House Guests

Well we are done being hosts. My best friend and her family came down for a quick visit. We had such a good time reconnecting and watching our children play like they still lived down the road from us. It is amazing how kids can pick up right where they left off. I'm grateful for that since we move so frequently. We took the kids to Disney. Oh my goodness- what fun. My boys had never been and the look of pure innocent joy. At every turn they were more surprised and more excited and couldn't say thank you enough. We had a great time.

Now that Mickey has most of our money and all of our energy (we are still recovering!) and our guests are gone- it is time to get back into our routine.....and begin to get ready for our holiday in NY. I have a ton of laundry- rooms to rearrange and very tired children who need to rest today- hope it all gets done!

I checked CCAI's web page today and noticed that they have changed the est. time for adoption again. It is now saying the average adoption will take 19-21 months. Wow- a huge difference from when we began researching this. This creates some interesting challenges for us- outside of the "oh my goodness how will I endure the wait"? We move every three years and when we begin the process in Jan. we will already have been in Florida for 1 year. That only leaves us 2 years left in this state (and who knows where we will be next). I'm not sure how it works when you move- and we would most likely move before the adoption was completed. This is a bigger consideration than just having the home study updated. When we move my husband usually has to return to the "school house" in California and receive training for his new job. That is anywhere between 3 weeks to 3 months. Then getting resettled in our new home- finding schools- socializing our children- my husband figuring out his new job and squadron.....and then asking for time off to travel- of course with no definite plans and things could change at any minute ! I imagine the conversation would go something like "Hello sir, this is Capt. R. reporting for duty. Yes, Sir, our travels went well and I'm looking forward to being a part of this squadron and mission. Oh and by the way Sir, my wife and I are 3/4 into an international adoption and I'll be needing anywhere from 3-4 weeks off at some point. No, Sir I have no idea when that will be- No, Sir I can't call China and find out any definite answers. Yes Sir, if I had to guess it would be sometime in the next 3 months......No, Sir, I don't have any dates...." and this would go on and on and on.......Oh my- the thought gives me hives! It surely would not make a great first impression.
My husband has asked me to pray and consider that maybe E. isn't in China.......I have a hard time believing that.....but 6 months ago I asked him to pray and consider that our family wasn't complete....he was hesitant but willing- and here we are......