Getting ready for school August 29, 2008

We’re in full “getting ready” mode at our place. I’ve been in to work two days this week in attempts to unpack my large art order and get the classroom ready for next week. It’s almost done and I’m really looking forward to getting back to school. I have an amazing schedule this year that will allow me to really focus on my students and my student council activities. Peanut and Budder are eager too. They’ve packed their school bags and are doing some last minute “adjustments” to their supplies. Peanut even started to experiment with make-up  and I am secretly thrilled that she has waited so long (going into grade 8!). She’s very content (or should I say excited!) with some mascara and lip gloss at this point. Lucky for me I’m not fighting the outrageous make-up of the eighties that my mother had to go through with me!! I know, I’ve been to the stores and it’s coming back again, but hopefully it will take awhile to get into our home.!! My happy little bubble could very well be burst next week when she sees her friends after a summer away. 

When I went in to work this week many people asked about the adoption. We’re all waiting together!:) (Thanks everyone for asking and taking such an interest!) It was hard to tell them that there was no news and that things have slowed down so much for siblings. I probably shared too much *grin* with them when we first started the process and told them what we had been told – home by Christmas. Obviously this is NOT the case, and while we totally understand why, it’s hard to explain it to everyone. But that’s my personality – I share my life quite openly… and so I pay the price from time to time.

Well I’m off to celebrate the long weekend! Hope everyone else has a great weekend too! It’s supposed to be 31 degrees here tomorrow, so we’re thinking of heading out to Grand Beach. 

Chow!

SEVEN MONTHS August 26, 2008

For those of you “counting” with us, today is seven months. Seven months since our paperwork found it’s way to Ethiopia and we officially started waiting. It’s gone by so fast. I remember waiting with a friend for their adoption and it seemed to take forever… and now seven months have flown by for us. There have been days when we have been anxious, but fewer than I thought. The latest round of referrals where some couples accepted singles when they had requested siblings was very disconcerting to us, but a quick e-mail and phone call to our agency and I felt assured and heard. I should mention that I am not one to call the agency. We feel they are busy enough most days, but on occasion we have called or e-mailed to ask for clarification or check on paperwork. Each time we did we were blessed by their understanding and professionalism. We hope the next time we talk with them it will be them calling us – referral please! 

Last night I dreamed that they called and we had beautiful twin girls waiting for us. It was so real that I still fully expect our agency to call this morning to confirm! God works in mysterious ways… (ask me about my dad’s dog from his childhood sometime!)

We’re home! August 26, 2008

What a summer. I’m still spinning. I’ve decided to keep spinning for this last week -because if I stop now I might never get up! Over the course of this summer we have been to our cabin, created (sweated and worked like crazy) a new 1000 square foot patio in our back yard, had a garage sale, sent both kids to camp for a week, been to New Brunswick to pick up Dave’s new car and ride roller coasters and then drive the car home to Manitoba, driven a motor home with three motorcycles and my family to Wisconsin Dells for an amazing week of waterslides and fun, and lastly – a business trip for Dave to Mackinac Island, where I was lucky enough to be invited along! We’re now home for  one week before school starts. I’ve never had a summer like it… hopefully not again for a long time. I just want to weed my flower beds…

amendment is official August 6, 2008

We got a letter from our agency today that allowed us to track our amendment (age change) to Ethiopia. I was thrilled to be able to “do” something! – tracking a package is now a highlight? BUT when I went to the fedex site, I discovered our package was already in Addis! So there went all my fun… I was a bit surprised to see that our agency letter sent from Medicine Hat to us in Manitoba took the same amount of time as the amendment took to get from Medicine Hat to Ethiopia. At least we know the international mail is working fine!

Our representative from Ethiopia is visisting Canada right now, but our papers will be waiting for her when she gets back. So now we wait some more! International adoption is all about waiting. I’ve regretted every prayer I’ve ever prayed for patience in my life! – I’ve learned it already God!

Home for a week! August 3, 2008

Wow. It’s sooo nice to be home again! The trip was fantastic. The east coast is beautiful and we had a great stop at Cedar Point- amazing roller coasters!!

I have a week to relax before we leave again for Wisconsin. My parents and my brother’s family are heading down to the Dells for a week. It should be great! I have lots of lesson planning to do for school that I’ve been putting off. This trip will be great for sitting around the pool and planning!

As soon as we get home David and I are off to Mackinac Island for a radio/broadcasting conference. The wives have been invited and I’m really looking forward to going! David will be in sessions during the day, but we will have supper together and the evenings. I’ve never been to the island, but it sounds very charming. It’s so small that you can walk around it in an hour! It’s a big old resort and spa that looks like a great  place to go and unwind. They don’t even have cars there – they will pick us up from the airport in a horse and carriage! Give me a stack of great books and this is the ultimate vacation for me! Others might find it too secluded, but when else does a busy mom and teacher have five days when you can’t “do” anything? Blissful… 

By the time we get home it will be time to think about school. I haven’t even bought my kids school supplies because I’m not giving up a day of my summer! 

Nothing again on the adoption front.