This is IT!

Today, our social worker called and left a message. She asked us to call her regarding a baby that was born yesterday. I called as soon as I got the message but she was on lunch break. The next hour of my day was spent in full adrenaline mode. I called and left Ed a message, wondered about where we might be traveling, thought about flying or driving, figured out a house-sitting plan, and thought through everything that we'd need to cancel in the coming weeks. Excited but mostly nervous, I fretted for a moment that we don't even have any names picked out. No matter, we'll stop at a book store on our way out of town and get a book of names. (The books of names from the library gathered dust for 6 weeks before I had to return them . . . not enough pressure).

When lunch break time was over, I had changed my clothes so that I might be properly dressed for such a momentous phone call (Nothing fancy, just my favorite jeans. Sweatpants didn't seem appropriate.) But by the time I called again, Sheila informed me that the "situation had been resolved." The birth mother decided to parent the child.

O.K. So these things happen. I only had one hour to get worked up, so the let-down isn't too bad. There's no personal rejection involved this time around, which makes for a softer landing. But once the adrenaline rush is over, I think I'm going to need a nap.

List of things to do:
1. decide on baby names
2. get life ready to turn on a dime

Where We're At

Most times when the phone rings, it is simply not our adoption agency social worker. Still, the potential for it to be her is there. We are at that point in the adoption process when every phone call could possibly be our social worker, calling to tell us of a new birth mother situation. Then, after we confirm that we are interested, every next phone call has the potential to be her again, informing us that we have been chosen by a birth mother to be parents! This second kind of phone call hasn't happened yet. (The news that we were not chosen arrives via email rather than by phone). So now the telephone, and answering machine, have acquired a new power.

This ride is having its ups and downs. I'm finding it interesting, in a painful sort of way, how quickly a heart can attach to the idea of a specific little person, born at a specific place and time. Despite the heartache inherent in this process, I am glad that the final choice remains with the birth mother. These birth moms love their children. They have had to make the hard decision of relinquishing the care of their child into the hands of others. In choosing the adoptive parents, birth parents have a say in their child's future. I believe this is a good thing.

This said, it doesn't change the fact that we could repeatedly find ourselves in the runners-up position for an unspecified length of time. Rejection feels like, well . . . it feels like rejection. And being turned down once or twice doesn't do anything to move us into a better position for the next time around. In the lower moments, this leaves us feeling hapless. I want some sort of control. I would at least like a time-line so that I can know if it will be next week or 6 months from now that we will be meeting our kid. But then, this is not how life works. There will always be the unforeseen and unexpected. I am regularly reminded that even when we think we are in control of our circumstances, ultimately, it is God who is turning the wheels of the universe and laying out the plan. So where else can we rest but here? That God, in His perfect wisdom, is building our family according to His perfect timing, even if it may look not-quite-so-perfect to me just now.

Salsa Party Follow-up

Greetings one and all! We want to bring you up to date on our adoption progress. We also figure it's time to share news and photos from our Salsa Party fundraiser in September. The farm is looking a lot different than it did 3 months ago. Presently, we're shrouded in snow and hunkering down for the winter. And yet, the salsa lives on! Thank goodness for chest freezers.

Intentions were that I would have this blog together at a much earlier date, but life has a way of crowding my plans. I must confess that in this case it is partly due to the fact that I tend to be a foot-dragger when it comes to all things computer-related. Bear with us as we build our blogging skills.

This page is dedicated to salsa party and fundraiser coverage. Future pages of this blog will be updated with our adoption news, thoughts, and trivia while we continue on the road to parenthood. Stay tuned....



Thank you to everyone who came out for our salsa party to make it such a great day for us! Thanks also to all who sent words of encouragement from afar. We had such a wonderful time and enjoyed being in the midst of so many friends. Many hooks were smithed, a mountain of salsa was made and consumed, treasures got scavenged, songs were sung and savored, supper was shared, and finally we did get around to lighting up the sky with our epic bonfire.

Extra special thanks to the following folks who made it all happen with their generous contributions and hard work:

Renee Bartz - canopies
Mike Racette & Patty Wright - salsa vegetables
Kate Stout - picnic tables, dishes, set-up, tear down/clean up, salsa engineer, kitchen wrangling, etc.
Karin and Carol Svenson - planning, set-up, sales, welcoming committee, food, everything
Lisa, Jessica, Jimmy, & Joey Inlow - kitchen wranglers & salsa production, set-up & torch crew
Dori and Allison Howard - house scrubbing & yard prep
Amy Alen & Sherrine Bundt - dessert provisions
Julie Larson & Sue Temple - chair massage
J. Willie Williams - music, sound equipment & open mic MC
Beth Huber -signage & scavenger hunt master
Julie Anderson - photos



We are very pleased to report that by the close of the day, we had received about $4500 through sales, donations and pledges. Since that day, we have received an additional $3200 in contributions through the mail. The total of $7700 is far above and beyond our hopes or expectations of the funds we might receive. (We estimate that this will cover close to 25% of our total adoption costs). Our humble and grateful thanks go out to all who have helped and encouraged us with finances, prayers, supportive words, resources, and hard work.

Here are a few more pictures from the day. Clicking on a photo will enlarge it for a better view.

BLACKSMITHING





SALSA MAKING



SUPPER


AROUND THE FARM



More to come. Thanks for stopping in.
kris