Adoption Talk

I presented to a class of high school students this week about adoption. I was surprised at their insightful questions and the amount of attention that they gave to me. Having taught for about 10 years now I generally know what to expect in a classroom but this was a wonderful treat for me. I only had about 30 minutes so you can imagine how hard it was to cover everything. I really tried to stress that while adoption may not have been the initial road many people expect to travel, it is also not a "second best". It is simply another way of making a family.

Many of them only know about adoption through news on celebrities so the first thing I did was to straighten out some of those misconceptions. Secondly, we had a very honest talk about the different avenues for adoption domestic vs. international etc. and why people may choose one over the other. This was very important to them as, being all knowing high schoolers :) some thought that it would only be right to stick to adopting within Canada domestically as the "right" thing to do. I tried, and believe I was successful, in opening their eyes to the world of adoption and the very difficult decisions that we have all had to make in this journey.

I told them that for my family the most difficult and at times heated part of our decision were during the homestudy process when we had to really examine what we were looking for in a child. Age, sex, health etc. and what we had to do to reach an understanding. I also shared how valuable and necessary those conversations were in helping us understand each other.

All in all I wish I had had more time but I think I pulled it off! Next time I get asked to do that I want to have some show and tell...like maybe have some guests come who have been to Ethio. and back. Or maybe jsut bring in my own kiddo....ahhhh that would be awesome!!!

Lengthened Timelines...Again

What can I say... When we received the update this weekend that said our timelines have officially moved I was soooooo upset. 17-21 months are you kidding me? When we started we were at 9-15 months. Now its going to take at minimum 2 months longer than we had ever been told to expect??? The finish line keeps getting moved. It's not anyone's fault, things are just taking longer. For my family this means no news of referral until December at the EARLIEST (17 months) possibly nothing until May 2010 (21 months). And that's just for the referral (pictures/medical records). Then we get to wait another 4-9 months after that to pass court. At the momemt best case scenario means I could be home with a baby May 2010 worst case scenario puts us at nothing until early 2011. How much can a mothers heart take? I guess we are going to find out????

Laughter Therapy and the Magic of Anders

Just wanted to share a great show with you. "Anders" came to my workplace and wowed us today! If you have an event and you want to have some great entertainment call this guy!!! I laughed so hard I cried. This is a local MB boy who has hit the big time and travels all across Canada and the US with his show. The laugh did me a lot of good today. The magic tricks are pretty amazing as his his comedic talent! Check out his services here

I love the power of laughter, I feel a lot better now!

Plumbing Works Now????

Ok, might be going into the OVERSHARING phase here but I am truly stumped and confused and need help from and BTDT's. So I haven't had any "monthly visitors" in three years, in fact never had them at all without the aid of the birth control pill. Then, when we were going through all the fertility rigamaroll I was led to understand that I was essentially menopausal therefore no babies, no periods. Then guess what shows up yesterday?!?!?! So what does this mean? Do I need to go back to the Dr? Can that stuff change?

I am so completely comfortable with adopting at this point that I am almost afraid to go back to the Dr. Do I even want to know if having my own is possible??? I am feeling very conflicted, not to mention achy, crampy, bloated...I had forgotten how gross if feels at this time of the month blech!

Anyone out there have similar exsperiences? Should I be worried or just roll with it? Missy, if you are reading this I need your medical input!

HItting Double Digits

Yeesh, the 10 month mark has arrived. Ten months ago I thought I wouldn't last 2 months and stay sane. Can't beleive we are this far into the wait. To celebrate this landmark I purchased a new adoption book. I had to abandon the reading for a while as I was just not able to do it without crying. I guess it's time to try again. I will be putting up any interesting tidbits on here, and of course the title of the book which escapes me at the moment. I think it is "Parenting Adopted Children" but not 100% sure.

How time flies...or not.

Things To Look Forward To

Right, I am soooo done with EVERYTHING. Impatient at work, frustrated, stressed. I find that I cry a LOT these days. SO much going on, baby stuff, dad's very sick (he's lost 110 pounds in the last 6-7 months), worried about finances with trying to save the last bits of adoption funds and travel money. I feel like for every step forward we take 3 backwards. I have to make it through 8 more weeks at work before summer break and it cannot come soon enough! I hate to just sit back and whine so I have come up with things to look forward to each weekend to keep my spirits up and help me get through.

Weekends:
May 2 In Dauphin for Act Fest!
May 9 Getting my nose pierced with some girlfriends
May 16 recuperating from oral surgery-ok not fun but it is something to do!
May 23 Sword dance performance
May 30 ???
June 6 ???
June 13 ???
June 20 ???
June 27 ???

I'm open to suggestions maybe I need another tattoo????? Sushi night???? Any ideas, how do you gals help yourselves through the endless weeks?