Uphill Struggle

Spent some time talking with a good friend tonight who reminded me that we grow the most during the times when we struggle.  It's hard to see when you're in the midst of the struggle, we're not ready to look back and see how much we've changed, or how far we've come, during this time.    I have faith that at some point, we will be able to look back on all of this.  Albeit, a wavering faith.  Good friends are the best!  I am hopeful that at some point, I will be able to repay all the kindness and support that has been shown to us during this time by so many!  :)  

Where In The World...

....is our blog being viewed?!  We are excited to share that Kelly has discovered the 'Stats' section in Blogger and can see so much!  Wow, I can even see which type of server ya'll are using (Mainly Firefox and Microsoft, but Safari and Apple aren't far behind!)  Weird, like we would ever need to know such things.

 What is exciting, is that our blog is being viewed by people from all over the world!  10 countries and counting!  Cool!
United States
Russia
Germany
Latvia
Netherlands
Haiti
Brazil
Canada
Switzerland
Colombia

This Is It!

A huge huge huge THANK YOU goes out to my teammate and friend, Erin who stopped by tonight to help clean for our first social worker visit tomorrow afternoon.  We are so excited to get to know our social worker and find out more about this intense and amazing process!

Mother's Day this past weekend was wonderful, got to spend time with Tony's family and of course, my nephew Logan (10 months)!   Ever since Tony and I were ready for a family, Mother's Day has been a bittersweet day for me as it's often hard to see others have what I am so looking forward to...it aches in my deepest being.  It's like having two hearts, one that is so happy for my friends and family and one that is sad for us.  My friend Shannon wrote about this on her blog and called biological mothers 'Lucky Ducks' as they get to hold their babies from the instant they come into the world.  It's hard to think that we won't get that opportunity with our babies.  Although,  I've no doubt our kiddos will spare no time giving us plenty of experience as parents!

Eek!  I'm so excited, I might not sleep at all tonight! :)  Prayers please!

Sweetest Card Ever!

Got this card from a student at school for Mother's Day...almost broke down in front of my entire class!

Home Study

I have never completed so much paperwork in my entire life...total!

The home study is is the part of the journey where we get all the rest of the information on our life that wasn't part of the formal application. More paperwork! :) Some is done together, some needs to be done individually.

Here's THE LIST of stuff we are mailing off tomorrow!

Department of Human Services Application
SAFE Questionnaire
Medical Needs Questionnaire
Transcultural Parenting Form
Family History Data
Reading Requirement
Country Decision Form
Educational Commitment
Adult Medical Exam Forms
Affidavit of Health Insurance
Background Check Requests
Changes in Family Status
Consumer Grievance Procedure
Notice to Adoptive Applicants
Discipline Policy
Consumer Confidentiality Rights
Adoption Release & Consent
Post Adoption Service Rights
Disclosure Statement
Duty of Disclosure
Info on Chosen Guardians
Copy of Marriage & Birth Certificates
Copy of Driver's License
10 Hours Online Training Certificates (Each)


It's all worth it! No amount of paperwork will get in our way of becoming a family! :)

Beautiful Hair!

Although we have no preference on gender, it's probably a good idea for Tony and I to start learning how to care for different hair. My own hair has always been a source of contempt for me as I could never just wash and let air dry...no matter what I do, my hair takes time. The more I think about this, the more I realize how cultural hair is. We NEVER spent time on my hair, growing up, it was always something quick to get done to get on to more important things. The more I research (reading & talking) the more I realize how hair can be a very special bonding time and I fully intend on making that so. :)

Therefore, I am getting the knowledge now. I found some great sites and blogs that I think will be so helpful! I've even got one of my previous students to let me practice on her hair (w/mom's permission! :). Because we don't know the actual hair type of course (i.e. there is not 'black hair' and 'white hair'...rather, a seriously HUGE variety), it'll be good to practice on a variety.

Check out this site on learning to do cornrows....it's awesome!

Resources

Watched 'Good Hair' the other day. Funny and informative, thanks Chris Rock!