T minus 20 days...

Great news on the homefront. We (yes, you heard it correctly, "we" - E was working at home today due to a broken AC system at work, rendering his office a mere 90+ degrees) received a call from Jessica (our caseworker) today. Our court date has been set for August 11th - 20 days from now.

When the adoption is approved, we will be able to travel approximately 3 to 5 weeks later. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers for a positive opinion.

Paradox

Two months ago, a tiny new life entered this world. Although unknown at the time, five weeks later our family was introduced to this beautiful miracle and precious bundle of joy. She has already captivated our hearts and created her place within our lives.

Part of me tries to remain cautiously optimistic with a side order of realism. What I mean is that while I remain cautiously optimistic and hopeful to receive a court date before closure, my analytical left brain keeps barking orders to "keep it real...hope for the best but keep your grip on reality." The neurons rapid fire additional remarks, "even if you don't receive a court date before closure, Baby M will most likely be around 6 or 7 months old when she comes home...heck, that's a great age, sleeping through the night, not eating every 2 to 3 hours, starting to have more growth and development, personality...all that jazz."

But like any normal human, I long to see her, to feel her in my arms, to hear her coos, her cries, her laughter, to see her beautiful face in person, to have my family unit complete, to see C being a great big brother to his baby sister, to see my husband being oh so gentle and tender with his daughter. Tis truly a paradox, having these separate thoughts occur simultaneously in the thought speak of my mind.

My poor corpus callosum is working mandatory overtime (okay, these are the ramblings you get when a nursing instructor who teaches about neurological disorders can't sleep). But on the bright side, at least the brain chatter has dulled to a low roar now that the words are being typed on the screen.

My husband has had four years of marriage and an additional two years of dating/engagement to get used to my unannounced segues. So, I end with this thought. In life, there are things within our control and others that are beyond our control. Life flows more smoothly when we are able to identify the differences between these two opposing poles. So, knowing that the court date is within the spectrum of the latter, I leave this blog entry in a quasi-state of peace. Although I cannot control when we receive the court date, I can control my response to the wait. I choose peace - peace in the knowledge that that our day will come and that our daughter will be united with her family in the near future.

Shalom.

Celebration

I have Kool in the Gang's song on the brain, thanks to Ms. C. See her great news here.

On the home front, I was pleased to receive an email from another local mom, J, who arrived home recently with her sweet little girl. J saw itty bitty Baby M while she was in ET.

This week, after returning home from vacation, I was able to develop Baby M's pictures (as well as some vacation pictures). I've taken opportunities to show Big Brother C her pictues, tell him her name and that she is his baby sister. So now, he sees the pictures and says she's "baby sister." He doesn't remember her name yet (nor do I expect him to make the connection until she is with us permanently). I look forward to the days when he identifies her as easily by name as he does w/ Ba, Mum-mum, or the rest of the clan.

I will say vacations are a great way for time to pass quickly. I can't believe two weeks have passed since we received Abbey's call. We remain hopeful to receive a court date before closure. However, we will be at peace, no matter whether the date is before or afterwards. The most important thing is for Baby M to remain healthy, well-cared for, and loved.

Finally, I am happy to note that there are several families who now have court dates this month. I am so hopeful that each family receives a positive opinion and travels to be united with their little ones before the rainy season starts. You all are in our prayers!

Peace...