Thanksgiving 2008

I had to share a cute picture of my basset baby Higgins, who is shown in his favorite position in the leather recliner with his 'favorite' fleece throw. He's 5-years-old and very spoiled. I've enjoyed spending time with him over the last couple of days. I'm enjoying a few days off for Thanksgiving break and it's been fun to cuddle with my precious dog who gives unconditional love (and sloppy kisses).

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone without Caroline. Yesterday, at a wonderful Thanksgiving feast with friends, I had at least two questions of "I thought you were adopting a baby from China.....what happened?" Or, "Why is the adoption taking so long?" I certainly appreciate the fact that people inquired.....I'd almost feel worse if people didn't mention anything about the adoption. But, when I tell them that I probably won't have Caroline at NEXT year's Thanksgiving....the reality does sink in.

I am very thankful for what I have and WHO I have. I continue to have a wonderful job and a wonderful Mom, extended family, friends, and terrific students. I have a nice home that I enjoy, and a new church family that cares very much for me. And, I am thankful for this adoption journey.....the fact that I was able to get my dossier logged-in before the new China restrictions took place....the fact that my home study update and the renewal of the I171H form came quickly. I'm thankful that each day is one day closer to Caroline. I have alot to be thankful for. :)

Saw the Cutest 2nd Grader Today

Today I made a trip to Wabash to observe one of my students who is completing her student teaching experience in music. She is teaching at an elementary school and doing a terrific job. Today I observed a 4th grade class and a 2nd grade class. I was amazed at how wonderfully structured these classes were.....classroom management was excellent.....the lesson objective was being met through a variety of classroom activities. I REALLY enjoyed my time there. I watched the 2nd grade class do a listening lesson to a piece by Shostakovich....a polka. The kids were being guided through some fun movements to help 'feel' the music. All of a sudden I become fixated on one of the little boys in the class. He was quite small, jeans and a green t-shirt, a very short haircut and thick glasses. SO CUTE. He was having so much fun and I could tell that he was absolutely 'in to' the music....and it was quite obvious that he had an innate ability for music. I fell in love with this little guy and wanted to take him home with me.

Later I found out that he was being raised by his step-grandmother after his grandfather died. I have no idea where the parents are......oh my....I wanted to take him home with me EVEN MORE.

It was nice to feel that 'maternal instinct' again. I have not allowed myself to feel that way in a while, knowing that it is going to be a long wait for Caroline. I had suppressed those feelings. I'm glad I allowed that feeling to come back. It feels good.

Watching YouTube - Pass the Kleenex

I've been watching China Adoption 'Gotcha Day' videos on YouTube......I don't know if that's a good thing or bad thing.....pass the kleenex.

Sabbatical?

Please join me in prayer that my dossier will get out of the review room soon.

I really appreciate the fact that people are constantly asking me when I will bring Caroline home. I'm getting really tired of saying that I have no idea. I'm toying with the idea of taking a sabbatical leave from my teaching position.....trying to figure out what kind of research project I might do, but, it's hard to plan when I have no idea when I'll be going to China. The best sabbatical that I can think of is to go to China, bring Caroline home, and spend about three months doing 'authentic research' on how to be a good mommy.

Ignoring the Situation

I've been surviving this long adoption wait by not dwelling on the situation. I just have tried not to think about it much. That seems a little odd, because I do pray for my future daughter and I pray for my adoption agency.....but, I just have tried to keep it off my mind. That's not so terribly hard during the day because I'm around my college 'kids' all day....I focus on them and I guess that kind of keeps my mind off of China.

This 'ignoring' the situation was made a bit difficult last Friday night on Halloween. Mom and I were invited to a 'fall festival' party at the country home of a friend. There was a large crowd of people there for the hot dog roast, smores, and the costume party for the kids. At the party was a couple that have adopted two children from China...they are missionaries to China and have adopted two 'waiting children'.......beautiful children.

How much longer until my dossier gets out of the 'review room?' That is the next positive thing that I am anticipating.