Caregiver Gifts

Since we returned from you-know-where last February, I have been busy knitting. In Europe we saw scarves, wraps and shawls everywhere.Little Man's caregivers are wonderful, and they love him so much! I want to give them something meaningful and useful and beautiful, too. I decided to make wraps out of worsted weight wool because winters are long and cold there. I had some excellent Ella Rae wool, and it came from Eastern Europe.:)My first 2 projects used up that stash. This summer, I dug around in my stash and found the white, cotton-linen yarn. I bought it on sale 75% off about 20 yrs. ago. How cool to finally have a use for it! It is gorgeous yarn. I could never afford to buy that much full price.So, now I am knitting frantically to complete one last wrap. The pattern I am using is a very simple garter stitch triangle with fringe. It is not lacy and pretty, but the color is nice and the yarn is warm and cozy.

Meredith offered to model for me.:) This was my first attempt. It is called Tiger's Eye lace.





This one was my favorite to knit. The pattern seems very simple at first, but there is depth to the texture and color of the different stitches. It's warm,too.




This one looks complicated, but it is so easy and it knits up really fast. You have to feel this one to appreciate it. It is soft and silky, but there is a coarseness that the linen gives. I LOVE it!

Hopeful

We are still waiting. I say this without the least bit of impatience. I feel like a kid at Christmas. I KNOW it is coming, and I am SO excited! Today, could be the day we get our court date. If not, oh well, maybe it will be tomorrow. I kind of like the way I feel, but I wonder if it is good for me. Out of the blue, my heart will just start racing and I get a burst of adrenaline and strong emotions come flooding in. Usually the emotion is joy, but sometimes it is closer to panic.

I am looking for opinions. We are considering bringing Gavin with us. Little Man is used to having kids around, and it might help to have someone to play with. Do you think that is wise? Is it worth the extra expense? My biggest concern is that Gavin will get bored and homesick. I would love to hear some advice.

Thanksgiving

Yesterday was a great day. We spent the day with Dan's family in Cumberland. Since my parents moved from the house I grew up in, going to my inlaws is the closest thing I have to going home. We had good food and fellowship. After dinner, my mother-in-law started asking me questions about Andreas. We never talk about the adoption. We talked about specific orphans I have prayed for, and how sometimes I have been blessed to hear a happy ending of a family for them. When she looked back, she could remember that I had pictures of kids on my fridge. She hadn't really known I have always had a heart for orphans and adoption. Then she asked all about Andreas, and what he is like. Just before we left, I was able to show her the videos my friend Charlotte had taken in July. It felt great to finally introduce her to her newest grandson.

Today, I am especially thankful for all the people who have helped and supported us so far in this process. First, there are the friends who have always understood my calling to pray for orphans, and my desire to adopt. Thank you, Jen, Deb, and Steph. I know I have your whole-hearted support. Then, there is my new friend, Robbi, who jumped right in with prayer and support. My church and co-op friends who joined me in prayer for the money to adopt, and for Dan to be open and willing to adopt Andreas, especially Marti and Barb. There have been so many-Karen, Martha, Joy, and the rest of the co-op moms. Then there is Ruth and Nancy, who were willing to write recommendations for us 2 times! Thank you again.

That was all before we even committed to adopt Andreas. Now there is a whole host of cyber-friends who have been my lifeline in this process. This adoption would never have been possible without Andrea Roberts and Reece's Rainbow. Andrea went to visit Andreas, and took the picture that stole my heart. She has been invaluable with her knowledge of adoption, and the country we are adopting from. Early on, I made contact with a very special woman, Christina. She and her family pray for A and us every day! She also gave me the video that introduced me to my new son. It was the best present I have ever been given!! I know she loves A so very much!! Around the same time, I connected with an amazing mom, Kris. Kris adopted from the same country. Following her blog while she was there was so exciting! We actually stayed in the same apartment on our preview trip. It was incredible to see the same views from the windows that Kris had so carefully captured with a camera. She has been a wonderful source of encouragement and support.

There are a few other RR ladies who have been especially supportive and helpful. Meredith and Shelley have always answered any questions I have had. I am grateful for their experience and willingness to share. Amy, Joy, and Charissa have also been understanding and helpful. To Linda, I am especially grateful. I can send her private emails any time, and know I will get exactly what I need. She has helped me so much!!!

Three of the people I met through RR are also on our country's adoption group. That group has been unbelievably helpful! Everyone there is friendly. We knew exactly what to bring for our first trip. I got maps and directions and even restaurant suggestions from the group. On our preview we were able to meet and spend time with Viola and Steve. They were so gracious and open. They kept us busy after we had to leave A at the orphanage, and made a difficult day much more bearable. Then there is Charlotte. Not only did Charlotte go to visit my boy and take pictures and videos of him, she called me from half-way across the world to tell me about him. That was wonderful! The other day, I caught her on facebook with a question, and she called me immediately and helped me fill out a document. Isn't she amazing? Finally, there is Shea. There is NO ONE I would rather have in my corner than Shea. I think she is as committed to this adoption as we are.:) Shea has helped me with all the ins and outs of the paperwork and navigating the system. She has called me several times, just to say "hang in there". She and Charlotte also reminded the officials there that we are still waiting. I am amazingly blessed!!

My fear now, after naming all these people, is that I will have forgotten someone-(like Mom and Dad and my sisters). Please forgive me if I did. I just felt an overwhelming gratitude that had to be expressed. Thank you, all, from the bottom of my heart!

More Random Stuff

Meredith with her "Marcie" haircut.







Looking cute.:)







Shyla at roughly 6 months. Whatever she is, it is not lab/shepherd!


I think she is a small Cur or a large Feist. See how she holds her ears like a terrier? She has the coloring of a Cur, even the black pigment on her gums and palate. She also has the naturally semi-docked tail and webbed feet, but she isn't even 30 lbs. yet. Feists can be tan and black, but are usually smaller and often have ears that stand up. Shyla holds hers up and forward when she is "working".







She is very smart, and easy to train, except for housebreaking!! I think it is because she spent so much time in a cage. If we give her a blanket, she will pee on it, and then curl up and sleep on it. That is NOT normal. She will also spend a good amount of time outside, and then go on the floor. We have never had trouble housebreaking a dog before.






Shyla and Kody are beginning to get along. Kody still runs away and hides when he doesn't want to play. Shyla is relentless! They love to play tug-o-war with anything. It is a riot to watch them play it with a tennis ball. You can't even see the ball. They look like they are kissing, and around and round they go. Shyla is a little taller and longer, but Kody outweighs her by 15 lbs. He can send her flying. He can't catch her though. Wow, is she fast!









This is not a great picture of Connor in part of his costume. I accidently deleted the good one. He moved and acted like an old man, even if he didn't look old.:)









The cast and crew of "Your a Good Man, Charlie Brown". Meredith is in the orange shirt. The show was well done. I wish I could say I loved it, but I really DON'T like Peanuts or most comics for that matter.









The view from my deck this morning. Even on a blah, November day, it's pretty here. I am so thankful we get to live next to the river!

Busy, busy, busy.

Connor's show opened last night. It was great! He is doing such a good job. I'll have to get pictures tonight. He has 2 separate costumes. I want to get a picture of each. Today, he has 2 school performances, and then 1 for the public tonight. Then, he has 2 tomorrow and he is done.

Meredith's show opens tonight. I have to work at Connor's show so I won't be there.:( I hate it when I have to miss a performance! Dan can't be there either because Garrett has his first catering job at The Green Ladle, and he will probably need to be picked up before the performance is over. Meredith will not be un-watched on opening night, however, because Mimi and Bump will be there. That makes me feel a little better. Meredith also has 2 performances today for the elementary schools. Then she has 1 show on Saturday and 1 on Sunday. Next week is going to be sooooo nice!

I'm trying to figure out how to feed everyone. Maybe a stew in the crockpot and some fresh bread would work? Then, there will be something hot and ready whenever someone is hungry and has time to eat.

In the meantime, Gavin and I have Homeschool co-op this morning. That is always lots of fun!

Random Stuff

The pattern up close. This is very close to a pattern I know is Estonian. This could be Baltic or Scandinavian. The stripes are Scandinavian and Traditional to Maine as well, so I combined the patterns. I got the yarn this summer at the Dollar Tree. It is high quality washable wool which usually goes for $7/ball. What a deal. The pattern I found was called Winter Sunrise and is done in red and gold. The colors I had work perfectly, I think. Little Man looks great in bright colors, too.


Gavin was happy to model for me.:) The hat fits Gavin, Connor and Meredith, so it is bound to fit Little Man as well.


This is our latest Social Studies project. It is called a shaduf. It has been used since the time of the Ancient Mesopotamians. Abraham may have used one of these. Isn't that cool!

On the gray block, we dug irrigation ditches and trenches. The boys had to use the shaduf to water their crops. The little wooden bucket wasn't heavy enough to sink, so Connor came up with the idea of weighting it with the dime. It worked perfectly. I love homeschooling!




My big boy, Garrett and Shyla. He loves this puppy!

I-800 APPROVED

At lunch I had another letter from USCIS saying that our petition was received and in process. I got one of those a week ago. I emailed to check on the status, and the reply said that our case was approved on Tuesday! We should get it any day. Hurray!

I feel like the Tasmanian Devil

I am running around in a happy whirlwind. We need to update our homestudy per Maine law. If things go slowly, we will need to file an extension on our I-800A. There is a chance that things may happen sooner than we thought, so I have to fly. The agency has agreed to rush our update. I have lots to do!!!

My Handsome Son, Connor

Connor has been having a good year. He is homeschooling full-time this year. He does still go to the middle school for band, chorus and drama. He is an eighth grader. Connor has been busy since summer. In August, he played Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, Jr. Just after that ended, soccer began. Just after school started, AMS drama started up, and Connor got a lead role in the school play. The performances are coming up in two weeks, so he is really busy right now. Somehow he still makes time to work on learning clarinet, and to ride his unicycle.

Connor gets along well with everyone, and has friends wherever he goes. He seems to be enjoying homeschool co-op where there are lots of boys his age. He made one very close friend last year. Unfortunately, Cameron is at the EL this year, so they don't get together too often. Hopefully, as soon as the show is over, we can start getting them together on a regular basis. They are both quirky kids who love to problem solve and to build paper airplanes. Together they are an amazing team, and very funny, too.

Notification

Today we received notification that our I-800 is officially in process. The letter was sent on Monday. I believe that means we filled it out properly and attached the necessary documents. Pray is goes fast!

We also learned that the date on our fingerprints doesn't matter because they expire when our I-800A does. That date is March 12, 2010. We cannot file an extension until 90 days before the expiration date. So, we are gonna wait until December to update our homestudy. Unless, of course, we find out sooner that we will not get a date before then.

Happy, full of Hope and Joy

Shea's trip to You-know-where has been the most wonderful thing for me. I am so happy for them! It also made me realize that we are getting close, and it really is going to happen for us too. For the first time, I actually believe that. Fully.

Yesterday, I found out that we need to update our homestudy. Instead of feeling stressed, I feel great. Having something to do, something I can do, besides wait, feels so good! The update should be fairly easy and quick. It doesn't look too horribly expensive either. It feels like I am back in the race. Only this time, we get to cross the finish line. And what a prize is waiting for us.:)

I have SO MUCH WORK to do to prepare for Little Man. I haven't bought him anything for clothes or toys. I LOVE this feeling. I love having assignments and having a deadline. We still don't have an exact time, but I know it is soon. Soon is such a motivating word!!!!

The Place I'd Like to Be

My friend and her husband are there right now, adopting their son. I am so happy for them. At the same time, it makes the waiting so much harder. I want to be there so badly!!!!

Soon! I know it will be soon.

Today is the Last Day

that Oskar is an orphan. It is almost morning there, too. I don't know what time they have court, but it may be official before I get up in the morning.:) Hurray. His parents worked sooooo hard to bring him home. I am celebrating for all of them. Gotta go look at his pictures one more time.