A Year and a Half

That's the time frame for us so far. We still really don't have an idea when we will get a referral but are hoping for sometime this year. Other than that we are just keeping on keeping on.

Because we have been saving money for the adoption we held off from any travel, as it is so expensive, and on top of that I don't get vacation days from much of my work, so we have always lost that income. But it has been a long time since I have be able to spend time with any of my family. We had always used most holidays and most of Mark's time off to go see our families. We took one weekend a year as a trip for us (our anniversary) to somewhere close like Memphis or Chattanooga. That has been on haitus too.

As travel has really been limited for close to two years now, the adoption process officially started for a year and a half, and the whole process looking like two to two and half years (please no longer) right now, well, we are going to have to chang things up. We have seen Mark's family, except for his dad whom we've only seen once, more due to needs and circumstances over the last two years but still not enough. We need to see everyone more and will have to make some trips this year to do that.

Our neighbors had us over for their yummy fried fish last night and they had all their family there as they always do when they have a reson to get together. Cars were up and down the street on both sides and in the drives - for fried fish. Just wait till the 4th of July an the cars will be that much more and they all come full. It was really nice to be there but it made me even more aware of what we are missing with our own families. Where we live is kinda in the middle of all of ours but they are all spread out.

I hope people can come here more to see us as time goes on but know that we will have to be very proactive in making sure we get to our families and that our girl sees them enough to bond and feel connected to them all.

Summer!

It's so lovely outside!!!!! We are planning on seeing our families more this year. We really put travel on hold thinking we would be going out of the country sooner than later. It has been the longest time since we have seen my mom's side of the family and over year since we have seen my hometown and all of my family around there. We are still waiting for our referral and are hopeful we will receive one this year. PATIENCE. Some people have complimented me that I am such a patient person (work, people, customers, and kids). One coworker said to me recently when she gave me a customer service problem to deal with that I have the patience of Job. HAH!!!!! HA!!!!!! HAH!!!!!!! As far as the adoption goes that is not the case - BUT I am trying. School is out for the summer. I am taking a classroom web design class and having fun with that. I am waiting until 2010 to go back to get my MS in Library Science now. There is too much uncertainty with the adoption and there are some other prep classes I would like to take first anyway. Mark was just at a family reunion in West Virginia (I wasn't able to get that time off from work) where his band and cousins played for friends and family there. I can't wait to see the DVD. He's also getting farther with an album he is recording with another progressive rock band. We are going to do more work on the house this summer and fall - especially the front porch and the kitchen cabinets. I need to check on hosting a get together this summer with adoptive families.