Ups and Downs

So, what happened this week? I got to stay home from Highmark all week thanks to the G20 Summit. However, it didn't really feel like I had any free time on my hands, just more time to cook, clean, do laundry, love on Jake and Kayleigh, and grocery shop. Aside from the Jake and Kayleigh part, it wasn't a relaxing week, but I'm thankful.

We had our first glimmer of exciting news on the adoption front, but it didn't work out. We received an email about an urgent situation, in which we decided to have our profile shown. (Normally they wouldn't ask us, they just match up criteria to determine if they will show your profile or not. BUT, in urgent situations, they ask you first.) It turned out that the Birth parents canceled their appointment, which is awesome, because it probably means they decided to parent their child. However, with it being our first time since being approved, we (I) let myself start to get lost in the idea of this situation working out for us. I decided that it's better to be prepared and disappointed, than unprepared and stressed out. So I got prepared. Not over the top, just a few basic things we will need, when the time comes. Then, we found out the time would not be coming soon, or at least not with this situation. I was bummed to say the least. I think it was a good way to break us in, for our first time of actually being able to say, "Yes, we are ready". Hopefully the next time we will get a little closer to being chosen, and each time we will be more and more prepared, emotionally and physically.

It really is exciting, and I'm trying to stand back and look at the big picture. I'm thinking more about buying a car seat, finding a Pediatrician, decorating the nursery, and so on. Important preparations. God already has the right baby ready for us, whether it's already growing in some one's tummy, or just a thought waiting to be conceived, our baby is growing in our hearts, and we will patiently wait for him/her to be cuddling in our arms. *chills*

Simple as that.

So, we didn't get the big climax I was hoping for. I had to email AC about our status, and they informed me that yes, we are in fact, approved. Our profile is in the circulation drawer.

Simple as that.

No exciting moment of opening a letter and reading the great news. No celebratory moment of hugging and kissing my Hubby.

Simple as that.

However, we are very excited. Ready for the next step of this process. The ups, and downs, turns, and twists. Corkscrews. Loops. Headaches, neck pains. Upset stomach. The highs, and lows, excitement and sadness, and more excitement.

Simple as that.

Roller Coaster

I was called out yesterday, reminded that when I started this blog I promised I would update every week. I didn't go back to see when my last post was, but I know it's been a while.

Sorry. Here you go!

I never was much of a fan of roller coasters. I usually end up with a sore neck for days after the quick 30 second ride. I was thinking today about the journey to adoption, and how it's often compared to a roller coaster ride. I think about the many amusement parks I've been to. Getting in line for the ride is like the time from when we started trying to conceive. Getting on the ride is like choosing an adoption agency. The beginning of the ride is the homestudy and all the paperwork, and then, your car is starting to climb up the first big hill. Climbing, climbing, climbing.

That's where I feel we are. We are almost to the top of the hill, ready for the climax and the twists and turns and ups and downs that are to follow. The top of the hill, in my mind, is when we receive our official letter saying we're approved. I'm assuming that there is an official letter. I'm beginning to wonder. It's been a couple weeks since we've heard anything. Patience. I'm trying.

On a different note, we are having our 3rd. and final yard sale to benefit our adoption fund. Saturday, 79 Broad Street, Marianna. Stop by if you're out and about enjoying the covered bridge festivals. We're hoping to get rid of mostly everything left. We have done great with our sales, raising more than $1400 to help bring our dream into reality. Thanks to everyone who donated stuff, came and shopped, and helped run the yard sales. We'll need to think of a good fundraiser for the colder months to come. We have been truly blessed to this point, and are so thankful for the support of our friends and family!

I'm hoping my next post will include hands in the air and lots of screaming ;-0

Scatter-Brained

I've been trying to put some thoughts together for a new post. I'm still not sure I have anything to write, even though I started a new one! Nothing new, (YET!) on the adoption front. I'm waiting for "official" word before I post anything new. Over the last couple weeks, I sorta disconnected myself from the process. Not on purpose, it just happened. Thankfully. I haven't looked in my very thick binder, or read our profile, or searched for info online. I think you are so consumed by all that while needing to fill out paperwork and publish a profile that when it's finally done, you have no desire to see any of that, for a while. I'm definitely there. I came across some paperwork that needed to go in our binder, and I actually had to search to figure out where the binder was! Not because our office is cluttered or anything ;-), but really because I hadn't used it for so long.

So for now, I am trying to focus on anything. Laundry, some sort of exercise, work, food, work,
anything. But haven't had much luck with the focus part. Kind of learning what it might be like to have A.D.H.D.

That's about all I have to say, and that wasn't even very interesting.

Romantic Get-away!

For our 5 year anniversary, I planned a relaxing weekend at the lake. Although, there wasn't much that was romantic! Justin's family and many friends spent many years at Canadohta Lake. We decided to go there, and Justin was excited to see the place, after not being there for 15 years or so. He was disappointed to see they took out the go-kart track, but I think everything else was as he remembered. We found a campground online, reserved a site, and planned to scope out some cabins and cottages while we were there, for future trips. Our campground left a lot to be desired. We dubbed it the "ghetto". However, we made the best of it. We took a bike ride around the lake, exploring and working up an appetite for a gourmet meal.

Here's my wonderful Hubby, cooking me dinner on the open fire, with his Redneck Oven Mits (yes, they're blue knee high socks!). I called him a Boy Scout, and he informed me that he was never a Boy Scout, he was over-qualified to join!

We rented a Pontoon boat on Saturday, and spent a few hours cruising the lake, catching some rays, and trying to catch some fish. I was very successful with the rays part, but unfortunately my sunscreen didn't work. I have the burn lines to prove it! The fishing part didn't go so well, but we had fun anyway.

On our way to Canadohta, which is in Union City, PA, we passed the Crawford Co. Municipal Building, where apparently a local artist recycles the old road signs to decorate the grounds around the building. This was some really cool stuff, we even stopped to get a better look and take some pictures. Everything you see, is made out of old road signs. Amazing!

Despite the "ghetto", we had a great weekend. We talked to some people and scoped out some places to stay next time. The past 5 years have been amazing, not always a romantic get-away, but we always make the best of it!

Update

So, we had another busy week. Our home study is approved in the state of PA. Adoption Circle should have received our PA Home Study on Friday. I mailed the remaining paperwork needed for Ohio to our caseworker, and got copies of our profile printed. A friend from high school worked at the printing place, and she made some last minute changes and cleaned some things up for me before printing! Thanks so much, Abbie! We think it looks great, and hopefully the potential Birth parents will too! Hopefully, Adoption Circle will review our paperwork quickly and we will be officially approved and waiting soon!

Progress on our new bathroom is coming along. The cabinets, tub, shower, lights, and sink are installed. The walls are painted Toffee Crunch, and this week the floor will be laid, and the toilet will be ordered. (it's almond colored so it's not in stock) Can't wait for a bigger space and more storage! Luckily, we've been able to save a ton of money on this project by using second hand cabinets (which were pretty much brand new and going to be thrown away!) and having such talented men, especially my Dad, in our family who have spent hours helping!

This coming weekend will be our 5 year anniversary. With all the projects we've been doing this summer, we haven't had much time to relax and enjoy each other, so we are taking time to do just that. We can't wait. Hopefully the weather is hot and sunny so we can get outdoors and have some fun!

I'll update as soon as I hear something from Ohio. Hopefully sooner than later!

Calm

I'm surprisingly calm. For those that know me well know this is not a usual characteristic for me. The home visit will be in about 50 min. Our house is all in order, and it feels great to have everything clean and uncluttered. My new goal is to keep it this way! Ha ha ha!

I'm going to make breakfast, in case this is a marathon interview. We don't want our growling bellies interrupting this important meeting! I'll update later, when it's over. I'm assuming we will know today whether or not we pass, or if there's things we need to change. Hopefully it's the first one!

Thanks for all the well wishing we've gotten so far! We have the best friends and family!