little inspiration quote to drive the point home...

"There are only 2 ways of spreading light...To be the candle or the mirror that reflects it"

Edith Wharton

Let's spread light people! :-)

UPDATE: Forgot about West Coast time being so early! Let's do noon on Sat. East Coast time.

Mother Bridge Of Love

I left my mom an excited message at 6:30 am yesterday before boarding a plane to come home. I knew she wouldn't hear the phone while sleeping because it was downstairs and I was just dying to tell her we got pictures of Ruby. Jeff picked me up at the airport and we got home around 9 am. By the time Jeff dropped me off and left for a business meeting shortly thereafter, a car comes pulling up the driveway. Mom?? Yes, she heard the message and drove all the way from Harrisburg (about 2 hours away) to see pics of her Granddaughter! How sweet is that? She doesn't have email yet on her new computer and couldn't stand the thought of waiting all week to see her face. LOL. See where I get my patience from? :-)

Anyway, we had a great breakfast together and a really nice visit. We looked through Ruby's things and tried to decide what might still fit her (LOL).  She brought us the most beautiful and soft baby blanket (pink and green to match her room) and this book. By far, one of those most incredible books out there on the market for adoptive moms. Touching and well written. Simply stated and yet it says so much. The poem was actually anonymously submitted to the charity of the same name and encourages families to celebrate the various forms and roles of love a family provides. The illustrations are also gorgeous. I cried. Great gift, Mom!!

We also had wonderful talks with Jeff's parents, his sister, cousins, and friends. Thank you all for your excitement!

10 Little Toes

10 Little Toes

On perfect little feet

Little flat feet

On floors that are clean

Sweet little dress

With flowers and hot pink

Beautiful skin and a

Smile that makes me sing

First little smile

That we ever did see

Lights up a room

Even one across the sea

Big brown eyes

That can melt this heart of mine

Sweet little face

Brings me joy every time

New pics of you

Make a Mom and Dad smile

Knowing your happy

Makes the wait worthwhile

Gee, guess what I got today?? No, not that coveted referral, but new pictures! Something to tide us over for a little while longer and really make our day. A wonderful mom I have recently gotten to know went to NST this weekend and took pictures of our Ruby for us. Yet another act of kindness from a mom who understands. We feel so darn lucky! So many angels looking out for us while on this long and winding path to baby!

She looks healthy and oh so big! It actually took a few minutes to wrap my head around the fact that she grew so much in just a few months. She's not exactly a baby anymore. But she is a precious little girl that is growing and thriving and showing her personality in the photos. Really so great to see! She is walking well and developing great. One care giver said they she was talking, too, and she did a little "wai"! Oh so sweet, wish I would have see a shot of that! She's taken to a student that volunteers at the orphanage and is in one of the photos. It's so obvious that the student is taken with her too which just warms my heart! So good for her to be bonding to someone! Even if she isn't sure about us at first, she will have already known the feeling of bonding and is more likely to do it again. We are thrilled with all this news.

So today we are still waiting, but we are waiting with smiles on our face. Now if I could just get off the computer and stop looking at her!

LOVE

I went searching for a Valentines message tonight on google. I wanted something Thai that was related to Valentines or love or sentiment. I didn't find much but found this beautiful heart necklace engraved with Thai script. It means, quite simply, "love". Hoping to get something like this in Thailand. How beautiful!

I also searched for a poem or quote that would hit home with me today. I didn't really find anything that could express the feelings in my heart.  I fought the pull on my heartstrings that plagued me all day as I witnessed one cute kid after another dressed in pink or red. I purposefully looked away from candy hearts, red sprinkles on cute little cupcakes, and pink and white balloons carried by kids in the same colors. I fought hard to not shed a tear, but I did it. Love will conquer all, I thought. We will have her soon and have all these joys and many holidays to share with her. In the meantime, I have an amazing husband who always gives me all of his beautiful heart. For him I am most grateful today! (Love you, hubby!)

I found two Thai phrases that describe our feelings exactly so I thought I would share those:

Ruk Raek Po means "love at first site" & how we felt the first time we saw her big, brown eyes.

Hua jai kong pom ben kong koon means "my heart is yours" and really, that says it all.

Love to everyone today and love to your precious little ones!

Snapping Out of It

Okay, I am climbing out of the doldrums today. I get so down some times, but I don't stay that way for long. I can't. Life is too short and there are far too many things to be grateful for. Going to try on that dreaded word  (patience) today and grab myself a better perspective. Again. 

I sit sometimes and ask myself WHY? Why are we still waiting? What is the Universe trying to tell me? What do I still have yet to do? The truth is there are still a lot of things I'd like to accomplish and learn before we get her. I thought I was learning to be patient, but evidently I still have much more to gain in that department! :-)

So here is the short list of things I can do right now to be ready for our baby and kill time...

1. Get myself in better shape. God knows, I have a weak back and some serious girly-girl arms. Time to toughen up so I can carry that precious baby of mine around non-stop. Cause seriously, how will I ever want to put her down?  Went to the gym today and had a great work out. 45 minutes of cardio and some sit-ups and weights. First time I did weights for my back in like 10 years. It was time!

2. Learn more Thai language. Time to crack down and study that Rosetta Stone more often. Also talk to my friend (who is Thai) about baby words I need to known and have her translate both a thank you letter to the orphanage and care givers and also a list of questions for me. She has agreed to do this for me and I am trying to narrow down the LONG list of questions I have.

3. Learn more baby signing. We learned a good bit but could learn more.

4. Read more. I have at least 4 more books I want to read that are sitting on the shelf and I have been meaning to get to. Toddler Adoption, Zen Guide to Parenting, a couple Baby Wise books, Super Foods for babies and kids, and a raising a toddler book I picked up recently. And then there is Skinny Bitch which I borrowed from my cousin but never finished that would help me with  #1. LOL.

5. Learn more about racism in transracial adoption and how to deal with it. Research it, join groups, etc.

6. Get to know other moms and adoptees in my area. (Just found two moms in my area thanks to the world wide web! So excited!)

7. Visit the Montessori Pre-K and get to know the teachers in my area.

8. Cook more and try out some of the healthy recipes I want to make for my daughter. Could use a refresher course on my Thai cooking as well. Muk, where are you when I need you?? :-)

9. Pray more, meditate more, trust more. Actually, this should have been first!

10. Record the children's CD that I have been wanting to do. Plan on going into the studio in March to record a few tracks and re-do the vocals that I did for our daughter back in the summer. It will be a collection of lullabies and I want to either start a charity to go with it, or donate some of the proceeds to a Thai, orphans, or children's charity. Not sure of all the particulars yet. May start my own charity so I can divide it up between a few charities near and dear to my heart. Or I may just do one for greater impact. Hard to decide, but I am very excited about the project. Was going to put it off till later, but decided the time is NOW.

Wishing everyone a beautiful day and thanking you once again for your friendship, kindness, and support!

It's Like Peeing On A Stick

Forgive the title, but those of you that have jumped through infertility hoops and are now (im)patiently waiting through the adoption process...well, you know what I mean. Every month you have hope. The joy, the excitement, the giddiness, the shopping, the planning. Every month you are SURE that THIS IS THE MONTH. We are going to get our baby! We are going to get that referral! Your heart is swollen as much as you thought your breasts and belly were when you were SO darn sure you were pregnant. Every month. 

And like peeing on a stick, there is the crushing blow that follows. The day each month when you realize that, no, it's not happening for you again. Perhaps the next board meeting. Perhaps another month. It can only be just one more month, right?

The feeling is the same, except now it is more intensified. You have seen her face. You have seen her grow from one photo to the next (taken months and months apart). That is, if you are lucky enough to get an update at all. You know she is growing up while you are not there. You are missing her life. SHE is missing her life. You both are missing the love and the laughter and hugs and kisses and tickles. She turned 22 months yesterday...without us. Not being there for her first birthday was so sad. Will we miss her 2nd also? I'm starting to wonder. Where is that positive attitude I held on to so tightly? Of course, I know we will get her soon and make up for as much lost time as we can. But just like someone telling you to be patient and that it will happen at the right time...that just isn't always comforting.

On an up note, I am so grateful for the friends I have met on this journey. You all continue to lift me up and give support when I need it most. Whether it's a kind word on the comments page or a personal email or phone call, it means so much.  Thank you. We also deeply appreciate the parents that have gone over to Thailand and sent us pictures of our baby. It means more than you could ever imagine. We intend to do the same for other families, so if anyone knows someone adopting from Nakhon Si Thammarat, feel free to pass on my email. We will do our best to get photos and info for them while there.

In the meantime, I am going to go pull myself up, dust myself off, and start the roller coaster all over again. Going up anyone?

I Need To Be Stopped

Every time I get either real excited about our baby or real down, anxious, or impatient (or sometimes even a strange combination of all of the above) I start shopping again. We needed baby gates. We needed special locks for her bedroom windows and a stove guard. Okay, no problem. We needed a bathtub to put inside our rather large bathtub for her safety and comfort too. AND she needs to have bubble bath and bath toys, too, right? 

Well, that would have been fine if I stopped there. But no, that wouldn't be like me now would it? I did my blog reading last night and found some rather stressful articles out there. Stumbled upon some adoptees that are having a seriously tough time being adopted. One that really resents her adoptive family. Really, really sad for all involved. I'd like to think I have read enough to not make the same mistakes (like talking openly with her about everything, keeping her heritage very much a part of our every day lives, making sure we live in and send her to a school in an area that is ethnically diverse, seeking out therapy if necessary, having other friends that are adopted from Thailand, adopting another child - an Asian sibling down the road, etc). I have thought about this a LOT, but surely everyone makes SOME mistakes. How do I know if I my daughter will love us or hate us for adopting her? It's such a hard thing to think about. Of course, you never really know till later. I've read so much on this subject and think I am armed to handle the situation,... but am I? Are any of us? It really got me down last night. We love this child so much already and to think she could resent us for adopting her one day is enough to break my heart in half. I gotta believe it won't be that way and I have to stop reading so much!

Another family I read about found out their child's special needs were much, much more than they thought.  I felt so much for them and their beautiful child and then my wondering mind had me thinking of how our daughter was and if there would be any surprises turning up on her medical. I was up till 1 am and in my stress and worry I turned to online shopping again. Here are the results of my anxiety. Someone please tell me to get off the computer!

Asian learn-to-dress doll. Cute and educational. I needed it, right? Babyoffice.com

Multi-cultural family for dollhouse play. Babyoffice.com This is a GREAT site BTW, and not my fault if you buy something! In fact, it was another blogger or adoption group person who posted this and got me in trouble. Let's blame her. :-)

These are the international food sets from Pottery Barn Kids. So. Darn. Cute. Made of fabric, not plastic and very realistic looking. The Japanese one above is still available online, but the Chinese one is only at a few stores who have them left. Not Thai, but close enough to the kind of food we eat and hope she will eat. Hope being the operative word. We are going to try to do as much fruit, veggies, rice, and fish as possible. That is what she is eating now so we hope to continue the healthy eating routine with her. At least until she is older. We'll see how that goes!

One last thing...our social worker mentioned it would be a good idea to get a book about an airplane or plane rides to explain to her while in Thailand. Found a bunch on Amazon, but these 2 spoke to me the most.

So you see my dilema? So much to buy, entirely too much time waiting! What's a girl to do???Please, if I mention something else I am looking at gently tell me to step away from the computer at once!!

Home Visit #2 & Other Exciting Tidbits

Our home study social worker, Cindy.

Jeff and Cindy over coffee, cake, and paperwork.

Baby stuff washed and ready for her arrival!

Well, it's been awhile. I bet you all wondered if I had fallen off the face of the earth! Between the cold/flu, the very busy Philadelphia Auto Show, AND getting ready for our second home study, it's been an EXHAUSTING week! HOWEVER, it's been a very good week. Especially, after I started feeling better! Not usually one to take a lot of medicine, but I highly recommend the Z-pack. Think I will try to get one to take along with us to Bangkok...just in case!

Today Cindy from Adoption Horizons came for our second home visit. It was really nice morning and we had great long chats about everything from the first week home, to tips for Thailand and things to help her sleep at home - like having white noise, NOT rocking after awhile so she remembers being put in her crib and where she is, etc. Jeff cleaned the house yesterday while I was working (God bless him!) so all I had to do is get up, shower, do some dishes, and bake some yummy gingerbread cake - both to eat and to smell up the house. :-)  I couldn't have timed it better and when she got there the cake just came out of the oven, coffee made, the table was cleared and all of Ruby's baby dishes and bottles were washed and drying by the sink. Been meaning to wash them for weeks now as they have just been piled up on the counter. (So great to be washing her bottles!) I told her to take a good look around at how the place looks now because the NEXT time she visits it will probably be total chaos and she'll be tripping over toys! LOL! 

The whole meeting went great and the home study just about done! She will write up the report on her end and we'll call our local USCIS office to give them a head's up it is coming. Then we just wait for that referral, correct or update things with Cindy if needed, then she'll send to the USCIS office. It takes a few weeks to process, but since it also takes a good few weeks to get travel dates after referral, I think we will be good to go. Perfect timing for all of it!

Now speaking of that referral...Kate from Wacap finally got an email back from Thailand. They are submitting their next group of families for referrals at this week's board meeting (on the 11th). Yay! We HAVE to be in that group! Our dossier has been in, officially, since June.Our agency really feels like we will be getting it soon. Sometimes the social workers will give Wacap a head's up that the referrals are coming and for whom, but they also may just mail them and we won't know for a couple weeks. Like everything else, we'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, we have other great news...

Another family is going to Nakhon Si Thammarat! Thanks to my dear friend, Sharon, that found her on another adoption group, I "met" this wonderful mom and have been corresponding with her. She is going to try to get a pic of our daughter for us and look in on her! We are SOOOO excited! To think that in a week from now we could be staring at an updated photo of our baby! The last photo we have is from September. In it she's 18 months and she will be 22 months on Wed. - the day of the board meeting. This mom is going to try to find out how she's doing and what size she is and all that good stuff. What a gift to find this person! We are going to meet in Thailand in a few months when it's our turn and will be able to thank her in person. Such a small world. Such an amazing, wonderful, small world.

So a lot has been going on around here lately. Jeff & I have both been working non-stop. Getting closer to Thailand and our little girl every day. I am tired, but I am happy. Perhaps a lot like our state of existence when Ruby first gets here, right? Everything we do lately seems like good practice for the days to come. Perhaps it's just because there isn't a minute that goes by that we aren't thinking of her. Talking about her coming home with Cindy today was really exciting. The next time we see her will be with our baby in our arms!

Thanks, everyone, for the well wishes when I was sick!!

Aaa-choo!

Well, the winter weather and my crazy schedule has gotten the best of me. Really, it was probably from all those sleepless nights in Detroit that got me run down, but I like to blame it on winter. It's just too cold!! I've got a really bad flu/cold and it had me in bed all day on Saturday. Urrrgh. I had to take a day off of the Philadelphia Auto Show on the first public day. Been taking O-doses of Emergen-C and started antibiotics. I finally feel a bit better today, thank God!

The good news is Jeff got home on Saturday and was such a sweetheart. Totally took care of me. Ran out and got me hot soup and teas and nasal spray. I knitted half a scarf while laying around unable to breathe and watched a great old movie with Jimmy Stuart and Grace Kelly called Rear Window. Fantastic film. It's a classic and I always wanted to see it. 

It's so nice having Jeff home and working a show from home so we can be together. There's nothing better than snuggling up next to him on the couch...even on football night. :-)

Daddy Shops Too!

Don't know if my bad habits are rubbing off on the husband or if he is just super excited about his little girl - quite certain it's the latter. I found a box on the porch when I came home and opened it to find these cute noise canceling ear muffs and fuzzy headset for ipod. So cute and great protection. Made for babies and toddlers. Not expensive either. Think he got both for$35.00. Can buy on www.earplugstore.com (sorry Rosemary!) He even did something that is so typically me. He saw some ball players child at a game (okay that part isn't me) and looked up a pic of them on google. He found out what brand it is and ordered online. That is the part that is me, of course. I look up everything and research for hours if I want to find something. Little does he know that I had been eyeballing those ear muffs for some time after I saw Gwyneth's girl, Apple had sported them at a concert. Ruby will be in good company!

Home Sweet Home

Feels so good to be home! Jeff is still out of town for business, but I woke up to find my two furry ones snuggled up in bed with me. So cute that they stayed up there all night! Our dog, Chloe, stays at the neighbors when we are gone, but Mr. Max stays home alone and just gets visits from the neighbors at feeding time. He must have been so lonely because he left out the longest, whiniest meow when I walked in the door and has been glued to my side ever since. He's usually very independent so it's really sweet. Both are just so cute and following me around from room to room as I unpack, do laundry, put things away, empty trash, etc. These are the furry little critters (above) snuggling on the couch after they got groomed a few weeks ago. Max got the lion cut. Note how thoroughly annoyed he looks.

I had my physical today to update our home study so one more thing off the list! AND - get this - Jeff's fingerprint approval came in already! We must have a friend or something in that office because that is some seriously fast work! Jeff has to get his physical next week and we do another home study visit and that's it! Since we don't have the referral yet, there is no worry at all that it won't be done and processed on time. So that is one good thing about the referral not showing up yet. The only one! Hurry up and get here already! There is a board meeting today in Thailand (it's Wed in Thailand though Tues here). I couldn't help but think about it all day. 

Auto Show Knitting Club

Sound like an oxymoron? Yea, that's what I thought too! When my friend Tammy suggested it would be a fun thing for us to do while holed up in our hotel rooms in Detroit I actually laughed. I was like, you want to what??? Isn't that for Grannies? Well, she was serious and so were a bunch of the girls. Hmmmm, I thought. Knitting??? Okay, well, far be it from me to not try something new. I borrowed some knitting needles from my Dad's fiance, Lyn, and decided to try. My friend Christine bought me some beautiful pink yarn so I could make something for the baby. I almost gave up after the first night. Tammy kept telling how zen and relaxing it was but for me it was extremely tedious and boring. I was so annoyed that I tossed the whole ball of yarn in the corner of the room and that is where it sat for a good few days. Then everyone started bring their project to work. And showing off their new creations. Now my pride started kicking in. If they can figure it out, then surely I can! So low and behold, I went to Tammy's room last night with another friend, Sara, and the 3 of us sat their knitting. I can't believe it. I can knit! And once I got the hang of it, it WAS relaxing. Who knew? I highly doubt this will be a favorite past time, but it is kinda cool to be making a home made gift for Ruby. I'll post a pic when it actually looks like something. Being a beginner I have decided to make something very simple. It will be a baby blanket for Ruby's first baby doll she got for Christmas. In pink,  of course!

Tammy & Patricia all eager to start. These pics are from the first night, a week ago.

Christine, Sara, & Darci looking very determined and dedicated.

All of us settling in on the floor. You can see I am much more dedicated to what is on TV than my knitting. LOL.

The Roller Coaster Continues

Up, down, and up again.  (Sigh) What a ride.  At least I am not staying down for long. A family from Wacap got their referral yesterday. While we are thrilled that another child gets a family and happy for that family (whoever they may be), I was rather bummed to hear only ONE referral came in. I read the word "one" and my heart sank. I thought they came in batches? Where are the rest? I was like, um, you forgot a few! I can't stand the thought of waiting yet another month and having to wait even longer to hold our little girl. Yesterday I saw a cute baby being held by her mom at the auto show and it got me all choked up. My baby needs to be held! Why oh why does she have to wait so long? It doesn't seem fair that she is in need of someone to love her and here we are so wanting to hold and love her, but we can't be there yet. I know everyone is doing the best they can to get these kids home with their families, but some days it's just so frustrating! And some times it just gets to me despite my best efforts.

Jeff was actually excited by the news. He took it as a good thing and feels confident that it means ours will be in soon. That thought is so much better than mine so I am jumping on his bandwagon and forcing myself to stay positive. After all, they ARE working on Wacap families now and that is GREAT. One more family is rejoicing and we are one more step closer to our daughter. A friend reminded me how other agencies have had them trickle in over a week or so period. So let's go with that! Here's to more referrals for us Wacap families this month!! Cross those fingers and and say some prayers, people! Pray, meditate, chant! Repeat after me: MUST. GET. REFERRALS!

Think Baby

Like I can think of much else! But, no, actually, Think Baby is the name of a cool company that makes really safe items for baby! I ordered this cute set online last night. It's PBA free, phthalate free, lead free and a couple other things that I didn't even know were bad. Check out their products at www.thinkbabybottles.com.

Another cool online purchase I made last night was this Rubber Ducky that is actually all rubber. Imagine that.  I have to admit, it's not the cutest rubber duck I have seen. But it is the safest. I got the sitting down version. Found it and these cute (and safe) bowls at www.parentingbynature.com.

There are still a few things I am drooling over and thinking about. I LOVE toys from Haba. They have so many cute things and are all made of wood and natural materials with non-toxic paint.

LOVE this little Garden set! Found it and a lot of Haba toys at Petit Baby. So cute and has little pegs for stacking. This one I am seriously thinking about. The edu-cube, too. Does anyone have one and did your child like it? The teether I am not sure about yet. I think I will still need it for a 2 year old. Do I need more than one? If I do, I am thinking about is this:

Sophie the Giraffe. A classic. Made in France of all natural rubber with no PVC or harmful stuff. Super cute and certainly a unique looking teether. I better get some sleep tonight...these late nights online are dangerous for my pocket-book! I like awake at night thinking, okay, what didn't I do? What am I forgetting? Suddenly I sit up and go TOYS! She doesn't have many toys! Oh, and she needs a teether...I think...and bath toys...and...

Insomnia

Is it excitement or anxiety? Hmmm. Not sure. I feel like I have been handling things okay, but my body (or brain) might be telling me otherwise. I just can't sleep!  I lie awake and think of when we will hear the news, who I will call, what all I have to do, how I gotta get those darn baby gates up when I get home, things I still need, etc. 

Of course, my hotel room may be a contributing factor. The heater appears to have 2 settings. Full blast dry-your-face-out heat or turned down freeze-your-toes off cold. Uggh! So I get up at least twice a night either gasping for air and some water or I am pulling on more layers. I adjust the temperature either up or down every few hours. Doesn't seem to be a happy medium for me temperature wise!

Other than that, all is well. Only 4 days left of the Detroit Auto Show and I am thrilled to be going home soon! My next show is in Philly so I can stay home awhile. Hooray!! The show hasn't been to bad actually. Not nearly as crowded at previous years. I guess that's a sign of the times. 

Buzz

There is such a buzz in the air lately! So much going on in the Thai adoption world and lots of activity on the yahoo group this week. People who are traveling, those who got their long awaited referral, others who are still gathering paperwork and trying to figure out this tid-bit or that. It's so exciting! Sure, we all have moments of stress. There are so many emotions and ups and downs that come with the territory. But look at the end result! 

And in case you wondered...NO I am not always Little Miss Chipper. BELIEVE ME. When I realized our daughter wouldn't be home for Christmas I was a sappy mess. Total waterworks. But I have made a real conscience effort the last month or so to be as positive as I can. This is an amazing process. The journey to our first child. I have to wait anyway, so I might as well accept and embrace it. Savor every moment, every day dream, every ounce of sleep (LOL)!

Wishing much happiness and peace to those of you in process. Every day, every minute we are that much closer to our children!

Miracles Happen Every Day

Do they ever. If you haven't heard about it already.. a US Airways pilot safely landed a plane on the Hudson River in NYC yesterday. Unbelievable! Evidently, a flock of birds flew into both engines, disabling them and they needed to land right away. There has only been like 1 or 2 flights EVER to land on water like that and have a few people survive. ALL 155 passengers and crew made it off safely! Now if THAT isn't a miracle, I don't know what is! What an incredible story! Read more about it here.

We had a mini-miracle of our own today. Jeff got home to find 3 important things in the mail for us. Two were the PA Child Abuse Clearance forms (one for each of us) that are said to take 2-3 weeks. We got them back in a week! The 3rd piece of mail was the most shocking...my fingerprint approval came back already!!! We were told by our home study agency that they take 4-6 weeks. The guy who took them said it could be 6-8 weeks. I dismissed that thought immediately. I was like, okay, then 4 weeks! That's enough time. Well, here I got it back in ONE! Jeff has to go get his fingerprints done tomorrow, but with the quick turn-around I had, I don't anticipate any problems getting his back in a decent amount of time. We will have all our paperwork done and waiting for Cindy when she comes to do another home-study visit at the end of the month! And maybe even have that referral by then, too! 

A Little Reassurance

...goes a long way! Got an email from Kate at Wacap last night. She said the DSDW emailed her the night before to say they are working on Wacap families and had been behind a bit. She felt that she would be getting the next batch of referrals from her VERY soon and even felt pretty sure about us getting ours! I know this isn't really new news, but just confirmation. Still it feels good. It's really coming! The way this process works, you have days where you just go, okay, am I making this up? Am I just overly optimistic that it will be here this month? There are no guarantees, of course, but even our agency feels confident in it which makes me feel it all the more.

 In days, perhaps, or just a week or two I could be holding it in my hands. I just get goose bumps when I think of how it will feel! Having that referral and knowing with absolute certainty that she is ours will be amazing!  Also to receive new photos and see how she is doing and growing...I can't wait to see! The last pic I have is at 18 months. She is now 21 months. How much has she changed in 4 months? Do babies grow a lot between 18-21? I don't really know. But I am dying to see her sweet face and get her full medicals and know everything there is to (currently) know about her. My baby. My beautiful sweet baby. She has no idea how her life is about to change.

Weekly Inspiration: Acceptance

"Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections." unknown

This week I am in the Motor City for the long and exhausting Detroit Auto Show. It is very cold here, there aren't a lot of great restaurant choices, AND there isn't a Starbucks. I was especially cranky about the last one as I love my super-strong skinny late! However, I have been working on something lately and quite simply, that is acceptance.

I don't have my referral yet. But I am happy and excited just reveling in the fact that it is coming soon. I am not in beautiful, warm Thailand holding my child. I am in freezing cold Detroit. But I will be there soon and appreciate it all even more! I didn't find a Starbucks, but I am lucky to have coffee...and breakfast....and afford to eat when I am hungry, unlike many in this world.

So today I am counting my blessings and being glad for what I have right now:

An opportunity to work a lot this month and next so my wait will go faster.

An opportunity to even have a great job in this economy.

An opportunity to see and hang out with many of my good friends the next 2 weeks.

A chance to miss my husband, making our reunion when we get home all the sweeter.

A couple weeks to work on my Rosetta Stone Thai.

Lots of time in my hotel room to catch up on reading.

And lastly, I found some ground Starbucks at the CVS to make my own morning brew in my room.

Life is good!

True Confession

I am really a type A personality. (Okay, those that know me are laughing right now going REALLY? You think?) I have to be busy, active, productive, etc. Perfect for my new life with baby, right? I am sure we will not have a dull moment! :-) The thing is I handle pressure far better than sitting around. I am really so much happier being able to DO (ei: control) something to move things along than to sit back and wait and hope and wait some more. So, yes, I am tired , but I feel good. Mission(s) accomplished! Here's what I am happy about today...

1. Yesterday we found the last address we needed for the Child Abuse Clearance. Jeff's address from 16 years ago. Thanks to his Dad who has a sharper memory than I!

2. Jeff filled in the info, signed, and sent of the form so one more thing DONE.

3. Got my VERY hairy animals groomed and cut short yesterday, lest everything I own continue to be sprinkled with fur! They look so cute all buzzed down but that cat is NOT thrilled. Still hiding. Will have to post a pic on here later. 

4. Got tire fixed on car and it only took 45 minutes. Just enough time to make some calls and check email!

5. Got nails, toes, and brows done. I love the people a the mall salon where I go. They are excited to meet our girl someday (even though I think they wish I was adopting from Vietnam since that is where they are from).  I told them, if sometime soon I disappear for a few months it's because I am either in Thailand or adjusting to life with a toddler! I told them when I do come back there will be probably be nothing but stubs where my nails used to be! They laughed and said, it's okay, we fix you up and paint your daughter's nails, too! Too cute. 

6. Found a great pair of cute but VERY comfortable shoes for auto show. You can not imagine how important this is until you stand on your feet in heels for 15 days straight. Priceless!

7. Finished laundry and started packing. Still have to finish that packing today.

8. Ordered my skin care online a few days ago and it got her just in time for my trip.

9. FINALLY, entered all the names in to invite to blog! Hope you all got here without too much trouble. I hate being private as I am not too private a person at all. But when it comes to our baby, I will have to be. I'm dying to put her pic on here, but am still going to hold out a little until we get our referral and possible until we get to Thailand. Just don't want to do anything that could mess things up. Especially when we are so close now.

Hope you are all having a wonderful day! Thanks for following our journey!

Jen

Private At Last

Took me awhile to get to this. It may be me, but I haven't found an easy way to enter the names so I have to do them one at a time, while going back to my address book each time to get it. Painfully slow process!

More soon and new stuff to blog coming!

Crazy Rainy Day

Or not! Wasn't sure what to call this post. Thought about it off and on all day. Should I call it Rain, Rain Go Away, Too Many Things To Do Today? Should I call it Holy Paperwork, Batman! or OMG I Can't Believe It's Not Finished! Once I blew through a few online forms and started checking off the list I thought I might call it I AM WOMAN HEAR ME ROAR! But when I got a flat tire on the turnpike in the pouring rain and I decided to go with the above title. Whew! What a day. Crazy, busy day. Ran like mad, had to drive all over creation to get the right forms and get things rolling for the home study, but WOW do I feel great! Got so much accomplished and will sleep like a baby!

So for those of you that are dying to know what on earth we have to do with our home studies, here is what WE have to do. Every state is totally different so call your home study agency right away if you think you have to update. Our home study agent AH (Adoption Horizons) spoke with our placement agency (Wacap) last night and they figured it all out. Here is what the home study agent told me we needed to do. To my surprise, it really wasn't that bad. Not NEARLY as bad as the first go-round of paperwork.

1. New home visit. Scheduled a date when I get back in town (Jan. 29th).

2. New physicals for both. I scheduled us both for Jan 27th. (AH will mail us forms to take with us to get physical and have Dr. fill out. We will turn in these forms to them on 29th.

3. State Criminal Clearance. Now I don't know about all states, but I did these online and it was very easy. Cost $10 each and I was able to print them out. DONE! (If only it was all this easy!!)

4. PA Child Abuse Clearance. This was fun. These take 2-3 weeks to process so to avoid further delay in having them mailed, AH's found a center in our area (well, sort of close) that had forms I could pick up. So I drove about an hour to get them, stopped by a bank and got a money order ($20 for both of us), filled them out while scratching my head trying to remember every address we have ever had and the middle names of all of our family members.  Called the parents who came to the rescue with misc. info while I was driving in the pouring rain trying to find parking for Fed-X. I get to the Fed-X office and sign my form. I finish filling out Jeff's form and stuff the money order in with both and send to Jeff who's out of town on business. He will then sign and date his form and Fed-X the whole thing to the appropriate office. Whew! Thank God for technology, right? Where WOULD we be without phones, faxes, fed-x, computers and the like? My Garmin guided me to all my destinations today. Speaking of which...

5. New Fingerprints as per the new Adam Walsh law requiring a set to be taken for the state's records. The good news is you can register and pay for them online ($36 each). So I did that this morning and printed up both our confirmations and directions to the nearest locations to get fingerprinted. Well the closest one needed an appt and the 2nd closest was closed until the 11th...so I went to the 3rd closest which wasn't close at all! It was about an hour in the opposite direction of the office wear I got my forms and found a Fed-X. So me and my handy Garmin got the address queued and headed off for more rain, traffic, and excitement. I finally came screeching into the UPS Store parking lot at 20 min's of 5:00. They stop fingerprinting at 5 pm. Aaah, I had made it. The last task to complete. For the home study, that is.

I still have to pack and get ready for my 16 day trip to Detroit to work the auto show and get it all done by the time I leave Sat. And take the car in for a new tire. And call the plumber about the rain coming in the basement after they were supposed to have fixed the gutter problem. But that's another story...

Back to the home study....

 Once Jeff comes home and does his fingerprints we will have to wait 4-6 weeks for those to process. Our agency thinks it could be sooner. I hope so cause those fingerprint approvals are the only thing that could hold things up. Our local US CIS office is really great. Jeff talked to them and they are aware of the situation and will expedite it quick for us. So I think we will be good to go! Just a little more patience and we are home free! Having to do all this paperwork should have stressed me out to no end. But instead it made me really happy. We made it to crunch time! We are rushing to get it done because WE ARE THAT CLOSE!! Even our agencies feel it. This is good stuff here. So bring on the madness! With it comes baby!