We're Number 1!!!!

So it was an exciting night in the Ring household last night - the family "in front of us" in the baby girl adoption line received a referral. Honestly, I was a little surprised by my genuine happiness for them - I say that meaning I guess I thought my selfish excitement at being next in line would overpower my emotions. While I won't downplay that excitement - because it is huge, I was absolutely thrilled for this family. There is something about the adoption journey that is a unique bond for those travelling the ups and downs together. While we only know each other via the internet, I know the emotional struggles they have faced first hand, so I was elated that this faze of the wait is over for them. :)

So... for the last couple of weeks I have been a crazy person; now that gets amped up tenfold, I imagine. I feel like it is unlikely it will come today or tomorrow, so that gets me through this week. But, by Monday, I will be playing mind games once again! Oh well - that is just the way it is. We are surrounded by love and support, so I simply can't wait to share our daughter with everyone. She will be one lucky girl - they say it takes a village, and we surely have an incredible support network. I was also really thrilled to see how excited the boys were last night. They were jumping up and down and calling grandma, etc. It was so cute. They have been so passive in the process, since they have been hearing about it for 18 months - and it is rather abstract. I realized how much of this adoption journey has influenced Colby's thinking (age 6). Our next door neighbor is pregnant and having a boy, and when I told Colby, he said, "Where are they on the list? Will they get a referral soon?" I had to explain that she is having her baby just as I had him, at a hospital - etc.

Well, I better get some work done. Something tells me productivity might slow down a bit in the next couple of weeks. :)

So Begins Month 11...

Today is September 21, 2009. Exactly 11 months ago our paperwork went overseas to Ethiopia. I would say the first 7 months didn't seem too bad. I didn't expect a referral in that time, so I didn't have my hopes up, and thus life moved along. In July, there was a flurry of referrals, so I started to get really excited. In fact, it looked like a July referral was a possibility, so Dennis and I debated a trip for me and Reilly - in August, before school started - to meet the little one, knowing that we would get caught in court closures so we wouldn't get to bring her home until October - at best. Well, here we are in the eve of September, still waiting on that referral. There is one family ahead of us, who is about 3 weeks ahead in process, so I know their hearts are hurting! Each day now is such a swirl of emotions. I wake up excited, nervous and ready to jump out of my seat when the phone rings, I fall asleep each night a little sad that it didn't happen. I know I have been cranky and out of sorts - more withdrawn then normal. One one hand it is easy to just say "things happen for a reason - it is all in God's timing" - which I do totally believe, but it is another to live it patiently. Patience is not a gift I was endowed with in mass quantities (there are other ways in which I am not well endowed too...:) I am beginning to nest - I cleaned out closets and the pantry. Now, I am thinking about new furniture for her room...

hopefully soon. :)

Yet Another Reason I am Thrilled to Be Adopting from Ethiopia

Wow, It Is September 1st!

I am not really sure where August went. The scorching humidity enveloped the start of the field hockey season, the school doors opened and welcomed back the faculty, my boys prepared for kindergarten and second grade, and well, the month disappeared. It passed without a baby girl referral and I have solemnly held my # 2 place in line. Truthfully, there were days that were so busy, that had AWAA called with our referral, my head might have exploded. It would have been a lot to deal with. Now, that being said, I would have managed! But, now I am ready. I am sensing in Dennis a longing that he is really ready too. That makes me really happy. It has been tough to start another school year and have to answer the "when are you getting your baby" questions - with the pitiful response of, "I have no idea".

We are hosting an exchange student from Finland for the school year. My boys are loving having Lauri with us. He is a great kid and has filled in the "big brother" role quite nicely. Hopefully before Thanksgiving we will have baby girl home - how fun to have 4 kids with us for the holidays!

Well, back to work. :)