Friday, February 19, 2010

Feeling Loved

I missed a Valentine entry, but nonetheless want to take some time to reflect on some of the recent ways, both big and small, that people display their kindness.

  • A stranger volunteered to help me get out of a tight parking spot.
  • A teacher sent my name home on a class list for Valentine's Day... which resulted in many smiling children coming to deliver their treats/cards to my room.
  • My sister-in-law decided to keep her germs to herself (insert smile here)!
  • A friend donned a feather boa with me as well as heart-to-heart conversation.
  • My husband told me I looked nice as I got ready to leave for an out of town conference.
  • Two strangers stopped me yesterday to tell me how much they liked my hair (now that is a good hair day).
  • A co-worker took time to share some of the compliments that families have given me.
  • Michael's parents sent Michael and I some hysterical Valentine tattoos.
  • Another sister-in-law is bringing chocolate cake and ice cream to share with us!
  • A friend who is terribly allergic to cats offered heart felt FB sympathy regarding Chewy's recent passing.
  • The school librarian keeps ordering CD's and sharing artists that he think I would like.
  • My uncle is patient when Mehandis hangs up the phone during our conversation.
  • The students who "work" with my preschoolers always come with a smile on their face and an eagerness to help.
  • Many kind words of support and caring have been shared with us as we inch along our waiting list... some messages coming from individuals that I haven't spoken to/seen in over 20 years.
  • Lots of leg hugs and knee kisses coming from our little boy - as this is where his hugs and kisses reach.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Cold but Cozy

We haven't gotten to Michael's parents cabin since Christmas time, so we jumped at the chance for some time to hang at the "compound" this past weekend.  We were excited to host our good friend Lucia, whom was excited herself to escape the blanket of white surrounding her home in Washington DC.

Lucia, a roommate of mine from college, did arrive a day late due to snow delays... but just in time for cabin fun!  Other college friends were able to join us as well.
Mehandis could not resist in joining us for picture poses.  But he was fast asleep by the time we made it to the hot tub. 

Brr... was a lot colder getting into the hot tub than getting out.  Thanks goodness for the creative coverups we crafted up that night.  Love the tracks our bare feet made in the snow.  Maybe Lu should visit her California friends next time she wants to escape February's freeze! 

Later in the weekend Mehandis, Michael and I ventured onto the shores of the backyard lake.  "Where is the water?", Mehandis wanted to know.  And then when we headed towards the ice fishing shanties, "Where are the fish?".  We chatted with some of the fishermen and found that they were definitely biting (the fish not the men).  Also got to see someone drill a hole through the 18 inches of ice.  Very cool... literally.


Sometimes feels like winter could go on forever.  But if we can keep having such a wonderful time sharing those times together... I will take it!


Friday, February 12, 2010

We Are in the Top 10!!!

As of today our "short" unofficial list declares us to be in the #10 spot!  Looks like Mehandis is working on a list of his own... and of course... he is written as #1.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Still Holding... and Now Folding


Just got a call from our International Adoption Specialist... with quite a bit of specific news.  She let us know that we have moved "a lot" further up the list since we spoke last.  I have never heard the terms "movement" and "a lot" together in a statement from CHSFS before.  So that was pretty uplifting on its own.

Then she wanted to give me a visual of how close we were getting.  According to her, the true/real/all families included list is 6 pages long.  She let me know that we are on the first page... "above the fold".  Now I am just curious how they fold papers in Minnesota?  Hmmm. 

Furthermore, she added that it seemed we would get a referral in about 2 months.  But felt that it really could be sooner. 

While all this is up for change and re-caluculation... it is fun to think about.  And so nice to finally have some specifics to share when I am next asked, "Where are you in the wait?"   Now I could even pair it with a bit of origami for a multi-modality explanation!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

And the t-shirt goes too...

Michael!  He picked the winning location for our spring break vacation.  After receiving many thoughtful suggestions regarding possible Florida hot spots, we changed our destination.  So we will making our way to Washington DC... following Michael's brainstorming and research. 

From the pictures that follow, I think you can see that this didn't take much arm twisting.

We will be right down the street from the capitol and many other incredible destinations!  And although we won't be basking in the sun along Florida's beaches, the pool at our hotel looks quite inviting.  Also, we now don't have to worry about sunscreen ;)


Anxious for our trip!  Thank you Michael for all the time taken to make it just right for us.  Much appreciation goes to my parents who also happily agreed to watching Mehandis while we are gone as well :)