2 Years

Two years ago today we officially began our adoption. I remember the overwhelming excitement while filling out the very first application. We had been researching countries and agencies for a while and waiting for the timing to be right before taking that first step. We were building a home to sell at the time. I had been waiting weeks for things to be financially in order and it was driving me crazy. Finally, one night after dinner Ron surprised me with a large gift. It turned out to be an Asian American Girl doll. That was his way of saying that the time was right. Of course I burst into tears! What made it even better was that he purchased an outfit with the doll and she was wearing it. It was a "traveler" outfit complete with suitcase. I kept picturing him dressing the doll, brushing her hair, putting the shoes and hat on... so sweet. It was one of the best days of my life.

It is neat to think that when this is all said and done and Eden is home with us, that this adoption... this whole process beginning to end... will be sandwiched between two of the most happiest days of my life... the one that took place two years ago... and the day we receive our most precious gift... our daughter.

Quick Update

Sorry for the lack of posts. Been kinda crazy around here. Hockey season has started again, we joined a new church and are attending some small weekly group sessions, I started some new aerobic classes and we have been busy cleaning up a very flooded basement. Thanks Ike. One thing is for sure... it's never boring around here.

Adrian's team played their first game of the season last night. They won and Adrian scored. We have been having a great time socializing with the parents and the kids look like they are having a blast together. So far, we are off to a great season!

Luca is doing great. This is the toughest time of year for him as far as his allergies and asthma. We have been told and have read that we may see a big improvement this year now that we are aware of his food allergies. I already see an improvement. He is usually sick by the first week of school. So far, so good.

We had our fingerprint appointment with USCIS last Friday. We should be receiving our new I171H within the next couple of months. After we receive that we will be set for another 18 months of waiting before needing to redo our paperwork again... and yes, we will need to redo our paperwork again.

Have to run! Want to take advantage of this nice weather before it's gone!!!!!

17 Months

Today marks 17 months since our paperwork was logged in with China Center of Adoption Affairs.

Getting Into the Groove

It has been a while since I have posted. I've had some technical difficulties as we have changed our internet provider. I am still unable to get online with my Mac which has been very frustrating. I also have been busy busy busy with my new job, the boys starting school, hockey starting back up, etc. Still trying to find a groove with all of this. My house is a mess, I have laundry coming out of my ears, and I have NOT adjusted to getting up at 6:45am.

I am loving my new job, although I miss my old colleagues and the kids from my last school. I really love teaching computers. It is such a change to just focus on ONE thing. The new school has been so warm and have made me feel so welcome. I am very happy.

The boys love their teachers and have not given me too much trouble in the mornings... it's only been two weeks though. Adrian told me that he has the nicest teacher ever... which I agree! Luca has the same teacher as last year and adores her. I can't say enough positive things about his school and teacher. The Montessori program a perfect fit for his learning style and personality.

The GFCF diet continues to go well and I really believe that the diet has had a positive impact on both Luca's overall health and behavior. In addition to the diet we will also be giving Luca some medication to kill off an overgrowth of yeast that were tested for and found in his system. He rarely complains about not being able to eat certain foods. I have found a lot of good substitutes by the brand "Enjoy Life". Just about everything I have purchased from this brand Luca has loved. I found some GF/CF bagels by the "Enjoy Life" brand. One morning I toasted one up for him and put some dairy free butter on it. He went nuts for it. He savored every bite. In fact, he was taking so long eating it that I told him that I would put the rest in a Ziploc bag for him to eat in the car on the way to school. He was fine with that but insisted on carrying the bagel around the house with him while he continued getting ready for school. He wouldn't let it out of his sight! Sad, but so cute at the same time.

That's all for now! Lot's more to post... but it will have to wait.

Getting Nerdier By The Minute

After teaching first grade for eleven years, I accepted another teaching position at another school. I will be teaching computers this fall to kindergarten through eighth grade. I am very excited and nervous at the same time. Getting into the computer/technology end of education has been something I have worked toward for a long time. I have had the pleasure of working with some amazing people. I was part of a group who spoke at a large Education/Technology conference (MACUL) in Detroit a few years ago. Twice I have the honor of having my students present classroom technology projects at the Student Technology Showcase in Lansing. I landed a dream job six years ago at a school which pioneered much of the educational technology that is now used throughout our whole district. Soooo... this has been a long time coming. This job won't be without it's challenges. I am working at a school that is basically starting from scratch. They are looking to me for what to purchase... which is a HUGE SCARY responsibility but very exciting at the same time.

I went into my previous school yesterday. They were having their open house. It was really funny to hear the stories of why I wasn't at the school anymore. Some I heard were....

* I was fired

* I got married.... one husband is enough, thank you very much :)

* I was moved into a portable classroom outside the building

and my personal favorite...

* I died. No, I am not kidding. One of the teachers told another teacher that I was "gone" and she thought that I had died.



In other news....

We completed all of the paperwork for our homestudy update and I171 extension for our adoption. We are just waiting for our social worker to approve the final draft of the update so we can mail it out. Things continue to move slowly with the adoption referrals each month. Our adoption continues to become less and less of a focus for me. Self preservation I assume. I am really glad that I have this new job to keep my mind really busy for a while... less time to think and feel. There are times when I am overwhelmed with feelings of frustration and sadness. The other night Ron and Adrian were talking about how they were going to take some fishing trips together this fall and all the fun they would be having. Instead of feeling happy, I felt so sad and jealous. Things have to pick up, right???

Diet Update

Luca's gluten, casein, and egg free diet has been going very well... much better than I had anticipated. He has been great about trying new versions of his old favorites. He really likes tofu cheese, rice and soy pizza, and rice milk. He is great about asking if he can eat something before just grabbing it and taking a bite. He announced to my mom that he is "allergic to food" which I thought was so funny and sad at the same time. Sometimes it really must feel like he is allergic to food. A couple of other funnies...

"Am I allergic of this?" This is what he asks me before eating.

"Is it gluten three?" Meaning gluten FREE.

We went to Cold Stone Creamery. I brought along some Rice Dream ice cream for Luca and allergy free chocolate chips. I talked to one of the girls behind the counter and told her that my son has food allergies. I asked if she would mind scooping and mixing the ice cream and chips I brought. They couldn't have been nicer! He got to go in and order his ice cream and eat it just like he always does.

16 Months

Wow. This is the first time in 16 months that I have forgotten about our log in day anniversary. Seems fitting as I have been trying NOT to focus so much of my time/energy/emotions on our adoption. It's just too depressing right now. Things are moving slow and only seem to move slower each month.

16 months down and no end in sight.