What Goes Up Must Come Down

Why do I do these things to myself? I stayed up way too late watching Idol and the Biggest Loser finale and I'm feeling it today, physically and mentally.

I'm down today. No sign of a referral yet, and the Referral/Court Date page is looking pretty intimidating.

When is it ever going to be our turn?

Feeling Good, Feeling Fine

It's a weird feeling being atop the famous list. Frankly, I wasn't sure we would ever get there! It's a bit surreal.

To be honest, I was a little disappointed that we didn't get our referral before Mother's Day. I can clearly remember sitting in our Mother's Day service at church last year and thinking, This is going to be my last Mother's Day without a child. But it wasn't so.

I had a feeling when I woke up Friday that we wouldn't be getting our referral that day. And I was not looking forward to Mother's Day morning because I was anticipating what remarks I would get that would make me uncomfortable. There were definitely certain phrases I did NOT want to hear that day.

But I made it through.

On Mother's Day eve, I read the Bottomlys' book From Ashes to Africa in one sitting. I don't know how to put into words how much I loved it. I can only say that reading it was like a healing balm on my heart. It put everything in perspective.

I wanted to post on Mother's Day, but I can't really say what I wanted to any better than she did or she did. Read these and you'll know what was on my heart that day.

And I'm really feeling good this week! I've been able to focus on other things and not feel like I have to check the waiting list, my e-mail, or my cell phone every five minutes. I have peace in my heart.

I can't thank you all enough for praying for us. We can truly feel your prayers. Please continue to pray for us, because our world is about to be turned upside down!

We're also praying for speedy court dates and referrals all around. We can't wait to hear about all the good news ahead!!!

Yay for Emily!

Emily got her referral today!!!! I tend to use lots of exclamation points and smileys and caps in normal instances, so you can imagine what my response was when I heard the good news. I got a sneak peek at the 11.5-month-old cutie, and I've got to say, he may be the cutest kid I've ever seen. So happy for their family!!!

Now how in the world do I concentrate until our call comes? Emily, do you have any advice for me? :)

Here's praying I'm a mom by Mother's Day!!!!

Hoping April Showers Bring May Flowers

Well, here we sit at week 35-ish (not really sure/stopped counting) on the waiting list. I was sure April would be the month. So was our refrigerator calendar.

It was a difficult month, to say the least. I shed lots and lots of tears (April showers, ha ha). I had days when I secretly wished we hadn't decided to adopt because it's so hard. I've checked my cell phone, e-mails, the FBI list, and adoptive family blogs more times than should be allowed. There were days when I begged God that day would be the day. There were a few days that I prayed God wouldn't give us our referral that day because I was having such a bad day and didn't want to spoil our referral. Frankly, some days I was falling apart at the seams.

Despite those Debbie Downer paragraphs, I'm really hopeful about May. April referrals were slow as molasses (for you Southern readers), so if the pattern continues, we should have a bunch this month. And as excited as I am to get our referral, I think I'm just as excited to see my blog friends get their referrals. It gives me hope.

"Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!" ~Isaiah 30:18

What's in a Name?

1 Year Later

One year ago today Dawn and I began our adoption process. Who knew that something could go by so fast and so slow at the same time. This has been an incredible journey for us. We have had many exciting moments as well as many frustrating moments. The timing of all this has been hard for us, thinking we would of already gone and picked up our son by now. However, as hard as this has been I know that God has a perfect plan for us. I know that our perfect boy will come in the time that God has planned for us.

I am so excited about the day we get the phone call so we can see our son for the first time through an email picture. I had no idea that I could love someone so much before I ever saw or meet him.

To my son to be: We can’t wait to see you and meet you. Your mom and I love you and pray for you daily. I know the wait is well worth it and you are going to be the most precious gift from God. Stay strong as you wait for us and know your mom and I wish we didn’t have to stay apart this long. We are coming to get you soon!

Rx for Adoption Brain

What is adoption brain?
Adoption brain is a condition in which one’s mental capacity is greatly decreased due to anticipation of an impending adoption.

What causes adoption brain?
Although onset varies from case to case, generally adoption brain sets in when a wait time has doubled from what was initially expected and is compounded when one nears the top of the wait list.

What are the symptoms of adoption brain?
The most pervasive symptom is the inability to concentrate on even the simplest of intellectual tasks, such as performing many functions of one’s job. Other symptoms manifest in various ways, ranging from insomnia to excessive sleeping, loss of appetite to ravenous appetite, fits of cleaning and slothfulness, incessant blog and FBI list stalking, and co-dependence upon other adoptive families.

How is it diagnosed?
A simple test is all that’s needed to diagnose this condition. Answer the following questions:
1. Who recently received a referral for an 8-month-old boy?
2. What is your number on the list?
3. What does FBI stand for?
If you can answer any of the above questions, you likely have adoption brain.

How is it treated?
Some studies have shown that receiving a referral helps alleviate the symptoms in some cases, while others who have received a referral report an increase in symptoms. The only known cure is a dose of reality upon placement.



Is anyone out there authorized to write me a prescription for my case of adoption brain? And is it catching? :)