On the Edge of a Cliff and Ready to Fly

We’re in the middle of consolidating our debt in an effort to prepare for adoption #2. Not sure when we’ll actually START the process, but we need to save more money to get prepared for it.  Joshua’s adoption was fairly straightforward without any bumps in the process, but we could always have a difficult adoption process similar to what our work friends are going through. We also could have an adoption start and then not complete because the biological family changes their mind at the last minute. Whenever you adopt domestically, there is always a chance of things not going through, and it’s just sometimes expected, sadly, through the process. I’ve thought some about foster care adoption and international adoption but I really think that we want to adopt private domestic again the second time around. Originally, we wanted to adopt a total of 3 children, but I don’t know if that is going to be financially possible.

We are currently enjoying Joshua very much. It is fun to watch him develop into his own person and see his likes and dislikes. He is in the middle of learning the art of the full blown temper tantrum – head banging, feet kicking and all. I’ve found the best thing to do is to either ignore him but it’s better to distract him into doing something else. We’re working on a solid night time routine – bath, playtime, putting away toys, reading a book, then bed time. Last night we tried this and used a lot of songs and it worked very well – this was a great suggestion by Aunt Julie. His vocabulary is slowly expanding, he is definitely making a lot of new noises and trying out new songs, but a lot of it I cannot figure out what he’s talking about. He loves to point and say in a sing-song voice ‘Aa-oo’ which could mean ‘look at that’ or ‘I want that’ or ‘I’m sick of this.’

We can understand clearly a few words. Josh says “hi”  “bye-bye”  “Mama”  “dada”  “dog”  and some things that I can’t quite pick out that sound like “huh” or “argh.” He likes to feed Luna her food every morning and night; he’ll go to the pantry, fill up a little plastic cup one handful at a time, then carry it over to her bowl. If we let him, he would do this all day long, but we stop it when she’s had enough food in her bowl.

I am not sure what exactly is going on, but a biological father is contesting the adoption process of a family we know. This just makes me ill; during the pregnancy, he never supported the mother, and the mother picked this couple to parent her child. This child has been in their home since he was born.

I am not sure what is happening, but please pray for them. I don’t understand why adoption has to be so difficult and frightening sometimes.

Another couple from work that I’ve helped and mentored through the adoption process is in line to adopt a baby due 10/10/09. I am hopeful this goes through. Before we adopted Josh, we had some potential matches, but they have had potential matches come close to working out and then it would fall through. I am praying this one goes through without a hitch.

The other work couple whose son was born 7/16 has their adoption hearing 10/15. Please pray for both these families that their family is complete soon.

I am so excited I could burst. A friend of mine from work that I’ve been mentoring through her adoption process was matched with their little boy. He was born earlier today – it just happens to be the anniversary of Donald and mines first date!!

It’s so exciting and gratifying to see someone who has been discouraged and unsure about the whole process to finally see them matched with their little miracle.

Adoption rocks.