Will There Be War?!?

There have been developments since my last post.  The good:  we received word that our home study went to Korea on November 24.  The bad:  Will there be war?  Last week, while the South was doing military drills, the North fired missles, killing 2 soldiers and several civilians.  The South considers it an act of war.  The North is saying that they are on the brink of war.  We are just hoping that diplomacy prevails.

On better news, we had an amazing Thanksgiving.  My parents and two uncles arrived on Tuesday night.  We spent all day Wednesday preparing.  On Thursday, Mike's parents and grandmother came for Thanksgiving.  Good food, easy conversations and help all around made the day special.  I also got a special gift of Betty, Jack and Pat coming for dinner.  And did I mention that Mike's grandmother makes a killer gravy.  

We had talked about telling everyone about the adoption, but decided to wait for the referral.  It is killing me not to tell them.  So far, just my mom and brother know about it.  Mike thought it was best to wait for the referral based on everything that is going on. We are hoping to make the exciting announcement at Christmas time.

Gluttoned from turkey day

My amazing family

 My family ready to head home.  Thanks Dad and Uncle Dick for helping with the Christmas Lights.  They look great.  I always hate to see you go.

12 Things To Be Thankful For

In this week of Thanksgiving, I wanted to list a few things that I am thankful for:

1.   I'm thankful for a loving husband who is the perfect match for me.
2.   I'm thankful for great parents who are truly my heart n soul.
3.   I'm thankful for a supportive brother who I get closer to with each passing year.
4.   I'm thankful for my LA sister-in-law who puts up with my brother at SC games.
5.   I'm thankful for an incredible sister whose family rounds out my Ohio family.
6.   I'm thankful for my amazing in-laws who provide the local support system.
7.   I'm thankful for my two awesome pups without which my life would not be the same.
8.   I'm thankful for my family in Ohio who were such a key ingredient to a wonderful childhood.
9.   I'm thankful that my family is healthy.
10. I'm thankful that I believe in a loving and forgiving God.
11. I'm thankful that God has blessed us in so many ways.
12. I'm thankful that I had such supportive grandparents and I hope to always live up to their legacy.

Wordless Wednesday: Royal Engagement

Britain's Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton pose for a photograph in St James's Palace, in central London, November 16, 2010. (Reuters: Suzanne Plunkett)

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I600-A

We received our completed home study from Oregon on Friday.  Boy, were we excited to get that part finally finished.  We now need to file our Form I600-A to start the visa process.  Mike is working on the form right now and will send it off tomorrow.  We then will need to get another set of fingerprints done for immigration.  Our agency said that this process typically takes 30-45 days---something tells me that it will be longer with the holidays around the corner.

Our joy with having the home study process done and one step closer to a referral was squashed on Saturday.  We received notice from the Korea Program that they have over-extended their home study request to get December referrals.  So, it now looks like we are on the outside looking in---to get a December referral.  Something tells me that it's going to be a longer wait.  Disappointing, yes, but not much that we can do.

This weekend we also spent Saturday listening to Mike's dad sing at The Kimmel Center.  He has an amazing singing voice---too bad, Mike didn't inherit that skill set.  It was quiet the honor and the choir sounded incredible.  Afterward, we went to dinner at an Italian restaurant in South Philly where the waiters sing.  It was nice to spend a night out with the family---including Toni's parents.  Toni is expecting their second.  Will it be a little boy that can play with our baby boy during family outings?  Stay tuned.

Veteran's Day

Today, I wanted to say thanks to all of the veterans.  It is through their sacrifices that we are able to live in a free democracy.  I spent the day with my pups.  Two separate walks on a beautiful fall day.  With the hectic pace of work, it was so nice just to relax.

All quiet on the adoption front.  Our homestudy is now in Oregon.  We were told in two weeks we'll receive a package and will then need to start the I600-A process.  Onto the next stage...

Wordless Wednesday: Sunset

Whew!

It's been a very hectic past couple of weeks.  We arrived home on monday from a great trip to LA.  I then entered the eye of the storm at work.  To be honest, the past couple of days have been a blur.  Who knew work could get so crazy so quickly!  TGIF

With another curveball, the Korean program emailed everyone to say that they have run out of EPs for this year.  What does that mean for us:  not the best of news.  We are now looking at 6-8 months from acceptance of the child to travel.  We still might get a December referral---but will have to wait for travel.

With better news, our home study is complete!  We are now officially on the waiting list in Oregon. And so, the long wait begins.