My Family's Reaction

So, the fact that I have a referral has begun to sink in. Sort of. Nothing is ready -- not her bedroom, not day care, no travel partner lined up... I don't even have a name picked out! I had it narrowed down to about 20 and once I saw her picture I was able to rule some of them out because they don't seem to fit her. Now that I am down to about 12 I have to decide if I want to keep her given name as her first name or move it to the middle. So much to do as you can see, though I imagine once I get a court date I will be running around like a crazy woman. Nothing like a court date to put things in perspective.

It is starting to become real to my family as well. I drove home to tell my parents in person and surprise them with the news. I was telling them about a certification exam I had taken that morning and was going on and on about how difficult it was but how grateful I was that my friend Tracy had lent me her study guide. I pulled out the envelope which she had mailed the guide in but replaced it with a magazine on top of which I placed the referral photos. So I hand my mom the envelope as I am going on and on about the thick study guide, thinking she would pull it out and see the photos. Instead, she hands it off to my dad and keeps on talking. I had pulled out my camera at this point to try to video tape the moment but it didn't quite go as smoothly as I had planned.

My dad opens the envelope and pulls out the magazine, leaving the photos inside! And then he gets so wrapped up at looking at Tyra Bank's sexy cover photo that he doesn't even realize that he's supposed to be looking for a study guide. Meanwhile, my mom totally oblivious to this, continues to chat about the test. Finally I have to interrupt her to say, "Oh, that magazine was in there too but the study guide is also in there" to get them to reach in for the photos. My dad pulls out the photos, says nothing, and hands them to my mom. My mom glances as them and says nonchalantly, "Oh, she's cute", making no connection to the fact that these are referral photos and not a study guide! Now to their defense, they have no idea what referral photos look like nor were they expecting to see one in this envelope but I had to outright tell them what they are looking at! Even after repeating it to them several times, I swear it took a full 45 seconds for it to all sink in. Then, my mom went crazy! :-) Unfortunately I can't post them yet because someone either shows her photo or says her name or age and those details can't be given out until I pass court, but you will just have to believe that everyone was pretty darn excited! Here are a few photos of my parents and my sister on that day and one of me gazing at the photo of a little one who may become my daughter.

It's With Great Joy that I Share This News...

I accepted a referral!!! I got it over two weeks ago and it's been so hard to keep it quiet, but I couldn't post until I got the opportunity to share the news with my parents in person and I wasn't able to drive there until yesterday! It's been a crazy couple of weeks filled with insane work and personal obligations but I can finally exhale and share my joy with all of you. She is an adorable little girl with soft curls and beautiful, bright eyes. Though I hold my breath and guard my heart until I pass court, I am thrilled. Two years, five months in the adoption process. 4 months, 2 weeks, 3 days waiting for a referral. It's been a long road but my time has finally arrived.

Here are two videos.
The first one explains the events of that day.
The second one is of me opening her photos.