Adoption part 2

Ok, so here goes. When I started writing this the details were much more in focus but now they are getting hazy so I hope to do this well.

I left off when we got the call. It was a Tuesday and I was taking kids home from midday school when Justin called me to ask if I had heard from Karine our social worker. My heart began to pound, no, I said, what did she say? Well, it appears that we have been chosen by a birthmom in Mississippi. Wow! We didn't even know that we were being shown! So, I raced home to chat with Justin. Needless to say I was thinking Yes! Yes! Yes!. Was there even a question?? At this point we knew that the baby was a girl and she was due in three and a half weeks. Seriously? Less than a month!? Yep.

We called our social worker back to say that we'd like the afternoon to think about it. I knew though that it would be difficult to say no. I wanted to call her back immediately. But we needed to talk about the logistics of travel and what it all would mean for our family.

I should point out that this situation what what I had longed for for many years. An infant - my favorite age; a girl - I had two already, I can do that! So, we said yes and then waited to hear from the social worker in Mississippi for more information. We still have the envelope that I took notes on about Kareena's birthmom and all the details we would need to have.

At this point we had told the kids. Abby said that she was screaming inside that she was so happy. Caleb's only comment was that he wanted a boy. Hannah smiled a lot. I wondered how many people to we tell at this point? Will it really happen? When do I start shopping? Justin and I went into our respective corners to plan. He to figure out how we would pay for her and me to figure out what stuff we would need.

Then the real waiting began. For real, I thought the 3+ years were hard! Those three weeks when we knew there was a little girl out there and a birthmom trying to make the right decision for herself and the baby were excruciating!! I think God was sitting back enjoying Himself as He watched us vacilate between giddyness and anxiety. With each update on her birthmom's condition our excitement began to build. But I also began to fret more and more about all the unknowns. In the end I heard the Lord say that this was the path He had for us and that I was to keep walking forward whether it worked out or not.

Our plans began being formulated but everything was so tentative. I remember that we got the call that she had her check up and was being admitted due to high blood pressure. That could mean that she would be in labor that day or not. We waited (an ever present theme) to get the final word about labor before we bought a ticket for me to fly down. This call came around 12 noon or so.

To understand the timeline a bit, we had been waiting to meet with a local organization who may or may not have given us a grant. Their only stipulation was that they meet us in person before they will consider anything. Our appointment was for Wednesday - the next day. We called when we heard that she was in labor and prayed hard that we could see someone in their orgaization before we left. She said yes, in between sporting activities for her own kids. We packed (I had already packed for the kids) the van and went to pick the kids up from school and meet with this lady on our way to the airport to drop me off.

Amazingly it all worked out. I made my flight. We met with the lady who later told us we had more than we thought we would get. Justin was planning on stopping at the bank on his way out of town but it closed minutes before he got there. This meant that he had to stay in Cedar Rapids and go to the bank the next day. At the time we were both disappointed that he would be arriving with the kids the next night instead of in the morning but it also meant that I had the whole day with Kareena and her birthmom and didn't have to divide my time between them and Justin and the kids.

to be continued...

adoption part 1

Well, it's been a while but I thought that I'd write a little about the adoption and some of my thoughts in the short and yet long month we have had our sweety girl. Kind of a cheesy name but it has stuck with me.

If you read this blog then you know that we have been in the process of adoption for almost 4 years now. January of '06 we started our paperwork for a Peruvian adoption. Part of the process was to get a local agency to do a homestudy. I'll talk more about this later. So, we knew that the process would take a while. That is why we started before Caleb turned two! We had no idea that we would go 18 months to be approved. Just for them to move our dossier from one pile to another! Then it has been about that long since we were approved until now. Again, we knew it would be a while!! I think the most unexpected think in waiting for Peru was that we would hear next to nothing from our agency, and Peru itself on our behalf.

So this summer I began to wonder if it would ever happen and then even question whether we really wanted it now that the kids were older. We were pretty mixed as we would talk about it. I was shocked at how normal it was to think about our family being just the 5 of us. Then this fall came and Caleb went to Kindergarten I really began questioning so it seemed natural to clean out most of the kids clothes and gear when our church had a garage sale. Literally the week after the sale we got the call for Kareena.

Because I like a good cliffhanger I am going to write part 2 tomorrow. Stay tuned.

It's ironic how I sit here in a hole - literally - with stuff piled around me, clothes, books, toys, mugs etc, and I am here on the computer! I find I can always find time to be on the computer but not to pick up toys and clothes. I think I want the kids to do it but then when they get home I hate to interrupt their playing b/c they don't get much time to do that. Then when I do ask they throw a fit so I ask less and less. I fear they've figured me out and now use it against me.

What are some of your ideas for "helping" kids to help around the house?

Hello again!

Hey friends! I am a bit under the gun here but thought I'd do a quick update...

The kids are healthy and spring has finally arrived here in Minnesota. We are anxiously awaiting summer when we get to play and travel. We have a number of trips planned to really fun places! Whoo hoo!! We still have not heard anything new on the adoption front and will likely switch to a domestic adoption after June.

More to come!

Hello Again

Well, I've had lots of thoughts to write about but now I forget...ahh the life of a random abstract. The kids have been sick a bit lately. Just when I thought we were in the clear. Caleb had a triple whammy; strep throat, ear infection, and a chest cold. Abby puked today and thankfully is on the mend. I am glad that we are past the days of all of us on the floor puking together. I remember putting towels on the floor and praying for morning. Let's hope we're done for this season!

Deep Thoughts with Tasha

I'm calling back some old SNL memories with that title but what I have to say here is sort of serious. Sort of. I have been thinking a lot about money lately. Having it, not having it, loving it, needing it, wanting it etc. A close friend pointed out recently that I may have a bit of an obsession...well, it got me to thinking. Do I love money? I have to say that it makes life easier at times.

The reason that this issue has come up for me is complicated..."your mother's a complicated woman..." sorry, I digress...anyway, in my home growing up I didn't hear the word no too often when it came to wanting things. If we could prove to mom that we "needed" it, then in time it usually was ours. This gave me an interesting understanding of money and need. Lest you think I blame my mother for my problems...let me explain my current issue. I have a hard time keeping money...ok I said it!! Whew, does that feel better! These things added create for a financially frustrated momma. So, last fall when I was working a bit I had a nice paycheck to work with. I usually had about $5 left over when the next paycheck rolled around - let's just say it is a good thing that my wonderful hubby works!! So, fast forward to today, where I am not working as much (for pay) so frustration, and struggle set in.

In come the love, need, want issues. I have no clear conclusions on the matter, only good questions that make me think and examine my motives and heart. Now I can see why God included so many verses on money in the Bible! It's dangerous!