Send it on its way

I am getting anxious to send all of my paperwork to Ethiopia. I am probably about three weeks away from getting it to my agency, and then it will take 3-5 weeks to get to Ethiopia. There it will be translated, reviewed, and all prayers answered, approved. Based on the latest news from my agency, once I am on the waiting list, it will take about 4-6 months for a referral.

Levi has decided that since we don't have a name picked out for our girl, that for now she is "our baby". I love how he calls her "our baby". He always does it in a sweet thoughtful way.

Final Homestudy Visit

Today I had the last of the homestudy visits. I am so relieved. I think that is the best word to describe it, 'relieved'. This time the meeting was at our home. Levi was in constant motion, exited, nervous, and not sure how to act. He loved the social worker, and I think he saw her as a big kid. He was quite funny now that I think about it. I admit to be that embarrassed parent as he jumped on her again and again. She seemed to tolerate it quite well. There is something about social workers that I think makes Levi regress a little bit. I am not sure why, but I think that he can just sense that a person is a social worker and he acts up some. He did the same thing at every visit my first social worker made.

Anyway, now it will be about two weeks to wrap everything up, and then I think my paperwork should be on its way. This is moving so fast! I am getting more and more excited.

We are trying to think of a name for our baby girl. So far the best plan is to steal the name that my sister is going to possibly name their next baby. This is Levi's plan at least. I keep telling him that Aunt Sarah may never talk to us again; his response is that we both can use the name.

Baby girl, you don't have a name from us yet, but we love you! We are pretty sure you are out there in the world already. We can't wait to meet you.

1st Homestudy Meeting

Today I met with my homestudy social worker at her office. We talked for a good hour and a half about my desire to adopt from Ethiopia, my family, Levi, and life as a single mom. At one point she refered to my next child as 'your daughter'. I cannot tell you how this made me feel, and, yes, I am officially requesting a girl 0-18 months. Having my social worker refer to my daughter starts to make this all see so much more real than it has before. Next week we will have our second meeting. Then on the 14th, she will come to our house and meet Levi and look around the house. I could tell that she really wanted to meet Levi after we talked about him for a while.

I also went to get a document state sealed. The Secretary of States office is in a mall, and so I stopped at Old Navy there and bought a little pink sweatshirt for my future daughter; the first clothing that I have bought for her. I need to seriously start getting some more clothes for her. All of this boy stuff surrounds me. I can't wait to bring in the pink.

Rumors

Ever since I started Levi's adoption there have been rumors of Ethiopia closing to singles. It is a possibility. Today another one is on the large forum that I read; that Ethiopia's Ministry of Womens Affairs (MOWA) is not accepting any more dossiers of single applicants as of yesterday. Sigh. It will take a week or two to see if there is any truth to this rumor. So far, all similar rumors have proven to be untrue.

I trust that God knows where my next child is and that He will lead me to the country and to the child meant to be in our family, but it is hard to trust sometimes when I have my own ideas and hopes. Pray that His path for us will be clear and that He will bless this process.

I also know that reading the forums and even sometimes the blogs are not always helpful. I feel like they have distorted adoption for me to some extent and I lose my focus. I have to remind myself to go back to where it began, to South Africa where I held 5 precious babies for a month. These babies needed a family; they had no families that could care for them. Can you imagine? There are babies and children in the world that need families! And I believe that there is one more that is meant to be in our family, not to change the world, but to change that child's life and ours. Levi and I have the room, the heart, and the desire.

Application Approved

My application has been approved and I can start my homestudy now. I will call DA Blodgett today to start setting this up. When I was reading the adoption forum yesterday, one family said they received their referral only two weeks after their homestudy was done. The referral was for a baby girl. That is incredible! Life is busy right now, but I am eager to find a good balance between teaching, spending time with Levi, and working on the paperwork for this adoption.

Levi continues to be excited about being a big brother. Even though it will be quite an adjustment for us; he loves being around other people and he will be such a good brother.

First Notarized Document

Today I had my first document notarized. For all of you adoption savvy people out there, you know there are many more to come. My social worker from Levi's adoption is willing to do any notarizing for me when needed, as is a friend that lives about 40 minutes away. This is such a relief. Now comes...I-171H, state seals, dossier papers, doctor's notes, and much more. However, as I look over all of the paperwork that I did for Levi's adoption, it is not overwhelming. I am sort of chomping at the bit to get started. I thought patience was one of my gifts, but it is not in this aspect of my life.

I also sent in Levi's paperwork for citizenship today. What an interesting balance...to be finishing all of the paperwork for Levi as I begin the paperwork for my next child. There is something reassuring about that.

Application Sent

Today I sent in my application to adopt from Ethiopia. Levi is ready to be a big brother, and when I asked him how he felt about having a brother or sister, he said, "Happy!" He also would like a sister.

We are on our way...