An interesting week October 31, 2008

We’ve had a very hard week on the adoption front. All I’m going to say is this – our family is doing well and we are still very excited about our adoption. We knew that the process would be difficult at times (although who am I kidding, it’s way harder than I thought!) and we are still convinced that adopting siblings from Ethiopia is right for us. 

In the midst of our adoption angst, I was involved in a  huge fundraiser in our high school. We celebrated halloween by having a fun school spirit week with different themes for costumes every day. We’ve done this before, but this year we decided to add a fundraiser. Grades were pitted against each other and participated in a penny race. They could win a point per penny for their team, dressing up  also won points, as well as winning lunch hour challenges. It was so much fun and totally worth missing my lunch every day this week! We will bring all the money to the bank next week, but we estimate that we raised over $1300.00 for a local food bank. The families in our area of Manitoba who are on their list don’t receive milk (it’s just so expensive) so our contribution will allow every family to have milk delivered for at least a week or maybe even two. Cool! Next month we are doing a food drive for Christmas hampers.

The result- I’m pooped! David is in Ontario this weekend for his grandmother’s memorial service so I’m single-parenting on halloween weekend when I have the energy of… well I don’t! Come on second wind… I need some energy!!!

Shoe-box Mania!! October 26, 2008

So I ended up going to the city with both Peanut and Budder. Our first stop was for our shoe boxes and what a stop it was!! We had planned on filling four boxes – one for each of our four kids. But then we realized that we were getting amazing stuff for super cheap! So we upped it a little – to TEN!! We had such an amazing time together running around the store finding everything we needed. The only thing we are still looking for is five more plastic tubs to put them in. Both Dollerama and Walmart were all out. I’m sure we’ll find something in Steinbach that will suffice. Budder wondered if our kids in Ethiopia would get his shoe boxes. Awe. He is ten and does understand that they won’t, but he’d like to think that they would get a gift just from him and so he dabbles in the what if…? I understand completely. 

Wow. Our nine month celebration of waiting was amazing! A great day to think of many kids around the world, think a lot about our kids in Ethiopia, and spend an wonderful day with my kids here. Thanks God.

9 Months October 26, 2008

Today is the day we reach nine months. Do we celebrate or groan?

Peanut and I are celebrating by driving in to Winnipeg to shop for our Compassion shoe boxes and some things I need for work. Filling the Christmas shoe boxes has always been a great part of our family’s fall routine. This is the first year that we have our very own sponsor child in Ethiopia and we are more excited than ever to see how many we can get done! Lidya, our five year old sponsor child, waited over a year for someone to sponsor her. Through a friend at work who represents Compassion, I was made aware of the fact that there was a list of children who had waited over a year. I immediately requested a girl from Addis! Lidya couldn’t be cuter and we are so happy to be able to help her with simple things like medication, schooling, and food. We plan on visiting her when we go! In the future we hope to support more children from Addis. We hope that this year she too will be the recipient of a shoe box filled with love from abroad.

Great Ethio-group Evening! October 24, 2008

We just came back from our amazing ethio-group (Dave’s now laughing that I call it that… we don’t really have a name and this works for me) We had three families make the trek out from Winkler and had some new couples join our group. It was great to connect with old friends and meet new ones too! We did get to see pictures of the twins… wow. Unbelievably cute. With our group growing it has become a bit of a free-for-all with so many kids running everywhere, but it all seems to work. There are minor bumps along the way, but mostly it is a loud happy sound that is heard in every room! For all of you in the group who read our blog, thanks for being such an important part of our lives. Although we only meet once a month there is a wonderful connection that goes beyond the obvious commonality (adoption and Ethiopia). I feel so blessed to have all of you. It’s great how we all wait for each other’s referrals and cheer each other on in all the stages. With this latest referral our family is next in line for a referral. Although I think it’s a race between us and L&C! Wouldn’t it be great to travel with friends!

Next meeting is a Christmas gathering!! I can’t wait! Mostly because this year in addition to the wonderful food we had last year, we are adding traditional Ethiopian food. Mmmmm! Peanut and I are already drooling over the samosas we are planning to bring. (which reminds me, we really do need to expand our selection of Ethiopian dishes past the one that we love so much!)

Tomorrow we start the renovations…. the dumpster is on the driveway!

coming up on 9 months October 22, 2008

Sunday will be nine months of waiting for a referral. So… that means only 7 months to go?!

We’re doing o.k. Some days have been hard lately, but at the end of the day I’m back in my heavenly father’s arms bringing my feelings to him. He understands my fears and my longings. He is completely in control and I need to continue to put my trust in him. 

My job has really been a wonderful distraction. I love my students and my courses seem perfectly designed for my natural abilities.

Engaged in waiting again October 19, 2008

The last four or more months I haven’t really been keeping up with the “waiting plan”. I was going to sew receiving blankets each month to take with us when we go to Ethiopia. More than one person has indicated that many of the young moms don’t have blankets for their newborn babies. I’m not sure if it’s a good use of our suitcase space, but it’s something I love to do and we have six people traveling so we’ll have plenty of room. Most of our donations will be bought in Ethiopia. Sewing each month also is a great way to show progress in waiting. It’s a visual reminder that we are still in this process and moving along. 

Last night the blanket machine was in full swing! Peanut got into the project and we had nine blankets done in an hour! My job was to iron all the edges under and she had the privilege of sewing! She hadn’t been too interested last year when I was making them (she made one and gave up) but she sure is now! Too bad it’s Sunday and stores are closed in our little city. I need more flannel! When I find my camera I’ll have to post a picture because these ones were exceptionally cute. She did a great job! (although she is tough on herself and didn’t think the first “batch” were very good at all) 

What a fun way to wait!

Congrats! October 17, 2008

Congrats to J and A on the referral of their twins!! We can’t wait to see your pictures at our next Ethio-group meeting next Friday!! For all of us waiting for siblings, there is hope!! We hope that by the time you bring your beautiful babies home we will have our referral. (That’s my new goal at least!) And special thanks to Lisa for keeping us in the loop of all things adoption related in our area of Manitoba!! 

Speaking of Lisa… some people just “get” you. Here’s a girl who I’ve only known for a year or so, and yet when she called today and asked how I was doing she knew I was lying and called me on it. Yup. She knew it was a hard day. She has an amazing skill at helping people know that their feelings are valid and encouraging them in their walk. She has been on this journey and knows how hard it can be. I still can’t believe it wasn’t just yesterday that I was encouraging her in HER wait… but her beautiful daughter has been here for 8 months!! 

While I’m handing out thanks – a special thanks to Jody and Donna who I have connected with through adoption boards. I’m not very computer savvy, (my husband is so embarrassed of this little flaw) and it still amazes me that I have a blog. The fact that I have made friends with people I have never seen is incredible to me. What is more incredible is the way that I get e-mails from them on the very days I need a cheering section. I can’t wait to meet you someday and give you huge hugs for the part you are playing in my life.