ADOPTION IS A ROLLER COASTER, AND I AM TAKING THIS RIDE!

With international adoption, you have to expect the unexpected and know it is all part of the process. We initially began looking into adopting from India, only to find out many programs are on hold due to recent international adoption laws changing there any many adoption agencies are uncertain about the future of their India programs. So, we got excited about Ethiopia to find out that laws are also changing there and that the Ethiopia Ministry of Women's, Children's, and Youth's Affairs wants to cut international adoption by 90% this month. So then, I got discouraged--REALLY discouraged...we hadn't even STARTED the paperwork and difficulties were arising. Then I got a text from my dad that helped me get the right perspective again. It said, "Hang in there, you got to know that the adoption process is, whether here or overseas, an emotional and trying time. It will no doubt test you in ways you have never known before. Love you."

So, this got me thinking. Part of adventure that makes it an adventure is the anticipation of the unknown. Well, that makes adoption an adventure, and I need to look at it like one. It's also a roller coaster. There are lots of ups and downs, and we knew there would be BEFORE we started the process. So, instead of feeling sad and gloomy when we seem to take the downturns,
I'M NOT GOING TO CRY. I AM GOING TO CRY, "WHEE!" AND HOLD ON FOR THE RIDE. In the end, we will have a wonderful kid in our arms.

As things stand now, we are looking at Ethiopia, South Korea, and Uganda. It is interesting how this adoption process has already taken a life of its own, and we haven't even started any paperwork (that will start in July after Mike finishes his last and roughest months of second year residency).

Adoption drama already!

India is almost off the list at this point. We were hoping to adopt from Ethiopia, but Ethiopia may get REALLY difficult to adopt from soon (so I'm bummed about that). However, there is some reason to hold onto hope after hearing back from our adoption agency we plan to use. Still holding out hope for Ethiopia for now. And, we decided we could check into Vietnam and Uganda too. So, we'll still adopt one way or another, just might be the typical adoption drama. I was hoping I could somehow bypass that, BUT it seems that won't be the case.

MY CHILD

It's possible--likely--that my son or daughter is already born, already alive, walking this earth somewhere. I am so anxious to know more about him/her. I can't wait to meet them and get to know him/her. I hope that their life is as happy as can be for as long as possible before our lives intersect. I hope he/she has food in their belly tonight. I hope they are in the loving embrace of a mother, father, or other family member right now, completely oblivious to the twists and turns their life will have to take before we are together and learn to be a family. I know that Mike and I will not be plan A for this child. International adoption is a necessity because of the wounded, broken world we live in, but I hope that plan B will make his/her life story the best it can possibly be.

‎"How can capitalism be redeemed, retrained, and redirected so that a prosperous minority of people don't continue to suffer the dehumanizing meaninglessness of self-centered luxury while a struggling majority suffer the dehumanizing degradation of crushing poverty?" Brian McLaren, A New Kind of Christianity

India or Ethiopia?

So, we are putting off starting the paperwork process for adoption until July, after we move to a new place this summer and Mike finishes his second year of residency. We are starting to consider Ethiopia programs but are still considering India programs too. Where oh where will our son or daughter be from?

A SENSE OF WONDER

It is hard not to be anxious about the little person we will welcome home in the future. We are very excited about this process of adoption we are about to embark on. Now this little person is just a plan, just a thought to us (we haven't even found the agency we want to use), but that little seed of love is already planted in our hearts for him/her just at the thought!

I wonder what features this little person will have. I wonder what their name will be, where they will be from, how big they'll be before we get to see them for the first time. A sense of wonder is good for the soul.

Little child, we don't know you yet, but God knows you already and that comforts me. --your forever mom

ANOTHER NEW BEGINNING!

Do you remember the day (past blogs) when we expanded our family by adding pets? Well, we've decided it's about time to officially expand our family. Last night, Mike and I officially decided to begin the international adoption process. First, we need to find an adoption agency that has a GREAT India program. We have LOTS of questions, although I've been doing as much research as I possibly can. We are still having some trouble pinning down the agency we want to use. But, once we do, hopefully we will complete an application and get this two or three year party started!

We are so excited! With much hope, this is going to be the beginning of the story of how a girl from a ranch in WY met a Trini/West Indian boy from Michigan, who met their precious, little boy or girl half way around the world. I'm as giddy as a girl can be!

XARIS: A Community of Peace

Another new beginning! We've joined a small, nondenominational faith community that meets in a quaint little coffee shop in Franklin, TN, on Saturday evenings. You can check out our web blog at http://xaris-tn.blogspot.com. It's a wonderful community of people who love Jesus and want to be led by His Spirit.

NASHVILLE NOW
2009 came and went in a blur! Mike graduated from medical school in May, and we arrived in our new hometown of Nashville, TN, the last week of May. We both work for Vanderbilt. Mike is doing his residency in psychiatry, and I am doing OB/Gyn ultrasounds.

In October, my parents came down for a nice visit. We visited as many places as possible while they were here. The time was too short. We hope they can come back soon. My Uncle Rocky, from WY, also came for a short visit in October.

We spent our THIRD wedding anniversary in Gatlinburg, TN (Smokey Mountains), and had an amazing time!

Mike's brother Lee graduated from UCF with his BA in business and got a job in Orlando, FL. We are very proud of him.

Christmas 2009 was spent at our place in Nashville with Mike's parents, brothers, and Uncle Cecil and family.

It has been a fun and exciting year filled with lots of change. We feel very blessed!