Nevermind, not today...

So I just learned that I shouldn't expect LOC for at least another 1.5-2.5 months. Not sure why my wait is so different from everyone elses, but it is what it is. I probably won't post for awhile...I need a mental break from all of this.

Could today be the day?

OK, my prediction might be for nothing...maybe. I'm not getting my hopes up too much, but on the RQ charts, people with LOIs/LIDs like mine are getting their LOAs/LOCs both yesterday and today! Since we are west coast, we will wait til the end of the day and see.

Please pray for some news to get us one step closer to our Tyson! Thank you!

Day 67 and a prediction

Day 67, and it's a beautiful one! Last night we experienced "Monsters vs. Aliens" at I-MAX in 3-D. It was awesome, but I only mention it because there was SNOW on the road! Now today, we have clear blue skies and milder temps.

I won't lie, it's been a rough weekend in terms of the wait. No new info, and with the LOAs of last week, I am doubting we'll see much over the next few weeks. So, I'm going out on a limb...no, more like a giant branch, and I'll make a prediction: LOA/LOC will arrive on Tuesday, April 21st. Why that day you ask? Well, ironically that will be exactly day 90. Also, 21 seems to be the lucky number for us. March 21, 2008 we officially decided and began the process. January 21, 2009 is our Log in Date. So, if I'm predicting, I might as well be realistic AND make it meaningful at the same time. Now of course, I hope I am wrong and it comes sooner, but no later!

The nicest moms ever!

Today was amazing, and someday these moms will read this and be reminded of how truly amazing and wonderful they are!

I teach sixth grade, and in my school sixth grade is still in the elementary. So I have 29 sixth graders, basically all day everyday. I teach all day, then run princess Kacie to swimming, baseball, or whatever activity she is in. We do homework, I clean up after my dogs, I try to find SOMETHING clean to wear the following day. Wearing make up has become the exception, not the rule. My husband and I try to figure out dinner somewhere in there. There is something every Saturday, and Sundays are for church and correcting papers. Cleaning happens somewhere in there too. So yes, I am the typical, average working mom. Time to myself? Yeah, like that's going to happen.

But...these very nice moms actually did something that I didn't think was possible. They CREATED TIME! Yes, they did! I reached out via email about a month ago and said, "I really want my class to have a party, but with report cards, conferences, family life, adoption, etc... I just don't have time to plan it. Would someone be willing to do this for the kids? They deserve it." So the last thing I heard was, "Don't worry, we'll handle it." So it was planned for the afternoon before spring break as a make up of our Christmas party that was canceled due to snow.

So after lunch I brought the kids up to the room, and there were the moms, all ready to go. So I was thinking I'd jump in a little and play some games, eat some ice cream, etc... Oh no, I was TOLD that I would be leaving for the day. One of the moms is also a substitute teacher and they would handle it. So I said, "Great!" and I started packing my papers up from the morning's reading test to go correct in the staff room. Then I was TOLD again, "No, you are LEAVING. Get your purse." It took me quite awhile to really get this. Long story short, my parents arranged for me to have a pedicure, manicure, and coffee from St*rbucks and to just have a relaxing afternoon. I am still in shock. It was amazing, and I still can't believe it. So while these nice moms handled my 29, I sat and relaxed. It was incredible! They created TIME for ME! It was the best gift ever, and I am truly grateful.

So if you are one of those moms who someday get to read this, THANK YOU for giving me such a great day, and thank you to my principal for helping make it happen. Wow...just wow...

21 months old and Day 60

I just realized that today Tyson is 1 year, 9 months old. We found him in September and had hoped to be traveling in April or May. Now we'll be lucky to travel by the end of June.

We could be 2/3 of the way to LOC. As I am now telling people, we could get LOC any day in the next two months. Let's hope sooner than later!

Stay at home Saturday--Day 59

Since I'm home, here's the Saturday report. Absolutely nothing new on the adoption front. No LOAs/LOCs/LOSCs last week to hear or speak of. Please be praying for those who have been waiting longer than us. Tomorrow is day 60 for us, the average is 90 from what I can gather.

My little monkey aka Kacie has had a fever since Tuesday. Wednesday was the worst of it spiking at 103, and she seems to have a stomach bug with it. She finally ate something yesterday, and had a bowl of cereal today. Now, I have this little monkey who climbs counters, slides across the kitchen floor, talks non-stop, and has a temp of right around 99.5 to 101. 5. She has a bundle of energy all the time, and so this home-bound stuff isn't boding well with her. Tylenol brings it down, so I'm not overly concerned, but after missing so much school last week, I'd really like her to be well enough for church tomorrow and school on Monday. We shall see!

The Green Nails

Before I take the color off, I can't imagine not sharing this look with the world! This is soooooo not me or my personality...but I don't know...maybe it should be? It sure has been a fun conversation piece. Sorry the picture is blurred, but you get the idea.

For such a time as this, we are chosen

Lately I've pouted about this wait time, "If we had been 6 months earlier (before Hague) or 6 months later (after everyone figured out how to deal with Hague) things would be clearer." I've asked, "Why God? Why does this wait have to be so long? Why me, and most importantly, why MY SON?" And today I feel the Lord's answer...

For such a time as this, my child, you were chosen, and your son who is also mine, was chosen. The timing is perfect for you.

So then the Lord opened my eyes to realize that it isn't just me! It's all of us parents who are waiting, whether it's in the nsn or sn line. Our own births were ordained by God in His time, and we were chosen to adopt our children at this time. I like to think that God chose us to adopt at this time because he knew that it would require parents with either a lot of patience or those of us who need to learn to wait with patience; or for whatever reason. I am not alone, and I was chosen!

I don't understand this, as I read more about how the time in an orphanage impacts our children in so many negative ways. Back in December God told me that He has this under control. I'm here and ready, but God says, "Not yet."

And so it goes, more waiting...and I continue to learn what it truly means to "Let go and let God." All I know is that the pain I feel is nothing compared to what God went through having His son die for us. So yes, I will wait, knowing the Lord's timing is perfect, for such a time as this.

Sleepless Saturday

I jumped up at 6am for a meeting, arrived home after 2. Now I am doing report cards--a great rainy Saturday in the Northwest! I actually love the rain with a good cup of coffee. There is something calming about it...maybe because I grew up in a temperate rain forest where we averaged 150 inches of rain per year!

We are at Day 52 of waiting for LOC. It is getting worse everyday, knowing Tyson is in an orphanage, and it is out of our control. I did figure out how to get his finding ad, so I'm working on that now. I am also working on filling out the I-800, I-864W, and the DS 230. Those in the adoption world who fall under Hague know what a pain those are! I am just trying to be ready for the moment we get "the call" that LOC is here. That will most likely not be until the end of April, but hey, I may as well be ready, right?

I still have green nails...they grew on me, and it makes me wonder what I'll do next! It's kind of a random thing to do while I wait. So, thanks for reading this, and hopefully next week I'll have something more exciting to post.

DAY 45 and still waiting...

This is hopefully the 1/2 way point between our LID and LOC. I have to keep telling myself that everyday gets us closer to Tyson. In the meantime, I have the I-800 and DS-230 to fill out so that when the LOC comes, those forms are ready to go! We are still hoping for LOC in Mid-April, but now there's new paperwork between LOC and TA, so now we're probably looking at July travel. OUCH! That hurts. That also means we'll be sending a care package for Tyson's birthday, June 22nd. We had hoped to celebrate it with him in China.

I am somewhat ill today. I have a cold and a sore throat, and just don't feel that great. I did get my nails done on Thursday and had them painted BRIGHT GREEN! They are obnoxious, and I think they are crazy, so the plan is to get new color on Monday. But, my sixth graders think they are pretty sweet, one student thinks they look like monster nails. So if the kids like them, I might keep the color a little longer. But conferences are coming up, so I will have to change that color before then. I mean, we are talking 1980's neon green here! The color was supposed to honor St. Patrick's Day, but I think it's an 80's tribute. Maybe I should post a pic? It's not my most professional move, but it's been fun.

Oh, tonight I am going to a dinner, a very special dinner. A former sixth grade student of mine who is now a Senior went on a mission trip to Africa last summer. Her senior project is to raise as much money as possible to sponsor a 5 year old girls for as long as possible. It is $45 a month to sponsor this child. What an amazing project for a senior in high school to take on!

Please keep Tyson's health and growth in your prayers. When we get him, we want a happy and healthy two year old!