train ride

Here's another good analogy for adoption (specifically the referral part):
Perhaps waiting for a referral is like waiting in line for the biggest, best ride in the coolest theme park around. You see the ride, and you're a little intimidated, but after much thought, passing it by as you go on other rides, you decide, "Yes, I'm gonna ride it!" You have all kinds of ambition, and energy at first because you just can't wait to get to the end of the line and hop on! You look at the outside of the line and think it's not too bad, but as you go on, you realized that there was more ahead of you than you could see, and you start to get impatient. WHEN are we going to get on?
Tim and I had almost this exact experiece this past Monday. We went to Blackberry Farm, which is a kind-of Pioneer Village here in Aurora. We paid the admission and then realized that this particular place was for children of slightly older ages who may have enjoyed it better. BUT...there was a choo-choo train that took a trip around the farm, and it was included in the price. :) The line was long, but it didn't look TOO daunting. We waited and waited and then finally got "near" the front...or so we thought. Turns out, just when you get to what you THINK is the end; the corner turns and there is more line. Lots more line. At this point I feel like we've waited long enough, but we've come so far in the line, we have to stick it out. I tried my best to calculate how many more trains would come and go before we get on, getting upset at empty seats I saw, and the people who "jumped" in line ahead of us because someone was holding their spot (and what could I do?) only to realize it doesn't matter. It would be our turn eventually.
Waiting for our referral feels like this. I feel like the train of referrals is due to arrive soon and take some of us on-board, but I dont know if I'll make that one, or I'll have to wait for another one to come, or one after that! It's frustrating. I see the train coming, and I'm ready, but I don't know if it's my turn yet.
I guess I just need to remember that this IS the biggest, best ride around; and once I get on that train, it'll be worth it. Hopefully soon I'll get to pass that line of people waiting, and say "it's worth it!...hang in there! Your train is right around the corner!"
That'll be awesome. So, hurry up train, I'M READY!!

another adoptive family

Tonight I was "working" (I do childcare at local churches) as usual, and about 1/2 way through our night, we had a mother come in with her little boy. She decided to stay with him, and I realized why. He had a vision problem. He was an adorable little Oriental boy, 3 years old. The mom was Caucasian, and I hated to 'assume' but I had a feeling he was adopted. I really wanted to talk to her, but I didn't want it to be awkward for her. ANYWAY, the Lord gave me a perfect opportunity, when she asked how many children I had. Cale was there, so I pointed him out, and then I told her we were adopting from Ethiopia. And the conversation took off! :)
It really was so nice to hear her story (her little boy was on the waiting list and they just fell in love with him), and get advice from her. They just brought their son home this past October, so everything is really fresh for her.
All this to say, that I think it's wonderful to meet and get to know other families who have adopted! This church (not my home church) has many many families who look like they adopted (again, I'm not positive), and I'd love to just strike up a conversation with them out of the blue, but I dont want to offend anyone.
Is there a magic way I can do this that anyone knows of? I'd love to know!
Either way though, tonight was very encouraging to me. Thank you Lord.

Frogs

So, I'm not sure if I'm going to keep this new background. I'm not crazy about the little dots in the backdrop. But it really does say "little boy." Reminds me of last summer when I caught a frog and wanted to see what Cale would do with it. Even at 16 months he took every opportunity to be a little boy and was not shy about squishing that frog. Poor thing...didn't stand a chance with my boy around.



Anyway, the print is kinda hard to read, right? I don't know about it.
I thought I'd change it because I need something a little more "manly"...haha. I still can't believe I'm gonna have 2 little boys in a few months. I'm very excited!

We're having a garage sale fundraiser at the end of this month, so it's been a good motivation for me to go through all of my stuff. I even went through Cale's clothes and just couldn't believe that he fit into some of those little outfits! In 2 years he's gone from 6.5 lbs, wearing some newborn outfits, to weighing 34.5 lbs and wearing a 3T. Crazy!! I'm glad that I'll be able to use those clothes so soon.

You know what's funny too, is that I went through a bunch of my old maternity clothes, and realized that I borrowed at least 50% of them. I figured after 2 years, it was time to give them back...so I took awhile to separate them. Every time I pulled something out...I shuddered! Yikes! It's insane the amount of change (and weight) your body is put through for a baby! Of course it's all worth it, but yeowza, I'm definitely not anxious to get into those clothes again! :)

curls

Try this on for size:
My hair has changed texture.
This is a bizarre thing. A bizarre, but very cool thing.
My entire life I have had straight hair. Straight with a "dab" of wave in random spots...((very much like Katie Holmes' hair when it was longer and she was younger)). I have been able to curl it with a curling iron, or TRY to scrunch it to get the effect of 'curly,' but it wasn't natural.
At any rate, I've noticed that in the past month or so, my hair has decided to slowly, but surly curl. Yes, on it's own. Without prompting! It is so strange to me. Every time I wash it, I expect it to revert back, but it hasn't. It's pretty cool!
I have 10 girl cousins on my father's side, and 80% of them have curls. My sister and I, did not get them (our Mom has POKER straight hair). I have always liked curly hair. I've even had 2 or 3 perms in my life (2 of which were horrifically curly, and one didn't take), hoping to be able to mimic what my cousins naturally have. But now, without any explanation, I have curls.
I actually just recently went off an impulse, and got about 6 inches cut off my hair.
I figured the curls would get chopped off, but they stayed with me!

Has this ever happened to anyone? I mean, I've read your hair can change after pregnancy, but hello, Cale is two. I kinda figured any change like that would have already taken place (my Mom's hair got darker with each pregnancy). Perhaps the chemical body change just came late?

OR...maybe, just maybe, God is granting me curly hair so my new baby and I will be able to "match" despite our other physical differences. I like to think so. Thank you Lord. :)