Just Us

This seems to be the mantra of many adoptive families, and the more I'm in this process, the more I understand it. In fact, this has become my go-to description when talking to friends and family that ask how the adoption process is going - "hurry up and wait" is my response. You fill out forms as fast as you can... and then you wait. You complete training in record time.. and then you wait. You collect official copies of every single certificate ever associated with your life before they're even asked for... and then you wait. Your application is accepted, you rush to fill out the next set of forms... and then you wait again. Those of you that have never gone through this process may think I'm exaggerating a bit, but really I'm not. There are so many processes during an adoption that are not in your control, so much of waiting on other people and governments. Even so, my personal desire and drive is to do everything that is in our control as thoroughly and ...

I've heard people call an adoption a paper pregnancy, and I believed them, but now I'm experiencing it for myself. Not a whole lot has happened since the last time I gave an update, except for paper... lots of paper. And it's really only the beginning. Some of it feels reduntant. How many times do you need to know my name and age? It hasn't changed from the last five time I told you! Some of it though is helpful. It really makes you think about why you do what you do, and it's so easy to go through life and not really stop to think about why we are doing the things we're doing. We are also getting ready for our first Home Study visit this Friday! We are excited and nervous. If you think of it, say a prayer for us. I will tell you one thing, by the time Friday rolls around, our house will have NEVER been cleaner! You think you clean like a crazy person when you're having guests over? You ain't got nothin' on me! I realize I haven't cleaned ...