Single Digits!

9 more days....9 more days....9 more days....

The medical reviews of the children's files is now complete and ready to be sent to waiting parents. In my program alone, there are three families just like us - waiting patiently (or not so patiently), for our Ministry approval. The latest update has been that the Ministry is taking up to 21 weeks to review files. We are praying that the Ministry contact who said they would expedite our files will follow through. If she does, then we should receive our referral within the next 9 days!!

Now that the time is so near, I find myself thinking about our child, the process, and what we are about to experience ALL THE TIME!! Patience does not come naturally to me - but I am learning!

Counting Down...

13 days...13 days...13 days....hurry up!! :)

Counting Down....

15 days.....15 days....we can make it another 15 days....sigh....

Sooooo excited!! :)

AdopTalk & The Rowdies!

Wow! What a wonderful weekend!


Paul and I have attended quite a few adoption seminars/courses, but none have been as informative or enjoyable as the one we attended this weekend. This seminar was specifically geared to adoptive parents from our agency, those who are adopting internationally. We covered many relevant topics, ones that we feel will help us as we continue our adoption journey. 


The best part is that we were able to connect with other couples going through the same process. I cannot even put into words how reassuring it is to be able to talk to people who can truly relate to what you are going through...it was great! In particular, we met two couples who sat at the same table as us...which eventually was referred to as 'The Rowdies' by our seminar leaders! Hehe!


With our new friends we shared our stories, laughed a lot, and promised to keep in touch. We are looking forward to getting together with them again soon. :)

Well put...

 Child to Love

Longing for a child to love,


I’d wish upon the stars above.


In my heart I always knew,


A part of me was meant for you.


I think how happy we will be,


Once I adopt you, and you adopt me.


I dream of all the joy you’ll bring,


Imagining even the littlest things.

The way it will feel to hold you tight,


And tuck you in every night

The drawings on the refrigerator door,


And childhood toys across the floor.


The favorite stories read again and again,


And hours of games with make-believe friends.


The day you took my outstretched hand,


A journey ended, but our lives began.


Still mesmerized by your sweet face,


Still warmed inside by our first embrace.


I promised to give you a happy home,


And a loving family all your own.


A house you’ve now made complete,


With laughter, smiles, and tiny feet.


---Unknown

Comments!

I have changed the settings on my blog to allow comments from anyone...even if you are not a registered blogger, you can now post at any time. Thanks, L, for the heads up that I needed to change my settings!


Paul and I love reading the comments from everyone, so please feel free to comment as often as you would like! We love being able to share our adoption journey with all of our friends and family. :)

November 9th....19 days...

I spoke with our adoption agency this afternoon and they were able to provide us with some updated information.

As most of you know, the Ontario Ministry has been taking FOREVER to process homestudy's over the past six months. Our agency has been advocating on our behalf to have our paperwork processed faster, as the wait has now increased to 18 weeks! The agency, however, has been able to contact a worker at the Ministry who has flagged our file for a possible speedier approval.

The person who runs our program at the agency will be traveling to Korea for the next two weeks. She believes that when she returns, she will be able to call us with our referral. 

I can't believe it....only 19 days until we get to see our little boy or little girl for the first time!! There are no words to express how happy we are...how excited we are!! 19 days....

House Update

Things have been moving along quickly at the new house. We are really happy with the progress so far!

The outside of the house is almost done....it has windows, doors, the brick is done...we are just waiting for some of the siding to be put up. The inside of the house is moving along as well....they just started putting up the drywall yesterday and the permanent stairs were finally installed.

We have started planning and purchasing materials to build my Dad's basement apartment. I cannot believe how many hours it takes to make decisions about cupboards, toilets, faucets, etc.....it's crazy! However, we are having fun planning the apartment so that it ends up looking exactly right for my Dad. We also hired a contractor to help my Dad and Paul build the basement.

We get the house in two and a half months....it is going by so quickly! :)

My new tub....can't wait!!

My Dad and Paul working at installing computer and t.v. cables before the drywall goes up....the stairs weren't installed yet!

The front of the house as it looks right now...

Adoption Update

After many phone calls and some help from friends, we were able to clarify some of our expected timelines and next steps. 

Our adoption agency has received referrals from China...which means that most likely, our child's photo and information has made it to Canada! The file has been sent the CHEO hospital in Ottawa to be reviewed. It takes approximately four weeks to review....and it has been there for two weeks already! Once the files have been reviewed, the agency can officially match the children with waiting parents.

Unfortunately, we are still waiting for our approval from the Ontario Ministry. However, as soon as that approval has been received, we will be presented with our child's referral. This should be in approximately three weeks....we hope!! Cross your fingers for us that the wait will not be too long!

We have made a 'referral call' plan with our agency. They will call my cell phone once the referral is received and then I will call Paul. We will both immediately head home from work and then call our agency once we are together. We did not want to receive such amazing news without being together. Then.....we celebrate!!!

We are so very happy that our referral day is near....we cannot wait to find out if we have a son or a daughter....life is so good!

Camping

My neighbour and I went camping for the weekend at the beginning of October. We both love camping and we decided that Algonquin in the Fall would be a good idea.

We headed up on Friday, right after school. When we got there it was dark and it was raining lightly. We quickly set up the tent and the kitchen tent....and just as we finished, it started raining even harder. We knew that it would be cold that night, so we bundled up before we hit the hay. I had on two pairs of long-johns, fuzzy jogging pants, two t-shirts, a sweater, a jacket, a winter hat and a scarf. As the night wore on, we realized that even though we bundled up that well, it was still REALLY, REALLY COLD!!! Wow! I have never experienced anything like that....we couldn't even fall asleep, it was so cold!

The sign that greeted us as we registered for our campsite...

The colours of the leaves were unbelievably gorgeous!

The next day was great! We went for a hike, went to the Algonquin visitors centre, and searched for moose. We finally found one along Highway 60. He was trying to find a way to cross the road and join his family on the other side. It was so cool!

The rain continued throughout the day. We watched a storm from a lakeside view and even saw a loon with her babies. They were feeding on fish and calling to one another.

That evening we managed to have a fire for about two hours. We finished our dinner and roasted two marshmallows....and then it started to pour!! We settled in for another chilly night, but we slept a little better...

Overall, it was a great weekend! We relaxed, read for hours, and spent a lot of time in the fabulous outdoors. The colours of the leaves are unlike anything I have ever seen...so, so beautiful!

I Am Thankful...

• for yummy pumpkin pie!!! (if only I could get one that was lactose-free...)


• for beautiful fall colours


• for a Dad that devotes so much of his time to helping us out with everyday chores to getting things ready for the house, the adoption, etc.


• for a good book to read (especially the Twilight series!)


• for my sister...I love her tons!


• for cozy pyjamas on a cold Fall evening


• for getting together for family dinners this weekend


• for my cats


• for wonderful neighbours...whom I miss a ton!


• for our upcoming adoption/referral


• for wonderful friends


• for a career that I love


• for our new home


• for a husband who takes my breath away every day


• for a husband who would give someone the shirt off his back, if they needed it


• for a husband who listens when I have something to say (and I always have a lot to say!)


• for a husband who supports me in whatever I do


• for a husband who cares deeply about his family and friends


• for a husband who so easily agreed to stopping fertility treatments and was then equally excited about adopting


• for a wonderful life....even if it is stressful at times....I am so very blessed

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!