Twiddling thumbs

Thought I'd do a quick adoption update.

As the title suggests, nothing really going on. Today I did our monthly check in which is always good, and discouraging at the same time. Everything is going fine. There are no hiccups in the process. We aren't not doing anything. It is simply taking its time, as adoptions often do.

This month Kevin and I were re-fingerprinted for the FBI background check. A crucial, if frustrating, process. We'll wait and see if I pass on the first go round this time! We also did a revamp of our profiles (our pretty, colorful, family resumes that are sent out to birthmoms). I like the revision, but still liked the first one so wonder what is the point of it all. I foresee a Saturday in my future binding them all together (a time consuming process that is actually kind of like sewing and enjoyable, provided that the girls give me some peace and quiet for it).

Last month there was a "nibble" on our online profile. This is encouraging, although the birthmom has not done the follow up paperwork yet (not unusual) so no idea when she is due or how serious she is looking into adoption. The good news that I found encouraging is that most couples only get a few "nibbles" and this was our second one! So maybe we are getting close?! (that is the positive thinking--the negative is "we've been doing this for a year and only 2 people have expressed interest? what is wrong with us?!")

People ask us about the process and what we think of it. I honestly can't answer very well right now, although I try. I'm hoping there is another side to this, a happy ending with a baby. I have days where I kick myself and think "why didn't we do [this program] instead of doing the one we are doing?" Mostly I think that maybe international would have been wiser for us, although I know we seriously looked into it and were unable to find a program that matched us well. I also can't disregard the serious drawbacks to international--older children who have been institutionalized and struggle to bond, the rumors of child trafficking in even established programs and the simple fact that we firmly believe that our next child should follow our family's birth order and not supersede either Hannah or Abby. Or, the fact that if we were doing an international adoption through China, we would be just starting out, delayed by the 30 year age minimum, facing what could be a 2 to 4 year wait from here (when I last looked into it, China's waits were getting out of control. Hopefully that has changed in the last year, but on adoption forums there were even talks about 5 years-that is just crazy and hopefully not happening.)

I struggle with patience, but am married to a saint of patience (maybe that is why he married me?). Kevin wishes it would happen faster, but is confident of both our call to adopt and God's faithfulness. The self-doubts and worry don't seem to creep in as much with him. I'm trying to emulate him with varied success.

So, a long, drawn out post that says... nothing.

We are twiddling our thumbs.

We'd covet your prayers.

A few days without mom

So, Kevin here--- I debated which Alisa would be more shocked at, a status update from me with pictures on facebook or a blog post. So, you can see which one won (although I figured I could do a blog post and put a link on my facebook). No one should get too used to this from me.

We are now in day 3 of 4 without mom, who is in California for a wedding, which I am very glad for, but we all miss her. I think each girl has only cried once because she is gone, so I consider that pretty good. They both cried more times than that in the few days leading up to when she was leaving.


I have learned (again) that when I'm home with the girls alone I can't expect to get anything done, so I've tried to put aside my to-do list for a few days and take a break from working in the yard too much and just enjoy our time.

So far we made it to school on time both days. We have had dinner every night. We made it through one evening meeting and one softball practice while they kept busy (and pretty happy) at both. And yesterday it was 80 degrees and we had some fun at the beach, the girls even did a little swimming.


So, for anyone who is concerned, here is proof that not only are the girls still alive, but that I can even get them ready for 2 birthday parties this weekend.

Alisa- we hope you are having a great time and look forward to you coming home tommorrow!

Not the best

I wouldn't classify my news as bad. I won't take that line of negativity.

Let's just say it is not the best.

On Friday, I, along with countless other teachers, got RIFed. RIF is short for a "reduction in force" notice; in other fields it would be called laid off or pink slipped. My letter from district office was not pink. Nor was it in any way final. Our state legislature has not passed a budget and because of that districts do not know how much money they will have next year. No one is thinking it will be pretty or plentiful when they do pass the budget, but how bad it will be has not yet been determined. If it is the worst case, I won't have a job. If it isn't the worst case, well, I might have a job or I might not. Time will tell.

As you can imagine, I am not thrilled with this news, but I am also not despairing. I love teaching. I do it because I love it and enjoy the challenge of it. The paycheck is nice, especially when we've got home improvements that need to be done and loans that need to be repaid. But. But. If I don't work full-time (and I know I can find part time work substituting and maybe in an after school program), I get to hang out with Abby more, maybe volunteer in both girls' classrooms and possibly, but not likely, have a cleaner home. If I don't get my job back, I'll be sad because I do love it, but I love being a mom and know there is plenty to keep me busy here at home. And there is always that elusive possibility of Baby Lind #3 actually showing up.

So, I wouldn't call this a win-win situation, but I wouldn't call this bad. Let's call it a "wait and see."

(I would have put off telling this news simply because I don't want my students or daughters to really worry about this, but, seeing that this is a small town, the cat is already out of the bag so why not.)

Yea Haw!

Our school has a tradition of celebrating the start of Colorama (a rodeo/carnival weekend) with a Hoe Down. I'll be honest--I'm not a big dancer, let alone a line or square dancer, but the Hoe Down does a good job of making a fan of even a reluctant participant. (To consider-not only do I attend as a parent, but I also have the pleasure of teaching 28 2nd graders how to dance... yeah, glad my co-teacher takes the lead.)

Kevin didn't take any pictures of my students dancing to "Cotton Eyed Joe" but he did get this cute girl square dancing.

She was pretty excited that her partner was a 1st grader friend, Camryn.

Of course, she can't have all the fun. Abby joined in with her buddy Libby.

It might not look like it, but this is the chicken dance

Abby's view

How Abby sees the game

Our little player




Love spring!