Happy Easter

As I celebrated with my mom and dad today, I wondered...would there be a little one at the table next Easter?  I know that the odds are slim, but it is fun to dream.  This week I realized once more that I am not alone in my journey.  Don't get me wrong, I have the greatest friends and family supporting me throughout the highs and lows...but sadly I often forget my biggest supporter, God!  This past week I was struggling to get more documentation for my dossier.  I had to go three different places and finally, I found a caring lady who went above and beyond for me!  And get this, her cousin is adopting from Haiti!  God continues to show me in different ways that he is always with me and I need that.  I need to keep him front and center in my journey, as he is really the only one who knows how the journey is going to go.

Tomorrow is a new day, a new month, and the beginning of a week off!  Will this be my month?  I can only hope!  I will be sure to keep you posted.

Unsure

I read a lot of blogs!  Teaching blogs, adoption blogs, organizing blogs, you name it I will probably read it.  I have read some awesome blogs on adoption, depicting the whole story...the highs, the lows, the joys, and the tears.  I have been amazed at the strength of these individuals.  Well yesterday and today I experienced a high and a low, and to be honest...I don't quite think I have been very strong.

Yesterday, I got my paperwork back and learned my fingerprints were approved (not that I was worried) but then today I learn that Haiti may be changing its travel requirements.  They are looking at requiring adopting parents to spend 2 weeks in Haiti bonding with their child while being observed by a social worker.  Of course I feel bonding is important, I can't wait to spend 2 weeks with my child...but that requirement is just another change, a possible slow down? maybe.

I am unsure if this will pass, I am unsure if this will affect me, and once again I am reminded that adoption is filled with lots of these unsure moments.  Tonight I will say an extra prayer that it will all work out. Tomorrow is a new day and one day closer to me becoming a mom

Mail...

My mailbox is normally filled with catalogs, bills, or junk.  Today, however it was filled with multiple things that made me very excited!  First, I received my documents back from the state of IL!!!  That was a wonderful turnaround.  I sent them on the 9th.  Of course when I opened the package, I was a little discouraged to find 2 of the letters weren't accepted because of notary wording.  REALLY???  So say a prayer that I can get these 2 letters fixed and sent back as quick as possible.

The 2nd envelope was from ....

This letter and I quote said "NOTICE OF FAVORABLE DETERMINATION CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR ADVANCE PROCESSING OF ORPHAN PETITION"  So you ask, what does that mean???  Well to be honest, I don't know but I know it has to be good:)  I know it is one more step closer to my little one.

SO as I sign off to get some shut eye, I will be saying a prayer for all those little ones in the world waiting for a forever home!  I will also be praying that one of those little ones is coming to this forever home.

Luck of the Irish

Well as many of you know, being Irish is very important to me!  I love all that is Irish!  ND football, wearing green, and Ireland (even though I have never been there:).  Today being St. Patrick's Day, makes me wonder, will this be the week?  Will the luck of the Irish carry into this week?  As a new teacher, St. Patrick's Day tended to bring me a pink slip and an uncertain job outlook.  Will this St. Patrick's day week bring me a touch of pink or blue and the start of a wonderful journey with a little one?  We shall see! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Fingerprints!

Today Mom & Dad & I hopped in the car for our fingerprint road trip!  2 hours and 25 minutes later...we arrived.  We were early, so we stopped at Subway, got a drink, I made some calls for other adoption paperwork, and decided to go ahead and go in early.  Mom and Dad waited in the car and I proceeded in.  The immigration office was located in a strip mall and as soon as I walked in, I felt like I was in a DMV!  I filled out a form, waited, got called, waited again, stood up gave up control of both hands to the lady who took the fingerprints and was back in the car 5 minutes later!  Mom pointed out that I got out before my appointment was even suppose to start!  So when you are that close to a great mall...what do you do????  SHOP!!!

We decided it would be fun to buy little one a toy, since today was one more step closer to his or her arrival!  As we were walking to the Disney Store, we saw the Build A Bear Workshop and decided that might be fun!!  So we built little one its first teddy bear.  The first of many I am sure!

Other news, I was also able to pick up the pediatrician letter!  All the paperwork is coming together!

So until I have a picture of little one to share....I will share little one's friend "Baby Bear."

Just a few things...

This week I go get my fingerprints!  Today I mailed off 8 documents to the State of Illinois, for authentication.  I was so nervous to give up these documents, as they are the originals, but I re-read the instructions twice before I sealed the envelope and gave it to the lady at the post office.  I have 3 more papers to get, hopefully that will happen this week and then they will go off for authentication also.  Once they are all authenticated, off they go to Adoption Link and one more step will be accomplished!

One of the papers I am waiting to get is a pediatrician letter.  I knew I wanted a pediatrician in my hometown, as I am planning to go with child care here too.  I haven't had much luck with medical personnel with previous letters I needed, so I was a little apprehensive to find a pediatrician.  Last Monday, I was off work, so I decided to just walk in and ask.  I am so glad I did.  They were great!  Not only would they write it, they would also notarize it, the pediatrician asked to meet me, and the nurse practitioner met me and told me she has done mission trips to Haiti!  I am a firm believer in things happen for a reason and knew when I left, that I picked the right office!

I must say that lately when my phone rings or I get an email, I wonder "Is this it?"  I am very excited and can't wait to see who the little person is that will make me the luckiest mom in the world!  Stay tuned!