A doozy of an update...

Ok, so this is going to be major! I'd drag it out, but I don't want to frustrate anyone...:) On Saturday, we met with a Domestic Adoption Lawyer. After talking it out with her, with a friend that has recently adopted, and eachother, we've decided to adopt domestically...right here from Ohio! Our MAIN concern is that the birth mother (*bm*) would change her mind and decide to keep the baby. This would leave us heartbroken, obviously, but that will heal. If we adopt internationally, and there are attachment issues, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, or some other lifelong issue that comes with being institutionalized for a year or more, we are going to live the same heartbreak day in and day out forever...We've also been told that if a *bm* would change her mind, the agency would most likely work long and hard and quickly to get us another *bm* so that the heartache doesn't last long. Also, with domestic, we'd get a 72 hour-ish old baby rather than a 12-24 month old baby. I think this would be good for all of us. So that is the update. We're researching our options for domestic agencies. The lawyer gave us the name of 2 of them, I've contacted them and we're waiting for a response...I'll keep you posted!

Just a short update...

I just wanted to do a quick update...there isn't much happening on the adoption front. We are in a holding pattern until I get some more paperwork in to the agency. Last week, we flew to Florida on Monday, as Ben's grandpa passed away. We were there until Saturday morning, rushed home from the airport, just in time for Luke's last soccer game. He was EXHAUSTED. We flew out at 7am, so we were up at 4am! He was a trooper, and didn't skip a beat! He started talking at 4am and didn't stop until he crashed in his carseat on the way home from the airport. :) Can you imagine the joy of the people around us on the plane! On the ride from Tampa to Charlotte (said by Luke as "Char" like I've burnt something, instead of like "Shar"), Luke asked me how he got in my tummy! YIKES! The lady in front of us was cracking up! I wasn't, but at least he was entertaining someone! I thought by adopting, we'd not have these types of questions...boy was I wrong. I tried to answer it by telling him "God put you in there" (I've heard that's a good response), but that didn't appease him...:( I tried many a time to change the subject, then resorted to bribery! LOL. I told him if he fell asleep, I'd give him a dollar. :) He's motivated by money, obviously...he PRETENDED to sleep, complete with snoring. Lovely.

So, once I get the paperwork in (it's financial stuff) we should be on our way. Oh, and somewhere back in an earlier post, I mentioned that we'd choose China if we could change if Guatemala opened back up and we can...So, for now, we're going with China...stay tuned. Also, on Saturday (I think) we're going to meet with an adoption lawyer that deals with domestic adoptions. I'm not sure how I feel about domestic right now, but I'm sure after talking to her, I'll have a better (or worse) feeling towards it. It might be the quickest way to get little sister at this point...we'll keep you posted! :)

Not much happening on the adoption front...

I thought I'd do a quick update...even though no one has access to this blog yet! :) I'm almost ready to put my life out there...Right now, we're just waiting on the home study to arrive so I can mail our INS paperwork and a chunk of money! I also completely forgot that I need to have Child Abuse Registry letters come from Michigan for both Ben & me! UGH! I've got the forms filled out and they'll go in the mail tomorrow...it said that it takes 5 days to get them back, but we'll see. The Ohio ones took A LONG TIME! So once those are sent, I'll get the dossier together and then we'll just be waiting....and waiting....and waiting....It's fine. I know going in there will be a happy ending and Luke will get to see the Great Wall of China (and so will we, but he's very excited about it already!).

In other news, Luke's doing great in school! He loves his teacher, Miss Taylor, and has a little girlfriend...:) I volunteer on Thursdays, and it's SO cute to watch the kids! He got his interim report last week and he got all check marks...on the "Needs to work on part" there were no check marks!! So he's doing pretty well! He loves their "specials" (ie gym, library/media, art, music & computers). I think his favorite is art, and last week they learned about van Gogh! It was so funny listening to him tell us about him at dinner! He's still a little sponge & soaks up everything he hears!

As for Ben & me, we're keeping busy! Ben's getting into his new territory at work which has it's challenges, but he's liking it. I've been working part-time from home (at this point it's VERY part-time) and knitting my scarves to sell! Thanks to my sister for all the sales she brings me! We're hoping to use that money to take with us to China! By the time we go, we're hoping to have a nice chunk! If you know anyone interested in a scarf, please let me know! :) I knit them for both toddlers & adults and have lots of colors!!

That's about it for now! Hopefully, next post will be a little more exciting! :)