This is a test, it is only a test

I figured when referral time is actually upon us, like in maybe 4 weeks (!), I will want to know how to post a picture here on the blog. (Ok, I'm actually hoping 3 1/2 weeks, but I'll round up to 4. :)) I also figured now might be a good time to learn how to do this, not then. So... here it is. A little test. You should be able to click the picture to see it larger and clearer.

It worked! That was pretty easy. Look at those cute kids, soon to be a big sister again, and a big brother for the first time.

I also think it is time to download all the pictures from my camera, which date back to last December. No wonder I could not find a more recent picture than this! So much to do...

If RQ says we should be in.......

...then we most definitely should be, right? RQ has her latest projections up for the next batch, and we have finally made it into the 'worst case scenario' of her projections. So, if all goes as it should, we are feeling just splendid about September. I have clicked on the pictures of all the new referrals for this month, seen those cute little faces, and can hardly believe that we will be staring at our own little picture in a month. After all the months and months of waiting, it is so fun to be so close and be able to be so excited. Yea!

One little downer - we are going to have to renew our fingerprints one more time. I kind of knew in my gut what our social worker would say, and we agree - better safe than sorry. If something happened, and our travel was delayed for some reason, we wouldn't want to have to deal with that! So - next month, I will send off one last request to the U.S. immigration people in Chicago, and they will tell us when to go visit Indianapolis, and we will go. We have this routine down, seeing as how we've done this part of the process four years in a row!

Ok, one more bit of joy for the day - our friends the Garrisons are home from Ethiopia with their new little boy, Elijah. If you want to read an exciting tale of their trip home, go check out her blog. Kind of stressful! But - they are home now, and I get to go meet Elijah this afternoon. :)

2 for August

August referrals arrived in the U.S. today, and it was for LID 3/23 and 3/24/06, as expected. 3 more LID's until it's our turn!! So - maybe about 4 1/2 weeks until we get our referral? That would be the week of Erica's birthday. That would make for a very fun week! As I have been telling people, there is no 100% guarantee that we are in for September. BUT - I would be surprised (and sad!) if we aren't. It still does not feel real. I wonder so many things - will it be a little boy or girl? When was he or she born? In what province was he or she born? Is she active? Is he quiet? Will he or she attach well to us?

As this wait is winding down, and I begin to let myself feel some pure excitement and joy at the prospect of seeing this new baby's face and meeting him or her, I also find my thoughts turning towards how we found ourselves in this place to begin with. What does God want us to know, to share, to do? Are we doing everything we can to make this His story, not our own? I do feel like I have been taught real patience, but what am I sharing besides that? It's easy to get caught up in my thoughts of car seats, strollers, traveling, etc., while forgetting the big picture. Lots of things to think about in the next month.....

Looks like 2 LID's

Referrals haven't actually hit the ground yet, but all signs are pointing towards 2 LID's for this month. We were hoping for a couple more, but thats ok. We are still feeling good about September. The information that we have read on Rumor Queen, while not at all scientific, has proven to be pretty accurate. And her info shows that hardly anyone, like single digits of people, is logged in on the 2 days left before us, so our LID, 3/27/06, is just about a sure thing for September referrals. Yes, yes, we have learned that there is no 100% guarantee on anything in this process, but we are going to think positively and look towards the end of September as the time when we will see our baby's face and read all about her or him for the very first time! Exciting times ahead! :)

Matching

The first little snippet of info is out for the month. RQ is reporting that the CCAA has started matching files. This means that people in China are looking at baby files and family files and creating new families! Referrals generally come out about a week after matching starts. I still think we will not be included in this month, but I have had a few thoughts of, "What if...?" Then my heart starts to pound! I think we will be included in September's batch.

On a very exciting note, our friends the Garrisons leave today to travel to Ethiopia to meet their new son Elijah and bring him home. We are praying for their safety, health, and good bonding with Elijah. Can't wait to meet him! :)

Hopefully by next week, we'll be able to say that we are next for sure!

Transitions times 3

As Erica has started high school marching band camp this week, and Ian has started junior high baseball practice, I feel like our fall activities have begun, even though we have 11 days of summer left. My mind has turned to what is in store for us in the weeks and months to come. I think these months ahead are going to provide us with quite a wild ride. Erica is starting high school - that is a big transition. Ian is starting junior high - that is a big transition. And we are welcoming a new baby to our house - that is a BIG, BIG transition! Is it any wonder I feel a little out of sorts and unsettled?

The only thing I really know how to do in this situation is to keep praying. I am praying for peace with God's timing for our referral and travel. (I've been doing that for a few years, now! :)) I am praying for a safe and healthy trip to and from China. I am praying for a good start to our bonding and attachment with our baby, that he or she will feel loved and safe. I am praying for Erica and Ian, for a smooth transition into their new roles as big sister and big brother to this new little one. I am praying for God to use our adoption story to move another family to open their hearts to an orphaned child. Please feel free to pray with me!